ladakh trip story

I Dreamt, I Explored And I Got A Story...Leh Ladakh!

There are some things which cannot be put in words. Love is one of them and then there is Ladakh- the land of scenic beauty, rustic charm and nature at its best. Nevertheless, I will try to pen down my experience of Ladakh as best as I can, trying hard not to lose myself in those brilliant moments spent in the lap of majestic Himalayas.

Once I attended an exhibition in India Habitat Center in New Delhi which was about Ladakh photography done by some bikers. Since then I just wanted to visit this beautiful place at least once in my lifetime.

And after so many years of waiting for the opportune moment, I finally decided to pursue that dream. I saw an ad of Goomo.com and raised a trip query. Mr. Abhishek called me and gave me the best travel deal for 7 nights and 8 days that included our accommodations, meals (breakfast & dinner) and private transfers. And in no time at all, I packed my bags, looking forward to living the beautiful itinerary hand-crafted by our agent Mr. Abhishek from Shoes on Loose.

Leh Airport Travel Terminal

Day 1 - delhi to leh.

The moment I touched down in Ladakh, I was sure this is going to be a magical experience. Fortunately, I got a window seat, So it gave me the opportunity to click the jaw-dropping beauty of the sky.

I landed in Leh at around 9:30 AM. As it was a group trip of 6 people and I never went on a group trip, so I was more excited about my first group trip.

Before going to Ladakh, I always thought that Ladakh is a place for young people. But my thought changed completely when I met with my group members. We were 3 couples, we and 2 other couples. One couple was in their 60s and the other one was about 50.

We were waiting for our driver at the airport, then we first met with those couples who were traveling with us. Frankly speaking my excitement about the trip had just vanished. We were thinking like how we will enjoy ourselves with those people. Anyways we reached our hotel snow view, the staff was so good. They welcomed us warmly. They suggested us to stay at the hotel for the full day to acclimatize ourselves with the environment.

Hotel Snow View

We decided to have our lunch at the hotel. Meanwhile, we started a conversation to know each other. After lunch, we headed to our rooms to take some rest and planned to meet at 5 PM for evening tea together.

After a couple of hours of acclimatizing myself with the place, we all met at the cafeteria and decided to visit the Leh market and Shanti Stupa. I was so surprised to know that both couples were more excited about the Ladakh trip than us. However, our hotel manager advised us to stay at the hotel and take rest but we all are so enthusiast to visit as many places in Ladakh as we can. First, we went to Shanti Stupa, and then Leh Palace. On the way back to the hotel we explored the Leh market.

Shanti Stupa

Day 2 - Leh to Sham Valley

After a hot breakfast, we started for Shyam Valley. on the way we visited Hall of Fame then magnetic Hills, the confluence of Indus and Zanskar river, Gurdwara Pathar Sahib, Moonland and Liker monastery.

Hall of Fame

Confluence of Indus(right)and Zanskar(left)

We had our night stay in Sham Valley so we headed to our hotel Duke that was the most beautiful place with the most warming people I have ever met. The owner of the hotel took us to his beautiful house and offered us tasty Ladakhi tea and bread.

At dinner, we all group members chat a lot about our interests and habits.

Day 3 - Sham Valley to Leh

After breakfast, the hotel’s owner took all of us to visit their apricot garden. Then we started back to Leh. On the way back we visited Alchi monastery and local markets and bought some souvenirs. Around 7 PM we were at our Leh hotel Snow View with some more memories.

Day 4 - Leh to Nubra Valley

it was time to explore and discover the hidden gems of Ladakh which everyone talks about.

After a good breakfast, we started early for Nubra Valley. On the way to Nubra Valley, one has to cross the highest motorable pass in the world – Khardung La. The view from 18,380 ft here was mind-blowing. Post a delicious lunch in a local restaurant in Khardung village, we continued our journey while the River Shyok flowed right beside us.

Khardung La Road

Nubra Valley

Upon our arrival, we decided to visit the sand dunes before checking in to the hotel. We rode peculiar looking double humped camels and took a stroll on those velvety sand dunes which turned breathtaking in the golden light of the setting sun.

Day 5 - Nubra Valley to Leh

Diskit gompa.

After breakfast, we started back to Leh and on the way we visited Deskit Monastery. The main and unique attraction of the Diskit monastery is a gigantic statue of Lord Buddha on the top of it. I captured almost every angle of this beautiful monastery.

Day 6 - Leh to Pangong

Now finally it’s time to visit my most awaited place in Ladakh trip that was “3 idiots” fame Pangong lake. I was at the top of my excitement. After breakfast, we left for Pangong lake. It’s situated at 14,500 ft. On the way, we passed through Changla Pass 17,350 ft, the third highest motorable road in the world.

Pangong Tso

Chang La Pass

Thiksey Monastery Leh Ladakh

We reached around 4 PM at the lake. When I saw the first view of the lake, I forgot my tiredness of 7 hours journey on an uneven road. I got almost mad to see the changing colors of that beautiful lake. We enjoyed the sunset & the color changing lake at leisure. After taking almost 100 pictures of the lake, we moved to our cozy tents.

At Pangong, electricity goes off at 11 PM. When everyone was in their tents, we came out to our tents to click some night sky views and it was an incredible experience to see the galaxy for the first time.

Pangong Lake

Day 7 - Pangong to Leh

We woke up early to see the sunrise because we didn’t want to lose any view of that amazing place. We sat there for about 2 hours. As I am a yoga lover but was not allowed to do yoga at that height so I did my meditation to complete my Pangong trip.

Then its time to say goodbye to Pangong lake. We started our way back to Leh, visited the monasteries of Hemis and Thikse, Druk White Lotus School (again 3 Idiots fame), Shey Palace.

Druk Padma Karpo School

At the evening in leh, we all shared our best moments of the trip to each other.

Day 8 - Leh to Delhi

I was a little upset because I didn’t want to say goodbye to this place. But life is all about to keep moving. One of my group members (Manju Aunty), she was just like me, planned a beautiful way to say goodbye to each other. At Leh airport, she gave us a paper to write something for each member of the group. We all wrote and made our memories on hard paper as well.

we all group members together at Pangong lake

I know I just wrote a very brief of my trip because Ladakh can’t be described even in 50k words.

If anyone is planning for Ladakh this summer, message me to get tips if you need any.

I can say that “I am in love with Ladakh and visit again soon.”

Keep Travelling!

You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/yogagirl.dipti/

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Ladakh Travelogues and Travel Story

Ladakh trip was one of a dream, I was planning to come here for more than a year. Due to my too much busy schedule, I couldn't get enough time to explore. Finally this year I and my three other friends decided to come true our dream to explore Leh Ladakh. We all discussed how we will execute it and applied for 8 days leaves and managed our budget. Hellotravel helps to connect with reputed Travel agent, in a nice budget they offered a fantastic tour package for us. We all very much existed for our first adventurous trip. Thanks to God I have got wonderful experience from my trip. Now I just wanted to share my lovely experience with you guys. So that you will be aware of how to plan and decently execute your trip. Seriously, it was my most memorable and cherish trip till date.

Ladakh is specifically known as adventure place. It is a larger region of Kashmir. Leh is the capital of Ladakh, which is the largest town of Ladakh. And touches the border of Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir. No other place can beat the rough trails and beautiful landscapes of Ladakh. It is blessed by high altitude ranges and substantial lakes. I have done Trekking at chadar lake area. Camel safari and jeep safari. That was a very nice experience. Weather was very pleasant in May. It is the best time to explore here. At this time temperature was so pleasant, maximum temperature found 15 Degree Celcius. Although Ladakh is known as "Cold Dessert".You get fabulous weather in this month, even April to May it's nice to come here. 

We booked our flight tickets a month ago from Delhi to Kushok Kahula Rimpochee, Leh. Because there is no other direct flight to Ladakh. me and my friends reached at Delhi airport before 4 hours as per schedule. Our travel was so enjoying full, we were too much excited for our first adventurous trip. I love to capture nature in my camera so I have specially carried my DSLR camera, important things like power bank for avoiding battery back up, BSNL postpaid sim card in my mobile, Woollen clothes like jackets, extra shocks, shoes, few edible things like pickle, snacks and dry fruits, extra pair of clothes, few medicines like headache tablets and painkillers. And do not forget to carry your I'd proofs and driving license. I have already kept in my wallet so there was not an issue.

 As Ladakhi Cuisine is very much different in their taste that is why I have carried a few edible things. Based on Tibetan recipes they cooked anything. I love to eat momos, in Ladakh momos are very delicious. We were talking on all things then heard the announcement that we have reached at the airport. After reaching there we found weather was so pleasant, when we reached at Leh, the atmosphere got completely different, I felt like now I'm breathing filtered and fresh air, eyes were feeling very relaxed and cool after seeing nature of Ladakh views. That was amazing feeling maybe I cannot explain in words, but I can imagine that I am in paradise. During travel, we were chattering how will complete our desire spots in eight days in. when we reached the airport at 5 am we took a cab from the airport, within an hour we reached in Leh from Delhi. Early morning at 6 am we were at the hotel. due to lack of time, we travelled by flight as per your convenience you can reach here by train or bus as well. Many trains are running daily from Delhi to Jammu. From Jammu by taxi you can reach to Ladakh. Approximately it is 10 km far From the main city. We hired a taxi from the airport to the hotel. Once we reached at hotel, first I have completed check-in formalities then moved to our room. After freshen up take some rest. As per planned itineraries, they serve breakfast in the morning. All timing was already set by the travel agent, the room was very nice and the surrounding views were so lovely. We ate thupka it is Ladakhi dish first time in my life I have taken its taste, it was different but I like that along with Sea Buckthorn Juice, which is only you can find in Leh Ladakh in all over India. It was made by berries which found only here. 

DAY ONE TO SHANTI STUPA AND HIMS MONASTERY AND LOCAL MARKET

After taking a delicious breakfast we moved to our sightseeing. Rough trails and magnificent landscapes of Ladakh will attract you. When I moved then seen marvellous beauty of Ladakh that moment I was feeling I'm so lucky.

Day one we were on the way to Shanti Stupa which looks very attractive we took many photos here. It is in white dome-shaped monument. Then explore Leh local market, I have purchased Ladakhi handicrafts, shawls and few antique gifts for my family members and friends as a memory of this trip. Then we moved to Hemi OR Hims monastery and Thisksay monastery. I am sure you have watched 3 Idiots Bollywood movie, they shoot nearby this place, Rancho's school was here. We have already plan to cover this place. So we have clicked snaps with our group here and also explore Sindhu ghat. In the local market we have tasted Ladakhi momos and dumplings. Then we have tried Mokthuk which is again a Tibetan dish, which made is a superb blend of momos and soup. I never felt this taste of yummy momos. Ladakhi people are very nice in their behaviour. In the evening we again visited in Shanti Stupa, then the beauty of this monument was so pretty. Night view increases the beauty of this place.

 After shopping and eating, we moved to our hotel in the evening my bag was filled after shopping and I was feeling so tired. Then after taking some rest, we have taken dinner then a tight sleep. Because as per planning in early morning we have to be ready for second-day sightseeing.

NUBRA VALLEY ALONG WITH KHARDUNG LA PASS 

Second day after taking healthy breakfast we moved to Nubra Valley which is 135 km far from Leh. By car we reached there real beauty of Ladakh is showing from here. We enjoyed double-humped camel Safari, seriously camel ride was so memorable, when I sit on Camel ' s back I was so afraid, but after some time I was enjoying views and explore the dunes. After completing camel safari, we have taken butter tea and chips. Butter tea is a unique beverage found I Ladakh. From there we moved back to the hotel. We all were so excited and tired then after reaching at the hotel we took dinner and overnight stay at hotel. 

LEH TO KHARDUNG LA PASS , LEH PALACE AND LOCAL SIGHTSEEING

Next day after breakfast we were ready to Khardung La pass. It is just 39 kilometres far from Leh. Climate was so cold we were already wearing jackets and globes. Then we moved to Leh Palace, which is a historical place, it is nine storeys building. It is too old so when we visited, we found it ruined in many places. But such a beautiful view I have seen from the roof of this palace. And have taken many pics and videos here. It is situated on high altitude so we have taken rest for 15 to 20 minutes here. Then we moved to Glacier View and highest Buddha statue of Diskit monastery Ladakh. Most recommended place to explore in Ladakh . So whenever you are planning to travel in Leh. Do not forget to come here.

HALL OF FAME

It is made by the Indian Army in the memory of India soldiers, Many soldiers lost their lives in Indo Pak war. Here I have gathered lots of information about the war and used weapons by them. I have seen flags and other weapons here.

MAGNETIC HILL AND ZANSKAR VALLEY

After having yummy yak cheese breakfast we moved to Magnetic hills, it is a mysterious place of Ladakh. After completing sightseeing we have taken some sky from a restaurant situated mid of the Leh market. Then we have explored ZANSKAR views Chadar lake is the most famous tourist spot. We have spent some time here. Here we explore Sangam of muddy brown Zanskar river and greenish-blue Indus River. 

After finishing sightseeing we moved to the hotel for rest and dinner. 

PANGONG LAKE VIEW

On the sixth day we moved early morning to Pangong lake, we were so excited to see the real beauty of Leh Ladakh from here. it is 149 kilometres far from Leh. It is situated on 4350 meters 14270 FT in the Changthang region of Leh. This lake touches the international border between India and Pakistan. 

Real heaven place on this earth we have found here. It is too difficult to explain the beauty of this place, I have captured many pics as a memory of my beautiful trip.

Scenic view and blue sky and high snow covered the mountains, it looks so charming, we spent a good time here.

There is required a permit to visit here. 

Luckily or travel agent informed me in advance so we could be able to explore this place Hassel free. Then in the evening we returned to the hotel. We spent some time on chopstick Noodle Bar, I heard about it when I was searching about restaurants in Ladakh. We have taken delicious Ladakhi dishes like Chinese noodle soup, fried chicken rice and soft drinks. I was feeling so tired so after reaching the hotel I lay down and slept. 

On the seventh day, we all were feeling so tired because almost famous spots we have completed in 6 days now was thinking what to do either rest or last spot to explore then we wake early and moved to TSO MORIRI, it is 250 kilometres far from Leh. So after a long journey we reached here and found blue sky and green land, greenery looks like a carpet on earth. It is not less than a haven, generally people avoid to travel here due to distance journey. And it was bliss watching such as an enormous Lakes covered by high peak mountains. 

Finally we have covered all pre-planned tourist spots in Leh. Then, at last, I have bought a few Tibetan handicrafts, Enrique gifts, shawls, Buddhist statue as most of the Ladakhi people follows Buddhism, so they designed many statues of Buddha. I have carried some stone jewellery from here, I have take care of authenticity of jewellery so I will recommend you guys. 

LEH TO Delhi 

So after finishing my lovely trip along with my best friends we came back to Kushok Kahula Rimpochee airport by taxi at 1 Pm for our flight to Delhi. We said special thanks to servants of the hotel and driver, he was very friendly we never felt boring during any long drive. It was again a nice experience, and big thanks to our travel agent. 

Last but not least by Hellotravel platform I get to know about the best tourist spots to explore in Ladakh. It was my first experience with them I did not felt regret. Even my friend appreciated to me and my travel agent. 

With wonderful memories and adventure, we have returned to Delhi airport from there we moved to our places. 

Book your Ladakh tour packages at best price with HelloTravel.com & get exciting deals on Ladakh vacation.

So get ready and pack your bags to awesome Leh Ladakh trip.

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7 incredible Ladakh experiences you probably haven’t heard of

By Arundhati Ail

Sprawling beautiful landscapes, cool blue lakes, calming monasteries and towering snow-capped mountains—the cold desert of Ladakh has it all. With new COVID-19 rules in place, if you’re fully vaccinated, you can explore the breathtaking region minus the need for any RT-PCR tests.

We spoke to Gulzar Hussain of the outdoor adventure company Frozen Himalayas for his insider recommendations of the best in Ladakh. From adrenaline-inducing treks to palaces that take you back in time, here’s how you can go off the beaten path on your next trip to Ladakh.

Instead of Nubra valley, stay in Zanskar

The Chadar trek, also known as “Frozen river trek”

The next time you’re travelling to Ladakh, skip the camel watching and stay at Nubra valley and escape into Zanskar valley instead. Accessible through the Penzi La pass 160km from Kargil, this 5000sq.km valley is home to one of the last remaining cultural settlers of Tibet. Set up camp by one of the two pristine blue lakes in the region, visit the many monasteries around, like Rangdum, Sani or Karsha gompa, and get your dose of adventure with the Chadar Trek—also known as the “Frozen River trek” in the winter. Distance from Leh: 12 hours .

Instead of going to Pangong lake, visit Tso Moriri

Tso Moriri Lake

Said to be the largest high altitude lake in India that is entirely in Indian territory, Tso Moriri lies 4,000 metres above sea level. The picturesque lake in Rupshu Valley offers calm and solitude, flanked by mountains on all sides. Unlike Pangong lake—the popular choice among tourists since the famous 3 Idiots scene there—you will need an Inner Line Permit to visit Tso Moriri. But the sprawling blue lake makes it worth it and you even get to enjoy two more lakes on the way—Tsokar Lake and Tso-Kyagar. Distance from Leh: 5 hours, 30 minutes.

Explore the Ladakhi village of Turtuk instead of Diskit

Balti village in Turtuk 

While most tourists choose to stay in Diskit village for its high altitude, views of the Shyok river and the Diskit monastery, lower in the landscape is Turtuk—a smaller village with a rich history and stunning scenery. The lesser-known hamlet is the one of the northernmost villages in India, beyond which lies Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir. The village lies between Nubra and Baltistan, on the banks of the Shyok river, and was once an important gateway for the Silk Route. The tiny village is dotted with apricot and walnut plantations, and houses a 16th century polo ground and the Balti Heritage House and Museum—a 140-year-old structure built with wood and stone. Distance from Leh: 5 hours, 30 minutes.

Get your adrenaline rush on the Sham Valley trek instead of the Markha valley trek

Tingmosgang Monastery (Tingmosgang Gompa) in Sham Valley

Arundhati Ail

Julian Manning

Condé Nast Traveller

The Markha valley trek is among the most popular treks in Ladakh. Spanning about a week, the trek involves river crossings, passing through beautiful villages and crossing the Kongmaru La pass, all while enjoying Mt. Kang Yatse. But if you’re looking for an easier trek, suitable for complete beginners and families, the Sham Valley trek is a great alternative. The trek takes you through Ladakhi villages—where you will have beautiful homestay options. Visit the Alchi monastery—which is more like a complex of temples—and while you’re in the area, enjoy a meal at the Alchi Kitchen. The unique restaurant helmed by chef Nilza Wangmo offers traditional Ladakhi delicacies with a modern twist like saffron paneer momos, sandwiches made with khambir—the local whole wheat bread and skyu—a soup-based dish with root vegetables and pieces of pasta-like dough. Alchi Kitchen on Instagram .

Skip the popular monasteries for Matho Monastery and Stok Palace .

Stok Palace

If you’re taking a trip to the Thiksey monastery in the Indus valley 20km from Leh, look out for the Matho Monastery right opposite. Though it’s a little more offbeat than the former, it has a lot on offer for history buffs. The monastery was founded in 1410 and houses a large collection of Buddhist thangkas or paintings from the 14th century. And if it’s historical structures you’re looking for, look beyond the well-known monasteries and consider a trip to Stok Palace in Leh. The stunning property is almost 200 years old and is said to have been built entirely by Ladakhi craftsmen as the residence of the Namgyal dynasty. It houses royal apartments, prayer chambers, a museum, sprawling courtyards and a temple. It has also been converted into a heritage hotel, where you can book yourself into royal suites or villas amidst apricot and willow trees. Stok Palace: Stok Palace, Post Box #8, Stok, Ladakh, India 194101

Enjoy the scenery from Namgyal Tsemo Gompa instead of the Shanti Stupa

Tsemo Castle and Namgyal Tsemo Gompa atop a mountain

The white-domed Shanti Stupa in Leh is known for its magnificent structure and stunning views of the landscape. But if you want to avoid the crowds, head to the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa close-by, just behind the Palace of Leh, where you can enjoy the same views, minus the chatter of tourists. This Buddhist monastery founded in 1413 houses a three-storey tall gold statue of Maitreya Buddha. Here, perched on a mountain-top, you can enjoy panoramic views of Leh, against the bright blue sky.

Get a history lesson at the Central Asian Museum instead of Leh Palace

Although not as grand as the Leh Palace, the Central Asian Museum next to the main market in Leh says a lot about the history of the region. Ladakh has always been an important place of trade in Central Asia and the museum houses artefacts, maps, manuscripts and pieces of heritage that highlight this role. Here, you can even get a glimpse into the old Ladakhi way of life through the many day-to-day artefacts on display—from utensils and coins to copies of hand-written Qurans and even a prototype of an ancient Ladakhi kitchen. Central Asian Museum: Main Bazaar Road, Leh, 194101

A 7-Day Leh Ladakh Trip Itinerary For First-Time Visitors

We sent Chandrika on a once-in-a-lifetime Ladakh trip. She came back to tell us how everyone can make it happen.

A land many have heard of, but only the ones with adventure in their hearts have dared to venture to. A land of rugged mountains that coexist alongside the mystical chants of Buddhist prayers – the recently declared Indian Union Territory of Ladakh is this and so much more! 

Located in the northern part of the Indian sub-continent bordering Tibet, Ladakh is shrouded in a certain mystery, despite having gained a lot of popularity in the past few years.

Filled with adrenaline-inducing twists and turns, high mountain passes, and some of the most beautiful mountain ranges in India, a trip through Ladakh is the perfect way to get an introduction to the Himalayan region. 

Ladakh is a high-altitude region, meaning, no matter which part of Ladakh you are at, you’ll find yourself at a minimum altitude of 3000 meters (9800 feet) above sea level. This is important to mention here because this is considerably higher than most people are used to and the high altitude affects many aspects of travel in this region.

To help you execute that dream Ladakh trip, this 7-day itinerary designed by India Someday and Unplugged Life will take you through some of the biggest highlights of the region, while giving you a sense of what it means to be traveling in a destination as unique as this.

How to get to Ladakh

Before we dive deep into the specifics of the itinerary, it’s crucial to plan your arrival in Ladakh. The best way to reach Ladakh is to fly in. The biggest town in Ladakh is Leh, which is connected by air with India’s capital city, New Delhi.

Daily direct flights are running between Delhi ’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, run by 3 Indian airlines – Air India, SpiceJet, and GoAir. If you are traveling from another country or Indian city, you’ll first have to get to Delhi to catch the 1.5-hour flight to Leh.

Although there are multiple flights available daily, do keep in mind that the weather in Leh largely determines flight schedules. Turbulent weather is pretty common in this region so flights taking off an hour early or an hour late is not unheard of. Having said that, we have to admit that the destination is worth all that trouble!

Leh Ladakh 7-day itinerary

Day 1 – land in leh and rest.

The erstwhile capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh, Leh is perched at an altitude of 3524 meters (11562 feet) and is home to some of the most popular attractions in the region.

The landscape in Leh is rugged, with a backdrop of barren mountains, while the weather is generally dry and very hot during the day and slightly chilly at night, depending on which month of the year you visit.

Most flights to Leh land sometime in the morning or early afternoon, so you can expect to have more than half a day to spare. But this is a day to take it easy. Remember you’ve just landed at a high altitude destination practically from the sea level (Delhi lies at an altitude of roughly 200m above sea level) and that means your body needs time to acclimatize to this drastic change.

The process of acclimatization can take a while, about 24-48 hours for most people. But no matter how you feel on day 1 (we know you’re excited!), you must take as much rest as you can and keep yourself hydrated. This is a day of barely any physical activity, so go ahead and enjoy the views from your hotel and indulge in the local Ladakhi food to gear up for the next day.

Where to stay in Leh : Gangba Homestay

A picture-postcard-like setting with a traditional Ladakhi-style building, an apple orchard, and a view of snowy peaks in the distance – Gangba Homestay is truly a home away from home.

Run by a local family, they are the warmest, most welcoming hosts you could ask for in Leh! To top that, the food served in the homestay is delicious and homely, while the rooms are very spacious, well-equipped, and comfortable. But what sets Gangba Homestay apart is their hospitality and the staff’s mindset to always go the extra mile to care for their guests.

Day 2 – Leh city tour

Your second day in Ladakh will also be spent in Leh to continue with the acclimatization process. However, on this day you’ll be taking a tour of the beautiful city and its surrounding areas. 

Confluence (Sangam) of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers

Located around 35 Km away from Leh town, the point of confluence of the mighty Indus and Zanskar Rivers is your first stop for the day. The different shades of green of the two rivers’ water are distinctly visible with bare eyes, making it a place worth visiting during your stay in Leh.

You can either choose to drive down to the exact point of confluence, maybe enjoy the view with a cup of steaming hot tea, or you could also get a bird’s eye view of the confluence from a vantage point. Depending on which time of the year you visit, you’ll notice how different both rivers look individually, leading up to their meeting point.

Magnetic Hill

A very popular tourist attraction in Leh, Magnetic Hill is technically a small stretch of road on the Leh-Kargil Highway. It is popularly known to be a spot where gravitational forces can be defied, due to a so-called magnetic pull from the surrounding mountains. Although this spot has maintained its popularity among tourists, there is not much truth to what happens here.

The landscape of the surrounding mountains and slopes is such that, to our eyes, it looks like the road is sloping uphill, but in reality the road slopes downhill making cars roll down even on neutral gear. But having said that, it’s a great spot to stop by for a while and get a good look at the stunning landscape.

Lunch at a local Tibetan restaurant

Ladakh is not only well known for its natural beauty, but for its delicious local cuisine too. With heavy influences from the neighboring Tibetan cuisine, you’d be missing out on an important cultural element if you don’t give Ladakhi food a try.

Head to Tenzin Dickey Tibetan Restaurant , located less than a kilometer from Leh’s main market, for a sumptuous lunch of local dumplings, noodles, soups, and an assortment of drinks. The restaurant is unassuming and cozy and the food makes you feel right at home.

Belonging to the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh, Leh Palace is the former residential palace of the royal family. Perched on top of a hill, the palace overlooks Leh and has now been converted into a museum for visitors to get a glimpse of Ladakhi royal heritage.

A tour of the 9-storeyed palace takes you through almost 450 years of artifacts belonging to the royal family. Although the palace is still under renovation, it is worth a visit for the incredible bird’s eye view of the city it offers.

Leh main market

Leh’s main bazaar is a colorful, bustling market in the city center and the perfect place to spend a leisurely evening strolling through its narrow alleys. The market is home to shops selling all kinds of local products – from fresh produce to souvenirs and handicraft items.

Pick up Tibetan prayer flags and wheels or silver jewelry, taste local dry fruits like apricots, figs, and walnuts, and end the day with a meal at one of the many cafes lining the street.

Day 3 – Drive to Nubra Valley via Khardung La

On your third day in Ladakh, it’s time to venture out of the city into the mountains!

The curvy roads of Ladakh can be unforgivable so it is important to be accompanied by an experienced local driver. Some stretches of road are steep and bumpy and you need a good car for better comfort. You can hire a private car but keep in mind that the cost of transport is quite high in Ladakh.

A good option for solo travelers and couples is to use shared taxis that are available for all kinds of tours in Ladakh , including the 3-day Nubra-Pangong tour. This helps saving money by sharing the cost of transport with other travelers. Sharing a car also helps to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, and therefore, the pollution.

The drive from Leh to Nubra Valley takes approximately 5-6 hours. But the biggest highlight of the drive is climbing up to the Khardung La (La is the Ladakhi word for a mountain pass) and crossing it to get to the other side of the Ladakh mountain range.

The pass is situated at an altitude of 17,582 feet (5359m) and is considered to be one of the highest motorable passes in the world.

The winding mountain road leading up to Khardung La is spectacular and is a treat in itself. Once at the top of the pass, spend 15-20 minutes exploring the surroundings without exerting your body too much.

It is important to remember that there is very little oxygen available to breathe at such high altitude, so take it easy and enjoy the breathtaking views of the snow-covered mountains.

Once you cross Khardung La and start driving towards Nubra Valley, the landscape changes dramatically. The drive past Shyok River towards the lush green valley of Nubra is worth keeping your eyes peeled for!

By the time you get to your hotel in Nubra Valley after several pit stops on the way, it’ll probably be late afternoon.

Read more: 8 Snowy Destinations in Asia for Mountain and Winter Lovers

Complete your check-in formalities and head to the famous Hundar dunes to catch the sunset, with herds of Bactrian Camels for company. The Bactrian Camels are native to this region and are known for their ability to withstand high altitudes and extreme cold.

To say the least, the landscape here is equally fascinating, with rolling sand dunes as far as the eyes can see, enclosed by towering rocky mountains on all sides.

