An adventure to remember, this road trip is a great way to explore the cold deserts and mountain valleys of Ladakh. On this 10-day itinerary, you'll travel on some of the highest motorable roads in the world, including the Khardung-La pass at 17,500 feet. You'll visit some of the most ancient and historic monasteries around, a special highlight being the Diskit monastery in Nubra Valley.
Another highlight of your journey, you'll spend some time besides the famous Pangong Lake. At night, you'll sleep in traditional home-stays in Ladakh, a great way to get a first-hand experience the Indo-Tibetan way of life.
Destination
Known as the land of high passes, Ladakh is a breathtakingly beautiful destination that is on the bucket list of many travellers. The gorgeous landscapes of Ladakh are lined with barren mountain peaks like Stok Kangri and Kang Yatze that extend far above the clouds. Home to a unique Indo-Tibetan culture, Ladakh is dotted with monasteries and monuments that depict traditional art and architecture. This backpacking trip will take you such local attractions where you can rediscover the adventurer in you.
Destination highlights
Visit the famed monasteries of Diskit, Shey and Thikse. | Spend a night by the famous Pangong Lake. | Catch beautiful views of Ladakh's enthralling landscapes. | Live at home-stays and experience Tibetan culture and cuisine.
Arrive at the Kashmiri Gate in Delhi by 17:00 hrs and board a state transport bus to Manali. The bus will take you through the cities of Panipat, Kurukshetra and Chandigarh, before reaching Manali by morning. Overnight in transit.
Overnight in transit.
Arrive at the Kashmiri Gate, Delhi by 17:00 hrs and board a state transport bus to Manali. You will spend the night travelling in the bus. No meals are provided throughout the trip. Make sure you have packed snacks for the road.
Day 1 Milestone
Delhi
Delhi
17:00 PM
Food
No meals are provided today.
Day 2 of the Ladakh road trip: Arrive in Manali
The bus will arrive in Manali by early morning. Today, you can rest at a guesthouse in Manali or visit local attractions around the hill-station. Visit the local marketplace at Manali for any last minute shopping, dine at restaurants and cafes in Old Manali, visit the Vashisht temple's hot water springs and explore the old architecture of the Hadimba temple. Overnight in a guesthouse at Manali.
Overnight at Manali in guesthouse.
You will be accommodated at a guesthouse in Manali on a triple/six-sharing bases. No meals are provided throughout the trip. But you may spend extra for meals at restaurants in Manali.
Day 2 Milestone
Manali
Manali
08:00 AM
Food
No meals are provided today.
Day 3 of the Ladakh road trip: Manali to Keylong
Travel from Manali to Keylong. This short drive will take you away from the lush, green forests of Manali and into the sparse, barren mountains of Keylong. Take a walk around the small town to end the day. Overnight in a guesthouse at Keylong.
Overnight at Keylong in guesthouse.
You will be accommodated at a guesthouse in Keylong on a triple/six-sharing bases. No meals are provided throughout the trip. But you may spend extra for meals at restaurants in Keylong.
Day 3 Milestone
Manali
Keylong
05:30 AM
Food
No meals are provided today.
Day 4 of the Ladakh road trip: Keylong to Leh
Travel from Keylong to Leh, the largest city in Ladakh. You'll drive alongside the Tsarap and Indus rivers, and cross state borders to enter Jammu and Kashmir. A highlight of today's journey is the travel through More Plains, a vast stretch of unending flat road that is flanked by mountains on either side. Overnight in a home-stay at Leh.
Overnight at Leh in homestay.
You will reach Leh by evening and check-in to a homestay on a triple/six-sharing basis. No meals are provided throughout the trip. However, you may spend extra for meals en route to Leh.
Day 4 Milestone
Keylong
Leh
03:30 AM
Food
No meals are provided today.
Day 5 of the Ladakh road trip: Leh to Hunder
Today, you'll travel to Nubra Valley, best known for its desert sand dunes and double-humped camels. En route, you'll travel through the Khardung-La pass, one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world. You'll also visit the Diskit monastery, site of a large and colourful statue of the maitreya Buddha that sits overlooking the Diskit village. Overnight in a home-stay at Hunder.
Overnight at Hunder in homestay.
You will be accommodated at a homestay in Hunder on a triple/six-sharing bases. No meals are provided throughout the trip. But you may spend extra for meals at eateries en route to Hunder.
Day 5 Milestone
Leh
Hunder
06:00 AM
Food
No meals are provided today.
Day 6 of the Ladakh road trip: Hunder to Pangong Lake
Continue your journey alongside the Shyok River and head to the beautiful Pangong Lake. Originating in China, the Shyok River flows down to India and continues onward into Pakistan. You will reach Pangong Lake by evening. Check into your tents and spend some time in the cold outdoors. The night sky at Pangong Lake is studded with twinkling stars. Overnight in tents at the Pangong Lake.
Overnight at Pangong Lake in tents.
Spend the night in tents pitched at campsites besides the Pangong Lake. Please note that tented accommodation comes with basic facilities only. Your campsite comes with a common toilet tent. No meals are provided throughout the trip. But you may spend extra for meals at eateries en route to Pangong Lake.
Day 6 Milestone
Hunder
Pangong Lake
06:00 AM
Food
No meals are provided today.
Day 7 of the Ladakh road trip: Pangong Lake to Leh
Visit the Pangong Lake and spend some time admiring the breathtaking beauty of the vast lake surrounded by barren mountains. You will board vehicles and travel back to Leh through the Chang La Pass, the third highest motorable road in the world. You will reach Leh by evening. Overnight in a home-stay at Leh.
