Ladakh, India’s high-altitude desert carved by the Indus, blends Tibetan Buddhist heritage with stark Himalayan drama. From the royal past of Leh to prayer-flagged passes like Khardung La and the dune fields of Nubra Valley, every bend in the road opens to a postcard. This 7-day Ladakh itinerary balances acclimatization, culture, and scenic drives—realistic pacing at 11,000–17,000 feet.

Expect ancient monasteries (gompas) humming with morning chants, turquoise lakes that mirror snow peaks, and apricot orchards in villages that once served the Silk Route. Fun fact: the double-humped Bactrian camels you’ll see in Hunder are descendants of caravan animals that once hauled goods to Central Asia. Another: scenes from “3 Idiots” turned Pangong Tso into a household name across India.

Practical notes: Fly into Leh to avoid multi-day road closures. Acclimatize on arrival and hydrate. Indian nationals currently don’t need Inner Line Permits for Nubra/Pangong; foreign nationals require a Protected Area Permit (arrange in Leh). Roads are seasonal (best May–October), and card machines often fail—carry cash. Ladakh has banned single-use plastics; refill at shops like Dzomsa in Leh.

Leh

At 3,500 m (11,500 ft), Leh is your cultural and culinary base camp. Wander the Old Town’s mud-brick lanes to the 17th-century Leh Palace, climb to Shanti Stupa for sunset light, and browse the Main Bazaar’s pashmina, turquoise, and prayer wheels. Cafés, museums, and nearby monasteries make it easy to acclimatize without missing the magic.

Top sights include Leh Palace, Tsemo Fort, the Central Asian Museum, LAMO (Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation), and market lanes where you can sample butter tea and thukpa. Day trips trace the Indus to Thiksey and Hemis—some of the region’s most storied gompas.

• Where to stay: Search stays on Hotels.com (Leh) or VRBO (Leh). Favorite picks locals love to discuss: The Grand Dragon Ladakh (warm interiors, views), The Abduz (newer boutique), and Ladakh Residency (quiet Changspa side).
• Getting in: Fly to Leh (IXL) from Delhi/Mumbai with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Directs from Delhi are ~1.25 hours; seats sell out in peak season—book early.

Optional add-on during a Delhi layover: If your Ladakh flight connects through Delhi, these Viator tours make a perfect pre/post trip bonus (images included below).

• Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day Options Available — private guide, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, and more.

  

Day 1: Arrive Leh (acclimatize gently)

Afternoon: Land in Leh, meet your driver, and check in. Rest for 3–4 hours—drink water and avoid heavy exertion. If you feel fine, take a flat stroll along the Main Bazaar to the Central Asian Museum for Silk Route context (30–45 minutes).

Evening: Light dinner at Namza Dining (elevated Ladakhi plates—try skyu dumplings and tsampa mousse) or The Tibetan Kitchen (momos, thukpa; lively courtyard). For a mellow coffee/ginger tea, Open Hand Café is relaxed and reliable.

Day 2: Old Leh, Palace, and Shanti Stupa

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Gesmo Restaurant (also a “German bakery”), then walk the Old Town heritage lanes to Leh Palace and Tsemo Fort. Pop into LAMO for rotating art exhibits and rooftop views.

Afternoon: Lunch at Summer Harvest (Tibetan and North Indian classics; fast service). Visit the Central Asian Museum and the nearby Jama Masjid area; shop for apricot kernels, sea buckthorn tea, and Pashmina blends at stores around Main Bazaar. Refill your water at Dzomsa (eco-friendly refills, apricot juice).

Evening: Sunset at Shanti Stupa (drive up, then a short stair climb). Dinner at Bon Appetit (open-air views; must-order: grilled trout when available, or herb-roasted chicken). Nightcap chamomile tea back at your hotel.

Day 3: Indus Valley Monasteries (Thiksey, Hemis, Shey)

Morning: Early start for Thiksey Monastery to catch morning prayers. Climb to the Maitreya Temple with its towering gilded statue. Coffee and pancakes at Thiksey’s café or swing by Rancho’s Café near Shey (a nod to the 3 Idiots film).

