Ladakh itinerary for 5 days
A 5-day Ladakh trip plan in which each day stays in one part of Ladakh, in route order: Rest in Leh; The Indus monasteries; Nubra Valley via Khardung La; Pangong Tso; and Chang La and back to Leh.
Ladakh needs planning that other destinations do not: Leh sits at 3,500 m, so the first two days are acclimatisation, not sightseeing. After that, Nubra, Pangong and the monastery circuit open up. Seven days is the realistic minimum for a trip that includes both valleys.
- Trip length
- 5 days
- Best time
- May to September
- Bases
- Leh, then Nubra, then Pangong
- Region
- Ladakh, India
5-day Ladakh itinerary, day by day
Day 1: Rest in Leh
Arrive in Leh. Leh is at 3,500 m. Spend the first day resting and drinking water; walk only to the sunset points close to town.
- Rest and acclimatise
- Leh Main Bazaar
- Shanti Stupa at sunset
Day 2: The Indus monasteries
Still an acclimatisation day: short drives and no climbing. Reach Thiksey for the morning prayers.
- Thiksey Monastery morning prayers
- Shey Palace
- Hemis Monastery
- Leh Palace at sunset
Day 3: Nubra Valley via Khardung La
Check out and move to Nubra today. Over Khardung La at about 5,350 m — do not linger at the top — down to sand dunes and Bactrian camels. Stay the night in Hunder.
- Khardung La pass
- Diskit Monastery and Maitreya Buddha
- Hunder sand dunes and Bactrian camels
Day 4: Pangong Tso
Check out and move to Pangong today. From Nubra along the Shyok river when the road is open, or from Leh over Chang La. Sleep at the lake; nights are cold even in summer.
- Shyok river road
- Pangong Tso at sunset
- Lakeside camp at Spangmik
Day 5: Chang La and back to Leh
Check out and move to Leh today. Over Chang La to Leh, with a stop at the school from 3 Idiots, and a slow evening in the cafes. Keep the end of the day free so the journey home is not rushed.
- Chang La pass
- Druk Padma Karpo School
- Leh cafes
The app times each stop for your dates and shows the driving distance between stops and the cab cost for each day.
Where to stay
Base in Leh, with one night in a camp at Nubra (Hunder) and one at Pangong. Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri need an Inner Line Permit, arranged online or through your hotel in Leh.
When to go
May to September is the season — the Manali and Srinagar highways are open and the passes are clear. From October the roads close for winter and access is by air only, with temperatures well below freezing.
Getting there
Fly into Leh (IXL), or drive the Manali-Leh or Srinagar-Leh highways in season. Inner Line Permits are needed for Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5 days enough for Ladakh?
5 days covers Rest in Leh; The Indus monasteries; Nubra Valley via Khardung La; Pangong Tso; and Chang La and back to Leh. It is a short trip for Ladakh: 7 days is the most common length, and adds Sham valley.
What is the best 5-day itinerary for Ladakh?
Day 1: Rest in Leh (Rest and acclimatise, Leh Main Bazaar, Shanti Stupa at sunset). Day 2: The Indus monasteries (Thiksey Monastery morning prayers, Shey Palace, Hemis Monastery, Leh Palace at sunset). Day 3: Nubra Valley via Khardung La (Khardung La pass, Diskit Monastery and Maitreya Buddha, Hunder sand dunes and Bactrian camels). Day 4: Pangong Tso (Shyok river road, Pangong Tso at sunset, Lakeside camp at Spangmik). Day 5: Chang La and back to Leh (Chang La pass, Druk Padma Karpo School, Leh cafes).
Where should I stay in Ladakh?
Base in Leh, with one night in a camp at Nubra (Hunder) and one at Pangong. Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri need an Inner Line Permit, arranged online or through your hotel in Leh.
What is the best time to visit Ladakh?
May to September is the season — the Manali and Srinagar highways are open and the passes are clear. From October the roads close for winter and access is by air only, with temperatures well below freezing.
How do I get to Ladakh?
Fly into Leh (IXL), or drive the Manali-Leh or Srinagar-Leh highways in season. Inner Line Permits are needed for Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri.