Grand Ladakh Journey: Monasteries, Nubra & High-Altitude Lakes

Arrive at Delhi International Airport, where a MoreIndia Travels representative will meet you after immigration and baggage collection.

Transfer privately to your hotel and rest after the international journey. No sightseeing is scheduled on arrival day.

For flights arriving shortly after midnight, the hotel room can be reserved from the previous night when specified in your confirmed proposal, allowing immediate check-in.

Overnight: Delhi

Transfer to Delhi Airport for the flight across the Himalayas to Leh.

Upon arrival, meet your local representative and transfer directly to the hotel. Leh stands at approximately 3,500 metres, and the sudden change in elevation requires a deliberately restful first day.

Remain at the hotel, hydrate regularly and avoid strenuous activity. No sightseeing is scheduled. Lunch and dinner will be served at the hotel.

Overnight: Leh
Altitude: Approximately 3,500 metres

Continue acclimatizing with a relaxed day in and around Leh. Depending on how everyone feels, make gentle visits to Leh Palace, the local market and Shanti Stupa.

The program remains flexible, and any visit can be shortened or cancelled if additional rest is preferable. Avoid strenuous walking, alcohol and heavy physical activity during this initial adjustment period.

Return to the hotel with time to relax.

Overnight: Leh

After breakfast, begin the journey west through the Indus Valley.

Visit Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and view the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. Continue to the historic ruins of Basgo before visiting Alchi Monastery, celebrated for its early Buddhist paintings, woodwork and artistic influences.

Continue to Uleytokpo and settle into the resort or best suitable accommodation beside the Indus Valley.

Overnight: Uleytokpo
Approximate driving time: 4–5 hours, excluding visits

Travel through stark mountain scenery to Lamayuru, one of Ladakh’s oldest and most visually dramatic monastic settlements. Explore the monastery and view the surrounding eroded landscape commonly known as “Moonland.”

Continue to peaceful Rizong Monastery, hidden within a narrow valley and known for its contemplative monastic tradition.

Return to Uleytokpo. If time and conditions allow, enjoy a gentle walk near the accommodation or relax beside the river.

Overnight: Uleytokpo

After breakfast, return toward Leh.

Visit Likir Monastery, distinguished by its hilltop location and large outdoor Buddha image. Continue to Spituk Monastery near Leh, subject to opening hours and local conditions.

Arrive at the hotel and enjoy a relaxed afternoon for rest, independent exploration or shopping in Leh’s market.

Overnight: Leh

Depart early for Thiksey Monastery. When monastery schedules permit, experience the atmosphere surrounding the monks’ morning prayers before exploring the monastery complex and its views over the Indus Valley.

Continue to Shey Palace, once associated with Ladakh’s royal family, and then visit Hemis Monastery, one of the region’s most important monastic institutions.

During the day, enjoy a hosted lunch with a Ladakhi family. The experience offers an introduction to local food, family traditions and everyday life beyond the principal visitor sites.

Return to Leh in the afternoon.

Overnight: Leh

The hosted meal will be arranged respectfully with a suitable local family and may be moved to another day if required by the host’s availability or the final route.

After breakfast, depart for Nubra Valley along the high mountain road crossing the Ladakh Range.

Make only a brief stop at Khardung La or another suitable viewpoint, depending on traffic, weather and how everyone is responding to the altitude. Prolonged physical activity at the pass is avoided.

Descend gradually toward Nubra Valley and continue to the selected hotel, resort or camp. The remainder of the day is relaxed.

Overnight: Nubra Valley
Approximate driving time: 5–7 hours

Explore Nubra at a comfortable pace, beginning with Diskit Monastery and its elevated views across the valley.

Continue through Hunder and the surrounding villages, where fertile fields, traditional homes and mountain landscapes contrast with the higher desert terrain. Visit the sand-dune area and observe the region’s distinctive Bactrian camels.

