A week in Ladakh starting and ending in Leh, with a full day in Sham Valley, two nights in Nubra Valley that leave room for the drive out to Turtuk, and a day beside Pangong Lake. The pace allows a proper acclimatisation day before the high passes.
Route: Leh – Sham Valley – Nubra Valley – Turtuk – Pangong Lake – Leh
Tour Highlights
- A full acclimatisation day with Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and Leh Market
- Sham Valley: Hall of Fame, Kali Mata Temple and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
- Magnetic Hill and the Sangam of the Zanskar and Indus rivers
- Khardung La en route to Nubra Valley
- Hunder sightseeing and the Nubra sand dunes
- Turtuk village and Zero Point near the Line of Control
- The 3 Idiots shooting point at Pangong Lake
- Inner line permits, wildlife fee and Red Cross fee included
01
Day 1
Arrive in Leh, Acclimatisation Day
- On arrival at Leh Kushok Bakula airport meet our representative and transfer to your hotel.
- You climb from around 200 metres to 3,500 metres in about an hour, so the rest of the morning is for rest while your body adjusts.
- In the afternoon visit Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and Leh Market before returning to the hotel.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Leh.
02
Day 2
Sham Valley Excursion
- After breakfast drive out to Sham Valley, about 75 km from Leh along the Leh Srinagar highway.
- Visit the Hall of Fame, Kali Mata Temple and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.
- Stop at Magnetic Hill and the Sangam, where the Zanskar and Indus rivers meet.
- Return to Leh in the evening.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Leh.
03
Day 3
Leh to Nubra Valley over Khardung La
- After breakfast check out and drive to Nubra Valley over Khardung La.
- Check in to your hotel, cottage or camp on arrival.
- Visit Hunder for sightseeing across the dunes of the valley.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Nubra Valley.
04
Day 4
Nubra Valley, Turtuk & Zero Point
- After breakfast drive to Turtuk, about 80 km one way from Nubra.
- Turtuk opened to visitors in 2010 and became part of India after the 1971 war. It is one of the few Balti villages in the country.
- Visit the village and its royal house, then continue to Zero Point for a view towards the Pakistan army base camp.
- On clear days K2 is visible across the border.
- Return to Nubra Valley for dinner and an overnight stay.
05
Day 5
Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake
- After breakfast leave Nubra Valley and drive to Pangong Lake by way of Shyok.
- On arrival visit the 3 Idiots shooting point on the shore.
- Spend the rest of the day watching the lake change colour with the light.
- Dinner and overnight stay at Pangong Lake.
06
Day 6
Pangong Lake to Leh
- After breakfast leave Pangong Lake and drive back to Leh.
- Check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for shopping or resting in Leh.
- Dinner and overnight stay in Leh.
07
Day 7
Leh Departure
- After breakfast check out of your hotel in Leh.
- Transfer to Leh Kushok Bakula airport for your return journey with memories of Ladakh.
INCLUSIONS
- 03 nights accommodation in Leh
- 02 nights accommodation in Nubra Valley
- 01 night accommodation in Pangong Lake
- Welcome drink on arrival at the hotels, non alcoholic
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the hotel
- Inner line permit, wildlife fee and Red Cross fee
- Nubra and Pangong sightseeing
- Sham Valley day trip as per the itinerary
- Turtuk day trip as per the itinerary
- All transfers and sightseeing by private non air conditioned vehicle
- Pick up and drop at Leh airport as per the itinerary
- All toll tax, parking charges, driver bata and fuel
- All applicable taxes
EXCLUSIONS
- Air fare
- GST
- Lunch
- Room heater, camel ride and tour guide
- Monastery entry tickets, gardens and parks
- Oxygen cylinder
- Tips to waiters, airport porters, drivers or any other person
- Additional sightseeing or extra use of the vehicle beyond the itinerary
- Any cost arising from natural calamities such as landslides, road blockages or strikes, payable on the spot
- Any meals not listed in the inclusions
- Personal expenses such as laundry, porterage, telephone calls, tips and gratuity
THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- Acclimatisation: Leh sits at roughly 3,500 metres. The first day is deliberately kept light so your body can adjust before the high passes.
- Permits and ID: carry a valid photo ID. Aadhaar, passport or voter card are accepted, and foreign nationals must carry a passport with a valid visa.
- Mobile network: only postpaid connections work in Ladakh, and coverage disappears in Nubra Valley and around Pangong Lake. Tell family in advance.
- Cash: Leh has only a handful of ATMs and they run dry, so carry enough cash for the trip.
- What to pack: light woollens even in summer, high SPF sunscreen, sunglasses and a cap. Temperatures can drop to 5°C at night.
- Health: carry basic medication and speak to your doctor about altitude tablets before travelling. Anyone with asthma or a heart condition should seek medical advice first.
- Local customs: Ladakh is home to Buddhist and Muslim communities. Ask before photographing people and avoid flash photography inside monasteries.
