Epic 2-Week Road Trip through Ladakh, India - Gorgeous Mountains, Stunning Lakes, Serene Monasteries and Cold Desert!

Hosted by

Tiyash

7 Days30 Days!

Extra Cancellation Days
only for the first TripMate

17 Oct 24 → 31 Oct 24

Guided trip

15 days

8 stops

3 - 6 Mates

What's special?

Stunning natural beauty + culture

Unique wildlife

Lovely locals and food

Known as the Land of High Passes, Ladakh is an absolutely stunning region in India with loads to offer. While I've already been there thrice, it's so charming that I feel like going back again and again! A few of the highlights of this trip are: > Towering mountains > Some of the Highest Motorable Passes in the World > Age-old Buddhist Monasteries with gorgeous architecture > Cold desert with Bactrian camels > Stunning high-altitude Lakes > Surreal Landscapes > Amazing Wildlife > Lovely Locals > Beautiful Homestays > Unique Food and Culture In short, you can be sure that this is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure! Transport: We will hire an SUV or two (depending on the group size) with an experienced local driver/s for the entire duration of our trip as roads in these parts can be treacherous. Besides, weather conditions can also completely change at any time. Things to note: 1. It can get VERY cold at some of these places! Be sure to bring the right clothing/ equipment. 2. Accommodations at certain places will be very basic and simple. However, you will meet some of the nicest people! 3. Don't expect Wi-Fi anywhere outside Leh. In fact, lots of places won't even have a cell network owing to their remoteness. 4. We will have long drives almost every day, and the roads in certain sections might be really bad (as they break every year due to floods/ landslides). Besides, we will cross some of the highest motorable passes in the world. Also, due to the typical architectural style of this region, we will have to climb stairs at almost every accommodation. Therefore, this trip might not be a great fit for people who: > Have back/waist/knee - pains/injuries > Have mobility issues > Have vertigo or other height-related complexities > Have breathing issues > Cannot cope well with winding roads at high altitudes However, if you are interested in more relaxed trips in the Himalayas, do check my profile as I will have several of them up very soon!

Hi! My name is Tiyash, and I'm 35 years old. Originally from Kolkata (Calcutta), I have been living in Pune for the last few years. I have a Master's Degree in Journalism and Mass Communications, and I presently freelance as a content writer/editor. I also play the bass with my band whenever I get some time. I have quite a few hobbies actually - reading; trying out new dishes and beverages; playing and watching football; discovering places; learning about cultures. I have been in love with travel as well as landscape/travel photography since I was a teenager. And I'm intoxicated by the mighty Himalayas - once you go there, it's rather difficult not to go back again!

We will stay at different types of accommodations as it will depend on the place where we spend the night. For example, we will be staying at basic hotels or bed & breakfasts in the city of Leh. In the village of Turtuk, we might choose a cute little homestay. On the other hand, we might opt for comfortable tents in Hunder and when visiting Pangong. However, the final decision will depend on the weather and other conditions.

What's included?

Airport pick-up + drop

SUV with experienced Local Driver

Private Accommodation (non-sharing)

Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner

Tea/Coffee (morning and evening)

All necessary permits + entry tickets

Basic medical kit (common)

Bottled drinking water (2L per day)

Your Booking includes free protection from Trip cancellations.
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Gallery

- Leh - Epic 2-Week Road Trip through Ladakh, India - Gorgeous Mountains, Stunning Lakes, Serene Monasteries and Cold Desert!

- Lamayuru - Epic 2-Week Road Trip through Ladakh, India - Gorgeous Mountains, Stunning Lakes, Serene Monasteries and Cold Desert! - 1

- Lamayuru - Epic 2-Week Road Trip through Ladakh, India - Gorgeous Mountains, Stunning Lakes, Serene Monasteries and Cold Desert! - 2

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Tiyash

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34 M - Exploring one place at a time with dreams of traveling the world!

