Day 1: Arrive Leh — Acclimatize
Fly into Leh. Rest day for altitude. Evening bazaar walk — apricots, pashmina, Tibetan silver. Overnight Leh.
Day 2: Leh Palace, Old Town & Shanti Stupa
Morning: Leh Palace (17th century, nine stories), old town labyrinth, Jama Masjid and Gurdwara Pathar Sahib. Afternoon: Shanti Stupa for 360-degree valley views. Evening: Ladakhi cultural show. Overnight Leh.
Day 3: Thiksey, Shey & Stok — The Royal Monasteries
Morning: Shey Palace (12m copper-gilt Buddha, the former royal summer capital). Continue to Thiksey Monastery — explore all 12 levels, attend morning prayers if timing allows, marvel at the 15m golden Maitreya Buddha. Afternoon: Stok Palace, residence of the Namgyal royal family — the museum displays royal thangkas, jewelry, and ceremonial objects spanning 600 years. Overnight Leh.
Day 4: Hemis Gompa & Leh Free Afternoon
Morning: Hemis Gompa, Ladakh’s wealthiest monastery — explore the museum’s collection of priceless thangkas, silver chortens, and ritual masks. If visiting during the Hemis Festival (June/July), witness the spectacular masked cham dances. Afternoon free to explore Leh’s cafés, bookshops, and artisans. Overnight Leh.
Day 5: Khardung La to Nubra Valley
Cross Khardung La (5,359m). Descend to Nubra Valley. Bactrian camel ride at Hunder. Visit Diskit Monastery — the 32-meter golden Maitreya Buddha statue dominates the valley; explore the ancient prayer halls with their fearsome protector deity murals. Overnight Nubra camp.
Day 6: Pangong Lake — The Blue Dream
Drive the Shyok route to Pangong Tso (4,350m). Afternoon at leisure to absorb the lake’s impossible blue. Photography, meditation, or simply sitting and watching the light change. Sunset over the lake. Overnight Pangong camp.
Day 7: Pangong Sunrise & Departure
Dawn at Pangong — still water, pink mountains. Drive back to Leh via Chang La. Afternoon flight departure.