Afternoon: Hemis Monastery (largest in Ladakh; museum with tangkas and royal artifacts), then Shey Palace for pastoral river views. Optional Zanskar-Indus confluence viewpoint and short stop at Magnetic Hill on the way back.

Evening: Dinner at Alchi Kitchen (Leh branch)—family recipes like buckwheat crepes (khambir) and tingmo with slow-cooked stews. Sleep early: tomorrow is the big pass to Nubra.

Nubra Valley (Diskit/Hunder)

Nubra sits lower and warmer than Leh, a Y-shaped valley reached via Khardung La (often cited among the world’s highest motorable passes). Diskit’s giant Maitreya presides over fields and poplars; Hunder’s cold desert unfurls dunes where gentle Bactrian camels amble at sunset. On the frontier side, Turtuk’s Balti culture and orchards feel like a world apart.

Expect crisp night skies, apricot-laden gardens, and slower village rhythms. Many travelers base in Hunder for dune access and Diskit town amenities.

• Getting there: Leh → Nubra via Khardung La is ~5–6 hours driving (cardamom-tea stop at South Pullu). Pre-book a Ladakh Taxi Union SUV (Scorpio/Innova). Approximate rates (2025): Leh–Nubra one-way or 2-day circuit ₹14,000–18,000; add ~₹10,000–14,000 Hunder→Pangong via Shyok (road condition dependent). Cash preferred.
• Where to stay: Search Hotels.com (Diskit/Hunder) and VRBO (Diskit/Hunder). On the ground, look into Lchang Nang Retreat (vibe-forward, orchard setting), The Stone Hedge (contemporary, stargazing), or Habib Guest House (home-style meals, warm hosts).

Optional Delhi add-on (great before/after Ladakh):

• Taj Mahal Tour from Delhi by Express Train (Viator Award Winner) — sunrise Taj visit with guides and transfers.

  

Day 4: Leh to Nubra via Khardung La, Diskit & Hunder

Morning: Depart ~8:00 a.m. for Khardung La (short chai stop; don’t linger too long at 5,359 m). Descend into the greener Nubra landscape.

Afternoon: Visit Diskit Monastery and the massive Maitreya statue for valley panoramas. Lunch at a simple dhaba near Diskit bazaar (rajma-chawal or thali). Check in at your Hunder stay.

Evening: Hunder dunes at golden hour and a short, ethical camel ride if you wish (₹400–800 per person). Dinner at your property—try local dried apricot stews and gur-gur (butter tea). Stargazing is superb—bring a tripod.

Day 5: Turtuk day trip (Baltistan border village)

Morning: Drive ~2.5–3 hours along the Shyok River to Turtuk. Walk the terraced farms, wooden bridges, and mosques; speak with locals about Balti traditions and apricot cultivation.

Afternoon: Balti lunch at a family-run homestay (buckwheat roti, walnut chutneys, yak or vegetable curries). Visit the small museum curated by the Yabgo dynasty family if open. Return toward Hunder with photo stops.

Evening: Dinner at The Buddha Garden Café (Hunder; seasonal wood-fired items) or at Lchang Nang’s dining room (advance booking for non-guests may be required). Relax by a bonfire if offered.

Pangong Tso (Spangmik)

Pangong Tso needs no filter—bands of blue that change by the minute under wind and cloud. Spangmik is the regulated lakeside hamlet for stays; most camps and cottages cluster above the shoreline to protect the fragile ecosystem. Sunrise and late afternoon light are the showstoppers.

The drive from Nubra via the Shyok route is a wild, beautiful traverse—river fords and ever-bigger mountains—subject to conditions. If the Shyok road is shut, return to Leh and approach via Chang La the next day.

• Getting there: Hunder → Pangong via Shyok is ~6–7 hours in dry conditions. Spangmik → Leh via Chang La is ~5–6 hours. Carry snacks, layers, and a power bank.
• Where to stay: Search Hotels.com (Spangmik) and VRBO (Spangmik). Consider Pangong Sarai (insulated cottages), The Hermitage (limited, premium feel), or Camp Redstart (well-run, hearty meals).

Optional Delhi add-on (if you’re overnighting in the capital):

• Private Full Day New and Old Delhi City Tour — markets, monuments, and food with a private guide.

