Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Leh
You'll land at Leh Airport where a representative meets you and takes you to your hotel. This first day is mainly about settling in and getting used to the altitude (Leh sits at 11,562 feet). Later in the evening, walk through Leh Market to see local shops and crafts, then check out Leh Palace which gives you a sense of the region's history. Before heading back to your hotel, spend some time at Shanti Stupa for quiet views over the city as the sun sets.
- Start point
- Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), Ladakh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India (Arrival Gate, 00:00 - 00:00)
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Leh Market
- Visit to Leh Palace
- Visit to Shanti Stupa
Landmarks Leh Palace Shanti Stupa Leh Market - Day 2
Sangam - Magnetic Hill
After breakfast, you're driving 68 km out to Alchi Monastery, which has intricate paintings that are about 1,000 years old. On the way, you'll stop at Likir Monastery to see the Maitreya Buddha statue. Then head to Sangam where the Indus and Zanskar Rivers meet and the water colors actually change at the junction. Later you'll experience Magnetic Hill where vehicles seem to move uphill on their own (it's an optical illusion). The last stop is Military Hall of Fame where you learn about Ladakh's military importance to India.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Alchi Monastery
- Visit to Maitreya Buddha statue at Likir Monastery
- Visit to Sangam (Indus and Zanskar Rivers convergence)
- Visit to Magnetic Hill
- Visit to Military Hall of Fame
Landmarks Alchi Monastery Likir Monastery Sangam Magnetic Hill Military Hall of Fame - Day 3
Leh to Nubra Valley
Starting right after breakfast, you're heading to Nubra Valley by crossing Khardung La pass at 18,382 feet, one of the highest roads you can actually drive on. The pass offers views of snow-covered mountains in the distance. You'll cross a glacier bridge that holds a Guinness World Record. Once you reach Nubra Valley, the landscape is really striking for photos. Stop at the sand dunes near Hundar Village and visit Diskit Monastery, founded in the 1300s. You'll have dinner and stay at a camp overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Crossing of Khardung La
- Traverse glacier bridge
- Visit to Hundar Village sand dunes
- Visit to Diskit Monastery
Optional Activities
- Double hump Camel Ride at Nubra Valley - Rs.500 to Rs.800 per person (as per duration)
Landmarks Khardung La Hundar Village Diskit Monastery - Day 4
Turtuk Excursion
After breakfast, you're going to Turtuk, a small village in Nubra Valley that sits near the Line of Control, making it one of the furthest north you can reach in this region. Turtuk used to be part of Pakistan until 1971, so it has a different culture than most of Ladakh. The people here speak Balti language and follow Balti traditions, which is different from the Tibetan Buddhist culture found elsewhere. You'll see local customs, dress, and try local food before returning to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Excursion to Turtuk Village
Landmarks Turtuk Village - Day 5
Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake
After breakfast, you're heading toward Pangong Lake, which sits at 14,500 feet and is the world's highest saltwater lake. On the route, stop at the Shyok River and Durbuk Village to break up the drive. When you reach the lake, you'll see why people travel here to see it - the water reflects different colors depending on the light and angle. You'll spend the night at a camp or cottage right by the lake, so you can wake up to the views.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Pangong Lake
- Exploration of Shyok River
- Visit to Durbuk Village
Landmarks Pangong Lake Shyok River Durbuk Village - Day 6
Pangong Lake to Leh
This morning after breakfast, you have time to drive around Pangong Lake and photograph the views. By mid-morning, you start the drive back toward Leh. On the way back, stop at Thiksey Monastery which sits on a hilltop and gives you information about Buddhist traditions and practices in Ladakh. Then you'll cross Chang La Pass at 17,350 feet, the third highest motorable road in the world. Once you're back in Leh by afternoon, you can walk around the markets for shopping or just wander and look around before dinner at your hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Scenic drive around Pangong Lake
- Visit to Thiksey Monastery
- Crossing of Chang La Pass
- Exploration of Leh Markets
Landmarks Thiksey Monastery Chang La Pass Leh Market - Day 7
Departure from Leh
After breakfast, head to the airport and catch your flight back home. You're taking all the memories and experiences from the past week with you.
- End point
- Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), Ladakh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India (departure gate, 00:00 - 00:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast (Morning tea/coffee with biscuits on the day of departure)
