10 Day Ladakh Itinerary

Ladakh is among the hottest tourist destinations right now. Here are our suggestions for some of the places to stay at and a tentative itinerary to follow.

Ladakh is on every Indian tourist’s mind at present. Flights to the destination from across the country are running packed and every accommodation is showing healthy occupancy. If you are planning to head there too, here are our suggestions for some of the places to stay at and also a tentative itinerary to follow.

Some of these camps and hotels that have come up across Ladakh over the last few years offer good facilities and a luxury stay in some of the remotest corners. Started by passionate professionals from the region, these places help generate employment, showcase local lifestyles and do their bit in promoting sustainability and giving visitors unique experiences.

Day 1-3: The Grand Dragon, Leh

Make this your base for your trip. The Din family that built this impressive unit are among the most passionate ambassadors of Ladakh. This 75 rooms property also has very good dining options and is easily one of the best equipped properties in Leh. From simple tips such as acclimatisation advice to facilities like a car with oxygen cylinder while crossing high passes or confirmed stay bookings at places where you will not have any mobile network are extremely useful in that terrain.

Our suggestion is to call and let The Grand Dragon plan a Ladakh itinerary for you. They have one of the best networks of vehicles and expert guides in the region.

Tourists usually use their first day to explore the property, enjoy meals with a view here and devote day two and three to visiting the Leh market, War Memorial, Magnetic Hill, Sangam – confluence of Indus and Zanskar, Alchi Village, Lamayuru Monastery, Royal Palace, Shanti Stupa and Central Asian Museum.

The hotel arranges guided tours and can plan it for you. Local outlets such as Namza that are keeping Ladakh culture, fashion and food alive through their initiatives are a must visit.

Day 4: Turtuk Holiday Resort

Once acclimatised, head out on this roughly six hours ride to one of the most scenic parts of the world – Nubra Valley. Start with one of the remotest corners of the country – Turtuk. Your drive takes you through the scenic Leh topography while passing through Khardung La, which was the highest motorable road in the world till just a few days ago before the completion of Umling La. 

Holiday resort Turtuk is an ideal base after a long drive. Check in to the property, freshen up and use the time at hand to explore nearby Yul and Farool areas.

Turtuk was a part of Baltistan region in Pakistan before 1971 war. Eat local, farm to table and sustainability, concepts that are buzzwords nowadays are a way of life here.

Turtuk Holiday Resort with roughly 15 tents is as comfortable an accommodation you can imagine in this part of the world. It has all the amenities, a good breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet and also a newly added Japanese restaurant named Yakitori!

After a comfortable night’s sleep, enjoy breakfast and start early to visit the villages of Tyakshi and Thang on LoC. Post that, head to Hundar, around three hours’ drive, in Nubra Valley.

Day 5: Stone Hedge Ladakh

15 rooms built using natural materials, a good rooftop restaurant offering amazing views of mountain ranges and ample activities to explore around the famous sand dunes of Nubra Valley. You should enjoy a light lunch, freshen up and head to sand dunes to experience a ride atop a Bactrian double hump camel that starts roughly around 4 pm. There are other activities such as biking, archery and treks to keep visitors busy.

Day 6-7: Lchang Nang Retreat

One of the best eco-friendly, solar powered resorts in Kyagar Village, Nubra Valley, this retreat is your guide to Ladakh way of life. From village tours, monastery visits, dinner in the meadows, sundowner at the river, stargazing at night to yoga in the morning, with some of the most enchanting activities in store, your Ladakh visit will be incomplete without a visit here. The kitchen uses ingredients from adjoining farm to prepare healthy buffet meals while each room has a charming open area to let you soak in the unmatched views.

Day 8: Pangong Tso – Leh

This will be the most hectic day of the trip with a five hours drive to majestic Pangong lake followed by another five hours journey back to Leh. The lake is a marvel of nature worth a visit. The bumpy road takes you to one of the most scenic settings in the country. While the movie 3 Idiots did make it one of the most popular tourist spots, it still remains a site you shouldn’t miss. There are ample tented stay options now around the lake as well in case you plan to rest post a hectic ride. Your journey to Leh passes Chang La, one of the highest passes and many scenic bends and turns.

Day 9: Ladakh Sarai

Use the last day of your trip to just laze and unwind at this lovely property set just outside the main city at Saboo village. Enjoy some of the best views of the region and end the night with an experiential meal at restaurant Syah. That will be just the perfect way to end your Ladakh trip.

On the last day, you can visit the market to shop for local bread, apples and apricots as a souvenir to take along.

Important tips:

Best time to visit Ladakh is from May-October

Pre booking your stay and experiences is best advised and if possible, carry screenshots / printouts of bookings as you may not have connectivity everywhere.

Keep the first two days to acclimatise with minimal activities.

Careful driving is a must as some roads are still one way. Best to be patient and totally avoid unnecessary overtakes.

Do check local Covid protocols in place and follow all guidelines being issued.

Keep a light jacket, cap and sunscreen handy.