Where to stay in Nubra Valley – Stone Hedge Ladakh

A gorgeous property located just 10 minutes away from the Hundar sand dunes, Stone Hedge is one of the most luxurious hotels you will come across in Ladakh.

Like a little oasis in the desert, with a natural spring flowing in the backyard, a lush garden whichever direction you look, and warm and cozy interiors, Stone Hedge sets the bar high.

Their rooms are exceptionally well-furnished with perfect mood lighting, elegant wood furniture, a room heater (rarely found elsewhere in Ladakh), and a lovely balcony that opens up to the backyard.

Day 4 – Drive to Pangong Lake

Check out from your hotel in Nubra Valley this morning and head back to the dunes once again if you want to see it in daylight. The difference is stark and worth another visit. Alternatively, you can directly head to Diskit Monastery in Nubra Valley before starting the drive towards Pangong Lake. 

The Diskit Monastery is the oldest and largest monastery in Nubra Valley. The iconic statue of the Maitreya Buddha stands tall here at a height of 32 meters and overlooks the vast plains of the Shyok River flowing nearby. 

After a tour of the monastery, it’s time to get on your way to Pangong Lake. The drive is roughly 6 hours long and takes you through picturesque mountain roads.

Flanked by the Shyok River on one side for most of the journey, this drive takes you from an altitude of about 10,000 feet (3048 meters) to 14,270 feet (4350 meters), where Pangong Lake is located.

Pangong Tso (Tso is the Ladakhi word for lake) is a saline water lake that spreads across India and Tibet. In fact, 60% of the lake lies in Tibet. But given its massive length and width, it would take roughly 3 hours to drive along its coast only on the Indian side.

Popular for its stunning turquoise blue water, Pangong Tso is one of the biggest attractions in all of Ladakh. However, do keep in mind that the appearance of the lake largely depends on which time of the year you visit.

The lake is completely frozen in the winter while the peak summer months from June to August are when it reveals all its colors.

Once you reach Pangong Tso, check into your accommodation for the night. After that, you’ll have the evening free to either take a stroll near the lake or sit at one of the small restaurants, enjoy the view while sipping hot tea.

Do keep in mind that as the sun sets, it tends to get chilly in this part of Ladakh, the extent of which again depends on the season. So get ready to layer up some warm clothes and snuggle in for the night!

Where to stay in Pangong Tso – Native Huts

There are no permanent hotels near Pangong Lake, so be prepared for a night of adventure staying in these wooden huts specially constructed for tourists while the travel season lasts. The huts come with an attached western toilet and have basic amenities like fresh towels, warm blankets, and charging points (operational from 6 pm to 11 pm).

The owners of these huts are very helpful and accommodating so if you want more blankets or hot water, just let them know. They also arrange fresh, hot meals for guests in a separate dining space inside another hut, and that food at the end of a long, cold day truly warms the heart.

Read more: 10 Awesome Treks And Hikes In India

Day 5 – Drive back to Leh via Chang La

This will be the last day of driving through Ladakh, but expect it to be no less exciting than the previous two days!

The journey from Pangong Lake back to Leh takes close to 6 hours and will take you via Chang La, a mountain pass situated at an altitude of 17,590 feet (5360 meters).

The drive to Chang La is relatively bumpier than what you would have experienced while driving to Khardung La, but the experience of getting to the top of the pass is incredible. 

On the way from Chang La to Leh, make another stop at the famous Hemis Monastery. With a long and rich history, the monastery also houses a museum that showcases artifacts from the museum’s heritage.

Considered to be one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh, the highlight of visiting Hemis is the huge statue of Guru Rinpoche and the monastery’s unique architecture.

Day 6 – Explore Leh

Spend your final day in Ladakh seeing more of Leh and wrapping up your visit. This would be a good day to revisit the local market to pick up souvenirs to take home, in addition to visiting the following places.

Thiksey Monastery

Start your day early with a visit to the Thiksey Monastery to witness the morning prayer chanting session. Get there by 7 am so you can get in the prayer hall in time without disturbing the monks. It may seem way too early, but the experience is magical!

As the sun rises and illuminates the surrounding snow-capped peaks, the monks begin their day together by rhythmically chanting Buddhist prayers – an experience not to be missed in Leh.

Shanti Stupa

Constructed as part of a Peace Pagoda Mission, the Shanti Stupa was built jointly by the Buddhist community of Japan and Ladakh. While the iconic white dome sits at the top, the Shanti Stupa houses the relics of the Buddha at its base.

Visited for its religious as well as architectural value, there’s a certain air of calm surrounding the Stupa, as it sits looking over the vast expanse of Leh.

Stok Palace

Located on the western bank of River Indus, the Stok Palace was originally built as the summer home of Ladakh’s royal family. Currently, this is where the royal family resides all year long.

The palace also has several museum rooms that display lots of ancient artifacts belonging to the royal family- from precious jewelry and royal attires to weapons and items of daily use.

A part of the Stok Palace has now been transformed into a heritage hotel and opened up to travelers who want to experience the royal way of living for a few days.

Lunch in the orchard at Chulli Bagh

After a tour of the Stok Palace, head to the nearby Chulli Bagh, which is essentially the royal family’s orchard, with apricot and walnut trees dominating the scene.

Settle down for a luxurious lunch amidst the lush greenery of the meticulously maintained orchard and enjoy a delicious meal accompanied by freshly plucked fruits from the garden.

Ladakhi cultural show

Now that it’s almost time to wrap up your final day in Leh, head back to the hotel to watch a vibrant cultural show displaying the beautiful dance forms and music of Ladakh.

Ladakh has a rich culture comprising beautiful folk dances native to different parts of the region, performed by both men and women, depending on the dance form.

Decked in traditional costumes and jewelry, it’s a real treat to watch the locals match steps while humming Ladakhi songs. 

Day 7 – Depart from Leh

This is a day of no activity since you have to catch a flight out of Leh back to Delhi. Depending on your flight time, you may be able to squeeze in a couple of hours in the morning to visit the local market or the village if you want, for a final glimpse of life in Ladakh!

Ladakh is vast and a one-week trip may not entirely do justice to its beauty. But if this is all the time you have, this itinerary is a good place to start planning your trip.

In case you want a curated, personalized itinerary, connect with India Someday and Unplugged Life for an unparalleled experience of Leh and Ladakh after checking these tips to spice your travel itinerary up !

Read the author’s honest review of both companies .

Contributing members are responsible for the accuracy of content contributed to A World to Travel.

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Leh: The Place from my Dreams

By dr ggarima pandde, last updated: 14 feb 2022.

“You never change your life until you step out of your comfort zone” this quote aptly suited me as I was a tad hesitant to disembark on the Leh Ladakh trip which I did not know would turn out to be one of the best ones. The decision would be tough for anyone given the terrain is difficult and one starts questioning one's health capabilities. After much cogitation, I decided to move ahead with the Leh trip and believe me, I did not regret it.

Perching on the rock near the Gurudwara Shri Pathar Sahib

Our stay was at a humble homestay with sufficient amenities one would need. These homestays in Leh are the perfect options for people who wish to get the feel of the local hospitality.

First day consisted of rest and leisure to acclimatize our body with the sudden change in temperature altitude and oxygen levels in Leh, Ladakh. Good amount of rest and food would prepare you well for the upcoming adventurous things to do in Ladakh . After a siesta, we headed to explore the town of Leh . The main market is best explored on foot. You could stroll around the market and get acquainted with the local craftsmanship. We choose a guided heritage walk in Leh . This delightful market consisted of beautiful handicrafts, souvenirs and woolens. You would find the famous Ladakhi flag with the mantra printed on it, in every other shop. Tiny handicrafts to prevent bad omen, bracelets, pendants, keychains are a few names worth mentioning. The people are welcoming and humble with a pleasant smile. The ambience is quite colorful which would be a sight for sore eyes. Most of the market places begin to shut for the season by the last week of September so the best time to visit Ladakh would be from April to July.

Hustle-bustle of the quaint market in the middle of the Leh town

The Hall of Fame Museum

The Hall of Fame museum built in 1986 is at a distance of 3 km from Leh town. It is run by the Indian army. It has all the weaponry, photographs and artillery that has been used by the army over the last few decades. They give you a guided tour of the place with the details of every object and pictures. You can roam around, click pictures and soak the stories in. The Hall of Fame in Leh Ladakh is built in a two storeyed fashion and is divided into various galleries. The ground floor is partly dedicated to the history of Ladakh and local traditions. It also provides a brief on the Namgyal dynasty. There is a gallery which is dedicated to the 1962 Indo-China war.

The architectural gateway of the Hall of Fame museum - an oval door with a hexagonal border

I particularly found the gallery with details of the life of a soldier in the Siachen glacier quite intriguing. Apparels, snowmobiles, tents are all displayed here which would educate us with the hardships that a soldier would go through while being on duty in this extremely tough terrain. The top floor brings the "Operation Vijay" gallery. It reminds us about the Kargil war and also Capt Vikram Batra. Surrounding the museum is the memorial spread across a large area known as Vijaya sthal. It has the names of brave soldiers carved on planks who martyred for the nation during the 1948 war.

The vicinity of the museum where planks with martyr's name engraved on them

This place would fill you with pride and gratitude towards our soldiers and the nation. This place also has a souvenir shop for you to buy collectibles and mementos. Coffee house is also located outside the museum. Anywhere between 1.5 to 2 hrs are sufficient to explore this attraction.

Indus-Zanskar confluence

Indus and Zanskar are the two prime rivers of Ladakh. The place of Indus-Zanskar confluence brings an unmatched visual experience for the visitors. It is a wonderful fusion of two colors: the blue of the Zanskar River and the green of the Indus River. The Indus River originates in the Mansarovar range whereas the Zanskar River in the Zanskar valley.

Picturesque play of colors at the confluence of Zanskar and Indus Rivers

The confluence of Indus and Zanksar is also popularly known as the Sangam point. Zanskar flows quicker than Indus but during the winter it completely freezes which paves the way to the renowned Chadar trek . Chadar as the name would suggest means bedsheet. And it is rightly named so,as the frozen snow resembles a white bed sheet. The Chadar trek is believed to be more challenging than the Hampta Pass trek . During the summer months, activities like rafting could be done here. It would be advisable to carry food as there are limited options to buy them here. The confluence could be viewed from a distance. You can also soak your feet in water if the weather permits. One can follow the path along the river, take a stroll, soak in the sun while perching over the rocks.

Embracing the confluence with open arms

Gurudwara Shri Pathar Sahib

Shri Pathar Sahib Gurudwara in Leh Ladakh is located at an altitude of 12,000 feet and about 23 km from Leh town. It is considered to be one of the highest Gurudwaras in the world along with Hemkund Sahib . However, getting there isn't as difficult as reaching Hemkund Sahib, which is near the Valley of Flowers . It is of great importance to the locals due to a folklore being associated with it. As per the story of Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, there was a clash between Guru Nanak dev ji and an evil identity who used to trouble locals. Upon listening to the prayers of the masses, Guruji decided to visit the place and take on the evil identity on his own. Once while Guruji was engrossed in his prayers, the monster threw a huge stone ("patthar") on him. The stone turned into wax upon touching Guru Nanakji's body and the monster was captured inside the wax. After pleading for mercy and agreeing to live peacefully, Guruji let him go. This holy stone could be witnessed inside this holy shrine.

Gurudwara Shri Pathar Sahib is surrounded by the magnificent snow-covered mountains

Leh Royal Palace

From atop a hill, this historic place known as the Leh Royal Palace, built in the 17th century, gives a spectacular view from its roof. Nine-storeys high, most of the palace is dilapidated, but it houses artifacts from the royal family that lived here.

View of the opposing mountains from the inside of the Leh stok palace

Shanti Stupa of Leh

Shanti stupa in Leh is a perfect stop for someone looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of city life. This white domed Buddhist monument was built to commemorate the 2,500 years of Buddhism. At a height of around 11,000 feet, it gives you a panoramic view of Leh town.

Steps leading to the dome of the Shanti stupa

Located at the top of a hill, the view from here is unique. The strong breeze fills the air with an aroma of freshness. One gets a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding mountains. It is a place of calmness and peace. It presents extreme positivity and you come to realize humility once you are reminded of Buddhist teachings while being here. You can spend some time in solitude here, contemplating in peace. It's better to explore this place during the summer months, because it gets more windy during the winter months. Walk around the dome and capture the view from every angle you can.

Mountains resembling the crease on white and brown silhouette

Known as the 'Kumbh mela of the Himalayas', Naropa is one of the most prominent Buddhist festivals worldwide. A festival celebrating the life of the great Buddhist philosopher and scholar - Naropa - is celebrated. There is a bridge decorated with prayer flags on the way to the Hemis monastery, where this congregation takes place. There were performances by Papon, Kailash Kher, and other Himalayan artists during the 2018 Naropa festival.

Gateway to the Hemis monastery

Hemis Monastery

Hemis monastery in Leh is one of the most popular monasteries in Ladakh region , and it's also apparently the richest. The golden and scarlet architecture of Hemis Monastery and statues here are awe-inspiring. This place is believed to have been built before the 11th century. Founded by Naropa, the Kagyu lineage of Himalayan esoteric Buddhism occupies this monastery as its main seat.

Outer view of Hemis monastery museum

In Dukhang Barpa, there is a golden statue of Shakyamuni. The monastery's architecture is inspired by the Tibetan style. The guardian deities and the Wheel of Life are beautifully displayed inside the monastery. You can pray in peace in the main prayer hall of this monastery. There is also a two-day Hemis monastery festival held annually on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar.

Golden Buddha statue at the Hemis monastery

Rancho Cafe /Druk Padma Karpo School

There's a good chance that this reminded you of the Bollywood movie '3 idiots'. Well, you're right, Racho Cafe in Leh is the place where some of the movie scenes were shot. Popularly known as Rancho cafe/school, it is one of the places that attract tourists to Leh. This place needs no introduction as people could easily recognize this place. The name of this place has a meaning. In the native Bodhi language, Druk means white and Padma means lotus. The character 'Phunsuk Wangdue' from the movie '3 idiots' is loosely based on the engineer Sonam Wangchuk from this region. Sonam Wangchuk is very well known for his energy-saving and conservation efforts in Ladakh area.

Rancho cafe in the Druk Padma school compound

Getting ready for the exciting journey ahead

So far, the journey has been very fulfilling and exciting. I'm curious and more eager to explore all the other destinations. A view of the Pangong lake, the Nubra valley, and beautiful passes is next on the itinerary. Stay tuned for an unforgettable experience of some of the gems of Ladakh .

Frequently Asked Questions :

How much time is required to visit the hall of fame museum in Leh?

The Hall of Fame museum usually takes 1.5 - 2 hours depending upon one's interest in history and war. It is run and managed by the Indian Army. It showcases bravery of Indian soldiers during Kargil war and Indo-China war. It has various sections to explore.

Which month is the best to visit Leh Ladakh?

Summer months of April to July are the best time to visit Leh Ladakh . The temperature during these months is not very high and you can still see snow-covered mountains.

How much does a trip to Leh cost?

I opted for a guided tour of Ladakh as I thing it is the best way if you are visiting the region for the first time. It cost me about 25K INR for a 6 day-trip that included to and fro flights between Leh and Delhi. This could be brought down to sub 20K if you travel by road instead of flight.

Disclaimer: This blog may contain affiliate links. At no extra cost to you, we may get a small commission if you buy anything. All products and services we endorse have been personally used or come highly recommended to us. These incomes allow us to keep the community supported and ad-free.

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Best time to visit, art & culture, off the beaten track, travel checklist, about the author.

Dr Ggarima Pandde

I live by the motto of becoming 1% better and learning something everyday -a dentist turned MBA graduate, a bibliophile, novice writer, amateur minimalist and a fashion enthusiast. Believer in giving back to the society. 

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Ladakh Road Trip – Itinerary, Stories and Madness

by Drifter Planet | Sep 6, 2017 | India , Road Trips

Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary has been written by Karan Bhalla who represented Drifter Planet at the Highest Blogger Meet that was organized and sponsored by Scout My Trip and OYO to launch OYOnauts . This epic road trip was complimentary and all the opinions (and jokes 🙂 ) in this article are Karan’s. 

Ladakh is the mother of all road journeys in India. As they say – Ladakh is truly about the journey, not the destination. It’s got the vibe – there is music there for sure, we just ain’t tapped into the right frequency.

My perception of the place prior to this visit was a collage of pictures posted on Facebook on personal accounts of interesting mini-adventures done by my brother and practically all my friends.

Most of the people I have interacted with use to be startled when we came upon a Ladakh story and I would confess – ‘Never Been there’, usual reply – ‘what an Idiot you are’.

SO I can safely say over the years of my traveling I DRIFTED into this one – Happily. Let the fun begin!

Where is Ladakh?

Ladakh is in Jammu and Kashmir, India’s partially disputed state that’s towards the extreme north. This state is often called the crown of India because of its position and also known as “heaven on earth” because Emperor Jahangir called it so!

Suggested: Balkans road trip itinerary – the most beautiful road trip in Europe

Ladakh is in the western region of the state of Jammu and Kashmir and this area is also called Trans-Himalaya because this land is beyond the Himalaya. The landscape and geology of this area is often compared to that of Tibet. Ladakh is broadly divided into 4 parts – Kargil, Leh, Nubra, and Zanskar. You will find information about all these parts of Ladakh in this post and they are a part of the road trip itinerary. This post is mostly focused on Ladakh but check out this post as well for information about hiking in Kashmir .

Ladakh Road Trip –

Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary – India

Day 01: Gurgaon to Jammu

With an ample time notice of 16 Hours, I was at the OYO Room property at 6 in the morning as per that time my Single Point of Contact (Vinit – ScoutmyTrip) – here on referred to as SPOC. SPOC – the first person from Scout my Trip initially looked as serious as somebody from the Finance team of OYO quickly wanting for all PO approvals…..but later did I realize this powerhouse of a guy with a mad/subtle sense of humor.

My first interaction with the bloggers’ community was Ajay Sood – Travelure, always on Time, the first person to be ready every morning come hail, storm, rum, mutton curry……nothing stops this man.

Loaded up and divided across 5 SUV’s – I see myself moving towards a Black – XUV piloted by Dr. Shakeel Khan and co-passengers Ragini Puri and Khursheed Dinshaw. We were zipping from the word go on songs going back in order chronologically to the 1940’s…..but first time saw there may be a co-relation between pre-independence era music and high speeds. We could safely say that we were the most well-stocked car in terms of food and beverages.

Checked into the hotel, had a great night getting to know each other over drinks and food

Day 02: Jammu to Ramban

Neha at Titanic view point – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

Everybody’s up and on time, except yours truly still in La La Land woken up with a shake by Yayawar. Hangover and Dada first thing in the morning – that is one helluva sight. If used correctly he could be a WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction)…..all he has to do is wake up the enemy and smile. But thanks to him I made it to the Batmobile for another round of supersonic speeds.

Ate breakfast at a picturesque dhabha we ran into the first road block of the trip a place called Ramban alongside the raging Chenab. Due to Landslides and security reasons, we were not given permission to move ahead to Sonmarg.

Sonmarg – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

ScoutmyTeam quickly got into the thinking mode and before we knew it lunch and alternate accommodations were done. Over here is where I had one of the best meals of the journey – Mutton Curry and Rice……yes we made out with the food followed by a barrage of Zee Cone Ice Creams.

Day 03: Ramban to Kargil

Ramban – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

Ready and the first cars at the police barricade and manage our way through by convincing the security personnel we are not for the yatra and would be moving up. Here onwards it started to really get beautiful. Sonmarg was gorgeous but the road ahead had loads more to offer.

Baltal based on the Sind River is the camping site for the start of the holy Amarnath Yatra – looked gorgeous when you looked at it from above, but seemed would be pretty chaotic with the sheer numbers down there at ground zero. Was totally surprised to see the number of helicopters doing frequent rounds ferrying the well-loaded bhakts.

Zojila Pass – My first experience of High Altitude and it was unbelievable, especially seeing so much greenery at those heights. It is from here started seeing the madness in Clouds which lasted all the way to Keylong. Post Zojila is when the fun started for me as no road journey is complete without a breakdown. Enroute Kargill we realized one of our jeeps was taking unusually long to come so we decided to wait it out since we didn’t have any mobile signal in the area.

It is here that magical move into the THAR was made and a start of a mad friendship. Dr. Amit Nikam hereon referred to as Doc and he is one of the nicest guys I met with a mad streak of adventure and some common interest’s lol.

Doc, SPOC and I decided to backtrack to look for the missing party. We were lucky to meet Deepak, Yayawar and the infamous tire at the army check point. Our missing crew had a mishap with their tire and were stuck at Zojila Pass. The plan of action was that SPOC, Yayawar, and Deepak would go get them while Doc and I would proceed to the Kargill memorial and then ahead to our hotel in Kargil.

Drive to Kargil was real fun as Doc and I were busy chatting, exchanging stories etc. and before we knew it we were at Kargil War Memorial.

Kargil War Memorial – Is one of the most powerful places I have ever visited in all my travels. The detailed account of the war, letters from soldiers to their families, tombstones was too much for me to handle. I left the place with a sense of pride being an Indian with the bugle playing in the background and our National Flag.

Kargil war memorial – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

Kargill – On reaching Kargill I played my first round of Treasure Hunt/Lost & Found with Deepak and SPOC which will now remain as one of the many memories from the trip. We were all finally together and looking forward to the journey ahead.

Day 04: Kargil to Leh

NamikaLa Pass – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

One of the best days visiting some incredible monasteries/passes and were settled for lunch at Lamayuru. Here is the time when one really started seeing the difference in the people, food, and general happiness. We managed to play cricket with the local young lads aided with some fun Boomerang.

It is here we had our first bout of AMS – Altitude Sickness. Doc on duty was the savior of the day and decided to go directly to Leh instead of stopping at Magnetic Hill and other places for photography.

We reached Leh and I was surprised or rather shocked as I had NEVER thought it would be so crowded with all the taxis parked everywhere.

We found our hotel ( OYO Rooms Leh ) which was ideally located away from the maddening city crowd yet walk able distance. Doc and I ended up going out for a coffee and soup at a local cafe which gave a very old Manali vibe in the late 90’s followed by an early night.

Day 05: Leh

NH1D to Leh – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

While the rest of the crew went sight-seeing around Leh I decided to give Doc company as he was monitoring the Oxygen levels which were generally fluctuating.

Lamayuru Monastery, Leh Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

We sat outside at the reception and ended up having random conversations with other travelers and the whacked out hotel manager – always fun to see how people live their lives differently. In he evening we decided to go for a Ladakhi meal with 2 of our biker friends from DON – Dukes of Nagpur who did the complete stretch on their bikes….superb effort. We ended up eating the tastiest Mutton Shaptah, Ting Mo and Kothey (Pan Fried Momos) truly authentic Tibet/Ladakhi cuisine.

Day 06: Leh to Khardung La to Hunder

Leh to Khardungla – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

Time for the Highest Blogger Meet . No better way to start the day with Neha joining the THAR. She was truly the soul and voice of the car. Since both Doc and I are not really gifted vocally….from here on called the HIPPIE CAR. Photo sessions were done, we had decided to do our own Victory Dance for making it to the top.

Karan Bhalla and Thor at Khardungla Top – Ladakh Road Trip

Highest Blogger Meet and the Launch of OYONAUTS

The venue for the highest bloggers meet was Khardung La – it was kickass! we were joined by a few more bloggers, and the OYO team where everyone got to know each other and the much-awaited launch of the latest offering from OYO – OYONAUTS.

Ktop – View from Khardungla Top – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

Khardungla Top – Ladakh Road Trip

After spending a considerable amount of time we finished the meet and headed towards Hunder Sand Dunes. Hunder is in Nubra Valley by the way. The picturesque road from Leh to Nubra valley passes through Khardungla – click here to read more .

Enroute we stopped at Khalsar – for the best Chicken Chowmein I’ve ever eaten in my life. Khalsar had a superb vibe to the place and you know it’s special when you see 12-15 dogs of all sizes come out and play and all the locals enjoying looking at their pride. The drive onwards saw rivers, sand dunes and crazy mountains all in one frame.

One of the most stunning views – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

The OYO property at Hunder was clearly the best for me during the trip. Everything about the place was amazing from the pool made out of the river water flowing through the property, and yes we did jump into the water…BRRRRRRRRRRR.

At the sunset time, we went to the dunes but hurriedly left the spot after seeing the number of tourists and decided to have a drink at the local bar with the biker boys. After having spent so much time and some rum with Doc it is here where I unknowingly started saying HAU for HAAN and bonds were being formed.

We reached back to the lobby witnessing Samarth doing one of his old school Bollywood renditions. Everybody especially the ScountmyTrip (Deepak finally smiled) team were relieved in pulling off the Highest Blogger Meet – kudos.

Day 07: Hundar to Pangong Tso

Leh Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

All prepared for the long journey ahead since due to landslides we had to re-route our trip going all the way back to Leh and then proceed to Pangong Tso.

Chicken chowmein and chilling with the dogs had to be done again since we were passing through Khalsar. This time for once Khardung – La was not as crowded and we made Leh in good time but were smart enough to bypass the city and stop for a quick bite – ended up having some really good pizzas and club sandwiches at a coffee shop run by the monastery.

Surreal Views – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

Here onwards was the tough part of the journey where suddenly all roads disappeared and we were truly on the beaten path. Waded through rough terrain, some water crossings and made it to Chang La where we could see bikers in huddles deciding to go ahead or not – happy to see responsible riders making informed and calculated decisions rather than just being heroes…. the power of Ladakh for me.

Our convoy is lost and we decided to sit at the Indian Army post and have chai. The Chai session breaks into a great conversation ending with Neha singing a song for the soldiers at an elevation of 17,000 feet….Power of Ladakh☺.

Chang La Army Bunker – Ladakh Road Trip

Post waiting for the rest of the convoy we slowly start driving towards Pangong Tso and make it only by nightfall but happy to be reunited with our team. This is the day when Yayawar plays agony aunt while all of us wait patiently for midnight to wish Samarth on his birthday. By the way, I highly recommend you check out the camps at Pangong lake  to experience the surreal beautify of this place.

Day 08: Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri

Pangong Lake – Ladakh Road Trip

Finally got to see Pangong Tso (Pangong Lake) in all its glory. Went for a superb walk with Khursheed Dinshaw while the Sun was slowly coming out and one could see all the different shades of blue. On the way back saw the number of campsites and tents – that was something totally unexpected for me.

Near Pangong Tso – Ladakh Road Trip

We finally started moving towards Tso Moriri – arguably the best drive for me during the trip. Best was the instructions given to us that NEVER to take a left as we may enter China…….Damn.

Rezang La – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

Crossed some of the most beautiful terrains and finally got to see the Indian Wild Ass. Stopped on the way for Maggi / Wai Wai and ended up chilling out there for a bit.

Sumdo cafe before Korzok Monastery – Ladakh Road Trip

Finally, we made it to Tso Moriri – the lake looked gorgeous although if it wasn’t raining would have been even better. Btw, this is one of the highest lake in this world of this size – it is at the height of 4,522 m.

Tso Moriri – Ladakh Road Trip

It was the coldest here compared to all the night halts during the trip. The icing on the cake was Deepak and Vinit making it all the way from Leh to getting some repair work in one of the cars.

Day 09: Tso Moriri to Keylong

Yellow Billed Chough (the Alpine chough) – Ladakh Road Trip

Beautiful Sights on the way – Ladakh Road Trip

Driving from Tso Moriri to Keylong was epic and I finally got see some beautiful birds and animals. I saw yellow billed chough, wild horses and marmot. We covered more plains, Ghata Loops, Tsarchu, Jispa and finally reached Keylong.

Suraj Taal a.k.a. Vishal Tal enroute to Keylong – Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary

We even got to see Suraj Taal, which is also known as Vishal Taal. Suraj Taal (the Sun Lake) is the sister lake of more popular Chandra Taal (the Moon Lake). This day had the most variation in terrain and was really soothing to the eyes.

Day 10: Keylong to Manali

Rohtang Pass, Manali – Ladakh Road Trip

The highlight of the drive from Keylong to Manali was Khoksar. The views were stunning everywhere I looked. I even found a few dhabhas  that served mutton curry and rice while overlooking the road that goes down to Spiti Valley.

Suggested: All you need to know about Leh Ladakh Inner Line Permit

Karan Bhalla Drifter Planet

Karan Bhalla loves dogs, chai, mutton curry, beer and the mountains (in no particular order). He is a simple guy with not so simple jokes and doesn’t believe in sugar coating his words.

He started as a travel and marketing professional with brands such as Amex, InterGlobe, SAS and Coca Cola.

