If you’ve been following my travel adventures, you probably read about my trip to Srinagar, Pahalgam, and Gulmarg. If not, please read it here. So, last year, around mid-May, I went on a 10-day trip to explore Kashmir and Ladakh with my parents. This blog is a continuation of my earlier blog. I’ll take you through my Leh-Ladakh experience. I spent 7 days exploring all the major attractions around the Leh area. I’ll be sharing insights on the best times to visit, must-visit places, travel logistics, and essential tips for getting around. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or planning your first Ladakh adventure, this blog will serve as your go-to guide for making the most of your trip in this stunning region nestled in the Himalayas.
Well, Kashmir is truly “A piece of Heaven on Earth” and truly the landscapes will make you fall in love with the serenity and beauty of this place. Ladakh is truly a sight to behold and an experience of a lifetime. This blog will take you through the terrain regions of Kargil to the pristine waters of Pangong. Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or a leisure traveler, everyone finds something enchanting and worthwhile to remember this place. Without wasting much time, I would request you to buckle up your seats to experience long rides, scenic landscapes, and historical art forms.
Overview
The best time to visit Ladakh is during the summer months, from May to September when the weather is pleasant and most roads and attractions are accessible. This period allows for optimal exploration of this region. A couple of things that you need to keep in mind while planning your Ladakh trip, include your acclimatization to the high altitude, physical fitness, mode of transportation, and weather conditions. Under favorable circumstances with adequate breaks, a 7-day itinerary should typically cover Ladakh’s highlights effectively. Since I was traveling from Srinagar, I was able to visit Kagil on my way, however, you can just fly to Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport directly and start your trip from there. Remember to book in advance because the flight prices can be very high for Leh.
To get around the Leh region, I would definitely suggest you get your personal cab. Although public buses also ply in this region, you’ll have to keep a tab on time because of the low frequency and unreliability. If you get a personal cab to cover all regions eg Nubra, Alchi, Pangong, and Tso Moriri, you’ll be paying anywhere between 40,000-60,000 INR ($500-$700) for a 5-7 days trip. You can join a group tour for an economical option. We booked a private tour for our entire Kashmir trip, so it was very comfortable and everything was planned in advance.
While being fit is crucial for navigating the challenges of high altitude in Ladakh, you don’t need to be a fitness enthusiast. However, for elderly individuals, it’s advisable to carry an oxygen cylinder as a precautionary measure, especially considering potential breathing difficulties beyond Leh. If you’re suffering from any breathing-related ailments or asthma, I would strongly suggest you consult a physician before visiting Leh. There are oxygen bars in Leh from where you can rent cylinders if required. A cylinder of about 800 lt capacity will cost around Rs. 2000 -2500 INR. Also carry a few snacks along with you as you’ll be taking long rides, sometimes without spotting any eatery.
Day 1-Srinagar to Kargil
This day we started from Srinagar to Kargil through Sonmarg and Drass. We navigated through Sonmarg’s picturesque landscapes, filled with lush greenery and sparkling streams to rugged terrains in Baltal. Post this, the topography changed to snow-capped regions as we passed through the legendary Zojila Pass. The landscape is covered with thick white snowy sheets and it looks breathtaking. We stopped to take some amazing pictures here. Post then we continued our journey to Kargil.
Kargil holds historical significance for India as it commemorates sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during the Kargil War, which took place in 1999. This place honors the sacrifices made by our great soldiers who guard the borders day in and day out.
We finally reached our hotel around 4 PM IST and then took a rest to recover for another day-long ride to Leh the following day.
Day 2-Kargil to Leh
The next day, we started our journey of ~235km passing by Alchi and Lamayuru Monastery to reach Leh. This drive took us around 7-8 hours and I would say this was a heck of a ride. We got to experience dramatic mountain passes, rugged terrains, and deep valleys. As we approached Leh, the landscape transformed into desert terrains with vast stretches of barren land dotted with ancient monasteries. We first stopped to explore the Lamayuru monastery, which is truly mesmerizing. It’s one of the largest and most ancient monasteries in this region. Its whitewashed walls and golden spires emerge from the barren landscape, creating a striking contrast against the rugged terrain. You’ll get to witness some of the Buddhist cultures and practices. This place exudes spirituality and tranquility.
