Ladakh | Our Prettiest Vagabond Trip

Day 1: Better ‘Leh’t Than Never

After your flight lands, we will make our way from the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport to our hotel in Leh. After checking in, you will do some hard-core resting. Since you have suddenly arrived at 11,500ft, your body is going to take some time to acclimatize. 

After a hearty lunch, we’ll familiarise ourselves with Leh and visit the Shanti Stupa, and Leh Palace.

We will first visit the Shanti Stupa. This was built to celebrate 2500 years since the first Buddha attained enlightenment and started Buddhism. We will then visit the crown jewel of the erstwhile kingdom of Ladakh, the Leh Palace. This nine-storeyed royal residence was built in 1553! While the royal family had to escape and move to the Stok Palace in the late 1800s, the palace still towers over the town of Leh. It’s known for its ancient rammed-earth architecture and a panoramic view of the surrounding mountains and rivers. A walk through the unchanged bylanes of the old city of Leh paints a beautiful picture of the past. 

We’ll get some time in the market before we regroup for dinner and get a good night’s rest. 

• Travel: 3 Hrs (Airport > Hotel | Hotel > Shanti Stupa  > Leh Palace > Hotel)
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner: Included
• Stay: Leh 

Day 2: Alchi You Later!

Our day begins with a journey to one of the oldest and well-maintained monasteries in Ladakh — The Alchi Monastery. Said to be built by Rinchen Gyalpo, also known as The Great Translator, this monastery holds a special place in Buddhist culture.

On our way back to the capital, we will make a quick stop to see the Sangam of the Indus and Zanskar rivers.

The second half of the day is going to be dedicated to walking about the historic little town of Leh. As an important stop on the erstwhile Silk Route, Leh was an important trade center and witnessed a vibrant multi-cultural past. While the bright and shiny new market has a great variety of things to buy, there are some rare jewels hidden in plain sight all around this ancient town.

• Travel: 4 Hrs (Leh > Alchi > Leh Market)
• Meals: Breakfast and dinner
• Stay: Leh

Day 3: Don’t Be A Noob-bruh!

We’re heading to Nubra Valley! We will of course make our way through the famous Khardung La. Located at a lower altitude than Leh, this valley is unique in many ways. To start with the most obvious, yes there are sand dunes here, at 10,000 feet above sea level. As you go deeper into Nubra Valley along the Shyok River, you enter the heavily disputed region of Baltistan. The last few villages in this valley were in Pakistan until the war of 1971. So as we approach this gorgeous oasis of green in the heart of the Himalayas, we get a glimpse of the history of Balti food, travel, and ingenious ancient practices. 

• Travel: 8 Hrs (Leh > Turtuk)
• Meals: Breakfast and dinner
• Stay: Turtuk

Day 4: A Toe In The Balti Scene

A mere 10 km from Turtuk lies Thang — The last village in India. Thang is one of the twin villages of Frang (Fraono) and Thang. In 1971, the Indian army pushed back the Pakistani forces from the village of Bogdang. However, a ceasefire was called when they reached Thang, which split the village from its twin. This incident resulted in several families being separated on either side of the national border. We will travel to the last point that can be accessed from India and get a peak into Pakistan which is visible from across the Line Of Control. 

We will return to Turtuk and spend the day exploring the village on foot. Visit the Balti House and Heritage Museum to understand the ancient practices of the Balti people. We will also visit the natural cold storage room that Turtuk is famous for. We’ll spend the rest of the day frolicking in the fields and regroup for dinner and chillz. 

• Travel: 2 Hrs (Turtuk > Thang > Turtuk)
• Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
• Stay: Turtuk

Day 5: It’s Always Springtime Here

We will start our journey outwards of Nubra Valley and visit the famous sand dunes at Hunder. Catch a glimpse of the double-humped Bactrian Camels. This is the only place you can see them in India. These creatures exist in the wild only in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. 

Our next stop will be Diskit Gompa. The huge Maitreya Buddha statue atop it, which was inaugurated by HH Dalai Lama is a thing of beauty! From the base of the statue, one can get a gorgeous panoramic view of the Nubra valley.

We’ll check in to our hotel in Sumur and get a good night’s rest. 