Bitten by the wildlife and adventure bug, he first floated a rafting community ‘Ganga Panga’ with a friend for like-minded adrenalin junkies. He later launched a customized wildlife and adventure outfit ‘Big Shot Adventures’, with Jim Corbett National Park as the base of operations.

Living in Jim Corbett National Park turned him into a birding enthusiast and he became actively involved with the local community.

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17 Comments

Very nice Bhalla

Great insight and very inspiring indeed…

Thanks Sanjay (we’re accepting the compliment on Karan’s behalf 🙂 )

Karan Bhalla ..congratulations.reading your blog was like reading an adventure story. But for my age I would be tempted to go on to these exotic places. Do your Oyonaughts..encourage Senior citizens to join them ? 😧

Dear Gayathri, yes Karan’s blog post is really interesting to read. There is no age restriction in traveling, 😉 and OYOnauts team encourages EVERYONE.

Good stuff Kb! Written totally in your style narration 😊 Sounds like you the firecracker OYO-nut of the trip 😀

Hi Menaka, Yes, we love how KB has written it. 🙂 It’s like a virtual trip to Ladakh through his stories and pictures.

Awesome description.. Enjoyed reading it… and i was really thinking of going to eh- Ladhak while reading this

Thanks Vijay. Karan Bhalla surely did an amazing job with this Ladakh article. 🙂

Young Monk dancing Karan 🙂 Now THAT is pretty darn cool. Everything about this post is cool. From the journey to images to beauty of Ladakh, the place keeps popping up in my travel blogging circles. I feel it is speaking to me on a deeper level. An “I gotta see it” level.

This is so cool Karan. I love it.

What was the total budget of that trip?

Great pictures and post Karan! I invite you to join us on our Spiti valley winter expedition. Do let me know. Thanks.

Amazing clicks Sonal & Sandro. The narration is really flowing, made me relive the journey. I’m looking forward to your next travel log. Thank you!

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Hello Travelers!

Namaste, Guten Tag! I'm Sonal from India, living in Germany and exploring Europe. I've been writing about my travels since 2015. I often travel alone (and sometimes with family of 3).

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Last Updated on January 19, 2023 by Drifter Planet

A Summer Exploring the Culture and Sights of Ladakh

Elen Turner 

Look up “ how to get to Ladakh ,” and you’ll usually be given two options: a quick flight from Delhi, or a longer overland journey from Manali, in Himachal Pradesh, or Srinagar , capital of Kashmir. Traveling to the high-altitude, culturally and ethnically Tibetan territory of far-northern India is always an adventure, but in the 21st century, it doesn't have to be painfully difficult. That is unless you choose to take local buses all the way from Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, 1,300 miles to the east. Like I did.

The bumpy, hot, but awe-inspiringly beautiful week-long journey was a prelude to an unforgettable summer in Ladakh. My Nepali partner and I traveled from our home in the hills of Nepal, along the scorching summer highways of Uttar Pradesh, through Delhi in its pre-monsoon stupor, up through the orchard-covered hills of Himachal Pradesh, and over to the “other” side of the Himalaya, to the edge of the Tibetan plateau.

The 293-mile journey between Manali, in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas, and Leh, Ladakh's capital, is often said to be one of the greatest road trips in the world. It leaves the green, damp, fertile hills of Himachal Pradesh behind and crosses to the Himalaya Mountains' rain-shadow, crossing mountain passes of more than 16,000 feet. This journey can only be made between June and September. We were traveling in early June , still early in the season, and what was sold as a 16-hour journey ended up being more like 22. Lingering snow and snow-melt on the roads significantly slowed us down. At one of the passes, our mini-bus convoy drove through open-topped tunnels of snow that had only been shoveled aside a few hours earlier.

One major advantage of taking the overland route to Ladakh instead of flying is that acclimatization to Leh’s 11,482 feet is a little easier. When flying from Delhi, which is only 700 feet above sea level, the huge jump to high-altitude Ladakh can be challenging. A few days’ rest after arrival is recommended. Traveling overland is no guarantee that you won’t suffer from altitude sickness, but the chances are less. The town of Manali is already at 6725 feet, so going this way allows for gentler acclimatization.

Even so, I took it easy my first few days in Leh. I wasn't in a hurry, as I planned to spend the summer there, exploring the monasteries, mountains, and trekking trails. But, first and foremost, the rivers.

Rafting the Zanskar River

My partner was an experienced white-water rafting guide and had long been planning to work in Ladakh over summer, during Nepal’s off-season. I decided to tag along. While I was sleeping off the journey and recovering from a headache that might have been altitude-induced, might have been exhaustion, he started work on the Zanskar River .

Most white-water rafting trips in Ladakh depart from camps at Nimmu, a village on the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus Rivers. These legendary South Asian waterways start high in Tibet and are so cold that falling off a raft into the grey silty waters can be life-threatening. In summer, the water temperature only reaches about 40 degrees F. In winter, the Zanskar freezes completely, and locals use it as another thoroughfare through the mountains.

A new convert to white-water rafting, I found the experience in Ladakh to be very different from what I’d become used to in Nepal. For a start, it was essential to wear wetsuits, even just to protect from the spray. And, the guides reacted very swiftly and seriously if someone fell in the water.

At first glimpse, Ladakh’s landscape is a dusty barren brown rock. The rivers are the same grey-brown muddy color in the summer. But the mountains are shot through with seams of plum purple and faded teal, a result of the mineral deposits in the rock. Small villages, often centering on a Buddhist monastery or stupa, are surrounded by green fields irrigated by river water. From the river, looking up at the green, purple, orange, and gray canyon walls, with the pointed snow-capped peaks visible around the bend, it’s easy to forget that rafting isn’t just a scenic boat ride. That is, until your guide shouts, “Around the next bend, there’s a really big rapid. Paddle hard! And if the raft flips, don’t panic.”

Despite getting quite familiar with the 17-mile river journey between Chilling and Nimmu after a few half-day trips, I didn’t want to spend the whole summer at the rafting camp. To get a different perspective of Ladakh’s mountains—an extension of both the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges—I wanted to trek through them.

A Short Trek at High Altitude

Some travelers trek independently in Ladakh , but as a solo female traveler (with my partner busy on the river), I hired a young woman guide through a female-only trekking agency. Besides employing women guides and porters, the Ladakhi Women’s Trekking Company will only take women clients or men if women in their group accompany them. As well as creating a more comfortable travel atmosphere for female travelers, hiring a woman guide also allows getting to know local women, which is not always that easy as a traveler in India. My guide, Tsogyal, grew up in Ladakh's Markha Valley, and we even dropped in on some of her relatives en route.

Ladakh’s most famous trek is the roughly six-day Markha Valley trek, but I opted for a shorter three-night/four-day route in the Hemis National Park. A great thing about trekking in Ladakh is that you can stay in village homestay accommodation, unlike in other parts of the Indian Himalayas where camping is necessary. One night, the “homestay” was actually a room in a monastery, but on the other two nights, accommodation was in the guest rooms of villagers’ houses.

With Tsogyal translating, I chatted with my hosts and learned about their lives in this remote part of the world. Their lives are dictated by the seasons. They plant and harvest crops in the summer, which then sustains them through the long and harsh winter. They get the chance to make a bit of extra money by renting out their guest rooms to trekkers in the summer. Because the homestay system is a cooperative and works on a rotation system, all participating villagers get the chance to host travelers and make money this way.

All of the trek was at high altitude, above 10,000 feet, with the high Ganda La pass at 15,912 feet. It's important not to try to fit too much into a day when trekking at these altitudes. Each day I trekked for about four or five hours, leaving plenty of time to enjoy delicious food at the homestays and slowly explore the villages. I was well-acclimated to Ladakh by then as I'd been there for a couple of weeks. But, I met other trekkers who weren't and suffered from bad headaches yet still walked double the recommended distance each day. I'm sure it caught up with them at some point, in some way.

Ladakh's Monastery Circuits

As well as being naturally beautiful, Ladakh is also culturally fascinating. On the western edge of the Tibetan Plateau, it's culturally, religiously, and linguistically Tibetan, although with regional differences. In 2019, Ladakh became a Union Territory of India, but it was still part of Jammu & Kashmir state when I visited. Ladakh's status as a Buddhist-majority territory within a Muslim-majority state within a Hindu-majority country made it especially interesting. One way to experience this is to tour the ancient monasteries dotted around the mountainous landscape.

I’d spent many years traveling through India and had become used to turning up at bus stations and being able to get wherever I wanted to go. However, that tactic doesn’t work in Ladakh. There are fewer bus services here, many only run once a day or on certain days of the week, and the places of most interest to travelers aren’t well connected. I found this out when attempting to get the bus from Nimmu to the monastery at Alchi. I flagged down a long-distance bus on its way to Kargil, on the border with Pakistan-administered Kashmir, but was dropped at the side of the highway. This left me with a two-mile uphill walk in the blazing sun to reach Alchi (luckily, a passing monk stopped and offered me a ride). When I wanted to return, I discovered I’d missed the only bus of the day that could get me back to Nimmu, and eventually managed to find a group of travelers with a private vehicle who could drop me off.

Travelers on a very tight budget could patch together a bus sightseeing itinerary for many places around Leh, but it’s much more convenient to hire a driver and a vehicle. Typically, travelers hire a driver to take them on two monasteries circuits: one west of Leh and one east. Each of Ladakh’s monasteries has a unique culture and history, beautiful art, architecture, and artifacts that set them apart. Don’t be fooled into thinking if you’ve seen one monastery, you’ve seen them all. Unless you’re on a very tight itinerary, it’s worth visiting at least five different monasteries to understand Ladakh's religious history and culture better.

One highlight for me was Alchi Gompa, west of Leh. Although this monastery is quite unremarkable from the outside and isn’t terraced into the hillside like many other Ladakhi monasteries, it contains some of the most unusual and important artworks in all of Ladakh. Travelers interested in art and history will especially enjoy Alchi, as it's older than most other monasteries of Ladakh. The detailed 12th-century murals of Buddhas, Boddhisattvas, and other Buddhist iconography are in a totally Indian and Kashmiri in style, with little Chinese or Tibetan influence.

Another monastery highlight is Hemis, east of Leh. It's one of Ladakh's most important monasteries and holds an incredible three-day festival in the summer. Monks dress in colorful costumes and masks and perform dances based on religious stories. Travelers are welcome to attend, but it does get extremely crowded, and there is little shelter from the harsh high-altitude sun. Hemis Monastery is much more peaceful outside these three days, and there's a small basement museum.

After two months in Ladakh, my Indian visa was up, and I returned to Kathmandu. This time, I flew from Leh to Delhi, an easy trip of little over an hour, and then back to Nepal. Before the flight from Leh ascended into the clouds, I got a last glimpse of the Zanskar River winding through the deceptively brown mountains, the point where the historic Indus meets the Zanskar, and the rafting camp at Nimmu. It felt luxurious to return to Delhi so easily, but it also felt a bit like cheating. Summer in Ladakh was worth the effort it took to get there.

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A Complete 10-Day Leh Ladakh Itinerary

A trip to Ladakh is undoubtedly on many intrepid travellers bucket lists. The mystical Indian Himalayan region is still one of the most underrated places on earth. Despite it being a very remote corner of the Indian subcontinent, you’ll be surprised that you can see a lot in a short time with this Ladakh itinerary.

Over 10 days, you can visit the famous Pangong Lake, ancient monasteries of Hemis and Lamayuru, the former Silk Road trading route of Nubra Valley, and crumbling palaces with panoramic views over the arid, snow-capped landscape. This itinerary I’ve put together covers the best things to do in Ladakh over 10 days based on my multiple trips to the region.

Whether you fly into Leh for a short trip or incorporate this into a longer North India adventure travelling by road, your time in Ladakh will undoubtedly be something you’ll never forget. Buckle up for some long drives, and you’ll be blown away by the incredible land forms and ancient history awaiting in Ladakh.

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links which means I get a commission if you buy a product through my link at no extra cost to you. By doing so, I can keep this blog going and continue to create helpful guides for you. Read more:  Privacy Policy

When to Visit Ladakh

The best time to visit Ladakh is from mid-May until end of September . This is when the region sees its best weather with warm days and relatively mild nights. The roads and trekking routes are also guaranteed to be clear of snow during these summer months, making places easier to access.

Where to Stay in Leh

Leh is the main town and base for exploring Ladakh. The town has hundreds of accommodation choices, from homestays and hostels to high end hotels. I’d recommend picking somewhere that is comfortable for you and your budget, as you’ll be spending most of the time in this Ladakh itinerary based in Leh. Here are my top picks:

Budget:   Raybo Hostel

Budget:   Peace Guest House

Midrange:   Chandan Guest House

Midrange:   Rock Castle Residency

High-end:  Grand Dragon

Read more:   Best Places to Stay in Leh, Ladakh For All Budgets

How to Get Around Ladakh

Travelling by road is one of the best parts of any Ladakh trip. The scenery from the various road trips in the region offer jaw dropping views that you’ll want to savour every minute (even if some of the drives are long, bumpy and windy).

There are a few ways to get around Ladakh to the various sights and day trips in this itinerary. Which way you choose will depend on your budget and comfort level. However, for this 10 day itinerary, I would recommend a combination of taxis for day trips and a shared group tour for the trip to Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley (unless you want to arrange a private tour).

Here’s more specific information for each transport option:

Public bus: Public transport is a little limited in Ladakh. You’ll need a lot of time and patience if you plan on using local buses to get to all the best places. If you only have 10 days, this is not ideal. But if you have more than 10 days, check out my guide to Leh for more information on the public transport options in the region.

Taxi: This is very ideal for day trips. You can easily organise taxis in Leh to take you to Thiksey, Lamayuru, Hemis, Alchi and more. A popular day trip combining Shey, Thiksey and Hemis costs around 3700 INR (AU$70) for the day as an example. You’ll have to budget more for the drive to Alchi and Lamayuru.

Group tours: Joining group tours to Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley is a popular option. In high season from June until August, you’ll find groups leaving every day in shared taxis for 3-4 days. You can easily organise this upon arrival in Leh.

Private tours: If you want to organise all your Ladakh trip in advance, then I suggest arranging a 10 day tour through a local company in Leh. They can help arrange taxis for day trips, and a private car for Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley. I highly recommend Gonbo of Lungta Travel . He’s also the owner of Rock Castle Residency Guesthouse in Leh and can help with arranging all of this for you.

For more detailed information on these options: Comprehensive Travel Guide to Ladakh

Overview of this 10-Day Ladakh Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from Delhi to Leh

Day 2: Acclimatise in Leh

Day 3: acclimatise and explore leh town.

Day 4: Day trip to Thiksey, Hemis and Shey

Day 5: Day trip to Lamayuru and Alchi

Day 6: road trip to nubra valley via khardung la, day 7: drive to pangong lake and stay the night, day 8: return to leh, day 9: relax in leh (optional visit to stok village), day 10: fly back to delhi.

Detailed 10 Day Ladakh Itinerary

Here’s how I would spend 10 days in Ladakh, if you’re prepared to take some long driving days and want to see as much as you can in a short time.

Day 1: Delhi to Leh

If you’re opting for a quick 10-day trip to Ladakh, then it’s likely you’ll be flying into Leh from Delhi. There are frequent flights every day from Delhi to Leh, mostly in the morning hours. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful flights in the world.

Flights are run by Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, and IndiGo. The flight time is around 1.5 hours and can cost anywhere from 3000INR (AU$60) to 9000INR (AU$180) one way.

If you prefer to travel to Leh, Ladakh by public transport , then you can also come via Manali or Srinagar, depending on how much time you have and your trip plans. Read my guide on getting to Leh by public transport for more information.

Once you arrive in Leh, you’ll want to head straight to your accommodation and rest for the remainder of the day. The altitude will likely hit you after about 2-3 hours of being in Leh, so it’s best to relax and stay hydrated for the afternoon to adjust slowly.

Read more: 20 Best Things to Do in Delhi

Your first full day in Leh should also be considered an acclimatisation day. You may wake up on this day with a headache, shortness of breath, and fatigue, which are common symptoms when arriving in Ladakh from Delhi.

The best way to avoid getting sick and easing into the altitude is to rest as much as possible , stay hydrated, and eat regular, small meals to maintain energy.

Try not to do too much on this day, unless you’re coming from somewhere else that is around 2000m or higher. You could walk somewhere into town for dinner, if you’re feeling up to it.

You’ll still be acclimatising for at least 48 hours after arriving, so on day three you shouldn’t try to overexert yourself too much. But, you’re probably keen to get out and start exploring this beautiful mountain town. Here’s how I recommend you spend your day:

Morning: Breakfast at your guesthouse or a cafe in the main market area (my top picks include Bodhi Terrace, Bon Appetit, or Asian Corner Restaurant)

Mid-morning: Explore the Central Asian Museum and then wander around the main market

Lunch: Taste the local Tibetan food at Tibetan Kitchen

Afternoon: Explore Leh Palace and Tsemo Maitreya Temple

Dinner: Chopsticks or Wanderers Terrace

Read more: 25 Best Things to Do in Ladakh

Day 4: Day trip to Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries (plus Shey Palace if you have time)

Get ready for a day trip out to the east of town to some of the most impressive monasteries and villages of the Ladakh area. If you have patience you could get to Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace by bus, or take a taxi for the day and visit all three places including Shey Palace.

Hemis Monastery is one of the most important in the region. It was originally established in the 17th century and is tucked into a gorge in Hemis National Park. The most impressive part of the complex is the museum, holding the most important Buddhist relics and artefacts of India.

Thiksey Monastery is an imposing monastery built in a similar style to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The temples at the top of the gompa hold some beautiful Buddhist statues and monuments, plus the view over the valley is incredible.

Another day trip, this one longer than the day before, the drive to Lamayuru is one of the most beautiful in the region. You’ll wind through incredible moonscapes and small villages, with dramatic mountain peaks and raging rivers on either side. After about three hours, you’ll arrive in Lamayuru , the oldest monastery in Ladakh.

Built over several levels across the rocky landscape, it’s easily one of the most impressive sights. Plus, if you time your visit for the midday puja, you can sit with the monks and listen to their their chanting prayers.

On the way back to Leh, stop in at Alchi to visit the unique 1,000 year old Buddhist murals and shrines hidden off the main highway. There’s also some delicious local restaurants there, the standout being Alchi Kitchen, if you time it for a lunchtime meal.

Another few days of long drives ahead, but the scenery makes it all worthwhile. Either join a group tour or hire a private driver to take you to two of the most famous sights in Ladakh: Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

On this day, you’ll leave Leh and drive first up to Khardung La pass . Connecting Leh with Nubra Valley, Khardung La sits at 5,360m and was once the highest motorable road in the world (now overtaken by another road in India). It’s an essential photo op, before descending down towards Nubra Valley, the Shyok River and the Karakoram Mountains.

Once part of the old Silk Road trading route across Asia and connecting Pakistan with Tibet, Nubra Valley is a stunning place. Visit Diskit Monastery and it’s Maitreya Buddha statue, sitting high above the valley floor, with panoramic views across the eastern Karakoram Mountains.

Then, head to the village of Hunder to take a look at the double humped camels or Bactrian camels roaming the mountain backed sand dunes.

Stay overnight in either Hunder or Diskit.

Where to stay in Diskit?  Ama Guesthouse or  Himalayan Regal House Where to stay in Hunder?   Hunder Stay and Camp  or  Hunder Haven

From Diskit or Hunder drive back through the valley, and towards Pangong Lake. While the drive is quite long and arduous in some parts, keep soaking up the incredible mountain views out the window.

Pangong Lake is one of the world’s highest saltwater lakes sitting at 4,250m. It’s a sacred site for Buddhists, with almost 2/3 of the lake actually lying across the border in Tibet. It’s bright blue colour shimmering against the arid, desert-like mountains makes it an otherworldy sight that draws many visitors each year.

Stay the night on the shores of the lake. The most popular place is  Spangmik , a cluster of glamping style tents and small hotels. However, the overcommercialisation of this village has led many people to continue further to  Man  or even further to  Merak . You’ll find more laidback tents and homestays in the latter villages.

Where to stay?   Nirvana Resort  in Spangmik or Pangong Travel Camp in Man

The final long day of driving, as you head back to Leh via Changla Pass at 5,360m. You’ll likely need to relax in the afternoon in Leh after all that driving or head to one of the cafes in Leh to eat good food.

On your final day in Leh, you may not feel like driving anywhere! You can hang around the town of Leh and do some shopping in the main market area instead.

If you want to do some extra sightseeing, head to Stok village , just a half an hour drive from Leh. At the base of Stok Kangri, Stok was home to the royal family of Ladakh, the Namgyals, after they fled during the invasion of the Dogras. Check out the 71-foot Gautama Buddha statue and monastery above the village, or arrange to have lunch at Gyab-thago Heritage Homestay, where you can try a traditional Ladakhi meal in a family home.

I highly recommend heading out to Shanti Stupa for sunset, as the perfect ending to this Ladakh itinerary. Shanti Stupa is the white peace pagoda you can see north-west of the Leh bazaar on a small hilltop. It was built in 1991 with funds from the Japanese, and it offers an impressive panoramic view of town.

Flights back to Delhi from Leh tend to leave early in the morning.

Want to Go Trekking in Ladakh?

You’ll need to allow a minimum of two weeks in Leh if you want to add a trek to this itinerary. Otherwise, you could skip the day trips to Lamayuru and Hemis if you were really short on time.

The Sham Valley Trek is a three day moderate trek that could be easily added onto this itinerary. The highest point of the trail is just under 4000m, so it’s doable for those with limited time.

If you preferred something longer and more challenging, the Markha Valley Trek is a five day trek that goes over 5000m. I’d recommend undertaking this trail after spending a week in Ladakh or longer, to ensure you’re properly acclimatised.

More Essential Reading for Ladakh

• Comprehensive Travel Guide to Ladakh
• Ultimate North India Itinerary: 1 Month in Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh
• Best Places to Stay in Leh, Ladakh For All Budgets
• 25 Best Things to Do in Ladakh
• How to Get to Leh, Ladakh By Public Transport ‘

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Ultimate North India Itinerary: Kashmir, Ladakh & Himachal Pradesh in 1 Month

[…] Read more: A Detailed 10 Day Leh Ladakh Itinerary […]

Thank you author for your blog. Keep it up.

how much would be approx budget for this, assuming we start from mumbai and not delhi, and stay in budget hotels + group trips instead of prrivate

I have a budget breakdown on my Ladakh Travel Guide, so you can find prices for everything there. Accommodation can be 800-1000inr per night, three day tour to pangong and nubra can be 4500inr per person. Also depends whether you’re flying into Leh or driving.

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Spectacularly jagged, arid mountains enfold this magical Buddhist ex-kingdom. Picture-perfect gompas (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries) dramatically crown rocky outcrops next to fluttering prayer flags and whitewashed stupas, while prayer wheels spun clockwise release merit-making mantras. Gompa interiors are a riot of golden Buddhas and intricately colourful murals and home to red-robed monks. It's a little corner of Tibet marooned in the furthest reaches of India.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Bearing a passing similarity to the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet), this nine-storey dun-coloured edifice is Leh's dominant structure and architectural…

Thiksey Gompa

Glorious Thiksey Gompa is one of Ladakh’s biggest and most recognisable monasteries, photogenically cascading down a raised rocky promontory. At its heart…

Choskhor Temple Complex

The original murals and statues within these four outwardly modest 11th-century temples are considered the crowning glory of Ladakh’s Indo-Tibetan art…

Wanla Gompa

Above Wanla village, tiny medieval Wanla Gompa is dramatically perched on a towering knife-edge ridge flanked by two shattered tower remnants of a now…

Leh Old Town

Behind Leh’s central Jamia Masjid, winding alleys and stairways burrow between and beneath a series of old mud-brick Ladakhi houses and eroded chortens…

Diskit Gompa

Nubra Valley

Directly above Old Diskit, a 2km spaghetti of hairpins winds up to this photogenic monastery complex, much of which dates to between the 14th and 17th…

Yungdrung Gompa

Lamayuru's gompa is one of the most photogenic Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. Behind glass within the gompa’s main prayer hall is a tiny cave-niche in…

Spituk Gompa

Founded in the late 14th century as See-Thub (Exemplary) Monastery, impressive Spituk Gompa surveys the Sengye Tsangpo (Indus) Valley, with surreal views…

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Ladakh blog — how to plan leh ladakh trip & suggested ladakh itinerary 15 days.

As soon as I sat down in the plane that would finally take me home, I closed my eyes and remembered my first journey in India. In the colorful pieces of Ladakh, I forever remember the small craggy roads and narrow, steep trails, the majestic snowy mountains, the stunning turquoise rivers bending between the narrow rocky banks, the strong winds blowing the Buddhist prayer flags (lungta), kind indigenous people I met… In that place, people quietly mingled with nature as if everything had been settled for eternity.

• Leh Ladakh bike trip itinerary — How to spend 6 days in Ladakh by motorbike?
• Leh Ladakh bike trip blog — Ladakh bike trip guide & tips for first-timers
• Ladakh trip cost per person from Delhi — How much does Ladakh trip by bike cost?
• What to buy in Ladakh? — Top 9+ souvenirs & best things to buy in Ladakh
• Ladakh travel tips — 11+ Ladakh tips & things to know before going to Ladakh

So, how to plan Leh Ladakh trip from Delhi, how to travel in Leh Ladakh and how to spend 15 days in Ladakh? Let’s check out our Ladakh blog (Ladakh travel blog, Ladakh trip blog) to find out the best itinerary for Ladakh from Delhi (Ladakh itinerary from Delhi, Leh Ladakh itinerary, Ladakh trip itinerary) on how to spend 2 weeks in the fairyland of India as well as how much does a trip to Ladakh cost, useful Ladakh travel tips before you go and which month is best for Ladakh!

I have never been to a place where I was as well prepared as I was to go to Ladakh. Partly because Ladakh is remote land in the far north of India, located in the state of Jammu & Kashmir, where is considered the crown of India, and bordered by Tibet and Pakistan. Here, the media is limited, goods are not as much and available as the places I usually have been to. Ladakh already was deserted, very high altitude, the lowest place was 3000m above sea level but the highest pass even over 5000m. Knowing that my health was not very good, I did not know, if I could reach that altitude, how my health would be. Fortunately, after experiencing of 17 days there, there were no serious problems, except for the boundless appetite for “meat” and the absent-mindedness as a pregnant-like woman in the first few days when I returned home. Some of the little experiences I’ve recorded below for the next time and I hope it will help you on your upcoming trip to Ladakh :).

Which month is best for Ladakh?

The best time to come is from May to early October. The rest of the months, the weather is bad, the snow is thick, the temperature is down to -30 degrees Celsius, many roads will be banned, tourist areas, hotels, houses and shops will be closed.

Ladakh blog: Leh Ladakh itinerary

Here is my summary of my Ladakh itinerary from Delhi, I followed a tour and I think it would be the best itinerary for Ladakh in 15 days (approximately 2 weeks).

• Day 0 : Toulouse – Delhi
• Day 1: Delhi – Agra – Delhi (each way: 240 km, 5 hours)
• Day 2: Fly from Delhi to Leh, resting to get used to the altitude
• Day 3: Visit monasteries around Leh (Hemis, Thiksey, Leh Palace)
• Day 4: Leh – Chang La – Pangong Tso or Pangong Lake (200 km, 6 hours)
• Days 5 + 6 : Pangong – Tso Moriri (11 hours), Tso Moriri – Leh (8 hours)
• Day 7: Ride a motorbike in Leh, visit Stok, Matho, Starna monasteries

Day 8: Leh – Pasgo Monastery – Alchi Monastery – Lamayuru – Mulberk- Kargil (222 km, 8 hours)

• Day 9: Kargil – Suru valley – Rangdum – Lang Tso, Stat Tso Twin Lakes – Drang-Drung Glacier – Padum (240 km, 12 hours)
• Day 10: Sani Village, Karsha Monastery, Dzongkul Gompa Fortress
• Day 11: Trekking to Phuktal Monastery, through Cha village (12 km, 6 hours trek)
• Day 12: Trekking from Phuktal to Anmu, through Purney village (Purne, Purni) (13.5 km, 7 hours trek)
• Day 13 : Padum – Rangdum Monastery – Kargil (240 km, 12 hours)
• Day 14: Kargil – Zoji La – Srinagar (200 km, 6 hours)

Day 15: Srinagar – Delhi

• Day 16: Delhi – Toulouse

Leh Ladakh itinerary: How to go?