  

Day 6: Nubra to Pangong via Shyok, lakeside golden hour

Morning: Set off by 7:30 a.m. for Spangmik. Tea stop at a roadside shack near Durbuk. Watch for herds of kiang (wild ass) and marmots near Tangtse.

Afternoon: Check into your camp. Light lunch on-site (simple but warming—dal, rice, noodles). Walk the marked trails above the shore; respect signage protecting nesting birds. Photograph the lake as it shifts from steel to sapphire.

Evening: Early dinner at camp (veg/non-veg buffets are common). Layer up for the cold, step out for stargazing; the Milky Way often arches above the lake on moonless nights.

Day 7: Pangong to Leh via Chang La, last tastes of Leh, fly out

Morning: Depart ~6:30–7:00 a.m. to reach Leh by late morning/early afternoon (5–6 hours). Quick stop at Chang La for a photo and tea. Aim to be in town 2–3 hours before your flight.

Afternoon: Brunch in Leh at Lala’s Art Café (Old Town terrace; khambir sandwiches) or Wonderland Restaurant on Changspa Road (multi-cuisine, mountain view), then airport drop for your afternoon departure. Book flights with Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have a late departure or overnight in Delhi, one last idea: All Inclusive Private Taj Mahal Luxury Tour from Delhi by Car (sunrise Taj plus Agra Fort; all logistics handled).

Eating & drinking highlights by day

• Leh (Days 1–3 and 7): Coffee: Open Hand Café, Gesmo, Lala’s Art Café. Lunch: Tibetan Kitchen (momo/thukpa), Summer Harvest (quick plates), Namza Dining (Ladakhi tasting). Dinner: Bon Appetit (al fresco), Alchi Kitchen (traditional recipes), The Abduz’s in-house restaurant (contemporary Ladakhi).
• Nubra (Days 4–5): Simple, tasty meals at Lchang Nang or The Stone Hedge; in Hunder, Habib Guest House serves excellent veg curries and Khambir bread. In Turtuk, eat Balti home-style—ask your guide/driver to call ahead.
• Pangong (Day 6): Camp dining—warming soups, dal, noodles, and kahwa. Carry snacks (chikki, nuts) for the long drives.

Logistics, safety, and smart tips

• Altitude & health: Day 1 is purposely light. Avoid alcohol, drink 3–4 L water daily, and sleep well. If you feel unwell, descend or rest; seek medical care in Leh if symptoms persist.
• Permits: Indian citizens currently do not need ILPs for Nubra/Pangong (carry ID). Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit—arrange via your hotel or a local operator in Leh with your passport/visa.
• Money & connectivity: ATMs are in Leh only; carry cash for Nubra/Pangong. Jio/BSNL work best but expect patchy service outside Leh.
• Transport costs (approx, 2025): Local Leh sightseeing ₹2,500–3,500; Leh→Nubra circuit ₹14,000–18,000; Nubra→Pangong via Shyok ₹10,000–14,000; Pangong→Leh ₹9,000–12,000. Prices vary by season/vehicle.
• Seasonality: Best May–Oct. In spring/late autumn, roads can shut without notice—build buffer time.
• Sustainability: No shoreline driving at Pangong, pack out trash, refill bottles at Dzomsa/your hotel, and respect trail/photography rules at monasteries.

Alternate or extra day ideas (if you extend): Raft the Zanskar (Chilling–Nimmu, Grade II–III; ₹2,500–3,500 per person in season), day-trip to Alchi & Likir monasteries on the lower Indus, or detour to Tso Moriri (2D/1N from Leh).

Short on time in Delhi before/after Ladakh? Consider one of these curated Viator bestsellers (with images):

• Four-Day Private Luxury Golden Triangle Tour to Agra and Jaipur From New Delhi

  

• Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train - TOP RATED TOUR

  

In a single week, you’ll trace the Silk Route’s echoes in Leh, ride through high passes into Nubra’s dune country, and watch Pangong Lake glow at day’s end. Ladakh rewards those who move thoughtfully—this itinerary keeps the pace humane while packing in the Himalayas’ greatest hits.