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The Himalayas Calling
The Himalayas Calling
Ochre mountains reflected in the still blue water of Pangong Tso
  • Ladakh
  • 8 days
  • Easy

Monasteries, Nubra and Pangong

Overview

Eight unhurried days that begin with three nights in Leh, so your body adjusts before the high passes. From there you cross Khardung La to the dunes of Nubra, follow the Shyok river to Pangong Tso, and return to Leh over Chang La.

  • Morning prayers at Thiksey Monastery
  • Bactrian camels on the Hunder dunes
  • Sunrise colours on Pangong Tso
  • Turtuk, a Balti village of apricot orchards

Day by day

Where you sleepHighest night 4,225 m
  1. Night 1: Leh, 3,500 m
  2. Night 2: Leh, 3,500 m
  3. Night 3: Leh, 3,500 m
  4. Night 4: Hunder, 3,100 m
  5. Night 5: Hunder, 3,100 m
  6. Night 6: Pangong, 4,225 m
  7. Night 7: Leh, 3,500 m
  1. 1

    Day 1: Arrive in Leh and rest

    Your driver meets you at the airport. Today is for tea, rest and a short evening walk, because flying to 3,500 metres is faster than your body can follow.

    • Rest and acclimatise
    • Night in Leh, 3,500 m
  2. 2

    Day 2: Leh at an easy pace

    Leh Palace, the lanes of the old town and the Hall of Fame museum, then sunset from Shanti Stupa.

    • Night in Leh, 3,500 m
    • About 20 km
  3. 3

    Day 3: Monasteries of the Indus

    Shey, Thiksey and Hemis, three of Ladakh’s great monasteries, with the Indus valley spread below.

    • Night in Leh, 3,500 m
    • About 100 km
  4. 4

    Day 4: Over Khardung La to Nubra

    Climb to Khardung La, then drop into the Nubra valley for Diskit Monastery, its giant Maitreya Buddha and the dunes at Hunder.

    • Night in Hunder, 3,100 m
    • Highest point 5,359 m
    • 125 km, 5 to 6 hours
  5. 5

    Day 5: Turtuk

    A day trip along the Shyok river to Turtuk, a Balti village of stone houses and apricot orchards close to the Line of Control.

    • Night in Hunder, 3,100 m
    • 160 km return
  6. 6

    Day 6: Along the Shyok to Pangong

    A long, beautiful drive beside the river to Pangong Tso. It is the highest night of the trip, so it comes last.

    • Night in Pangong, 4,225 m
    • 160 km, 6 to 7 hours
  7. 7

    Day 7: Pangong sunrise, back to Leh

    Watch the lake change colour at sunrise, then cross Chang La on the way back to Leh.

    • Night in Leh, 3,500 m
    • Highest point 5,360 m
    • 160 km
  8. 8

    Day 8: Fly home

    A transfer to Leh airport for your flight.

What the price covers

Included

  • Hand-picked hotels, homestays and camps, twin sharing
  • Breakfast and dinner every day
  • Private SUV with an experienced mountain driver, fuel, tolls and parking
  • Oxygen cylinder, pulse oximeter and first-aid kit in the vehicle
  • All permits and environment fees for the route
  • A trip planner on call throughout

Not included

  • Flights or trains to the start and from the end
  • Lunches on travel days
  • Monument, camera and activity fees
  • Travel insurance and evacuation costs
  • Extra nights caused by landslides, road closures or flight cancellations
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • 5% GST

Good to know

Permits

Indian citizens no longer need an Inner Line Permit for Ladakh, but everyone pays the LAHDC environment and wildlife fee, which we arrange and include. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, which we also arrange. Carry printed copies and your ID.

  • Only postpaid mobile connections from outside Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh work here. Expect patchy or no signal at Pangong.
  • ATMs work in Leh but are scarce or absent in Nubra and at Pangong, so carry cash.
  • Nights at Pangong drop close to freezing even in summer. Pack a down jacket.
  • If the Shyok road is closed, we reach Pangong via Leh instead.

Questions travellers ask

Is this journey suitable for families?

Yes. The pace is gentle and there is no trekking. Children under five are not advised to sleep at 4,000 metres or above, so for very young children we swap the Pangong night for a day trip.

How fit do I need to be?

You should be able to walk two or three kilometres at a relaxed pace. The real challenge is the altitude, which is why the first three nights are spent in Leh.

Can we travel on our own dates?

Yes. This journey runs privately on any date from May to September, or with a small group on fixed departures.

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