• Travel: 4-5 Hrs (Turtuk > Hunder > Sumur)
• Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
• Stay: Sumur

Day 6: You Are Not Ready For This

From Sumur, we start the long journey across the gorgeous Ladakhi landscapes and go to one of the most well-known places—Pangong Tso. While the journey is pretty long, nothing, and we mean nothing, can prepare you for the pure blue waters of this mystical lake. 

We’ll be by the lake till dark and then retire to our campsites for some well-deserved rest. It’s going to be a cold night, so it’s best to fill your stomach and tuck in before too much of your body heat escapes. 

• Travel: 5-6 Hrs (Sumur > Pangong Tso)
• Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
• Stay: Pangong

Day 7: The Long Road East

We’ll now start our final leg of this expedition with a journey to the easternmost region of Ladakh. Before modern borders were drawn, the town of Hanle was an important stop on the route that connected Tibet to Ladakh. On our way, we’ll make a quick stop at the Rezang La War Memorial. We’ll get to the remote town of Hanle and retire to our homestay for the evening. 

• Travel: 5 Hrs (Pangong > Hanle)
• Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
• Stay: Hanle

Day 8: We’re Gonna Get High!

Until recently, Khardung La, which we will take on day 3, held the record for being the world’s highest motorable road. From Hanle, we will take a trip to Umling La — the highest motorable road in the world. At a staggering 5,798 metres (19,024 ft), it is at a higher altitude than even the Mt. Everest base camp. 

After returning from the frigid high mountain pass, we make our way back to our homestay to rest a little. Evening at leisure to explore the beautiful landscape of Hanle.

• Travel: 5-6 Hrs (Hanle > Umling La > Hanle)
• Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
• Stay: Hanle

Day 9: Leh Jayenge

Back to base. After exploring the edges of Ladakh, we’re going to start our journey back to Leh. Enroute we drop by the beautiful Thiksey Monastery, which is the largest monastery in Central Ladakh. It’s also famous for its 49 ft tall statue of Maitreya Buddha in the lotus position, covering two floors of the monastery!

Absorb the jaw-dropping landscapes and picturesque sceneries as they change throughout the journey. We’ll check in to our hotel for one last night. We’ll gather together for one last dinner.

• Travel: 8-9 Hrs (Hanle > Leh)
• Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
• Stay: Leh

Day 10: Homeward Bound

After a good breakfast, we’ll board our vehicles one last time and go to the airport. 

• Travel: None
• Meals included: Breakfast 
• Stay: N/A

• Double-sharing accommodation at Leh, Turtuk, Sumur, Pangong, and Hanle (triple/quad) (click for photos)
• Tickets/Entry cost wherever applicable.
• Two meals a day i.e. breakfast and dinner while in Ladakh [Veg & Non-veg (if available)]
• Private internal transport during the trip (tempo travellers/jeeps)
• All activities as per itinerary
• Visits to places as per itinerary
• Oxygen cylinder backup in each vehicle for high-altitude routes. 
• First-aid kit and assistance
• All permits, tolls, and parking charges
• Experienced local guides
• Assistance by Vagabond EMs

• Flights to Leh and back
• One meal a day in Ladakh
• Travel insurance (we recommend you take one)

Earlybird: Rs 37,500 (+5% GST)

Vagafam*: Rs 34,500 (+5% GST)

• Earlybird prices expire 45 days before the date of departure
• Vagafam is anyone who has joined us on 3+ experiences
• You can block your seat for an advance of Rs.15,000 /-
• The balance amount will have to be paid 30 days before the trip
• Reach out to us for group discounts

Leh - Sankar Residency (or similar)

Turtuk - Hotel Duktuk (or similar)

Sumur - Namgyal Villa (or similar)

Pangong - Alpine Cottage (or similar)

Hanle - Sonam Homestay (or similar)

• Rooms will be on a double-sharing basis (triple/quad at Hanle)
• The hotels will have running hot water facilities.
• Most of the rooms will have an attached toilet.
• At smaller hotels, campsites, or homestays, please do not expect luxuries.
• Click here to see photos

• Vagabond will provide 2 meals a day. We will take care of breakfast and lunch or dinner every day in Ladakh.
• The food we're providing during the trip will be regular nutritious food.
• The cuisines will be shuffling between Indian, Continental, and Tibetan. You can also try any of these cuisines at the restaurants near where we're staying.
• We urge you to go explore the various cuisines that they serve in Ladakh.

