Ladakh
Monasteries, Moonscapes & the Roof of the World
Leh, Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso
Leh to Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso
Built around altitude and mountain silence, this high altitude Himalayan journey traces Leh, the Khardung La pass, the Nubra Valley’s sand dunes, and the ethereal blue waters of Pangong Tso. Ladakh is priced differently to the other five trips because of how remote and flight dependent it is. We reconfirm exact costing before any deposit is taken.
Key experiences
Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes on earth
A drive over a pass flanked by prayer flags and staggering glaciers, on the road into Nubra.
Nubra Valley's sand dunes and Bactrian camels
Double humped camels against a backdrop of snow peaks. A landscape that genuinely does not look like the rest of India.
Pangong Tso
A high altitude lake that shifts through vibrant blues and greens across the day. The far shore touches Tibet.
Thiksey Monastery
Known as the mini Potala Palace, a multi storey working monastery with a large seated Maitreya Buddha.
Hemis Monastery
Ladakh's largest active religious centre, tucked into a hidden mountain gorge.
Route and itinerary
10 days across 3 stops
- Days 1 to 3
Leh & acclimatisation
✈Fly Delhi to Leh, 11,500 feet. Mandatory rest and gentle sightseeing
A mandatory rest day with no strenuous activity, then a gentler second day, then Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and a walk through the old town once the group is properly acclimatised.
Insider tip: Skipping the rest days is the single most common way this trip goes wrong. It is not filler, it is what makes the rest of it possible.
- Days 4 to 5
Nubra Valley
🚗Cross Khardung La Pass, high altitude desert dunes
The drive over Khardung La and down into the Nubra river valley, then the Hunder sand dunes with Bactrian camels and Diskit Monastery's giant Buddha statue.
Insider tip: Keep warm layers handy for the brief stop at the top of Khardung La.
- Days 6 to 7
Pangong Tso
🚗Shyok River valley drive to the high altitude blue lake
A scenic drive along the Shyok River, the first sight of Pangong Tso shifting through shades of blue, and a lakeside evening under clear starry skies.
Insider tip: Bring a proper camera. This is the single most photographed stretch of the whole trip for good reason.
- Days 8 to 10
Leh monasteries & departure
🚗Return via Chang La, then Thiksey and Hemis, then fly out of Leh (IXL)
Thiksey Monastery's morning prayers, Hemis Monastery in its hidden gorge, and the return flight from Leh.
Insider tip: Build in slack around the return flight. Leh's weather can delay departures with little notice.
Gastronomy
- Ladakhi thukpa and skyu noodle stew
- Steamed butter tea and tsampa
- Fresh apricot jam
Craft and making
- Pashmina and sheep wool weaving
- Tibetan thangka painting
- Wood carved prayer wheels
Pricing and module swaps
Pick a tier, try a swap, see the total.
Budget and Premium follow the same route. The difference is accommodation quality and service level. The temples, backwaters, desert and mountains are the same either way. Land-only, per person, based on a shared double or twin room.
Ladakh is priced on a different logic to the other five trips given how remote and flight dependent it is. The figures above are our own estimate, not a DMC confirmed number, and we reconfirm exact costing before any deposit is taken.
Good to know
Acclimatisation is medical, not optional, so this trip always includes a mandatory rest day in Leh before any sightseeing begins, regardless of how fit travellers are. Discuss altitude medication with a GP well before travel. Pricing is our own estimate given the route's remoteness and flight dependency, and we reconfirm exact costing before any deposit is taken.
- All ground transport
- Accommodation per selected tier
- Daily breakfast
- Guided monastery visits
- Permits for restricted areas
- Entry fees for all listed sites
- A dedicated English speaking guide
- International and domestic flights
- Travel insurance
- Alcohol
- Personal expenses and tips
- Diamox or other altitude medication, discuss with a GP before travel