Ladakh01$170/ night
The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Leh· Hotel
Heated rooms and oxygen on request, reassuring for the first nights at altitude.
India · Ready-made itinerary
5 Day Ladakh Itinerary (Leh, Nubra & Pangong) with Acclimatisation
Ladakh's biggest risk is altitude, so this plan starts with a real rest day in Leh and climbs gradually: monasteries at 3,500 m before the 5,300 m passes.
- Length
- 5 days
- Budget for two
- $1,300 incl. stays
- Best time
- Jun – Sep
- Pace
- Relaxed
Who it suits: Couples and small groups who want the classic Leh-Nubra-Pangong circuit by private car without rushing their acclimatisation.
Day 1: Arrive and acclimatise
- 10:00 AM · Rest and hydrate at your hotel, Leh
- 3:30 PM · Leh Main Bazaar stroll, Main Bazaar
- 6:00 PM · Shanti Stupa sunset, Changspa
Day 2: Monasteries of the Indus
- 6:30 AM · Thiksey Monastery morning prayers, Thiksey
- 10:30 AM · Hemis Monastery, Hemis
- 3:00 PM · Shey Palace, Shey
Day 3: Over Khardung La to Nubra
- 7:30 AM · Khardung La pass, Khardung La
- 1:30 PM · Diskit Monastery, Diskit
- 4:30 PM · Hunder sand dunes, Hunder
Day 4: To Pangong Tso
- 7:00 AM · Shyok valley drive, Shyok
- 2:00 PM · Pangong Tso shore, Spangmik
- 7:00 PM · Stargazing at the lake, Spangmik
Day 5: Back over Chang La
- 6:00 AM · Sunrise at Pangong, Spangmik
- 9:00 AM · Chang La pass, Chang La
- 5:00 PM · Farewell dinner in Leh, Changspa
5 days · GoRoam travel package · Couple
Ladakh
Five carefully paced days in Ladakh, with a full rest day for acclimatisation built in, monasteries above the Indus, the Nubra valley over Khardung La, and the blue sweep of Pangong Tso.
From
Anywhere
to Ladakh
Travellers
2 travellers
2 adults
Pace
Slow
Comfort spending
Staying in
Hotel
4 nights
Into
Outdoors, Culture
+1 more
Don't miss
The big moments.
4 highlights · tap one to see its day
Where to stay
Pick your base.
Hand-picked for a hotel stay · Nov 19 Nov 23
The plan
Day by day.
Day 01 · Thu, Nov 19
Arrive and acclimatise
Rest is the plan: Leh sits at 3,500 m.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 10:00 AM - 1:00 PMFree10:00 AM - 1:00 PM 3 hours
Rest and hydrate at your hotel
Wellness LehFlying straight to 3,500 m means your body needs a full day to adjust. Sleep, drink water and skip exertion today; it's what makes the rest of the trip work.
Local tip · Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours; ask your doctor about acetazolamide before you fly.
- 150 m2 min walkDirections
- 2Afternoon· 3:30 PM - 5:30 PMEst.$153:30 PM - 5:30 PM 2 hours
Leh Main Bazaar stroll
Shopping Main BazaarA gentle walk through the bazaar for apricot jam, pashmina and Ladakhi butter tea, with the Leh Palace above.
Local tip · Walk slowly; the stairs feel steep at this altitude.
- 1.8 km~10 min driveDirections
- 3Evening· 6:00 PM - 7:30 PMEst.$56:00 PM - 7:30 PM 1.5 hours
Shanti Stupa sunset
Sight ChangspaA white Japanese-built stupa above the town; drive to the top rather than climb the 500 steps on day one.
Local tip · Take a cab up; save the steps for later in the week.
Day 01 · Thu, Nov 19
Arrive and acclimatise
Rest is the plan: Leh sits at 3,500 m.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 10:00 AM - 1:00 PMFree10:00 AM - 1:00 PM 3 hours
Rest and hydrate at your hotel
Wellness LehFlying straight to 3,500 m means your body needs a full day to adjust. Sleep, drink water and skip exertion today; it's what makes the rest of the trip work.
Local tip · Avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours; ask your doctor about acetazolamide before you fly.
- 150 m2 min walkDirections
- 2Afternoon· 3:30 PM - 5:30 PMEst.$153:30 PM - 5:30 PM 2 hours
Leh Main Bazaar stroll
Shopping Main BazaarA gentle walk through the bazaar for apricot jam, pashmina and Ladakhi butter tea, with the Leh Palace above.
Local tip · Walk slowly; the stairs feel steep at this altitude.
- 1.8 km~10 min driveDirections
- 3Evening· 6:00 PM - 7:30 PMEst.$56:00 PM - 7:30 PM 1.5 hours
Shanti Stupa sunset
Sight ChangspaA white Japanese-built stupa above the town; drive to the top rather than climb the 500 steps on day one.
Local tip · Take a cab up; save the steps for later in the week.
Day 02 · Fri, Nov 20
Monasteries of the Indus
Thiksey, Shey and Hemis along the river.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 6:30 AM - 9:30 AMEst.$66:30 AM - 9:30 AM 3 hours
Thiksey Monastery morning prayers
Culture ThikseyA 12-storey monastery stacked up a hill, often compared to the Potala. Arrive for morning prayers with horns and chanting, then see the two-storey Maitreya Buddha.
Local tip · Prayers start around 6 AM; arrive quietly and sit at the back.
- 21 km~55 min driveDirections
- 2Afternoon· 10:30 AM - 1:30 PMEst.$610:30 AM - 1:30 PM 3 hours
Hemis Monastery
Culture HemisLadakh's richest monastery, hidden in a side valley, with a fine museum of thangkas and ritual objects.
