The shape of this journey
Eight days across monasteries, sand dunes and the world's highest motorable passes, with two full rest days at Leh and honest acclimatisation, because altitude is the one thing you cannot rush.
What makes it worth it
- Khardung La at 5,359 m and Chang La at 5,360 m
- Diskit Monastery, Maitreya Buddha and the Hunder sand dunes
- Double-humped Bactrian camel ride in Nubra Valley
- Sunrise and sunset over Pangong Tso at Spangmik
- Thiksey, Hemis and Shey monasteries with a monk-led walk
- Ladakh's night sky, one of the darkest in India
Day by day
Day 1 · Fly into Leh · complete rest
You are met at Leh airport and taken to your hotel with no sightseeing planned. Drink water, avoid alcohol and sleep early, this day decides how the rest of your trip feels.
Stay: Hotel, Leh · Meals: Dinner · Travel: Airport transfer · 20 min · Altitude: 3,500 m
Day 2 · Leh local · Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and the old town
A gentle first day of walking: Leh Palace on the ridge, the Shanti Stupa at sunset and the lanes of the old bazaar, with a slow afternoon in between.
Stay: Hotel, Leh · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: Local · short walks · Altitude: 3,500 m
Day 3 · Leh → Nubra Valley over Khardung La
Up and over Khardung La at 5,359 m for a short stop, then down into the cold desert of Nubra: dunes at Hunder, Diskit Monastery and the Maitreya Buddha looking out over the valley.
Stay: Camp / guesthouse, Nubra · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Travel: Leh → Nubra · 5 hrs · Altitude: 3,050 m
Day 4 · Nubra · Bactrian camels, Turtuk or Sumur
A double-humped Bactrian camel ride on the Hunder dunes, then north to Turtuk, the last Balti village before the border, with apricot orchards and a different language.
Stay: Camp / guesthouse, Nubra · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: Local · 2–3 hrs · Altitude: 3,050 m
Day 5 · Nubra → Pangong Tso via Shyok
The Shyok river road east to Pangong Tso at 4,350 m, arriving for the afternoon colour shift. Stay at Spangmik so the day-trippers leave and the lake becomes yours.
Stay: Camp, Spangmik · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Travel: Nubra → Pangong · 6 hrs · Altitude: 4,350 m
Day 6 · Pangong Tso → Leh over Chang La
Sunrise over the lake, then back to Leh over Chang La at 5,360 m with a stop at Chemrey and the Thiksey monastery terraces.
Stay: Hotel, Leh · Meals: Breakfast, packed lunch, dinner · Travel: Pangong → Leh · 5 hrs · Altitude: 3,500 m
Day 7 · Indus valley monasteries and the Zanskar–Indus confluence
Hemis and Thiksey with a monk-led walk, then the meeting of the Zanskar and Indus at Nimmu and the magnetic hill on the way back.
Stay: Hotel, Leh · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: Local · 3 hrs total · Altitude: 3,500 m
Day 8 · Departure from Leh
An early airport transfer, timed to allow for the morning flight bank out of Leh.
Meals: Breakfast · Travel: Airport transfer · 20 min · Altitude: 3,500 m
What is included
- 7 nights accommodation (Leh hotels, Nubra and Pangong camps/guesthouses)
- Daily breakfast and dinner, with a packed lunch on long drive days
- Private air-conditioned SUV with an experienced local Ladakhi driver
- Inner Line Permits for Nubra, Hunder and Pangong
- Wildlife, environment and monastery entry fees
- Oxygen cylinder and oximeter in the vehicle on high-altitude days
- Airport transfers, a Leh orientation walk and 24×7 on-ground support
- Not included: Airfare to and from Leh
- Not included: Travel insurance (mandatory for Ladakh)
- Not included: Camel safari, rafting in the Zanskar, ATV and other activities
- Not included: Lunches and beverages except packed lunches
- Not included: Personal expenses, tips and anything caused by road closures or weather
No hidden charges on the road: driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel are inside your quotation.
We do not publish rates.
Hotel and transport costs move with the season, the week and availability. Send your dates and we come back with an itemised written quote within a few working hours.