Ladakh, India · Travel guide
Ladakh travel guide
High-altitude desert, Buddhist monasteries and lakes of impossible blue.
- Best time
- Jun - Sep
- A day, mid-range
- ₹7,000-12,000 per person
- Getting there
- Air · Road
- Ready-made trips
- 1 itinerary
Ladakh is a high-altitude desert between the Karakoram and the Himalaya, with Leh at about 3,500 m. Its Tibetan-Buddhist culture lives on in hilltop gompas, prayer flags and whitewashed stupas.
The classic circuit links Leh with the Nubra Valley over Khardung La, and Pangong Tso, a 134-km lake that runs into Tibet. Altitude is the defining factor: plan time to acclimatise.
When to go
Best time to visit Ladakh
June to September, when the high passes are open. Winter brings -20°C and the frozen-river Chadar trek.
- Jan: Avoid
- Feb: Avoid
- Mar: Avoid
- Apr: Avoid
- May: Good
- Jun: Best
- Jul: Best
- Aug: Best
- Sep: Best
- Oct: Good
- Nov: Avoid
- Dec: Avoid
- Jun - SepPasses open, all routes accessible; peak season
- May, OctShoulder months; some passes may close with snow
- Nov - AprExtreme cold; flights only, limited routes
Getting there
How to reach Ladakh
- Air
- Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) in Leh has flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Srinagar.
- Road
- The Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh highways open roughly June to October; both take two days.
- Getting around
- Hire a Ladakh-registered taxi with driver for Nubra and Pangong; outside taxis can't run between sights.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Ladakh
Leh (Changspa, Main Bazaar)
Hotels and guesthouses close to restaurants and the market.
Nubra (Hunder, Diskit)
Camps and guesthouses near the dunes.
Pangong (Spangmik, Merak)
Lakeside camps for the night.
What to see
Top things to do in Ladakh
- 01
- 02
Khardung La
One of the highest motorable passes, around 5,359 m.
Stay no longer than 15 minutes at the top.
Open in Maps - 03
Nubra Valley and Hunder dunes
Sand dunes and Bactrian camels between snowy peaks.
Golden hour on the dunes is the highlight.
Open in Maps - 04
Thiksey Monastery
A 12-storey gompa with a two-storey Maitreya Buddha.
Arrive for 6 AM prayers.
Open in Maps - 05
Hemis Monastery
Ladakh's richest monastery and host of the Hemis Festival.
Visit the museum of thangkas.
Open in Maps - 06
- 07
Leh Palace
A nine-storey 17th-century royal palace over the old town.
Walk up through the old town lanes.
Open in Maps - 08
Diskit Monastery
Nubra's oldest gompa with a 32-m Maitreya Buddha.
Go late afternoon for the valley view.
Open in Maps
What to eat
What to eat in Ladakh
Thukpa
Hearty noodle soup, perfect at altitude.
Skyu
A Ladakhi pasta stew of hand-rolled dough and vegetables.
Butter tea (gur gur chai)
Salty tea churned with butter.
Apricots
Fresh in August, dried and as jam all year.
What it costs
Ladakh trip cost per day
Backpacker
₹2,500-4,000
per person, per day
Guesthouse, shared taxis
Mid-range
₹7,000-12,000
per person, per day
Hotel, private taxi, camps
Comfort
₹20,000+
per person, per day
Heritage hotels and luxury camps
- Rest completely for 24-36 hours after flying into Leh.
- Apply for inner-line permits online before heading to Nubra or Pangong.
- Only postpaid SIMs work in Ladakh; carry cash, ATMs are scarce outside Leh.
Good questions
Ladakh travel FAQs
How many days do you need for Ladakh?
At least five days for Leh, Nubra and Pangong with an acclimatisation day; seven to nine for Tso Moriri or Turtuk.
Do Indians need a permit for Ladakh?
Yes, an inner-line permit is needed for Nubra, Pangong and other protected areas, applied for online.
How do I prevent altitude sickness in Ladakh?
Rest on arrival, hydrate, avoid alcohol early, ascend gradually and ask your doctor about acetazolamide.
Which month is best for Pangong Lake?
June to September, when the roads are open and the lake is at its bluest.