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cruising through ladakh (11 days)
about
Our 11-day trip is an extended version of ‘One Foot in Ladakh’, our 8-day itinerary.
Conceptualised just like the others, this is a flexible itinerary to help you make the most of your time here. We’ve combined active holidaying and relaxation, so you get the best of both worlds.
Our tried-and-tested selection of routes ensures that you get to experience a quieter and more authentic side of Ladakh.
Read on to see what it’s all about.
itinerary
day 1 & 2: acclimatise by the indus
We receive you at the airport and transfer you to a quaint village just outside of Leh.
Spend your first day doing nothing as this is an important step towards acclimatising your body to the high altitude.
The next day, visit two historical villages on either bank of the Indus River, famous for their palaces, monasteries, heritage homes, traditional lunches, and museums.
A shot walk to the banks of the Indus is an ideal way to wrap up your time here.
day 3 & 4: drive to nubra
Cross the Indus Valley into the Nubra Valley, over one of the more well-known passes of Ladakh – Khardung La.
We skip the popular circuits of Diskit and Hundar and cross over to the Northern bank of the Nubra river to a village famous for hosting merchants and caravans coming in from the Silk Route back in the day!
While here, visit heritage homes, hike up to a fort (optional), embark on a trip to a 500-year-old monastery, a petroglyph site, take a dip in a sulphur hot spring, and hike to circumnavigate a mythical lake.
Cap it off with a sunset by the dunes.
day 5 & 6: twin lakes of changthang
Embark on spectacular drives through the vast Changthang plateau.
In typical Knowhere Travel fashion, we skip the touristy pockets of Pangong Tso and drive further to reach our camp.
The next day, drive through the Changpa heartland to reach Tso Moriri, as blue and majestic as its twin.
Spend the rest of your time in raw admiration of these colossal lakes!
day 7 & 8: back into the indus valley
Re-enter the Indus Valley via Chang La, another iconic mountain pass of Ladakh. Spend the night by the river in a comfortable guesthouse.
The next day is light and relaxed, ideal to rejuvenate after a few days of exploration. Take a long walk to the nearby monastery or just enjoy picnics by the Indus River.
day 9 & 10: enter the capital
There’s still a lot of fun to be had on the last leg of the journey.
In Leh, you’ll stay in a home tucked away from the main town.
Explore Leh by car or foot. Visit the Central Asian Museum, Leh Palace, and Shanti Stupa. We also recommend rafting on the Indus or Zanskar rivers.
Spend a day visiting an iconic monastery with artistic and spiritual details of both Buddhist and the Hindu kings followed by a hike to an ancient Buddhist painted cave temple.
Call it a day by visiting one of the bars or restaurants – we have some killer recommendations.
day 11: onward home
You’ve managed to see a fair portion of Ladakh on this holiday! But, there’s more, and we hope you can join us again.
Julley!
accommodation
stay in scenic, locally-owned guesthouses, camps, and cottages.
guesthouse near the indus
Stay in a guesthouse a stone’s throw away from a view of the majestic Indus river. Sleep in ultra-comfortable rooms and dine in a traditional dining room. The host is very friendly and will tell you about this little village, just 15-30 minutes from Leh.
Spend some time in the evening taking a walk to the riverside and use this time to acclimatise and rest.
riverside cottages at nubra
Our guesthouse in Nubra is comfortable, warm, and surrounded by vistas of the mountains on every side – behind you is the Saser range and in front of you is the Saltoro range – both sub ranges of the Karakoram mountains. Spend the evening at the glorious sit-out in the garden where you might meet other travellers. At night the stars come out to play. Count the shooting stars, there’ll be handful visible to the naked eye.
There’s a short walk to a very pretty dining area in the main house. Food is simple and delicious – ask for local fare, if you wish! For breakfast, savour fresh juice or hot coffee with your meal.
lake-view lodge at pangong tso
Our lodge is well away from the crowds. Pangong Tso is a tourist-heavy region, so this was an important factor in our selection. The rooms themselves are large and comfortable with attached baths and heating for cold evenings. Step out and you’ll see a yak or two in the backyard!
Of course, open the curtains and the shifting blues of Pangong Tso will keep you in a trance.
There’s a common dining area with lots of healthy food options before you set off to explore the lake in all its glory.
guesthouse in tso moriri
Stay in a simple, no-frills guesthouse in this remote village by the banks of Tso Moriri. The rooms overlook the lake, watch life go by right from your room. You can walk to the lake, the nearby monastery, and visit the village on foot.
There’s a common dining area serving basic meals.
small hotel by the indus
Spend a couple of nights bang on the banks of the Indus River in a small, boutique-hotel. It is constructed using locally available materials and offers bright rooms with views of stunning views of the Zanskar range. Enjoy the library and it’s vast collection of books. A great place to recuperate after a couple of days of being on the road!
guesthouse in leh
This is our favourite guesthouse in Leh! It’s situated on the outskirts of the town, but close enough that you can get to the market in 10 minutes by foot or 5 minutes by car. There’s a fabulous sit-out with books of all kinds. The hosts have decorated the guesthouse tastefully, and you’ll see all the markers of traditional architecture blended with modern amenities.
elevate your experience
add-ons: stays
add-ons: activities
add-ons: extensions
getting there & weather
For the 11 day experience, your journey begins and ends at Leh Airport.
