Days 1 to 3: Leh
3 nights · Moderate · High-altitude desert town in Ladakh with an old royal palace and Buddhist monasteries nearby.
Day 1: Leh
- Arrive in Leh and check in near the main bazaar.
- Rest for the whole day to adjust to the altitude.
- Drink plenty of fluids and avoid climbing stairs or hills.
Day 2: Leh
- Start at Spituk Monastery, about 8 km from town.
- Stop at the Hall of Fame on the way back.
- Visit Leh Palace in the afternoon.
- Drive up to Shanti Stupa for sunset.
Day 3: Leh
- Leave early for Hemis Monastery, about 40 km away.
- Return via Thiksey Monastery.
- Stop at Shey Palace and Monastery.
- Be back in Leh by evening.
Getting here from Leh: Road over Khardung La, about 4 to 5 hours. About 120 km by road.
3 nights · Moderate · High cold-desert valley north of Leh with sand dunes, two-humped camels and old monasteries.
Day 4: Arrival day
- Travel from Leh to Nubra Valley (about 4 to 5 hours).
- Evening: return to Hunder or Diskit by evening.
Day 5: Nubra Valley
- Leave Leh early and make a short stop at Khardung La.
- Reach Diskit by early afternoon and check in at Diskit or Hunder.
- Visit Diskit Monastery and the Maitreya Buddha statue.
- Spend the late afternoon on the Hunder sand dunes.
Day 6: Nubra Valley
- Drive from Hunder to Turtuk, about 95 km from Diskit.
- Walk through the village lanes and apricot orchards.
- Have lunch in the village.
Getting here from Nubra Valley: Road along the Shyok, about 5 to 6 hours.
2 nights · Challenging · A long salt-water lake at about 4,350 m on the India-China border, a day's drive east of Leh.
Day 7: Arrival day
- Travel from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake (about 5 to 6 hours).
- Evening: check in at Spangmik and watch sunset on the Spangmik lakeshore.
Day 8: Pangong Lake
- Leave Leh early with permit copies and a full fuel tank.
- Make a short stop at Chang La.
- Have lunch at Tangtse and pass Chagar Tso.
- Stop at Lukung and the 3 Idiots photo spot.
Day 9: Pangong Lake
- Watch sunrise on the Spangmik lakeshore.
- Drive on to Man village and Merak village.
- Return past Lukung and Tangtse.
- Cross Chang La and reach Leh by evening.
Afterwards: Pangong back to Leh is about 5 hours by road over Chang La.
Travel times between stops are rough estimates for planning; check current timetables and road conditions before you go. Each day links to the full guide for that place.
