Ladakh classic · 8 days · Leh + Pangong + Nubra
High-altitude Buddhist Tibet-in-India. Acclimatise or fail.
Leh's monasteries, Pangong Lake overnight, Nubra's sand dunes + Bactrian camels. Every road crosses a pass; acclimatise or it ends badly.
Day by day
- DAY 01LehArrive + rest
Fly Delhi → Leh (dawn window). Do nothing for 24 hours. Hydrate. Diamox if your doctor said so.
- DAY 02LehOld Leh + Shanti Stupa
Slow walk through old town, palace exterior, sunset at Shanti Stupa.
- DAY 03LehThiksey + Hemis + Shey
Monastery loop. Thiksey's dawn prayers if you can arrange it.
- DAY 04PangongLeh → Pangong (via Chang La)
5-6 hour drive over 5,300 m pass. Turquoise lake, camp overnight.
- DAY 05NubraPangong → Nubra (via Wari La or Chang La back + Khardung La)
Long day, spectacular. Sleep in Hunder among the dunes.
- DAY 06NubraBactrian camels + Diskit monastery
Sand dunes morning, giant Maitreya at Diskit afternoon, hot springs at Panamik if there's time.
- DAY 07LehNubra → Leh (via Khardung La)
World's highest motorable road (contested but marketable). Recovery afternoon in Leh.
- DAY 08LehFly home
First-flight-out only — afternoon winds ground later flights.
Pack this
- Diamox / consult a doctor
- Layers — 5°C at night in July
- Sunglasses (UV is savage)
- Sunblock factor 50
- Cash — cards work only in Leh