Private journeys across India · Replies within 24 hours
Reviewed by Mirza Shadab Beg, Founder, Travelage India, Agra · Last updated 24 October 2026
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Short answer: eight days is a comfortable length for Ladakh. Spend two easy days in Leh to acclimatise, cross Khardung La to the Nubra Valley, continue to Pangong Lake, and return to Leh for the monasteries of the Indus valley. You have your own luxury vehicle and driver, and the Nubra and Pangong permits are arranged for you.
Ladakh is a high-altitude desert of monasteries, blue lakes and bare mountains, at about 3,500 metres (11,500 feet) in Leh and much higher on the passes. This journey is paced for the altitude: you arrive, rest, and see Leh gently before crossing Khardung La to the Nubra Valley, then on to Pangong Lake, and back to Leh for the monasteries of the Indus valley.
You travel by private luxury car with an experienced driver, and local guides explain the monasteries. We build in rest days, tell you plainly what the altitude and the roads are like, and arrange the permits needed for Nubra and Pangong.
Met at the airport and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is for rest only. At about 3,500 metres the first day should be easy: drink water, eat lightly and avoid alcohol and exertion.
A gentle day. Visit the Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and the old market on foot, with long rests. Afternoon tea and an early night help your body adjust.
Drive about 120 km (75 miles) to Hunder in Nubra (five to six hours), crossing Khardung La at about 5,359 metres. Stay at the top only briefly. In the late afternoon, visit the sand dunes at Hunder and ride a double-humped Bactrian camel.
Visit the Diskit monastery and its large Maitreya Buddha in the morning. Then drive about 170 km (105 miles) over the Shyok route to Pangong Lake (six to seven hours), arriving for the evening light on the lake.
Rise early for sunrise on the lake. Drive about 160 km (100 miles) back to Leh (five to six hours) over Chang La at about 5,360 metres, with a stop at Hemis or Thiksey if time allows.
Drive west to the Indus valley: Magnetic Hill, the meeting of the Indus and Zanskar rivers at Sangam, and the old monasteries of Likir and Alchi, which hold early Buddhist wall paintings.
Visit the Thiksey monastery for the morning prayers, the Shey palace and the Hemis monastery. The rest of the day is free for the market, a café or packing.
Transfer to Leh airport for your onward flight. Morning flights can be affected by weather, so keep a buffer.
Altitude and roads set the pace in Ladakh. Here is what we plan around them.
We keep your first two days gentle and put the highest passes after you have adjusted.
The Nubra and Pangong areas need permits. We apply with your passport copies and confirm fees before you travel.
Your driver knows the high roads and the weather, and keeps the pace safe.
Your guide is chosen for the language you prefer and the things you love. Ask for Japanese or Russian and we will arrange it where we can.
Here is every leg with its distance and likely drive time. Times vary with traffic and stops.
| Leg | Distance | Drive time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leh to Nubra (Hunder) | about 120 km (75 miles) | 5 to 6 hours | Via Khardung La |
| Nubra to Pangong Lake | about 170 km (105 miles) | 6 to 7 hours | Via Shyok route |
| Pangong Lake to Leh | about 160 km (100 miles) | 5 to 6 hours | Via Chang La |
| Leh to Sham Valley loop | about 150 km (95 miles) | Full day | Return the same evening |
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“Very awesome experience.. extremely professional and courteous, the chauffeur and the guides were very knowledgeable and knew the way to maneuver the system. They were highly flexible in adapting to any changes in my schedule.”
“I went to India alone and had an amazing experience with my tour guide, shiraz. He showed me all the beautiful places that india has to offer and even brought to places that was not initially planned after requesting it to make sure that I was completely satisfied with my tour.”
“Ali is a wonderful person and a fantastic & experienced driver! He keeps an immaculate car and is always very accommodating with any need, responsive and smiling. We felt comfortable and safe with him. Also a big shout out to Prahlad for his very interesting guided tour of Jodhpur!”
“I had an amazing time with Kishan (driver) and Bobby (guide). They both are very polite, nice and easy going. Bobby taught me so many facts and interesting things about Taj Mahal and India Culture in general.”
“A dream come true! Bobby’s expertise and warm hospitality made my Agra trip seamless and perfect. The Taj Mahal was beyond words especially with his talented photography skills.”
“We actually did 14 days which included a trip to Varanasi, then the Golden Triangle & out to Jaisalmer. Every step of the way we were accompanied by Bobby. Our Driver & coach was super, but focus on detail and ensuring that the safety & wellbeing of individual travellers was met, really put the trip at an all time high!”
Each journey is a different part of the Himalaya. The highlighted row is the journey on this page.
| Journey | Time needed | How you travel | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ladakh Tour | 8 days / 7 nights | Private luxury car, camps | High-altitude desert and lakes |
| Kashmir Valley Tour | 7 days / 6 nights | Private luxury car, houseboat | Lakes, meadows and snow |
| Shimla & Kinnaur Himalaya Tour | 7 days / 6 nights | Private luxury car, toy train | Colonial hills and the Kinnaur valley |
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May to September is the main season, with June to August the warmest. Winters are very cold and many camps close, though Leh stays open and has its own winter appeal.
Rest on arrival, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and climb gradually. Your first two days are kept easy for this reason. If you have a medical condition, speak to your doctor before you travel.
Yes. Both need permits, which we arrange with your passport copies. Rules and fees change, so we confirm them before you travel.
About 5,359 metres (17,582 feet) by the roadside signboard, among the highest motorable passes in the world. We stay at the top only briefly.
Simple tented camps with beds, blankets and shared or attached bathrooms, depending on the camp. Hot water and power are limited, and there is no mobile network.
Only postpaid Indian numbers work. Prepaid SIM cards do not, and international roaming is unreliable. Hotels in Leh have Wi-Fi, which can be slow.
Yes. You have your own luxury car, driver and guides. Nothing is shared with other travellers.
Yes. Many travellers combine Srinagar with Leh, by road in summer or by air. See our Kashmir tour or ask us to link them.
Ladakh is demanding because of the altitude. It suits healthy travellers, and we adjust the pace for older travellers and children. Speak to your doctor first.
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Your driver meets you at Leh airport arrivals with a name board. Share your flight details and we confirm everything the day before.
8 days / 7 nights. Starts and ends in Leh, with a private vehicle and local guides.
Leh is about 3,500 metres and the passes are over 5,000. Mild headaches and tiredness are common on arrival. If you have a heart or lung condition, or are pregnant, speak to your doctor first. Acute mountain sickness can be serious, and we arrange a descent if needed.
Nubra, Pangong and the border areas need permits, and rules and fees change. We arrange them with your passport copies, and confirm them before you travel.
Camps at Nubra and Pangong are simple, with limited power and hot water, and no mobile network at Pangong. Warm bedding is provided.
Only postpaid mobile numbers work in Ladakh. Prepaid SIM cards usually do not. Hotels in Leh have Wi-Fi, which can be slow.
May to September is the main season. June to August is warm in the day and cold at night. Roads from Manali and Srinagar are open from about June and May respectively. Winters are very cold, and many camps close.