We bought a tour from a local tour agency for 15 days, from the time when we got off the plane in Leh to the time when we got to the airport in Srinagar. In the preparation, my friend made a detailed itinerary, then contacted the tour operators in Ladakh to ask for a quote, then bargain and choose. The 15-day tour included accommodations (or tent in Pangong), a private car with driver, daily breakfast and 2 dinners at 2 lakes. The hostel is very good, the room for 2 people, clean, with hot water (except stay in tents at 2 lakes), so the bathing is very comfortable and pleasant.

Link to the tour company that my friend booked at: http://www.triptohimalayatours.com/

You also can directly contact with the driver Kunga for my group. He is enthusiastic and drives very careful and is about to start his own company. Facebook: Skal Kunga Kndguys Aback , Whatsapp: +919469229149.

Tour prices vary greatly from company to company. There was a group of 4 people traveling on the same day with us and the per capita price was 3 times more expensive for a slightly shorter itinerary.

Ladakh travel tips: Prepare before you go

• Applying for a visa or e-visa. E-visa is cheaper, only 50 USD (price in 2019, has now increased to 80 USD), e-visa is valid for 2 months from the time of first entry, can go in and out twice. Applying an e-visa is very quick, only after 2 days to receive it. When you receive an email with an e-visa, you need to go back to the ETA page to print the visa sheet (the sheet with the photo, the confirmation email is not valid on arrival). With an E-visa you can only enter India by air. Arriving at Delhi airport, the queue maybe is short, but the wait will be a bit long. Link to apply for e-visa: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html . Visitors in Hanoi or Saigon can apply for a paper visa, which costs $103 and is valid for 1 year, multi-entry.
• Buy a good type of travel insurance because this trip is going to the very very far, one of the most isolated places in the world along with risks and dangers.

Ladakh travel blog: How much does Ladakh trip cost?

You can refer the trip costs for a Leh Ladakh itinerary for 15 days as follows:

• E-Visa: $50 (price in 2019, now increased to $80).
• Travel insurance: $100.
• International airfare and 2 domestic flights: $550 + $150
• Day tour from Delhi to Agra including car with driver pick up and drop off at hotel: 8000 INR ($125) for 5 people.
• Tour for 2 weeks in Ladakh including accommodations (except a night in Phuktal), car with driver, daily breakfast, 2 dinners at Lake Pangong and Tso Moriri: $375 / 1 person, group of 10 people, sleeping in a double room.
• Porter cum guide to Phuktal Monastery from Anmu village (will go with group from Padum): 2400 INR ($38) / 1 porter.
• Overnight at a guesthouse at the foot of Phuktal Monastery: 1000 INR ($15) / 1 person. The guesthouse has only 4 rooms, there is no way to book in advance, anyone who comes early will have a room, otherwise can ask to sleep at the monastery or go back to Purney.
• Overnight at a hotel near Delhi airport: $30 to $50 / 1 good double room. With $50 you could stay at 4-star hotel.
• Eating, cooking, admissions: $150.

Total cost, excluding gifts: 1300 – 1400 USD / 1 person.

Ladakh travel blog: What to prepare for a Ladakh trip?

Bring enough for 15-20 days in autumn, late September, early October, if you stay in a place for a few days, for example in Leh, you can use a laundry service, so you can bring less clothes).

• 1 3-in-1 jacket with duck feather inner layer, windproof and waterproof outer layer, 2 layers can be separated.
• 3 merino sweaters (this is thin, light, cool when you need it, warm when you need it) or heattech.
• 3 breathable, quick-drying sport short-sleeve t-shirts.
• 4 pairs of socks.
• A hat or corset.
• 1 pair of thin gloves. I use tennis gloves, which are thin but have grip and hold the camera well.
• 3 light trek pants or skinny jeans, no need to wear thick pants because it’s not too cold.
• 1 wide cloth scarf, no need to be too thick to wear and block the sun.
• 1 pair of low-cut trekking shoes, the trekking route into Phuktal is not too thorny, so you can wear low-cut trekking shoes, not necessarily to wear high-cut shoes.
• 1 pair of flip-flops or bathroom slippers.

Our group suffers from the food in Ladakh because the people here are mainly vegetarian. If lucky can find an eatery with meat, it is also very salty and spicy, with a lot of curry, difficult to eat. However, if you just go around Leh, you don’t need to bring much food because here you can go to the market to buy chicken or goat to cook for yourself, the food sold at restaurants in Leh and around is also okay. Going towards Zanskar, the good food is harder to find and you can’t buy meat at markets, only eggs and eggs.

• Spices, soup powder, soy sauce in packs, small bottles.
• Noodles, vermicelli, snacks, instant porridge… (should bring many kinds of foods because you will have to eat continuously).
• Pork, shrimp (can make soups).
• Jerky beef, chicken, pork.
• Cured meat.
• Canned meat, pate, fish (I can’t find fish anywhere in Ladakh, so this dish is very rare).
• Herbal tea, ginger tea.
• Dried seaweed to make soup.
• Dried soup.
• Rice and glutinous rice to make sticky rice (if you like, because the rice in Ladakh is very hard and foul).

• Headache, runny nose, cough drugs.
• Diarrhea drug.
• Multi-vitamin tablets.
• Wound bandage (ego).
• Those who often get sick should bring medicine to prevent that disease.
• Sunscreen, the sun at high altitudes is very bright and harmful to the skin.
• Moisturizing cream for lips, face, hands, body.
• Nasal medicine to avoid nosebleeds at high altitudes and cold and dry weather: 5g tube of Bepanthen.
• Water purification tablets (if going on a trek, so that I don’t have to carry a lot of water for days, go anywhere, get spring water there), I use Micropur of Katadyn brand, bought in France for €11 / 100 tablets, can purify 100 liters of water (with a box of 50 tablets).
• Vitamins to increase brain blood circulations, start taking it 2, 3 weeks before going.
• Drugs for high altitude sickness. Below is the prescription the doctor wrote for me. However, if you want to use it, you should see a doctor for a prescription that is suitable for your health, not everyone can take anti-altitude medicine. These drugs, only use if you feel symptoms, don’t need to take them first:  Prednisolone 20 mg (2.5 tablets / day, suck in mouth in morning after breakfast, should not be taken in evening because the drug contains cortisoide causing difficulty sleeping), this dosage is for people weighing 50 kg. Or Diamox (Acetazolamide) 250 mg: If the above drug still does not help, then take this drug, maximum 2 tablets in the morning and afternoon.

Other things

• Compact sleeping bag, no need to be too warm because in guesthouses have all blankets. I use Quechua’s FORCLAZ 15° LIGHT, which can be combined into a double bag, very compact, weighing just over 600 gr.
• 1 quick-drying microfiber bath towel.
• Thermal water bottle.
• Normal water bottle, at night you can pour hot water into it to hug to keep warm.
• Trekking water bag (if any).
• Sunglasses.
• Shampoo, conditioner packs.
• Wet tissue wipes body and other parts.
• Dry hand sanitizer.
• 1 roll of toilet paper in case something goes wrong.

• Wet makeup remover wipes.
• Sanitary napkins (in high mountains prone to early).
• Mini hair dryer for travel (if needed).

Ladakh blog: Where to exchange money?

The exchange rate at the end of March 2022

• In Delhi airport : $1 = 76 INR
• Near hotels next to Delhi airport and in Agra next to Taj Mahal: $1 = 80 INR, €1 = 83 INR
• In Leh airport : $1 = 79 INR

Below I summarize my Leh Ladakh itinerary for 15 days (2 weeks) which divided into 4 parts as follows.

Part 1: Agra

Day 1: delhi – agra – delhi (each way: 240 km, 5 hours).

I flew with Turkish Airlines from Toulouse and landed at Delhi airport (transiting in Istanbul) at 6am. My friends from Saigon arrived at 4am. After queuing for entry (I have already e-visa), I went straight to the door to get in the car to Agra in the pouring rain.

In Delhi, vehicles don’t seem to follow any rules. Each lane of motorbikes, cars, passenger cars, trucks, is crisscrossing each other. The rain was getting heavier and heavier, streaming on the glass, soaking the dusty road, forming a slippery brown mud. Many accidents, big and small, normal and serious were scattered over the distance of more than 200km until we reached Agra at past noon.

Agra is famous for having the Taj Mahal, which Karl Pilkington in “An Idiot Abroad” movie once described as “like a diamond in a turd”. That funny and sarcastic say prompted me to come here. There are three entrance gates to the Taj Mahal, of which the east gate is the most deserted. The entrance fee for foreigners is 1000 INR ($15.5). Buying tickets to the Taj Mahal first, you will get you free admission to the Baby Taj (Tomb of Itimah-ud-Daulah), one of Agra’s other interesting attractions.

Ladakh blog: Part 2: Leh, Lake Pangong Tso, Lake Moriri Tso

Leh Ladakh itinerary — Day 2: Leh

Returning to Delhi from the night before, this morning we boarded a plane to Leh, the heart of Ladakh. Delhi morning is still white clouds. Yet Leh welcomed me with the blue sky and golden autumn sun on my shoulders.

Leh is a lovely town that made me fall in love at first sight. Located at an altitude of 3500m, the air here has thinned a lot, made me struggle to breath after each step. All day today we have only one thing to do: Resting, take a gentle walk to get used to the thin air, avoid high altitude shock (with symptoms of shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, insomnia, worse will be vomiting, fainting).

Vegetables and fruits in Leh are many, freely to buying apples and apricots were in season. We came right during on the occasion of 9 days of local vegetarianism, so it was difficult to buy meat and the restaurants also only sell vegetarian food or a little bit of chicken. Wanting to cook for ourselves, we went to the only frozen chicken shop open these days located in the basement of Golden Bakery in the Main market area.

Best itinerary for Ladakh — Day 3: Monasteries around Leh (Hemis, Thiksey, Leh Palace)

Around Leh, there are many large and small monasteries, of which I like Thiksey the most with a beautiful view from the top of the monastery down to the valley that is turning golden in early autumn, surrounded by majestic snow-capped mountains.

The sun was setting behind the mountains in western Leh as I climbed to the roof of the 16th-century fortress of Tsemo (Victory), above Leh Palace with simple, makeshift wooden ladders. The wind blew the lungta strings (Buddhist prayer flags), a little cloud drifted, and darkness fell over Leh.

Day 4: Leh – Chang La – Pangong Lake (200 km, 6 hours)

After the first night of having trouble sleeping because of the cold and the side effects of anti-altitude drugs in Leh, I slept a little better tonight. We left Leh for Pangong early in the morning. The road is more than 200km long but it takes more than 6 hours of continuous driving, going through 2 TCP (Traffic Check Point) to check permits and passports. The presence of Indian troops closer to Pangong Lake becomes more apparent as the area has remained a hotbed of hostilities with China until now.

The car passing the breathtaking curves of the road, taking us higher and higher. The leaves became more and more yellow, until the ground was covered with only a little moss, and then there were only gravel and stones. The air outside was getting colder and colder. The clock shows altitude of 4000m, 4200m then 4500m. I felt a little chest tightness when the car crossed the 4800m line. And then when the road seemed to be endless, the driver informed us that we were at Chang La (Southern Pass), at an altitude of 5360 m.

Stepping out of the car, I felt as if I was getting drunk and had to run a cross country. The wind seemed stronger, the sun seemed brighter, making me stagger and dizzy. At this altitude, a coffee shop was erected right next to 3 toilets built in a very “Ladakh” style. The concrete floor is carved a hole with the size as big as a brick in the middle, below is a deep mountainside that sucks in the wind, sitting here was extremely cool.

Through Chang La Pass, the car gradually decreased in altitude until the blue color of Pangong Lake – “Lake of the high green steppes” appeared. Pangong Tso is the largest saltwater lake in the state of Jammu & Kasmir at an altitude of 4300m above sea level. Close to the lake, a few restaurants were set up to serve tourists. Walking a little further from this area, only a few hundred meters, the lakeside was much quieter, almost empty. The lake is very long, wide and very blue, reflecting the mountains and the sky. I put my backpack and sat down in the middle of a strip of land by the lake. The cold wind and fresh air made me suddenly feel at peace.

The sunlight was not yet golden when the sun went down behind the mountain. The air was warm but suddenly someone’s hand was turned off.

Night falls, bringing with it the twinkling stars. Here the sky is high and clear, looking up I can clearly see the galaxy and sometimes a shooting star pass by, bringing a wish.

Ladakh blog: Day 5, 6: Pangong – Moriri Tso (11 hours), Tso Moriri – Leh (8 hours)

Early this morning I set off from Pangong to Tso Moriri. There is a straight road connecting the two lakes, but this road is close to the Chinese border, only Chinese and Indians can go. So, the car had to go around to check point Karu, right near Leh, making the journey will be 11 hours long.

This morning, after a tiring and cold night in Pangong, everyone in the car was asleep. I have more time to enjoy the view. The morning sun also makes the sky bluer. The mix of light and dark makes the scenery of mountains, lakes and streams more depth. Suddenly I found myself relaxing to the music, swinging along every curve of the pass. Before the vast and majestic natural landscape, with the height about to reach the top of 5300m, I dream with a bit adventure.

In this area, Indian troops are present everywhere. The road from Chang La to Leh is often congested because many army trucks go up and down, entangled with tourist cars, avoiding each other on the narrow stone road.

If the road to Pangong is mostly spectacular bends with a wide view of the valley on both sides of Chang La pass, the road to Tso Moriri is completely different, I personally find it a bit more romantic.

There are two ways to Tso Moriri.

Departure route: Karu – Chumathang – Tso Kiagar – Tso Moriri

Initially, the car followed the banks of the Indus River (Singee Tsangpo River), the leaves dyed yellow on both sides, making the scene both wild and charming. After riding for about three hours, the road gradually moved away from the river bank and got lost in the middle of the towering gorges. Then the car went uphill, back to the stunning bends but not as long and high as going to Pangong. At an altitude of about 4,600m, in front of me is a vast steppe, in the middle is Tso Kiagar lake. This season, the grass and moss have both turned light brown, highlighting the deep emerald water color. I love that emerald color, love the late afternoon sunlight, love the horses grazing freely, love the winding road along the lake that throws dust every time a car passes by.

Then Tso Moriri also appeared in front of me when the sun had completely set behind the mountains, leaving only one last halo.

Return way: Tso Moriri – Tso Kar (salt lake) – Tanglang la (5328 m) – Karu – Leh

The scenery on this way is more wild than the road along the Indus River yesterday. The car go through the desert. Tso Kar salt lake has a strange beauty, both thorny and lonely. The bends bring the car up to Tanglang La pass at an altitude of 5,328 m (there is also a sign that says it is the second highest pass in the world just like Chang La pass). On the other side of the pass, the brown mountain ranges stretch, connect, immense and attract the eye.

At the end of the road, the car took us back to the Indus river valley. I was going back to Leh. After a long and hard journey, returning to Leh was as warm as coming home!

Ladakh itinerary — Day 7: Motorbike ride in Leh, Stok Monastery, Matho, Starna

Today we spent a day traveling around visiting monasteries near Leh (Stok, Matho, Starna) by motorbike. Unlike Hemis, these places are quiet and peaceful, bringing the true purity of a religious site. I could stand all day at the top of Matho Monastery without getting bored, watching the Indus River valley turn golden in autumn, letting the wind from the snow-capped peaks blow my hair.

Starna Monastery, which people often call Tiger Temple, is located on a small ridge close to the banks of the green Indus river that bends as soft as a silk. Looking back from afar, Starna seems to have stepped out of a fairy tale, where the scenery is harmonious and emotions are at ease.

Ladakh blog — Part 3: Zanskar

This morning we left Leh, turning our faces one last time, Leh has become so dear since.

The road from Leh to Kargil with many small monasteries, somewhat older than the area around Leh, especially Alchi, built in the 11th century, inside there are many ancient statues and a quiet small garden, making anyone who come here to visit has a peaceful feeling, all fatigue and sorrow are all gone.

Thanks to its special geological structure, the area around Lamayuru is called Moonland. It is said that this place a few hundred years ago was located at the bottom of the lake, now it has dried up.

After a long day of traveling, we reached Kargil when the last rays of the day had disappeared. Kargil is a strange piece, a dark puzzle piece in the colorful picture of Ladakh. I came across a desolate city. It was only 6 or 7 pm on Saturday, most of the shops were closed, only a few restaurants remained, in the dim lights. Our driver, Kunga, explained that tomorrow is a major Muslim holiday (Muslims account of 90% of the city’s population), everything closes early, and tomorrow morning the whole city will be isolated completely.

In the only restaurant still open and selling meat, a popular eatery, a few Kargil people leaned down to eat, silent, austere glances bent over the table.

Ladakh trip itinerary — Day 9: Kargil – Suru Valley – Rangdum – Twin Lakes of Lang Tso and Stat Tso – Drang-Drung Glacier – Padum (240 km, 12 hours)

We left Kargil very early, before the city woke up, both to avoid being stuck here when the roads were blocked, and to reach Padum before dark. That day was a very long day, even though it was just over 240 km, it took us 12, 13 hours of traveling because the road was bad, there were many narrow sections like trails.

The bends took us to the high valley of Suru (Valley of Flowers) located between the rugged mountains, including the two highest peaks in region: the Nun and Kun, more than 7,000m above sea level. Surrounded by sharp mountains, covered with snow all year round, Rangdum is located in the middle of a vast basin, in what seems to be a lonely, solitary place, with nothing but strong winds and blazing sun.

The twin lakes of Lang Tso – Stat Tso and the Drang-Drung glacier are located on both sides of the Pensi pass (Pensi La), the gateway to the Zanskar valley. On the other side of the pass, towards Padum, the arid, rocky desert gives way to a more lively, cozy scene. Small villages nestled at the foot of the mountains, several long-haired black yaks roaming here and there. On the hillside, along the stream, the yellow leaves were caressing, warming a sunny autumn afternoon.

In Ating village, about 30 minutes by car from Padum, people were shooting the last arrow of the archery semi-final round as we passed. We all jumped out of the car, drank wine and sang together as if we had known each other for a long time. The Zanskar people welcomed us with warm arms. So, who wouldn’t love?

Leh Ladakh itinerary — Day 10: Sani Village, Karsha Monastery, Dzongkul Monastery

Padum lies in the heart of a vast valley, under the shadow of high sharp, serrated mountains covered with snow. Around here, there is no shortage of beautiful monasteries hanging on the mountainsides, peacefully standing for many generations.

I love Karsha Monastery the most, located across the valley from Padum. Squinting at the high mountains rising from Karsha, I felt so small in front of the vast but fierce nature. In the campus, the late afternoon sunlight left leaves shadows on the white walls with brown doorways. This place was so quiet, so lonely. Stopped for a minute, I just noticed the wind was blowing and the sun was lazily, sad and warm.

Ladakh blog Day 11 — Trekking to Phuktal Monastery, through Cha Village (12 km, 6 hours trek)

Standing in front of Phuktal in the dark purple afternoon, my friend said, “In a such place like this, if you don’t practice meditation, what can you do?”. The say made me laugh, forgetting even tired after a long trek of about 12 km, precarious at an altitude of 4,000m.

Phuktal is the oldest monastery in Zanskar, isolated from the outside world, and in my opinion, the most beautiful. Maybe I find Phuktal beautiful ten thousand times more because of the effort it takes to reach this place once. Leaving Padum at 6:30am, the car took me over a road of more than 30 km, poetic but unbelievably dangerous, arriving in Anmu at 9:10am. From here, the trek began gently, not too up, not too down, reaching Cha village after 2 and a half hours.

Leaving Cha village, a steep slope waited for us just as the sun was setting overhead. After that, the road gently sloped down, there were a few sections of rock falling close to the edge of the road, a bit difficult to go but no one had any serious problem.

From above, I dreamily watched the Tsarap River twist between two narrow gorges. The river was so clear, yet so green. The mountains was so high, yet so majestic. The afternoon sun touched the top of the mountain, melting into rays, making the water glitter, making the rock face pink. Why was it so beautiful, mesmerising!?

7 km from Cha village, it took us more than 3 hours to reach the guesthouse located at the foot of the monastery. Phuktal is located completely isolated, no phone signal, no internet. Here, just me and nature, we can forget all our troubles.

Day 12: Trekking from Phuktal back to Anmu, through Purney Village (Purne, Purni) (13.5 km, 7 hours trek)

The road from Phuktal to Anmu through Putney village is a bit longer (1.5 km) than the road through Cha village (on the other side of the river). This road is not as smooth as yesterday, up and down non-stop, across three small passes and two wooden suspension bridges over the Tsarap River. Leaving Phuktal at 6:50am, after 3 hours, I arrived in Purney.

Purney is located at the confluence of rivers. Just below, the turbid green Kargiakh River flows from the Shingjula Pass (Shingo La) into the clear flow of the Tsarap River. Purney is so beautiful this season, the endless yellow leaves on the mountainside, the small white houses are quietly nestled in the early morning sun.

Another 2 hours from Purney, I reached the second suspension bridge at 12am. The climb up from the river bank is very steep and full of crushed rock, it is not recommended to go down this road. If you want to trek Phuktal by two different routes, going through Cha village and back through Purney is the most reasonable.

Day 13: Padum – Rangdum Monastery – Kargil (240 Km, 12 Hours)

Kargil is an almost mandatory break on the 18-hour journey from Padum to Srinagar. The scenery of Zanskar in my eyes has gradually become familiar although everything is still beautiful on every bend. A strong wind swept over the mountainside today, swirling dust around the valley.

I went to Kargil tonight, I thought I was in another city, not as lonely as 4 days ago, the streets were bustling and busy again. Only the internet was cut off for all day without any reason.

Day 14: Kargil – Zoji La – Srinagar (200 Km, 6 Hours)

Today was our last day in the car. After over ten days of wandering, swaying on short distances but long in time, I was able to get used to the feeling of sitting on potholes, no longer sure I will miss it.

The road from Kargil to Sirinagar can be called smooth. The road has been paved to a large part, with only a few sections left unfinished or under repair. This road passes many military barracks, trucks and passenger cars follow each other. Referring to trucks, vehicles in Ladakh are very special. Most of them are decorated with elaborate colorful patterns, the words “Blow horn” are capitalized on the back, which my sister roughly translates to “Blow horn”.

Arriving in Srinagar, I found myself revived. How much fatigue after a long trip seemed to disappear when the beautiful small boat took me surfing on the calm and cool lake. Srinagar’s Dal Lake is very beautiful, although not as deep and blue as Pangong or Tso Moriri, but much more rustic and warm.

In a corner of the lake, wooden floating houses are anchored as accommodations for tourists. Small boats, hand-rowing, taking guests from floating houses to shore and go around. The afternoon sun spread down the golden lake surface. So serenity, tranquil, so peaceful.

Morning boat ride on Dal lake is also very interesting and lively. If you want to go to the local floating fruit and vegetable market, you will have to get up early because the market only opens from 5 am to 7 am.

This afternoon I went to the airport to return to Delhi, preparing for the long journey back home. Srinagar Airport is about 30 minutes by car from the city. I don’t know if it’s because Srinagar is still in the combat zone but I’ve never seen the baggage check so many times.

Near the airport, all passengers have to show their air tickets and get off the bus, check our belongings and do a first body check. Men can stay on spot, women have to go into a curtained box like a dressing room, private check.

Upon entering the airport, passengers have to present their tickets, check their belongings and check body a second time.

After queuing for checked baggage, passengers have to check their hand luggage and undergo a third body check. Then go to identify the checked baggage inside. Only suitcases that are identified and marked will be allowed bring on board.

At the boarding gate, after checking the boarding pass, the passenger is entitled to a fourth personal check-up, and any bag can be opened and checked again.

On the way to the plane, don’t put your boarding pass away because the flight attendants will check the boarding pass and passport twice more.

My plane transited in Jammu, close to the Pakistani border. Jammu airport is surrounded by a camouflage fence, along the runway there are armored vehicles waiting. When stopping at Jammu, after a part of the passengers disembarked, the airport staff went to open each carry-on luggage compartment, asking each of the remaining passengers who the remaining luggage belonged to. Seeing that they checked too closely, I was also a bit embarrassed. But hey, already sitting here, if we don’t know the reason, we don’t have to worry!

Ladakh travel blog — Part 4: Going home

When I staggered with each heavy step on the slope covered with dust and wind blowing, I wondered: “I have a cozy home, a warm bed and a soft mattress, why not enjoy it but bring myself here to do something for the extreme?”. Then at that moment, I remembered the people I met on the roads, the gentle smiles of the old women standing in front of their white houses with the brown door frames, the gentle eyes of the mothers holding their children, the innocent faces of children born in the wilderness, growing up like weeds. I also recall the moments when the blue lake appeared behind a bend, or when the sun rose and lit up the whole space bring vitality to everything, when two rivers of different colors merged into one. And from there, I know why I’m here. Every trip makes me happy twice. Once when I walked on a long road, when beautiful images filled my eyes and beautiful emotions filled my heart. And the other time is when I return, push the door to the house, where the people I love still waiting.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Leh-Ladakh-Zanskar you can refer to

• 10D9N Discover Ladakh, India from Singapore [All-Inclusive]
• 7D6N Ladakh Private Tour
• 6D5N Ladakh Private Tour
• 9D8N Chadar Frozen River Trekking Experience
• 11D10N Stok Kangri Summit Trek from Leh

Read more Ladakh trip blog: Ladakh trip blog — The journey to the fairyland of India and India guide here .

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Leh Ladakh Travel Guide (2024) – Explore the Unforgettable Land of High Passes!

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: January 1, 2024

Categories INDIA , JAMMU & KASHMIR

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

Julley from Leh! That means Hello in Ladakh and you’ll find that everyone here is itching to say it to you.

Leh is the super friendly mountain city that is waiting for you to visit them.

When you arrive here, either by bus or plane, you’ll be greeted by the most spectacular panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, ancient palaces, and Buddhist stupas.

It’s also a welcome paradise from the busy, dirty cities like Delhi and Rajasthan.

Here’s the ultimate Leh Ladakh travel guide including how to reach Leh, top things to do, where to stay, and what to eat!

The ultimate Leh Ladakh travel guide

Where is leh ladakh in india.

Leh Ladakh has an interesting mix of cultures and food as it’s on the border of China and its history is closely related to Tibet!

You’ll probably question what country you’re in a lot while you’re here and that’s the beauty of Leh.

What is the best time to visit Ladakh?

The best time to visit is actually in the monsoon season between June – September as Ladakh is a dry spot in a country of constant rain!

They also shut the road after mid-September so it’s best to visit before then or fly!

It’s beautifully sunny every single day at this time and everything almost looks saturated as you’re closer to the sun and higher up at 3,500 metres!

It’s also perfect weather for trekking and is what most travellers flock here for.

How to reach Leh Ladakh: flying vs. the road

There are usually two choices for approaching Leh Ladakh.

You can directly fly to Leh Ladakh from Delhi which is what most travellers prefer as you can skip the long bus journeys up through the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

But, this means that you cannot acclimatise very easily and you may suffer from altitude sickness and need a few days to adjust.

If you are prone to altitude sickness, you can get tablets to help with it. The other is to take the long bus journey from Manali to Leh.

This is the cheapest option and actually is not as dangerous as people make out.

Yes, the roads are crazy but the views are absolutely jaw-dropping and are worth the time spent alone.

You’ll pass through valleys, mountain passes, and waterfalls. There’s absolutely no sign of life around in many parts and it’s an experience you won’t forget.

For more information, check out my post ‘Travelling from Manali to Leh by road: all you need to know’.

Taking the bus from Manali to Leh

I took the 18-hour bus from Manali to Leh, which was actually 20 and we arrived in the middle of the night.

Our bus driver did a great thing by dropping us off in the backpacker district of Changspa where there are tonnes of guest houses. But, little were we to know that none would be open for business after midnight!

For a little while, we hung out with some other travellers from the bus in a bakery which turned into a bar late at night and just played the same Ed Sheeran song over and over again.

We had chai while deciding the next plan of action, which was basically to try every guesthouse in the area!

After a little while, we couldn’t find anywhere and a bar called KC garden offered for us to stay at their place for the night. It was an, which was used for group get-togethers and parties!

It had no windows, was freezing cold, and let in all the noise of dogs barking. However, it was a place to crash for the night and we had loads of blankets to keep warm.

It was really generous of him as he didn’t have to offer anything at all. He also didn’t charge which was really kind.

We were stranded in Leh Ladakh

The guy who owned the place said we could sleep in until noon, but when the workers came in the next morning at 7 am – they played really loud music so we would get up!

At first, it was just Buddhist chanting music which was actually really nice.

By 9.30 am, they upped the ante with techno music and that’s when everyone groggily got out of their sleeping places.

The next day, we had a chai together, thanked the guys at KC garden, and then went to try and find a room.

Where to stay in Leh Ladakh: Changspa 

We ended up staying at Hotel Asia which turned out to be the cheapest.

It was 500 a night with a shared bathroom, I hardly slept each night due to the light and noise but it did have hot water every single day!

