How to plan an offbeat trip to Leh-Ladakh?| The ultimate Ladakh Travel guide

FIRST PUBLISHED ON JUNE 17, 2023

Ladakh- Land of mountain passes is an amazing destination filled up with its diverse and stunning landforms. Its an ultimate haven for backpackers, bikers and road trippers. In fact, it is now emerging as a popular family and honeymoon destination. But apart from all the adventure and fun, its a risky place if you are not prepared. but above all, a fair bit of preparation an make this trip a memorable one. Therefore, I will share all those important information with you too. Here, I will talk about the all the necessary information about this region. I will talk about best tourist places, what to pack, where to book and many other things. So, lets read this ultimate Leh-Ladakh Travel Guide.

Confluence of Indus & Zanskar- one of the main attratiocns of Ladakh

For the most part, this Ladakhi region is encircled by different mountain ranges in every direction. In fact, It has a historical and strategic importance in world history as the imminent part of the Silk route between Europe, Central Asia and China. The area has a close proximity to various countries like Pakistan and China and has several restrictions that you need to be aware during your trip. As it is one of the highest plateau and mountain region, there are certain health precautions that everyone must take. The lack of roads adds to the challenges of a road trip to Ladakh and the kind of accommodation that you can expect here. I have tried to include them all in this Ladakh Travel Guide based on my travel experience. 

Are Leh and Ladakh the same?

People often say “I want to go on a trip to Leh Ladakh”. Indeed, it is frequently named together, but there is a technical difference between the two – Leh and Ladakh.

A Ladakh holiday tip: Keep Leh City as your main destination in Ladakh

Ladakh refers to a province that is located to the north of Kashmir. It is actually the border region of India with Pakistan, China and Tibet. It is widely acknowledged as the highest region of the country which is encircled by Himalayan and Karakoram ranges. On the other hand, Leh is the capital city aka. main headquarters of Ladakh. For administrative purposes, it refers to a district area of 45,000 sq km, surrounding Leh city. The city by itself is the largest one in the Ladakh region. 

So, as we can see that these two terms do refer to different parts of India but from a travelers’ perspective, the combined usage – Leh Ladakh refers to visiting all places in Ladakh.

How to reach Ladakh?

The biggest city in Ladakh is Leh and it should be your epicenter for the trip. The foremost thing you have to decide is how you are going to get here. There are basically two options – either Fly or take the Road. However, there is no railway connectivity to Ladakh.

Leh By Flight:

There are a limited number of flights to Leh and most of them depart from Delhi or Srinagar. In effact, they are quite inexpensive when it comes to cost, and booking them early is the only way to get amazing deals.

Leh Ladakh Travel Guide – one of the ways to get to Leh is by air

There is another option of partial flight and road trip from Srinagar. Here, you can fly to Srinagar and then take a road trip via Kargil to reach Leh. One thing to keep in mind is that you must have at least a day in spare to reach Leh as you will have to halt either at Sonamarg or Kargil for the night and then reach Leh. The total distance from Srinagar to Leh is 421 km along mountain ranges and high passes. It is not just the terrain but also the military restrictions and timings that will make you take a halt here. Also, you will have to cover certain passes like the Zozila Pass by a particular time. Remember, the Srinagar area is politically sensitive too. The good part about this option is that you will experience the gorgeous green Kashmir Valley.

Leh By Road: 

Ladakh Travel Guide to getting to Leh – A halt at Sarchu during early morning before crossing Baralacha La.

Leh by road is one of my best road trips in India. The astonishing landscapes and those gigantic mountains are so surreal. The road trip has gorgeous scenic routes which are some of the best in the world. Those ever-changing landscapes, thrilling mountain passes and the vibrant snow clad regions along the route are just some of the factors that make this road trip very thrilling. 

