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
- Gateway
- Leh (flights from Delhi and other cities)
- Altitude
- Leh about 3,500 m; passes above 5,000 m
Leh sits at about 3,500 m, higher than most of Spiti's villages, and most visitors fly straight in from the plains. That makes the first two days in Leh non-negotiable rest, whatever your fitness.
From Leh, the classic circuit crosses Khardung La to the sand dunes of Nubra Valley, then continues to Pangong Tso, the long lake that changes colour through the day.
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—
- Jun–Sep: BestBoth highways are usually open, lakes are thawed, and all routes run. July and August are busiest; book flights early.
- May, Oct: MixedCheaper and quieter, with cold nights. Highways may still be closed or closing; flying in is the safe option.
- Nov–Apr: AvoidDeep winter, -20°C nights, and many guesthouses shut. Only for specific winter trips like the Chadar trek, with an operator.
Getting there
- By air
- Leh's airport has year-round flights from Delhi (about 1.5 hours) and seasonal flights from other cities. Flying is fastest but means arriving with no acclimatisation.
- By road
- Manali–Leh (about 430 km, two days) and Srinagar–Leh via Kargil (about 420 km, two days) are usually open from around June to October. Driving up acclimatises you better than flying.
- By train
- No railway. The nearest railheads are Jammu and Chandigarh, followed by the long road trip.
Budget per person per day
| Item | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (guesthouse or dorm) | ₹700–1,500 | ₹2,500–5,000 |
| Food | ₹500–800 | ₹1,000–1,500 |
| Local transport (shared taxi or bike rental) | ₹800–1,500 | ₹2,500–4,500 (share of a taxi) |
| Permits, fees and entry | ₹200–400 | ₹200–400 |
| Typical day | ₹2,500–4,000 | ₹6,200–11,400 |
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.
Highlights
Pangong Tso
A lake about 134 km long that shifts from turquoise to deep blue.
Nubra Valley
Sand dunes, Bactrian camels, and the giant Maitreya Buddha at Diskit.
Thiksey Monastery
A hilltop monastery that looks like a small Potala; morning prayers are open to visitors.
Tso Moriri
A quieter, higher lake for those with extra days.
Practical tips
- Acclimatisation
- Rest completely for the first 24–48 hours after flying in. Symptoms that get worse, such as a severe headache, confusion, or breathlessness at rest, mean you need to descend and see a doctor. Leh has a hospital with experience in altitude sickness.
- Permits and fees
- Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, and other areas near the border have required permits and environment fees, with different rules for Indian and foreign visitors that have changed several times. Check the current requirement on the official Leh district permit portal before you travel.
- Mobile network
- Prepaid SIMs from other states have historically not worked in Ladakh; postpaid connections usually do. Coverage outside Leh is limited.
- Cash
- ATMs are in Leh; carry cash for Nubra and Pangong.
Ladakh FAQs
Is it better to fly or drive to Ladakh?
Driving up from Manali or Srinagar acclimatises you gradually. Flying is quicker but means two full rest days in Leh before going higher.
How much does a Ladakh trip cost?
A 7-day backpacking trip from Leh typically costs ₹18,000–28,000 per person before flights, depending on how you share taxis.
Do I need a permit for Pangong Lake?
Permits and fees apply to several areas beyond Leh, and the rules differ for Indian and foreign visitors. Check the official Leh permit portal for the current requirement before you go.
Guide reviewed September 2026. Costs are estimates, not live prices. Check current prices, permits, weather, safety advice and schedules before you travel.