Local tip · Lunch at the small café by the gate.
- 24 km~60 min driveDirections
- 3Evening· 3:00 PM - 5:30 PMEst.$43:00 PM - 5:30 PM 2.5 hours
Shey Palace
Sight SheyThe old summer palace of Ladakh's kings, with a giant seated copper Buddha and views over the Indus wetlands.
Local tip · Back in Leh, apply for your inner-line permits online today for Nubra and Pangong.
Day 03 · Sat, Nov 21
Over Khardung La to Nubra
A high pass, then dunes and a valley of orchards.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 7:30 AM - 12:00 PMEst.$607:30 AM - 12:00 PM 4.5 hours
Khardung La pass
Nature Khardung LaOne of the highest motorable passes at about 5,359 m, with prayer flags and views across the Karakoram.
Local tip · Stop for 15 minutes at most at the top; the altitude is serious.
- 39 km~90 min driveDirections
- 2Afternoon· 1:30 PM - 4:00 PMEst.$41:30 PM - 4:00 PM 2.5 hours
Diskit Monastery
Culture DiskitThe oldest monastery in Nubra, with a 32-m Maitreya Buddha looking down the valley.
Local tip · Overnight in a Hunder or Diskit camp; Nubra is warmer and lower than Leh.
- 12 km~30 min driveDirections
- 3Evening· 4:30 PM - 6:30 PMEst.$204:30 PM - 6:30 PM 2 hours
Hunder sand dunes
Nature HunderCold-desert dunes between the mountains, with double-humped Bactrian camels.
Local tip · The camel ride is short; the dunes at golden hour are the real show.
Day 04 · Sun, Nov 22
To Pangong Tso
Through the Shyok valley to the great lake.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 7:00 AM - 1:00 PMEst.$707:00 AM - 1:00 PM 6 hours
Shyok valley drive
Nature ShyokThe direct route along the Shyok river from Nubra to Pangong, through some of Ladakh's wildest scenery.
Local tip · Road conditions change; your driver will confirm the Shyok route that morning.
- 62 km~140 min driveDirections
- 2Afternoon· 2:00 PM - 5:00 PMFree2:00 PM - 5:00 PM 3 hours
Pangong Tso shore
Nature SpangmikThe 134-km lake that runs into Tibet, changing from turquoise to deep blue as the light moves.
Local tip · Wind picks up in the afternoon; bring your warmest layer.
- 650 m9 min walkDirections
- 3Evening· 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMFree7:00 PM - 9:00 PM 2 hours
Stargazing at the lake
Nature SpangmikWith no towns nearby, Pangong's night sky is one of the darkest in India.
Local tip · Camps run on generators; electricity often stops around 11 PM.
Day 05 · Mon, Nov 23
Back over Chang La
A sunrise at the lake and the drive back to Leh.
1
2
3
- 1Morning· 6:00 AM - 8:00 AMFree6:00 AM - 8:00 AM 2 hours
Sunrise at Pangong
Nature SpangmikThe lake at dawn is glassy and silent, the best light of the trip.
Local tip · Pack the night before so you leave by 9.
- 2Afternoon· 9:00 AM - 2:00 PMEst.$709:00 AM - 2:00 PM 5 hours
Chang La pass
Nature Chang LaBack to Leh over Chang La at about 5,360 m, with a tea stop at the army café on top.
Local tip · Keep water and snacks in the car; there's little on the way.
- 46 km~105 min driveDirections
- 3Evening· 5:00 PM - 8:00 PMEst.$305:00 PM - 8:00 PM 3 hours
Farewell dinner in Leh
Food & drink ChangspaCelebrate with thukpa and skyu (Ladakhi pasta stew) at a garden restaurant in Changspa.
Local tip · Flights out of Leh leave early; most need you at the airport by 6 AM.
Know before you go
Sorted before take-off.
Entry & visaCan you get in?
Check what your passport needs: visas, e-visas and any arrival forms.
Check your passportStay connectedData from the moment you land
A travel eSIM installs before you fly: maps, rides and WhatsApp work at the airport, without roaming bills.
Get an eSIMTravel insuranceCovered if plans change
Medical care, cancelled flights and lost bags, for a few dollars a day.
Good to know
The essentials.
Weather
Jun-Sep is the season (Leh 10-25°C, nights near freezing at the lakes).
Money
Indian Rupee (INR). UPI and cards work in towns; carry cash for small temples, coracles and rural stalls.
Language
Ladakhi; Hindi and English widely understood
Julley: hello, thank you and goodbye
Plugs
Type C/D, 230V
Tipping
Tip your driver about ₹500 a day
Getting around
Hire a local Ladakh taxi with driver for Nubra and Pangong; outside taxis can't operate between sights. Inner-line permits are applied for online.
Make it yours.
Change the dates, budget, pace or who's coming, and GoRoam re-plans every day around you.
Questions about this trip
Is 5 days enough for Ladakh?
Five days covers Leh, Nubra and Pangong by car with one acclimatisation day. Add days for Tso Moriri, Turtuk or Hanle.
Do I need a permit for Nubra and Pangong?
Yes. Indian and foreign visitors need an inner-line or protected-area permit for Nubra, Pangong and other border areas, applied for online through the Leh district portal.
How do I avoid altitude sickness in Ladakh?
Rest completely on your first day in Leh, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for 48 hours and ascend gradually. Ask your doctor about acetazolamide before flying.
When is the best time to visit Ladakh?
June to September, when the passes are open. Pangong freezes in winter, and many roads close from November to April.