Now, as per the commencement of the journey, you have to start either from Delhi or Chandigarh. he routed diverges from Chandigarh either towards Srinagar via Amritsar or towards Manali via Keylong. Below, I have shared the pros and cons of both below –

Manali to Leh Route

Manali – Keylong – Sarchu- Leh 

Ladakh Travel Guide– Baralacha La on Leh-Manali Highway

This route will take you via the stunning Rohtang La and through outlines of the gorgeous Spiti Valley. Eventually, you will cross the mountain deserts of Sarchu, a major halt on the highway and then ultimately reach Leh. The drawbacks of this route is that you might experience delays due to decaying roads, landslides and rains. 

With the construction of a new Atal tunnel, this route has become slightly easier as you will pass the area without crossing the Rohtang Pass. This is the longest highway single-tube tunnel in the world. The 9 km long tunnel allows you to use this Manali -Leh route throughout the year. It reduces the distance between Manali and Keylong by 70 km, cutting off almost 3.5 hours from the earlier journey through the pass. Another important thing to remember is that this route has a steep climb to Leh, which could cause Acute Mountain Sickness(AMS).

Srinagar to Leh Route

Srinagar – Sonamarg – Kargil – Leh

Ladakh Travel Guide: Best time to visit Ladakh is June to October. Picture taken at Tyakshi

Another scenic route which takes you through the incredible Kashmir Valley via coldest point Drass and then Kargil. From Kargil, you will be able to stop at the various ancient monasteries like the Lamayuru Monastery, which will make your whole journey interesting. The better thing about this route is that it’s a gradual elevation and your body gets acclimatized quickly. Only drawbacks could be the possibility of landslides and the volatile Srinagar political situations.

What is the best time to visit Leh Ladakh?

The best time to visit Ladakh is from starting June to october when the temperature ranges from 2 degrees to 30 degrees. You can also experience various cultural festivals of Ladakh like the Hemis festival during this period. The region is beyond the reach of monsoons and this season is the only time when the temperatures don’t go below zero. 

In Ladakh, Winters are extreme and entire region gets covered in snow. However, Ladakh in winters has its own charm. With frozen waterfalls, frozen rivers and snowy valleys, the place transforms into a heaven. There are some amazing treks to attempt during this season like the Chadar Trek and Tso Moriri Trek. However, be aware that a most hotels and homestays stay closed during winters. Even Leh-Manali Highway remains closed for the season and you would have the only option to take Srinagar- Leh which remains open throughout the year. However, Flights are the only viable option to reach Ladakh in winters.

Places to visit in Ladakh

Ladakh Travel Guide- Diskit Monastery in Diskit, a popular town among travellers

Now the question often arises that how many days are enough for your Leh Ladakh trip. Although there are several things to do in Ladakh like camping or mountain climbing etc, I am just listing down all the most popular Ladakh tourist places that should be covered in your visit. (I will cover them in details in my future posts). The list is as follows:

Shanti Stupa – Located in Leh city, this stupa holds a few of the oldest Buddha relics. It is best visited at Sunset when you get to see the vibrant designs on it in natural light.

Leh Palace – It’s a 9 floored wooden palace modeled after the Potala Palace in Tibet. Located in Leh city itself, this one is a complete delight for history buffs as well as nature lovers. Plan to visit here on the day that you are in Leh for acclimatization. 

Thiksey Monastery – A picturesque monastery that I highly recommend for your Leh Ladakh itinerary. It has one of the most beautiful Maitreya Buddha statues and unique Thangka paintings. The 12-storey monastery is often compared to the Potala palace. 

Confluence of Indus & Zanskar – It is located right outside Leh city. You can clearly witness the two rivers – Indus and Zanskar – each with a distinct color merging as one. 

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib – A little ahead of the confluence, is this unique gurudwara with a stone that has the imprint of Guru Nanak Dev‘s body and a footprint of a demon that he had subdued. The delightful place serves free food to all its visitors and is maintained by the Indian army. 

