Private journeys in seven lands · a planner replies within one working day
Try "Udaipur", "tiger", "honeymoon", "Ladakh in July"
Twelve nights across all of eastern Ladakh in one loop: Leh's monasteries, three nights in Nubra with a day in Turtuk, the Shyok road to Pangong, the lake road south to Hanle's dark skies, two nights at Tso Moriri and home over Taglang La. The fullest Ladakh journey we plan.
This is the journey for travellers who want to see Ladakh properly in a single trip. It begins with three nights in Leh to acclimatise, then crosses Khardung La to Nubra, where three nights allow a day trip to the Balti village of Turtuk. From Nubra, the Shyok road leads to Pangong, and the lake shore road south via Chushul brings you to Hanle, India's first dark sky reserve, and on to Tso Moriri.
Every high place is reached gradually, with lower nights first, and every remote night is in the best camp or homestay available. You cross three passes above 5,300 m, sleep at the shore of two great lakes and see the full range of Ladakh's cultures: Buddhist monasteries, Balti villages and Changpa nomad camps. It is demanding but deeply rewarding. A spare night in Leh guards against delays. Permits are arranged for you.
Highlights
Day by day
Your guide meets you at Leh airport and drives you to The Grand Dragon Ladakh. Rest for the whole day, with lunch, a long sleep, plenty of water and an early dinner. Your guide explains the route, the permits and the importance of a slow start on a journey that spends five nights above 4,200 m. If you arrive on an early flight, your room may not be ready at once; the hotel will serve tea and breakfast while it is prepared, and you can rest in the lounge.
A slow walk through Leh's old town to the palace gate, with tea in the bazaar. After lunch and a rest, drive to Shey and its seated Buddha above the Indus. Keep the evening quiet. The old town walk takes about two and a half hours at an easy pace, with stops at restored houses and a bakery for warm khambir. Your guide meets you at the hotel and the car follows. Lunch is in the bazaar, and the afternoon begins with a rest.
Morning prayers at Thiksey, then Hemis monastery and its museum. Lunch at Hemis and a stop at Stakna. Back in Leh by mid-afternoon to rest. Your guide confirms all permits for Nubra, Turtuk, Pangong, Hanle and Tso Moriri. Pack a smaller bag for the remote nights; larger luggage can stay at the hotel. Leave Leh at 5.30 am for Thiksey's prayers. An early dinner follows. Stakna sits on a rock above the Indus, with fine views.
Leave Leh by 8 am for Khardung La, at 5,359 m, stopping only briefly at the top. Descend into Nubra for lunch near Khalsar, then on to Lchang Nang Retreat in Sumur. An afternoon of rest in the garden and a short walk to Samstanling monastery. Leave by 8 am to avoid army convoys at South Pullu. Lunch is near Khalsar, and the afternoon is for rest in the retreat's garden.
Morning prayers at Diskit, then the 32 m Maitreya above the valley. Lunch at Lchang Nang and a rest. In the late afternoon, the Hunder dunes and the Bactrian camels in golden light. Diskit's assembly hall fills with chanting at about 7 am. The Maitreya platform gives the best view of the whole valley. After lunch, rest in the garden before the dunes. Bring a warm layer for the evening, as Nubra cools quickly after sunset.
An early start along the Shyok road west through its narrowing gorge to Turtuk, a Balti village of stone lanes, apricot orchards and wooden bridges. Walk through the hamlets with a village guide, visit the Yabgo royal house museum and have lunch in a homestay garden. Drive back to Sumur by evening. A long but memorable day. Dress modestly for Turtuk. Lunch of Balti dishes is served in a homestay garden, and apricots are on offer in season.
Follow the Shyok east through Agham and Shyok village to Durbuk, then on past Tangtse to Lukung and the first view of Pangong. Settle into a lake-facing camp at Spangmik or Merak. Sunset on the shore and stars after dark. Drink plenty and avoid alcohol tonight. Leave by 7.30 am, before afternoon meltwater raises the streams. Lunch is in Tangtse. Wrap up warmly for the evening. Marmots are often seen near Tangtse in summer.
Dawn on the lake, then drive south along the shore through Man and Merak to Chushul, and over Tsaga La into the Indus valley near Loma, before turning to Hanle. The route depends on permits and road conditions; if closed, we reroute via Leh. Check current status before you travel. Arrive in Hanle and rest. The drive takes about seven hours, with a picnic lunch. Rest on arrival. Carry warm layers for the evening.
