High passes and cold desert
Ladakh
The big one for Indian riders and road-trippers: 5,000 m passes, turquoise lakes, Buddhist monasteries, and serious altitude.
Pangong Tso
High passes
Acclimatisation
Plan your trip
Ladakh at a glance
- Best time
- Mid-June to September, when the Srinagar and Manali highways are both open and lake roads are clear.
- How to reach
- Fly into Leh for an easy arrival (but acclimatise hard), or ride/drive the Srinagar–Leh or Manali–Leh highways over several days.
- Getting around
- Hired SUV with a local driver, self-driven car, or motorcycle. Permits are needed for Nubra, Pangong, and border areas.
- Rough budget
- A 7–9 day trip runs roughly ₹30,000–60,000 per person depending on whether you fly in or ride, plus bike rental if applicable.
Sample itinerary
- Days 1–2Leh: rest and acclimatise fully. Short walks only, lots of water, no rushing to altitude.
- Days 3–4Nubra Valley over Khardung La, with a night at Hunder.
- Days 5–6Pangong Tso via Shyok or Chang La, then back toward Leh.