leh ladakh trip in 4 days

4 days in Leh‑Ladakh - Best itineraries -

Table of contents.

If you have got only 4 days (4D/3N) to visit Leh-Ladakh, let's be clear, this is short and you won't have time to see all. But don't worry, we are going to tell you how you can make the most of your trip!

Start your trip with the Sham region (western Ladakh), because this part of Ladakh is at lower altitude and it is good to travel there during acclimatization. You can do a short day trip up to Sangam (as in itinerary #1 and itinerary #2 ) or you could explore the Sham region further over 2 days by driving all the way up to Kargil and spend a night there (as in itinerary #3 ). With itinerary #1 , you visit the monasteries of the Indus valley (Hemis, Thiksey, Shey, etc.) on the second day.

Itinerary #1

Itinerary in leh-ladakh for 4 days, total distance.

Total price = ₹ 3,910 + ₹ 4,865 + ₹ 13,700 =  ₹ 22,475

Detailed itinerary

Indus valley to sangam, around leh sightseeing (sham) (1-day tour), indus valley to hemis (1-day tour), pangong lake (1-day tour), itinerary #2, 4-day leh-ladakh itinerary.

Total price = ₹ 3,910 + ₹ 18,171 =  ₹ 22,081

Nubra valley with Panamik (2-day tour)

Itinerary #3, leh-ladakh itinerary for 4 days.

Total price = ₹ 20,999 + ₹ 13,700 =  ₹ 34,699

Indus valley to Lamayuru and Kargil (Sham) (2-day tour)

Private taxi, shared taxi, map of ladakh, hotels in ladakh, sightseeing tours, tour packages, travel itineraries, practical info, ladakh travel guides, client reviews.

How to Visit Ladakh in 4 Days – Leh Ladakh 4 Days Itinerary

Can you visit Ladakh in 4 days? While the answer to this question is a yes, it is not really recommended. The minimum time needed to visit Ladakh is 6 to 7 days by flight and at least 9 days for a road trip. This will ensure that you have plenty of time to witness the beauty of Ladakh without stressing yourself.

For some people, however, to be away from our regular jobs and lives for these many days too is not possible. Hence comes the need of trying to complete the journey in the lowest possible duration. If you too would like to plan a trip to Ladakh and have a very short span of time in hand, mentioned below is how you can plan your itinerary to visit Leh Ladakh in 4 days.

You can either pick one of these or amend it to draft your own travel plan. Either way, it will be enough to at least give you an idea and get started. If you have any other questions,  you can  contact me on Instagram  and I will be happy to answer. You can also consider  subscribing to my YouTube channel  and asking a question there.

To organize your trip to Ladakh, book a taxi, rent a bike, or get the best hotel rates, you can contact  Kunal @ 9910402252 . From luxurious hotels to budget stays, he can help get you the best rates possible.

Vargis Khan

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How to Visit Leh Ladakh in 4 Days

In the post below, I will share itineraries that will have you spend 4 days in Leh Ladakh and return on Day 5. If you were looking for an itinerary where you can fly out of Leh and reach home on Day 4 itself, then please read How to Plan a Trip to Ladakh in 3 Days .

For other details on Ladakh like the best time to visit, how to reach, safety tips, where to stay, and sightseeing, please take a look at How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh – A Complete Travel Guide .

How to Reach

The most important thing to remember here is that for a Leh Ladakh 4 day trip, you will have to reach Leh by flight. There is no possible way at all that you can make this a road trip.

You will not be able to travel on Manali to Leh or Srinagar to Leh roads and will have to leave them for another trip at another time. For now, you will reach Leh by air and spend the next 4 days on local sightseeing.

Acute Mountain Sickness

Acute Mountain Sickness, also known as altitude sickness, will be your biggest concern. When you visit a place like Ladakh, you bring your body to heights that it has never been to before and is not accustomed to. It then becomes of utmost importance that you allow sufficient time for acclimatization.

A slow gain in altitude and an ample amount of rest become the key factors here. Covering Ladakh in 4 days will however result in the exact opposite of it.

In order to cover as many places as you can, you will be rushing for the most part of your trip which may trigger altitude sickness. Further in the post, I will write down some tips on how you can avoid it while talking about the itinerary.

But for more information on what altitude sickness is and what it can do to you, please read How to handle acute mountain sickness in Ladakh.

Sightseeing

The second concern will be about how much sightseeing you can really do in 4 days. A trip to Ladakh is not an everyday affair. It is not a nearby hill station where you can just pack your bags and go over a weekend.

Who knows how long it would be before you are able to plan another trip here. So you need to ensure that when you get here, you cover as much as you can.

Ladakh is an endless list of tourist attractions and places that you must visit. You can spend weeks here and still not be done with it all. Trying to wrap up Ladakh in 4 days would mean that you will miss several of these places and will only visit a few, that too in a rushed manner.

For a complete list of all tourist attractions in the entire Ladakh, please read A complete list of tourist attractions in Ladakh .

Cost of the Trip

The third reason will involve the overall cost of the trip. Visiting Ladakh in 4 days may not come cheap. You cannot make this a road trip or and relying on public transport completely will be difficult due to the lack of time.

First of all, you will have to book a flight. For sightseeing, you will then need to either book a private taxi or rent a motorcycle.

Unless you got a really good and cheap deal on air tickets and rented a motorcycle for 4 days, or have a group of 5-6 people to share the cost of the taxi, your total budget for the trip will definitely shoot up a bit.

Arranging Permits &  Transport

A couple of things I will recommend taking care of in advance, before your arrival in Leh town. This will include booking a hotel, and a taxi, and arranging the Inner line permits as well. This will save you the time and hassle of doing it all on the first day of the trip.

Also read: What clothes should you pack for Ladakh Trip

The second thing you should do is to book a taxi in advance. Have your driver pick you up from the airport and drop you straight at the hotel.

Since your permits too will be already arranged, you can rest all day long and let symptoms of AMS subside. The same driver can then pick you up for sightseeing the next day.

Leh Ladakh Itinerary for 4 Days

With all said and done, mentioned below is an itinerary that you can follow for visiting Leh Ladakh in 4 days. I will strongly suggest that you stick to the plan and list of places mentioned below. If you try to squeeze in any more than this, you will just end up stressing yourself more than necessary.

Day 1: Arrive in Leh

Most of the flights to and from Leh are early in the morning which will work in your favor here. On Day 1 you will arrive in Leh in the morning and have the entire day to yourself to get ready for the trip ahead.

The first task of the day would be to find a hotel first and check in which is not really a big deal. No matter what your budget is, you will easily find a hotel in Leh.

Later, you can either choose to rest in Leh or do some local sightseeing. Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, local markets, and monasteries are some of the places you can visit.

Upon reaching Leh, keep a check on how you were feeling. If your condition worsened, please seek medical help immediately. There is a large hospital in Leh that is capable of handling medical emergencies, especially related to altitude sickness.

Day 2: Leh to Lamayuru to Leh

The plan for today is to take a drive on the Srinagar Leh highway and return to Leh by evening. Do not plan Nubra Valley or Pangong Tso for this day as it is just your second day in Ladakh.

AMS can still hurt so it is best to not go towards a high-altitude pass; which you will have to cross in order to reach Nubra and Pangong both.

For the second day, ask your driver to pick you up from the hotel early in the morning and start driving towards Lamayuru. On the way, you will see Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, Indus – Zanskar Confluence, and Magnetic Hill , apart from the natural beauty of Srinagar Leh road.

Go as far as you are able to until noon and then start your return journey. Since you have reached Ladakh by flight, this day would give you at least some taste of the famous Srinagar to Leh road.

If you have time, you can also include a tour of Sham Valley. Hemis Shukpachan village in Sham Valley is definitely worth a visit. Read How to Plan a Trip to Sham Valley for details on how you can visit there on your second day.

Day 3 – Leh to Diskit to Leh

Today you will be making a day trip to Nubra Valley. It is very important that you start as early as possible from Leh since you are short on time.

Start at around 6 AM and take the road towards Khardung La Pass , once known as the world’s highest motorable road. Have a cup of tea at the army-run canteen at the top and descend on the other side to Nubra Valley.

Reach as far as Hunder and Diskit. It is easily a 5-6 hours drive depending on your speed and the breaks you take. You do not have much time for local sightseeing so keep your breaks limited and short.

Once you reach Diskit, take a break, have lunch, and start your return journey. If you reached there by 12 noon, pay a quick visit to the local monastery.

Start your return journey by 1 PM at most so that you have sufficient time to reach Leh before dark. Take the same road back to Leh across Khardung La that you took to reach Nubra Valley.

Also read: 10 Reasons why you should NEVER visit Ladakh

Day 4 : Leh to Pangong Tso to Leh

On day 3, you will make a day trip to Pangong Tso. The lake is at quite a distance from Leh so once again you will need to start early in the morning, possibly by 6 AM again.

You will first take the road to Chang La Pass, famous as the third-highest motorable road in the world. There is an Army canteen here as well where you can take a quick break. Descend on the other side and continue till Pangong.

Keep your breaks limited on the way so that you have some time to spend at the lake. You will have to start your return journey by 1 PM most to reach Leh by late evening. Overall, it will be 10-11 hours of the journey so please manage your day accordingly.

Day 5: Return Flight

On the morning of Day 5, you will catch your return flight home early in the morning. If your idea of the trip was to reach home on Day 4 itself, please read How to Plan a Trip to Ladakh in 3 Days .

4 Day Trip to Leh Ladakh: Alternate Itineraries

The plan that I mentioned above is the recommended and probably the best way to visit Ladakh in 4 days.

Itinerary 1

If however, you would like to do your trip differently, below is how you can plan it.

• Arrive in Leh – Day 1
• Leh to Nubra Valley – Day 2
• Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso via Shyok road – Day 3
• Pangong Tso to Leh – Day 4

This way, you will skip Srinagar Leh road entirely and focus on Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake. You will spend Day 2 in the valley. On Day 3, you will go directly to Pangong Lake by Shyok Road and return to Leh by Chang La Pass on Day 4.

Itinerary 2

Another way around this will be to have your driver will pick you up from the airport, take you out for a drive on the Srinagar Leh highway and bring you back to Leh by evening. On Day 2, you can go to Diskit, to Pangong on Day 3, and return to Leh on the 4 th day.

Itinerary 3

Below is the third itinerary you can follow if you have the permits and cab arranged in advance.

• Arrive in Leh and go straight to Diskit in Nubra Valley – Day 1
• Diskit to Pangong Lake – Day 2
• Pangong Lake to Tso Moriri – Day 3
• Tso Moriri to Leh – Day 4

The advantage that this itinerary is that you get to stay in Nubra Valley for the night and travel on Agham Shyok Road. Nubra is at an even lower altitude than Leh so it can be beneficial in terms of AMS.

But the journey towards Khardung La on the way can definitely take a toll. It is highly possible that you will not enjoy the day at all. You will continue to suffer from AMS and if worst comes worst, land in a hospital even. There are no hospitals in Nubra Valley so, in case of an emergency, you will be left with nowhere to go.

The third problem is that you will go to Pangong Lake on Day 2. If you were able to avoid AMS in Nubra Valley, you will definitely get hit by it at Pangong and Tso Moriri.

Stick to the plan that I mentioned first in the article and do not follow this itinerary unless you have been to Ladakh a couple of times before.

Leh Ladakh in 4 Days – Conclusion

As I mentioned above, visiting Ladakh in 4 days is not the best choice. But if 4 days is all you can afford, this is how you should plan it.  You will still get to see plenty of vistas, stay in the city of Leh, visit prime attractions of Ladakh like Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso, and return home on Day 5.

I hope the information above on planning 4 days trip to Ladakh was of help. If you have any questions, you can  contact me on Instagram  and I will be happy to answer. You can also consider  subscribing to my YouTube channel  and asking a question there.

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Vargis.Khan

Not much to write about me really except for that I love to travel around whenever I can and to wherever I can. This blog is just a small attempt to share my travel experiences with the world. Hope you like it !!!

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How to plan a trip to leh ladakh, srinagar leh highway status 2024 – 2025, zojila pass road status and condition 2024 –..., 23 comments.

Hi , Iam visiting Leh for the first time my travel dates are 6th till 11th and i am traveling with my kid who is 7years old please suggest the best itenary and hotels thanks in advance

Assalam Al-ekum Bhai I’m landing on Sept,12 2022 Nd had a return flight on Sept,16 2022 We have 12,13,14,15 .Please suggest the Itinerary Thank You

Are there hotels/camps available in Nubra Valley? and how are the camps in Pangong since I am travelling with a child(7 Years old).

This is what I am planning, please share your thoughts.

Day 1 arrival and local sight seeing. Day 2 Nubra Valley(stay over night at Khardung La)….suggest some place if you may. Day 3 Travel to Pangong and stay over night for the night Day 4 Back to Leh while doing some sightseeing Day 5 Back to Delhi

Hi, please suggest if I am going good with Iternary for July 30th

Day 1 – arrival in leh by flight. + Local sightseeing Day 2 – Leh – pangong – leh Day 3 + Day 4 – Leh to Manali.

This will be done in INNOVA local taxi.

It is doable Kush

Hi Vargis, You are Brilliant in your blog and writing absolute giving a ton of information. I have plan to visit Srinagar and Leh in April along with wife and two children ( 12 & 16 yrs old) . below is Itinerary , Kindly suggest if any changes? Day 1- 15th April : Srinagar stay- Local market, Dal lake etc Day 2 16th April : Srinagar to Gulmarg and return Day 3 17th April : Srinagar to Pehelgam and stay or return? Day 4 18th April: Srinagar to Kargil- via on route sonemarg Day 5 19th April : Kargil to Leh Day 6 20th April: Leh to Pangong and stay at pangong Day 7 21st April: Pangong to leh Day 8 22nd April: Leh Local Acclimatization Day 9 23rd April: Leh to Nubra Valley and return ( pl advise if one day stay here?) Day 10 24th April: Leh to other interesting places or Nubra valley to Leh Day 11 25th April: Leh to Mumbai flight at 11.00am

I appreciate if you add your inputs if necessary.

This blog was very helpful to us in planning our first trip to Ladakh. Our plan was very similar except for a variation on days 3 and 4. On day 3 we stayed in Hunder and then went to Pangong tso on day 4 via the Shyok road and returned to Leh via Chang la pass. It worked very well for us as we went to a higher altitude only from day 3 onwards. Of course this was an experience like never before and the beauty of Ladakh landscape is beyond the power of mere mortals to describe.

Thanks a lot Vargis Bhai. Your blogs are very useful and interesting.

With regards, Durgasharan

Thanks a lot for taking the time to drop a note Durgasharan Bhai.

Reaching Numbra valley at 12 pm and starting back journey to Leh at 1 pm… can we rather stay in Numbra overnight and then leave for Pyongyang next day … pls suggest as my trip is of only 5 days and I want to spend time at these stops (2-3 hours minimum)… loved ur blog as it’s very information and practical, I want to follow the 4 day itinerary prescribed by you.

Sir I reach leh via Air on 22 July and return on 26 th July 2019 . I want to know best itinerary for 4 days.. Pangong is must. We are family of 2 persons.. I cannot ride bike.. Please suggest the best itinerary for 4 days . If possible please suggest best hotel with minimum tariff… Thank you

we reached leh on 22 Aril 2019 at 7 am air port, then we bake to delhi on 26 April 2019 morning.Kindly suggest.

What is your question?

Hey! Thanks for the itinerary. I am arriving in Leh on 18th July via air. I plan to cover Leh, Sham Valley, Nubra, Tso Pangong and Moriri and I’m leaving on 24th Morning. I’m thinking – 18th – stay in Leh, may be Shanti Stupa 19th – Sham valley and Shankar Gompa 20th – Leh-Khardungla-Nubra-Leh 21st – Leh – Chang la- Pangong- Leh 22nd – Leh to Tso Moriri 23rd -Tso Moriri to Leh Please let me know if this is ok. I have been to Spiti valley and experienced mild AMS during a trek after 14000ft.