A slow morning, then the wetlands with a naturalist for kiang, black-necked cranes and bar-headed geese. Lunch and a long rest. Sunset at Hanle monastery, with the observatory domes across the valley. After dinner, a telescope session with a local astronomy guide in the dark sky reserve. We plan Hanle around the new moon where possible. Wear every layer for the night session, as temperatures fall well below freezing. Dinner is early at the homestay.
Drive through Loma and Nyoma to Mahe, watching for kiang and nomad camps, then south past Sumdo to Korzok on the shore of Tso Moriri, at 4,522 m. Settle into the camp and rest. A slow walk on the shore in the late afternoon if you feel well. The road follows the Indus for much of the way. Kiang are often seen near Nyoma. Dinner is early, and the night is cold at 4,522 m.
Early light from Korzok monastery above the lake. After breakfast, visit a Changpa herding camp to share butter tea and see the pashmina goats. Afternoon at leisure, or birding along the northern marshes. A final dinner under the stars of the Changthang. Stay well back from nesting birds in the marshes. Carry water and sun protection, as the light is strong. Butter tea in a nomad tent is part of the welcome.
Drive north through the Puga valley to Tso Kar for a picnic by the salt lake, then join the Manali highway and cross Taglang La, at 5,328 m. Descend through Rumtse and Upshi to the Indus and Leh. Hot showers and a farewell dinner at The Grand Dragon. The full drive is about 240 km and takes about eight hours with stops. Some of the Puga section is unpaved. Kiang often graze near Tso Kar.
Breakfast and transfer to Leh airport for your morning flight. The final night in Leh is a buffer for road delays on the long return from the Changthang. Your guide sees you through check-in. If there is time, a last walk in the bazaar to buy pashmina from a cooperative shop. Morning departures are the norm at Leh because afternoon winds make flying difficult, so we plan an early start and carry a packed breakfast if needed. Keep warm layers and any medicines in your hand luggage.
Included
Not included
Where you sleep
The Grand Dragon is Leh's most complete hotel: central, centrally heated and open all year, with mountain-view rooms, several restaurants and a staff used to looking …
Lchang Nang, meaning house of trees, is a small retreat in Sumur village in Nubra, set among willows and fields with views of the surrounding peaks. …
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Questions travellers ask
It covers Leh, Nubra, Turtuk, Pangong, Hanle and Tso Moriri, which is most of what visitors come for. Zanskar and the Sham valley need separate journeys or extra nights. Twelve nights is the minimum we would plan for this route.
It is demanding: long drives of five to eight hours on several days, three high passes and five nights above 4,200 m. Healthy travellers who are comfortable with altitude and simple stays manage well. A doctor's check before travel is wise.
Three nights allow a full day for Diskit and Hunder and another for Turtuk, without rushing. Nubra is lower than Leh, so the extra nights also strengthen your acclimatisation before Pangong and the Changthang. It also allows a slower morning before the long Shyok road.
Foreign nationals need Protected Area Permits for Nubra, Turtuk, Pangong, Hanle and Tso Moriri. Access to Hanle and the Chushul road has varied. We check rules before confirming. Check current status before you travel. Where Hanle is closed, we adjust the route via Tso Kar and Tso Moriri.
We return from Pangong to Leh and drive to Hanle along the Indus the next day. The journey still works, with one extra long drive. Our team checks conditions in advance. Permit changes are handled by our team in Leh.
June to September, when all roads and camps are open. September is ideal for clear skies at Hanle and fewer visitors. July and August are busier but warm. Avoid October, when camps at the lakes begin to close and nights at Hanle fall well below freezing.
Yes. One Nubra night can be moved to a Turtuk homestay, giving evening and dawn in the village. It shortens the Nubra stay but deepens the Turtuk experience. We choose a Turtuk homestay with a private bathroom and good food, and Lchang Nang keeps your room for the other nights.
From ₹4,60,000 per person, twin sharing, including stays, private car, guides, astronomy session, permits and most meals. Flights are extra. This is our most complete Ladakh journey, with three high passes and five remote nights. Single travellers, festival dates and peak weeks in July and August cost more, and we confirm the exact price once your dates and rooms are fixed.
Yes. Many guests do Leh, Nubra and Pangong on a first visit and the Changthang lakes and Hanle on a second. See our seven-night and nine-night journeys for each half. Splitting also gives more time in each place. Each half works well on its own.
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