Our journeys run from May 1st to September 30th, offering the best weather conditions to explore Ladakh’s breathtaking landscapes. In rare cases, we may begin in late April or extend into early October, depending on the season’s conditions. Temperatures vary throughout the months:
May: High of 20°C, Low of 8°C
June: High of 22°C, Low of 10°C
July: High of 25°C, Low of 13°C
August: High of 26°C, Low of 13°C
September: High of 22°C, Low of 13°C
Please note that higher-altitude regions like Changthang can be significantly colder, especially at night. A detailed packing list will be provided upon confirmation to help you prepare for varying conditions.
why us?
We have been operating in Ladakh since 2012, building deep-rooted connections with the land and its people. Our journeys are neither cookie-cutter tours nor hyper focused on a single region; instead, they offer a balanced and thoughtfully curated experience of Ladakh.
We take you to popular highlights without the tourist rush, while also uncovering hidden gems like our unique accommodations, offbeat trails, and immersive cultural encounters. Our itineraries weave together history, food, wildlife, the night sky, and the spirit of Ladakh, ensuring you experience its essence beyond just mere sightseeing.
If you’re looking for a deeply researched, highly curated journey that allows you to explore multiple regions without a rigid, packed schedule, leaving you time to soak in the ambience, reflect and connect with the people of the land, then this experience is for you.
is this for me?
Our journeys are designed for couples, families, and groups of friends, offering an immersive Himalayan experience tailored to match your pace and interests. We typically host 2 to 12 guests per trip, ensuring an intimate and personalised adventure. In rare cases, we may be able to accommodate groups of up to 16 guests.
Whether you’re seeking a soulful retreat in nature, an adventurous escape with loved ones, or a meaningful group expedition, our itineraries cater to those who appreciate deep connections with the land, culture, and people of the Himalayas.
pricing
For 1: INR 143,299 per person in 01 room
For 2: INR 78,199 per person in 01 room
For 3: INR 60,499 per person in 01 room
For 3: INR 70,999 per person in 02 rooms
For 4: INR 56,499 per person in 02 rooms
For 5: INR 50,199 per person in 02 rooms
For 5: INR 56,499 per person in 03 rooms
For 6: INR 45,999 per person in 02 rooms
For 6: INR 49,299 per person in 03 rooms
Includes stay, most meals, transportation
(01 car), permits, and service charges.
5% GST extra.
Children below 5 are not charged and children between 5-10 are charged 40% of the adult fee. Children above 10 years are charged full.
These tours are customisable and we can accommodate up to 12-16 guests.
For 1: INR 143,299 per person in 01 room
For 2: INR 78,199 per person in 01 room
For 3: INR 60,499 per person in 01 room
For 3: INR 70,999 per person in 02 rooms
For 4: INR 56,499 per person in 02 rooms
For 5: INR 50,199 per person in 02 rooms
For 5: INR 56,499 per person in 03 rooms
For 6: INR 45,999 per person in 02 rooms
For 6: INR 49,299 per person in 03 rooms
Includes stay, most meals, transportation
(01 car), permits, and service charges.
5% GST extra.
Children below 5 are not charged and children between 5-10 are charged 40% of the adult fee. Children above 10 years are charged full.
These tours are customisable and we can accommodate up to 12-16 guests.
reviews
The journey is not just about sightseeing, it’s also about people, culture, and sensitivity to how they live within their means.- Kausalya, Bangalore
The journey is not just about sightseeing, it’s also about people, culture, and sensitivity to how they live within their means.- Kausalya, Bangalore
The places were quite offbeat and that was nice because it is exactly what we were looking for in Ladakh. The itinerary matched exactly with the kind of travel that we like to do and the properties were very, very well curated.- Chhavi and Prateek
The places were quite offbeat and that was nice because it is exactly what we were looking for in Ladakh. The itinerary matched exactly with the kind of travel that we like to do and the properties were very, very well curated.- Chhavi and Prateek
Our Ladakh trip truly took my breath away. It was meticulously planned and thoughtfully curated. Every part of the journey felt personal, warm, and welcoming. Everything was smooth, seamless, and unforgettable. What really stood out was how off-the-beaten-path the experience was. It was clear that a lot of heart and effort went into designing this trip, and we are truly grateful for the experience.- Ruhi
Our Ladakh trip truly took my breath away. It was meticulously planned and thoughtfully curated. Every part of the journey felt personal, warm, and welcoming. Everything was smooth, seamless, and unforgettable. What really stood out was how off-the-beaten-path the experience was. It was clear that a lot of heart and effort went into designing this trip, and we are truly grateful for the experience.- Ruhi
