Ladakh Itinerary 7 Days: Leh, Nubra and Pangong

Quick answer

This 7-day Ladakh plan flies you into Leh, keeps the first two days deliberately easy, adds a monastery day, then loops over Khardung La to Nubra, along the Shyok river to Pangong Tso and back to Leh over Chang La. Mid-range land costs start at about ₹42,000 per person, twin sharing, excluding flights.

The route

Delhi
Leh
Nubra Valley (Hunder)
Pangong Tso
Leh
Delhi

Day-by-day plan

1
Day 1
Arrive in Leh and rest
- Morning: Fly Delhi to Leh, about 1 hour 20 minutes on a morning flight. Transfer 15 minutes to your hotel and lie down.
- Afternoon: Rest. Drink water steadily, eat a light lunch and avoid stairs and exertion.
- Evening: A short, slow stroll only if you feel well; early dinner and no alcohol.
Stay: Leh
Register and pay the environment fee online today so your Nubra and Pangong permits are ready.
2
Day 2
Gentle Leh sightseeing
- Morning: Late start. Drive up to Shanti Stupa, then walk around Leh Palace.
- Afternoon: Old town lanes, the LAMO centre and the Main Bazaar at a slow pace.
- Evening: Sunset from the palace terraces or a rooftop café.
Stay: Leh
If a headache persists despite rest, water and paracetamol, do not go higher tomorrow; see a doctor.
3
Day 3
Indus valley monasteries
- Morning: Thiksey for the 6 am prayers, then Shey Palace.
- Afternoon: Hemis Monastery and its museum. On the way back, stop at the Hall of Fame near the airport.
- Evening: Pack a small overnight bag for Nubra and Pangong and leave the rest at the hotel.
Stay: Leh
4
Day 4
Leh to Nubra over Khardung La
- Morning: Leave by 8 am. Stop no more than 15–20 minutes at Khardung La, then descend to Nubra, about 125 km and 4–5 hours in all.
- Afternoon: Diskit Monastery and the 32 m Maitreya Buddha.
- Evening: Hunder dunes and Bactrian camels at sunset.
Stay: Hunder camp or hotel
Carry warm layers in the car; it can snow at Khardung La even in July.
5
Day 5
Nubra to Pangong via the Shyok road
- Morning: Leave by 7:30 am for the 6–7 hour drive along the Shyok river via Agham.
- Afternoon: Arrive at Pangong mid-afternoon; walk on the shore as the colours change.
- Evening: Sunset and a very cold night; sleep in all your layers.
Stay: Pangong camp at Spangmik or Merak
If the Shyok road is closed, return to Leh and do Pangong as a separate overnight trip.
6
Day 6
Pangong to Leh over Chang La
- Morning: Sunrise at the lake, then leave by 9 am.
- Afternoon: Short stop at Chang La, about 5,360 m; reach Leh by 3–4 pm.
- Evening: Shop for apricots, pashmina and Tibetan crafts; farewell dinner.
Stay: Leh
7
Day 7
Fly home
- Morning: Early transfer to Leh airport; most flights leave before noon.
- Afternoon: Back in Delhi by early afternoon.
- Evening: Rest. Tiredness for a day or two after high altitude is normal.
Reach the airport two hours early; Leh has multiple security checks and a small terminal.

Why is acclimatisation built in?

Flying into Leh lifts you from near sea level to about 3,500 m in under two hours. Your body needs 36–48 hours to adjust, and pushing on to Khardung La (about 5,360 m) or Pangong (about 4,250 m) too early is the most common cause of altitude sickness among Indian travellers. This plan spends days 1 to 3 in Leh, gradually increasing activity, before going higher.

What does each stage involve?

Days 1–3, Leh: rest, then gentle sightseeing, then monasteries. Sleep at 3,500 m every night.
Days 4–5, Nubra and Pangong: you cross the high passes but sleep lower in Nubra, at about 3,100 m, before the Pangong night.
Day 6, back to Leh: the drive over Chang La is long but downhill to sleep.

What should you watch out for?

Persistent headache, nausea, breathlessness at rest and confusion are warning signs. Descend and see a doctor if they worsen. Ask your doctor about acetazolamide before travel, and carry a basic kit with paracetamol, ORS and lip balm.

Shorter trips that try Pangong on day two save a day but often cost a ruined holiday. If you only have five days, drop Pangong rather than the rest days.

Plan around the season with the best time to visit Ladakh, check budgets on Ladakh trip cost, choose a hotel area from where to stay in Ladakh, and pack using our packing lists. Consider travel insurance that covers high-altitude evacuation.

Frequently asked questions

Can I do Ladakh in 5 days?

You can, but something has to go. Keep the two rest days in Leh and a monastery day, then do Nubra as an overnight trip, and drop Pangong. Alternatively, skip Nubra and do a Pangong overnight instead. Trying to fit both into five days means going high on day two, which is when most altitude problems start.

Is it better to drive or fly to Ladakh?

Driving in from Manali or Srinagar acclimatises you gradually and is spectacular, but it adds at least two days each way, and the Manali road crosses passes above 5,000 m. Flying is faster and suits most families, provided you rest for two days in Leh. Many travellers drive in and fly out, or the reverse.

Where do you stay at Pangong Lake?

Most visitors stay in tented camps or simple cottages at Spangmik, Lukung or Merak, on the lake's western shore, open from about May to mid-October. Facilities are basic but warm bedding is provided, and electricity often runs only in the evening. Book ahead for June to August, when good camps sell out.

What is the cost of a 7-day Ladakh trip?

Land costs for this plan start at about ₹28,000 per person on a budget and ₹42,000 for mid-range hotels and camps with a private SUV for a couple, twin sharing. Return flights from Delhi usually add ₹10,000–20,000 in season and more if booked late for June.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.