Magnetic Hill– It is a small stretch of road located about 30 kilometers from Leh known as the Magnetic Hill of Ladakh. Out of the several enchanting places in Ladakh, there is one that has mystified people for a long time and still continues to do so because of the phenomenon of gravity defying occurrences with our vehicle. 

Hall of Fame Museum, Leh – This museum in Leh city is dedicated to the brave Indian soldiers. It showcases the way the army endures the harsh conditions of the land to keep its borders safe. Also, There is a section that details the various tribes and cultural traditions of Ladakh.

Hemis Monastery – one of the richest monasteries of Ladakh, located en route to Pangong Lake. The monastery is the site for the famous Hemis festival that takes place in June and the Naropa festival which takes place in August-September. 

Spituk Monastery – This is where the annual Gustor festival is held in January. The monastery was established in the 11th century and is known for its giant Kali statue. 

Stok Monastery – Built in the 14th century, the monastery is known for its impressive library and the annual masked dance of camouflaged performers. The three-storey monastery has a museum that showcases royal relics like the King’s crown, his jewelry etc. 

Shey Palace and Monastery – This place is worth a stop-over en route to Thiksey Monastery. Though the palace is in ruins, the attached monastery has an impressive Buddha statue that is 3 floors tall and stunning valley views. 

Lamayuru Monastery – The oldest monastery of Ladakh with its surrounding moonland landscape is an unmissable destination, especially when you are on your way to Leh from Kargil. 

Basgo – It’s one of the top 25 endangered UNESCO sites. These ruins are almost indistinguishable from the surrounding mountains. The barely surviving structure has three unique monasteries for you to visit. 

Alchi Monastery – A very different type of monastery – almost as old as the Lamayuru one. The monastery is known for its surviving woodwork that goes back to the 12th century.

Nubra Valley – A cold desert that suddenly bursts into shades of blue and green. It’s a home to the double-humped Bactrian camels, Nubra valley promises a very surreal experience. 

Diskit Monastery – This monastery is located in Nubra Valley. It has a giant statue of Buddha built on the top with the surreal views of the whole valley.

Ladakh Travel Guide- The azure Pangong Tso

Pangong Tso –The mountains and sand dunes have enclosed the stunning blue lake. It’s literally a natural delight not for nature lovers but for every traveller.

Tso Moriri – This is another high altitude lake located in the eastern part of Ladakh. This is another gorgeous lake on the way to Changthang Valley. 

Tso Kar – If you are on the Leh-Manali route, you will most likely get to see this lake. A saltwater one, it is a worthwhile stop-over for its perfect reflections and vibrant colors. 

Panamik– This small sleepy village is located about 150 kms from Leh(to the close proximity to Nubra Valley). It’s famous for its hot water springs.You can reach here from Khardung La side.

Turtuk– A beautiful small hamlet located on the border of India-Pakistan. Its flanked by Baltistan on one side and Nubra on another. The half of the green village is situated on the hill.

Hanle – This village is best known for its clear night skies and the famous Hanle observatory. This is where you can see the Milky way – almost every night. 

Dah & Hanu – It’s the last Aryan village that is said to have connections to the famous Alexander the Great. The four villages here have a unique culture called Brokpa, different from the rest of Ladakh. 

Drass Memorial or the Kargil Memorial Hall – This is a showcase of the Kargil war built against the very backdrop of the war. You will happen to listen to the stories of the brave warriors involved in this battle.

I can provide more sites to visit but for first time travelers, these should give a fair idea of what key destinations you would want to include in your Leh Ladakh itinerary. Remember that these are just the main stops. Along the way, you will find plenty of photo-worthy and epic stops like the passes – Khardung La, Chang La, Fotu La Pass, Magnetic Hill etc. 

Altitude Mountain Sickness(AMS)

Ladakh Travel Guide: Dealing with AMS at 18,406 ft above sea level at Khardung La

The average altitude of Ladakh is around 3000 m and hence, the air is very thin out here. Given the thin Oxygen levels, a sudden elevation to Ladakh can cause AMS or the Altitude Mountain Sickness. This, if ignored, can get quite severe and life-threatening.