Your itinerary is all OK but I gotta ask, how you are traveling locally after landing in Leh?

Thanks for providing all these valuable information. We will be spending 3 days in exploring Srinagar, Gulmarg & Pahalgam. After which we are planning to travel to Leh via Kargil. Can you kindly suggest a short 2/3 day itinary from Kargil onwards to explore Leh?

Thanks in advance, Best Regards, Adeeb

How will you be traveling Adeeb?

We are visiting leh on 17th July 2018from delhi.we had planned a trip for 4days.would be back on 21st morning.Pangong is must.Already booked hotels for 17,18 &20 at leh.Pangong, Magnetic Hills, confluence of Indus and zanskar ,Khardungla pass is must.please suggest if it is possible..

If you are renting a private taxi for the trip then yes it is definitely possible except for Zanskar. You cannot include that. Will have to keep to Leh, Nubra, Pangong, Magnetic Hills, confluence of Indus.

Can u provide package cost for 4 people including hotel and permits, tiffin and dinner. Mob, 9449342134 anantharamu

I do not provide any such services

Hey.. can u let me know if we go as per the above mentioned itenary how much will a taxi cost for the entire trip?

Hi, we are arriving at Leh on March 29. May I know if the following roads are open at this time of the year: 1. Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley 2. Nubra Valley – Agham – Shyok – Pangong Tso 3. Pangong Tso – Sakti – Karu – Shey – Leh

Also, suggest if they are motorable by bikes (350 cc)

Thanks in advance! 🙂

Hello – All these roads will be open and motorable. Please take a look at the post below for more details.

https://vargiskhan.com/log/ladakh-roads-in-winter/

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Leh Ladakh tour Itineraries

If you are an adventurer who is looking for an extraordinary trip, Leh and Ladakh is your destination! The Charming Pangong Tso Lake, the breathtaking sand dunes of Hunder Village, the spectacular landscapes at Shanti Stupa, a thrilling cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass , and exploring the Tibetan culture while having some peaceful time at en route monasteries; we have covered everything in details in the following Leh Ladakh trip itinerary for a 4-days, 6-days, and 10-days Leh and Ladakh tour.

You can find many websites to provide you itinerary as per your needs. Here I will summarize what you can achieve in a short or long Ladakh tour.

4 days Leh Ladakh trip itinerary

• 1 st Day: Take Flight from Delhi to Leh.
• 2 nd Day: Day 2 is required at Leh for acclimatization . One day is not enough. You can enjoy shopping at Leh Main market during this time. But you should not do any excessive physical activity.
• 3 rd Day: Make a Day trip to Pangong Lake . You can reach Pangong Lake within 5 hours. The same day, come back to Leh Hotel.
• 4 th Day: Take Flight back to Delhi from Leh.

6 days Leh Ladakh trip itinerary

• 1 st  Day: Take Flight from Delhi to Leh.
• 2 nd Day: Day 2 is required at Leh for your body to adapt for high altitude and avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) . One day is not enough. You can enjoy shopping at Leh Main market during this time. But you should not do any excessive physical activity.
• Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
• While you are traveling on the Khardunga La Pass On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
• At Diskit you can see monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and at Hunder you can enjoy the camel safari and sand dunes
• About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between and at Khardung La
• In Sumur visit a famous monastery and at Panamik enjoy the hot water springs
• Overnight at Leh
• About 7-9 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between
• 5 th Day: Make a Day trip to Pangong Lake . You can reach Pangong Lake within 5 hours. The same day, come back to Leh Hotel.
• 6 th Day: Take Flight back to Delhi from Leh.

10 days Leh Ladakh trip itinerary

I recommend this itinerary as it covers most of the tourists’ places:

• 1 st Day: Delhi to Manali
• 2 nd Day: Manali to Jispa/Sarchu
• 3 rd Day: Jispa/Sarchu to Leh
• 4 th Day: Leh
• 5 th Day: Leh to Nubra Valley
• 6 th Day: Nubra Valley to Leh
• 7 th Day: Leh to Pangong Tso and get back to Leh on the same day
• 8 th Day: Leh to Sarchu
• 9 th Day: Sarchu to Manali
• 10 th Day: Manali to Delhi

The first drawback that this plan has is that it leaves Srinagar Leh highway out, but at the same time ensures that you cover as much as possible from rest of the areas; without stressing yourself or rushing too much. Think of it this way; Manali to Leh is easily doable in 2 days whereas via Srinagar it will easily take about 3 days to reach Leh. With only 10 days in hand hence, it is best to leave Srinagar Leh highway for another trip at another time. For now, reach Leh via Manali and return by the same route.

A detailed explanation of the above Leh Ladakh tour itineraries:

Rohtang permits.

Another problem while traveling this way will be the permit required to cross Rohtang Pass. It is a mandatory permit given on first come first serve basis and without it, you cannot get to the other side of Rohtang. It can be obtained either in person from DM office Manali or applied for online. Obtaining in person means that you will submit documents at the office before noon and collect your permit post noon; hence an entire day wasted in the process at Manali. Since you are short on time, you cannot really afford to do so and best keep your permit arranged in advance; which can be done in two ways.

The first one is to apply for Rohtang Permit online. The second way out is to contact a hotel in Manali and request them to arrange it for you. Several hotels provide this service in lieu of a small charge and if you are able to find one; then send them your IDs; wire the money and book your night stay with them. If you could not find a hotel agreeing to it, then try contacting a travel agent.

Day 1, 2 and 3: Delhi to Leh

Not much to say about day 1 really except for that it will be one long and monotonous journey. It can easily take about 12-13 hours to get to Manali from Delhi so an early start is highly advised. I am assuming here that you have already arranged for the permit so can start for Leh on Day 2 itself. Start early from Manali as well so that you have plenty of time for sightseeing and breaks. Cross Rohtang Pass and descend down to Kokhsar and from there, continue all the way till Keylong. Do not, however, forget to tank up at Tandi as this will be the last petrol pump en route.

Keylong is a small town and a lot of people stay here as well because there are plenty of hotels here. For more details on accommodation available on Manali Leh highway, please read Hotels, Camp Sites and Guesthouses on Manali to Leh Road. If you want your next day not to be hectic then you can stay at Sarchu, But in Sarchu, you will only get Camps.

For a list of must-visit places between Manali and Leh, please read Tourist Attractions on Manali Leh highway.

Your third day will again be a long journey so you must start from Jispa by the first light of the day. Keep your breaks limited and depending upon your speed, you should make it to Leh well in time to look for a hotel before dark.

When short on time, a lot of people try to avoid staying at Leh altogether. They arrive in the city and on the next day, head to their way to Nubra or Pangong. However, this is neither advisable nor the best thing to do. After your arrival, you must stay at least a day in the city. You can use this one day in Leh city to get an Inner Line Permit as it is required for visiting any other area in Ladakh.

Even if you hurry, it will still be almost mid-day by the time you have the permits in your hand; and midday will be a bit late to start towards any other destination. Do not worry, you will not get bored. There is plenty to see in the Leh city; as a matter of fact, the entire town is a tourist attraction in itself. Skipping Leh will leave your trip incomplete.

Also, a significant point to note is that you have traveled from Delhi to Leh within three days. Your body will be exhausted by long journeys and struggling to come to terms with high altitude. You must hence take rest on this day and let your body adjust to ensure that the journey further is hassle-free.

Day 5: Leh to Nubra Valley

On Day 5, you will start your journey from Leh to Nubra valley. You should start early in the day so that you get enough time for sightseeing. Have your first stop of the day at about kilometers from Leh at Khardung La. Enjoy a cup of tea at a canteen run by the Indian Army at the top. After crossing Khardung La, you will descend into Nubra Valley. Nubra Valley has several towns like Sumur, Panamik, Hunder or Diskit to get accommodation. Of all, I would recommend staying at Diskit because it has most options in terms of hotels and guesthouses.

Depending on the time you have, visit the Diskit monastery, or sand dunes in  Hunder and enjoy the camel ride. Apart from a rough patch around Khardung La top, between South and North Pullu, the roads are good.

Day 6: Nubra Valley to Leh

On Day 6, you will return to Leh by the same road across Khardung La. While on the way, take the turn towards Panamik from Khalsar before coming back to Leh. In Panamik, you can enjoy the hot water springs and if you like you can have a dip in the warm water. From Panamik, return to Khalsar again and continue on your way back to Leh.

Day 7: Leh to Pangong Tso and get back to Leh on the same day

The destination for today is the famous Pangong Lake; which in recent years has become the very symbol of Ladakh. Travel time from Leh to Pangong can easily be 5-6 hours depending upon your speed and breaks. Take the highway from Leh to Manali until Karu and then take a turn towards Sakti village. After crossing Sakti village, you will cross Chang La and proceed towards the lake. Enjoy 1 to 2 hours at Lake and get back to Leh on Same day. This will reduce your traveling time for the next day.

Day 7: Leh to Pang / Sarchu

Today, start towards Manali. Depending upon your speed, you can either chose to stay at Pang or Sarchu for the night.

Day 8: Pang / Sarchu to Manali

This will again be a long run so you must start at 6 AM. You will be on the same road which you took to reach Leh. To save time do not take too many stops and you can reach Manali by 5 PM.

Day 9: Manali to Delhi

This is the last day of our 10-days Leh Ladakh trip itinerary. There is nothing much to do on this journey as this is going to be a long tedious return journey to home.

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Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days: Ultimate Itinerary (+ Guide)

Discover the stunning beauty of Ladakh in this short Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days.

Undoubtedly, Ladakh is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Located in the northern-most portion of India, Leh Ladakh is a place ripe with unique experiences, must-do activities, incredible sights & astonishing scenery.

Ladakh is a hot summer destination in India . The place gets maximum attention during April and June, with families, teenagers, and road-trippers all making their way to experience one of the best trips in India. Its dramatic landscape is its single biggest draw, with snow-clad mountains and glistening lakes boasting their charm. Likewise, Ladakh’s diverse topography makes your entire trip worthwhile. No matter where you go or which place you visit, you ought to come across valleys, rustic villages, and peaceful Gompas.

Along with Leh Ladakh’s landscape, its tourist destinations such as Tso Moriri , Nubra Valley , Leh City , Siachen Glacier , and Pangong Lake cultivate a lively sense of tourism. The culture, the traditions, and the local customs create a beautiful blend of harmony to enrich your overall Ladakh tour experience .

With so much to see and do around, we thought of creating the best itinerary for Leh Ladakh that can help you nail your first-ever trip. In this guide, we created a schedule that includes terrific places, top experiences, and must-do tours/activities .

So, without further ado, let’s get started with our Leh Ladakh tour itinerary.

Overview of Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

The itinerary designed for this Ladakh trip is curated for 5 days. The tour will start and end in Leh .

While not many people visit Leh Ladakh on such a short break, there’s a significant portion of travellers who prefer 5-6 days duration. To cater to these tourists, we created a perfect Ladakh itinerary consisting of all the niche experiences & activities .

Although a 5 Day Leh Ladakh itinerary sounds short, it is still packed with good sightseeing spots , road trip journeys, and must-do activities. Even if you’re a first-time traveller, this 5 day itinerary for Ladakh will come in handy to plan your first ever trip!

The trip can be customized entirely according to your style and preference. Thus, you can include or exclude any destination from the journey as you’d like.

Schedule of Leh Ladakh Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive in Leh – Sightseeing Tours Day 2 : Leh – Nubra Valley (Khardung La Pass – Diskit – Hunder) Day 3 : Nubra Valley – Pangong Lake (Sumur – Shayok – Tangtse) Day 4 : Pangong Lake – Leh (Chang La – Chemrey – Hemis) Day 3 : Depart from Leh

Essential Planning Tips for 5 Days in Ladakh

These are some vital planning tips one should consider before planning their 5 days trip to Ladakh.

Take a Flight

Since our Leh Ladakh trip is only for 5 days, it makes sense to travel via flight. We won’t recommend a road trip journey to & fro Ladakh , as this is not a feasible option for a shorter travel plan. A minimum of 7-9 days is required to plan a full-fledged road journey to Leh Ladakh. Also, ensure that you arrive in Leh a day before your actual trip. This way, you can also take care of getting acclimated to the altitude of Ladakh.

Pre-Plan your Ladakh Tour

We recommend planning your Leh Ladakh trip at least six months before your actual departure . Considering the summer season in India (April to June), most travellers often book their Ladakh tour to avoid hiked hotel prices & airfare tickets.

Secondly, you’ll need to get your Inner Line Permit arranged. This is only applicable to foreigners (non-Indian residents). An Inner Line Permit is basically a ticket that grants you access to enter the protected areas of Ladakh. These places include visiting Nubra Valley , Pangong Lake , Turtuk , Khardung La , and Tso Moriri . One can get their permits sorted by directly  visiting this website .

The charges for these permits are as follows  –

Environmental Fee : INR 300 Inner Line Permit : INR 20 per day per person Red Cross Fund : INR 100

Note : The above prices can change. Please  visit the website  to stay updated on the latest pricing.

Travel Q – Do you need an Inner Line Permit in Ladakh? No. Inner Line Permit is no longer required for Indian citizens. Earlier, you had to compulsory book the pass to visit the protected zones of Ladakh. However, now the government has scrapped the idea of improving logistical tourist routes.

Book Your Transport

The second most important thing for your Leh Ladakh itinerary is to book internal transpor t . For this 5 day tour, we recommend booking a private vehicle for your entire Ladakh trip. Riding a motorcycle can be difficult, especially when you’re just getting acclimatized.

You can directly book a taxi from the airport to the hotel journey from the airport itself. To explore Leh Ladakh’s sightseeing, you’ll need to arrange transport in advance. We recommend Expedia for the rental car service, as they tend to provide affordable rates for their private vehicles.

Altitude Sickness  in Ladakh

Many people ignore the altitude sickness problem in Ladakh and then often waste their sightseeing schedule. The best precaution against AMS (acute mountain sickness) is ample rest. At the same time, it may sound like a ridiculous thing to do, especially when you’re travelling to a beautiful region – getting rest is crucial before you start your sightseeing in Leh Ladakh.

Not doing so will only cause you more problems throughout the trip. If you have any medical conditions, please consult a doctor before this trip. It’s best to clarify your fitness levels before you travel to Leh Ladakh.

Moreover, to help you avoid AMS in Ladakh,  read this guide  as an additional resource. It details some steps to handle altitude sickness in Ladakh.

Cost of Leh Ladakh Tour Itinerary

Ladakh is an expensive region to travel to. Significantly, after COVID-19, many hotels and tour operators have hiked their rates to match their daily expenses. On average, a 5-day trip to Ladakh can cost anywhere between INR 12000 – INR 15000 , which excludes to & fro flights and sightseeing entrance fees. Considering flights, expect the price to increase to INR 28000 – INR 32000.

Note – The above prices are an indicative number based on the history of previous tours/packages. You can explore the below packages to find your perfect Leh Ladakh tour –

5D/4N Leh Ladakh – Explore this tour to book a similar version of this itinerary. 7D/6N Ladakh Sightseeing – Book an all inclusive tour for Ladakh via Delhi.

Detailed Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

Day 1: arrive in leh.

Leh, the city of adventures, is a bustling cold desert town filled with glorious tourist attractions. It isn’t a developed city boasting great amenities and accessibility; it still marks a vital destination to promote adventure tourism.

The rugged roads, dramatic landscapes, snowcapped peaks, bells of the monasteries, and the deserted cold wind makes you feel alive when you’re in the city of Leh. It isn’t only the attractions that drive most tourism, but its unique blend of Indian and Tibetian culture tends to bring out energetic vibes.

