Overview
The classic first trip to Ladakh in seven days: Leh's monasteries and palace, the Sham valley, Khardung La and the sand dunes of Nubra, and a night beside the blue water of Pangong lake. You fly into Leh, spend the first day resting, as Ladakh's tourism department advises, and see the sights around town before heading out to Nubra and Pangong on a three-day circuit through the Shyok valley. It's a private trip for your own group, with a Leh-registered car and driver throughout, hotels in Leh and camps at Nubra and Pangong with breakfast and dinner, and permits arranged for you. The price is published per person, with the full cost breakdown below.
Best for: First-time visitors with a week, flying in and out of Leh
- A full rest day on arrival, then Leh's monasteries and palace
- The Sham valley: Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill and the Indus–Zanskar confluence
- Over Khardung La to Nubra's Diskit monastery and Hunder dunes
- A night at Pangong lake, reached along the Shyok river
- Leh-registered car and driver throughout
- Hotels in Leh, camps at Nubra and Pangong
Day by day
- Day1
Arrive in Leh and rest
Airport transferOvernight: Leh
Your driver meets you at Leh airport and takes you to your hotel. The rest of the day is for doing very little: Leh is at about 3,500 m, and resting on the first day is the most important thing you can do to avoid altitude sickness. Drink plenty of water and have an early night.
- Day2
Leh, Shey, Thiksey and Hemis
Local sightseeing, about 5–6 hoursOvernight: Leh
A gentle day of sightseeing around Leh: Shanti Stupa and the old Leh Palace above town, then up the Indus valley to the palace at Shey, the hilltop monastery at Thiksey, and Hemis, Ladakh's largest monastery. Back in Leh for the evening market.
- Day3
The Sham valley
Local sightseeing, about 5–6 hoursOvernight: Leh
West along the Indus to the Hall of Fame war museum, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, the so-called Magnetic Hill, and the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers, where the two rivers' different colours meet. A good second day at altitude, with little walking.
- Day4
Leh to Nubra over Khardung La
About 5–6 hoursOvernight: Hunder (Nubra valley)
Over Khardung La, one of the highest roads in the region, and down into the Nubra valley. Visit Diskit monastery and its giant Maitreya Buddha, then the sand dunes at Hunder, where Bactrian camels graze. Overnight in a camp at Hunder.
- Day5
Nubra to Pangong along the Shyok
About 5–7 hoursOvernight: Pangong lake (Spangmik area)
A long, scenic drive following the Shyok river through remote villages to Pangong lake, the long, narrow lake whose water changes colour through the day. Overnight in a camp near the shore; nights are cold even in summer.
- Day6
Pangong to Leh over Chang La
About 5–6 hoursOvernight: Leh
Morning at the lake, then back to Leh over Chang La. Stop at Thiksey or Shey on the way if you missed them. A relaxed final evening in Leh for shopping and cafés.
- Day7
Fly out from Leh
Airport transfer
Transfer to Leh airport for your flight home. Morning flights are the norm from Leh; we'll time the pickup to your departure.
Why this route works
Seven days is the shortest sensible trip to Ladakh. Two quiet days around Leh give your body time to adjust before you cross Khardung La and spend a night at Pangong, both higher than Leh. Doing Nubra and Pangong as one three-day loop via the Shyok river avoids driving back to Leh in between, so you see more and spend less time on the same roads.
Morning departures from Leh to Delhi are the norm, so we keep the last day free and plan the airport pickup around your flight.
Hotels and camps
On the standard tier, you stay in comfortable 3-star hotels in Leh and standard camps with attached bathrooms at Hunder and Pangong. The comfort tier upgrades to boutique hotels in Leh and premium camps. All stays include breakfast and dinner, because restaurants at Nubra and Pangong are few. We confirm the exact properties when you book, depending on availability.
Ladakh Essentials price
Per person, by hotel tier and group size. Prices last calculated 21 October 2026 from current rate cards and hotel listings.