With a view like this of the mountains, you can’t complain about £5 a night! For bookings see here.

The top things to do in Leh Ladakh

Most people use Leh as a base in Ladakh as it’s the main city with good connections to Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Srinagar in Kashmir.

But, there are lots of things to do in Leh Ladakh itself.

It is really gorgeous to explore too with an epic mountain range, historical palaces, and the iconic Shanti Stupa.

You can’t really get bored, even just if you gaze at the scenery around you.

This would probably be a good first point of call to start off your adventure in Leh. The ancient palace looks down on the rest of the city.

This was the home of Ladakh royalty and was modelled on the Tibetan Potala Palace in Lhasa.

Even though it was built in the 17th century and steeped in history, not many of the ancient artifacts of the royal family remain in the palace.

It’s nine floors of empty rooms save the antique pictures which hang on the walls.

The best part of wandering around this palace is actually the viewpoints from the rooftops!

You can get great panoramic views from all over the city. There aren’t really any restrictions on where you can go here so explore away!

Castle Tsemo

Castle Tsemo stands high on the hill above the Leh Palace.

To reach it in Leh Ladakh, you can get a taxi for around 250 rupees or take the steep winding trek uphill!

There are two parts to Castle Tsemo, a Buddhist temple, and the castle and the Namgyal Tsemo Monastery.

When you’ve caught your breath from the walk, take a peek inside at the beautiful golden Buddha which is perfectly preserved inside.

Next is a climb up the monastery, you’ll pay 20 rupees to head on inside.

At first, I thought this was awesome as it was so cheap, but then I realised that you had to head on up the rooftops of the monastery on these ladders from hell!

These weak, feeble ladders were not attached to the wall in any way and so it was a dodgy climb to the top!

Although these ones were low, the others were pretty much vertical!

Although the views were totally worth it, there was one problem – how was I going to get back down?!

I was petrified and my boyfriend literally had to place my feet on each step of the ladder.

When I got to the bottom, I literally couldn’t breathe haha!

I can laugh now, but I genuinely thought I was a goner. It’s totally ridiculous so if you’re afraid of heights, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Shanti Stupa in Leh Ladakh

The Buddhist Shanti Stupa was one of my favourite attractions in Leh Ladakh. It was donated by the Japanese, built-in 1991, and blessed by the Dalai Lama himself.

Although it is a 500 step walk to the top, the views and the stupa are so worth it! We arrived at around 10 am in the morning and there was literally no one around.

The best time to visit the Leh Ladakh Shanti Stupa is at sunset when the temperatures aren’t so hot and the sun creates a beautiful red glow on the mountains surrounding it.

There is also some really beautiful Buddhist chanting music which is broadcast live from the temple nearby.

When the lights go down on Leh Ladakh, the Stupa lights up and you can see the many stars which appear here due to the limited light pollution. It was magic.

When we visited in the evening time a government official was there, so naturally, some of the Kashmiri soldiers were here on guard.

One of them let me hold this! Stranger things have happened…

Before I got to Leh, I had this awful feeling there wouldn’t be anything around.

Most places in Himachal had a mall road, but I wasn’t sure about Leh.. luckily, I was proved very wrong!

There is a massive main market here which has everything you could wish for.

Restaurants, shops, supermarkets, chemists, the lot. So, don’t worry about getting access to the basics.

There were also these great little fruit and veg markets from the local farms here. The mini peaches, locally called aadu , were to die for!

Trekking Leh Ladakh and Day trips from Leh Ladakh

There are endless options for treks from Leh Ladakh that you can get involved with.

Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley were popular trips also which was a 2-day and 1-night stay.

There were 3, 4, 5 days, and even 20-day treks out of Leh. So, it will be down to personal preference if you wanted a guided trek.

There are a lot of treks that you can do self-guided also. Nubra Valley is around a 3-day trek each way which is supposed to be easy.

But bear in mind that there isn’t any phone signal here so you won’t have Google maps to help you!

Best to download a walking trail map beforehand or buy one from the local shops here.

Read more about day trips from Leh here

Multi-day sightseeing tours in Ladakh

There are many interesting multi-day tours  that can be organized from Leh.

The famous tours are the 2-day Indus river tour where you get the chance to visit some of the most impressive monasteries in Ladakh (Alchi, Likir, and Lamayuru among others), the 3-day Nubra valley tour via the famous Khardung La pass (the world’s highest motorable road) and the tours to the stunning high-altitude lakes of Pangong and Tso Moriri.

You will not find many buses in Ladakh that go to these places. One of the options is to hire a car with a driver, but the cost of transport is not cheap in Ladakh…

If you are a solo traveller or travelling in a small group, using a shared taxi is a great way to reduce the cost of the trip as well as its carbon footprint! 

Where to eat in Leh Ladakh: wonderland restaurant and bakery

The wonderland café was where I usually went for breakfast most mornings.

Loads of their breakfast combos come with coffee and apple juice!

It has a really nice relaxed vibe and an amazing bakery downstairs which offers some great doughnuts and pastries.

Also, If you’re a fan of falafel, these guys do the best I have tasted so far in India. It was light, crispy, and delicious!

World Garden Café

Serving up a huge range of international cuisines, the world garden café is an excellent place to eat at any time of day.

The guys here speak excellent English, are really friendly and the food is cheap and tasty.

This was one of my favourite places to eat in Leh, so don’t miss out!

Dust pollution in Leh Ladakh and harsh temperatures

As the terrain and surroundings are in quite harsh conditions (sometimes it looked like how I imagined Mars to be like) you’ll find it to be dry and dusty.

The pollution in Leh Ladakh was quite high around the main town and so if you have anything like asthma, you’re best to come prepared.

Most days I found myself using my scarf to protect my mouth, nose, and eyes from the dust.

As we’re closer to the sun here, you should always make sure you wear suncream.

When I visited in August, it was boiling hot every day and it was definitely summer clothes weather.

A lot of people had tiny dresses and shorts on which is a nice change from covering up but just make sure you don’t get sunburn!

Staying connected and WiFi in Leh Ladakh

As soon as I set off from Manali on the Rohtang pass my UK and Indian SIM phone numbers lost service and data. But, I thought when I got to Leh, it would come back – how silly I was!

There was absolutely no phone service in the whole town. I’m sure you could get a SIM from Leh if you have an unlocked phone, as most phone packages are regional in India.

This would mean you would lock into their own phone service here. But, for a few days, I just didn’t think it was worth it.

The wifi is also pretty bad and almost non-existent. Most cafés and restaurants offer wifi services but this wouldn’t work half of the time. In fact, on the first day we got here – there was no wifi in the whole town!

If I did get wifi, only certain apps would work like WhatsApp, which was perfect to tell my mum I was alive (mum’s always worry).

There are internet cafés which you can use which are 90 rupees an hour. I actually quite liked not having wifi and being contactable. I’m a 90s kid, so I remember a time before the internet!

It just means that you have a few days to truly enjoy where you are. You’re not constantly looking at your phone, but actually appreciating the scenery and meeting people!

Sometimes, we get so caught up in social media that it’s refreshing to sign off. Get a map, read a book, and talk to people. There was a world before wifi, you know!

That’s my complete travel guide to Leh Ladakh, save it for later!

Leh Ladakh would be a place I would highly recommend travelling to if you visit India.

In fact, I would say it’s on my list of ‘must-sees’. It’s a beautiful mix of culture, colour, history, and scenery which will transport you into another world!

Make sure you put it on your list. If you’d like to read more about the beautiful surrounding areas of Ladakh, read my article ‘the absolute best off the beaten track Ladakh’!

Want to read more on the far North of India?

Manali to Leh by road, all you need to know

A guide to Manali, the hippie town in Himachal

Why you need to visit Shimla

Top things to do in Mcleodganj

A complete Bhagsunag waterfall guide

My complete Rishikesh travel guide

Visiting the Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh

Things to do in Amritsar

Mussoorie Hill Station guide

Wednesday 27th of December 2023

Many Indian’s primary wish to travel Ladakh by a road trip on their own bike. Definitely my dream also. Hope I will also achieve it.

Sophie Pearce

Thursday 11th of January 2024

Yess, it's an epic road trip to Ladakh by road. I have to admit I wouldn't do it again though and would fly haha! Sophie x

Tuesday 29th of August 2023

Wow, this destination looks absolutely breathtaking! Adding it to my bucket list for sure.

Wednesday 30th of August 2023

Hi Suman, totally agree! Leh Ladakh is an epic destination :) Sophie x

Neha Shinde

Thursday 11th of May 2023

Fantastic article. I am very pleased to say that your article is fascinating to read.I always find myself wanting to comment on it.You're doing an excellent job.Keep your writing up

Wednesday 28th of June 2023

Thanks Neha for your kind words. Sophie x

Wednesday 7th of December 2022

Ladakh is not a place where you can go without planning. You will have to consider all the do's and don'ts while deciding on the trip. From the right clothes, the right vehicle, comfortable stay, and places to visit, everything should be pre-planned so that one doesn't miss out on the site's vibe.

Thursday 8th of December 2022

Hi Kamalesh, completely agree with you! Sophie x

Esha Sawant

Tuesday 1st of February 2022

"Hello Admin, Intresting Article, you are doing a great job . Keep it up"

Hi Esha, thank you so much! I'm glad you liked the post :) Sophie x

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Accommodation

Leh ladakh road trip: an unbelievable drive in india.

This is Part 1   of our 5 part series on planning the ultimate road trip to Leh Ladakh in India. We will cover every aspect – itinerary, accommodation, packing, driving – of planning an unforgettable Ladakh road trip:

Read Part 2 – Leh Ladakh Road Trip II (Nubra, Pangong, and Manali) (opens in new tab)

Read Part 3 – Packing for a road trip to Leh and Ladakh (opens in new tab)

Read Part 4 –  10 Dos and Donts for a roadtrip to Leh-Ladakh, India  (opens in new tab)

Read Part 5 – Accommodation: Luxury Camping in Ladakh (opens in new tab)

As we make our way to Ladakh, lush meadows, Chinar forests, and apple orchards give way to barren landscapes illuminated by the glimmering sun. Monks are everywhere and monasteries dot the landscape – that’s when you know you’ve arrived in one of the most spectacular places on Earth!!

A road trip to Ladakh is no small feat- it is well and truly the stuff of dreams. Ladakh’s soundlessness, its cobalt blue skies, bright rainbows, and glistening lakes are pure magic.  This road trip boasts of iconic landmarks such as the highest motorable road in the world ( Khardung La );  some of the highest mountain passes in the world such as Zoji La and Tanglang La;  splendid scenic drives in remote regions, and some little known gems such as the kaleidoscopic More Plains , Lamayuru, and the hypnotic Gata Loops. It is truly a road trip like no other!!

Before the fun stuff and a day-by-day itinerary of our roadtrip to Ladakh, here’s a quick look at the logistics:

Here’s an overview of the route we followed over the course of 3 weeks. We drove from Delhi to Ladakh via Gulmarg. We drove back from Leh City to Delhi via Manali.

This self-drive road trip is only for experienced drivers who are comfortable driving in India and  skilled at driving in the hills. There are dubious roads, bumpy stretches, and unpaved mountain passes by the dozen (all details in the daily breakdown below). Having said that, if you enjoy driving and are fond of road trips, it truly doesn’t get better than this. Look at these panoramas and those crystal clear skies. Don’t forget to read our article on 10 Things to keep in mind while planning a road trip to Leh and Ladakh  before embarking on this road trip.

Try to stick to bottled/filtered water while you are in India. Stock up on water and also on non-perishable snacks including dried fruits, nuts, and cookies before the road trip. However there is no need to go overboard as hot food is plentiful, cheap, and easily available in India.

There are hundreds of dhabas (shacks) along the way, most of which cater well to vegetarian and vegan travellers. Expect to find paranthas (stuffed flatbreads) and sandwiches. As you begin to inch closer to Leh, you will start noticing a smattering of mok mok/momos (steamed dumplings), chowmein (an Indian take on traditional stir-fried noodles), and Maggi (Instant noodles) on menus. A meal at a roadside shack will rarely set you back by more than £5 (INR 500). There are also loads of mid-range and some truly exquisite restaurants in the bigger cities you’ll hit during this road trip. We’ve mentioned a couple of our favourites in the itinerary  below  🙂

The cumulative expenses depend on the kinds of hotels and restaurants you choose to stay and dine. As with every other country we visit, we chose quaint lil B&Bs for the days when we had to be on the road all day and just needed a place to crash at night and luxury hotels for languorous days that had to be spent in the same city. Besides accommodation and food, expect to spend approximately £120 (INR 12000) on fuel and £40 (INR 4000) on tolls and road taxes if you’re driving a rental car . This sum is a bit lower if you’re driving your own car.

Try renting a 4X4 for your road trip to Ladakh – this isn’t essential but it makes the ride easier. It is easy to rent a car in most major cities in India. As most of you probably know, driving in India is like nowhere else in the world. Roads are chaotic and lane driving is but a myth. Taking these things into consideration, it’s best to rent a car from an Indian rental company . Such companies understand the nuances of the Indian market well.

There are a number of car-rental companies in India. Here are a couple of things we kept in mind while renting a self-drive car in India:

• Make sure you opt for a company that provides unlimited mileage. A lot of companies offer a quote that includes limited mileage. Customers are charged an extortionate amount for every kilometre over the fixed mileage. This is never a good idea if you, like us, love taking detours and discovering offbeat gems along the way.

Keeping these things in mind, we rented a Scorpio from Myles Cars   for our self-drive road trip and the experience was seamless. We opted for their personalised service, which included a pick up/drop off at our doorstep (something we’ve seen only in India 🙂 ). Our car was in great shape and didn’t give us trouble as we drove through varied terrains, bumpy roads, and mountain passes. We drove it much more than we anticipated but paid no additional cost (thanks to the unlimited mileage clause!)

Now that the logistics are out of the way, let’s head to the fun stuff. Here’s a day by day breakdown of a road trip to Ladakh:

Day 1: Driving from Delhi to Patnitop

The first day’s drive through bustling Indian towns and cities and plains is perfect to acquaint oneself with driving in India. The drive from Delhi to Patnitop , a small hill-station in Jammu and Kashmir is long. It can take about 16 hours (although Google says 10 ;-)), so you might consider breaking it if you don’t enjoy long days on the road. In any case, always take frequent breaks especially if you are the only one driving.

Start early – we left Delhi at 4.30 am. We took the following route: Delhi-Karnal-Ambala-Ludhiana-Jalandhar-Pathankot-Udhampur-Patnitop. This drive isn’t particularly scenic and there are frequent toll booths along the way. However the first 7-8 hours boast of great roads. Also, there are lots of service stations and public toilets along the way.

There is no shortage of restaurants. International chains – McDonald, KFC, Subway – seem to be extremely popular in the area. But if the weather’s conducive, we’d suggest taking a pitstop at a traditional Indian  dhaba (shack) for some North Indian grub.

Fight the impulse to follow your GPS blindly and try to stay on the highway as much as possible. For eg. our GPS took us through ‘shortcuts’ towards Gurdashpur and Binanagar. Instead of following the highway and driving towards Pathankot, we obeyed the GPS. This was the worst idea ever as roads were bad and in horrible condition. We ended up wasting 2 hours on an already long day!

Accommodation:

Patnitop is a small hilltop town that makes for a perfect pitstop for the night. There are a few hotels and resorts in the area. We chose to spend the night at Vardaan Resorts because it was recommended by a couple of locals.  Rooms are clean but dated and food is fresh. The view however is enviable. Waking up to this view made us really excited about the panoramas that lay ahead.

Day 2: Driving from Patnitop to Gulmarg

This is when the fun begins in real ernest. Almost as soon as you leave Patnitop, you will start spotting lush forests, meadows, glistening waterfalls, and blue skies. Apple farms start making an appearance and Kashmir’s sun-drenched panoramas put visitors in a good mood. At one point you’ll cross Jawahar tunnel and the moment you come out on the other side, you’ll be greeted to the first glimpse of the beautiful Kashmir valley.

The winding hilly drive from Patnitop to Gulmarg takes over 8 hours. Expect to make loads of stops along the way – rainbows play hide and seeks with red-cheeked kids in the countryside and Kashmir. Glowing and throbbing nature is at its best and most magical here in Kashmir.

Make sure your fuel is topped up when you leave Patnitop as gas stations start getting scarce at this point.

You could choose a hotel in Srinagar or Gulmarg. We chose to stay in a slightly secluded spot in Gulmarg – The Khyber Himalayan Resort and Spa was recommended to us by a reader and we’re so glad we chose it for our stay in Gulmarg. It’s a magical property, nothing short of splendid. Decadent rooms overlook snow-capped peaks and coniferous forests. On s haring a photo on our Facebook page , we found out dozens of our readers have stayed there in the past and all of them gush about it – so glad we aren’t the only ones! 🙂

Days 3-5: Gulmarg & surroundings

We spent 3 nights at The Khyber Himalayan Resort as we explored Gulmarg and its surroundings. It provided the perfect break from all that driving. Nature is extravagantly beautiful in this part of Kashmir.

You could just pick up your car, pack a picnic basket, and find an idyllic picnic spot just about anywhere. Alternatively you could go for a hike , one that’s as easy or strenuous as you want it to be, through Gulmarg’s magical woodlands. Don’t forget to hop on the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest operating cable cars in the world . The first level of the gondola ride is passable but the views of the Himalayas from the second level are splendid. Highly recommended. Tickets cost £16 (INR 1600). Go prepared for LONG queues 🙂

Day 6: Driving from Gulmarg to Kargil

Finally it was time to leave the serene environs of Gulmarg and head to faraway hills. The drive from Gulmarg to Leh cannot be covered in 1 day, so it’s best to cover it over 2-3 days. Kargil is the perfect pitstop if you decide to do this stretch over 2 days.

This drive is one of the most scenic drives so far. Expect glacier views at Sonmarg, little streams at Drass, herds, cheery shepherds, flocks of sheep, and seductive stretches of countryside. At Zoji La (Zojila Pass), one of the bottlenecks along the way, roads are dubious but stunning views abound. Snow-laden panoramas are everywhere to be seen so it’s hard to get annoyed at the bad roads or traffic jams.

Start early. The drive from Gulmarg to Kargil is just 250 kilometres long but it took us 12 hours because the mighty Zojila Pass is always jam-packed and the roads on this stretch are in bad shape. To add that, there was a protest in one of the villages on our way and the villagers had blocked all traffic for a couple of hours. Always stay prepared for things like these when driving in India 🙂

It being peak season we were unable to find any hotel in Kargil for the night. Finally, after over 2 hours of first pulling into Kargil, we found a dingy room at a local guesthouse. We were grateful for the beds at the end of a long day but we can’t recommend the place. I won’t get into the nitty-gritties but let’s just say we were very glad to get out of there next morning! 😉

Day 7: Driving from Kargil to Leh City

The military presence in this area can’t be glazed over. You will spot soldiers everywhere – this is because of the volatile political situation in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Scenery wise, this stretch of road is spectacular ! In fact, it is so scenic you will want to stop every 5 minutes especially as you inch closer to Leh. As we made our way to Ladakh, we could see lush meadows, and Chinar forests giving way to barren landscapes illuminated by the glimmering sun. Monks could be seen everywhere and monastries dotted the landscape as far as the eye could see – that’s when we knew we had arrived in Leh!!

Some of the places that are worth stopping on the way are Lamayuru village (mid-way between Kargil and Leh), Alchi, and the famous (and much hyped) magnetic hill .

Start early with lots of time on hand and stop to absorb the scenery every 20 minutes 🙂 Have lunch at Lamayuru to break your journey and enjoy the peaceful vibe at the monastery.

Leh City has loads of guesthouses and hotels to suit every budget. Choose one that gels with your travelling style – just make sure the hotel offers parking (as you will need to leave your rental car here while exploring Nubra Valley & Pangong Lake), rooms are heated, and it has oxygen supplies should you need them.

Since we had to spend quite a few days in Leh city, we chose the luxurious Chamba Camp Thiksey . It overlooks the gorgeous Thiksey Monastery, far from hustle-bustle of Leh City. Glamping is the only way to stay next to some of the most remote panoramas of the world in such luxury. We’ve been glamping in loads of places around the world but I’ll say this – nowhere has it been more decadent or scenic that in India. We loved waking up in our decadent tent at The Ultimate Travelling Camp, nestled amidst snow-capped mountains and spending languorous days absorbing Leh’s natural beauty, with cappuccino on call 🙂

Days 8-10: Explore Leh City and surroundings

There are loads of things to see in Leh City.

• Explore Shanti Stupa , a Buddhist stupa located on a hilltop
• The  Old Town of Leh also makes for a fascinating self-guided walk – explore its crumbling houses, the buzy marketplace, and Leh Palace
• Leh Palace offers great views of Leh City but for truly spectacular views of Leh City, head to the neighbouring  Namgyal Tsemo Monastery
• Outside the city, Thiksey Monastery and Hemis Monastery offer an insight into the Buddhist way of life. It’s easy to spend hours at each monastery – exploring rooms, marvelling at staircases, and talking to monks. Don’t miss the early morning call to prayer and prayer ceremony at Thiksey Monastery.

All these historical and cultural sites draw visitors. However here in Leh City, the landscape is the real draw – you could stop just about anywhere and be treated to a special view.

Take it easy on your first day in Leh City and give your body time to acclimatize to the altitude. If you’re on a road trip, chances are you will adjust pretty quickly because the ascent to such high altitudes has been gradual. However the difference in altitude might hit you harder if you’ve flown straight to Leh City. In any case, refrain from consuming spicy/heavy food or alcohol for the first couple of days. Have loads of water and keep yourself well hydrated.

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140 thoughts on “ leh ladakh road trip: an unbelievable drive in india ”.

This is Amazing and extremely helpful. Thank you for the detailed post .

Thanks Ananya – so glad you found it useful 🙂 We wanted to pen EVERYTHING that could potentially help someone planning a trip to the area! 🙂

More than just a tour guide, its extremely helpful for people like me who are planning a trip to Ladakh.

Thanks Suyash – it took us SO long to put all this information about a roadtrip to Ladakh together in one post but your comment just made it all worth it 🙂

Hi Savi/Vid,

I have been following your page from quite a while now. I love to read your experiences and struggles in a trip. I have been struggling from last few months to plan my honeymoon trip from April 20th. It would be great if you can help us with some inputs. We are planning a road trip to Ladakh from Manali. Is it a good option for honeymoon purpose, as we both like road trips, that’s why we thought this could be a good option. We are planning a 10 days trip from Manali to Leh and vice-versa.

Plz share your inputs also if you have any other suggestions than Ladakh, we are open for suggestions.

Plz help in the same, we are planning a decent honeymoon trip within India as we are not interested in Maldives, rest most of the countries have not opened there borders yet.

Waiting for your reply.

Hey Shivani – if you choose nice accommodation Ladakh can make for a good honeymoon 🙂 If you want someplace warmer with nice honeymoon-friendly hotels you can also choose Kerala

Such a awesome journey it look like .. I been there many a times but seems like life got refreshed after reading your words with awesome pictures … Much useful link .. In august I am Going again . Will Try all the places which U guys mentioned . Thanks 4 the post .

Thanks a ton Harkaran – so glad you enjoyed our guide to driving in Ladakh 🙂 We’re not surprised you keep going back to Ladakh – Have fun in August & don’t forget to send us photos

Stunning pictures. After reading this post, I am so looking forward to my trip to Ladakh! <3

Thanks Deepika – we hope you have an amazing time in Ladakh. Do try to check off some of the lesser known sites (Lamayuru, More Plains etc) too 🙂

Hi guys.. Wonderful writing & you guys make my mind to go & see such a beautiful place in India.. Photos are amazing. Hope you had great time there

Hey Manoj – it’s awesome that we managed to persuade you to go and drive around Ladakh. We promise you you’ll love it 🙂

I was 4 when I was left behind due to my acute asthma in 1986 by mom and Bro to joindad in Ladhak serving the Indian army.At this time this little gem wasn’t known to the world.But I grew up on stories from the valley and have been wanting to go there since I was 4. Last year after a lot of convincing my husband took me upto Srinagar, Sonamarg and Zozilla pass. I had to call dad then to salute him to serve the nation at the toughest battlefield and also assure him my asthma was doing just fine. I have been holding up Leh because I wanna drive up there and not fly so I acclimatise well.Your post is just what was needed. Thank You ?

Hey Kamakshi – you’re welcome. As we mentioned, Savi’s bronchitis held up well in Ladakh. We’re sure you’ll be fine and would love it 🙂 Just make sure you book a hotel with oxygen supplies and don’t try to pack in too much in your schedule. Hugs from us

Awesome blog, have been on two treks in Ladakh (personally count it among my favourite destinations, though obviously there is a lot of world left to explore) but your snaps are brilliant and a road trip looks like a pretty interesting prospect for a 3rd visit. Do visit the Tso Moriri if you ever go again. Long drive but personally thought it was way better than Pangong…

Thanks Uday – you should definitely try driving to Ladakh. We’ll be back for Tso Moriri but thought we’d recommend it to our readers anyway – we heard SUCH great things about it 🙂

Stunning pictures, great writing and truck load of information. Thanks for such a detailed post. Definitely bookmarking this series for our future leh travel plan. I have to ask, do you guys had any issue with self-driving in and around kashmir and ladakh? I keep hearing there are lot of taxi union issues, any comments.

Hey Krithika

Thanks a ton – glad you enjoyed the post 🙂 Driving in Kashmir and Leh City isn’t a problem but the taxi union is quite strong in Ladakh – we’ve written all about it (and how we dealt with it( in days 11 -15 of our itinerary here: https://www.bruisedpassports.com/india/epic-road-trip-leh-ladakh

Guys, it seems like an awesome journey! I’m just speechless. 🙂 The views like those make it all worth it. I’ve been wanting to go to Leh since forever. I think this post will help a lot! 🙂

Thanks a ton Ramya – hope you make it there super super soon. A roadtrip to Ladakh is truly dreamy 🙂

Absolutely stunning views and informative blog post. Can I just ask what camera you’ve used for these pictures?

Keep doing what you are doing!

Thanks a ton Harshitha 🙂 We use a Nikon D610 for all our photographs – we’ve written a detailed post on our travel and photography essentials: https://www.bruisedpassports.com/featured/travel-photography-essentials

Thanks v much Savi! Really appreciate your response, it’s been really helpful.

Btw, i just turned on notifications on your insta account! Great pictures you guys ?

Thanks a ton Harshitha 😀

Hey! I have been waiting for this post, so that I can make notes before I leave for my trip:) Loved the post and the pictures are incredible as always:) Thanks for taking out time to answer all my queries with regard to the accommodation at Leh, Nubra and Pangong. I have made bookings at the same stays at all 3 locations 🙂 Leaving on 17th July, so excited. Thank you so much 🙂

Hey Chinar – that’s awesome. You MUST send us photos when you visit Leh & Ladakh. We’d love to share them with our readers 🙂 Hope you found all the information you wanted – feel free to drop us an email if you need anything else

finally , the itinerary is out. Covers all bases , but just wanted to ask for someone not going by car to leh , what all can be done using motorbikes and what will need a taxi? was planning to take taxi for Nubra valley and Pangong and Motorbike for Leh local??

Hey Gaurav – you can refer to days 11-15 to see what we did but I think what you have in mind is great. In fact you can even cover Nubra and Pangong by bike but do be warned, the roads are really steep and in bad shape. However we did see a few bikers covering the route themselves 🙂

Thanks , taking lots of cues from u guys , hope we end up as much fun as u guys. Cheers.

Awesome Gaurav. Have fun and send us photos from you trip to Ladakh 🙂

Best post of yours till date.. such detailed write up and envious pictures to match up with it..3 weeks in Heaven i should say.. keep rocking guys..

Thanks a ton Madhu – so glad to hear you found it useful 🙂

just wat i needed, have been waiting since the day ur first post abt Ladakh came uo… its just my dream destination. Being suffering from chronic disorder its just scares me out listening the stories abt the place but the moment i see any pic of leh ladakh it seems this is wat i wanna do. And ur pictures, they motivate me to the T. they just scream out saying “Come fall in love with me”…just get goose bums seeing god’s beautiful creation and to witness it would be something else. great job guys love love love you. BIG HUGS AND KISSES TO U.. stay blessed and KEEP LIVING.

Thanks a million Prachi – It’s easy to get medical attention, especially in Leh City. You should make a short trip just to test the waters 🙂

Yup this is on my top priority list now. And next to top is meeting you guys. you truly are big time INSPIRATION. just WAITING FOR MY BIG FAN MOMENT. 🙂

Aww thanks Prachi – I hope our paths cross somewhere around the globe super soon 🙂

What time of the year did you take this trip? Want to plan one in April, advisable?