Once you reach Leh, the first thing you need to do – is get acclimatized.

Due to Leh Ladakh’s altitude, oxygen levels are minimum – causing you breathing and exertion problems. To avoid any health-related issues, it’s best to recommend giving yourself the time to get acclimatized to Leh’s atmosphere.

Note : You can spend more than a day in Leh to cover most of the city’s major sightseeing. If you take a day off to get acclimatized to the surroundings, it’s recommended to add an extra day to your Leh Ladakh itinerary to visit its important landmarks.

On this day, you can opt to visit Leh Ladakh’s top most attractions including – Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Magnetic Hill, and Hall of Fame. To add more sightseeing excursions to your Ladakh trip, you can book a full-day guided tour of the Leh City. This way you can maximize your travel for inner region travel.

Apart from the attractions listed above, there’s plenty to see and do in Leh Ladakh. You can add these places to your Leh Ladakh itinerary – Shey Palace ,  Shey Monastery ,  Gurudwara Patthar Sahib ,  Stok Palace ,  Likir Monastery , and  Thikse Monastery .

Day 2: Leh to Nubra Valley (Drive)

Approx Distance from Leh to Nubra Valley  – 4hr 40mins (160km)

If there’s anything that a traveller might dream of on their Leh Ladakh road trip, it is this journey –  Leh to Nubra Valley . It’s one of the bucket-list activities many adventurers plan for a good reason!

The scenic drive from Leh to Nubra is packed with astonishing scenery, barren landscapes, mighty Himalayas, and the beautiful Zanskar and Karakoram range . These natural settings make the road trip quite memorable!

Visiting Nubra Valley is a must on a Leh Ladakh tour . Every biker dreams of seeing the place and traversing the region to explore its stunning beauty. The valley houses many attractions such as Diskit , Turtuk , Panamik , and many other unspoiled areas. The locals who live here showcase their lively traditions to fascinate tourists from all over the world.

To reach Nubra Valley, you’ll need to start early in the morning. You’ll travel via the Khardung La, which is approximately 38kms from Leh and will take you around an hour to reach. There’s a canteen around the place to stop by and get some refreshments.

Continue your journey from Khardung La to reach Diskit for some sightseeing tours. The town is famous for its landmark – the  Diskit monastery , which is considered the largest gompa ( Tibetian temple) in  Nubra Valley. Nearby the hill lies another milestone of Diskit –  the statue of Maitreya Buddha . Bactrian camel rides and Hunder dunes also remain popular sightseeing tours of Nubra Valley.

You can spend the night at Hunder Village, located 10kms from Diskit. For more hotel recommendations around Nubra Valley, explore this page .

Day 3: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake (Drive)

Approx Distance from Nubra Valley   to   Pangong Lake  – 6hr 20mins (140km)

Like the other road trips in Leh, the journey from Nubra Valley to Pangong is one of the scenic drives in the country. Every year, many tourists flock to the region of Ladakh to experience the road trip vibes of the Nubra and Pangong. Especially if this is your first-time exploring Leh Ladakh, you shouldn’t miss out on a trip to these places.

Pangong Lake is one of the gorgeous, most beautiful lakes in India. The expansive views of the contrasting blue lake make the waters look adorning to the backdrop of the rugged mountains. During the winters, the temperatures in the area fall below -20°C causing the lake to get frozen completely. Moreover, the lake’s elevation makes the surrounding scenes truly captivating, making you fall in love with Pangong Lake’s beauty.

Travel Q :  Is camping at Pangong Lake allowed? Considering the imbalance in the ecological fragility of the lake, the Government of India has decided to stop overnight camping around Pangong Lake. The sustainability issues made the authorities declare a ban, thus preserving the beauty of the lake. For alternatives around Pangong, check this page.

There are multiple ways to reach Pangong Lake from Nubra Valley. One is via Shyok , where the roads are comprehensive and extensive, and the other via Wari La , which is more of an off-beat experience. Nowadays, most travellers opt to take the Wari La route to explore the mountainous region, and it isn’t the easiest path to drive on and will require profound driving experience to complete the stretch.

Distance from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via Shyok route : 140kms (6hr 20mins) Distance from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via Wari La route : 375kms (9hrs)

Looking for accommodation near Pangong Lake? Find out the resources below –

Hotels near Pangong Lake : Explore this page to find best hotel stays & deals near Pangong Lake. Campsites near Pangong Lake : The Nature’s Nest Camp near Pangong is the closest you can get to Pangong Lake.

Day 4: Pangong Lake to Leh (Drive)

Approx Distance from Pangong Lake to Leh  – 5hr 30mins (222.9km)

Before returning to Leh, stroll around Pangong Lake to admire the scenic sunrise. You’ll even spot many bird species around the lake, as Pangong is a popular breeding site for migratory birds.

On your way back, you’ll be taking the  Chang La pass . You can visit several attractions here, such as  Chemrey monastery  and  Hemis monastery . The Hemis Gompa is Leh Ladakh’s largest monastery, boasting beautiful shrines and an 8-meter Padmasambhava statue. Before reaching Leh, you’ll also find the famous monastery of  Thiksey . It’s known for its impressive architecture and decorated interior work.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Leh’s surroundings. Furthermore, if you had spent day one getting acclimatized to Leh’s climate – this is the perfect day to enjoy the serene beauty of Ladakh’s amazing sightseeing spots.

Day 5: Departure

This marks the end of your Leh Ladakh Itinerary for 5 days. You can extend this itinerary to 7 or 9 days, depending on your schedule, and visit places like  Zanskar Valley ,  Kargil ,  Hemis National Park ,  Moonland , and  Tso Moriri Lake .

Accommodation for Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

When planning your Leh Ladakh tour, accommodation becomes a crucial factor. Firstly, it’s essential to understand that Leh Ladakh isn’t a developed region compared to other metropolitan cities. It boasts many luxury hotel stays, guesthouses, and hostels – but you shouldn’t expect great amenities in places like Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

Most of the inner sub-regions feature rustic accommodation with basic amenities & facilities – which is still considered a favorable option amongst travellers who enjoy rustic stays.

For our Leh Ladakh itinerary trip itinerary, we categorized hotels into several price ranges. This will help you select the right hotel for the right price during your stay in Ladakh.

Please find the below resources for the hotel stays in Leh Ladakh  –

Budget Hotels in Ladakh  – Explore this page to find budgeted stays & rental apartments in Leh Ladakh. Mid-range Hotels in Ladakh  – Looking for good amenities? Check this page to find mid-range hotels across Leh. Luxury Hotels in Ladakh  – Fancy a luxurious stay in Ladakh? Check this page to find more.

Recommended : Read this guide to find out the top 5 luxury stays in Ladakh .

FAQs for Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

How many days are enough for Leh Ladakh? You’ll at least need 10-12 days to cover major sightseeing spots of Leh Ladakh. Considering the distance between Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Leh, you should give yourself the time to soak in Ladakh’s serene beauty.

Are 5 Days enough for the Leh Ladakh tour? Factually, a 5 day trip to Ladakh isn’t a sufficient period to admire Leh Ladakh’s scenery. With so many attractions & experiences, a tour of a minimum of 7-9 days is required. However, if you’re short on time and need a quick breakthrough to fizz past Ladakh’s sightseeing, a 5-day tour is worthwhile.

How much does a Leh Ladakh trip cost? Many tour operators across India will charge different prices for their services & sightseeing add-ons. It ultimately comes to the duration you choose, places you visit, and some off-beat experiences. However, an average 5D/4N Leh Ladakh package costs INR 13,000 (excluding flights). You can check these tours here.

What is the best time to visit Leh Ladakh? Indian summers are the best period to enjoy Leh Ladakh’s mild temperatures. The region   attracts most of the crowd between April and July and is the busiest period to travel within Leh. You can expect temperatures ranging between 15°C – 30°C during this season.

Are Ladakh roads safe? The roads in Leh Ladakh are pretty rugged, featuring  steep cliffs , unpaved lanes, traffic jams, and rocky terrains. The highways in Ladakh aren’t the most drivable paths but certainly, boast incredible scenery and amazing landscape.

Further Readings & Resources

Coorg, India – 15 Absolutely Best Things to Do in Coorg, India Ooty, India – 15 Stunning Places to Visit in Ooty in 2 Days Iceland – 12 Stunning Things to Do in Iceland in October

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Exploring ladakh in 4 days: a comprehensive guide.

Embark on a 4-day journey to Ladakh, India, exploring the serene Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, and the bustling Leh Market. Experience the tranquility of Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

Day 1: Arrival in Leh :

09:00 AM - Arrive at Leh Airport : Welcome to Leh, the capital of Ladakh, India! Nestled amidst the Himalayas, Leh is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. The city's high altitude and stunning landscapes make it a unique destination.

10:00 AM - Check-in at your hotel : After your arrival, check into your hotel and take some time to acclimatize to the high altitude. Leh offers a variety of accommodations, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly guesthouses, catering to all types of travelers.

Day 2: Leh to Nubra Valley :

06:00 AM - Depart from Leh to Nubra Valley : Start your day early with a scenic drive from Leh to the Nubra Valley. The journey is a visual treat with panoramic views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks, winding roads, and the highest motorable pass in the world, Khardung La. The Nubra Valley, also known as the 'Valley of Flowers', is a high-altitude cold desert with rare and beautiful flora and fauna.

03:00 PM - Explore Hunder Sand Dunes : Post lunch, explore the Hunder Sand Dunes, a unique landscape in the heart of the Himalayas. The sand dunes, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, offer a surreal experience. Here, you can enjoy a camel ride on the double-humped Bactrian camels, native to this region. Did you know? Hunder Sand Dunes are one of the few places in the world where you can find cold desert sand dunes!

06:00 PM - Check-in at your camp in Nubra Valley : As the day winds down, check into your camp in Nubra Valley. The camps here offer a unique blend of comfort and adventure, with well-equipped tents and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Enjoy the serene environment, clear skies, and the twinkling stars as you relax and rejuvenate for the next day.

07:30 PM - Dinner at the camp : End your day with a hearty dinner at the camp. Most camps in Nubra Valley offer a variety of cuisines, including local Ladakhi dishes. Enjoy your meal under the starlit sky, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of the Nubra Valley.

Day 3: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake :

06:00 AM - Depart from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake : Start your day early with a scenic drive from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake. This journey will take you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in Ladakh, with towering mountains, vast valleys, and serene rivers. The route is a photographer's paradise, so make sure to have your camera ready!

12:00 PM - Arrive at Pangong Lake : By noon, you'll arrive at the stunning Pangong Lake, a high-altitude lake that straddles the India-China border. The lake's crystal-clear waters and the surrounding snow-capped mountains create a picture-perfect setting that's sure to leave you in awe. Did you know? Pangong Lake is one of the highest saltwater lakes in the world, situated at an altitude of about 4,350 meters!

01:00 PM - Lunch at Pangong Delight Camp : After soaking in the beauty of Pangong Lake, head to Pangong Delight Camp for a delicious lunch. This campsite restaurant offers a variety of dishes, from traditional Ladakhi cuisine to popular Indian and international fare. The food is complemented by the camp's rustic charm and the stunning views of the lake.

06:00 PM - Check-in at your camp near Pangong Lake : As the day winds down, check into your camp near Pangong Lake. These camps offer comfortable accommodation with basic amenities, allowing you to experience the beauty of the lake up close. The night sky here is a sight to behold, with countless stars illuminating the dark sky.

07:30 PM - Dinner at the camp : End your day with a hearty dinner at the camp. Enjoy the local cuisine as you share stories and experiences of the day with fellow travelers. The sound of the lake's gentle waves and the sight of the starlit sky create a magical ambiance that perfectly caps off your day at Pangong Lake.

Day 4: Return to Leh :

08:00 AM - Depart from Pangong Lake to Leh : As the sun rises, bid farewell to the serene Pangong Lake and embark on your journey back to Leh. The drive is a visual treat with panoramic views of the rugged mountains and vast landscapes that make Ladakh a paradise for nature lovers.

Tips & Recommendations

• Leh: Acclimatization: Given Leh's high altitude, it's crucial to take the first day easy to acclimatize to the thin air. Visit the serene Shanti Stupa for a peaceful start to your journey.
• Leh: Local Cuisine: Don't miss out on trying the local Ladakhi cuisine. A meal at The Tibetan Kitchen or Lamayuru Restaurant is a must.
• Leh: Shopping: Leh Market is a great place to buy souvenirs, local handicrafts, and Pashmina shawls.
• Nubra Valley: Scenic Beauty: The journey from Leh to Nubra Valley is filled with breathtaking views. Don't forget to visit the majestic Diskit Monastery and the unique Hunder Sand Dunes .
• Pangong Lake: Natural Splendor: The crystal clear waters of Pangong Tso are a sight to behold. Make sure your camera is ready to capture the stunning landscapes.
• Leh: Historical Sites: Make time to visit the Leh Palace and the Hall of Fame to learn about the region's rich history and culture.
• General Tip: Altitude Sickness: Carry medication for altitude sickness and stay hydrated throughout the trip. Also, it's advisable to have travel insurance that covers high altitude trekking and emergency evacuation.

Climate & Weather

• Leh : Leh, the capital of Ladakh in India, experiences a cold desert climate. The summers are short, from June to September, and are the best time to visit. During this time, the weather is cool and the temperatures range from -3 to 30 degrees Celsius. If you're planning to visit Leh Palace or Shanti Stupa , make sure to carry a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Also, don't forget to explore Leh Market and enjoy a meal at The Tibetan Kitchen or Lamayuru Restaurant .
• Nubra Valley : Nubra Valley, a tri-armed valley located to the north east of Ladakh, has a cold desert climate with minimal vegetation. The valley experiences long, harsh winters from October to May, and mild summers from June to September. When visiting Diskit Monastery or Hunder Sand Dunes , it's advisable to carry a light jacket or sweater, especially during the cooler months. Also, make sure to stop by Cafe Siachen for a meal.
• Pangong Lake : Pangong Lake, situated at a height of about 4,350 m, is known for its clear and brackish water that changes color from azure to light blue to green and grey. The area around the lake experiences a harsh climate, with the temperatures falling below freezing point during winters. If you're planning to explore Pangong Tso , make sure to carry a warm jacket and gloves. Also, don't miss out on the delicious food at Pangong Delight Camp .

What Locals Love

Leh, india :.

• Namgyal Tsemo Monastery : A lesser-known monastery that offers stunning views of the city.
• Leh Donkey Sanctuary : A unique sanctuary dedicated to the care of abandoned donkeys.
• Tibetan Handicraft Emporium : A local favorite for buying authentic Tibetan handicrafts.
• Chowkhang Gompa : A peaceful monastery located in the heart of the city.
• Gesmo Restaurant : A popular local eatery known for its delicious Tibetan and Ladakhi cuisine.
• Leh Post Office : The world's highest post office, a unique spot to send a postcard from.

Nubra Valley, India :

• Samstanling Monastery : A beautiful monastery that offers a peaceful retreat.
• Hunder Organic Farm : A local farm where you can learn about organic farming practices.
• Apple Garden : A delightful garden where locals love to pick apples.

Pangong Lake, India :

• Thiksey Monastery : A beautiful monastery that offers stunning views of the Indus valley.
• Pangong Lake View Point : A lesser-known viewpoint that offers breathtaking views of Pangong Lake.

Remember, the best way to experience a place is often to step off the beaten path. Engage with locals, try the street food, and let the rhythm of the cities guide you.

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Ladakh blog — how to plan leh ladakh trip & suggested ladakh itinerary 15 days.

