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Itinerary · Ladakh

8 Days Ladakh Itinerary

Leh, Nubra and Pangong with a western-route day to Alchi and Lamayuru, in a week with acclimatisation and weather buffers.

Duration8 days

Scheduled Travel Plan

Arrive in Leh and restCheck in at your hotel, rest and drink plenty of water. Eat lightly, avoid alcohol and do not climb stairs or walk far. Have an early dinner and a long night's sleep to help your body adjust.

Check in at your hotel, rest and drink plenty of water. Eat lightly, avoid alcohol and do not climb stairs or walk far. Have an early dinner and a long night's sleep to help your body adjust.

Gentle LehVisit Leh Palace, the old town and Shanti Stupa at sunset by car, taking each step slowly. Walk gently through the bazaar in the afternoon and avoid any steep climbs while your body adjusts.

Visit Leh Palace, the old town and Shanti Stupa at sunset by car, taking each step slowly. Walk gently through the bazaar in the afternoon and avoid any steep climbs while your body adjusts.

Shey, Thiksey and HemisVisit the monasteries east of Leh, with morning prayers at Thiksey if you can arrive early. Return to Leh for lunch and an easy afternoon, since the next day involves a high pass.

Visit the monasteries east of Leh, with morning prayers at Thiksey if you can arrive early. Return to Leh for lunch and an easy afternoon, since the next day involves a high pass.

Leh to Nubra over Khardung LaCross the pass early in the morning, with a short stop at the top, and descend to the Shyok valley. Reach Hunder by afternoon and enjoy a camel ride on the dunes at sunset.

Cross the pass early in the morning, with a short stop at the top, and descend to the Shyok valley. Reach Hunder by afternoon and enjoy a camel ride on the dunes at sunset.

Nubra to Pangong TsoVisit Diskit Monastery and continue to Pangong via the Shyok route if it is open. If not, return to Leh and go to the lake the next day. Overnight at the lake.

Visit Diskit Monastery and continue to Pangong via the Shyok route if it is open. If not, return to Leh and go to the lake the next day. Overnight at the lake.

Pangong to LehWatch the sunrise over the lake, have breakfast and drive back to Leh over Chang La, with a lunch stop on the way. A quiet evening with a warm shower and an early night to recover from the cold.

Watch the sunrise over the lake, have breakfast and drive back to Leh over Chang La, with a lunch stop on the way. A quiet evening with a warm shower and an early night to recover from the cold.

Alchi, Lamayuru and Magnetic HillA lower-altitude western-route day: Magnetic Hill, the Indus–Zanskar confluence, Alchi's old temples and Lamayuru Monastery. This day also serves as a buffer in case weather has changed the plan earlier. Overnight in Leh.

A lower-altitude western-route day: Magnetic Hill, the Indus–Zanskar confluence, Alchi's old temples and Lamayuru Monastery. This day also serves as a buffer in case weather has changed the plan earlier. Overnight in Leh.

DepartureBreakfast at the hotel and a transfer to Leh airport for your flight. Keep the day free of other plans in case flights or weather change, and allow plenty of time for security checks.

Breakfast at the hotel and a transfer to Leh airport for your flight. Keep the day free of other plans in case flights or weather change, and allow plenty of time for security checks.

Eight days allows a fuller Ladakh without rushing. This plan runs from Leh to Nubra to Pangong and back, then adds a western-route day to Alchi and Lamayuru. It leaves out Tso Moriri, which needs additional days.

Who it suits: travellers who want variety, groups of friends and families with confident teenagers. Pace: four lighter days and four longer driving days. Seasonal tweaks: from June to September the plan is as written. In May and October, expect cold nights and some closed camps. In winter, the plan changes completely.

The shape of the week. The first three days are about settling into Leh and seeing its monasteries. The middle days take you over Khardung La and to Pangong. The last days bring you back and add a lower-altitude day to the west. Making it easier. Start early on pass days and plan rest in the afternoons. If you want a calmer trip, drop Pangong and add a night in Nubra. If you want a longer trip, add Tso Moriri.

Getting around. Private taxis cover all stages, so you rarely need to arrange anything yourself. This is the route of our Classic Ladakh tour. For a different pace, ask us to remove a stop.

Helpful answers

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need for Ladakh?

Seven to nine days is a sensible minimum. You need two or three days in Leh just to acclimatise, and then another four to five for Nubra, Pangong and perhaps Tso Moriri. A five-day trip is possible but very tight and leaves little margin for altitude or road delays.

Are the roads to Ladakh open year-round?

No. The Manali to Leh highway usually opens around late May and closes in mid to late November. The Srinagar to Leh highway generally opens earlier and closes later but also depends on snow. Both can be blocked for hours or days by snowfall, landslides or flash floods, so we keep spare days and prefer flights for tight schedules.

What are the camps at Pangong and Nubra like?

Most are basic tent or cottage camps with shared or attached bathrooms, limited hot water and simple meals. Nights are very cold, even in summer. Quality varies, so ask about bedding, heating, bathrooms and noise before booking, and avoid camps that leave waste or run loud music.