Hey Vamshika – we went in July. In April some roads are still snowed under, so do check before going. Or you could fly to Leh City and you’ll explore it from there 🙂

You guys are lucky to have made it just before the ban on self driving cars in Ladakh region.

Hey Sam – we didn’t. We drove to Ladakh and back from Ladakh but rented a taxi to explore Ladakh while we were there. Please see days 11-15 for this!

Great post, even greater pics! Surely gonna use this if and when I plan an epic road trip to Ladakh. Btw, you guys look amazing in all of the pics!

@Vid: If possible, could you write a post on your photography workflow? How you manage the RAW files, what softwares you use etc? I have read about your travel photography gear but was curious about the workflow.

Thanks for the tonne of info already 🙂

Regards, Anu

Hey Anu – thanks a million 🙂 Sure I’ll definitely pen a post on that. I have a few huge HDDs (couple of TBs each) to store RAW files and I use Lightroom to edit photographs

Omg!! My husbanhuhas always been dying to be here and I have been researching the areafor quite some time now but reading all of your series I am also desperately wanting to be there. So beautiful described! This is definitely on top of my list now! Thanks for the traveling goals..

Hey Sneha – so happy to hear you enjoyed reading about our roadtrip in Ladakh 🙂 Hope the two of you make it there soon 🙂

It’s so beautifully written that sitting on my bed feels like driving on the panoramic Leh and Ladakh road.You two are inspiration for me!!

Thanks for that Upasana – this took so much time to put together but your comment just made it all seem worthwhile 🙂

Wow..I mean wow..Reading this was like traveling to Kashmir . And the pictures are so beautiful. Loved reading ! Sorry for all the exclamation marks but I am awed.

Thanks Khushboo – so happy to hear you enjoyed both the text and words- yay 🙂

Great travelogue. I haven’t seen northern India but now I won’t be able to stay away. Thanks!

This was our first road trip to The Himalayas and it did not disappoint 🙂 You should definitely head over!

Thanks for such detailed and helpful posts and for not saying that driving in India is too crazy to attempt – I drive here everyday and love it! I think once you understand the culture and drive like an Indian it’s not too unsafe. I’d love to try this road trip on a car or a bike. Thanks for the self drive car hire tips and stunning photos too!

Hehe Anna – driving in India is a different ballgame altogether but it’s definitely doable and a lot of fun. Would love to hear from you after you attempt a roadtrip to Ladakh – have a feeling you’ll love it 🙂

Your post reminded me of my CEAT tyres sales trips in punjab and jammu. Gt road and beyond. 20 yrs back.

Extremely beautiful Photoes…

Thanks a ton Hardik 🙂

Amezing clicks! Which month u did it? how was weather? any rain?

We went in June and the weather was amazing. We didn’t encounter any rain 🙂

You guys r just superb!!.. Seeing u travel makes me leave everythng nd jst go by d flow lyk u guys do U both are such full of positivity nd full of lyf dat it makes us believe all d more in everything u do

Dear Anubhuti, you are too kind and generous in your appreciation. We are really humbled by your words.Thanks so much and we hope you also get a chance to travel around the globe and explore everything for your self 🙂

You Guys Are Doing Awesome Work. Keep Exploring!?

Thanks a ton Meet 🙂

I heard you could do go through Ladakh by road these days. Walked from Lamayaru to Darcha (took almost a month) and then bus to Manali 30 years ago! Memories. Time to go back.

Hey Steven – Walking from Lamayaru to Darcha sounds like one incredible adventure. Love the sound of it. You should definitely re-visit Ladakh – you’ll be surprised at just how much things have changed 🙂

I just checked the route – been trying to match my old photos to Google maps! We walked quite a bit further, over the Shingo La (I remember that) into Himachal Pradesh and we must have hit the road at Keylong. It appears many of the gompas are still only accessible by foot – Photoskar, Lingshed, Lingshot, and some others. There is now a new gravel road up to Phuktal north off the Manali road. Did you get up there? That is a truly incredible and memorable place, thousands of years old. I also remember as it was an easy 40 mile river valley walk from Padum, so on a road trip could be done from Padum in a couple of days. Lamayaru to Padum was about 2 weeks of daily mountain climbs – still walking only.

Hi, Which month did u travel?..Love the season colors..

Hey we travelled during summer (June)

Hi, I really wanted to know about the weather there in May.We are planning in last week of May this year.there will three kids in the group. TIA

May is a great time but sometimes the snow hasn’t melted and many roads are not open. So check for updates before leaving

It is a very advantageous post for me. I’ve enjoyed reading the post. It is very supportive and useful post. I would like to visit the post once more its valuable content. Thanks a lot for this beauty Enjoying article with me. I appreciate it very much!

We are a group of 3 engineering students from Mumbai and we have been dreaming of going to Leh Laddakh since our freshmen year! Thanks to your blog we are finally planning a bike trip to Leh from Delhi and back this year. Kudos to you guys for inspiring people like us. We shall make full use of your suggestions. Keep up the great work and wish you luck for your future endeavors.

Hey Rohith,

thanks a lot for your message. Hope you guys had a great road trip to Leh Ladakh – do share photos with us if you get a chance 🙂

Hey there ! Every time I surf thru https://www.bruisedpassports.com , I’m in awe of you both. Cheers guys ! Now coming on to the important point, how much did it cost for the entire trip. Plus would like to have your advice on the following route we intend / plan to take – delhi to Srinagar (via flight) to leh ladakh to manali / Jammu (via road) and fly out of delhi. Would we be doing justice to the scenic beauty of Leh Ladakh. Secondly, what time of the year does it opens for civilians, which month onwards

Best Sripat

Yes your itinerary will be doing justice to the beauty of Leh Ladakh. Costs will vary as you’ll have to hire a cab from Srinagar to Leh to Manali/Delhi. We rented a car and drove from Delhi back to Delhi. You will be taking flights. So it’s difficult for us to tell you the estimated cost for your trip 🙂

It usually opens May onwards but that varies year on year so best to check that closer to your trip

Hi Guys . We are planning to do a road trip from Delhi to Leh , but i am hearing all scary stories that a rental Car ( yellow/black board) should be avoided as the locals don’t let u pass after a certain point ? Is this true ? Most of the folks are advising us to take flight to Leh . What do you suggest?

Hey you can only drive till your hotel in Leh in a rental car. Beyond that, (say for Nubra / Pangong etc.) you have to take a local taxi. Nothing to worry about. Taking a flight to Leh is also not a bad idea – to be honest Delhi – Patnitop drive was quite bleh and I’d rather skip that. That said, Kargil – Leh and Leh – Jispa are some of the most stunning drives so if you fly to Leh and back you’ll be missing those 🙂

Loved your post. Is the road trip doable with kids?

Thank you 🙂

I believe it’s best to take a doctor’s advice on that as many people suffer from altitude sickness in Leh and it might not be good for kids

Hi Your post is great.. Its detailed and covers all the bases.. I have read and heard that self-driven cars from Myles and the like are not allowed beyond a point in ladakh as the local car hires do not allow you to use ur rented vehicle. I am planning for a similar trip in July by renting a car from one of these app based rental services. Need your input on this. Should I go for it or look out for other options?

Hey Aditya,

Yes, you’ll only be allowed to take the car to Leh. For Khardung-La, Nubra, Pangong lake etc., you will have to hire a local car.

Can we plan a trip in July ion leh?

Yes in fact July is one of the most popular months to do a road trip to Leh Ladakh 🙂

Hi we are planning to visit leh ladakh during aug.. wanted your suggestion on where should we stay- at nubra valley or at diskit because i’ve heard all monastriea are closer to diskit but dunes are closer to nubra.. bit of confused over there. Also, have been reading articles about altitude sickness at leh. I’ve never felt any such sickness before while travelling to hill stations..should I be worried this time?

Hey one can never predict altitude sickness, so we can’t say anything. You’ll just have to wait and watch. As a precaution, do spend 1-2 days getting acclimatised to the altitude before starting to explore. We’d say Diksit is a better option 🙂

The photofeature of the Manali-Leh Ladakh road trip is just mesmerizing. Definitely have to give it a try.

Best time to visit Leh Ladakh would probably be like in mid-December and Jan starts it is one of the most charming places to see I have visited there for like 3 days and 4 nights, food is also delicious. thanks for the wonderful article.

Yes we’d love to visit Leh Ladakh in winter months 🙂

Excellent blog writing with beautiful photography enjoy reading such a nice blog. Thank you for sharing.

I have read this article this is such an amazing place for hill lover. Thank you for sharing.

Thank you for your detailed report!

Would you recommend doing this trip in July? We are a European couple who loves roadtrips and I have seen so many beautiful videos of this region but I don’t know if it’s not too dangerous to drive the roads?

Hey there – would’nt recommend driving yourself if you haven’t driven extensively in India before this 🙂

Hey Savi and Vid,

Amazing Post and beautiful pictures!!! I was planning on visiting Leh-Ladakh end of June and this article is undoubtedly the best one I have come across. Could you please let me know when (which month) did you visit?

Hi Sharanya,

We drove to Leh Ladakh at the end of May / beginning of June 🙂

Ladakh is a standout amongst the most attractive tourist destinations on the planet. It has amazing natural magnificence and beautiful scenes which impress visitors. Thanks for the amazing post with a great picture.

That’s right!

What an amazing experience you had in this road trip. I am eagerly waiting for mine, and yes your 10 Tips for planning trip to leh ladakh would be so helpful to us. Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

Great – enjoy your road trip to Ladakh 🙂

Hi We are family of 3. Myself, my husband and our 3 year old daughter. Could you pls tell me which is the best time of the year to visit Leh Ladakh. We plan to make a road trip.

We went in May/June and it was great. You do have to check the road conditions though as they vary from year to year. July/August is better but also more crowded and risk of high rains.

Hello Vid and Savy,

Your article is awesome and the photos are just incredible, that’s the best pictures I’ve ever seen of Ladakh! I’m travelling to Ladakh next year with my girlfriend, I can’t wait to be there 🙂

We are motivated to follow a similar itinerary as yours, renting a car from Delhi. However, we are wondering if this still possible. First because of the situation in Kashmir, could there be additional restrictions for foreigners? We are also unsure if it’s possible to drive a rental cat in Ladakh. On this website ( https://www.leh-ladakh-taxi-booking.com/contact-us ) it says that tourists are not allowed to drive in Ladakh and that it is compulsory to have a driver. Is it true? Is there a difference between foreigners and Indian tourists when travelling in Ladakh? Where to find the official rules?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Damien from France

Apologies for the delay in getting back to you. In general, self-drive rental cars can be driven to get to Leh (capital), but you can’t drive rental cars to get to say Nubra valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri etc. To get to these places you need to hire a local driver.

Have you driven in India before this? It can be a very challenging experience for someone who has never driven in India. Also, as you pointed out, the current situation in Kashmir might not be favourable for a road trip via the Srinagar route.

There is a difference between foreign tourists and Indian tourists when in Ladakh e.g. you will need to get additional permits to visit Nubra/Pangong/Tso Moriri. There was a website http://www.lahdclehpermit.in/ for issuing permits online but I just noticed (June 2020) it’s not issuing permits online (this might change as they must be revising rules etc. after the situation in Kashmir last year)

Do keep us updated. It’d be interesting to see what you do. Any other questions, just mention them here.

Nice coverage of the place. I really like to this article its very interesting and informative. Thanks for your amazing travel guide and your photos are mind-blowing.

This is really a lot helpful. Me and my friends are planning a trip soon. Is Maruti Suzuki XL6 a good choice to drive for the trip? Plz reply

Yes it should be a decent choice for driving in Ladakh 🙂

Thanks for sharing very nice planning. Hire the best self-drive cars in Coimbatore we are here our name Cars2u all brand cars and pick your favorite color cars2u is the best choice, No1. service providers, cheapest self-driving cars in Coimbatore visit our web page. choose your favorite cars all times available free doorstep delivery

Thank you so much for this content. You discussed very interesting things in this blog. I also have a great experience on Delhi to Leh trip. Checkout my content, hope you like it.

Amazing clicks Savi. The narration is really flowing, made me relive the journey. Thank you!

Nice blog post with wonderful pictures. I’m from ladakh and I really enjoyed your blog post like watching your trip on the screen like a movie. Your stay in Kashmir was very short..there are other great tourist attractions in Kashmir.

Your Delhi to a leh-Ladakh road trip is so Amazing. Really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure you this would be beneficial for most people.

Super excellent blog writing with beautiful photography enjoy reading such a pleasant blog. many thanks for sharing.

Brilliantly scripted, well presented with the right balance of information and story telling and of course, your landscape photographs have taken this narrative to a different orbit altogether. Thank you guys for sharing your experiences in such a wonderful manner. I am sure there will be a lot fence sitters falling on the side of doing ” Life mein ek Bhar ” trip. A small clarification though, You mention that this trip was in End May / early June. May i know which year?.

Very informative for our journey. What you provided is very vibrant if somebody wants to take a digital tour at the destination. The pictures are mesmerizing and could easily grasp anybody’s interest towards the destination. You had covered all popular places in Ladakh but I’m a little bit eager to know about the off-beat destinations in Ladakh which would be very fascinating for me. Your content is much initiating towards any traveler who is planning for Ladakh trip. I’m convinced that this Ladakh itinerary can brought up anyone’s interest. Keep on travelling.

OMG… What a trip you had guys… it’s amazing… Fabulous… fantabulous … am just dying to follow the same path you did during your entire Ladakh tour from Delhi and the pictures… are just awesome, mind-blowing boss… Thank you guys for this lovely travel guide to Ladakh. Kudos …

Your article was very good, and you have given very good information in this article. I regularly read all the articles on your website

Wow! Such a wonderful article with beautiful pictures, everything is described in detail. The entire article is full off valuable information & tips which will definitely help and encourage all the fellow travelers to plan it more efficiently. Leh Ladakh is one of my dream destinations . I am planning to visit there since long but due to this pandemic it has been delayed. Your article has again increased my passion and I am more excited to feel the breath taking beauty of Ladakh region with my own bare eyes. The Hotels and accommodation you have suggested will surely help me to plan my trip more efficiently. Thank you for sharing your experience and depth knowledge on the sector.

I really enjoyed reading your post. This is a very nice article for traveling and It was an amazing blog I really like it, all pics are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing this article. You can visit us if you need any travel regarding help, we love to do bike adventures

After reading your article, I checked out your website, and i really like your post. It looks massive and pretty cool. It offers a lot of awesome things

I really enjoyed reading your post. This is a very nice article for traveling and It was an amazing blog I really like it, all pics are very beautiful. Thanks for sharing this article.

While reading your post I was virtually on a Ladakh trip. You explained each and everything day to day very beautifully. It is very informative, could you please explain the exact cost breakup of the rented car to and fro Delhi.

It was roughly around 3K per day (unlimited kms) and we had to pay the state road tax ourselves when crossing different states

Hey Savi, The blog you shared has helped me to plan a trip with my friends, the images you have shared are so much tempting. Ladakh is a wonderful beauty. I am planning for a Ladakh Motorcycle Tours with friends, hope it turns out as planned. Thank you for sharing the information, just loved it!

Hey Savi, You’ve accomplished a great job. I’ll definitely share it with my friends and suggest it to my acquaintances. I’m certain that they’ll benefit from this website.

Waoo, well written …keep it up, I also did Chadar Trek

Hey, loved reading the blog! Can you also tell which month you went? Or any suggestion on best time to visit Leh Ladakh?

HEy we’ve been in both summer and winter and it’s beautiful. But if it’s your first time, we would suggest June-July

welldone. i will go there next year.

I really enjoyed your post. This is a very nice article for traveling and It was an beautiful blog I really like it

Found your post interesting to read. Good Luck for the upcoming update.This article is really very interesting

Can you recommend a good driver for 19 June-6 July 2023 for me and my wife. I have detailed itinerary with hotels booked. Cannot find a driver with an email address, so that all intinerary can be sent and proce quoted.

Paweł/Kraków/Poland [email protected]

Found your post interesting to read. Good Luck for the upcoming update. This blog is really very interesting.

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This is very well detailed blog about Leh Ladakh road trip itinerary. It will help many travelers to plan a Leh Ladakh trip. Leh Ladakh has a magnificent beauty which is worth visiting. i am planning for a trip to Leh Ladakh with my family can you please share what are the best months to visit Leh Ladakh.

Very well written article, i love to read it. The article is very helpful for the people who are looking for a Leh ladakh road trip. Leh ladakh is one of the beautiful region which has a natural majestic beauty. When i visited there, the experience was quite wonderful. If you are planning to visit Leh ladakh this article will help you plan your trip to Leh ladakh.

You’ve made some good points there. I am glad thatyou just shared this helpful information with us.Thank you for sharing

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Leh ladakh road trip is a beautiful experience. This article will be very helpful for the people who are looking for a road trip to Ladakh. This article provides detailed itinerary for Ladakh road trip. Thank you for this great information.

Great Trip Leh Ladakh This is a very helpful knowledge for the peoples Amazing Road trip leh Ladakh.

Many Indian’s primary wish to travel Ladakh by a road trip on their own bike. Definitely my dream also. Hope I will also achieve it.

Got our travel rout sorted after reading this post. Thanks it was of great help.

Your guidance is so much helpful for us. Thank you for your share. keep it up.

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The Road to Ladakh: A 5200km Ride on Royal Enfield

A trip to Ladakh is the ultimate relief from the scorching heat of summer in India. Bikers and road trippers eagerly wait for the right time to hit the road to Ladakh in the thick of summer, while the rest of India keeps the fingers crossed in prayer to the god of rains for showers. Evidently, Ladakh road trip is an endless story . Previously, Jatin Kapoor, MD of Alternate Atlas, shared his Ladakh trip story with Indian Eagle . Now, Radhika Sharma from India has her own story to tell on Travel Beats .

I am always fond of traveling though I am unlike travel junkies who are driven by wanderlust. But I am a petrol head cum road tripper with the passion for driving anything that has an engine in it. In June, 2010, my innate desire for driving took me on a trip to the valley of Ladakh in the Himalayas only to discover the pristine beauty that India is. [pullquote] Not all trips make good stories! But my trip will surely make an inspirational story for the readers of Indian Eagle .[/pullquote]

My Ladakh road trip is all about 8 friends, 5 bikes, lots of riding and Ladakh itself. The carrier of choice was Royal Enfield for the life-long journey from Mumbai to Leh via Delhi and Manali. We rode the Royal Enfield bikes for a whopping distance of 5200 kms. Despite being an avid petrol head, I did not drive the bike on that trip. Rather, I preferred being a pillion all the way. We friends got together in Delhi, and then set out for a 520km long ride to Manali when the night began getting darker.

The bikes were serviced in Manali for hassle-free, efficient riding. We picked a first aid kit, some medicines, some snickers and new helmets too. We took an off road to Rohtang and got closer to our destination. June is a month of the rainy season in India. Rohtang, the lord of all passes on the eastern Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, too receives spells of rain off and on. It was a massive hurdle during the trip.

The rainfall caused a landslide which resulted in huge sludge. We got stuck on the way for over 10 hours. One of the bikes broke down adding to our misery. I could not keep up sitting on the back for long; I fell off the bike, and the bike then fell on me injuring one of my feet when the bike was pushing hard to drag itself through the smudge . However, we had a nice time awaiting us ahead just as every cloud has a silver lining.

It took us 5 days to reach Leh. We took shelter at the roadside hotels along the way (most of them were basically decent tents with blankets and beds at cheap rates). We survived on Maggi for a few days. But the thrill of the trip was worth it. Though neither smooth nor plain like city roads, the roads to Leh are drivable and therefore, worth a mention.

More Inspiration 10 Best Road Trips for Biking in India

We had a nice time over cups of chai (tea) on the roadside camps where we chatted with good-hearted people. The warmth of hospitality is still left with me. The pleasure of having Maggi at high altitudes is many times more than that on plains. The same is true about the taste of food at the roadside dhabas. After an eventful ride for 5 days and nights, Leh was our home for the next three days.

[pullquote] Leh is a perfect holiday destination for different people with different tastes .[/pullquote] There are cafes, adventure spots, and spots for leisure. Leh offers day trips to nearby lakes and hills. The place has a bit of antique charm that makes me feel relaxed with a desire to lay back turning my back on all worries. However, my posterior was relieved only when we checked into a hotel where we got read beds.

Then, we rode our bikes up to Khardungla, the world’s highest motorable pass at 17, 582 ft. What a great feeling! The next couple of days were spent taking trips to the beautiful Pangong Lake and the Shanti Stupa (the temple). Pangong Lake is the most scenic lake that I have ever seen in my life. The shimmering reflections of the surrounding mountains on the pristine blue waters of the lake do still take me on an imaginary trip. Then was the time to hit the road back home.

Leh, the ultimate destination of our biking trip, was worth riding all the distance. Our Ladakh road trip that lasted 10 days gave me a wealth of memories for lifetime . Finally, the road to Ladakh is neither a path of roses nor a bed of thorns. It is altogether a new experience, a pleasant memory, an inexplicable thrill, and an overwhelming joy!

Make sure to visit Ladakh, be with nature, wonder at the daring height of mountains, admire the beauty of lakes, and drink to absolute serenity, at least, once in your life. – Radhika Sharma

About the Author

Radhika Sharma is a media professional with 10 years of collective experience with some of the biggest media networks in India. She has conducted premier technology shows. Though personal technology and TV programming are her fields of work at daytime, she is a diehard EDM music junkie and a writer at night. She loves being a petrol head and secretly a Jedi as well. Radhika does not only take pride in being a traveler but also listen to the foodie in her by spending time with forks and knifes.

About Indian Eagle 

Indian Eagle is a fast-growing international travel organization booking the best & cheapest flights online . IndianEagle.com is a most user-friendly portal with simple online travel booking technology which gives safe access to a fair range of cheap flight deals from international US to India airlines .

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Ladakh Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors

By: Author Tashi Lundup

Posted on Last updated: June 11, 2020

In this Ladakh travel guide, you'll learn the best time to visit Leh and Ladakh, how to get around, and what to see and do once you get there.

Ladakh, comprising Leh and Kargil districts, is situated amidst the Himalaya and the Karakoram mountain ranges.

Famous as a Buddhist ex-kingdom, Ladakh is well-known for its monasteries or gompas .

Ladakh is referred to as “Little Tibet” due to the strong influence of Tibetan culture on the region and “Land of High Passes” as it has natural beauty in abundance.

Ladakh is sandwiched between Tibet in the east, Kashmir in the west, the Xinjiang province of China in the north, Pakistan in the north-west, and Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul and Spiti valleys in the south.

Leh, the capital of Ladakh and one of the most popular destinations for tourists in the region, is located at an altitude of 3,500 meters.

The town of Leh was an important trade center for Central Asia on the Silk Route and also served as a transit point for traders on the Leh-Yarkand (presently in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China) route.

Table of Contents

How to Get to Ladakh

When to visit, how to get around , things to do , eco-responsible tourism in ladakh.

Ladakh is accessible either through the air or by road.

There are direct flights from New Delhi to Leh on all days, whereas direct flights are also available to Leh from Mumbai in summer.

Two roads connect Ladakh with the rest of the country.

One could reach Leh by road from Manali or Srinagar. The 490 km-long Leh-Manali highway is open from May or June until mid-October.

One has to cross three passes – Rohtang La (3,980 m), Baralacha La (5,030 m), and Taglang La (5,328 m) to enter Ladakh region from Manali.

On the Leh-Srinagar road, one has to cross two passes – Fotu La (4,108 m) and Zoji La (3,528 m) to reach Leh.

Summer is the best time to visit Ladakh. One could visit Ladakh from May to September when the weather is pleasant.

Ladakh is not accessible by road throughout the year as both the Leh-Manali and Leh-Srinagar roads are closed for more than six months due to heavy snowfall.

However, the roads within Ladakh are still open in winter.

When the roads are closed in winter, the airlines become the lifeline of the people.

It is altogether a different experience in winter with sub-zero temperatures and plenty of snowfall.

The Chadar Trek and Snow Leopard sighting trek are the major activities that are organized for tourists in Ladakh in winter.

See also: 5 Surprising Things About Backpacking Pakistan

The bus services in Leh are limited. While the remote and far-flung areas are connected through a bus run by the road transport corporation (RTC), the bus services in Leh town and peripheral regions are privately-owned.

As a result, the schedule of the bus service is often erratic.

Taxis are available for traveling in and around Leh.

One can choose different types of taxi, ranging from Toyota Innova to Maruti Van, depending on the budget.

People traveling alone or in a small group are encouraged to book shared taxi tours while visiting Ladakh .

Shared taxis are available for tours to all the major tourist attractions (Nubra valley, Pangong lake, Indus valley, etc.).

Using shared taxis will not only save money but also reduce the impact of carbon emissions on the environment.

It's not only weather that one should keep in mind while planning a trip to Ladakh. One has to keep acclimatization to the altitude in mind too.

At a minimum, allow for a full day of rest on the day you arrive in Leh. It is vital to drink a lot of water to stay hydrated at high altitudes.

Inner line permits (ILP) are required for both domestic and foreign tourists visiting any of the sensitive zones such as Nubra, Pangong, Tsomoriri, and the Aryan valley due to security reasons.

ILPs are available online for both domestic travelers and foreigners and are valid for 15 days.

1. Monasteries of the Indus valley: Leh, Shey, Thiksey, and Hemis

As Ladakh is a Buddhist-dominated area, the region is peppered with monasteries of different sects and size.

Perched high on the hill behind the nine-story high Leh Palace is the Namgyal Tsemo Monastery.

Constructed in the 15th century, the monastery is famed for its three-story high gold idol of Maitreya or the Future Buddha.

Shey, once the summer capital of Ladakh, is the house to Shey monastery renowned for a giant copper statue of Buddha gilded with gold.

On the way to Pangong Lake is the majestic Thiksey monastery that is famed for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.

The monastery is famous for its 15-meter high statue of the Maitreya Buddha.

Perhaps the most famous and well-known monastery in Ladakh is the Hemis Monastery, located at a distance of 45 km from Leh.

One of the largest and wealthiest monasteries in Ladakh, Hemis Monastery is famous for the Naropa Festival, which is held every 12 years according to the Tibetan lunar calendar.

See also: Song Kol Lake: Horse Trekking in Kyrgyzstan

2. Nubra Valley

One of the major attractions in Ladakh is the Nubra Valley or “the valley of flowers.”

Compared to Leh (3,524 m), Nubra is at a lower altitude of 3,048 meters above sea level.

Nubra is also the gateway to the famous Siachen Glacier , which lies to the north of the valley, whereas the Karakoram Pass is in the northwest of the valley.

Hundar and Turtuk are the two most visited villages in Nubra valley.

Hundar is renowned for its dunes and the double-humped Bactrian camel.

The village of Turtuk, famous for the Balti tribe, was opened for tourists in 2010. The Balti tribe still follows its age-old customs.

Diskit monastery is the largest gompa in the valley, located just 7 km from Hundar.

3. Pangong and Tsomoriri Lakes

The other major attractions for tourists are Pangong and Tsomoriri lakes.

Pangong Lake, situated at the height of 4,350 m, is a five-hour drive from Leh.

Pangong Lake is 134 km long, and almost 60% of the length of the lake is in the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

Pangong Lake is an important breeding ground for a variety of birds, including many migratory birds.

Meanwhile, to the southeast of Leh in eastern Ladakh at a distance of 240 km far from Leh is the Tsomoriri Lake situated at an altitude of 4,522 m.

The lake is the breeding ground for the highly threatened black-necked crane.

One of the outstanding features of the area around Tsomoriri Lake is the nomads known for moving from one place to the other.

Tsomoriri, one of the highest brackish water lakes in the world, is 19 km in length.

Ladakh's ecosystem is fragile. Since Ladakh is a cold desert, water is a precious resource in the region.

However, due to rapid urbanization and an increase in the number of hotels and guesthouses, mainly in Leh town, people have abandoned centuries-old practices.

Instead of traditional dry compost toilets, flush toilets are being used in hotels and households. 

These are putting a lot of strain on the already depleted sources of water, such as natural springs and it's also contaminating the groundwater.

It is, therefore, advisable to save as much water as possible by taking a bath using buckets instead of showers.

Also, because Ladakh has limited waste management infrastructure, make efforts to reduce garbage by consuming less packaged food and plastic bottles.

It is estimated that more than 3.5 million plastic bottles for mineral water and carbonated drinks are generated in Leh each tourist season.

Instead of buying plastic bottles, refill water bottles from the hotel or water vending outlets in Leh, such as Dzomsa.

I hope this Ladakh travel guide has provided insight into what it would be like to visit this wondrous region of northern India.