Time permitting, include a gentle village walk or a visit to a small local settlement rather than filling the day with continuous driving.

Overnight: Nubra Valley

Depart after an early breakfast for Pangong Lake, using the approved and operational route available on the travel date.

The journey passes through rugged valleys and isolated mountain landscapes. Road conditions can be uneven, and the travel time depends on weather, water crossings, traffic and military controls.

Arrive near Pangong Lake and check into the best suitable available camp, lodge or guesthouse. Enjoy the changing light across the lake without strenuous activity.

Overnight: Pangong Lake
Altitude: Approximately 4,225 metres
Approximate driving time: 6–8 hours

Enjoy the early-morning landscape before breakfast.

Return to Leh via the approved road, crossing Chang La and passing through the high-altitude terrain of eastern Ladakh. Stops will remain brief at the highest points.

Arrive in Leh and spend the evening resting. This return to Leh creates a safer and more permit-reliable itinerary for international travelers before continuing into the remote Changthang region.

Overnight: Leh
Approximate driving time: 6–8 hours

Depart early for the remote village of Hanle using the route authorized for the travelers’ nationalities and current permits.

Travel through the Indus Valley and the broad landscapes of Changthang, with stops determined by road, security and weather conditions. The area is ecologically fragile and lies close to sensitive border regions, so the final route will follow current official instructions.

Arrive in Hanle and check into the best suitable guesthouse or homestay available. Facilities are simple, but the remote setting is exceptional.

Weather permitting, enjoy the evening sky while respecting local dark-sky regulations.

Overnight: Hanle
Altitude: Approximately 4,500 metres
Approximate driving time: 8–10 hours

Today is reserved for Hanle and, where legally permitted, an excursion toward the Umling La road.

Umling La reaches approximately 5,798 metres and is promoted as the world’s highest motorable-road experience. Any visit will be brief, carefully managed and dependent on government authorization, nationality-based access rules, road conditions, weather and the travelers’ physical condition.

Guests experiencing symptoms associated with altitude will not continue higher. The guide and local operations team retain the right to cancel the excursion when conditions make it unsuitable.

If Umling La access is unavailable, enjoy an alternative program around Hanle using currently permitted routes. This can include Hanle Monastery, village landscapes, the Changthang environment and dark-sky experiences.

Return to Hanle rather than sleeping at a higher elevation.

Overnight: Hanle

Continue across the remote Changthang plateau toward Tso Moriri, travelling only on the officially approved route.

The journey reveals broad valleys, nomadic pastoral landscapes and the possibility of observing kiang and high-altitude birdlife from an appropriate distance. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Arrive at Korzok village beside Tso Moriri and check into the best suitable locally available accommodation. Enjoy the lake surroundings quietly while avoiding strenuous exertion.

Overnight: Tso Moriri
Altitude: Approximately 4,520 metres
Approximate driving time: 6–8 hours

After breakfast, begin the long return journey to Leh.

Travel through the Changthang landscape and rejoin the Indus Valley, with comfort and refreshment stops where facilities are available. Road conditions and journey time can vary considerably.

Arrive in Leh and rest at the hotel.

Overnight: Leh
Approximate driving time: 7–9 hours

This day protects the itinerary against road closures, weather disruption, permit-related changes or delays elsewhere in Ladakh.

If the journey has operated as scheduled, use the day for rest, independent shopping, a café visit or optional local sightseeing appropriate to the travelers’ energy levels.

Keeping this day uncommitted substantially reduces the risk of a road delay affecting the flight to Delhi.

Overnight: Leh

Transfer to Leh Airport for the flight to Delhi.

Upon arrival, meet the representative and transfer privately to the hotel. The remainder of the day is free for rest.

This protected final night should not be removed. Weather conditions in Ladakh can delay flights, and an international departure should not be booked as a same-day connection from Leh.

Overnight: Delhi

At the appropriate time, transfer privately to Delhi International Airport for the onward flight.

The journey concludes with assistance at the airport.