Ladakh opened to tourists in 1974 and has become one of India’s most loved road-trip regions. It is a high, cold desert of bare mountains, Buddhist monasteries and lakes that change colour through the day. A little preparation makes the difference between a great trip and a hard one.

When to go

May and June: roads open, days are pleasant and there is still snow on the high passes.
July and August: peak season, with warm days and all routes open.
September: fewer crowds, clear skies and cooler nights.
October to April: very cold, with many roads closed. Best left to experienced winter travellers.

Altitude: the one thing you must plan for

Leh sits at about 3,500 m. Flying in means you arrive at altitude without time to adjust, so the first full day should be rest. Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for the first two days and walk slowly. Every Ladakh itinerary we plan starts with a rest day in Leh for this reason.

If you have heart, lung or blood pressure conditions, talk to your doctor before booking.

The classic Ladakh circuit

Leh

Spend a day on Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and the Hall of Fame museum. Nearby, Thiksey and Shey are easy half-day visits.

Nubra Valley via Khardung La

The road north climbs over Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the region, then drops into Nubra. Stop at Diskit Monastery and the Hunder sand dunes, where Bactrian camels roam. A day trip to Turtuk, a green village with apricot orchards, is well worth it.

Pangong Tso

From Nubra, the Shyok route leads to Pangong Tso, a long lake at around 4,300 m. Staying overnight in a lakeside camp lets you see the water change from turquoise to deep blue as the light moves.

The return to Leh crosses Chang La and passes Shey Palace and Thiksey Gompa.

Getting there

Fly into Leh from Delhi, Mumbai or Srinagar. In summer you can also drive in from Srinagar (via Sonamarg and Kargil) or from Manali, which lets your body adjust more gradually.

By car or by bike?

A car (usually an Innova or a Tempo Traveller for groups) is the comfortable choice for families. For riders, a Ladakh bike trip on a Royal Enfield with a backup vehicle is a bucket-list experience. Our bike trips are for riders aged 18 to 70.

What to pack

Layers, a warm jacket even in summer, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen, lip balm, a refillable water bottle and any personal medicines. Mobile coverage is limited outside Leh, so carry cash and some offline maps.

Ready to plan? See our Ladakh tours or send us an enquiry.