As soon as I sat down in the plane that would finally take me home, I closed my eyes and remembered my first journey in India. In the colorful pieces of Ladakh, I forever remember the small craggy roads and narrow, steep trails, the majestic snowy mountains, the stunning turquoise rivers bending between the narrow rocky banks, the strong winds blowing the Buddhist prayer flags (lungta), kind indigenous people I met… In that place, people quietly mingled with nature as if everything had been settled for eternity.

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• New Delhi travel blog — The fullest New Delhi travel guide for first-timers

So, how to plan Leh Ladakh trip from Delhi, how to travel in Leh Ladakh and how to spend 15 days in Ladakh? Let’s check out our Ladakh blog (Ladakh travel blog, Ladakh trip blog) to find out the best itinerary for Ladakh from Delhi (Ladakh itinerary from Delhi, Leh Ladakh itinerary, Ladakh trip itinerary) on how to spend 2 weeks in the fairyland of India as well as how much does a trip to Ladakh cost, useful Ladakh travel tips before you go and which month is best for Ladakh!

I have never been to a place where I was as well prepared as I was to go to Ladakh. Partly because Ladakh is remote land in the far north of India, located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, where is considered the crown of India, and bordered by Tibet and Pakistan. Here, the media is limited, goods are not as much and available as the places I usually have been to. Ladakh already was deserted, very high altitude, the lowest place was 3000m above sea level but the highest pass even over 5000m. Knowing that my health was not very good, I did not know, if I could reach that altitude, how my health would be. Fortunately, after experiencing of 17 days there, there were no serious problems, except for the boundless appetite for “meat” and the absent-mindedness as a pregnant-like woman in the first few days when I returned home. Some of the little experiences I’ve recorded below for the next time and I hope it will help you on your upcoming trip to Ladakh :).

Which month is best for Ladakh?

The best time to come is from May to early October. The rest of the months, the weather is bad, the snow is thick, the temperature is down to -30 degrees Celsius, many roads will be banned, tourist areas, hotels, houses and shops will be closed.

Ladakh blog: Leh Ladakh itinerary

Here is my summary of my Ladakh itinerary from Delhi, I followed a tour and I think it would be the best itinerary for Ladakh in 15 days (approximately 2 weeks).

• Day 0 : Toulouse – Delhi
• Day 1: Delhi – Agra – Delhi (each way: 240 km, 5 hours)
• Day 2: Fly from Delhi to Leh, resting to get used to the altitude
• Day 3: Visit monasteries around Leh (Hemis, Thiksey, Leh Palace)
• Day 4: Leh – Chang La – Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake (200 km, 6 hours)
• Days 5 + 6 : Pangong – Tso Moriri (11 hours), Tso Moriri – Leh (8 hours)
• Day 7: Ride a motorbike in Leh, visit Stok, Matho, Starna monasteries

Day 8: Leh – Pasgo Monastery – Alchi Monastery – Lamayuru – Mulberk- Kargil (222 km, 8 hours)

• Day 9: Kargil – Suru valley – Rangdum – Lang Tso, Stat Tso Twin Lakes – Drang-Drung Glacier – Padum (240 km, 12 hours)
• Day 10: Sani Village, Karsha Monastery, Dzongkul Gompa Fortress
• Day 11: Trekking to Phuktal Monastery, through Cha village (12 km, 6 hours trek)
• Day 12: Trekking from Phuktal to Anmu, through Purney village (Purne, Purni) (13.5 km, 7 hours trek)
• Day 13 : Padum – Rangdum Monastery – Kargil (240 km, 12 hours)
• Day 14: Kargil – Zoji La – Srinagar (200 km, 6 hours)

Day 15: Srinagar – Delhi

• Day 16: Delhi – Toulouse

Leh Ladakh itinerary: How to go?

We bought a tour from a local tour agency for 15 days, from the time when we got off the plane in Leh to the time when we got to the airport in Srinagar. In the preparation, my friend made a detailed itinerary, then contacted the tour operators in Ladakh to ask for a quote, then bargain and choose. The 15-day tour included accommodations (or tent in Pangong), a private car with driver, daily breakfast and 2 dinners at 2 lakes. The hostel is very good, the room for 2 people, clean, with hot water (except stay in tents at 2 lakes), so the bathing is very comfortable and pleasant.

Link to the tour company that my friend booked at: http://www.triptohimalayatours.com/

You also can directly contact with the driver Kunga for my group. He is enthusiastic and drives very careful and is about to start his own company. Facebook: Skal Kunga Kndguys Aback , Whatsapp: +919469229149.

Tour prices vary greatly from company to company. There was a group of 4 people traveling on the same day with us and the per capita price was 3 times more expensive for a slightly shorter itinerary.

Ladakh travel tips: Prepare before you go

• Applying for a visa or e-visa. E-visa is cheaper, only 50 USD (price in 2019, has now increased to 80 USD), e-visa is valid for 2 months from the time of first entry, can go in and out twice. Applying an e-visa is very quick, only after 2 days to receive it. When you receive an email with an e-visa, you need to go back to the ETA page to print the visa sheet (the sheet with the photo, the confirmation email is not valid on arrival). With an E-visa you can only enter India by air. Arriving at Delhi airport, the queue maybe is short, but the wait will be a bit long. Link to apply for e-visa: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . Visitors in Hanoi or Saigon can apply for a paper visa, which costs $103 and is valid for 1 year, multi-entry.
• Buy a good type of travel insurance because this trip is going to the very very far, one of the most isolated places in the world along with risks and dangers.

Ladakh travel blog: How much does Ladakh trip cost?

You can refer the trip costs for a Leh Ladakh itinerary for 15 days as follows:

• E-Visa: $50 (price in 2019, now increased to $80).
• Travel insurance: $100.
• International airfare and 2 domestic flights: $550 + $150
• Day tour from Delhi to Agra including car with driver pick up and drop off at hotel: 8000 INR ($125) for 5 people.
• Tour for 2 weeks in Ladakh including accommodations (except a night in Phuktal), car with driver, daily breakfast, 2 dinners at Lake Pangong and Tso Moriri: $375 / 1 person, group of 10 people, sleeping in a double room.
• Porter cum guide to Phuktal Monastery from Anmu village (will go with group from Padum): 2400 INR ($38) / 1 porter.
• Overnight at a guesthouse at the foot of Phuktal Monastery: 1000 INR ($15) / 1 person. The guesthouse has only 4 rooms, there is no way to book in advance, anyone who comes early will have a room, otherwise can ask to sleep at the monastery or go back to Purney.
• Overnight at a hotel near Delhi airport: $30 to $50 / 1 good double room. With $50 you could stay at 4-star hotel.
• Eating, cooking, admissions: $150.

Total cost, excluding gifts: 1300 – 1400 USD / 1 person.

Ladakh travel blog: What to prepare for a Ladakh trip?

Bring enough for 15-20 days in autumn, late September, early October, if you stay in a place for a few days, for example in Leh, you can use a laundry service, so you can bring less clothes).

• 1 3-in-1 jacket with duck feather inner layer, windproof and waterproof outer layer, 2 layers can be separated.
• 3 merino sweaters (this is thin, light, cool when you need it, warm when you need it) or heattech.
• 3 breathable, quick-drying sport short-sleeve t-shirts.
• 4 pairs of socks.
• A hat or corset.
• 1 pair of thin gloves. I use tennis gloves, which are thin but have grip and hold the camera well.
• 3 light trek pants or skinny jeans, no need to wear thick pants because it’s not too cold.
• 1 wide cloth scarf, no need to be too thick to wear and block the sun.
• 1 pair of low-cut trekking shoes, the trekking route into Phuktal is not too thorny, so you can wear low-cut trekking shoes, not necessarily to wear high-cut shoes.
• 1 pair of flip-flops or bathroom slippers.

Our group suffers from the food in Ladakh because the people here are mainly vegetarian. If lucky can find an eatery with meat, it is also very salty and spicy, with a lot of curry, difficult to eat. However, if you just go around Leh, you don’t need to bring much food because here you can go to the market to buy chicken or goat to cook for yourself, the food sold at restaurants in Leh and around is also okay. Going towards Zanskar, the good food is harder to find and you can’t buy meat at markets, only eggs and eggs.

• Spices, soup powder, soy sauce in packs, small bottles.
• Noodles, vermicelli, snacks, instant porridge… (should bring many kinds of foods because you will have to eat continuously).
• Pork, shrimp (can make soups).
• Jerky beef, chicken, pork.
• Cured meat.
• Canned meat, pate, fish (I can’t find fish anywhere in Ladakh, so this dish is very rare).
• Herbal tea, ginger tea.
• Dried seaweed to make soup.
• Dried soup.
• Rice and glutinous rice to make sticky rice (if you like, because the rice in Ladakh is very hard and foul).

• Headache, runny nose, cough drugs.
• Diarrhea drug.
• Multi-vitamin tablets.
• Wound bandage (ego).
• Those who often get sick should bring medicine to prevent that disease.
• Sunscreen, the sun at high altitudes is very bright and harmful to the skin.
• Moisturizing cream for lips, face, hands, body.
• Nasal medicine to avoid nosebleeds at high altitudes and cold and dry weather: 5g tube of Bepanthen.
• Water purification tablets (if going on a trek, so that I don’t have to carry a lot of water for days, go anywhere, get spring water there), I use Micropur of Katadyn brand, bought in France for €11 / 100 tablets, can purify 100 liters of water (with a box of 50 tablets).
• Vitamins to increase brain blood circulations, start taking it 2, 3 weeks before going.
• Drugs for high altitude sickness. Below is the prescription the doctor wrote for me. However, if you want to use it, you should see a doctor for a prescription that is suitable for your health, not everyone can take anti-altitude medicine. These drugs, only use if you feel symptoms, don’t need to take them first:  Prednisolone 20 mg (2.5 tablets / day, suck in mouth in morning after breakfast, should not be taken in evening because the drug contains cortisoide causing difficulty sleeping), this dosage is for people weighing 50 kg. Or Diamox (Acetazolamide) 250 mg: If the above drug still does not help, then take this drug, maximum 2 tablets in the morning and afternoon.

Other things

• Compact sleeping bag, no need to be too warm because in guesthouses have all blankets. I use Quechua’s FORCLAZ 15° LIGHT, which can be combined into a double bag, very compact, weighing just over 600 gr.
• 1 quick-drying microfiber bath towel.
• Thermal water bottle.
• Normal water bottle, at night you can pour hot water into it to hug to keep warm.
• Trekking water bag (if any).
• Sunglasses.
• Shampoo, conditioner packs.
• Wet tissue wipes body and other parts.
• Dry hand sanitizer.
• 1 roll of toilet paper in case something goes wrong.

• Wet makeup remover wipes.
• Sanitary napkins (in high mountains prone to early).
• Mini hair dryer for travel (if needed).

Ladakh blog: Where to exchange money?

The exchange rate at the end of March 2022

• In Delhi airport : $1 = 76 INR
• Near hotels next to Delhi airport and in Agra next to Taj Mahal: $1 = 80 INR, €1 = 83 INR
• In Leh airport : $1 = 79 INR

Below I summarize my Leh Ladakh itinerary for 15 days (2 weeks) which divided into 4 parts as follows.

Part 1: Agra

Day 1: delhi – agra – delhi (each way: 240 km, 5 hours).

I flew with Turkish Airlines from Toulouse and landed at Delhi airport (transiting in Istanbul) at 6am. My friends from Saigon arrived at 4am. After queuing for entry (I have already e-visa), I went straight to the door to get in the car to Agra in the pouring rain.

In Delhi, vehicles don’t seem to follow any rules. Each lane of motorbikes, cars, passenger cars, trucks, is crisscrossing each other. The rain was getting heavier and heavier, streaming on the glass, soaking the dusty road, forming a slippery brown mud. Many accidents, big and small, normal and serious were scattered over the distance of more than 200km until we reached Agra at past noon.

Agra is famous for having the Taj Mahal, which Karl Pilkington in “An Idiot Abroad” movie once described as “like a diamond in a turd”. That funny and sarcastic say prompted me to come here. There are three entrance gates to the Taj Mahal, of which the east gate is the most deserted. The entrance fee for foreigners is 1000 INR ($15.5). Buying tickets to the Taj Mahal first, you will get you free admission to the Baby Taj (Tomb of Itimah-ud-Daulah), one of Agra’s other interesting attractions.

Ladakh blog: Part 2: Leh, Lake Pangong Tso, Lake Moriri Tso

Leh Ladakh itinerary — Day 2: Leh

Returning to Delhi from the night before, this morning we boarded a plane to Leh, the heart of Ladakh. Delhi morning is still white clouds. Yet Leh welcomed me with the blue sky and golden autumn sun on my shoulders.

Leh is a lovely town that made me fall in love at first sight. Located at an altitude of 3500m, the air here has thinned a lot, made me struggle to breath after each step. All day today we have only one thing to do: Resting, take a gentle walk to get used to the thin air, avoid high altitude shock (with symptoms of shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, insomnia, worse will be vomiting, fainting).

Vegetables and fruits in Leh are many, freely to buying apples and apricots were in season. We came right during on the occasion of 9 days of local vegetarianism, so it was difficult to buy meat and the restaurants also only sell vegetarian food or a little bit of chicken. Wanting to cook for ourselves, we went to the only frozen chicken shop open these days located in the basement of Golden Bakery in the Main market area.

Best itinerary for Ladakh — Day 3: Monasteries around Leh (Hemis, Thiksey, Leh Palace)

Around Leh, there are many large and small monasteries, of which I like Thiksey the most with a beautiful view from the top of the monastery down to the valley that is turning golden in early autumn, surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains.

The sun was setting behind the mountains in western Leh as I climbed to the roof of the 16th-century fortress of Tsemo (Victory), above Leh Palace with simple, makeshift wooden ladders. The wind blew the lungta strings (Buddhist prayer flags), a little cloud drifted, and darkness fell over Leh.

Day 4: Leh – Chang La – Pangong Lake (200 km, 6 hours)

After the first night of having trouble sleeping because of the cold and the side effects of anti-altitude drugs in Leh, I slept a little better tonight. We left Leh for Pangong early in the morning. The road is more than 200km long but it takes more than 6 hours of continuous driving, going through 2 TCP (Traffic Check Point) to check permits and passports. The presence of Indian troops closer to Pangong Lake becomes more apparent as the area has remained a hotbed of hostilities with China until now.

The car passing the breathtaking curves of the road, taking us higher and higher. The leaves became more and more yellow, until the ground was covered with only a little moss, and then there were only gravel and stones. The air outside was getting colder and colder. The clock shows altitude of 4000m, 4200m then 4500m. I felt a little chest tightness when the car crossed the 4800m line. And then when the road seemed to be endless, the driver informed us that we were at Chang La (Southern Pass), at an altitude of 5360 m.

Stepping out of the car, I felt as if I was getting drunk and had to run a cross country. The wind seemed stronger, the sun seemed brighter, making me stagger and dizzy. At this altitude, a coffee shop was erected right next to 3 toilets built in a very “Ladakh” style. The concrete floor is carved a hole with the size as big as a brick in the middle, below is a deep mountainside that sucks in the wind, sitting here was extremely cool.

Through Chang La Pass, the car gradually decreased in altitude until the blue color of Pangong Lake – “Lake of the high green steppes” appeared. Pangong Tso is the largest saltwater lake in the state of Jammu & Kasmir at an altitude of 4300m above sea level. Close to the lake, a few restaurants were set up to serve tourists. Walking a little further from this area, only a few hundred meters, the lakeside was much quieter, almost empty. The lake is very long, wide and very blue, reflecting the mountains and the sky. I put my backpack and sat down in the middle of a strip of land by the lake. The cold wind and fresh air made me suddenly feel at peace.