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Leh

Day 1-4

Day 1 - Once we arrive at Leh, our driver will pick us up from the airport and drop us at the hotel/ B&B. We spend a relaxing first day with lots of rest, focusing on acclimatization because of the altitude (3,500 m/ 11483 ft). In the evening, we go to the city center for a nice stroll and try some street food. Day 2 - Our sightseeing starts on the second day as we visit a few monasteries and other points of interests. We can enjoy lovely views of the city and its surroundings from different vantage points. We still take it easy and check out these attractions at a slow pace. Day 3 - We complete the city-based sightseeing by evening and finish any formality required for permits. Then, we pick up all the basic supplies that we might need and try to get a good night's sleep as our road trip will begin the next morning.

Lamayuru

Day 4-5

We start from Leh in the morning and take the scenic National Highway - 1 to cover a distance of about 115 km. Known as "Moonland" due to its surreal landscape, Lamayuru (3371 m/ 11060 ft) is a gorgeous place with an age-old monastery. We spend the afternoon by taking in the serenity inside the monastery and photographing the interesting formations outside.

Leh

Day 5-6

We take the same beautiful road as we go back to Leh and use it as a pit stop. On our way, we check out a couple of monasteries that house statues, paintings, and scriptures that are hundreds of years old! After arrival at Leh, we restock and refuel for the upcoming journey.

Turtuk

Day 6-8

Day 6 - We start early in the morning as we will cover a distance of 205 km today. We also cross the Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world, and drive through sections that used to be a part of the Silk Route! We arrive at Turtuk (2,900 m/ 9514 ft) by evening and spend a restful night. Day 7 - This is a relaxing day in Turtuk, which is located very close to the international border. We explore the village on foot, strolling through the narrow lanes filled with apricot trees and meeting the locals. You can also spot lots of cute little birds flying around.

Hunder

Day 8-9

We don't need to start early today, as we cover a distance of just 85 km. We drive back to Hunder (3048 m/ 10,000 ft), a cold desert surrounded by mountains on all sides. The rivers that run through the region make it even more beautiful and special. Here, we will find the iconic big Buddha statue that overlooks the entire valley! This place is also home to the double-humped (and extremely cute!) Bactrian camels. You can either go for a camel ride, or you can simply explore the sand dunes on foot.

Spangmik

Day 9-11

Day 9 - We head out early (and even drive through the riverbed at some parts!) to cover about 171 km to reach the magnificent high-altitude lake of Pangong Tso (4350 m/ 14270 ft). We spend the evening on the banks enjoying views of the water, the mountains, and the sky. Day 10 - We keep this day just to marvel at the beauty of the lake as it changes color at different times of the day with the sunlight. We also check out the different villages on its shore.

Karzok

Day 11-13

Day 11 - We start early as we head to the remote village of Karzok about another 170 km away. We travel through gorgeous and remarkable landscapes of the Changthang plateau (extension of the great Tibetan plateau). This is also where we start seeing more of the wildlife of the region - Himalayan wild asses, horses, ruddy shelducks, etc. If we are lucky, we might also spot Himalayan marmots! By evening, we reach the village nestled by another high-altitude lake, Tso Moriri (4570 m/ 14993 ft). Day 12 - Today, just walk around, explore the village, and listen to the locals sing while they work on their fields by the lake.

Leh

Day 13-15

Day 13 - We cover about 211 km today as the final leg of our journey and head back to Leh. Today, there are high chances of spotting black-necked cranes that migrate from Tibet in winter! After arriving at Leh, we check out the markets and can buy souvenirs or gifts for friends back at home. Day 14 - This our last night of the trip. It is also kept as a buffer day as the conditions in the mountains are unpredictable and can change at any time. We can check out the cute cafes and indulge in some more shopping. Day 15 - Today, we say goodbye to our driver as he drops us off at the airport. Then, we fly out while watching the amazing mountains from a bird's-eye view!