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Home / Tour Packages / Leh Ladakh High Himalaya Adventure

Leh Ladakh High Himalaya Adventure (9N/10D)

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Description

Ladakh sits between the Karakoram and the Greater Himalaya at altitudes that rarely fall below 3,000 metres, and it offers a landscape unlike anywhere else accessible to travellers in India. Bare ochre and violet mountains, glacial lakes of an almost implausible blue, thousand-year-old Buddhist monasteries clinging to cliffs, and some of the highest motorable passes in the world combine into an adventure itinerary of genuine scale.

This ten-day journey is structured with acclimatisation as its foundation. Your first two days in Leh are deliberately gentle, allowing your body to adjust to the thin air while you explore the old town, Leh Palace and the nearby monasteries of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis, whose morning prayer ceremonies are among the most atmospheric experiences in the Indian Himalaya. Only once you are properly acclimatised does the itinerary move higher.

The high country follows. You cross Khardung La, one of the world's highest motorable passes, into the Nubra Valley, where cold desert sand dunes and double-humped Bactrian camels sit beneath 7,000-metre peaks in a combination that never quite feels real. Pangong Tso, the 134- kilometre lake shared with Tibet, changes colour hour by hour and is best experienced with an overnight stay so that you see it at both dawn and dusk.

Adventure elements are woven throughout for travellers who want them. Rafting on the Zanskar and Indus rivers, mountain biking down from the passes, short high-altitude treks to viewpoints and monasteries, and the option of camping under some of the clearest night skies on earth. This Ladakh adventure tour is demanding in altitude but not in technical difficulty, and it consistently ranks among the most memorable journeys we arrange.

Itinerary

Day 01 Arrival in Delhi
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Met at the international airport and transferred to your hotel for rest. Evening at leisure ahead of an early flight the following morning.
Day 02 Delhi to Leh
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Spectacular morning flight over the Himalaya into Leh at 3,500 metres. Complete rest at your hotel for acclimatisation with no strenuous activity.
Day 03 Leh Acclimatisation and Monasteries
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Gentle morning exploration of Leh old town, the palace and Shanti Stupa. Afternoon visits to Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery at sunset.
Day 04 Indus Valley Monastery Circuit
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Morning prayers at Hemis Monastery followed by the Alchi temple complex. Afternoon visit to the Sangam confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers.
Day 05 Leh to Nubra Valley
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Drive over Khardung La pass at 5,359 metres with photography stops. Afternoon Bactrian camel ride across the Hunder cold desert sand dunes.
Day 06 Nubra Valley Exploration
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Morning visit to Diskit Monastery and its 32-metre Maitreya Buddha statue. Afternoon village walk at Turtuk, a Balti settlement near the northern frontier.
Day 07 Nubra to Pangong Lake
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Long high-altitude drive via the Shyok valley route to Pangong Tso. Evening at the lakeshore watching the water change colour at sunset.
Day 08 Pangong to Leh
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Sunrise photography at Pangong before the return drive over Chang La pass. Afternoon arrival in Leh with time to rest and explore the market.
Day 09 Zanskar River Rafting
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Morning white-water rafting on the Zanskar river through the Nimmu gorge. Afternoon at leisure in Leh for shopping and final monastery visits.
Day 10 Leh to Delhi and Departure
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Morning flight from Leh to Delhi with assistance at both airports. Connection to your onward international departure.

Tour Includes & Excludes

Includes

  • Accommodation on a twin or double sharing basis in 3 star deluxe hotels, with 4 and 5 star properties in Leh and premium camps at Nubra and Pangong available on request.
  • Meals include complimentary breakfast and dinner at all hotels and camps.
  • English-speaking Ladakhi guides throughout, with certified river guides for rafting.
  • All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle suited to high-altitude mountain roads.

         Additional Services

  • Arrival and departure assistance in Delhi and Leh.
  • Inner Line Permits for Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and other restricted areas.
  • One Bactrian camel ride at the Hunder sand dunes.
  • One half-day white-water rafting session on the Zanskar river.
  • A bottle of mineral water per person each day.
  • All applicable taxes and full itinerary customisation.

Excludes

  • International and domestic flights.
  • Travel and medical insurance, which is strongly recommended for high-altitude travel.
  • Visa fees, where applicable.
  • Monastery entrance and camera fees.
  • Oxygen cylinders, medical evacuation, laundry, telephone charges, tips and personal expenses.

FAQ

How serious is altitude sickness in Ladakh and how do you manage it?
Leh sits at 3,500 metres and passes exceed 5,000 metres, so mild altitude symptoms are common. We build a full rest day on arrival and ascend gradually, which is the single most effective preventive measure. Guides carry oxygen, hotels are briefed, and we advise consulting your doctor about acetazolamide before travel.
What is the best time to visit Leh Ladakh?
The main season runs from late May to late September, when passes are open and road access to Nubra and Pangong is reliable. July and August are warmest. Winter travel from January to March is possible for the Chadar frozen river trek and snow leopard expeditions, but most high passes are closed.
Do I need permits to travel in Ladakh?
Yes. Inner Line Permits are required for Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri and Dah Hanu as these lie close to international borders. We arrange all permits on your behalf, for which we need passport and visa copies in advance. Permits are checked at multiple points along the route.
How difficult is the rafting on the Zanskar river?
The standard Nimmu to Sangam stretch offers Grade II and III rapids, which is suitable for beginners in reasonable health with no prior experience. Certified guides, helmets and life jackets are provided throughout. More demanding Grade IV sections on the upper Zanskar can be arranged for experienced rafters.
Is Ladakh suitable for travellers over sixty?
Many of our Ladakh guests are in their sixties and seventies and manage the itinerary well, provided they are in good general health and follow the acclimatisation schedule. Travellers with cardiac conditions, respiratory illness or uncontrolled hypertension should seek medical clearance before booking, as altitude places real demands on the body.
What should I pack for a Ladakh adventure tour?
Layered clothing is essential as temperatures swing sharply between day and night. Bring a warm fleece and windproof jacket, thermal layers for high passes, sturdy walking shoes, high-factor sunscreen and lip balm, sunglasses with UV protection, and a wide-brimmed hat. The air is extremely dry, so a reusable water bottle and moisturiser are worthwhile.
Can I combine Ladakh with a snow leopard expedition?
Yes, though the seasons differ. Snow leopard expeditions in Hemis National Park run from January to March when the cats descend to lower valleys, and require a separate winter itinerary with specialist trackers. Our team can arrange either the summer adventure circuit or a dedicated winter wildlife expedition.
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