The sunlight was not yet golden when the sun went down behind the mountain. The air was warm but suddenly someone’s hand was turned off.

Night falls, bringing with it the twinkling stars. Here the sky is high and clear, looking up I can clearly see the galaxy and sometimes a shooting star pass by, bringing a wish.

Ladakh blog: Day 5, 6: Pangong – Moriri Tso (11 hours), Tso Moriri – Leh (8 hours)

Early this morning I set off from Pangong to Tso Moriri. There is a straight road connecting the two lakes, but this road is close to the Chinese border, only Chinese and Indians can go. So, the car had to go around to check point Karu, right near Leh, making the journey will be 11 hours long.

This morning, after a tiring and cold night in Pangong, everyone in the car was asleep. I have more time to enjoy the view. The morning sun also makes the sky bluer. The mix of light and dark makes the scenery of mountains, lakes and streams more depth. Suddenly I found myself relaxing to the music, swinging along every curve of the pass. Before the vast and majestic natural landscape, with the height about to reach the top of 5300m, I dream with a bit adventure.

In this area, Indian troops are present everywhere. The road from Chang La to Leh is often congested because many army trucks go up and down, entangled with tourist cars, avoiding each other on the narrow stone road.

If the road to Pangong is mostly spectacular bends with a wide view of the valley on both sides of Chang La pass, the road to Tso Moriri is completely different, I personally find it a bit more romantic.

There are two ways to Tso Moriri.

Departure route: Karu – Chumathang – Tso Kiagar – Tso Moriri

Initially, the car followed the banks of the Indus River (Singee Tsangpo River), the leaves dyed yellow on both sides, making the scene both wild and charming. After riding for about three hours, the road gradually moved away from the river bank and got lost in the middle of the towering gorges. Then the car went uphill, back to the stunning bends but not as long and high as going to Pangong. At an altitude of about 4,600m, in front of me is a vast steppe, in the middle is Tso Kiagar lake. This season, the grass and moss have both turned light brown, highlighting the deep emerald water color. I love that emerald color, love the late afternoon sunlight, love the horses grazing freely, love the winding road along the lake that throws dust every time a car passes by.

Then Tso Moriri also appeared in front of me when the sun had completely set behind the mountains, leaving only one last halo.

Return way: Tso Moriri – Tso Kar (salt lake) – Tanglang la (5328 m) – Karu – Leh

The scenery on this way is more wild than the road along the Indus River yesterday. The car go through the desert. Tso Kar salt lake has a strange beauty, both thorny and lonely. The bends bring the car up to Tanglang La pass at an altitude of 5,328 m (there is also a sign that says it is the second highest pass in the world just like Chang La pass). On the other side of the pass, the brown mountain ranges stretch, connect, immense and attract the eye.

At the end of the road, the car took us back to the Indus river valley. I was going back to Leh. After a long and hard journey, returning to Leh was as warm as coming home!

Ladakh itinerary — Day 7: Motorbike ride in Leh, Stok Monastery, Matho, Starna

Today we spent a day traveling around visiting monasteries near Leh (Stok, Matho, Starna) by motorbike. Unlike Hemis, these places are quiet and peaceful, bringing the true purity of a religious site. I could stand all day at the top of Matho Monastery without getting bored, watching the Indus River valley turn golden in autumn, letting the wind from the snow-capped peaks blow my hair.

Starna Monastery, which people often call Tiger Temple, is located on a small ridge close to the banks of the green Indus river that bends as soft as a silk. Looking back from afar, Starna seems to have stepped out of a fairy tale, where the scenery is harmonious and emotions are at ease.

Ladakh blog — Part 3: Zanskar

This morning we left Leh, turning our faces one last time, Leh has become so dear since.

The road from Leh to Kargil with many small monasteries, somewhat older than the area around Leh, especially Alchi, built in the 11th century, inside there are many ancient statues and a quiet small garden, making anyone who come here to visit has a peaceful feeling, all fatigue and sorrow are all gone.

Thanks to its special geological structure, the area around Lamayuru is called Moonland. It is said that this place a few hundred years ago was located at the bottom of the lake, now it has dried up.

After a long day of traveling, we reached Kargil when the last rays of the day had disappeared. Kargil is a strange piece, a dark puzzle piece in the colorful picture of Ladakh. I came across a desolate city. It was only 6 or 7 pm on Saturday, most of the shops were closed, only a few restaurants remained, in the dim lights. Our driver, Kunga, explained that tomorrow is a major Muslim holiday (Muslims account of 90% of the city’s population), everything closes early, and tomorrow morning the whole city will be isolated completely.

In the only restaurant still open and selling meat, a popular eatery, a few Kargil people leaned down to eat, silent, austere glances bent over the table.

Ladakh trip itinerary — Day 9: Kargil – Suru Valley – Rangdum – Twin Lakes of Lang Tso and Stat Tso – Drang-Drung Glacier – Padum (240 km, 12 hours)

We left Kargil very early, before the city woke up, both to avoid being stuck here when the roads were blocked, and to reach Padum before dark. That day was a very long day, even though it was just over 240 km, it took us 12, 13 hours of traveling because the road was bad, there were many narrow sections like trails.

The bends took us to the high valley of Suru (Valley of Flowers) located between the rugged mountains, including the two highest peaks in region: the Nun and Kun, more than 7,000m above sea level. Surrounded by sharp mountains, covered with snow all year round, Rangdum is located in the middle of a vast basin, in what seems to be a lonely, solitary place, with nothing but strong winds and blazing sun.

The twin lakes of Lang Tso – Stat Tso and the Drang-Drung glacier are located on both sides of the Pensi pass (Pensi La), the gateway to the Zanskar valley. On the other side of the pass, towards Padum, the arid, rocky desert gives way to a more lively, cozy scene. Small villages nestled at the foot of the mountains, several long-haired black yaks roaming here and there. On the hillside, along the stream, the yellow leaves were caressing, warming a sunny autumn afternoon.

In Ating village, about 30 minutes by car from Padum, people were shooting the last arrow of the archery semi-final round as we passed. We all jumped out of the car, drank wine and sang together as if we had known each other for a long time. The Zanskar people welcomed us with warm arms. So, who wouldn’t love?

Leh Ladakh itinerary — Day 10: Sani Village, Karsha Monastery, Dzongkul Monastery

Padum lies in the heart of a vast valley, under the shadow of high sharp, serrated mountains covered with snow. Around here, there is no shortage of beautiful monasteries hanging on the mountainsides, peacefully standing for many generations.

I love Karsha Monastery the most, located across the valley from Padum. Squinting at the high mountains rising from Karsha, I felt so small in front of the vast but fierce nature. In the campus, the late afternoon sunlight left leaves shadows on the white walls with brown doorways. This place was so quiet, so lonely. Stopped for a minute, I just noticed the wind was blowing and the sun was lazily, sad and warm.

Ladakh blog Day 11 — Trekking to Phuktal Monastery, through Cha Village (12 km, 6 hours trek)

Standing in front of Phuktal in the dark purple afternoon, my friend said, “In a such place like this, if you don’t practice meditation, what can you do?”. The say made me laugh, forgetting even tired after a long trek of about 12 km, precarious at an altitude of 4,000m.

Phuktal is the oldest monastery in Zanskar, isolated from the outside world, and in my opinion, the most beautiful. Maybe I find Phuktal beautiful ten thousand times more because of the effort it takes to reach this place once. Leaving Padum at 6:30am, the car took me over a road of more than 30 km, poetic but unbelievably dangerous, arriving in Anmu at 9:10am. From here, the trek began gently, not too up, not too down, reaching Cha village after 2 and a half hours.

Leaving Cha village, a steep slope waited for us just as the sun was setting overhead. After that, the road gently sloped down, there were a few sections of rock falling close to the edge of the road, a bit difficult to go but no one had any serious problem.

From above, I dreamily watched the Tsarap River twist between two narrow gorges. The river was so clear, yet so green. The mountains was so high, yet so majestic. The afternoon sun touched the top of the mountain, melting into rays, making the water glitter, making the rock face pink. Why was it so beautiful, mesmerising!?

7 km from Cha village, it took us more than 3 hours to reach the guesthouse located at the foot of the monastery. Phuktal is located completely isolated, no phone signal, no internet. Here, just me and nature, we can forget all our troubles.

Day 12: Trekking from Phuktal back to Anmu, through Purney Village (Purne, Purni) (13.5 km, 7 hours trek)

The road from Phuktal to Anmu through Putney village is a bit longer (1.5 km) than the road through Cha village (on the other side of the river). This road is not as smooth as yesterday, up and down non-stop, across three small passes and two wooden suspension bridges over the Tsarap River. Leaving Phuktal at 6:50am, after 3 hours, I arrived in Purney.

Purney is located at the confluence of rivers. Just below, the turbid green Kargiakh River flows from the Shingjula Pass (Shingo La) into the clear flow of the Tsarap River. Purney is so beautiful this season, the endless yellow leaves on the mountainside, the small white houses are quietly nestled in the early morning sun.

Another 2 hours from Purney, I reached the second suspension bridge at 12am. The climb up from the river bank is very steep and full of crushed rock, it is not recommended to go down this road. If you want to trek Phuktal by two different routes, going through Cha village and back through Purney is the most reasonable.

Day 13: Padum – Rangdum Monastery – Kargil (240 Km, 12 Hours)

Kargil is an almost mandatory break on the 18-hour journey from Padum to Srinagar. The scenery of Zanskar in my eyes has gradually become familiar although everything is still beautiful on every bend. A strong wind swept over the mountainside today, swirling dust around the valley.

I went to Kargil tonight, I thought I was in another city, not as lonely as 4 days ago, the streets were bustling and busy again. Only the internet was cut off for all day without any reason.

Day 14: Kargil – Zoji La – Srinagar (200 Km, 6 Hours)

Today was our last day in the car. After over ten days of wandering, swaying on short distances but long in time, I was able to get used to the feeling of sitting on potholes, no longer sure I will miss it.

The road from Kargil to Sirinagar can be called smooth. The road has been paved to a large part, with only a few sections left unfinished or under repair. This road passes many military barracks, trucks and passenger cars follow each other. Referring to trucks, vehicles in Ladakh are very special. Most of them are decorated with elaborate colorful patterns, the words “Blow horn” are capitalized on the back, which my sister roughly translates to “Blow horn”.

Arriving in Srinagar, I found myself revived. How much fatigue after a long trip seemed to disappear when the beautiful small boat took me surfing on the calm and cool lake. Srinagar’s Dal Lake is very beautiful, although not as deep and blue as Pangong or Tso Moriri, but much more rustic and warm.

In a corner of the lake, wooden floating houses are anchored as accommodations for tourists. Small boats, hand-rowing, taking guests from floating houses to shore and go around. The afternoon sun spread down the golden lake surface. So serenity, tranquil, so peaceful.

Morning boat ride on Dal lake is also very interesting and lively. If you want to go to the local floating fruit and vegetable market, you will have to get up early because the market only opens from 5 am to 7 am.

This afternoon I went to the airport to return to Delhi, preparing for the long journey back home. Srinagar Airport is about 30 minutes by car from the city. I don’t know if it’s because Srinagar is still in the combat zone but I’ve never seen the baggage check so many times.

Near the airport, all passengers have to show their air tickets and get off the bus, check our belongings and do a first body check. Men can stay on spot, women have to go into a curtained box like a dressing room, private check.

Upon entering the airport, passengers have to present their tickets, check their belongings and check body a second time.

After queuing for checked baggage, passengers have to check their hand luggage and undergo a third body check. Then go to identify the checked baggage inside. Only suitcases that are identified and marked will be allowed bring on board.

At the boarding gate, after checking the boarding pass, the passenger is entitled to a fourth personal check-up, and any bag can be opened and checked again.

On the way to the plane, don’t put your boarding pass away because the flight attendants will check the boarding pass and passport twice more.

My plane transited in Jammu, close to the Pakistani border. Jammu airport is surrounded by a camouflage fence, along the runway there are armored vehicles waiting. When stopping at Jammu, after a part of the passengers disembarked, the airport staff went to open each carry-on luggage compartment, asking each of the remaining passengers who the remaining luggage belonged to. Seeing that they checked too closely, I was also a bit embarrassed. But hey, already sitting here, if we don’t know the reason, we don’t have to worry!

Ladakh travel blog — Part 4: Going home

When I staggered with each heavy step on the slope covered with dust and wind blowing, I wondered: “I have a cozy home, a warm bed and a soft mattress, why not enjoy it but bring myself here to do something for the extreme?”. Then at that moment, I remembered the people I met on the roads, the gentle smiles of the old women standing in front of their white houses with the brown door frames, the gentle eyes of the mothers holding their children, the innocent faces of children born in the wilderness, growing up like weeds. I also recall the moments when the blue lake appeared behind a bend, or when the sun rose and lit up the whole space bring vitality to everything, when two rivers of different colors merged into one. And from there, I know why I’m here. Every trip makes me happy twice. Once when I walked on a long road, when beautiful images filled my eyes and beautiful emotions filled my heart. And the other time is when I return, push the door to the house, where the people I love still waiting.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Leh-Ladakh-Zanskar you can refer to

• 10D9N Discover Ladakh, India from Singapore [All-Inclusive]
• 7D6N Ladakh Private Tour
• 6D5N Ladakh Private Tour
• 9D8N Chadar Frozen River Trekking Experience
• 11D10N Stok Kangri Summit Trek from Leh

Read more Ladakh trip blog: Ladakh trip blog — The journey to the fairyland of India and India guide here .

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5 Spectacular Days in Leh: Itinerary, Travel Tips & Offbeat Day Trips from Leh

About this blog: If you are looking for recommendation on things to do in Leh or searching for offbeat day trips from Leh, this travel guide will help you plan a trip to Leh. Read all travel articles on Ladakh by Madhurima.

Blessed are those who visit Ladakh for a couple of weeks and more. They explore every inch of ethereal landscape of Ladakh, rightly known to be the barren roof of the Himalayas! Then there are the less fortunate mortals. We are either short of time or physical capabilities. Have I told you before? Traveling in Ladakh could be intimidating. It is a cold desert and the weather Gods exercise their wrath without mercy! In Ladakh, you will have a riot of adventure for the first few days, gliding through the high passes on the roads built by BRO until one fine morning when you wake up with AMS and would not dare cross Khar Dung La pass (also termed as the world’s highest motorable road) to witness what is there on the other side.

It is possible. It happens. It is wise to know your physical capabilities and agreeable boundaries with the body and aspirations when you travel. Ladakh is known to be the world of high passes. But there are many more places to visit and things to do in Leh, the capital city of Ladakh if you are shy of crossing those high passes. Tourist attractions in Leh ranges from markets, museums, ancient monasteries, Indus river valley which would mesmerize a cultural traveler to no extent!

In this blog, I shall write about the things to do in Leh. These are day trips conducted from Leh. You can come back to the comfort of your hotel room by night and tuck inside the warm blanket as icy gust of wind reigns the world outside. These tourist attractions around Leh are more suited for a cultural traveler who would not want to put too much strain on physical capabilities. Leh is a relatively new capital city of Ladakh with a decent amount of modern amenities, improved healthcare facilities, thriving marketplace, quaint homestays and beautiful cafes thanks to the influx of inquisitive tourists.

I liked staying in Leh. It is a wannabe urban set up amidst the vast rudeness of arid barren mountain land that remains bereft of rainfalls for almost 12 months a year. By the virtue of being army headquarter of IAF, Leh boasts of highly developed highways and a few industrial areas. People of Leh are usually a bit overwhelmed with the influx of tourists which is dangerously balancing vices of over-tourism on high seasons of summer. However, they remain kind, jovial, hospitable and proud people. Land of predominantly Buddhists and a sizable amount of Shia Muslims, Ladakh is a peaceful and safe tourist destination in North India .

