Ladakh | Our Prettiest Vagabond Trip
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All About It
Welcome to ‘Back-Pack-Go!’ Ladakh!
Brace yourselves for the adventure of a lifetime. This is a deep, explorative experience of this amazing ancient kingdom. Over centuries, Ladakh has seen many shifts in its societies and cultures. From being a prominent market of Central Asia on the Silk Route to being an important stronghold of the Tibetan Empire, and finally to being a modern global tourist destination hidden amidst the mightiest of the Himalayan mountains. The one thing that has remained a constant, however, is the landscape. Witness the grand mountains, deep azure lakes, and diverse wildlife like nowhere else in India. It’s no wonder that Ladakh is sometimes referred to as the ‘Crown Jewel’ of India.
Places covered: Leh, Alchi, Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Thang, Hunder, Sumur, Pangong Tso, Hanle, Umling La
Watch our Ladakh reels here:
9N/10D Batches:
- 29th May-7th Jun (3 holidays: 31st Saturday, 1st Sunday, 7th Saturday)
- 8th-17th Jun (3 holidays: 8th Sunday, 14th Saturday, 15th Sunday)
- 4th-13th Jul (4 holidays: 5th Saturday, 6th Sunday, 12th Saturday, 13th Sunday)
- 18th-27th Jul (4 holidays: 19th Saturday, 20th Sunday, 26th Saturday, 27th Sunday)
- 8th-17th Aug (5 holidays: 9th Saturday, 10th Sunday, 15th Independence Day, 16th Saturday/Janmashtami, 17th Sunday)
- 22nd-31st Aug (5 holidays: 23rd Saturday, 24th Sunday, 27th Ganesh Chaturthi, 30th Saturday, 31st Sunday)
- 5th-14th Sept (5 holidays: 5th Eid, 6th Saturday, 7th Sunday, 13th Saturday, 14th Sunday)
- 19th-28th Sept (4 holidays: 20th Saturday, 21st Sunday, 27th Saturday, 28th Sunday)
Meeting & Departure:
Pickup point: Leh Airport (Day 1). 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.
Drop Point: Leh Airport (Day 10). We stay the previous night in Leh, so feel free to book your return anytime before 1 pm on Day 10
Highlights
- Curated slow-travel experience to northern and eastern Ladakh
- Visit the Leh Palace, the former royal residence built in 1553
- Exploring the pristine blue waters of Pangong Lake
- Witness Balti culture and visit the Indo-Pak LOC in Nubra Valley
- Travel on the two highest motorable roads in the world: Khardung La and Umling La
- Stay in India’s only Dark-Sky Preserve at Hanle
What will we do ?
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
Meet your host
Vagabond Experiences
- Verified Host
- Logout's Trusted
- Traveler's Choice
Vagabond started out as a project by four friends with a disdain for the ordinary. The idea was simple; take people out of their comfort zones. Not like Roadies, but just enough to bond them together through beautiful and authentic experiences. Happiness, as they say, is only real when shared. And share we did. The company was founded in 2014. As fresh Bachelor of Arts degree holders, companies were lining up to hire us fine gentlemen; we’re kidding. Fueled by entrepreneurial zeal, we started with small events in the city like heritage walks through Bombay’s old quarters. As musicians and travellers ourselves, we decided to marry these two loves of our lives. That is how the idea for the first Fields of Sound™ came about. Since then, it has only been onward and upwards for us. Since 2014, we’ve made friends like family through our journey. Our little ‘Vaga’-Fam. It’s safe to say, it’s been quite an adventure. One we would like you to join :)
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Inclusions
- 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
Exclusions
- Flights to Leh and back
- One meal a day in Ladakh
- Travel insurance (we recommend you take one)
Things to carry
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.
HOW TO REACH
Pickup point: Leh Airport (Day 1)
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.
Drop Point: Leh Airport (Day 10)
We stay the previous night in Leh, so feel free to book your return anytime before 1 pm on Day 10
Policy and more
- More than 30 days prior to the date of departure, 20% will be deducted.
- Between 29 to 15 days prior to the date of departure, 50% will be deducted.
- Between 14 to 7 days prior to the date of departure, 75% 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
(Please refer to the further Terms and Conditions mentioned in the footer of the website)
Terms and Conditions
- 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. unfavorable weather)
- By registering for this trip, you agree to have read through and abide by the Vagabond Terms & Conditions mentioned in the footer.
Frequently Asked Questionss
Q: What region of north India are we traveling to?
A: 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.
Q: What is the stay like?
A: At Leh we will stay at Sankar Residency (or similar). At 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.
Q: What altitude would we be traveling to?
A: 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.
Q: What kind of food can we expect?
A: 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.
Q: How will we be travelling?
A: The entire journey inside Ladakh will be in privately booked tempo traveller buses or jeeps (Mahindra Xylo or similar) depending on the group size.
Q: What will the temperature be like while we're there?
A: 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.
Q: Is there mobile connectivity in Ladakh?
A: Only postpaid Airtel and JIO networks get coverage in Ladakh.
Q: Are there any ATMs where we're traveling?
A: All major banks such as HDFC, SBI, Axis, YES, and ICICI bank ATMs are available in Leh. They accept international Visa, and Master Card. AMEX is not widely used in India. UPI transfer works as well. Please carry adequate liquid cash while travelling away from Leh.
Q: Can I smoke/drink on this trip?
A: 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.
Q: What will the group size be?
A: We will be a maximum of 12-15 travelers including 1-2 Vagabond EMs.
Q: Is there any age limit to join this trip?
A: No. There is no age limit to join this trip. However, based on our previous experiences, the age group of travelers is usually between 25-35.
Q: Can I join this expedition solo?
A: Of course you can! We have a good number of solo travelers on almost every Vagabond experience.
Q: How physically fit do I need to be to join this trip?
A: 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 good physical condition. Those who have a low tolerance of cold should be prepared with temperature-appropriate clothing.
Q: How do I avoid altitude sickness?
A: 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.
Q: Are there doctors/hospitals in Ladakh?
A: -Leh has well equipped hospitals run by the government and the Indian Army.
-Nubra has a district level hospital at Diskit.
-Nearest medical facility from 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.
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