3-star hotels, standard camps and homestays
| Travellers | Per person | Group total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ₹35,500 ≈ US$420 | ₹71,000 | Innova |
| 4 | ₹27,000 ≈ US$320 | ₹1,08,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹26,000 ≈ US$305 | ₹1,56,000 | Tempo Traveller |
Per person, twin sharing, all-inclusive of the items listed below. Dollar prices are approximate (₹85 = US$1). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book; it depends on dates, hotel availability and group size.
Where the money goes: 2 travellers, standard hotels
- Hotels and camps (breakfast and dinner)₹29,000
- Leh-registered taxis in Ladakh₹30,280
- Permits (2 Indian nationals)₹1,180
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹8,892
- Total for both₹69,352
Included
- Hotels in Leh and camps or homestays elsewhere, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Leh-registered Innova (or Tempo Traveller for 6) for all sightseeing and transfers in Ladakh
- Airport pickup and drop in Leh
- Permits: environment fee and wildlife fee (Indian nationals) or Protected Area Permit (foreign nationals)
- Driver allowances, fuel, tolls and parking for the vehicle
Not included
- ×Flights to and from Leh (Delhi–Leh is about ₹7,000–18,000 one way, depending on season)
- ×Lunches, drinks and snacks
- ×Monastery, palace and museum entry fees
- ×GST on the package, travel insurance and tips
- ×Oxygen cylinders, medical costs or extra nights caused by road closures or illness
Permits, altitude and safety
- Leh is at about 3,500 m. Ladakh's tourism department advises at least 48 hours of rest on arrival before any sightseeing; every plan here starts with a full rest day.
- Indian nationals pay the Ladakh environment fee and a daily wildlife fee for Nubra, Pangong and similar areas, arranged online or in Leh. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, arranged through a registered Leh agent and usually requiring at least two foreign travellers in the group.
- Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for the first days, and tell your driver at once about a severe headache, breathlessness at rest or confusion. Descending is the treatment. Talk to a doctor before travelling if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Ladakh is generally safe for visitors. The main risks are altitude, cold and road closures from weather, not crime. Carry warm layers, cash (ATMs are limited outside Leh) and offline maps.
When to go
Leh: Best: Jun–Sep; Snow: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • May to September: the main season, with all roads open and pleasant days.
- • July and August: the busiest months; book hotels and camps early.
- • October to April: Pangong and Nubra get very cold and some camps close; see our winter package instead.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 7-day Ladakh package cost?+
From about ₹25,000 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, and about ₹34,500 per person for a couple. Comfort hotels and foreign-national permits cost a little more; see the price table.
Are flights included?+
No. Delhi–Leh flights are about ₹7,000–18,000 one way, depending on the season. We can suggest flight times that suit the plan.
Is 7 days enough for Ladakh?+
It's enough for Leh, Nubra and Pangong at a safe pace. For Turtuk, Hanle or Tso Moriri, choose the 10-day package.
Can foreigners do this trip?+
Yes. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit for Nubra and Pangong, arranged through a registered Leh agent; it's included in the foreign-national price.
What if we feel unwell from the altitude?+
Tell your driver at once. We'll adjust the plan, rest an extra day in Leh or return from a high area; extra hotel nights are charged at cost.
Is this a group tour?+
No, it's private: just your group, your car and your dates.
Why do you use Leh taxis in Ladakh?+
Ladakh's taxi rules require Leh-registered vehicles for sightseeing within Ladakh, so all transport here is in local cars with local drivers.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Manali to Leh taxi
- Taxis in Ladakh: the rules for outside taxis
- Altitude sickness in Spiti and Ladakh
- Manali to Leh by taxi: route and season
Price and route sources: Discover with Dheeraj: Leh Ladakh taxi union rates · Go360: Leh Ladakh taxi union rates 2026 · Holidify: 3-star hotels in Ladakh · Discover with Dheeraj: Pangong camping 2026 · Discover with Dheeraj: Ladakh permits for Indians 2026 · Discover with Dheeraj: Protected Area Permit for foreigners · Ladakh Tourism: travel advisory · Air India: Delhi to Leh flights
