How to Plan a Ladakh Trip

Before you start planning Ladakh

Ladakh punishes poor planning. Altitude, road conditions and distances make it a trip where the first two days decide how the rest goes.

Plan acclimatisation first, sightseeing second.

When to go to Ladakh

June to September is the main season, with roads open and warmer days. September is quieter. May and October have cold weather and some closed roads.

Winter travel is for experienced and well-equipped travellers.

Getting there and getting around

Fly into Leh from Delhi and some other cities. By road, the Manali to Leh route takes two days with an overnight stop, and Srinagar to Leh takes about two days. The roads open and close with the season.

If you go by road, keep at least a day to acclimatise before long drives.

Where to base yourself

Spend your first two nights in Leh, resting. Then add Nubra for two nights and Pangong for one. A longer trip adds Tso Moriri.

Most visitors rely on a private vehicle with a driver who knows the roads.

What to book early

• Permits and registration for restricted areas, usually arranged by your agent.
• Flights to Leh, which fill up in peak months.
• Camps at Pangong and Nubra.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Skipping acclimatisation to save a day.
• Drinking alcohol on arrival.
• Booking the Nubra and Pangong legs back to back without rest.
• Assuming ATMs and mobile networks work everywhere; prepaid connections from other states may not.

A simple route to start from

Treat this as a starting outline and adjust it to your dates and pace.