Ladakh · 6 Days
Ladakh — Monasteries & Lakes
A shorter Ladakh trip built around Leh's monasteries and one night on the shore of Pangong Lake, with a proper acclimatisation day first.
Day by Day
6 Days, In Full
The most manageable version of Ladakh. It keeps you near Leh for the first three days, which is the safe way to handle the altitude. Those days cover the old town, the palace, Shanti Stupa and the great Indus valley monasteries of Thiksey and Hemis. Then the trip goes over the Chang La pass to Pangong Lake for a night on the shore. It skips the Nubra valley, which the longer trips include. Six days, one high pass, no rushing.
Leh
Arrive in Leh — Rest and Acclimatise
You fly into Leh in the early morning, over the main Himalayan range. The airport sits at 3,500 metres, so the first day is a rest day, and this is not optional. Your guide checks you in and asks you to do very little. Drink water, eat lightly, sleep if you can. A short, slow walk to Leh market in the afternoon is as much as you should do. Giving the body a full day here now prevents altitude sickness later.
Leh
Leh — Old Town, Palace and Shanti Stupa
A gentle first full day, still close to the hotel. The morning is Leh's old town: the bazaar, the mosque, and the nine-storey palace above it. The climb through the palace floors is slow but short. In the afternoon, drive up to Shanti Stupa for the view over the valley. Sankar Monastery, a working gompa a short way from the centre, fills any spare time. An early night before tomorrow's monastery run.
Leh
The Indus Valley Monasteries — Thiksey and Hemis
A full day among the great monasteries south-east of Leh. Start early at Thiksey, a twelve-storey monastery on a hill, for the dawn prayers if you are up to it. Then Hemis, the largest and richest in Ladakh, hidden in a side gorge. Shey, the old royal palace with its giant seated Buddha, and Stok are on the way back. It is a lot of driving, but the roads are good and the valley is beautiful. Back in Leh by evening.
Leh → Pangong Lake
Leh to Pangong — Over the Chang La Pass
The direct route to the lake, over the Chang La pass at about 5,360 metres. You stop at the top for a few minutes only, for the prayer flags and a glass of tea. The road then runs down through Durbuk and Tangtse and along a stream to the lake. The first sight of that blue water against the brown hills is the moment people remember. You reach the shore by early afternoon. The drive is about five hours with stops.
Pangong Lake → Leh
Pangong back to Leh — Chang La and the Long Valley
An early start to be over Chang La before the afternoon wind. The pass is at about 5,360 metres and often holds snow even in summer. Below it the road runs down past Hemis and Thiksey, so there is a chance to stop at either if you missed them. You are back in Leh by mid-afternoon, at a lower and easier altitude. The last evening is free for the market and for packing. The drive is five to six hours in all.
Leh
Depart Leh
Leh's flights leave early, so this is usually a dawn transfer to the airport. The take-off, back over the Himalayan range, is as good as the flight in. If your flight is later, there is time for a last walk in the market or a visit to the Hall of Fame museum near the airport. Your guide sees you off. Most onward flights connect through Delhi.
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Priced Packages On This Route
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luxury · 5 Nights
Ladakh Monasteries & Lakes — Luxury
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
premium · 5 Nights
Ladakh Monasteries & Lakes — Premium
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
luxury · 5 Nights
Ladakh Monastery & Meditation Retreat — Luxury
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
premium · 5 Nights
Ladakh Monastery & Meditation Retreat — Premium
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
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