Our most popular Ladakh trip: a gentle start in Sham Valley, Alchi, Sangam and Magnetic Hill, Leh's palace and stupa, Khardung La and Nubra Valley, a…
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This Leh Ladakh 5 nights 6 days package is the trip we recommend most often, especially for a first visit. It covers everything people picture when they think of Ladakh, from monasteries and the Indus valley to the sand dunes of Nubra and the blue waters of Pangong, and it is planned around acclimatisation.
Instead of staying in Leh on the first night, you go straight to Sham Valley, which is a little lower than Leh, for a restful day. On day 2 you drive back via Alchi Monastery, the Sangam of the Indus and Zanskar, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill and the Hall of Fame, ending the day at Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace.
Then the high road: Khardung La to Nubra Valley and the Hunder sand dunes, the Shyok river road to a night at Pangong Lake, and back to Leh via Chang La, Thiksey Monastery and Shey, with a Ladakhi lunch and, where scheduled, a polo match and cultural show. Breakfast and dinner, a private vehicle, permits and oxygen support are included.
Route
Sham Valley 1N – Leh 1N – Nubra Valley 1N – Pangong Lake 1N – Leh 1N
Duration
5 Nights / 6 Days
Arrive at Leh airport, where our representative meets you. Drive to Sham Valley (about 70 km, 1.5 hours) through villages along the Indus river and check in. Spend the day resting to let your body adjust to the altitude. Overnight in Sham Valley.
After breakfast, visit the 11th-century Alchi Monastery, famous for its wall paintings, then drive towards Leh with stops at the Sangam, where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill and the Hall of Fame army museum. In the evening, visit Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and Leh Market. Overnight in Leh.
Drive to Nubra Valley (about 125 km, 4 to 5 hours) over Khardung La, with photo stops at the pass and scenic viewpoints. Check in at your hotel or camp. In the afternoon, enjoy a ride on the double-humped Bactrian camels at the Hunder sand dunes (at extra cost). Overnight in Nubra Valley.
After breakfast, drive to Pangong Lake along the Shyok river road (about 150 km, 6 to 7 hours). Reach your camp or cottage in the afternoon and spend the evening watching the lake change colour at sunset. Overnight at Pangong Lake.
Watch the sunrise over the lake, then drive back to Leh over Chang La (about 140 km, 4 to 5 hours). Stop near Thiksey for a traditional Ladakhi lunch and visit Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace. Where scheduled by our local partner, watch a traditional Ladakhi polo match and cultural show at Chuchot. Overnight in Leh.
Early in the morning, transfer to Leh airport for your flight home.
Hotel names will be provided after booking, subject to availability and confirmation. We do not hold hotel confirmations before booking.
5 nights accommodation (Sham Valley 1, Leh 2, Nubra Valley 1, Pangong Lake 1) on twin sharing, in the selected hotel or camp category
Breakfast and dinner daily (MAP), starting with dinner on arrival
Arrival and departure transfers at Leh airport
All sightseeing and transfers by private vehicle as per the itinerary (point to point): Toyota Innova Crysta, Innova or Ertiga by hotel category; Tempo Traveller for groups of 6 or more
Traditional Ladakhi lunch on day 5, with a polo match and cultural show where scheduled
Oxygen cylinder in the vehicle for the Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake days
Inner Line Permit / protected-area permit, environment fee, wildlife fee and Red Cross fee
Daily refill of boiled or filtered drinking water
All toll, parking, fuel and driver charges
Airfare or train fare to and from Leh (we can quote flights separately)
Monument, monastery and museum entrance fees unless specifically mentioned
Camel ride, river rafting, adventure activities and optional tours
Services of a local guide
Lunches and meals not mentioned in the inclusions
Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, tips and room service
Alcoholic, mineral and aerated drinks
Travel insurance
Air conditioning in the vehicle (non-AC vehicles are standard in Ladakh)
GST as applicable
Any cost arising from flight cancellations, bad weather, roadblocks, landslides, ill health or other reasons beyond our control
Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions
Package cost depends on travel dates, hotel category, number of travellers sharing the vehicle and availability; prices are confirmed at the time of booking.
Leh is at about 3,500 metres. Rest fully on the day of arrival; altitude sickness can affect anyone, and guests with medical conditions should consult a doctor before travel.
Sightseeing is on a point-to-point basis in locally registered vehicles as per Ladakh taxi union rules; the vehicle is not at disposal.
Stays at Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri and Hanle are in camps, cottages, guest houses or small hotels with basic facilities and limited electricity; alternate properties of a similar standard may be used.
Itineraries may change because of weather, roadblocks, landslides, flight delays, permit restrictions or local conditions; any extra cost arising from such changes is payable directly.
Carry original government photo ID for permits and checkpoints. Foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit arranged through us.
Child policy, hotel check-in and check-out times and meal plans are as per the selected hotels.
Cancellation charges depend on hotel, camp, transport and permit supplier rules at the time of cancellation.
Cancellations close to the travel date, during peak season or for fixed departures may attract higher or 100% cancellation charges.
Permit fees and any non-refundable bookings cannot be refunded once processed.
No refund is given for unused services, nights or sightseeing, or for changes due to weather, roadblocks or flight cancellations.
Refunds, where applicable, are processed after the amount is received back from the hotel or supplier.
Leh is at about 3,500 metres (11,500 feet). Everyone, however fit, needs a slow first day: rest, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and exertion. Read our altitude sickness and packing guide before you travel.
Nubra and Pangong stays are in camps, cottages or small hotels, depending on the category you choose; Pangong is cold at night all year. Monastery entrance fees and the camel ride are paid locally. Vegetarian and Jain meals can be arranged on request at most hotels and camps.
Share your dates, travellers and comfort preference. Our team will guide you with the next best step.