Also read: Practical travel tips for traveling to Egypt for the first timer!

Staying in Leh and Exploring Ladakh

In the previous couple of trips to Ladakh, I stayed in Leh for the entire week and made multiple day trips from Leh to the glacial lakes, ancient monasteries and obscure Himalayan hamlets . It is possible to make Leh the primary base of the trip and experience Ladakh at its best since the region is well connected with paved highways. Leh is situated at a high altitude. Based on the time of your travel, you can experience many faces of the mountains in Leh! In bitter winter, Leh is white and scarily stunning. The city will make you sweat profusely at the peak of the summer. A drop of rain in Leh is swallowed readily by the scorched Earth. 

In short, Leh is a little manmade oasis amidst the stark arid high mountains of Ladakhi Himalaya!

Pros & Cons of Leh as a base of your Ladakh Travel

Traveling in Ladakh and making a base in Leh? That is a delightful decision. For full disclosure, I would like to add in the pros and cons of choosing Leh as the base of your much awaited Ladakh travel!

• Since Leh is the capital city of Ladakh, you get easy access to medical facilities and shared taxi and occasional public transport.
• Leh has some of the best hotels of the region and that is an important factor given you would be spending a large part of your day in the nature. You would ideally like to make your way back to the comfort and relaxation of a cozy inn!
• Leh has a thriving market place and exciting cafe-culture at the heart of the market. This makes Leh city itself a very interesting tourist destination in the evening if you are traveling solo and are keen on meeting new people in the trip. Apart from Leh city, I am afraid there is hardly much to do at night in Ladakh. Unless you are a keen astro-photographer! Kargil town is different though.
• Leh has the single most operational airstrip that is used for commercial passengers in entire Ladakh.
• Since Leh has experienced a steady influx of tourists in recent years, the travel infrastructure is pretty well developed and centrally controlled by the unions. For example. Leh Taxi Union has a rate chart beyond which the drivers would not charge you. Part of it is due to the innate honesty of the people being raised in the generosity of the mountains.

Now coming to the cons of making Leh your travel base for 5 days, my honest observations are written henceforth.

• Thanks to increasing number of tourist footfall, Leh becomes extremely crowded at the peak of the season. So much so, getting accommodation at a decent hotel could be a problem. Many friends of mine had been to Leh in summer and ended up sleeping on borrowed mattress at the spare room of a guest house.
• Leh has witnessed a rise of unplanned real estate market. From the many hotels and guest houses around the town and I have stayed at 4 different hotels in Leh, your view of rolling hills and towering poplars would invariably get hindered by hotels and guest houses on the make. The skeletons of these “let’s quickly make a hotel” flash a bitter smile.
• Leh looks clumsy and haphazardly done, even a bit untidy compared to other parts of Ladakh from a distance. However make a trip to the Spituk Gompha which shares its wall with a Kali temple and the sweeping view of the air strip and Khardungla pass renders Leh a beaming smile. If you happen to make it to Leh during autumn, your eyes will greet the valley decked up in bedazzling yellow-orange foliage of fall colours!
• The further you go off Leh, you shall come across offbeat and unknown destinations of Ladakh. You can witness some of the charming anecdotes of yester years when Ladakh played a pivotal part in the Old Silk Road. The Gandhara arts, the mystique gomphas, the Buddhas inscribed on the mountains (like what you saw in Bamiyan), legends of many monasteries, the quaint villages that have been long subjected to border skirmish.
• The further you move from the city of Leh, the closer you will come to the astounding nature of Ladakh. The river Indus, the frozen valleys, the mountains folds claimed by the elusive snow leopards, the border villages. All the elements that make Ladakh and her communities cash poor but happy people with abundant access to nature’s blessing.

Weighing the pros and cons, I suggest you can design your trip mostly based on Leh but make a few days detour to the distant Turtuk village beyond Nubra Valley. Make a pitstop at Kargil and Suru valley . Head out to the ancient monasteries and the villages of Aryan community. This way, you get to experience the best of the both world. For this to happen, you should ideally plan a couple of weeks vacation in Ladakh!

Also read: Complete guide to exploring Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh!

Best things to do in Leh

I intentionally made this a bullet pointed “glance at me once” kind of list with the most prominent things to do in Leh . Will delve deeper in each Tourist attractions as I add details in the 5 days in Leh itinerary section (which you may customize for a week in Leh or more)!

• Make a Day Trip to Pangong Tso from Leh
• Trip to Khar Dung La, one of the highest passes in the whole world! Khar Dung La is always accessible due to its military importance for the battle troops commuting to Siachen from Leh! On a good day, you can cross the pass and proceed towards Nubra valley and further to Turtuk. But in that case, you need to stay in Nubra Valley!
• Explore the Indus valley area and its numerous ancient Buddhist monasteries! Hemis monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Shey Monastery, Stakna Monastery, Spituk Gompa and more!
• Explore Leh City: the museums, Leh market, marshlands by Indus river, Central Asian museum, Old Leh City Tour, Shanti Stupa etc.
• Make a day trip to the Aryan Valley at Darchik and Garkon and Dan, Hanu.
• Explore the ancient Lamayuru Monastery and the moonland located right opposite.
• Visit Basgo Monastery, where Sat Rangi Re song was shot from the movie Dil Se .
• Visit Alchi, one of the oldest monastery in Ladakh with intriguing arcitecture.
• Visit Chiling Village after Crossing Nimoo River Confluence. It is Sangam of Zanskar and Indus two large rivers of Ladakh. During winter, Zanskar river is usually frozen and you can even plan a picnic on the frozen river with a mindful guide (we did all thanks to the Grand Dragon Hotel, Ladakh )! The copper village of Chiling is home to many coppersmiths who practice generational knowhow of making copperware. I loved this tiny village named Chiling! More story on that coming soon!
• If you are feeling adventurous enough, you may even make a day trip to Tso Moriri from Leh city. You start as early as 5 am in the morning and return Leh by 10 pm.

Also read: 50+ offbeat things to do in Goa, beyond sun and sand!

How to spend 5 days in Leh (a suggested week long Itinerary for Leh)

You have to have at least five days to experience Leh at her best. I am considering one day as rest as you need to acclimatize with Leh’s soaring heights. Leh is situated at an altitude of 11,500+ feet.

This Leh Itinerary spans over 5 days. I will give you a rough idea on the best things to do in Leh and a few offbeat day trips from Leh beyond Pangong Tso. You can easily extend your stay in Leh by a couple of more days and indulge in many activities. If you can manage, consider spending at least a week in Leh. To see Ladakh at leisure and experience the best of it, plan a trip for at least a couple of weeks!

Day 1: Day trip to Chiling Village from Leh

Indus & Zanskar river Confluence (Sangam), Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Chiling Village, Magnetic Hills

Time taken 4 to 5 hours. Leh to Nimoo: 34 km. Leh to Chiling: 60 km.

On a clear sky day we started from Leh after breakfast. The car made a smooth glide on the long stretched pitched roads. At a distance, tiny army barracks kept vigilance. Soldiers marched past our vehicle against the backdrop of a barren land, reminding us of the grim reality of Ladakh. Despite being excruciatingly beautiful, Ladakh also happens to witness passive aggression in the politics of South Asia. 

A new University of Ladakh is being built at a distance. Acres of land and not a person to live. This, I am talking about within a 10 minutes drive from downtown Leh. This felt unreal for the urban heart of yours truly. 

We headed for Chilling, a tiny hamlet inhabited by the coppersmith. Where the village ends, you have the iconic Zanskar trekking point. 

In a twisted tale of universal conspiracy, we happen to visit Ladakh in end-February. Climate change is a real concern, you know after a hearty conversation with the Ladakhi people. It used to snow in Leh. Winter used to be more bitter. This is nothing. All the conversation eventually points to the fact the Earth is warming up, unbearably.

I was traveling with the Grand Dragon Hotel in Ladakh. The kind hotel staff had packed us a picnic breakfast. Our driver was observing Lent, the Buddhist month of fast and devotion. He pointed out an ice sheet, jumped on top of it, made a keen observation around the area and assured us we could take steps on the sheet of the ice.

I have seen a number of rivers in my life. However, this particularly felt surreal. We were walking atop a river covered with a sheet of ice. We could listen to the mighty Zanskar running with a volume of water under the ice sheet. The ice sheet was thicker than a few meters and was slowly melting under the sunlight. By noon, the ice sheet changed its color of ivory white to a tint of aqua marine. Sensing danger, we jumped back to the river bank.

Chiling village was a sleepy habitat of a small community who would make a monthly visit to the Leh market with their commodities. They deploy age-old know-how to their generational art and bring shape to the copper ore. The ornate samovars that pour in steaming Kahwa are made by these skilled hands. So are the trumpets used by the Buddhist monasteries. 

The man showed me a Buddhist trumpet and said an Englishman had ordered this piece some 5 years back and paid partly for the make. He never returned but the man had finished making the instrument and had kept it safely, hoping his customer would find his way back to the village someday. This story made my heart mellow. 

On the way back from Chiling, we stopped at Sangam of Indus and Zanskar. The guide cum driver had turned a friend and seeing my unbridled happiness as we closed into the bank of Indus, he said Indus brings in a lot of life forms with the volume of water whereas Zanskar remains barren. Indus rears various water plants, trout and more and thus directly contributes to natural resources of the villages situated on its bank. Sangam is the place where a number of water activities, rafting take place during summer.

On the way back, make a pit stop at the Magnetic hill. They say the car automatically drives in reverse gear at the Magnetic hill. Honestly, I did not find much of a difference. However, do jump out of the car and take a few pictures of the mountains. I found the colour of the mountains to be an interesting mix of maroon and green!

Also read: Travel Guide to Old Silk Route in Zuluk, East Sikkim

Closer to the city of Leh, an old Sikh Shrine stands atop a small hill. It is known as Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. An interesting mythical story is associated with the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib where a demon pushed a massive stone on Guru Nanak but in vain. As with the case of every Gurudwara of the world, Paththar sahib allows visitors of all cast and creed to join the Langar. I felt calm inside the cold shrine where military convoys make frequent stops on the way in or out. It is indeed one of the most profound touristy things to do in Leh.

I suggest visit Chiling first so that you get to spend the most of the time in the beautiful countryside. Make pitstops on the other tourist attractions as you head back to Leh town.

Also read: A week spent in the romance of clouds at Shillong, Meghalaya!

Day 2: Explore Leh City Tourist Attractions

Exploring Old Town of Leh, Gufuk, Leh Market, Museum for a balmy afternoon

Leh market is a tapestry of interesting age-old cultural finds of the region. I found a number of beautiful Ladakhi cafes near Leh market that served delectable local cuisine. Visit the Thabtsang cafe for an authentic Ladakhi meal prepared in Tandoor. The steamed dumplings and lamb stews are exactly what you need to add fuel to your otherwise uneventful evening. Walk to the market with a couple of hours in hand. You will find all sorts of commodities.

Candy packets branded with Chinese letters remind you people love to eat similar stuff across the disputed borderline. Dried herbs and potatoes reigned the market by the end of winter. The last lot of apples gracefully stayed still by the street side vendors’ stalls. I found the jewelry shops to be the most interesting. There were yaks made of apricot wood, camels with double hump made of topaz and other colorful stones, lockets made of wild cats’ teeth. I gasped, is it legal even?

Prices are reasonable. You may bargain if you think the price sounds ridiculous. Leh market is situated at the foothill of Leh palace. Often compared with the Potala palace of Lhasa, Tibet, Leh Palace has an intriguing history. The cobbled pathway is steep and demands a certain level of physical fitness to climb atop. The Palace is now abandoned and partly open for tourists. Leh palace lets you take a beautiful view of the high craggy mountains at a distance, the allure of which is incomparable. The lesser mortals live in the city, constantly wondering what is there beyond the mountains.

On the other hand of the Leh palace, you have the old neighbourhood of Ladakhi people. Centuries have passed but lifestyle reminds us of nature’s yield. Leh palace has a museum adjacent where the remnants of the heydays of Silk Route and regal Namgyal dynasties are safely stored. It is known as the Central Asian Museum. 

Ornaments, hand painted Tibetan Thangkas, Silver cookware and elaborate dress dresses are to name a few. Headgears studded with jewel stones, feathers and pricey metals are distinct features of Ladakhi communities. Earlier, sheepskins were dried and used to keep the human body warm. 

I suggest visiting the Leh Palace by the end of the day during golden hour to get the best view of the town. You may alternatively choose to spend your evening at the Shanti Stupa. Both are located at a high point and lets visitors take a sweeping view of the city. 

Sunset in Leh brings in cold gushing wind directly from the height of the mountains. Before you even know, it is freezing outside. Wind blows vicariously. Take proper woolens to protect yourself.

I happened to make a friend in Leh by serendipity. An army doctor. He was kind enough to take us to some of the unknown yet favourite spots near the city. One such place near Leh is Gufuk. Gufuk is a waterbody which often freezes in the cold winter and doubles as a winter hockey ground. Winter hockey is a cultural thing in the whole of Ladakh. 

The Indus river took a horseshoe bend and left behind the water body a few millennia before. We meandered through dense grass, stepped on sharp branches and reached the bank of river indus. The ice cold water made my toe nails wrinkle but the joy of meeting Indus at a forlorn point was incredible! In summer, a number of migratory birds, especially ducks, call Gufuk their home. You do not need to seek any permission as Gufuk is mostly frequented by the locals keen on smoking a joint. Visiting Gufuk and birding is one thing to do in Leh if you are keen on spending some lone time with nature. You also get to meet mighty Indus from close. I think that is extremely special thing to do in Leh!

Day 3: Visit to Pangong Tso Lake from Leh Town

Day trip to Pangong Tso Lake: Crown Jewel of Ladakh . You need an entire day!

Famed as the three idiots Lake of Ladakh, Pangong Tso is the sole reason a number of people visit leh.

If visiting Pangong Tso is one of your highest priorities for the Ladakh trip, I suggest planning your trip in summer. In winters, due to snowfall and dicey weather conditions, the road to Pangong may remain closed. 

Three idiots was just the beginning. Pangong Tso saw a surge in tourist influx with the release of movies like Jab tak hain jan and rumored shooting of GOT prequel. The locale and otherworldly scenic beauty of the place does justice to Pangong Tso! 

We started at the wee hour of the day for the day trip to Pangong tso. Many tourists stay back by the makeshift tent accommodation by the beach to witness an ethereal starry sky lit with milky way and far away galaxies. The mornings at Pangong Tso are rewarded with stunning sunrises. 

We headed back to Leh during sunset due to uncertain accommodation by the lake. To safeguard the fragile ecosystem, the Ladakh government sometimes shuts down tourist business by the lake. A lot like what Thai tourism has done to Phi Phi island. Make a day trip but allow the night to restore balance somewhat. 

It took us 5 hours to reach Pangong Tso from Leh town. Enroute, we crossed the mighty Hemis monastery. The Indus river danced throughout the course of the journey until we started our ascent to Chang La. Another high pass of Ladakhi Himalayas, Chang la pass often remains closed due to heavy snowfall in winter. Even in the summer, the wind was gutsy. At the highest point on the road, a temple, a memorial in memory of the martyrs of 70’s war and a DRDO office caught our attention. 

The road towards Pangong Tso is arid. Dried up white barren river beds frequent the route. It evokes mellow memories of an apocalyptic world. Sometimes, you stop by the lush green meadows that found a way by the marshland. The fat rats of Himalayas, Marmots live here. Please refrain from feeding Ladakhi wildlife. Nature has provided them enough. The least they need is a piece of merry biscuit under the garb for your photo op!

Situated at a height of 4000+feet Pangong Tso resembles an ink pot flowing in youth from a distance. It dazzles your eyes as you approach the narrow course of road through white mountain scape, bereft of any sign of life. 

