Detailed itinerary
Ladakh Short Escape — Leh & Pangong 4N/5D
From
₹24,900
The shortest responsible Ladakh trip. A genuine rest day on arrival at 11,500 ft, Leh's Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, and then the drive over Chang La at 17,590 ft to spend a night beside Pangong Tso and wake to the lake at sunrise. Permits, oxygen and airport transfers included.
Trip at a glance
- Mandatory acclimatisation day in Leh
- Chang La pass at 17,590 ft
- Night beside Pangong Tso
- Sunrise on the lake
- Magnetic Hill and Hall of Fame
Day by day
5 days, start to finish — travel, activities and where you sleep each night.
- 1
Day 1
Arrive in Leh — acclimatisation day
Land at Leh (11,500 ft) and transfer to your hotel, 10–15 minutes away. Today is a rest day and it is not negotiable: no fast walking, no stairs, plenty of water, no alcohol. Your body needs the hours to adjust. If you feel completely fine by evening, a slow drive up to Shanti Stupa for sunset and a short stroll in Leh market is all that's advised. Overnight in Leh.
- 2
Day 2
Leh local sightseeing
An easy second day at altitude. Hall of Fame, the army museum that lays out the Siachen and Kargil story, then Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and the gravity illusion at Magnetic Hill. Optional Leh Palace and the old market in the afternoon. Early night — tomorrow is a big drive. Overnight in Leh.
- 3
Day 3
Leh to Pangong Lake via Chang La
Early start east from Leh, climbing over Chang La (~17,590 ft) with a brief stop at the top. Down through Tangtse and Lukung to reach Pangong Tso by afternoon. Evening by the lake for the colour change and the sunset — bring layers, it drops fast after dark. Overnight in a camp or guesthouse near Pangong.
- 4
Day 4
Pangong to Leh
Sunrise on the lake, when the water is completely still and the far Chinese ridge lights up first. Breakfast and the return drive to Leh over Chang La, with photo stops through the Durbuk valley. Evening free for cafés, bakeries and shopping in Leh market. Overnight in Leh.
- 5
Day 5
Departure from Leh
Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to Leh airport for your morning flight. Fly out over the Karakoram with the Indus below you.
Inclusions & exclusions
What's included
- Accommodation in well-rated hotels/camps as per selected category
- Daily breakfast and dinner at hotels as per the selected package
- All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle as per the itinerary
- All fuel, driver allowance, tolls and parking charges
- Inner Line Permits for restricted areas (Nubra, Pangong, Turtuk)
- Airport pick-up and drop in Leh
- Oxygen cylinder in the vehicle and driver support throughout
- On-trip coordinator assistance
Not included
- Airfare / train tickets
- Lunch and any meals not mentioned in inclusions
- Entry fees, monument tickets and camera/video charges
- Personal expenses (laundry, tips, shopping, room service)
- Adventure activities such as camel rides, rafting and ATV unless specified
- Any medical expenses or evacuation charges
- Expenses due to flight delays, weather, roadblocks or landslides
- Early check-in / late check-out at hotels
- Travel insurance and medical expenses
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Inclusions
Where you stay
Well-rated hotels in Leh, camps or cottages in Nubra, and lakeside camps at Pangong with attached facilities.
Good to know
How serious is altitude sickness in Ladakh?
Serious enough that the first day is a mandatory rest day. Leh sits at 11,500 ft and Khardung La crosses 18,000 ft. Drink 4+ litres of water daily, avoid alcohol and smoking for the first 48 hours, and tell your coordinator immediately if you get a persistent headache or nausea. We carry oxygen in the vehicle.
Is Pangong camping comfortable?
The camps are fixed Swiss tents with beds, blankets and attached washrooms. There is limited electricity and it drops below freezing at night even in summer — bring a warm layer for sleeping.
Do I need permits?
Yes, Inner Line Permits are required for Nubra, Pangong and Turtuk. We arrange them; just send a scan of your government photo ID at least 7 days before departure. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, which we also handle.
Is there mobile network?
Only postpaid connections work in Ladakh, and mostly BSNL and Jio. There is no network at Pangong or on the Shyok route, and patchy coverage in Nubra. Leh has reliable data.
When is the best time to go?
May to September. Roads to Nubra and Pangong are usually open from late May, July–August is peak season, and September gives clear skies with fewer people. Passes close from October.
Ready for Leh · Nubra · Pangong, Ladakh?
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- 12 Sep 2026 — 16 Sep 2026 · 9 seats left
- 5 Jun 2027 — 9 Jun 2027 · 11 seats left
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- 14 Aug 2027 — 18 Aug 2027 · 14 seats left