Historically a node on the ancient Silk Route, Ladakh is where Tibetan Buddhist monasteries crown desert ridges and snow peaks puncture cobalt skies. Its capital, Leh, balances centuries-old lanes and palaces with contemporary cafés, slow-food kitchens, and craft ateliers.

Travel here is a dance with altitude and landscape: high passes like Khardung La and Chang La, the dune-scapes of Nubra Valley with Bactrian camels, and glacial lakes such as Pangong Tso glowing turquoise by day and ember-red at dusk. Monasteries—Thiksey, Hemis, and Diskit—add quiet ritual to the drama.

Plan May–October for open roads; winter brings striking clarity but closures and deep cold. Secure Inner Line/Protected Area permits for Nubra and Pangong, acclimatize properly, drink plenty of water, and let the slow rhythm of the mountains decide the pace.

Leh

Leh (3,500 m) is your base for acclimatization and culture. Wander the Old Town under the gaze of Leh Palace, climb to Shanti Stupa for panoramas, and browse pashmina weaves and apricot products in the bazaar. Cafés and kitchens here serve Ladakhi staples—skyū, momos, and butter tea—alongside excellent coffee.

• Stay suggestions: For a handy search of stays in Leh, browse Hotels.com: Leh or villa-style options on VRBO: Leh. Well-regarded names include The Grand Dragon Ladakh (service and views), The Abduz (modern comforts), and heritage-style Hotel Lingzi (central).
• Getting in: Fly into Leh (IXL) from Delhi/Mumbai. Typical Delhi–Leh flight: 1h 15m–1h 30m, ~$70–$160 one-way in season. Compare airfares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. No trains reach Leh; if overlanding from Srinagar/Manali, add 2–3 days.

Day 1: Arrive in Leh (Acclimatize softly)

Afternoon: Land in Leh and settle into your hotel. Keep it light: a gentle amble around the Main Bazaar and Old Town lanes. Sip ginger-lemon-honey tea to hydrate and stave off altitude fatigue.

Evening: Drive or stroll up to Shanti Stupa before sunset for sweeping views. Dinner at Namza Dining—a Ladakhi slow-food kitchen showcasing barley, foraged greens, and trout; reserve early for courtyard seating. Turn in early; avoid alcohol on night one.

Food picks today: Coffee/tea at Lehvenda Café (great brews, cheesecakes). Dinner at Namza Dining (elevated Ladakhi tasting plates). If you want something simpler, Gesmo Restaurant & Bakery does thick soups, momos, and fresh bread.

Day 2: Leh’s Palaces, Monasteries, and Markets

Morning: Start at Leh Palace—nine stories of royal history and rooftop views—then wander the Old Town to the Central Asian Museum for Silk Route context. Coffee at Lehvenda Café or butter tea in a local teahouse.

Afternoon: Drive east to Thiksey Monastery (Gelugpa complex with a stunning Maitreya statue); add Hemis Monastery if you’re feeling strong, or stop at Stok Palace for the royal museum. Lunch at The Alchi Kitchen (Leh branch)—try gyathuk and apricot chicken.

Evening: Sunset from Namgyal Tsemo ridge if you’d like a short climb. Dinner at The Tibetan Kitchen—thenthuk, shapta, and butter tea in a warm, wood-lined room.

Travel tomorrow: Arrange a private SUV to Nubra (INR 7,000–10,000 per day) via your hotel, or share taxis (INR 1,200–2,000 per seat). Roads are high and variable; carry photocopies of your permit.

Nubra Valley (Hunder & Diskit)

Nubra is a high desert split by the Shyok and Nubra rivers—sand dunes, poplar groves, and the surreal sight of double-humped Bactrian camels. Diskit’s monastery watches over the valley, while Hunder’s dunes turn honey-gold in late light.

• Stay suggestions: Search Hotels.com: Diskit or VRBO: Diskit. Popular bases: Stone Hedge Nubra (contemporary cottages), Desert Himalaya Resort (tented camp with views), homestays in Hunder for local meals.
• Getting there: Leh to Hunder/Diskit via Khardung La (5–6 hours, 115–125 km). Expect permit checks and possible delays after snowfall.

Day 3: Over Khardung La to Nubra

Morning: Depart Leh by 8:00 a.m. to crest Khardung La (one of the world’s highest motorable passes). Short photo breaks only—limit exertion at 5,300 m. Tea stop at North Pullu.

Afternoon: Roll into Hunder. Check in and have a late lunch at your camp/homestay—look for thukpa, steamed momos, or egg curry with rice. Rest until the air softens.

Evening: Drive to Diskit Monastery and the 32-meter Maitreya statue for sunset over braided rivers. Dinner at your stay; many kitchens serve seasonal greens, yak-milk yogurt, and hearty dals.

Food picks today: Roadside maggi/tea at North Pullu; dinner at your Nubra hotel kitchen—ask for skyū (Ladakhi hand-rolled pasta) or local spinach with barley.