I filled my lungs with mountain air and breathed in just to let my mind slowly savor and indulge in the stunning views of Pangong Tso. Once a part of the Indian ocean, and I am talking about eons ago, Pangong Tso is shared between India and Tibet (now under the rule of China). In recent history, Pangong tso has staged a number of political discourse in the subcontinent and unnecessary bloodshed took place. However, permits to Pangong tso are given since Indian armed forces are stationed and often patrol the waterbody with boats and helicopters. 

Light refreshments are available by the shore of the lake. Swimming is prohibited. Please do not open your shirt and pose by the water. Like most of the glacial lakes of Himalayas ( Bum La and Madhuri lake is an example), Pangong Tso is a sacred waterbody for the locals as well. Watch the waterbody change its colour with the gradual movement of the Sun. The glass-like water perfectly reflects cotton clouds and craggy mountain peaks in yellow ochre hues!

To return safely to Leh Town, start by 4 pm. It is a good idea to cross Chang La pass as early as possible. If you get stuck on these roads, your only rescue option is the army. Only a handful of nomadic shepherds live in this terrain who help their yaks feed or herd on the sparse vegetation. Electric, grocery supply, running water are essentially considered luxury beyond Chang la. Visiting Pangong Tso, one of the most important tourist attractions in Leh, and entire Ladakh is an essential thing to do while traveling Leh!

Day 4: Visiting Indus Valley and Exploring the Monasteries from Leh

Day trip to Indus River valley & exploring the ancient Buddhist Monasteries

On the way to Pangong Tso, we stopped at Hemis Monastery first for a while. The first time I was traveling in Leh, I was actually invited to the Naropa Festival . Hemis is one of the most prominent day trips from leh city as well. If you are spending 5 days in Leh, allow a day to explore the ancient monasteries of Indus valley.

Hemis monastery is known to be the richest among all the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the region. A lot of old world artifacts, thangkas, gold jewelry, and antique products found a place on display at the adjacent museum. Hemis has been attacked quite a number of times. To save the priceless and timeless historical anecdotes, Hemis monastery was rebuilt at the fold of the mountains. 

Sometimes, it snows if the wind blows strong. A few villages are located nearby. Population is sparse. 

On the way to Hemis, two more prominent monasteries come on the way. 

Stop at Shey monastery. The view from Shey is astounding. Lush green patch of meadow reminds you of the alpine terrains. Right next to Shey monastery, you shall also find a stupa dedicated to Tara, the female form of Buddha. Tantric Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in the region. 

Close to Shey monastery, another beautiful gompha stands, known as Thikshey monastery. Thikshey monastery is famed to be a mirror image of Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet (now under Chinese occupation). Thikshey houses the most beautiful statue of Maitreya Buddha. However, I found the sanctum of Mahakal to be the most intriguing part of the monastery. 

Head to Thikshey monastery at the start of the day. If you reach there as early as 7 am you can witness the serene morning prayer at Thikshey. 

Chanting and various religious ceremonies are practiced here on a daily basis. The air at the gomphas are usually filled with the aroma of yak butter. Topaz and precious stones are used to adorn the statues.

You may also stop at the Stakna monastery. Stakna is located at the bend of the Indus river. Ask the locals and visit the animal rescue center on the way. A number of Bactrian camels used for various Government projects (fair, exhibition and likes) are kept as an enclosed area. Their numbers are drastically coming down since locals in Nubra often hunt them down for meat.

Another beautiful destination on the way is Stock palace. It will take a couple of hour’s detour if you want to experience the erstwhile Ladakhi king’s new palace. Closer to Leh, visit Spituk Gompha which shares its wall with a Kali Mandir. Although, the Kali statue differs to a great extent from the usual Kali idols of Kolkata!

Also read: Bonedi barir Durgapuja of Kolkata, a forgotten world!

Day 5 : Lamayuru Monastery and moonland from Leh

Lamayuru Monastery, Moonland, Aryan Valley . An entire day is needed for this .

For a cultural traveler, Leh would never run out of tourist attractions. By the virtue of being one of the most prominent trade routes to central Asia in line with the ancient Silk Route, Leh had been a sprawling ground where Buddhist ideology and practices spread among the locals. As a result various monasteries are found in the valley.

Lamayuru is one of the ancient monasteries of Leh. Its history dates back to 11th century. Originally a cave, Lamayuru monastery has now grown and how! Close to Lamayuru, you may also come across another high pass named Fotu La. Today, Lamayuru monastery houses at least 300 monks of various age groups from surrounding villages. many abandon the regular life in search of spiritual fulfilment. many go back to their village after their education has been completed. Lamayuru hosts two annual mask dances, also known as Yuru Kabgyat.

From Lamayuru, you can view moonland. It is an intriguing terrain of bright yellow colours made of river or lake deposits (many geologists argue there was a waterbody in the area at least 40000 years ago). It is known to be the “Moonland” of Ladakh.

On the way to Kargil, appears Lamayuru monastery. If you are traveling to Leh with a pit stop at Kargil , you must allocate at least three days in the second largest city of Ladakh!

Kargil is the second largest district of leh. While most of the tourists use Kargil as a one day stop over on the way to Leh from Manali or Srinagar, I urge you to consider traveling in and around Kargil at least for three nights. Its beauty can be compared to that of Kashmir excpt the people are happier with Indian governance. 

However, half way on the way to Kargil, you shall come across the Aryan villages. Known to be descendants from the Alexander’s army, Aryans are a tribe who adhere to age-old norms and traditions in the society. They believe in Buddhist or Islam alongside worshipping nature as their forefathers did. A performance at an Aryan village is a treat to the eyes!

Also read: A travel guide to exploring the ancient Aryan tribes of Ladakh: Offbeat gems of India!

Also read: A photo blog on Kargil, the offbeat gem of Ladakh!

More offbeat Day trip options from Leh

With careful planning, you can very well extend you stay in Leh for a week or even more! There is never a dearth of thigs to do in Leh! Day trips, museums, markets, cafes, trips to the high passes: Leh offers endless tourist attractions. In case you have to extend you stay, and it happens due to sudden change in weather.

Khardungla: Day trip from Leh

You need to cross Khar Dung la to visit Nubra valley and Turtuk in Ladakh. That can not be a part of a day trip. However, visiting Khar Dungla from Leh city takes only a couple of hours.

One of the highest passes of India, Khar Dung La holds immense importance in India’s strategic position in the region. through Khar Dung la, supplies to Siachen and border areas are sourced.

Even during the peak of winter,  the road to KharDung la remains open, even for civilians. Army is at work all the while to take care of the road and to clean it. If you are keen to see snow and white ladakh but have planned your trip during summer, trust KharDung la to astound you! 

Also read: A trip to the Dras War memorial in Kargil, an emotional day in my life!

Alchi Monastery: Offbeat tourist attractions near Leh city

Located closer to Leh, you may visit Alchi monastery for a day trip. Alchi Monastic complex was built at least 1000 years from today and showcase a distinct architectural style. River Indus remains constant by her side. Hindu and Buddhist artistic features are prominent as well as the influence of Kahsmiri and Himachali kings in the complex. Of all the existing temples, Manjushree temple is the finest in terms of art and cultural value.

Also read: 20+ photos of Traveling in Zanzibar

Basgo Monastery

The movie Dil Se was filmed here. To be specific, a specific song of the movie Dil Se, Sat Rangi re was filed here. It is a dilapidated monastery with few ruins and an operational mosque which shares its boundary with a long standing Buddhist Gompha. Not a single living being was seen anywhere close by except for a monk. I could sense Ladakh’s vast wildness for the first time standing at the feet of Basgo Monastery. I recommend a visit to Basgo if you appreciate pristine place all to yourself!

Should you visit Tso Moriri from Leh as a day trip?

While Pangong Tso has hit the limelight thanks to Bollywood, Tso Moriri or Tso Kar remains obscure from the mainstream tourist gaze so far. To reach Tso Moriri and return to Leh on the same day, you need at least 18 hours a day. You start as early as 5 am and you will return by 10 pm. It is an undue risk and takes extreme toll on your health thanks to Ladakh’s extreme terrain. it is better to slow down and explore at peace. however, if you are too keen to see Tso Moriri, I would say it is not exactly impossible to visit Tso Moriri lake!

Staying Healthy in Leh

Numerous articles and social media posts suggest Leh is dangerous due to oxygen scarcity. Nothing could be further from the truth. Let me explain. 

Leh is located at an astounding altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level. High mountains and stark sunlight flourish the region. It is a drastic change from the natural habitat of most of the tourists. 

It is possible you will find your oxygen level dropping in Leh in the first few days. Breathing could be a bit of a challenge when you find yourself climbing the staircases. With a mask as the new normal demands, it is possible that you will pant occasionally.  

Please note, this is normal. In fact, I was speaking to this doctor from the Indian army posted in Leh. I had measured my Oxygen level because I can and I found it to be 87. I was alarmed and informed the doc and he suggested waiting till it drops to 70 when he would send me Oxygen cylinder! So, there you go! 

Usually, your oxygen level would hover between 90 to 95. On occasions and extreme physical activities like trekking and all, you may experience oxygen level coming down. Many doctors recommend carrying small oxygen cans to provide extra support in such cases. 

Acute Mountain Sickness

More than Oxygen scarcity, what really is troubling for Leh-Ladakh trip is AMS or acute Mountain Sickness or HAPE. The only way to safeguard yourself from AMS is to acclimatise and allow your body to adapt as you climb the soaring heights. ALways listen to your body, allow it to rest enough times before you start a new journey, and never rush. AMS leads to terrible headache, nausea and insomnia in mild cases and can be fatal if the condition remains untreated. 

I was recommended to carry and eat a diamox and a paracetamol. I remember popping a diamox everyday at the breakfast table as we geared up to travel for that day!

For Covid and related precautions, please remember to mask up and carry a negative RTPCR report, especially if you are headed towards the remote parts of Ladakh! A mask can do wonder for you and for the world outside.

Also read: Traveling to Phang Nga Bay in Thailand!

Souvenir to buy from Leh

To buy the best souvenirs from Leh, I recommend heading for the Leh market. It is a thriving market place with plenty of products on display. The sellers journey from far off places and carry along homegrown or handmade organic food and herbs and artworks. 

If you are keen on buying gourmet items as souvenirs please pick almonds and walnuts and the creme de la creme of Ladakh’s organic produce, apricot! Apricot bloom in Ladakh is one of the best seasons to witness nature’s colours in the mountains! Sea buckthorn juice and tea are some of the clever finds in Leh which helps one fight the tolling altitude gains. 

I look out for antique masks in Leh. I often pick Topaz studded silver jewelry from the tiny shops. Many shops are inundated with produce from Kashmir. Leh relies on  Srinagar for an unhindered supply chain, especially during the harsh and prolonged white winter months. Many Kashmiri families have moved to Leh and started with business in the city.

If you are keen on buying woolen products, Leh has plenty of options. The one I prefer the most is thrift shopping from the army barracks. These are products specifically designed and made for the army guys. Sold at throw away prices, these products are the best protective gear against the pressing cold you will face during a trip to Leh. prices for a good quality of socks starts from INR 50. Not even Decathlon can compete with the price point. I also particularly love the wooden yaks sold at antique markets. These walnut wood yaks are worshipped as totems in old villages of Leh!

Where to eat in Leh

Lei grows and abundance number and variants of berries protein rich nuts and fruits are available at the Indus valley villages as well apart from that thanks to high altitude and Ladakh primary being a cold desert a hardly sees fertile agricultural lands. Whatever is produced in le is organic and fruit of hard soil.

Usually gets its own share of supply from the plane lands through Manali Srinagar and Chandigarh. What the this cross gets transported through the high passes and reaches the furthest of secure rural corner of Ladakh.

However Le has a long-standing culture of tandoor where daily bread is baked at the local bakeries and then the household gets their share of weekly supply. The cafes in Leh market are carefully e desktop to remind you of the olden days when Leh was thriving place melting flower pot of many cultures and thread traders. Do try the seasonal fruits apples, dried mint, overwhelmingly flavourful lamb to cooked with yam and rich in fragrant organic spices. Short grained red rices is a specialty of Ladakhi cuisine. To cater to the tourist influx however Leh has trained hospitality partners with various types of food. I was pleasantly surprised to see a big spread of Burmese khao suey at The Grand Dragon Ladakh.

Try the following cafes at Leh market:

• Lehvenda Cafe: Local and continental food are available. Great wifi speed to work from.
• Amdo Cafe: Try momo and thentuks. Mostly Tibetan food
• Ja Khang : Run by an NGO group, serves coffee and great place to read a book and spend an afternoon
• Namja Dining: Great Local Ladakhi food and a very kind owner
• Metta cafe: Funky vibes and best coffee in nLeh city
• My Cafe: Great Location and great View. Try coffee with homemade desserts

Where to stay in Leh

During my second time traveling in Leh during winter months of February, I stayed at the Grand Dragon Ladakh! It is one of the few Luxury properties Leh has in the city. 

It is extremely important to choose a comfortable stay in Leh as you explore the city and the rest of ladakh.  

Comfort might be a good thing to have at various other destinations but in the case of Leh, comfort is an essential thing. I say this after traveling to Leh more than once. The first time, I stayed at a homestay. While it was a very decent and cosy experience, nights were excruciatingly painful. 

In the evenings we used to sit by the bonfire and munch on onion fritters. Apart from those few hours nights where task to deal with. I remember eating with spoon and gulping down a glass of warm water being mindful of not in taking too much water lest I need to get up in the middle of the night.

You need a place in Leh which is centrally heated. Specially when travel fatik gets the better of you you need a comfortable space to to spend the night. The Grand Dragon hotel Ladakh perfectly fits the bill it racist experience a few notches above with a touch of luxury and thoughtful editions and a minute is like high speed Wi-Fi and a lavish buffet.

Indulge for a few nights of luxury stays in in a because as you leave the city and venture into the hinterlands of rural Ladakh chances are you will have to spend your nights at makeshift tent where electric supply is limited only for 3 to 4 hours each day.

What to pack for Leh trip

While packing for Leh, you must consider it is a cold desert. While the mornings are long and sunny, nights are bitter cold and chilly! Winds will sway you when you stand at the edge of the craggy hills. 

You would ideally be visiting Leh during summer. The adventurous souls would venture into Leh during winter. If you ask me, I choose to visit Leh and the rest of Ladakh during October, at the start of fall colours or in Mid March, when the spring makes apricot blooms adorn the mountains. 

Either way, you should pack enough woollens for the prolonged cold nights of Leh.  Let me list down for your convenience:

• Sweater (at least 2)
• Cap that cover your ears
• Enough sun block
• Socks at least a couple of pairs (in case one gets wet when you dip your feet in lakes)
• Long boots protecting against snow and helping you to trek in hilly terrains
• Jackets ideally waterproof in case it snows
• Necessary medicines
• Snacks that will come handy on the road journey
• Your favourite playlist for the road (prepare beforehand)

Things to remember while traveling in Leh

I have given you all the tips I have gathered while traveling in Leh. These are practical travel experiences that I learn from many trips to the beautiful mountains. I have added a lot from my personal research as well. To reiterate, and make your 5 days trip to Leh a grand success, I will highlight the things you need to remember while traveling in Leh-Ladakh!

