Ladakh: High Passes and Blue Lakes
Monasteries, Nubra’s sand dunes and a night beside Pangong Lake.
- Duration: 8 days, 7 nights
- Route: Leh – Nubra Valley – Pangong Lake
- Best time: June to September
- Difficulty: Moderate (high altitude)
- Price: Personalised Journeys, priced to your choice of hotels
Overview
Drive over some of the world’s highest motorable passes to reach Nubra’s dunes and the colour-changing waters of Pangong Lake. The first two days are kept easy so your body can adjust to the altitude.
- Khardung La pass
- Double-humped camel ride at Hunder
- Night at a camp beside Pangong Lake
- Thiksey and Hemis monasteries
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Leh
Leh is at about 3,500 m. Rest for the day, drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous activity.
Day 2: Leh local sights
A gentle day: Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and the main market. Keep the pace slow.
Day 3: Leh to Nubra Valley
Cross Khardung La and drive about 5 to 6 hours to Nubra. Visit Diskit Monastery and ride a camel among the Hunder dunes.
Day 4: Nubra to Pangong Lake
Drive about 6 to 7 hours to Pangong Lake. Spend the evening by the water. Nights are cold.
Day 5: Pangong to Leh
Watch sunrise on the lake, then drive about 5 hours back to Leh over Chang La.
Day 6: Sham Valley
Visit Alchi Monastery, Magnetic Hill and the meeting point of the Indus and Zanskar rivers.
Day 7: Thiksey and Hemis
See two of Ladakh’s biggest monasteries. Afternoon free in Leh.
Day 8: Departure
Transfer to Leh airport. Morning flights are usual, so plan your onward travel accordingly.
What’s included
Included
- 7 nights in hotels and camps, twin sharing
- All meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Flights to and from Leh
- Monastery entry fees and the camel ride in Nubra
- Private SUV with an experienced mountain driver
- Airport pickup and drop
- Area permits for Nubra and Pangong
- Oxygen cylinder in the vehicle
Not included
- Tips and personal expenses
Hotels
- Leh: 2 nights, Hotel
- Nubra Valley: 1 night, Camp
- Pangong Lake: 1 night, Camp
- Leh: 3 nights, Hotel
We suggest hotels to suit your requirements, in the hotel style you choose (Premium, Luxury or Heritage & palaces). Stays are twin sharing.
Dates and price
Private and group departures from June to September. Passes can close early or late, so we confirm the route close to your date.
This is a Personalised Journey, so its price depends on the hotels you choose, your dates and your group size. Ask us for a quote.
Questions
Will I get altitude sickness?
Leh is at about 3,500 m. The first day is kept free to rest. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. If you have heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions, speak to your doctor before booking.
What should I bring?
Warm layers, sunglasses, sunscreen and a government photo ID for permits. We send a full packing list after booking.
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Holidays abroad
- Nepal: Kathmandu and Pokhara: Temples and stupas in Kathmandu, then lakes and Himalayan views in Pokhara. (6 days, from ₹32,000 per person)
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Destinations
Travel guides
- Visit India: a guide for your first trip
- Festival calendar
- Where to go in January
- Where to go in February
- Where to go in March
- Where to go in April
- Where to go in May
- Where to go in June
- Where to go in July
- Where to go in August
- Where to go in September
- Where to go in October
- Where to go in November
- Where to go in December
Zen Vibe Holidays
Contact us
B.no 1097, Main Road, Bijwasan, New Delhi 110061
Phone and WhatsApp: +91 98188 55992
Email: sales@zenvibeholidays.com