The entire journey inside Ladakh will be in privately booked tempo traveller buses or jeeps (Mahindra Xylo or similar) depending on the group size.

• Footwear: Shoes meant for rugged outdoor conditions, slippers/flip-flops. 
• Warm wear: Warm fleece/down jackets, thick socks, gloves, beanie, neck warmer/scarf/muffler, thermals (base layer).
• Accessories: Torch, cap, polarised sunglasses, swiss knife (optional), water bottle (1L), multi-plug device
• Toiletries: Towel, soap, face wash, lip balm, sunscreen (min 40 SPF), hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, toilet paper
• Rainwear: Raincoat/jacket/poncho, rain cover for bags, spare plastic bags (to waterproof your belongings)
• Medical: Personal medication (Asthma, Allergen medication, etc.), crepe bandage (each person should have a roll), basic medicines (Diamox, aspirin, cold and flu, painkillers, motion sickness (Avomine), etc)
• Personal recreation: Camera, binoculars, books, music, cards, etc.
• Miscellaneous: Rucksack (no suitcases, trolley or duffle bags), an extra day bag for day outings, valid photo ID/address proof, 3 passport-sized photographs
• Tips: Avoid carrying new clothes as colors tend to fade in high-altitude sunlight there. Avoid jeans and other kinds of rigid/uncomfortable clothing.

• It is ideal to book flights that get to Leh in the morning before 10 am on Day 1. There are no flights landing or taking off from the airport before 6 am and after 1 pm. 
• Ladakh is at a very high altitude. The body functions a little differently in such an environment. Please consult with a doctor if you have any conditions that may be affected. 
• It will take anywhere from a few hours to a day for your body to acclimatise to the altitude. Please don’t exert yourself unnecessarily. 
• Please Note: This is a trip and not a multi-day trek. Our main luggage will always remain in our rooms while we head out to explore the town/village. If there's a hike/overnight camp, we will only carry a day bag for that duration and not lug all our bags everywhere.
• Despite this being a backpacking trip, we will be running on a fixed schedule. Punctuality will be expected and appreciated.
• People from all over the world have made Ladakh their home. Please honour the local cultures and do not be disrespectful.
• Please be prepared for a lot of walking up and down hills and hilly terrain.
• The trip schedule is subject to change. Days of visits to the mentioned places could be shifted back and forth.
• Carrying rainwear is very important. Take all necessary precautions to keep yourself and your belongings dry.

1) What region of north India are we traveling to?

We will be travelling to Leh, which is the capital of the ancient kingdom and present-day union territory of Ladakh. Ladakh is bordered by the Tibet Autonomous Region to the east, the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh to the south, both the Indian-administered union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Pakistan-administered Gilgit-Baltistan to the west and the southwest corner of Xinjiang across the Karakoram Pass in the far north.

2) What altitude would we be traveling to?

Leh is at an altitude of approximately 3,524 m (11,562 ft). We will be going to a maximum altitude of 5,640 metres (18,500 ft) while visiting Unling La, and at 5,359 m (17,582 ft) when taking the Khardung La Pass. 

3) What will the temperature be like while we're there?

Temperatures rise to a maximum of 25-27°C during the day and can drop to a minimum of 5-7°C during the night. At Pangong Tso, the temperature at night can drop to as low as 0°C.

4) Is there mobile connectivity in Ladakh?

Only postpaid Airtel and JIO networks get coverage in Ladakh. 

5) Are there any ATMs where we're traveling?

All major banks such as HDFC, SBI, Axis, YES, and ICICI bank ATMs are available in Leh. They accept international Visa and Master Cards. AMEX is not widely used in India. UPI transfer works as well. Please carry adequate liquid cash while travelling away from Leh. 

6) There are other trips which cost less for the same duration. Why do we choose this one?

Our 10-day plan is carefully crafted to allow us to explore as much as possible, without rushing. We truly believe in the meaningful slow travel approach, and thus, this trip isn't a checklist. There are breaks and pauses meant to pace yourself.

7) What will the group size be?

We will be a maximum of 15 travelers including 1-2 Vagabond EMs.

8) Is there any age limit to join this trip?

No. There is no age limit to join this trip. However, based on our previous experiences, the age group of travelers is usually between 21-35.