After passing by Indus-Zanskar Sangam point, we stopped at Gurudwara Pathhar Sahib, located at an altitude of over 12,000 ft, it is one of the highest Gurudwaras in the world. We also had a chance to have “Prashada“, which is the food prepared by devotees and volunteers. I also had the famous “Kadha Prashad“. You cannot miss this. Post this, we also visited Magnetic Hills, where you get to experience an optical illusion where vehicles appear to roll uphill due to the slope’s gradient.
We checked into our hotel at Leh at around 5PM IST. Spending 1 day in Leh is required to acclimatize before going further.
Day 3- Leh Local Sightseeing
Today, we set out for local sightseeing in Leh. Our first stop for today was Leh Palace. This place offers panoramic views of the Himalayas and showcases traditional Tibetan architecture. An intriguing feature of Leh Palace is its unusually low doorways and windows, this was done to regulate temperature and defend against harsh Himalayan winds. After this, we visited Shanti Stupa, which is a white-dome situated in Chanspa. This was a very serene place and we experienced a calm atmosphere here. Then we headed for lunch and had a heartwarming bowl of Thukpa.
Later we also went to visit the “Hall of Fame” museum in Leh. Since my dad used to be in the Indian Air Force, we got a free entrance. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay a nominal fee of 50 INR as an entrance fee. It showcases preserved war artifacts, weapons, and other exhibits to talk through the difficult life of a soldier staying in the border areas.
In the evening we went to explore the local Leh Market. It’s a happening place I must say, small shops stacked with fine cashmere fabrics to decadent pastries and local dry fruits. We just strolled there and had some tea and samosas. We got my mom a beautiful pashmina saree, bought a few souvenirs and got a few pastries and cookies packed for our road trip the next day.
Day 4-Leh to Nubra Valley
This day we embarked on exploring places beyond Leh such as Nubra and Pangong. We set out for Nubra Valley in the morning itself. This stretch is around 160 km and takes 4.5-5 hours to reach Nubra camps. This is yet another adventurous ride that passes through Khardungla Pass, which is one of the highest motorable roads. It gets very chilly here. Be sure to carry your warmest woolen and jackets and layer them as much as possible to protect yourselves. The journey is very scenic with variety of landscapes from mountainous terrains to snow-capped mountains.
We also stopped at Diskit Monastery with its iconic Buddha statue and took in the panoramic views of the Shyok River winding through the valley below. This is yet another architectural marvel that I witnessed in Leh.
While entering Nubra we visited Hunder, which is famous for double-humped camels. The sand dunes in this area definitely add color to the entire topography of Leh-Ladakh. I experienced a ride on the double-humped camels and it’s definitely something unique and cherish-worthy.
These camels look so cute on a closer look.
After having an amazing day, we retired to our camps.
Day 5- Nubra to Pangong Tso
This day our journey began for Pangong Tso. This is another long stretch of around 274 km and took us around 6.5-7 hours to reach. On the way, we also passed by grasslands where we could see Yaks and Beavers. It was a fun ride overall and we could experience the surrounding hues changing. We reached Pangong Tso at around 7 pm. There’s no network here, so bear that in mind. Pangong Tso is the highest-altitude lake. With its pristine blue water and surreal surroundings, it holds a spiritual significance for Buddhists.
We strolled near the lake in the evening because it was still not dark. They have kept several of those iconic yellow scooters from the Bollywood movie “3 Idiots“. You can get your photos clicked on that scooter by paying some charges.
Day 6- Pangong Tso to Leh Return
After a good night’s sleep, we woke up early morning. We were eagerly waiting for the Sunrise, which was one of the most stunning views I have experienced in my life. As the sun rose higher, the crystal-clear waters shimmered against the sun’s rays. It was truly a sight to behold.
This day we started our journey back to Leh. On our way, we also visited the very famous “Rancho School” featured in the movie “3 Idiots“. This is actually the Druk White Lotus School, located in the village of Shey near Leh in Ladakh, India. This place showcases several of their iconic sets. You can also buy some merchandise if that fancies you. Overall, it was really a fun and memorable trip. Post this we returned back to Leh for the overnight stay before boarding our flight from Leh next day.
Day 7- Conclusion of our Trip
We had an early morning flight, thus we checked out from our hotel and reached the airport in time to board our return flight.
Although I was sad while concluding the trip, I left with a bouquet of happy and beautiful memories of this place in anticipation of returning back again someday. Hope I was able to provide you with some useful insights to plan your trip properly. You must definitely visit Leh one time in your life, so why wait?