Cultural & Landscape
Leh, Nubra Valley & Pangong Tso Circuit
Photo: Neek-Theri / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The classic Ladakh circuit: two nights acclimatising in Leh, over Khardung La into the Nubra valley, then across Chang La to the blue expanse of Pangong Tso.
Ladakh is a high-altitude cold desert in the rain shadow of the Great Himalaya. The monsoon that soaks Himachal barely reaches here, which is why the landscape is bare rock and scree under an intensely blue sky, and why the villages exist only where meltwater can be channelled.
The region was an independent Buddhist kingdom for centuries, sitting on the trade route between Punjab and Central Asia. Caravans carrying pashmina, salt and silk moved through Leh, and the monasteries you visit, Thiksey, Hemis, Diskit, were founded as much on that wealth as on faith.
Nubra, on the far side of Khardung La, was the last Indian valley on the road to the Karakoram Pass and Yarkand. The double-humped Bactrian camels at Hunder are descendants of the caravan animals left behind when that trade ended.
Day-by-day itinerary
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Day 1
Arrive Leh, rest and acclimatise
Transfer from the airport and a full day of rest at 3,500 m. No sightseeing, no exertion. A short evening walk in Leh market only if you feel well.
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Day 2
Indus valley monasteries
Thiksey, Hemis and Shey at an easy pace, plus the Sangam confluence of the Indus and Zanskar. Still an acclimatisation day, kept low and unhurried.
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Day 3
Leh to Nubra over Khardung La
Cross Khardung La at 5,359 m with only a brief stop at the top, then descend to Diskit and Hunder. Visit Diskit monastery and the Hunder dunes in the late afternoon.
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Day 4
Nubra to Pangong Tso
The Shyok river road to Pangong, arriving in time for the afternoon light on the lake. Overnight in camps or guesthouses at Spangmik.
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Day 5
Pangong to Leh over Chang La
Sunrise at the lake, then back to Leh over Chang La at about 5,360 m, with a stop at Thiksey if time allows.
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Day 6
Depart Leh
Transfer to the airport. Morning flights are standard because afternoon winds frequently disrupt departures.
Places covered
| Place | Altitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Leh | 3,500 m | Base town; Leh Palace and the old bazaar |
| Thiksey Monastery | 3,600 m | Twelve-storey Gelug monastery above the Indus |
| Hemis Monastery | 3,600 m | Largest and wealthiest monastery in Ladakh |
| Khardung La | 5,359 m | Pass on the road into the Nubra valley |
| Diskit & Hunder | 3,100 m | Nubra monastery, sand dunes and Bactrian camels |
| Pangong Tso | 4,350 m | Long saline lake extending into Tibet |
| Chang La | 5,360 m | Pass on the return road to Leh |
What is included
Included
- Airport transfers in Leh
- Accommodation on twin-sharing basis throughout
- Private vehicle with driver for the full circuit
- Inner Line Permits and protected-area paperwork
- Breakfast and dinner
- Monastery entry fees
Not included
- Flights to and from Leh
- Lunches and personal expenses
- Travel and medical insurance
- Anything not listed under inclusions
Permits & altitude
Leh sits at roughly 3,500 m and most visitors fly in from near sea level. The first full day is a rest day with no exertion, no alcohol and plenty of fluids, this is the single most effective thing you can do to avoid acute mountain sickness. The itinerary is deliberately built so that the highest points come after two nights of acclimatisation.
Protected-area permits are required for Nubra, Pangong and other areas near the frontier. Requirements and fees differ for Indian and foreign nationals, and foreign nationals cannot travel in some zones without a registered guide. We arrange the paperwork, but we need passport or ID details well before departure.
There is no hospital beyond Leh on this circuit. If symptoms of acute mountain sickness appear the only correct response is to descend, and the itinerary is built so that descent is always possible the same day.
Best time to go
| Month | Conditions | Status |
|---|---|---|
| January–April | Passes closed, extreme cold, most road routes shut | Closed |
| May | Srinagar highway usually opens, lakes still partly frozen | Limited |
| June–July | All roads open, warm days, cold nights | Best |
| August | Occasional landslides on the approach highways | Good |
| September | Clearest skies and thinnest crowds of the year | Best |
| October | Cold sets in, road routes begin closing | Limited |
| November–December | Road access closed, flights only | Closed |
Getting there
- By air
- Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) at Leh, with direct flights from Delhi taking roughly 1 hour 20 minutes. Flying in means arriving at 3,500 m directly, which makes the first rest day non-negotiable.
- By road (Srinagar)
- The Srinagar–Leh highway, about 420 km over Zoji La and Fotu La, usually open from around May to October. Two days with a night at Kargil.
- By road (Manali)
- The Manali–Leh highway, about 470 km over Baralacha La and Tanglang La, usually open from around June to September. This is the more spectacular and the more demanding of the two approaches.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for Nubra and Pangong?
- Yes. Both are protected areas requiring an Inner Line Permit or protected-area permit. We arrange these, but need your ID or passport details in advance.
- How high does this tour go?
- Khardung La at 5,359 m is the highest point, reached on day three after two nights of acclimatisation in Leh. Chang La on the return is roughly 5,360 m.
- Will I get altitude sickness?
- Mild symptoms are common on arrival at 3,500 m. The first day is a complete rest day for exactly this reason. Serious acute mountain sickness is uncommon on a properly paced itinerary, and descent is always available.
- Is Khardung La the highest motorable road in the world?
- No. This is a widely repeated claim but it is not accurate. Khardung La is 5,359 m and several other roads in Ladakh and Tibet are higher. It is still a spectacular crossing.
- When is the best time to visit Ladakh?
- June to September. Roads over the passes are open, days are warm and the skies are clear. September has the best light and the fewest visitors.
About this tour
The classic Ladakh circuit: two nights acclimatising in Leh, over Khardung La into the Nubra valley, then across Chang La to the blue expanse of Pangong Tso.
Detailed inclusions, hotel list and departure dates are confirmed at booking.