Day 4: Hunder Dunes, Camels, and the Shyok

Morning: Early at the Hunder dunes before crowds. Meet local handlers and take a short, ethical Bactrian camel ride (10–20 minutes is enough for photos and to avoid overworking animals). Coffee and breakfast back at your stay or at a simple café in Hunder (eggs, parathas, momos).

Afternoon: Drive upriver to Sumur and Panamik (hot springs; basic facilities). Simple lunch at a village dhaba—try rajma-chawal or vegetable thali. Return via poplar-lined roads to Hunder.

Evening: Golden hour by a calm bend of the Shyok River. As the sky washes from saffron to rose, a Bactrian camel lowers its twin-muzzled face to the cold shallows and drinks in slow, unhurried sips. The water mirrors the alpenglow; pinks and tangerines ripple across its calm features, the long lashes and quiet eyes lit by the last fire of day—a Himalayan sunset painted on a gentle, ancient traveler. Dinner and stargazing (Nubra’s dark skies are superb).

Food picks today: Breakfast at your stay; tea at a Hunder kiosk; lunch at a Sumur/ Panamik dhaba (ask for fresh tawa rotis); dinner at Stone Hedge Nubra or your homestay, where the kitchen often uses local apricot oil and barley.

Pangong Tso (Spangmik)

Pangong Tso is a high-altitude, glacially fed lake unfurling in layered blues that change with the sun. The lakeside hamlets of Spangmik and Man offer simple camps and vast horizons, with sunrise and sunset the day’s quiet ceremonies.

• Stay suggestions: Browse options near Spangmik on Hotels.com: Spangmik or VRBO: Spangmik. Well-known stays include Pangong Sarai (eco-minded tents) and The Hermitage at Pangong (comfort-forward cottages).
• Getting there: Nubra to Pangong via the Shyok road (6–7 hours, seasonally open); Pangong to Leh via Chang La (5–6 hours).

Day 5: Nubra to Pangong via the Shyok Road

Morning: Depart Hunder by 8:00 a.m. following the Shyok River—a gorge of slate walls, turquoise currents, and tiny tea stalls. Expect rough patches; carry snacks and water.

Afternoon: Arrive in Spangmik. Late lunch at your camp’s dining tent—simple vegetarian thali, eggs, or noodles are common. Rest or stroll the marked lakeside trail; respect signs and avoid approaching wildlife.

Evening: Set up on a quiet stretch for sunset. As the sun slides behind the snowline, Pangong turns from aquamarine to smoky violet, then catches a copper band of light along the ripples. The glow you saw on the camel’s serene face in Nubra now shimmers across the whole lake—colors traveling from dune to water in one continuous Himalayan breath. Dinner at camp, early to bed.

Food picks today: Roadside tea/omelets en route; homestyle lunch and dinner at your camp (ask for hot soup—nights are cold even in summer).

Day 6: Sunrise at Pangong, Back to Leh via Chang La

Morning: Sunrise watch: the lake brightens from steel-gray to opal to blue. After a hearty breakfast, depart for Leh over Chang La (tea stop at the pass). Keep camera and layers handy; wind can be sharp.

Afternoon: Reach Leh and check back in. Lunch at Gesmo (try the yak cheese sandwich or veg platter). Browse the Main Bazaar for pashmina, sea-buckthorn products, and ceramics; visit Namza Atelier for textile design with Ladakhi motifs.

Evening: Sunset amble to Sankar Gompa or a relaxed café hour at Lehvenda. Farewell dinner at Bon Appetit—garden seating, Himalayan trout, and pumpkin ravioli with mountain views.

Day 7: Leh Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Light breakfast at The Alchi Kitchen (Leh) with apricot jam pancakes or gyathuk. Pop into the Central Asian Museum if you missed it, or do a final Old Town walk for photo souvenirs.

Afternoon: Transfer to the airport for your flight. Check fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. If extending, consider adding a night in Tso Moriri (Korzok) for another glacial-lake palette.

Practical notes: Obtain Inner Line/Protected Area permits for Nubra and Pangong in Leh (your hotel or a local agent can arrange). Private SUVs run INR 7,000–10,000 per day; shared taxis are cheaper but less flexible. Carry cash (ATMs are limited outside Leh), a refillable bottle, sun protection, and warm layers year-round.

Where to book stays quickly: Hotels.com: Leh, Hotels.com: Diskit (Nubra), Hotels.com: Spangmik (Pangong) | VRBO: Leh, VRBO: Diskit, VRBO: Spangmik

Transport booking tip: lock flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com early for peak season (June–September). If you’re continuing elsewhere in Asia, check Trip.com (trains) for onward rail—though none serve Leh itself.

In seven days you’ll cross high passes, sip tea under monastery eaves, ride with gentle camels at Hunder, and watch Pangong’s colors graduate from turquoise to ember at sunset. It’s a concise, high-altitude circuit that balances photo-worthy drama with slow, mindful days—exactly the rhythm Ladakh asks of its guests.