The key symptoms of mild AMS include:

-Headache

-Nausea

-Sleeplessness

-Weakness

-Shortness of breath

In severe cases, you will find that the person is not breathing properly, turning blueish, unable to walk straight or is coughing up blood. Given this, it is best to rush him to the nearest medical facility.

The mild form of AMS is best handled when you acclimatize yourselves. This is where you need to ensure that you take it easy when you arrive in Leh and rest at least one day before starting your excursions. That one day of acclimatization is essential for your body to get used to the O2 levels of Ladakh, irrespective of your fitness levels. Here are the other things you need to consider –

• Avoid a speedy ascent to Leh on a road trip. As mentioned earlier, the Srinagar Leh route is a gradual climb and is more preferable. However, if you choose the Manali route, take adequate breaks and do not drive fast.
• Drink plenty of water. This is the best way to get you acclimatized.
• Keep high energy food with you like Chocolate
• Avoid Smoking and Alcohol
• Do not overeat
• Avoid hard work till you get used to the climate. Don’t attempt any high adrenaline activities for at least 24 hours after arriving here
• Carry your first aid or emergency medicines with you. Diamox is the most commonly recommended medication for AMS but it is best if you visit your doctor for the prescription and advice.
• Take it slow and be aware. Local people in Ladakh are aware of this and are quite ready to help. An Army camp is the best place to approach for qualified help.

Inner Line Permits (ILP) To Leh Ladakh Travel

Ladakh Travel Guide: Visiting Khardung La requires ILP

If you are visiting Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley or any other place that is close to the international borders, then you will need to get an Inner Line Permit. You can approach any of the local travel agents for it or can get it from Leh TIC office. You need to have a Government photo ID as a document for procuring these permits. Alternatively, this can also be obtained online through its website. Note that the online permit is only an application form that you need to fill out and submitted. This will need to be printed and stamped at the city office between 9 am to 3 pm. You will also need to pay INR 400 as an environmental fee and INR 20 per day per person as the fee. The detailed list of places that you need this permit for can be accessed here.

By the way, there are no vehicle permits required except for one at Rohtang Pass if you happen to come via Manali. This can be procured at Manali by providing the Vehicle documents, Insurance papers, and Drivers License.

What is the best way of visiting places in Ladakh? | Getting around Leh Ladakh

Ladakh Travel Guide: A picturesque view of Baltistan. The way ahead of greenery is Indo-Pak border

The only way to travel within Ladakh is by road. It’s your choice whether you hire a bike or a car. You have to hire your vehicles from Leh itself. The pricing there is pretty standard. There are plenty of operators where you can get taxis on a shared basis. However, here are some things that you need to keep in mind.

• There are quite a few places that have absolutely no roads. The pathway goes through overflowing streams and river beds. Consider an SUV drive or a hardy bike for this reason.
• Ensure that you have a seasoned driver to handle these offroad conditions. If you are driving yourself, be well prepared for some unexpected situations.
• Fuel your tank at Leh for your voyage to Leh- Nubra- Pangong triangle. There are no fuel stations along the way. Though, you may get the fuel in Diskit but that’s not available all the time.
• Ensure that your spares and toolkits are well in place. There is one shop for repair in Diskit main market. Apart from that there are only a few remote army camps which may help you out with your flat tyre or any minor problem. 

There are buses too, from Leh that take you to the popular Ladakh tourist places. These can be found near Leh market area. But frequency is very less so you have to be very careful about their timing when you are midway.

