Itinerary
- Day 1
Leh
You'll arrive at Leh Airport and head to your hotel to settle in. Since altitude adjustment is important, this afternoon focuses on getting acclimated. Check out Leh Palace for views across the city, then make your way to the white-domed Shanti Stupa. Before the day ends, wander through the local market to look at Tibetan handicrafts and get a feel for what's available in town.
- Start point
- Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), Ladakh, Leh, Ladakh 194101, India (Pickup from Leh Airport, India)
- Meals
- Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ladakh Imperial or similar - Leh)
Included Activities
- Visit Leh Palace (Lachen Palkar Palace)
- Explore Shanti Stupa
- Browse local market for Tibetan handicrafts
Landmarks Leh Palace Shanti Stupa 
- Day 2
Sham Valley
After breakfast, you'll drive into Sham Valley to see the war memorial, then stop at Kali Mata Mandir. From there, head to the 11th-century Spituk Gompa perched on a hillside. Later, you'll visit Gurudwara Patthar Sahib and experience the odd sensation of Magnetic Hill, where gravity seems to work differently. The drive continues to where the Indus and Zanskar Rivers meet, giving you time to take in the landscape before returning.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ladakh Imperial or similar - Leh)
Included Activities
- Visit Sham Valley war memorial
- Visit Kali Mata Mandir
- Visit Spituk Gompa
- Visit Gurudwara Patthar Sahib
- Experience Magnetic Hill
- Drive to confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers
Landmarks Spituk Gompa Gurudwara Patthar Sahib Magnetic Hill Indus and Zanskar Rivers confluence 
- Day 3
Leh to Nubra Valley
This is a big driving day to Nubra Valley. You'll cross Khardungla Pass at 18,360 feet and get views of snow-capped peaks around you. The glacier bridge you'll drive over is actually listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. By evening, you'll arrive in Nubra Valley at 10,000 feet altitude for overnight camping, so factor in the long journey and altitude changes.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (De Nubra Camp or similar - Nubra Valley)
Included Activities
- Cross Khardungla Pass (18,360 feet)
- Drive over Guinness Book of World Records glacier bridge
Landmarks Khardungla Pass Nubra Valley 
- Day 4
Turtuk
Early on, you'll drive to Turtuk, a border village home to the Balti tribe. It's positioned where the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges meet, overlooking the Shyok river. Spend time exploring the village's culture and traditions, check out photography opportunities, and if timing works, you might catch traditional sword dances or learn about their famous apricots. You'll return to Nubra Valley for another night of camping.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (De Nubra Camp or similar - Nubra Valley)
Included Activities
- Visit Turtuk border village
- Explore local Balti culture and traditions
- Experience Turtuk scenery and local lifestyle
Landmarks Turtuk - Day 5
Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake
After breakfast, visit Diskit Monastery and see the impressive Maitreya Buddha statue there. Then you'll drive to Pangong Lake via the scenic Shyok route, arriving in the evening. Check into camps near the lake, where you can spend time looking at the mirror-like water and the mountain backdrop around it.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Cottage (Wonderland Cottage or similar - Pangong Tso)
Included Activities
- Visit Diskit Monastery
- View Maitreya Buddha statue at Diskit Monastery
Landmarks Diskit Monastery Pangong Lake 
- Day 6
Pangong Lake to Hanle
Starting early after breakfast, you'll head to Hanle by driving through Chushul Village and over Tsaga La Pass at 15,200 feet. The landscape here is remote and high-altitude desert. You'll get a chance to learn about the Indian Astronomical Observatory and see its telescopes before checking into your accommodation in Hanle for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Home-stay (Padma Home Stay or similar - Hanle)
Included Activities
- Cross Tsaga La Pass (15,200 feet)
- Drive through Chushul Village
Optional Activities
- Tour Indian Astronomical Observatory
- View Himalayan Chandra Telescope (2-meter gamma-ray telescope)
Landmarks Tsaga La Pass Indian Astronomical Observatory Hanle - Day 7
Hanle to Tsomoriri Lake
You'll drive to Tsomoriri Lake, crossing Nurpa Pass at 16,100 feet and heading over Mahe Bridge. The lake sits near Korzok village at 14,000 feet in the remote Changthang region. In the evening, take a walk along the lake's banks to soak in the quiet surroundings and watch for different bird species in the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Lake View or similar - Tso Moriri)
Included Activities
- Cross Nurpa Pass (16,100 feet)
- Cross Mahe Bridge
- Scenic walk along Tsomoriri Lake
Optional Activities
- Birdwatching at Tsomoriri Lake
Landmarks Nurpa Pass Tsomoriri Lake - Day 8
Tsomoriri Lake to Leh
After an early breakfast, explore Korzok village with its traditional houses and local Gompa. This area is known for some of the world's highest barley cultivation. Later, drive through lands where Changpa nomads live to reach Tsokar Lake, taking in the views along the way. By evening, you'll drive back to Leh and stay at your hotel for dinner and overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ladakh Imperial or similar - Leh)
Included Activities
- Explore Korzok village
- Visit local Gompa in Korzok
- Visit Tsokar Lake
- Drive through Changpas nomadic lands
Landmarks Korzok Tsokar Lake - Day 9
Leh
Spend this day checking out Leh's monasteries. Visit Shey Gompa, which was a former summer palace and has a 12-meter Buddha statue inside. Then head to Thiksey Gompa, a 600-year-old monastery with notable murals, followed by Hemis Monastery, one of Ladakh's largest. You'll also stop at the eco-friendly Druk Padma Karpo School (known from the film 3 Idiots) and end at scenic Sindhu Ghat on the Indus River.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Ladakh Imperial or similar - Leh)
Included Activities
- Visit Shey Gompa
- Visit Thiksey Gompa
- Visit Hemis Monastery
- Visit Druk Padma Karpo School (Rancho School)
- Visit Sindhu Ghat
Optional Activities
- Experience Sindhu Darshan Festival (if visiting in June)
Landmarks Shey Gompa Thiksey Gompa Hemis Monastery Druk Padma Karpo School Sindhu Ghat - Day 10
Leh to Airport
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Leh Airport for your departure flight. Timing depends on your flight, so make sure to confirm with your hotel the night before. This wraps up your Ladakh journey.
- End point
- Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), Ladakh, Leh, Ladakh 194101, India (Drop-off at Leh Airport, India)
- Meals
- Breakfast
