Ladakh

Discover Ladakh.

Monasteries clinging to vermilion cliffs. Pangong’s changing blues. The Nubra valley’s twin-humped camels. Ladakh is silence sculpted into stone.

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Ladakh

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25 years in Kashmir. Real local advice in 2 hours.

Ladakh

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What is Ladakh like, and who is it for?

Ladakh is a land of long distances and big skies. Villages sit green beside rivers, and everything else is rock, sand and snow. White stupas and monasteries stand on cliffs, prayer flags snap in the wind, and the air is thin and dry. It rewards travellers who like landscape, quiet and culture, and who will let their bodies adjust to the altitude.

It suits couples, friends and families with older children who are fit and healthy. It is harder for very young children and for travellers with heart or lung conditions. If you are unsure whether to choose Kashmir or Ladakh, read our Kashmir vs Ladakh comparison.

Which places make up a Ladakh trip?

How do you get to Ladakh?

When should you go to Ladakh?

How do you handle altitude in Ladakh?

• Spend the first day in Leh resting, and keep the second day light.
• Go up in steps: Nubra Valley and Pangong come after your Leh nights, and Hanle and Tsomoriri come later still.
• Drink water, avoid alcohol, and tell your driver at once about a headache, nausea or breathlessness.
• Talk to your doctor if you have a heart, lung or blood pressure condition, are pregnant, or travel with a young child or an older parent.

Do you need permits for Ladakh?

Leh, the monasteries near it and the road from Srinagar are visited on photo ID. Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Pangong, Hanle and Tsomoriri are border or protected areas, and permission is arranged before the trip. The rules differ for Indian and foreign nationals and can change. Our permits and ID guide explains the pattern. Our package pages list inner line permit fees as included, and we confirm what your group needs.

Which Ladakh package suits you?

These are the starting prices printed on our package pages, per person on twin sharing. They change with group size and hotel tier.

Where do you stay in Ladakh?

Leh has guesthouses, mid-range hotels and a few luxury properties; see our Hotels in Leh page. Nubra Valley and Pangong have camps, cottages and small guesthouses; see our Hotels in Pangong page. Remote stops such as Hanle and Padum offer homestays and simple hotels. Every package lists its stays in four tiers, from Standard to Premium.

Can you combine Ladakh with Kashmir?

Yes, and most travellers who start in Srinagar do. A few days in the valley, two road days to Leh, a rest day and then the Ladakh circuit makes a natural plan. Our Kashmir and Ladakh combo guide shows how the pieces fit, and our Ladakh tour packages page compares the options. For packing for the cold nights, see our packing list. Send your dates through our contact page.