The Ladakh self-drive is one of the great Indian adventures, and one of the most commonly botched. Here is the ten-day plan we send to clients who've done it before and want the fine-tuned version.
Days 1-2: Leh. Do nothing. Seriously. You are acclimatising to 3,500m. Short walks to Leh Palace, the Shanti Stupa at sunset, dinner at Lama restaurant. Altitude pills (Diamox) help; dehydration hurts, so drink litres.
Day 3: Leh → Nubra Valley via Khardung La (5,359m). Do not linger at the top — headache territory. Hunder sand dunes, Bactrian camels, a monastery stop at Diskit. Overnight in Hunder.
Day 4: Nubra → Pangong via Shyok. The route has opened up in recent years — seven hours of drive but the valleys are otherworldly. Overnight at Pangong in a camp; the stars at 4,250m will ruin all other night skies.
Days 5-6: Pangong → back to Leh via Chang La (5,360m). A day of rest in Leh; hot showers, mutton momos, a real dinner.
Days 7-9: Leh → Tso Moriri → Tso Kar → back to Leh. The less-visited lake circuit — our favourite. Leopards are rumoured; kiangs (wild donkeys) are certain.
Day 10: flight back. Do not schedule anything the day after — you will need a long shower, a longer sleep, and 24 hours to process what you have just done. Best months: late May to mid-September. Self-drive requires a permit, a hardy SUV (Thar, Fortuner), and an Indian driving licence. We handle the permits; you handle the playlist.
Want a hand-made itinerary like this?
Tell our concierge your dates and group size — we'll draft a tailored plan within 24 hours.