9) Can I join this expedition solo?

Of course, you can! We have a good number of solo travelers on almost every Vagabond experience.

10) How physically fit do I need to be to join this trip?

This trip doesn't have a very high physical requirement. You need to be able to walk long distances on flat plains and be able to do a few climbs too. Our Ladakh expedition doesn't have much physical activity but it's always safe to be in a good physical condition. Those who have a low tolerance for cold should be prepared with temperature-appropriate clothing.

11) How do I avoid altitude sickness?

The oxygen levels in Ladakh are far less compared to a city at sea level. However, you can avoid AMS (Altitude Mountain Sickness) if you just remember to keep yourself hydrated and well-rested constantly. In the scenario that you aren't coping with the altitude well enough, we will do the needful to get you medical attention. 

12) Are there doctors/hospitals in Ladakh?

• Leh has well-equipped hospitals run by the government and the Indian Army.
• Nubra has a district-level hospital at Diskit.
• The nearest medical facility to Pangong is at Tangste, which is 45 mins away.
• There are medical check-up points set up on the way to Nubra Valley and Pangong, and other locations by the Army, where immediate relief from altitude sickness can be provided.

13) Why are we not going to Tso Moriri?

Travelling to Tso Moriri would add another day to this trip and a very exhausting journey. We made the educated decision of dropping it, as we're already visiting Pangong Tso, which is a much bigger and more stunning lake.

14) Can I smoke/drink on this trip?

We at Vagabond do not refrain our participants from smoking or drinking on our backpacking trips. However, there are times you will be disallowed to do so (while acclimatising, public places, religious monuments etc). Please indulge in these activities responsibly. Any misbehaviour on any account will warrant severe penalties.

• This experience is targeted towards 18 to 45-year-olds. The experiences involve a good amount of time spent with the group. Depending on what experience you’re opting for, there could be a lot of walking and physical exertion.
• It’s important to understand that most of our experiences include very rustic accommodation and not a luxurious means of transport. These may be basic in their facilities, but the hospitality is homely and comforting. If you’re someone who doesn’t like compromising on your comforts while travelling, this experience may not be very enjoyable.
• Most of our trips have a healthy number of solo travellers. We encourage you to join us solo, especially if you’re tired of waiting on your friends. We promise you’ll return with many more.
• We try our best to be responsible travellers. Everyone is welcome to explore with us, but we pay utmost importance to cleanliness on all our experiences. We encourage you to #LeaveNoTrace behind while you discover the beauty of the outdoors.
• It’s important to understand that in a limited amount of time, only a limited amount of experiences can be had. We like to cover a few places in-depth rather than just ticking off a long list of things-to-do and places-to-go. However, if you are that kind of traveller, on almost all trips you can feel free to wander by yourself to places of your interest.
• At a Vagabond Experience, it’s important to stay open-minded and positive when things don’t go as per plan. The essence of traveling in a group is being able to help each other out when in need. The weather could go bad, and plans could get altered. In such situations, we urge you to have faith in your group leader to make the most informed decision for the group.

• More than 30 days prior to the date of departure, 20% of the full payable amount will be deducted.
• Between 29 to 15 days prior to the date of departure, 50% of the full payable amount will be deducted.
• Between 14 to 7 days prior to the date of departure, 75% of the full payable amount will be deducted.
• 6 days to the date of departure, no refund shall be admissible
• 3.8% of all booking amounts are payment gateway charges. This amount is not refundable
• The cancellation policy applies to the full payable amount and not just to the advance blocking amount (if you've chosen that option)
• Please refer to the further Terms and Conditions mentioned in the footer of the website

• All timings and activities are subject to weather, group size, capabilities of participants, etc.
• Vagabond holds the right to cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances (for eg, unfavourable weather)
• In the event of a force majeure, Vagabond will make reasonable efforts to notify customers as soon as possible and, where feasible, offer alternative arrangements. However, Vagabond shall not be liable for any refunds, additional costs, losses, or damages incurred by the customer as a result of the force majeure event. Credit notes, if any, will be offered at the sole discretion of Vagabond and in accordance with applicable laws and supplier terms.
• By registering for this trip, you agree to have read through and abide by the Vagabond Terms & Conditions mentioned in the footer.

For further inquiries, feel free to WhatsApp/call: +91 93218 04770

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