A packing checklist for Leh Ladakh trip

Travel Guide for Leh Ladakh: Dress up in layers and wear riding gears

Get ready to pack denims and thermals with leather jackets. An unusual terrain and climate do require you to make your packing list in advance and actually go shopping for it. Here is my suggested packing checklist for Ladakh:

• Thermals – tops and bottoms for nights.
• The Woolen sweaters and trousers to layer up during the day
• Well, a warm thick jacket or the leather jacket for places like Tso Moriri and Pangong Tso
• A pair of Leather or sports shoes. Highly recommended for the very cold places like Pangong Tso or Tso Moriri
• Goggles – the sun is so harsh that you might have light sensitivity
• Sunscreen with at least 75 SPF – Absolutely essential as owing to the thin air, you will have quite a strong exposure to the sun. Most of us get some skin peeling off our noses and foreheads, despite the precautions.
• Wet Wipes and Hand Sanitizers

Pack everything into rolls for a backpack. Avoid trolley bags as it is difficult to trudge them around on uneven and high terrain.

Where to stay in Ladakh?

Nevertheless, Leh and Kargil has a good range of hotels – from the expensive 5-star ones to the budget hotels. Most of them can be reserved online, using the booking resources section. However, when it comes to accommodation in places like Hunder, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri, you do not have a lot of choice in terms of the type of stay. Most of these places have tented accommodations that you will need to book through a local agent or on the sight. The washrooms and the mess facilities in most of them are quite basic but clean. Keep in mind that all of these hotels or homestays are available during summer but  close down during winters. 

What to eat in Ladakh? Leh Ladakh Travel Guide to Food

Ladakhi Food- A vegetable Thukpa

Leh and Kargil have quite a few places to eat out but when you visit other villages and towns like Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake, you will be at the mercy of the mess. The food is quite basic and healthy here. Maggi and Instant Noodles are available in almost all the cafes and tents along the roads. However, considering how remote these are, it is best to stock up some packaged food with you for the road trip.

Furthermore, don’t forget to try out the momos and the hot piping Thukpa. Yak cheese is another local delicacy that I recommend. 

Mobile and Internet connectivity in Ladakh

Mobile signals are not consistent through Ladakh. Remote locations like Diskit Monastery barely get mobile signals

Since, BSNL and Airtel postpaid are the only connections that work in Leh. Once you get away from Leh, you can expect even these to die out. The Internet is almost non-existent here. You are going to be out of touch and it is best to keep your family & friends informed of the same. Just so that they don’t worry.

Therefore, it will have a bearing on your cashless transactions as there is no connectivity. Carry cash everywhere as cards and mobiles just do not work.

What to buy in Ladakh? | Leh Ladakh shopping tips

Ladakh Travel Guide: An evening at Leh Market

Moreover, the Buddhist Mandalas, lucky prayer wheels, Ladakhi bells– there are plenty of these interesting souvenirs that you can carry back from Ladakh. In fact, The elaborate Thangka paintings make lovely wall art for your home. Also, look out for the hand-embroidered sweaters and caps in the market. Women will love the traditional Ladakhi jewelry with precious and semi-precious gems.

Ladakh is also known for its Apricots. They are not only delicious but quite cheap. You will find a lot of variety available for you to carry home – different flavors and textures. Along with those, consider shopping for dry fruits – especially almonds that come from Kashmir. I found them to be of the highest quality and quite reasonably priced. 

The best place for shopping in Ladakh is the Leh market. You can just wander around the shops and find all that you need right here. The prices are reasonable but do remember to bargain a bit. Look out for tibetan refugee shops.

How many days are enough for Leh Ladakh?

In effect, one of the most frequently asked question by all those wanting to see Leh Ladakh. My answer to them is to keep at least a week in Ladakh. In effect, you will be able to explore a lot of the Ladakh tourist attractions in one go. If you are looking to add some adventure sports like rafting on Zanskar river or any of the treks, then you might add a few more days to your trip.

Since I am recommending at least a week in Leh Ladakh, I shall share a sample itinerary for this duration. Here, I am assuming that you will be flying into Leh directly.