Overnight at Leh in homestay.
Return back to the homestay in Leh. No meals are provided throughout the trip. However, you may spend extra for meals en route to Leh.
Day 7 Milestone
Pangong Lake
Leh
06:00 AM
Food
No meals are provided today.
Day 8 of the Ladakh road trip: Leh to Manali
Wake up early for a long day of travel back to Manali. A state transport bus will take you from Leh to Keylong, where you'll take a private cab from Keylong to Manali. Overnight in a guesthouse at Manali.
Overnight in a guesthouse at Manali.
You will be accommodated in a comfortable guesthouse at Manali. The number of travellers accommodated in one room during overnight stay often depends on your group size and the availability of rooms at the guesthouse or home-stay. No meals are provided throughout the trip. You can stop at local eateries and restaurants en route to Manali and have meals at your own expense.
Day 8 Milestone
Leh
Manali
03:30 AM
Food
No meals are provided today.
Day 9 of the Ladakh road trip: Depart from Manali
Spend the day at leisure in Manali. You can visit the famous Mall road in Manali to pick up any souvenirs and gifts for loved ones back home. You can also book an adrenaline-inducing session of rafting in the Beas River, at an additional cost. In the evening, board a bus and settle in for an overnight journey to Delhi. Overnight in transit.
Overnight in transit.
Spend the night travelling in a bus from Manali to Delhi. No meals are provided throughout the trip, but you'll get ample opportunities to eat or parcel meals during stop overs at villages and local attractions.
Day 9 Milestone
Manali
Delhi
05:30 AM
Food
No meals are provided today.
Day 10 of the Ladakh road trip: Arrive in Delhi
The bus will reach Delhi by early morning. Your Ladakh road trip ends here.
For cancellations made more than 21 days before departure of the Ladakh road trip: 90% refund.
For cancellations made 15-21 days before departure of the Ladakh road trip: 75% refund.
For cancellations made 8-14 days before departure of the Ladakh road trip: 50% refund.
For cancellations made less than 8 days before departure of the Ladakh road trip: no refund.
In case of no show: no refund.
All refunds will be processed after deducting a transaction fee of INR 200 per person. This fee is charged by The Great Next.
Rules on trip
Travellers are required to follow all instructions of the tour guide during the road trip to Ladakh.
Travellers are requested to treat the local culture with respect and avoid littering, defacing property and monuments and causing general disturbance.
Consumption of alcohol and drugs is strictly prohibited during the trip.
Additional instructions, booking policies, terms and conditions
During this road trip to Ladakh, travellers will visit destinations at altitudes from 9,800 ft to 13,900 ft and may experience altitude sickness.
Ladakh is located at an altitude with no internet connectivity and moderate road access/availability of services. Travellers are advised to take such circumstances under consideration before booking the trip.
The tour operator takes utmost care to ensure safety of the travellers and shall not be held responsible for any mishap, accident or loss of life during the trip.
The tour operator reserves the right to change or cancel the itinerary of this trip due to bad weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances to ensure maximum safety of travellers and staff.
Visit monasteries and monuments deep inside Ladakhi mountains.
Travel among mountains with peaks higher than the clouds.
Ride through winding mountainous roads and passes.
Interact with locals and stay at homestays in the heart of Ladakh.
Catch glorious views of snow-capped mountains peaks.
Camp at the famous Pangong Lake.
Explore the rough and jagged terrain on a backpacking trip.
Drive through breathtaking landscapes of snow-capped peaks.
Lofty, barren mountains painted with shades of brown and grey.
Travel arrangements, as per itinerary, in a state transport bus, private SUV or Tempo Traveller
Accommodation for 7 nights in guesthouse/home-stays on triple/multi-sharing basis
Services of experienced tour guide and support staff
All government permits and charges, including the Ladakh Inner Line permit
Entry fees at monuments, monasteries and local attractions, as per itinerary
All applicable taxes
Excludes
Travel arrangements between your home city and Delhi, including airport transfers in Delhi
Any meals, throughout the trip
Additional adventure activities like rafting in Leh
Personal expenses like gear, apparel, tips to staff etc.
Costs due to unforeseen circumstances like bad weather, road blocks etc.
Anything not mentioned in inclusions
What to Wear
What to Wear
Fleece jacket
Waterproof footwear
Quick-dry apparel
Sweater and thermal clothes
Raincoat or waterproof poncho
Woollen gloves and socks
Shirts/t-shirts and jeans/track pants
Not to wear - Expensive jewellery or watches
Hard luggage like suitcases
What not to Wear
Loose clothing that will tangle around you while swimming
Restrictive clothing
Flip-flops
Equipment / Gear
We Provide
SUV/Tempo Traveller or similar vehicle for transport from Leh-Leh
All required equipment for camping at Pangong Lake
Common kitchen/dining tents and toilet tents at Pangong Lake
First aid kit
You need to get
Rucksack (with rain cover)
ID proof
Water bottle
Sunglasses (polarised, anti-glare)
Torch (extra batteries)
Sunscreen lotion and lip balm
Dry snacks (biscuits, dry fruits etc.)
Personal toiletries
Medical Kit
Specific personal or prescribed medication, personal first-aid kit.
Directions towards the Pick up Point
Delhi is well-connected to most major cities of the country via flights to Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and trains to the Delhi Railway Station. You can take local, public transport to reach Kashmiri Gate from the airport or train. Google Maps pin: https://goo.gl/maps/cQAb65G885S2
Directions towards the Start Point
Your operator will arrange your transport to the start point of this trip.