5 Days: Relaxed & Local
Camp-based relaxation with local culture and easy excursions
| Day | Plan | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive Leh, transfer to camp. Rest and acclimatize. Evening riverside walk for sunset, campfire and stargazing. | Camp |
| Day 2 | Morning camel sanctuary walk. Afternoon: Indus Valley monasteries (Shey, Thiksey, Stakna) at a leisurely pace. Optional: Thiksey morning prayers (early start). | Camp |
| Day 3 | Gotsang hike — 40 min drive to Hemis, then a 1-1.5 hour climb to the 13th century meditation cave. Afternoon at leisure, yoga, or birding. | Camp |
| Day 4 | Leh town: Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa for sunset, Central Asian Museum. Shopping for pashminas and local crafts. Lunch at Namza or De Khambir. | Camp |
| Day 5 | Morning at leisure. Departure. | — |
Notes
Can add rafting on Day 3 or 4. Ideal for those who've visited Ladakh before or prefer depth over distance.
7 Days: Classic Nubra-Pangong Loop
The essential Ladakh circuit — monasteries, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake
| Day | Plan | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive Leh, transfer to camp. Rest and acclimatize. Evening sunset walk. | Camp |
| Day 2 | Indus Valley monasteries: Thiksey (optional morning prayers), Hemis, Shey. Afternoon at leisure. | Camp |
| Day 3 | Drive to Nubra Valley via Khardung La (5,360m). Explore Hunder, sand dunes, Bactrian camels. | Nubra |
| Day 4 | Drive to Turtuk — a Balti village that was part of Pakistan until 1971. Return to Sumur side of Nubra for a quieter stay, or remain in Hunder. | Nubra |
| Day 5 | Nubra to Pangong Lake via Shyok River route (direct route available until late June; alternative via Wari La or Leh thereafter). Arrive afternoon, watch the lake change colours. | Pangong |
| Day 6 | Morning at Pangong. Return to camp via Chang La (5,360m). Arrive late afternoon. | Camp |
| Day 7 | Morning at leisure. Departure. | — |
Notes
The direct Nubra-Pangong route via the Shyok River is available in early season (typically until late June). From late June to September, rising river levels often require the longer route via Wari La pass, or returning to Leh first. Oxygen cylinder rental recommended for Pangong overnight (approx. 2,500 INR for 2-3 days). See logistics for transport details.
10 Days: Wildlife, Trekking & Remote Ladakh
Himalayan brown bears, Sham Valley hiking, Changtang nomads — the deeper Ladakh
| Day | Plan | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive Leh, transfer to camp. Rest and acclimatize. | Camp |
| Day 2 | Indus Valley monasteries at leisure. Afternoon yoga or birding at camp. | Camp |
| Day 3 | Drive to Drass (5-6 hours) via Kargil. Arrive at Drenmo Lodge for Himalayan Brown Bear safari. Evening wildlife excursion. | Drenmo Lodge |
| Day 4 | Morning wildlife viewing at Drenmo. Midday, drive to Sham Valley (via Kargil). Arrive Temisgam. | Temisgam |
| Day 5 | Trek from Temisgam to Hemis Shukpachan (3-5 hours). Quiet village surrounded by juniper forest. | Hemis Shukpachan |
| Day 6 | Trek from Hemis Shukpachan to Ulley (3-4 hours) — a remote hamlet of 7 homes, high in the mountains. Home of the Snow Leopard Lodge. | Ulley |
| Day 7 | Sham Valley exploration: Alchi murals, Basgo fort, Sangam confluence. Rafting on the Zanskar. Return to camp. | Camp |
| Day 8 | Drive to Tso Moriri (6 hours) through the Changtang region. Arrive at the lake, 4,500m above sea level. | Tso Moriri |
| Day 9 | Return via Tso Kar — salt lake, pashmina goat nomads, black-necked cranes. Cross Taglang La pass (5,300m). Arrive camp late afternoon. | Camp |
| Day 10 | Morning at leisure. Departure. | — |
Notes
Requires good fitness and full acclimatization by Day 3. Drenmo Lodge costs approximately 40,000 INR/night (meals and guides included). Take an oxygen cylinder for the Changtang section. Contact us to customize.