Picture-perfect landscape, lofty barren mountains, spectacular monasteries, and dramatically fluttering flags – an impeccable depiction of Ladakh.
Bound by two mighty mountain ranges in the world – the Great Himalayas and the Karakoram ranges, Ladakh is truly heaven on earth. Boasting about jaw-dropping locales, alpine meadows, snow cold desert, and high-altitude mountain passes, the Leh Ladakh road trip is an absolute delight for nature lovers and adventure fanatics. There are so many places to explore in Ladakh, however, four days are enough to bask in the enticing beauty of this wonderland.
Traveling within Ladakh
4-days are sufficient to do a Ladakh road trip as long as you prioritize the list of places to visit and things to do so that you can make the most of your vacation. Ladakh is among the top trekking destinations in India and also offers opportunities for motorbiking, river rafting, quad biking, camel safari, and much more.
Ladakh road trip by bike is an amazing option for tourists to explore the rugged terrains and scenic vistas of this high-altitude region.
A Four Day Leh-Ladakh Road Trip Itinerary
A trip to Leh Ladakh is a dream of every avid traveller and for them, we have put our best efforts to write down this Ladakh tour itinerary.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1: Leh (Local sightseeing)
Day 2: Leh to Nubra Valley
Day 3: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake
Day 4: Pangong Lake to Leh
Day 1: Leh (Local sightseeing)
Leh is the capital and the largest town of Ladakh due to which it is the base point of the tour. The first day of the Ladakh tour is an acclimatization day. Leh is situated at 3,500m above sea level and it is necessary to acclimatize your body.
On this day, you can visit Leh Monastery, Shanti Stupa, and Leh Market. Also explore the nearby major attractions including Magnetic Hill, the confluence point of Zanskar and Indus River, and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.
Travel Tip!
- Arrange an Inner Line Permit, which is a must to visit Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake. You can apply for it online on the official website of LAHDC or get it issued from the DM office, Leh.
- You can book a taxi or hire a bike from Leh without any hassle.
Day 2: Leh to Nubra Valley
Hit the road on the 2nd day of the tour and head towards Nubra Valley. Situated at a distance of 126 km from Leh, Nubra is famous for the Bactrian camel. During the Ladakh road trip, the first stopover of the day will be Khardung La Pass, which is one of the highest motorable passes in the world.
The other popular attractions you can visit are Diskit Monastery and Hunder Sand Dunes. Enjoy a camel ride in Hunder, Nubra Valley and enjoy the snow-dusted Himalayan Mountains in the backdrop. Tourists can also enjoy Jeep Safari in sand dunes
In Nubra Valley, you can stay in Swiss cottages or hotels. There are a lot of camping options here.
Travel Tip! It is recommended to start the ride early morning for a hassle-free journey.
Day 3: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake
Start your day early by visiting Pangong Lake, one of the best places for camping in Ladakh. Situated 240 km from Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake is a high altitude salt-water lake. While travelling to Ladakh, a visit to Pangong Lake is a must. The lake changes color from Azure to light Blue to Green and Grey from sunrise to sunset.
On the way, you will cross Chang La which is another high mountain pass. Perched at an altitude of 5360m above sea level, Chang La is a hot spot for adventure lovers and bike riders.
Travel Tip! Pangong Lake is located near the Sino-India border and it is mandatory to have an inner line permit to visit the lake.
Day 4: Pangong Lake to Leh
After having a sumptuous breakfast, start your ride to Leh. However, do not forget to get glimpses of the enthralling beauty of the lake during sunrise.
En route, you can visit Hemis Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, and Shey Palace
Adventure activities in Ladakh
Ladakh is a heaven for adventure lovers and is blessed with a collection of flawless wonders. There are a plethora of adventure activities in Ladakh such as
- Trekking in Ladakh which includes Markha Valley Trek, Stok Kangri Trek, Snow Leopard Trek and many more.
- Jeep Safari in Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Tso Moriri
- River Rafting in Zanskar River
- Quad biking in Nubra Sand Dunes and Magnetic Hill
- Rock Climbing in Suru Valley
- Chadar Trek is one of the interesting yet perilous treks in the world and due to this Ladakh is the best destination for a winter trek. During this trek, tourists have to trek over the frozen Zanskar River in the mighty Himalayas.
Travel Tips for Ladakh tour
- Domestic and international tourists require an inner line permit to visit the protected areas. Carry at least six copies of the permit as they are required at various check posts. Also, carry original identity proof.
- Carry light woollen clothes during summer and heavy woollen for the winter season.
- Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is one of the major difficulties encountered by tourists as the oxygen level is low here. You can carry oxygen cylinder medicines like Diamox, Dexamethasone, Aspirin, and Disprin as a precaution for AMS.
- It is advisable to use sunscreen and wear sunglasses to save your skin and eyes from direct sun rays.
- Carry enough cash as ATMs are not available everywhere.
- Always keep multiple copies of identity proofs.
Ladakh is renowned as the ‘Cold Desert’ and blessed with pristine beauty. The magnificence of this place cannot be expressed into words. Plan a trip to Leh Ladakh and have an experience of a lifetime.
A soul bred in the mountains, Akansha Negi doles out travel inspiration from solo wandering, exploring heritage and culture, tasting local cuisine, adventures, and experiences of her travels. As a travel enthusiast, she loves to travel in India as this country is a sumptuous amalgam of traditions, spiritual beliefs, and magnificent landscapes. She keeps penning down and capturing her travel experiences and loves to share them with all. She wishes to travel across the globe in the years to come.