• Ladakh is the state (Union Territory to be specific). Leh is the capital.
• You may visit Leh, stay for 5 to 7 days and conduct many day trips to the nearby attractions if you are not keen on traveling to further distant land with less amenities.
• Ladakh is a beautiful place however due to low air pressure, traveling is mostly reserved for physically fit and younger travel groups.
• Acclimatize, acclimatize, acclimatize.
• Visit Leh market.
• To travel around tourist attraction from Leh city, you should ideally go with the taxi union in the city. The drivers are mostly courteous and honest. Tourist rip-off in Ladakh is not heard of much however the destination is indeed expensive!
• Carry medicine, the essential ones, Diamox, paracetamols and if possible, small Oxygen cans.
• If road to Pangong Tso or Nubra is closed due to heavy snow fall, head towards the villages of Kargil from Leh. Do not forget to explore the ancient monasteries. Plan your trip to a monastery where annual Cham dance practice takes place to experience beautiful culture of Ladakh!
• While Leh may not be as beautiful as many other parts of Ladakh thanks to increased human presence, do not let that take away anything from experiencing this destination. Just a few kilometers drive from Leh city you can experience wild vast nature at her best!
• It snows in Leh in peak winter season. It can be scorching hot in Leh in the summer months. Either way, the nights are ice cold.

Also read: Travel Guide to Chitwan National Park in Nepal!

Being a Responsible Traveler in Leh!

It is imperative to travel responsibly in Ladakh, not just Leh specifically. It is an extremely fragile region of Himalaya with ecology vulnerable to various changes. Global causes and the raging issue of climate change have imprinted their demonic presence on the mountains that guard the land of Ladakh. You would see that as you alight at the Leh airport from a flights. Locals lament of the non existence of cold weather. They say Leh used to be different twenty years back.

While tourism has been one of the predominant ways to make money and grow business for the locals of Leh, it has brought in its own vices as well. For example, there is rampant plastic pollution. Even at the height of Pangong Tso I saw plastics encroaching the pristine marshland which was once owned by the migratory birds. Increased risk of geopolitics have exposed the region to an ugly face of diplomacy. Bunkers and army strongholds are present everywhere. These construction sites are essential for the nation’s safety yet they pose a danger for the world!

I am just a girl who loves to travel. I try to put forward my best efforts to conserve nature and set off my carbon footprint as I plan my travels. For Ladakh too, I was mindful and tried my best. 

To begin with I cut down on consuming water from plastic. I do not drink tea. But if I would, I would only trust paper cups. I eat mostly vegetarian meals on long travels, not because I like it but because I feel my body rejects meat cooked outside after a couple of days in a row. I love my dal and rice. I eat fish though, if available. In Ladakh, fish is a rarity. 

Being a responsible traveler also means knowing one’s limitations and taking Covid scare seriously. If you feel you are going to be sick, and you shall bring the curse of infection on other people, albeit unknowingly, stay away from visiting distant places. Medication and hospitalization are luxury in certain parts of the world, including Leh. 

Ask permission before taking pictures. Do not pluck fruits and flowers from orchards unless you are allowed permission (I can not believe I am to write this but yeah).

Please please please do not pee at the mountain streams while traveling in and around Leh. They are essential source of water for many locals and small villages. Your litters and biological waste could be lethal for the locals of Ladakh.

Buddhist lent is observed with reverence in Leh. Many devout men would not utter a single word and eat only vegetarian meals during this times. Leh town also sees elaborate procession during Muharram. Please be respectful to the local customs and rituals.

While Leh enjoys mostly unhindered supply of electric, many homestays relies on solar power. Please be mindful how and when you decide to consume electric in Leh.

Traveling in Leh brings in deluge of mellow memories in my mind. I always come back with a promise to return to this vast obscure landmass, full of possibilities. Sparse populace, risk of geo-political shift, ancient monasteries, cultural and trade routes and many more layers of hidden chapters of history- Leh safeguards all of these and more! Plan your trip to Leh during fall colors or in spring, by mid march when the nature is beaming with apricot bloom, quite a phenomena!

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2 Responses

To whosoever it may concern, you should respect the monastery rules. In most of the monasteries they prohibit clicking photographs in order to protect the sacredness of place. You should respect the rule. This is the least one can do. Or if you are clicking the pictures have enough respect to not post it on your blog. I hope you will understand my point.

Hi Vanshikha, if you have been to these monasteries, you would know there are certain monasteries who allow clicking pictures, and some who do not. I was actually invited by Hemis monastery and I was allowed to click, post and publish these pictures. I clicked them right in front of the guards. If you have watched my vlogs (they are in Bengali) you will see me talking about one particular monastery where they asked me not to click one particular statue which I did not. So yeah, I know what I am doing. I hope you will educate yourself on the rules prevalent in the monasteries before making a generic comment.

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The Best Leh-Ladakh Itinerary for 10 days

Featured , Ladakh

Last Updated on: Jul 16, 2023  

Ladakh is a fascinating place. Anyone who has once visited Ladakh can never forget its landscape, its people and the eternal beauty it hides between those colourful layers of mountains. Planning a trip to Leh has never been an easy task. With help from various sites, we were all set for the trip that we were waiting for so long! Here is a detailed report on our travel to Ladakh

The Best Leh Ladakh Itinerary for 10 days

Day 1 (baltal – kargil).

We completed our Amarnath Yatra successfully before we ventured for the anticipated trip to Leh. From Baltal, we hired a car to Kargil. We left the greenery of Baltal and entered the barren dusty mountain roads. The Zozila Pass said to be one of the most treacherous passes of India was just a glimpse of how the trans-Himalayan passes would be.We reached Kargil at the evening and rested for the night.

Ride through the Zoji La

Day 2 (Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh)

The next morning we started for Leh. The journey to Leh was equally exciting. We got the first taste of the magnificent monasteries of Ladakh at Mulbek where the gigantic Maitreya Buddha stood towering over us.

The Maitreya Buddha at Mulbek monastery

We travelled and crossed the Fotu La and the Namik La passes. Just as we crossed the Namik La, we saw something that looked straight out of a Hollywood movie. The breathtaking Lamayuru Monastery stood there with all its glory. With meandering roads leading to the monastery, it was the ethereal beauty of the place that stood out. We were not able to stay the night at Lamayuru, but I can well imagine how enchanting the place would look at a full moon night!

The Lamayuru Monastery

After our visit to the Lamayuru, we headed towards Leh town. Leh in itself is a small and colourful town. The markets are bustling with activities during the day. There are numerous shops that sell Buddhist artifacts, statues of Buddha and other goodies. The Tibetan markets are also there selling garments, shoes, bags and any adventure gear you can think of. Well, many are branded, but I cannot assure you about the authenticity of the brands! And finally, there are shops selling junk dresses (Yes I call those funky, colourful dresses as them junk dresses) and pieces of jewellery as well as pashminas. Leh with all its colours and flavours is a town full of life. With people from various countries (Yes, we see more of foreign tourists and travellers here) the place is buzzing with activity.

Beautiful artefacts – care to buy some?

Day 3 (Leh – Chang La Pass – Pangong Lake)

After a well-deserved rest, the next day we started for Pangong Lake. We had planned to stay the night near the Lake so that we can experience a night beside the lake. The road to the Pangong goes through the Changla Pass, another high trans-Himalayan pass. I was really excited to see the cute marmots on the way. These animals seemed so friendly! As I was looking for more marmots, we saw a glimpse of blue. Yes, that was the Pangong Lake, the huge lake which has only 40% of it in India. The Pangong Lake played hide and seek with us for some time before it revealed us to us in full glory. I had never seen such a shade of clear blue before! The azure lake and the golden mountain ranges at its back looked like a perfect picture postcard. I think the whole of this region is like a postcard at which you can stare for hours and marvel. We camped near the lake, enjoyed the changing colours of the lake at different times of the day and also had a campfire near the lake.  My nomadic heart truly was for a treat that day.

Pangong Lake

Day 4 (Pangong Lake – Hemis Monastery – Thiksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh Palace – Leh)

We were back from Pangong and while returning we visited the Hemis Monastery, Thicksey Monastery, Shey Palace and the Leh Palace along with the Sindhu Ghat. There are no words to describe the grandeur of the monasteries of the Leh. But what surprised me was the serenity of the Sindhu Ghat. A peaceful place where you can just sit with your legs in the waters of Sindhu and contemplate on the journeys you have taken, the sights you have seen.

At Sindhu Ghat

Day 5 (Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley)

This day was reserved for Nubra Valley. To reach Nubra, we had to cross the world’s highest motorable pass the Khardung la. Not only the roads, but the weather also become treacherous at Khardung La. The sunny weather of Leh became gloomy once we were near the pass and suddenly snowflakes were all over me. It was snowing at Khardung La. Just imagine the feeling of standing at a height of about 18000 ft and experiencing snowfall! It is simply amazing.

Snowfall at Khardung La

We were in the midst of mountains and rugged terrains so long, but this day we saw stretches of sands and a black road among those sandy stretches. Nubra is one of the coldest deserts of the world and double-humped Bactrian camels are found only here apart from the Gobi desert. And then the colossal statue of Maitreya Buddha came to our sight. That was the Diskit Monastery- a place where the ancient and the modern stands to look at each other. At the mountain over the Shyok river stands the oldest monastery of Ladakh region, the Diskit Monastery and exactly in front of it, stands the 32 m Maitreya or the future Buddha, looking down at the Shyok river.

Gian 230 feet Maitrya Buddha statue at Nubra Valley

A ride on the camels simply completed our day. We stayed at Hunder for the night at a homestay. We were simply bowled over by the hospitality of the people there. The next morning we were all set to be back at Leh.

Day 6 (Nubra Valley – Leh)

The return from Nubra to Leh was equally long and arduous. After returning from Nubra Valley , it ews only roaming aroundthe streets of Leh for us.

Riding camels at Nubra Valley

Day 7 (Leh – Magnetic Hill – Alchi – Likir – Spituk – Leh)

A day of relatively lesser travel when we visited the monasteries near Leh – the Alchi, Likir, Spituk monastery. Each monastery had their own distinct charm and visiting them increased our thirst for knowing about them more. We travelled past the Magnetic Hill this day. and all that we heard about the Magnetic Hill was true! The car really moves ahead even though it is not being driven. The evening was spent viewing the sunset from Shanti Stupa and roaming around Leh markets.

Shanti Stupa, Leh

Likir Monastery

Day 8 & 9 (Leh – Sarchu – Keylong – Manali)

The day to leave Leh had come. But we decided not to let the spirit of adventure die. We were all ready to set on the journey through the Leh- Manali Highway – the route which is there in every wayfarers’ bucket list. And truly so, the Leh- Manali route is simply grand and a saga. The scenery, mountains, terrains everything about this road is epic. We had a stopover at Keylong and reached Manali the next day.

The Leh – Manali Highway – the grand ending to an epic adventure

The remarkable tour has a perfect ending, it was no less than a blockbuster. Due to time restraint, we did not visit the Tso Moriri and HanuDha. We plan to do that soon. It is so very true that Leh is like a mecca to all Indian travellers. The place has all the thrills and excitement. Once you visit Ladakh, you simply cannot stop raving about it.  The same is with us.

Day 10 (Manali)

Some facts:.

Altitude: Leh is at a height of 11480 ft

Best Time to visit: June to September

The best way to visit Leh by road is to enter by the Srinagar-Leh highway and return by the Leh – Manali highway. This also helps in proper acclimatization.

ATMs: ATMs are found in Leh city. But carry cash when you are travelling to Pangong, Nubra or Tso Moriri.

At the Sindhu Ghat

Agni Amrita

Related posts.

Hunderman – Ghost Village near Kargil with Museum of Memories

A Trip to Changthang Valley in Ladakh and a Failed one to Tso Moriri

Changpa Tribe of Changthang, Ladakh – The Story of Pashminas

Sham Valley in Ladakh – A Complete Travel Guide

Basgo Monastery, Ladakh – Ruins of Palace and Fort

Saspol Caves – Best-kept Secret of Sham Valley, Ladakh

Found your post interesting to read. Good Luck for the upcoming update.This article is really very interesting

Nice blog post with wonderful pictures.I really like to this article it’s very interesting.

IN the 10 days trip, how many hours will one have to travel in vehicle. I m asking this question as there is issue of travel sichness and hence a littl concerned,

Regards bharat

Yes, there can be problems of travel sickness and AMS while travelling in Ladakh. Please know more about AMS and then make an informed decision.

Really amazing blog. I learn new information from your article , you are doing a great job . Keep it up

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4 Days 3 Nights - Tour To Ladakh

Ladakh is one of the most appealing lands in the Himalayas that attract tremendous rugged tourists to try their best luck amidst the mountains with sheer walls of rock and snow, dividing the Indus Valley from Tibet, Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. Whether it is for trekking or for a fantabulous motor biking and jeep safari experience , Ladakh has the most speculated visions to carry the magnanimous adventure tour in the Himalayas.

• Sightseeing at Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa
• Visit Shey Palace and Hemis Monsastery
• Drive through Khardongla Pass (World’s highest motorable road)
• Enjoy the Local Market of Leh

a road rip along Badrinath Kedarnath mediterranean

Divine Do Dham Yatra (Kedarnath and Badrinath) offers a wonderful chance to visit the two most important Hindu pilgrimage sites - Kedarnath and Badrinath. Also, blessed with mesmerizing beauty in abundance, Kedarnath is one among the twelve jyotirlingas of Shiva and Badrinath shrine is one of the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu.

the history of Badrinath Kedarnath great civilisations

With the Badrinath Kedarnath tour package, get a chance to visit the two most spiritual destinations of Char Dhams. You can also visit Guptkashi, Rudraprayag, Haridwar, and Rishikesh during the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. With our 5 Nights 6 Days Badrinath Kedarnath tour package, which starts from Haridwar, get a chance to attend the Ganga Aarti in Haridwar and experience the bliss of the divinity. Take a look at the complete details of Badrinath Kedarnath yatra 2021.

Day 1 : Arrival in Delhi - Leh

Arrival at Leh airport, to be received by our representative and transferred to the Hotel. Check in to the hotel for a complete day of rest wherein welcome tea and coffee will be served by the Hotel. Post lunch visit Leh Market, Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa . Overnight stay Leh.

Day 2 : Leh Local (104 Kms / 5-6 hrs)

A Complete day of visit to the monasteries . After breakfast drive to visit the Shey Palace , Thiksey, Hemis monasteries , Stok Palace Museum & Sindhu Ghat . Return to Leh in the evening. Overnight at Leh.

Day 3 : Leh - Khardong La - Leh (78 Kms / 3-4 hrs)

Morning after breakfast drive for Khardongla Pass , which is the World’s highest motorable road at 18380 feet. Return to Leh in the afternoon, and enjoy a Hot Lunch at the hotel. After Lunch one is free to explore the local market at one’s disposal. Overnight stay Leh.

Day 4 : Leh - Delhi (Departure)

Early morning transfer to Leh airport to board flight back to destination. Journey ends with Sweet Memories of Ladakh.

• Airport/Railway transfer
• Accommodation at all places in Hotels / Camps as applicable to the itinerary
• Breakfast & Dinner.
• Welcome drink on arrival with cookies and biscuits.
• Exclusive sightseeing & excursions by one non ac Innova/Xylo the same car
• 02 bottle mineral water per person/per day while on tour
• Wildlife fee for Lake, Pangong Lake and areas which are protected wildlife sanctuaries in Ladakh
• Inner line permit for restricted areas of Pangong areas (Guest are required to bring one a photocopy of their photo identity proof along with them)
• Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh Environment fee (Students should bring their school ID)
• Govt. tax as per current schedule
• Medical & Travel insurance
• Domestic airfare
• Monastery entrances fee
• Personal items like mineral water, phone calls, laundry etc
• Extra meals / room services / bottled beverages consumed at the hotel
• Additional costs for Hotel accommodation, transport services due to flight cancellation, road blocks etc
• Porter age & tips at the airport, Hotel/Camp staff & drivers

accommodations

Hotel Rajhans / Paradise / Subham / Kanha / Anoop

Guptkashi, 2km from center

relax and unwind with a special stay offer at -->