Tashi Lundup has been working as a guide with Ju-Leh Adventure for almost 10 years; he has accompanied hundreds of tourist groups during treks and cultural tours in Ladakh. Tashi is also a writer for local magazines such as Stawa .

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

• G Adventures for small group tours.
• Hostelworld for booking hostels.

Friday 3rd of April 2020

Thanks for this very useful guide. I'm supposed to travel to Ladakh this summer, I hope it will be possible!

Hi Thom, I'm envious. I considered going to Ladakh overland while in McLeod Ganj (northern India) but ran out of energy after having been in India for seven weeks.

Whether you're able to go this summer or further in the future, I hope you have a wonderful time!

Supriya Kumar Mitra

Thursday 19th of March 2020

This year I will visited this place, Have you faced any breathing problem?

I did not travel to Ladakh personally, so I can't speak from personal experience. The high-altitudes do require you take time to acclimatize upon arrival, drink lots of water, try to get rest in the first few days and eat well.

An Epic Road Trip to Ladakh from Delhi | Ladakh Road Trip planning, routes & tips

One of the most common questions that I get as a traveler is – Which is the best road trip you have done – especially in India? My answer is a constant – it is the Delhi to Ladakh road trip done over 12 days. In fact, it is one circuit that is almost always included in the best road trips in India. The sheer diversity of the landscapes, steep climbs, off-road experiences, and interesting pit-stops on the Ladakh trip by road is what makes it so memorable and unique. Truly speaking, this is why, even in my Leh Ladakh guide , I have highly recommended a road trip to Ladakh.

While the Ladakh road trip sounds ethereal, it is not a very straightforward one. Its tough terrestrial conditions do require a fair bit of preparation – which ranges from health precautions to getting the right vehicle and pre-booked stays to spend your evenings. You will need to head out at the crack of dawn on most days to cover long distances on this Ladakh trip by road. However, trust me when I say it is going to be all worth it. Those 12 days of my own Delhi to Ladakh road trip were so memorable that given a chance – I would do it all over again. Maybe though this time – it would be a Bangalore to Ladakh road trip. 🙂

This guide to an epic road trip to Ladakh is a memoir of sorts – I will be sharing my own day-wise itinerary of the road trip to Ladakh, the misadventures that I ran into ( and they were fun! ), and lessons learned from my own experience. The Ladakh road trip guide will also, include all the possible routes that you can take from Delhi to Leh, their pros and cons and the best time to do this trip. In short, it will help you will all that you need to plan a road trip to Ladakh. So, let’s begin with a quick introduction to our main destination Ladakh.

• 1 About Ladakh
• 2 Essential tips for a Ladakh trip by road
• 3.1.1 The Pros of a road trip from Srinagar to Leh
• 3.1.2 The Cons of the Srinagar to Leh road trip
• 3.2.1 The Pros of a road trip from Manali to Leh
• 3.2.2 The Cons of the Srinagar to Leh road trip
• 4.1 Day 1 of the Ladakh Road Trip – Delhi to Jammu
• 4.2 Day 2 of the road trip to Ladakh – From Jammu to Sonamarg
• 4.3 Day 3 – Zipping through Sonamarg to Kargil
• 4.4 Day 4 of the Delhi Ladakh road trip – the first feel of Ladakh
• 4.5 Day 5- A rest day in Leh
• 4.6 Day 6 on the Delhi to Ladakh road trip – Heading to Nubra Valley
• 4.7.1 Nubra Valley to Pangong Via Leh & Chang La Pass.
• 4.7.2 Nubra Valley to Pangong Via Shyok
• 4.8 Day 8 of Ladakh trip by road – All about Changthang Valley & Tso Moriri
• 4.9 Day 9 of the Leh Ladakh road trip from Delhi – A touchdown at Keylong
• 4.10 Day 10 on the Ladakh trip by car – Keylong to Manali
• 4.11 Day 11 – Return to Delhi from Manali
• 5 Common FAQs for the Road Trip to Ladakh
• 6 Can we go to Ladakh by car?
• 7 Which car is the best for a Ladakh trip?
• 8 Can we take sedan to Ladakh?
• 9 How many days is Leh Ladakh road trip?
• 10 Is a road trip to Ladakh safe?
• 11 Booking Resources

About Ladakh

Simply put, Ladakh is like the crown of India. Next to the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir , this is a region that is bound by different mountain ranges on all sides. Naturally, it has a name that befits Ladakh –  Land of High Passes . The entire region is quite remote and you will find a lot of Tibetan settlements here. While traversing through the region. you will need to be careful as you are treading along the borders of our neighboring countries. The largest city here is Leh followed by Kargil. The entire region is at a high altitude and visiting here is bound to give you a very different perspective of India. I can promise you that this is one unexplored and stunning part of India.

READ THIS ESSENTIAL LADAKH TRAVEL GUIDE

Road trip or not, if you are traveling to Ladakh, you will need this ultimate guide to Leh Ladakh. It captures everything – from what to see, where to stay, best time to visit and more.

Essential tips for a Ladakh trip by road

Before you get deeper into the details of this road trip to Ladakh, I urge you to first read my detailed travel guide to Ladakh . This has a lot of information on a basic visit to Ladakh including a packing list, the best time to visit Ladakh, the Inner-Line Permits etc. The Ladakh travel guide will help you better prepare for your entire trip. However, in addition to those tips, do make a note of these specific ones pertaining to a Ladakh trip by road.

• Choice of Vehicles – The best car for a Ladakh trip would be a 4×4 drive like a Scorpio, Jeep, Thar etc. In the case of bikes, I have heard that the best ones to enjoy a Delhi Ladakh road trip would be sturdy bikes like Bullets or Royal Enfields. Given the high altitudes, steep roads and in some cases, no roads at all, you need a vehicle with high pick-up capacity and an ability to handle off-roading.
• Expert Driver – Remember these are not straightforward roads. You will encounter narrow ghats, pin curves, tunnels, and slippery mountainous stretches – all through the trip. You need to be an expert driver or at least hire one who can take you around safely.
• Pre-trip servicing of the vehicles – Irrespective of whichever vehicle you choose, ensure that you have serviced it well before you start from Delhi. The large lonely stretches on this road trip to Ladakh are devoid of garages and sometimes, even fuel stations. You really do not want to get stuck owing to some vehicle issue.
• Tool Kits – Ensure you have your puncture repair kits , neon signals and other essential tools required for a smooth car experience packed and ready.
• Snacks for the road – a definite must. Once you leave Jammu or Manali ( depending on the route you take for your Ladakh trip ), you will not have many restaurants or cafes on the road. Keep a lot of water with you, especially to help you with acclimatization.
• Battery packs & chargers – Cannot stress enough about these. You will need this for your mobiles, which do tend to drain faster when you have your GPS on and also, owing to the cold weather.

These road trip tips are quite important for this Ladakh trip. There are, of course, the general tips that I have listed here which are also, applicable. Consider using t his post as your final checklist for this road trip.

Planning the best routes for your Delhi to Ladakh road trip

There are two main routes that you can take to get to Ladakh from Delhi – the Srinagar to Leh route and the Manali to Ladakh route. If you are doing a Delhi Ladakh round trip, then you can actually use both the routes – one while going and the other while returning from Ladakh. This is how I had done 12 days of my Ladakh road trip.

Many people also prefer a one-way road trip to Leh Ladakh while taking the flight as an option to either get to Leh or return back from it. Given that scenario, let me give you a gist of the pros and cons of the two routes so that you can make a wise choice. I have also, clearly recommend which of these routes are better suited for your onward or return journey from Delhi.

Road trip to Ladakh from Delhi via Srinagar

The total distance from Delhi to Ladakh via Srinagar is around 1035 km and it takes around 22 hours to get to Leh. The route goes through Haryana, Punjab, Jammu, Srinagar, Sonmarg and Kargil – allowing you to see the best of Kashmir valleys with its snow-capped Himalayas, verdant valleys and the pretty glaciers melting into gushing rivers. This is definitely a better route to take, especially if you are on your way to Leh from Delhi and you will soon see why.

The Pros of a road trip from Srinagar to Leh

• The driving distances are fairly balanced, allowing you to reach the bigger cities well in time for your night halts.
• The rise in altitude is gradual, allowing you to better acclimatize and avoid AMS .
• The roads are not so deserted and have quite a few petrol bunks as well as small towns along the way.

The Cons of the Srinagar to Leh road trip

• The slightly volatile situation in Srinagar can sometimes create a hassle. However, one can always choose to skip Srinagar and drive past it to Sonmarg.
• Slightly less adventurous in terms of the drive as compared to the Leh-Manali route.

Road trip to Ladakh from Manali

If you actually look at the distance of a Ladakh trip from Delhi via Manali, it will definitely seem lesser. With around 770 km, you might assume that you will reach Leh faster. However, this isn’t the case. Owing to the steeper climb, you are likely to take as long as the Srinagar stretch to get to Leh. No doubt that the new Atal Tunnel has made this stretch easier but you definitely will be missing out on some of the most stunning views of Rohtang pass if you take the tunnel. After all, the whole point of the road trip is to enjoy the passing vistas.

This route is best suited for your journey from Leh to Delhi.

The Pros of a road trip from Manali to Leh

• The driving distance though shorter tends to be a little more strenuous. For one, the climb is steeper and two, there are longer stretches to cover before a night halt – especially the Keylong to Leh stretch.
• One can save around 3.5 hours if they take the newly constructed Atal tunnel from Manali to Keylong instead of Rohtang pass.
• The rise in altitude is steep, even without Rohtang pass. One has to be extremely careful when traveling toward Leh.
• The roads can be quite isolated with just army camps and a few Maggi tents along the way.
• There are a lot of ghats and loops on this route. One needs to be very careful while driving.

A day-wise Leh Ladakh road trip itinerary

With Delhi as your start point, you can pretty much follow the same Ladakh road trip itinerary that I did. Keep aside 12 days for this end-to-end journey – one that I promise will be one of the best road trips that you can do. Going forward, I am going to detail the entire road trip to Ladakh from Delhi in a day-wise manner, giving you enough details on what to see along the way and where to book your night halts. As mentioned in the above section, I used both routes to do this trip. For my onward journey from Delhi to Leh, I used the Srinagar route. The Manali route is what I used for my return trip.

So fasten your seat belts and embark on this stunning Delhi to Ladakh road trip.

Day 1 of the Ladakh Road Trip – Delhi to Jammu

The first day of any road trip is always filled with energy and excitement. Frankly, that is enough for you to get up early and leave the city by 5 am. You can hit the NH44 as early as possible and reach Murthal by around 7 am. Grab your breakfast here – there are tons of Dhabbas and food courts on the highway serving your piping hot parathas with dollops of butter. Continue towards Ludhiana on the same NH 44. You are most likely going to be driving for 4 hours.

I highly recommend you take your lunch break here before proceeding to Pathankot. Again, avoid going into the city and stick to the food courts on the way. Pathankot is around 3 hours on the same NH 44 highway. Fuel up here if you need to or just stretch your legs with a cup of hot tea. Continue on the same highway for another 3 hours and you will reach your first night halt at Jammu Tavi.

This stretch of a road trip from Delhi to Leh has a lot of big towns and less scenery. For me, the high spirits on the first day of an epic road trip to Ladakh were enough to make up for this. Plus, a raucous bunch of fellow travelers singing raunchy songs from the 80s and 90s kept the whole journey so lively that before I knew it, I was in Jammu. I stayed at one of the many Oyo hotels in Jammu Tavi – which was comfortable for the night halt. You can look through this link to find one that best suits you.

Day 2 of the road trip to Ladakh – From Jammu to Sonamarg

Now begins the dreamy part of the Ladakh trip by car. While your total drive time is just around 8 hours, I still recommend an early start on Day two – primarily so that you get some time for sightseeing in Srinagar. Also, the early start will help you make up for any other unforeseen delays owing to the army movement on this route.

Hit the NH 44 again towards Udhampur. This stretch takes around 1.5 hours. I don’t recommend a stop here and suggest you continue on towards the famous Chenani- Nashri Tunnel – one of the longest tunnels in India. This tunnel is also known as the Patnitop tunnel while its official name is Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee tunnel. The tunnel reduces your distance on the Jammu -Srinagar stretch by 30 km and the travel time by almost 2 hours. The smooth connection is around 9 km long and quite exciting to drive through.

Past the tunnel, continue on towards Ramban town where you can grab a bite at one of the many hotels along the Chenab river. The total drive time from Udhampur to Ramban is around 2.5 hours. The tunnel is exactly midway between these two towns. Ensure you take your biobreak here for the next leg of the journey will take you over 3 hours to Srinagar. By now, you would have begun seeing the mighty Himalayas. As you proceed further, the brown hill tops will slowly change to mesmerizing green valleys bordered by snowcapped mountains. This is when you need to take those frequent photo stops to admire the various viewpoints.

However, be careful while stopping along the highway as there are numerous restrictions. You might find a lot of army patrols along the way, stopping you and asking you for your identification. Keep your personal IDs handy as well as the car papers sorted ( insurance, permits, registrations and licenses ). Once you reach Srinagar and assume things are quiet there, spend some time by Dal lake or take a tour of the Shalimar gardens.

The last leg of this Ladakh trip by road on Day two is the most scenic of the lot. As you leave Srinagar towards Sonamarg, you will see the actual reason why Kashmir is termed as Paradise on earth . I just could not have enough of those stunning glaciers that melt into streams right before your eyes. In fact, it was on this stretch that we made the maximum photostops – all in an attempt to capture the verdant vista.

We chose Sonamarg as our final stop for Day Two as Srinagar had a little turmoil happening. Ideally, it would have been great if I had managed to follow the plan I outlined above to the T. However, to our bad luck, we faced a major roadblock owing to a landslide – just after Ramban. This forced us to make an unscheduled night halt in this tiny town. With the loss in time, we had to zip past the scenic stretch to Srinagar – where I wish we had time to stop and click. Driving from Ramban to Srinagar made me feel as if I were traveling through the meadows of Switzerland. The scenes here were absolutely breathtaking and a true testament to the phrase “ Paradise on Earth ”

If you have gone as per the original plan, you can check into a hotel in Sonamarg – many of them are listed on this link .

Day 3 – Zipping through Sonamarg to Kargil

Sigh! Well, I had to do a quick tour of Sonamarg as we reached there a day later than planned – thanks to the landslide. I do hope you have better luck than me and wake up to those enchanting clouds in the meadows of Sonamarg. You can actually start at leisure and spend the morning sightseeing in and around Sonamarg. Leave after a good lunch and head out on NH1 towards the mighty Zojila Pass . This pass marks your entrance to the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The Zoji La Pass is a very significant pass – not just because it connects Kashmir to Ladakh but also, for the fact that it is considered to be one of the most dangerous mountain passes. It is at an altitude of 11,575ft above sea level and is around 25.8 km long. The zigzag road is so narrow that sometimes it allows only one vehicle to pass through – which is why you have to be extremely careful when you drive on it. The pass is closed during winters owing to heavy snowfall. Sometimes, even during spring or summer, it might be temporarily blocked. One should check at army checkpoints of Sonamarg or Baltal before proceeding on the pass. Also, remember the pass closes by 5 pm

Despite the dangerous stretch, one cannot help but gasp at the bewitching valley below – sometimes packed with the colorful tents of people heading for the famous Amarnath yatra . There are one or two vantage points along the pass, where you can stop for a minute or so and enjoy the stunning backdrop of the Himalayas. Once you are past the Zojila Pass, stop at the famous Zero point. This is one stretch that is cold throughout the year. In fact, it is called so because no vegetation is able to survive the extreme temperature.

This is where we chose to stretch our feet. A few photos to remember the crazy adventure and we were soon on our way to Drass – the coldest place in India and the 2nd coldest one to be inhabited on earth. This is where you need to make time for the Kargil War Memorial . This is located right on the highway and is a must-visit destination. Warning though – it is extremely melancholic and it is hard to hold back tears when you listen to the story of the Kargil war, right in front of the very hill it happened.

After the memorial, just take a short break at Drass to refuel yourself and head straight to Kargil. Once in Kargil, you can check into a hotel and relax for the day. Kargil is a lovely city by itself and I highly recommend walking around the river area and the marketplace.

The one thing that you must be cognizant of on this stretch is that your ascent is gradually increasing. Keep drinking a lot of water and avoid strenuous activity to ensure you are not hit by AMS. It is best to avoid smoking and alcohol for the day.

Day 4 of the Delhi Ladakh road trip – the first feel of Ladakh

Though your drive time is just 4 hours, it is best to get an early start from Kargil. The key reason for this is that there are numerous attractions on this stretch of the road trip to Ladakh and a few of them will require time. Again, remember to keep drinking water as you will still be ascending towards Leh.

Fuel up at Kargil and head straight to Mulbekh monastery. In around 45 minutes, you will see a large stone carving of Lord Buddha and that is the Mulbekh monastery. From here, head straight to the Fotu La Pass. A swarm of prayer flags will greet you and invite you to step out and take the surrounding view of the Zanskar range of Himalayas. This is the highest point of the Srinagar – Leh highway and a perfect place to admire how the Ladakh landscape is a huge contrast to the green valleys of Kashmir.

Follow the zigzag roads till you reach the village of Lamayuru. Plan to take a break here for lunch and explore the oldest monastery of Ladakh. The monastery will take around 45 minutes or so and thus, it is better to order your meal at the restaurants near L amayuru monastery before embarking on the tour. Post lunch, stop at the base of the monastery to take in the view of Moonland ( called so owing to the texture of the mountains ).

The next leg of the journey will take around 1.5 hours to the outskirts of Leh. I, however, felt as if it were just 30 minutes – thanks to the stunning and everchanging colors of the landscape. Before I knew it, I was at Nimmoo, taking in the distinct colors of the Zanskar-Indus confluence . After a quick photo-op, you can continue on and experience the Magnetic hill on the way to Leh. Just after the Magnetic hill, remember to stop at the Pathar Sahib Gurudwara. You can enjoy a little refreshment before heading straight to Leh and checking into your hotel. The Gurudwara serves food for free and is maintained by the Indian army.

Leh has a lot of hotels to choose from. You can check this link and book directly using the same.

Day 5- A rest day in Leh

Day 5 in Leh is all about acclimatization to the high altitude. It is best to take it easy and enjoy the city at a slow pace. You can explore the Leh market, visit the famous Leh Royal Palace and the Shanti Stupa or even the Hall of Fame museum in Leh. However, try to keep an even pace and not tire yourself.

While in Leh, apply for your I nner Line Permits either directly or through your hotel. You will need to get permits for your visits to Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri and Pangong Lake. Refer to this link to know more about the Inner line permits.

Day 6 on the Delhi to Ladakh road trip – Heading to Nubra Valley

Do not go by the drive time on this stretch as you are bound to make many many photo stops. The journey to Nubra Valley is filled with surreal beauty. Start early from Leh and head straight to one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world – Khardung La. You can stop for a few minutes here to capture your moment but be extremely wary of the altitude. Avoid staying for more than 10 minutes. After Khardung La, you will actually be making a descent, and might find the ride extremely enjoyable.

You can take a refreshment break at Khalsar before heading to Diskit. The drive from Khalsar to Diskit is very scenic with the Shyok river flowing and the beginning of the cold sand dunes. In fact, I would call it ethereal – especially since the landscape changed from green valleys to red sand mountains to finally white deserts. Here and there you will be able to spot calm lakes with those perfect reflections and if you are lucky like me, then you will even see wild horses around. At Diskit, follow the path to the large Maitreyi Buddha statue – one that you will be able to spot from far away.

Spend an hour or so exploring Diskit monastery before making your way to Hunder. Check into your Nubra valley stay (you can book on here) and relax for the rest of the day amid the white sand dunes surrounded by gorgeous mountains in the company of the famous double-hump Bactrian camels – ones that are usually found here.

A must-mention event that took place during my Ladakh trip by road on this stretch was the Highest Bloggers meet – a feat that has got recorded in the India Book of Records. 20 of us – fellow bloggers were invited for a meeting at the Khardung La Pass by Oyo rooms and ScoutMyTrip. It was quite a gathering when we unfurled our banner at the top of 2nd highest Motorable Pass in the world. Definitely a memory that has been imprinted for life!

READ THROUGH THIS GUIDE ON NUBRA VALLEY

Nubra valley is a destination by itself. This guide to Nubra Valley Ladakh tells you all that you need to know about it – from places to see to tips on where to stay.

Day 7- Nubra to Pangong Lake

2 different routes and the same drive time? Well, do not go by the theoretical drive time and distance. The two routes differ widely in terms of challenges and Ladakh attractions that you can see along the way . The original plan during my own road trip to Ladakh was to take route two – via Shyok but as luck be, the road was not well done and there was tremendous flooding of the river making this particular stretch undrivable. Therefore, I travelled to Pangong via Chang La Pass. In your case, you can make the decision based on your own preference after you read through the two routes below.

Nubra Valley to Pangong Via Leh & Chang La Pass.

If you plan to take this route, leave as early as you can after breakfast. You will be driving all the way through Khardung La to Leh. Grab an early lunch at Leh and head towards Kharoo. On the way, plan to stop at my personal favorite – Thicksey Monastery. It is hard to resist this picturesque place and trust me when I say, exploring it from within is so worth it. However, be aware that if you do decide to do Thiksey monastery, you will have to skip the other attraction – Hemis Monastery , which is also, on the way. You can do either one of them else, you will be pressed for time.

Past Kharoo, you will begin your ascent to the highest motorable pass – Chang La. You can stop for a few minutes on the top and then continue on towards Durbuk and Tangste to finally reach Pangong Lake. The ascent and descent of this Pass is fairly smooth with good roads but it does slow you down in terms of driving. Also, if there is flooding on the way, then you will have a fair bit of off-roading that you might have to do to cross a few streams – like I had to. True that it has its own thrill but it definitely slows you down.

Also, do stop by to see the friendly marmots, who keep popping up along the way.

Nubra Valley to Pangong Via Shyok

For those of you who want to avoid the high altitude ascent and descent at Khardung La and Chang La, this route via Shyok is a good option. I believe now the roads are fairly well done, making this a far easier drive. For this, you can leave a little later from Nubra and travel up to Khalsar. At this point, there is a bifurcation that takes you away from Khardung La towards Shyok Village. From the village you can directly hit Durbuk and then Tangste – all the way to Pangong Lake.

On this route, you will have Shyok river keeping you company all the way to the village. There are no major attractions to stop as such but you will find enough of picturesque spots for a quick photo shoot.

Your night halt in Pangong will most likely be in Tangste or by the tents around the Lake. Remember to bundle up well as the temperatures even in summer tend to go to single digits. You can find your accommodation through this link .

A GUIDE TO PANGONG LAKE

This detailed guide on Pangong Lake – aka 3 idiots lake has all the necessary information you will need for your visit here. From what to pack to where to stay and what to expect.

Day 8 of Ladakh trip by road – All about Changthang Valley & Tso Moriri

Be prepared for a day of completely raw and rugged beauty. Catch the morning sunrise at Pangong lake where within minutes, you will see the sun kissed lake changing colors from an orange-streaked gray to a beautiful bright blue. Fill yourself with a good breakfast and carry some for the road too for going forward, you will find no restaurant or town. The entire day is all about driving through lands that you might have only seen on television – or possibly in your dreams.

From Pangong Tso, head towards Merak and then Chushul. At Chushul , you can stop at the Rezang La War Memorial ( also, called Chushul War Memorial ) – erected in honor of the soldiers who lost their lives during the 1962 Indo-China war. You can take the break to freshen up before turning towards the Leh – Manali highway. This entire area is very close to the China border and hence, stick to the main roads only.

The drive from Chushul to Nyoma is absolutely stunning – with sometimes no road and only dirt tracks. This is where you will see wide desolate patches surrounded by mountains and the only inhabitants in sight are Wild horses and marmots and maybe, a few mountain goats. From Nyoma, head towards Sumdo and finally the only road to Karzok – aka Tso Moriri. You will be traveling along the road with Indus river flowing beside you.

If you found Pangong Lake cold, Tso Moriri will be freezing. It is after all the highest altitude lake. Be prepared with warm clothing. There are only tented accommodation here – which you will have to pre-book in Leh.

Day 9 of the Leh Ladakh road trip from Delhi – A touchdown at Keylong

Be prepared for a long long drive. However, enjoy it as much as you can for this is the last of Ladakh that you will see before you head back to Delhi via the Leh- Manali route. The road back is fairly good and smooth, with very little off-roading. You will pass by Tso Kar – another high-altitude salt water lake and then hit More Plains. One of my biggest highs on my Delhi to Ladakh road trip was driving through More Plains. The stretch is an absolute bliss for bikers.

You can choose to take a night halt at Pang, if you do not want to drive more but I recommend clearing Pang and doing the famous Gata loops to Sarchu. You can always stay in Sarchu if you are tired, else continue on to Keylong. We personally stayed in Keylong and started a bit late the next day. The little break in the morning did do wonders to us.

The few sights that you must look out for include the very Petra like landforms from More Plains to Pang, the 21 hair-pin bends of Gata loops, the ghost temple of Gata Loops at the 19th bend and the Suraj Tal lake before you hit Keylong. While the sights might be self-explanatory, a little lore about the Ghost temple of Gata Loops. The temple is identified by the mounds of plastic bottles at the 19th loop. They say that a truck driver died in the cold long back and even now his soul walks around asking for water. So, as a mark of good luck, drivers on the loop leave behind water or cigarettes at the mound. 😉

There are plenty of restaurants that you will find at Pang, Sarchu and Keylong. You can also, use these places to freshen up on the journey.

Day 10 on the Ladakh trip by car – Keylong to Manali

To be honest, when I did my Delhi Ladakh road trip, I did not have the option of Atal tunnel. The tunnel was completed in the subsequent years, and thus, the only route that I could take was via the lovely Rohtang pass. To be honest, I would still want to do this – purely for the pristine views which include fabulous waterfalls, green valleys and snow capped mountains. However, it is a steep climb.

If you take the Atal tunnel route, you can completely by pass the Rohtang pass and the climb, as well as cut short your distance by a good 2 hours. Of course, the choice is completely up to you. In case you are driving from Pang or Sarchu, the Atal tunnel would definitely ease your drive time.

Given the shorter drive, you can spend some time doing sightseeing in Manali. While there are several hotels in Manali that take you to the center of the town, I would recommend staying a little away, closer to the highway. I stayed in this lovely property by the Beas river. You can find that as well as other Manali hotels through this link

Day 11 – Return to Delhi from Manali

To be honest, this is just a long drive home where you reflect on the lovely memories of those mountains that you have seen over the last 10 days. In some ways, it was pretty depressing to know that I was at the end of my epic Ladakh trip. I wished that we could have spent a little more time, delayed our departure a little bit but then I know there was no end to it.

The Manali to Delhi stretch can be done in half a day, as the roads are very smooth and include toll highways. However, if you still want to cut it down, you can do a night halt at Chandigarh. Keep your PUC certificate handy when in Chandigarh as they are very strict about it and you might be hauled over for a check.

Technically, you are done with the trip in 11 days . The extra day on the Ladakh road trip is required only as a buffer – should you have any landslides, break-downs or similar situations. As you can see, the terrain is tough and it always better do add that extra day.

Well, that is it from me in terms of the Ladakh road trip itinerary. A quick hop over to the FAQs section and then, just remember to pin this ultimate guide to a road trip to Ladakh.

Common FAQs for the Road Trip to Ladakh

Can we go to ladakh by car.

Yes, you can. In fact, I highly recommend a Ladakh trip by car to enjoy the beautiful terrain. Though it might be a difficult drive in parts, with the right precautions and planning, the road trip by car will be very enjoyable.

Which car is the best for a Ladakh trip?

I would highly recommend a sturdy SUV like Tata Hexa or Scorpio for a Ladakh trip. A 4×4 wheel drive is what will help you steer through the tough terrain where sometimes you only have a rocky stretch. You need a powerful engine to climb up the steep slopes as well as a good fuel capacity – mostly because there are large stretches without any fuel bunks in sight.

Can we take sedan to Ladakh?

Yes, one can drive a sedan to Ladakh. However, it will take an extra effort and care to drive through those steep slopes and rugged roads.

How many days is Leh Ladakh road trip?

Keep aside at least 12 days for a Leh Ladakh road trip from Delhi. If all goes well, you can complete the circuit from Delhi to Leh and back in 11 days but it is always good to keep a day extra for any detours or unforseen circumstances

Is a road trip to Ladakh safe?

A Ladakh road trip is quite safe, despite the tough terrain. You just have to ensure that you have planned your route properly and taken all the right precautions – not just for your car but also, for your health.

