Best of Ladakh

• Leh to Kargil drive via Alchi, Likir, Basgo & Lamayuru Moon Landscapes
• Kargil War Memorial at Drass — Vijay Smarak
• Nubra Valley via Khardungla Pass with camel ride at sand dunes
• Turtuk border village — Balti tribe culture & Pakistan border views
• Pangong Lake overnight stay with stunning mountain views
• Hanle — Indian Astronomical Observatory & star-gazing experience
• Tsomoriri Lake — 14,000 ft high-altitude lake with Changpa nomads
• Tsokar Lake & Taglangla Pass (5300m) en route to Leh

Day-by-day itinerary

9 Nights / 10 Days · Leh · Kargil · Nubra Valley · Turtuk · Pangong · Hanle · Tsomoriri. Everything below is customisable — change the pace, add a night, swap a hotel.

1. 1

   Day 1

   Arrival in Leh

   On arrival at Leh airport meet our representative who will transfer you to your hotel in Leh. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel. Remainder of the day will be for rest, to acclimatize. In the late afternoon around 4 PM, drive to visit Shanti Stupa (Buddhist white-domed stupa (chorten) on a hilltop in Chanspa) followed by a visit to Leh Palace (Former royal palace overlooking the town of Leh). Post this visit Leh Market, here you can find almost everything including Himalayan Pashmina Shawls/Apricot Store/Tibetan Handicrafts/Ladakhi Ornaments/Rugs, Kashmiri Carpets and etc. Dinner & overnight stay at hotel.

2. 2

   Day 2

   Leh to Kargil

   $a

3. 3

   Day 3

   Kargil to Leh (Approx. 234 Km)

   After breakfast visit Vijay Smarak (war memorial of Drass-Kargil). Here, you visit War memorial hall and Museum- also known as Vijay path. The memorial was constructed by the Indian Army in the memory of the soldiers and officers of the Indian Army who laid their lives in Kargil War. Later back to Leh. Reach Leh in the evening. Rest for the day.

4. 4

   Day 4

   Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardungla Pass (135Km / 5 Hours approx)

   $b

5. 5

   Day 5

   Nubra - Turtuk – Nubra 80 Kms/2-3 hours, One way

   After breakfast drive towards Turtuk border village that sits on the crossroad of Himalayan and Karakoram ranges overlooking the Shyok river is home to the people of Balti tribe with its unique culture and tradition. Baltis are also known for their sumptuous cuisine. The village was used to be under Pakistani occupation until 1971 when India won it back in a fierce war fought against the Pakistani army. Atop the village you also get a view of Pakistani side of the border. Almost every family is divided and some of the relatives now reside on the other side of the border. You would get some of your best shots here in Turtuk. The place is also known for quality apricots and sword dance which they perform on important occasions and marriages. As someone rightly said that “only smiles are sweeter than apricot in Turtuk.” Evening back to Nubra.

6. 6

   Day 6

   Nubra Valley (Hunder) to Pangong via Shayok

   Morning after Breakfast proceed for Diskit Monastery. Post the Diskit Monastery, proceed for backward journey to Pangong via Shayok. Pangong Lake: The picturesque lake is one of the major draws of the Leh-Ladakh valley. A location of several film shootings and known for its pristine waters surrounded by awe-inspiring mountains, Pangong Lake is a prime tourist attraction. The long and narrow lake lies in the neighbourhood of the famous Chushul Mountains. The mirror-calm water is cold, clear and extremely salty. The lake is a breeding ground for a variety of birds. In the evening check in to your camps at Pangong Lake. Dinner and overnight stay at the camps. (Approx 4000/- for SUV & 7000/- for Traveler Extra for Warila Route – If Shayok route is closed)

7. 7

   Day 7

   Pangong Lake to Hanle (175 Kms / 6-7 Hrs)

   After an early breakfast we check out from our Camp or Hotel and drive to Hanle, by crossing Chushul Village, Tsaga La (15,200 Ft) enjoy the drive upto Hanle, is home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory. The location of the village and the observatory are highly sensitive due to the close proximity of the Tibetan/Chinese border, India set up the Himalayan Chandra Telescope, a 2m gamma ray telescope. Once complete the Major Atmospheric Cerenkov Experiment Telescope gamma ray telescope under construction they will be the world’s largest telescope at the highest altitude and the second largest gamma ray telescope in the world. As per history, it is believed that King Singge Namgyal died here at Hanle while on his return from an expedition Mongols. Overnight stay at Hanle.

8. 8

   Day 8

   Hanle to Tsomoriri (130 Kms / 4-5 Hrs)

   Post breakfast check out and drive to Tsomoriri Lake enroute cross Nurpa Pass (16,100 Ft) later cross Mahe Bridge, on the way to the Tsomoriri Lake located at 14,000 ft. near a small village of Korzok. Recently opened to foreigners due to the proximity of the Chinese boarder, the Changthang is a land of wilderness and magnificent landscapes, Tsomoriri Lake is also the breeding ground for numerous species of birds, like the bar headed goose, crested grebe, the Brahmini duck (ruddy sheldrake) and the brown-headed gull. The Tsomoriri Lake is 8 kms wide and 28 kms long. Upon arrival we check in at our camp for overnight. Spend your evening on lake by leisure walk on the banks of lake. Overnight Stay at Camp or Hotel in Korzok.

9. 9

   Day 9

   Tsomoriri - Leh (17582 ft.) via Tsokar-Taglangla (Approx 220 kms/7-8 hrs drive approx)

   $c

10. 10

    Day 10

    Departure

    Leave on time for Leh airport to board your flight to onward journey. TOUR CONCLUDES HERE

Where you stay

Pick a category — hotels are “or similar” of the same standard, confirmed at booking.

What's included

Price per person

Twin-sharing basis, private vehicle, taxes included. The more travellers, the lower the per-person price.

Questions about this trip