Photo: Aditya Rao / UnsplashLadakh
Ladakh, India
High passes, turquoise lakes, and monasteries on every ridge. Ladakh is simple to reach by air and demanding once you're there: the altitude sets the pace.
- Backpacker / day
- ₹2,500–4,000
- Mid-range / day
- ₹6,200–11,400
- Best time
- June to September
- Ideal length
- 7–9 days
Day by day
7-day itinerary
₹17,500–28,000per person on a backpacker budget (estimate), excluding travel to get there
- 1
Day 1: Arrive in Leh and rest
Do nothing strenuous. Drink water, eat light, and sleep.
- 2
Day 2: Leh at walking pace
Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, and the old town lanes in the afternoon.
- 3
Day 3: Indus valley monasteries
Thiksey and Hemis monasteries, and the Indus–Zanskar confluence at Sangam.
- 4
Day 4: Over Khardung La to Nubra
Cross one of the world's highest motorable passes to Diskit Monastery and the Hunder dunes.
- 5
Day 5: Nubra to Pangong
Take the Shyok route to Pangong Tso if it's open; stay in a lakeside camp or homestay.
- 6
Day 6: Pangong to Leh
Sunrise at the lake, then back over Chang La to Leh.
- 7
Day 7: Buffer day and fly out
Keep one spare day for road closures or weather before your flight.
When to go
- Jan—
- Feb—
- Mar—
- Apr—
- May—
- Jun★ Best
- Jul★ Best
- Aug★ Best
- Sep★ Best
- Oct—
- Nov—
- Dec—
June to September.
Money notes
Leh taxis charge fixed union rates, so sharing a vehicle for Nubra and Pangong makes the biggest difference. Renting a motorbike is cheaper per day but only sensible once you're acclimatised.