Before you go, Pin this

Booking Resources

• Booking.com has a lot of options for your stay in Leh Ladakh. You can use this link to browse through the various listings across Leh, Kargil, Hunder, Pangong and more.
• Another good resource for your hotels in Leh Ladakh is Agoda.com . This link allows you to book your chosen hotel directly
• Viator.com has quite a few listings of tours from Leh – including car rentals, bike tours etc. So, if you are not looking to drive all the way, you can consider booking some of these online through this link .
• If you are looking to buy any of your home or travel requirements from Amazon , do consider clicking through my affiliate link and getting there. Remember it will not cost you anything additional but will keep my website going.

Popularly referred to as a Restless Ball of Energy. My Mom refuses to entertain my complaints about my equally restless daughter & assures my husband that I was born with a travel bug.

I am a Post-Graduate in Marketing by qualification and a travel blogger by passion. Besides travel, I enjoy photography and if you don’t find me at my desk, I would be out playing badminton or swimming or just running. I believe in planning for every long weekend through the year. And when I cannot travel physically, I travel virtually through this travel blog. My travel stories have also, got published on various websites and magazines including BBC Travel, Lonely Planet India and Jetwings. I have recently published my first book – When Places Come Alive – a collection of stories that are based on legends, landscapes, art and culture of a place which is available in both ebook and paperback format.

118 thoughts on “An Epic Road Trip to Ladakh from Delhi | Ladakh Road Trip planning, routes & tips”

This is probably the only road trip I have been on, where not a single song from my actual playlist got played. You all heard the #compliment version of the playlist, but it didn’t seem to matter too much. The company on the trip, and songs everyone sang more than made up for that. I also didn’t sit behind the wheel even once and that did not matter too strangely. When I look back on this trip, the only thing that I really remember are the precious moments we all had with each other. We really got to know one another, and put up with each one’s idiosyncrasies. We went as 20 individuals but came back as one group. That is the first reason for me to call this trip a success.

The trip to Tso Moriri, the only thing crossing our minds was to see you guys in piece. The Chushul sector is not known to be too friendly. That was the only reason for us to make a run; and we were prepared enough to camp out in the night in case we did not make it to the Korzok village. That would have been an experience too! But it’s usually just Deepak and I who get caught in those situations.

One thing about the trip we could do better next time around is probably have some more maggi.

All I can say Vineet is that you guys just knew how to get us to have fun and create memories for life. Have always and will always look forward to going #AageSeRight with you guys. I know there will always be adventures along those lanes.

Never been but thanks for adding to my intrigue! Beautiful pictures. Can’t wait to come back to it later when i’m headed that way!

Thanks Anna and you most definitely should keep aside time for Ladakh when in India.

लद्दाख मेरा देखा हुआ है लेकिन लेकिन उसके बाद भी जब किसी और के ब्लॉग या फोटो देखने का या यात्रा सुनने का मौका लगता है तो अपनी यात्रा याद आती है और ऐसा लगता है कि हम दुबारा उसी लोक में पहुंच गए हैं और यात्रा का आनंद उठा रहे हैं,

I know the feeling. I also, want to go back again. Thanks Sandeep for stopping by

ladakh is now on the bucketlist!!! thanks for the awesome share. photos are fantastic!!! great work 🙂

Thank you Lloyd. Rightfully in your list.

Loved reading yours and the teams exploits as the action continues in part-2. Indeed an amazing journey with experiences to cherish for a lifetime. I loved the picture of the horse near the Indus river, he looks so free and without a care in the world against the wilderness.

There are so many natural scens that I am still awaiting to share. It was one hell of a place. Thanks for stopping by Sandy and Vyjay

This is a very comprehensive itinerary of a road trip to Ladakh. Many people fly directly there. But in my opinion, the road trip has a charm of it’s own which nothing else can beat. By the way, couldn’t help staring for long at your beautiful snaps. Very well captured!!

Thank you Neha. Glad you liked the account. I still have loads to share. Will do so in bits and pieces.

Yet another beautifully written blog from you Ami ! Ladakh’s uniqueness can’t really be covered in a single trip or even two. Every time you visit you will learn something new. Our role here was to try and get as much info about the places we visited to all of you. Hope we succeeded to an extent while making sure all of you were safe. But hats off to the entire bunch ! Most hardened travellers have had difficulty in travelling on such terrain for days on end. But this team just did not complain. It was a fun fest for all of us ! Let’s do this again.

Thank you Deepak for initiating this and making it fun for all of us. Vineet and Your impeccable planning and crisis management really went a long way in making this trip a huge success. As always, I shall be ready to go #AageSeRight again with you guys. Till then, shall keep writing my memoirs down 🙂

Good post, good photos. Keep it up, Ami. You have a flair for words. Finally, you have been Lehed.

LOL…Thanks Swayam

Awesome post. Loved reading about your experience. And stunning pictures 🙂

Thank you Purba. Glad you liked it

What an incredible road trip. I love off-the-beaten-track roadies and this one certainly tops any I have done. The photography is beautiful, too.

Thanks Mike and since you like the off the beaten track ones, this is perfect for you. Must try it in India.

Thank you for sharing this epic journey with us, Ami. The road to Ladakh looks like quite the adventure!

It definitely was Doreen and I can so do it all over again!

What fun trip and great anecdotes ! You really make memories that last you a long time when you take road trips. Lovely captures too !

Don’t we know that better Swati. Another of my favorite trips is our Great Rajasthan tour. Can never forget those trips. Ladakh was spectacular nonetheless.

ha ha, true !

Ladakh has always been on my bucket list. These photographs are just breathtaking. It just bumped Ladakh up the list. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Trust me, you ain’t see nothing. These pictures are just the tip and the real thing is even more amazing. You gotta go Lakshmi

awesome post and beautifully captured every moment

Thank you Mayuri

I miss my trip to Himachal too. I can’t just forget the views just like the ones you have taken during a road trip to Ladakh. I remember how our last day was sombre just like how you felt. We just didn’t want the trip to end. Scout my trip was very well organised and they knew exactly what to do.

Mountains do have a hold on you as I discovered. I sure can understand your feelings. Sigh! ScoutMyTrip was really well prepared and that is what made the whole trip such a success! Thanks for stopping by Soumya

What a very long and memorable road trip you had. Such an aamzing adventure and I enjoyed the photographs in this post. The scenes are all picturesque and wonderful. It’s a long journey wherein your eyes are filled with beautiful panorama, breathtaking landscape and have inner peace. What an amazing journey you had, I hope I’ll experience this kind of road trip too.

Thank you Blaine. It sure was an epic trip and yes, I do wish one for you too. It does leave you with so many lifetime memories.

Whoa! 11 days of solid fun and excitement! The scenic beauty all around is mesmerizing and the pictures are so full of enjoyment. I too could have been a part of this if I could spare this stretch of time.

It was fantastic Indrani. You would have had a lovely time. But yes, I understand your constraints on this one. Hopefully we will have another rocking trip soon!

Wow the trip to Ladakh looks quite an adventure. Wait….didI read it right? ” A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH CHINESE SNIPERS”?

Thanks Kenneth. Looks like the Effect worked…..;-) They say that the mountains along the Chinese borders did have snipers looking down at us. Who knows though!

Stunning pics. And can I just admit I am jealous! I did this road trip in 2003, too many years ago. Time to go back to Ladakh with hubby and kiddo.

Even though I did this like a fortnight back, I am already planning a return 🙂

Your landscape pics are so dramatic! Hope you get over your travel hangover soon!

Trust me, the real landscape is so mesmerizing. No wonder it holds me down. Sigh!

The views look absolutely amazing during the whole trip! This must of been a quit adventure. And the photo of the sunrise is stunning! I would be so scared of getting the mountain sickness but I would probably still go, how could I say no to this.

The ScoutMyTrip team took adequate care of ensuring we acclimatize well. Am sure you too would have been fine. The road trip was just amazing!

Reading this post brought back my own travel memories in beautiful Ladakh. The brush with chinese snipers sounded crazy, that path runs really close to China no doubt! I loved reading about the group fun you guys had in Ladakh!

Thanks Tania. It is amazing how close we were to the border. And in some ways, so ignorant of it. However, it was fun nonetheless.

Your words were enough to tempt me but your photos convinced me Ladakh is somewhere I HAVE to experience. What a gorgeous landscape and a beautiful adventure!

Trust me Aisha, the real thing is even more amazing. I hope you plan a trip here.

What a cool blogger trip! I have been wanting to travel to Tibet (or nearby) for many years but have yet to make it. The scenery looks intriguing and the monastery is something I’d be particularly interested in, as well as the off-roading in 4 wheel drive vehicles through the desert (I’ve only done that in Egypt or California!) 🙂

Every bit of this trip was exciting. The monasteries for sure as well as the off roading and the adventures along the way. Am sure you too, will have fun with it.

What amazing landscapes and such an adventure! Lucky lucky!!

Thank you. It sure was a fascinating trip.

I think I have missed the part 1 of your amazing trip but considering that I really liked this post, I have to read the previous one. This place looks beautiful especially because it’s surrounded by nature!! The photos show it very well 🙂

Thank you so much. Each day of this 12 day trip was epic. Glad you liked reading about it.

Have been dreaming of Ladakh for such a long time–infact, for a decade. it genuinely is on my top 3 dream destinations list. need to figure out a way to Mae it happen!

Good luck with that. It sure is one place I would urge you to visit. Thanks for stopping by

Oh my goodness – I can’t believe how incredible the scenery is! The Changla and Rohtang passes are stunning, and it looks like you and your fellow bloggers had an amazing trip. I hope to see it with my own eyes one day.

I do hope you plan a trip here. It is just amazing to see nature like this. Thanks for stopping by Flo.

The place does not look real Ami. Wow! How stunning. From your image placement, and the resolution. I do feel like I am there, in Ladakh. Well done and as always, thanks much for sharing.

Thank you Ryan. It is so hard to believe but this place is real and amazing.

Wow, what an adventure! The scenery is absolutely stunning. I would be depressed if I had to leave there too.

Thanks Sara. I still am in a trance from this trip. 🙂 So you can imagine.

Your Ladakh road trip posts are truly a weblog – an online journal or diary (the kinds I used to keep offline as a teenager). The account faithfully captures the happenings along the way. Enjoyed reliving the trip through this account!

Thanks Ajay. It sure was a lovely trip and it was good finally to catch up with you.

Fabulousness galore. No one could put it as comprehensively as you do Ami. I cannot get over the pics!! Too beautiful esp the one with the prayer stones and also the Pangong lake one. You made me travel with you all through 🙂 Loved the videos and the background story of all those moves 😉 wonderful read. truly one of the most memorable trips any blogger could go on! 🙂

Thanks a ton Divsi. That really feels good to read. I cannot and will not be able to forget this trip for a long long time. And I know I will be returning to Ladakh once again, but this one will always remain special.

Beautiful nature!! And nice pics. never been there but I am quite curious after your article. I hope to read something similar again from your blog 🙂

Thanks Novarino. I think you will find plenty of other articles now on Ladakh here. Take a look.

Incredible scenery to be blessed to witness. The monastery looks incredible. It really is amazing that they could construct something that incredible back then. As I keep reading the scenery gets better and better. SNIPERS! OMG! That trip really is a memory you will never forget.

Thanks a ton guys. And you are so right about that – this is one trip that I am never ever going to forget!

Ladakh is magical .. Reminds me of our road trip in winter. Looks like you guys had an amazing time and the dancing of Avinabh was awesome 😉 Road trip in summer is definitely on our bucket list 🙂

It sure was fun and memorable and you must do one in summer. Thanks for stopping by Swati and Sam.

Ladakh is my favorite place for travel any time. i like your tips and travel information day wise. i like your colorful photos which is calling me for visit ladakh again.

Thank you. It is my favorite place too and I really want to go back.

Hey, This is really amazing post I have seen. Nice writing with beautiful pics.

The landscapes are not at all how I imagine India to be but it sure is beautiful. I definitely want to visit Leh on a future trip

It is a Surreal place and one unexplored one. You most definitely should go.

Ladakh is in my bucket list from many years and I am sure this year I will make it actually planning for during summer time :)…Your post will be helpful for me to make the itinerary. Thanks :).. BTW pics are really great 🙂

Thank you Sumti. This place is one epic destination and am sure you will enjoy it

This is such an amazing road trip! I think the best road trips have adventures and unexpected twists like yours. That view from Rohtang Pass is absolutely incredible. I can see why everyone was depressed at the end.

Thanks Marissa. Everytime we think about the trip, we are so nostalgic. One of my best trips

I love your writing, your sense of humor comes through. The Thiksey Monastery looks amazing. It is cool you got into the India book of records and had so much fun doing it. The things that went bad, turned into great memories because of your attitude. Good work!

Thanks Chris for the lovely comment. The so called bad things led to the best memories. I would not have it any other way.

I’d never really heard of Ladakh, but I can see how utterly spellbinding it is! So beautiful and you’ve captured some excellent photos. I’m so sorry you had a flat on your trip, but those experiences tend to shape us I think!

Thanks Samantha. The flat frankly was an amazing part of the adventure.. Allowed us time to take in the beautiful place.

What a gorgeous view! OMG, I thought I was the only one who leans out the car window to get a photo! Great shot of the Thiksey Monastery, the architecture looks amazing. Looks like such a fantastic trip!

I was looking forward to reading part 2 — Wow, your photos once again are spectacular. This is the reality of India it is a very big country and with mountains and rivers like this, it takes 4 hours to go 115kms! I hope to get to this part of India someday — I think I will need more rest stops like the one you did in Manali!

This region is quite raw and decent roads plus elevation makes the drive longer. However, you wouldn’t mind it with those views. Hope you plan a trip here

It sounds like such an epic trip! I hate that day 11 brought a bit of sadness. Most road trips have at least one day like that. For me it is typically the last one because I’m sad it’s over. It’s crazy how long it takes to go a fairly short distance! Sounds like a seriously epic road trip

The end of the trip is always so melancholic. But well, you have those amazing memories that somehow keep you going. This one did have longer time for shorter distance owing to the terrain but who is complaining… We had some amazing views

Your entire road trip has been quite an adventure! The people you are traveling with sound like a fun bunch of travellers, too! I’ve really enoyed seeing your photos, and hearing your stories — you’ll have wonderful memories for a lifetime.

You bet, those memories are here for a long long time. Thanks for stopping by Tami.

A road trip to ladakh is quite adventure that everyone like the trip very much. This an amazing journey to cheer up the people with the beautiful snaps.

Thank you. Glad you find it interesting

Crazy Road trip Ever! Glad that i found this article on a road trip to Ladakh. Informative article thanks for sharing!

It sure was but I loved it and it is one of my favorites

I did exactly the other way… Chandigarh Mandi Manali Jispa Leh Sonmarg Srinagar Chandigarh….

Many people do that too. Not a bad option but one just needs to exercise some precaution owing to the altitude.

What is best time to complete this visit

I would recommend visiting between May to September. The details of why and what you can expect are as mentioned in the Ladakh guide here – https://thrillingtravel.in/leh-ladakh-travel-guide.html

Wow, some of those road areas really look very scary including that one pass that just is incredible to capture in photographs and drive through. But, I can see how the landscape really inspires you to go the this remote region and gorgeous scenic areas to explore, it really seems harsh and remote, I can’t even picture living there year round.

True that – living here would be quite an extreme adventure. Nonetheless, the place is totally worth one long drive at least.

What a comprehensive guide to road tripping to Ladakh! You’ve covered every question I had and provided some helpful planning tips I wouldn’t have thought of, even though I’ve taken many road trips. The route looks lovely, and I especially like the look of Dal Lake in Srinagar and the entrance to the Royal Leh Palace, and of course, the mountains! What a touching gesture to leave water bottles for the unfortunate truck driver’s ghost.

This is such an epic route – so many stories, so many adventures. Totally worth once in a life time. Thanks for stopping by Jackie.

I have done many road trips in my time, but none through India, and this looks like a great one. The wide-open landscape interspersed with the whitewashed villages looks wonderful. I am glad you explained the reason for the plastic build-up on the mountainside as I am sure if visitors weren’t aware of this tradition it might just look like someone had dumped rubbish there!

To be honest, even I thought so till I got to know the reason behind the plastic waste

This is an incredible road trip Ami! I can’t remember all of the place names as I was too in awe of the photos. India has some beautiful and remote landscapes, I’d like to see it for myself one day. Leh and the temples look incredible there, but I’m not sure I could get used to the altitude.

The altitude needs just a little discipline and you will be fine there. Do plan a visit to Leh Ladakh whenever you get to India

I can see why this would be your favourite road trip of all time. You’re right, the diverse landscape would be a highlight. I love how you described Ladakh as the crown of India. To be surrounded by different mountain ranges on all sides would make this a stunning destination. But a difficult one to visit knowing the meaning behind its name – Land of High Passes – and that it’s so remote.

I suppose in some ways because it is so remote, it is beautiful. Hope you plan a trip here and see it for yourself

I still repent the fact that we never traveled to Ladakh when we visited Kashmir couple of years back. Am just fascinated by the destination and the more I see the photos posted by travelers the more is my desire to be there. Hopefully next year as this year is already packed with plans. But now I would rather do a road trip like you from Delhi. Thank you for all the tips which would make our journey exciting. Would love to follow your detailed plan.

I hope you have bookmarked it for your trip – whenever that happens. I am sure you will find yourself making lasting memories on this

I love road trips over direct flights, too. Thanks for the great stories. Also the awesome photos esp. Of that horse near the Indus River!

Glad you liked it Carol.

Very informative and also provide us details about the journey. Pictures are awesome. Kindly also inform whether you booked the hotels instantly or it’s were prior booking.

Thanks Tarun. For this road trip in Ladakh, we had done a prior booking of all our stays. We had also, sought the help of a local travel operator in Leh to help us with the Tso Moriri and Pangong stays

Found your post interesting to read. Good Luck for the upcoming update.This article is really very interesting.

Thanks so much. Do share it around

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5 reasons to visit Ladakh during summers

Times of India TIMESOFINDIA.COM / TRAVEL TRENDS , LADAKH / Created : May 12, 2024, 08:00 IST

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Ladakh is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes that seem straight out of a postcard. From the towering peaks of the Himalayas to the surreal landscapes of the Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake, every corner of Ladakh offers a visu … Read more

Ladakh is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes that seem straight out of a postcard. From the towering peaks of the Himalayas to the surreal landscapes of the Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake, every corner of Ladakh offers a visual treat for nature lovers. Read less

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Ladakh is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes that seem straight out of a postcard. From the towering peaks of the Himalayas to the surreal landscapes of the Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake, every ...

Discover the Top 8 Reasons to Explore Ladakh This Summer

12 May, 2024

Spectacular Landscapes: Ladakh boasts some of the most stunning landscapes in the world, with its rugged mountains, deep valleys, and vast stretches of barren land. The summer months offer clear skies and perfect weather for exploring this breathtaking terrain.

Adventure activities: ladakh is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts. during the summer, you can indulge in a variety of thrilling activities such as trekking, mountain biking, river rafting, and camping amidst the majestic himalayas., pristine lakes: ladakh is home to several beautiful high-altitude lakes, including pangong tso, tso moriri, and tsokar. in the summer, these lakes thaw, creating mesmerizing azure blue waters that are a sight to behold., photography opportunities: ladakh is a photographer's paradise, offering endless opportunities to capture stunning landscapes, vibrant prayer flags, traditional architecture, and the unique culture of the region. the clear skies and bright sunlight during the summer months make it ideal for photography., wildlife spotting: ladakh is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard, blue sheep, ibex, and several bird species. during the summer, when the region is accessible, you have a better chance of spotting these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat., high-altitude passes: ladakh is renowned for its high-altitude mountain passes, such as khardung la, chang la, and taglang la. in the summer, these passes are usually open to traffic, offering thrilling drives and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains..

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Aurora lights in India: What caused them to be visible even from Ladakh?

Auroras are often witnessed in the extreme northern or southern latitudes, such as near the north and south poles. why were they recently visible from ladakh, a low-latitude region in the himalayas.

Aurora lights in red hues were visible from Ladakh’s pristine skies late at night, in the intervening hours between Friday (May 10) and Saturday. Astronomers of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bengaluru (IIA) captured the auroras through all-sky cameras positioned around the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Hanle, Ladakh.

Owned and operated by the IIA, IAO is equipped with these cameras capable of constantly imaging the sky. It showed that space activity persisted between midnight and the twilight hours of Saturday, with the peak activity reported at 2 am on Saturday.

These lights, called auroras, are usually seen in high-latitude regions (when measured from the equator), namely the North and the South Pole. When witnessed near the North they are called Aurora Borealis, while those in the South are called Aurora Australis. Why were they seen across a wider region recently, including India? We explain.

First, what are auroras?

Auroras are bright and colourful lights, formed due to an active interaction in Space between charged solar winds and the Earth’s magnetosphere. Solar winds are ejections of charged particles from the Sun’s atmosphere, mostly composed of protons and electrons.

The magnetosphere is the region surrounding the Earth where the dominant magnetic field is the Earth’s, rather than the magnetic field of interplanetary Space, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It protects the Earth against solar winds and is strongest at the poles.

However, sometimes solar wind particles flow down the Earth’s magnetic field. Auroras are produced when these particles collide with atoms and molecules in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. The collisions produce light, “much like how electrons flowing through gas in a neon light collide with neon and other gasses to produce different colored light bulbs,” the NOAA website says.

So why were auroras visible from Ladakh?

It has to do with heightened solar flare activity in Space. Solar physicists at the Centre of Excellence in Space Science India, at the Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata , said that at least four strong solar storms arrived over Earth between Friday and Saturday.

The source of these storms was Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), which are large ejections of magnetic particles and plasma from the Sun’s corona – the outermost part of its atmosphere. These CMEs emerged from AR13664, currently an active region on the Sun, on May 8.

Travelling at 700km/second, the Earth-bound CMEs reached the closest to the Earth’s atmosphere on May 10 and 11, disturbing the otherwise calm Space weather. Solar flares travelling at a speed of 815km/second were recorded when they hit the Earth.

According to Indian solar physicists, the intensity of these incoming solar storms was much higher than average.

One of the manifestations of the solar storm’s interactions with the Earth’s atmosphere was the emergence of auroras in red, violet and blue colours. So strong were the storms that the aurora lights were visible from many lower-latitude regions. The auroras were also visible in parts of the US and the UK.

Scientists said that a solar storm with a similar intensity had earlier affected Earth in November 2003.

What is happening to the Sun?

Currently, there are several magnetically active regions on the visible solar disk, producing multiple high-energy flares. A series of CMEs have been predicted to come towards Earth till May 12.

These continuous solar storms hold a strong potential for disturbing Space weather and causing major disturbances to the Earth’s magnetosphere, lasting for the next two days.

How hazardous are solar storms?

Intense solar storms can be harmful as they can interfere with and threaten the smooth operations of satellites operating in the Low Earth Orbit or LEO (an altitude ranging between 200-1,600km).

The most common satellites functioning from the LEO are used for multiple purposes, such as navigation, military, intelligence, communications, etc. Thus, Earth’s satellite-based GPS, navigation systems, etc. could be vulnerable to solar storms.

The highly energetic particle environment created by these solar storms can also induce heating in the upper atmosphere. This increases the risk of radiation hazards, causing a drag effect on satellites positioned at LEO. An excessive drag can mean satellites facing intolerable amounts of friction, which in extreme cases can ignite and burn down the satellites, ceasing their operations completely.

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Why conservative media is suddenly turning on Kristi Noem

The Trump-era right wing has proved it will put up with plenty — until it decides you’re a political liability.

When South Dakota Gov. Kristi L. Noem (R) sat down with Fox News last week amid a growing tempest over her killing her dog, Sean Hannity gave her the softballs-in-a-storm treatment often reserved for Donald Trump .

Hannity mused that perhaps there wasn’t really a difference between Noem shooting her own dog and having someone else euthanize it. He whatabout-ed by pointing to President Biden’s dog biting Secret Service agents, and posited about aggressive dogs: “It’s a sad thing to do, but at some point, doesn’t it become the responsible thing to?”

On Monday night, Newsmax host Eric Bolling offered an even more ham-handed attempt to explain it all away. He offered that perhaps the inclusion of the dog story in Noem’s book and an apparently false anecdote about meeting Kim Jong Un were the work of a “ liberal plant ” book editor. (Noem assured him that these were her own words.)

Something has happened since then, though. Conservative media has begun to turn on Noem, actually grilling her over her book and even ridiculing her.

Why? It’s pretty evident, and it’s the same reason conservative media and the GOP often turn on their own after putting up with plenty: She’s become a perceived liability for the brand.

By Tuesday morning, Newsmax was giving Noem a very different treatment . A host told Noem he didn’t think she was in the mix for Trump’s running mate anymore. (“Really? And why is that?” Noem responded.) He suggested Noem’s brazen effort to not actually deny meeting Kim would continue to haunt her.

Fox Business host Stuart Varney an hour later peppered Noem with five questions about whether Noem had broached the dog story with Trump. “Enough, Stuart,” an exasperated Noem responded. “This interview is ridiculous — what you are doing right now. So you need to stop.”

Noem suggested they talk about other issues, but Varney said they were out of time. “Oh, well of course we are,” Noem responded sarcastically.

By Tuesday night, with plenty of people asking why Noem was still talking, she finally canceled a Fox News interview (citing bad weather).

Clearly irked by the late cancellation, hosts Greg Gutfeld and Dana Perino proceeded to roast Noem by having Perino do the interview as the governor. They pointed to how Noem, despite insisting she had just learned of problems with her book, had previously recorded it as an audio book .

“I said some words that were written about me, and they were in a certain order of — they call them sentences,” deadpanned Perino-as-Noem. “And so I read those aloud. I don’t know if that means I’ve read the book.”

Perino-as-Noem added: “A little known fact: Another one of my dogs, his name was Ghost Writer. And I killed him this morning.”

It’s all quite an un-conservative media thing to do in the Trump era. Fox and Newsmax hosts have become studied at trying to explain away Republican controversy as the work of nefarious and censorious political opponents — as they initially tried to do with Noem. Why would they suddenly take issue with Noem telling an apparent falsehood about meeting with Kim, after years of ignoring Trump’s own penchant for saying oodles of bizarre and false things ? (Trump has uttered several false statements specifically about Kim , in fact.)

The answer is that conservative media and the GOP can ignore and try to cover for plenty — until they decide you’ve become a problem for the red team.

Former congressman Madison Cawthorn (R-N.C.) was accused of multiple instances of misconduct from his college days, told multiple falsehoods about his biography and faced repeated driving and gun infractions. But his party didn’t set about taking him out in a 2022 primary until he did a podcast interview in which he claimed a fellow lawmaker invited him to an “orgy” and accused Republicans in Washington of using cocaine . Republicans expressed concern that his problems were suddenly becoming their problems .

Indicted former congressman George Santos (R-N.Y.) was allowed to stick around for months despite his abundant legal and ethical problems and telling an even more remarkable number of lies about his own bio. A big apparent reason for his ultimate expulsion: Multiple vulnerable New York Republicans worried he would compromise their own reelections .

Further back, Republicans put up with former congressman Steve King’s (R-Iowa) controversial and even racist remarks for years before deciding to turn against him in 2019 for well-publicized remarks about white nationalism to the New York Times. An Iowa GOP strategist explained at the time that King had become “ the largest in-kind contribution Nancy Pelosi’s received . … It’s untenable for our candidates to have to answer for someone like that.”

And more recently, we’ve seen some on the right begin to cast a more skeptical eye on Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) . This is not because she has espoused bizarre conspiracy theories or unapologetically appeared at a conference hosted by a white nationalist , but because they appear to worry that her attempted ouster of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and her Russia apologia are hurting the party’s 2024 prospects.

“She is dragging our brand down,” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) said two weeks ago. “She — not the Democrats — are the biggest risk to us getting back to a majority.”

If you look closely at Noem’s increasingly contentious interviews on conservative media, you’ll see an acknowledgment that this is really about the same thing.

It seems to be sending a signal that it would be better for all involved for Noem to fade away, and certainly that Trump should think twice about putting her on the ticket.

“I’m not sure anybody supports you on shooting the dog,” Varney told Noem, adding: “We’ve been consumed with emails saying, ‘I won’t vote for this person. I won’t vote for Trump if he puts her in the vice-presidential spot.’ ”

Newsmax host Rob Finnerty had said an hour earlier: “I’m not deliberately trying to be adversarial. I just — Donald Trump winning in November is very important.”

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Madonna will perform at Rio's Copacabana beach to close out her tour

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Over a million fans are expected to turn up on Rio's famous Copacabana beach Saturday for Madonna's end-of-tour mega concert.

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Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour continued its international journey on Saturday night in France (afternoon in the United States). The now 14-time Grammy winner will be touring almost non-stop for the entire year, and at each show she adds two “surprise songs” to her 44-song, three hour plus set list.

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