A suggested Leh Ladakh itinerary for 7 days

Day One – Acclimatization in Leh

– Arrive in Leh and check into your hotel. Rest for sometime.

– Grab lunch at your hotel itself or in the market. 

– Get your Inner Line Permit from the city office in Leh market. You can do so with your hotel’s help. 

– Do not exert yourself with exhausting activities but at the same time, avoid sleeping in the afternoon. A visit to the Hall of Fame Museum in Leh as it is a relatively passive activity.

– Walk around the Leh market and grab an early dinner. Retire to your hotel and end your day. 

Day Two – Discover the cultural and heritage side of Leh

–  After breakfast, head to Thiksey Monastery.

– Next, visit Shey monastery as you head back to Leh

– Grab your lunch at the Leh market.

– After lunch, you can visit the Royal Leh Palace

– Head to Shanti Stupa at Sunset and then retire for the day. 

Day Three – Overnight at Nubra Valley

– Start early and leave for Hunder from Leh. 

– Stop at Khardung La for a few minutes before hitting Diskit. 

– Explore Diskit monastery 

– Check into your hotel at Hunder

– Spend the rest of the day discovering the cold deserts of Nubra and the Bactrian camels.

Day Four – Overnight at Pangong Lake

– Check out of your Hunder property and head to Pangong lake. 

– There are a lot of photographic stops on the way and hence the journey will be slow.

– Check into your Pangong tent and spend time exploring the lake side. 

Day Five – Pangong to Leh

– Leave at leisure from Pangong Lake to come back to Leh via Changla Pass

– Stop at Hemis monastery before you enter Leh. This comes after the Chang La pass. 

– Check in to your Leh hotel and relax.

Day 6 – The Lamayuru – Alchi circuit

– Start early and head to the confluence of Zanskar and Indus. You can stop by at the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib either on your way to or at the end of the trip. You can also experience Magnetic hill on your way. 

– After a quick stop at the confluence, proceed towards Basgo monastery.  

– Next visit Alchi monastery. You should grab your lunch here at the Alchi cafe. It has some amazing options for your meal.

– Head to Lamayuru monastery – your last major stop for the day.

– Reach Leh by evening 

Day 7 – Fly back from Leh

There are a few alterations that you can make to this suggested itinerary and still keep it to 7 days in Leh. One suggestion would be to include Tso Moriri and Hanle instead of Lamayuru. You can do so by going straight to Tso Moriri from Pangong and then visiting Hanle before coming back to Leh and flying out. Depending on your interest, you can also, choose to skip Pangong and cover Lamayuru with a night in Kargil. In any case, this itinerary will give you a fair idea of how to plan your tour of Leh Ladakh.

Common FAQs for Leh Ladakh

Is Ladakh worth visiting?

Absolutely. Dotted with pretty monasteries in an ever-changing landscape, Ladakh offers a travel experience like no other place in India. One can spot varied colors of the mountains and see the cold desert that suddenly bursts into a green oasis and have pristine blue rivers or lakes. You can even see horses in the wild, the rare double-humped camels and the friendly marmots on your journey through Ladakh. 

How much does a Ladakh trip cost?

You can budget anything between INR 20,000 to 30,000 for a week-long trip to Ladakh. While food is not very expensive here, traveling within the region and the accommodation is a little on the higher side. If you are planning to get to Leh by flight, then the cost of the same is also, on the higher side. 

Can we reach Ladakh by train?

No, there is no rail connection to Ladakh. The only options are by air or by road.

Is Ladakh safe to visit?

Indeed, Ladakh is a very safe destination for families as well as solo travelers. This region does not have any major political tensions. The roads and the landscape are a little rugged but nothing that one cannot navigate with proper precautions.

Hence , I think I have cover all the major things in this Leh Ladakh travel guide. I hope this answers all your queries. If you have any question, you can ask me in comment box below or email me. And this experience was something which has to be passed on to others as I am doing to you. Have a great day!

Read my recent post on 48 hours in Agra

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