Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
India – Ladakh – Nimmu – Changtang – Puga – Nubra Valley – Leh
100% customisable for you
Your adventure begins today as you board your flight to Delhi, which takes just over nine hours. Upon arrival, a private transfer will whisk you to your hotel in Aerocity, right next to the airport. You’ll be spending your first night here, so unpack, stretch your legs, and enjoy a quiet evening before tomorrow’s journey north.
This morning, hop on a 90-minute flight to Leh, the capital of Ladakh and the gateway to the Himalayas. As the plane descends, you may catch a glimpse of snow-dusted peaks, winding rivers and open valleys stretching as far as the eye can see.
From Leh, a private driver will take you along the Indus Valley to the village of Nimmu, winding past small farming settlements, bright green fields and towering mountains.
Your home for the next two nights is a beautifully restored Ladakhi house. Spend the afternoon settling in – perhaps wandering the gardens or relaxing on the terrace – while your body gently adjusts to the altitude. Come evening, enjoy a tasty dinner featuring simple Ladakhi dishes made with seasonal local produce.
Today, set out with your private guide to explore some of Ladakh’s most fascinating monasteries. Begin at Likir Monastery, perched on a ridge above the valley, where chanting monks and colourful murals offer a glimpse into daily monastic life. Continue to Alchi Monastery, one of the region’s oldest religious sites, renowned for its beautifully preserved Kashmiri-style murals. Your final stop is Lamayuru Monastery, considered one of Ladakh’s oldest and most atmospheric gompas (Tibetan Buddhist temple). Here, you’ll be treated to sprawling views over the surrounding landscapes, often referred to as a ‘Moonscape’ for its distinctive rocky terrain.
Return to Nimmu in the late afternoon. If you’re still raring to go, round off the day with an optional cultural experience, whether you’d prefer to learn to make traditional momos (Tibetan dumplings) or craft a copper spoon alongside local artisans.
This morning, leave Nimmu behind and begin your journey towards the high plains of Changtang. En route, stop for a private visit to Thiksey Monastery, one of Ladakh’s largest and most impressive monasteries. Set just above the Indus Valley, the monastery’s intricate murals and prayer halls reveal centuries of Buddhist tradition, while the terraces offer sweeping views across the rocky surroundings.
Continue your drive across the dramatic Himalayan landscape, climbing to the Taglang La Pass. From here, descend towards the vast Rupshu plateau, where the salt-white shores of Tso Kar Lake stretch across the high-altitude desert.
Later, arrive at your nomadic-style camp near the lake and meet the Changpas, the semi-nomadic herders who call this region home. Settle into your traditional rebo tent – a warm yak-wool shelter designed for life on the plateau – before enjoying dinner under the stars.
Today is devoted to discovering the daily life of the Changpa people, who have lived for centuries on the high plateaus of Changtang. Originally from Tibet, these semi-nomadic herders move across the region with flocks of sheep, yaks and, most importantly, Changthangi goats, whose soft undercoat produces the prized pashmina wool.
Spend the day alongside your hosts, joining in the traditional tasks that shape nomadic life. Walk out to the high pastures, help milk the goats, and learn how pashmina wool is cleaned and spun by hand. It’s a rare insight into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for generations.
As evening falls, return to camp, share stories over dinner and enjoy another peaceful night beneath Ladakh’s vast, star-filled sky.
This morning, continue deeper into the remote landscapes of Changtang as you travel towards Puga. The journey takes around four hours, crossing vast high-altitude plains where the scenery shifts from rocky desert to sudden stretches of green fed by underground springs.
Along the way, keep an eye out for grazing yaks, wandering horses and herds of goats, as well as colourful prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
By afternoon, arrive in Puga and settle into your camp for the night. Far from towns and modern distractions, this is a place where the scale of the landscape truly sinks in – wide skies, open horizons and the quiet rhythm of life on the plateau.
Today, set out on a scenic drive to Tso Moriri, one of Ladakh’s most beautiful and remote high-altitude lakes. After around two-and-a-half-hours of driving, arrive at the deep blue waters of Tso Moriri, surrounded by dramatic mountains and vast skies. Located over 14,000ft above sea level, the lake is part of a protected wetland reserve and a haven for wildlife, including migratory birds during the summer months.
Take time to walk along the lakeshore, soaking in the quiet beauty of this remote setting, before paying a visit to Korzok, a lakeside village home to a beautiful gompa and a friendly nomadic community. After returning to Puga in the afternoon, settle back into camp and enjoy another peaceful night beneath Ladakh’s star-filled skies.
This morning, leave the wide-open plains of Changtang behind and begin the journey back towards Leh, which will take around five hours. The drive winds through Ladakh’s stark mountain landscapes, with sweeping valleys and snow-capped peaks accompanying you along the way.
Arrive in Leh by early afternoon and check into your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax after the journey, so take a gentle stroll through the old town, browse the city’s small market stalls or visit nearby Leh Palace for views across the valley.
This evening, enjoy dinner at leisure and toast to your new memories of exploring Ladakh’s monasteries, remote villages and high-altitude plateaus.
Today, set off on a guided tour of Leh. Perched at 11,500ft, this magnificent city was once a key stop on the Silk Road, and is now the capital city of Ladakh. Begin the tour tasting traditional dishes at a local restaurant (more momos, anyone?) before wandering to the Central Asian Museum for a deep dive into Leh’s fascinating history. Next, visit Soma Gompa, the headquarters of the local Buddhist association, where the crowned Buddha and Padmasambhava watch over the meditative halls. Finally, stroll through the historic district to the bustling city market, tracing the town’s history through photographs and vibrant alleyways.
The fun’s not over yet: in the afternoon, uncover the secrets of pashmina in a private workshop. Follow the journey of the Changra goat’s down from shearing to the handwoven pashmina crafted by skilled Ladakhi women – and, as if that’s not enough, leave with a beautiful souvenir to remember your adventure.
If you like, we can also arrange for you to meet a local art restorer, who will guide you through the delicate restoration of religious manuscripts, thangkas, and ancient frescoes.
Today, leave Leh and head to the Nubra Valley along the winding road that climbs to Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world at 17,625ft. The stark, rocky landscape gradually gives way to green valleys dotted with isolated villages, until the Shyok River comes into view.
After you’ve completed the five-hour journey, check in for two nights at a Himalayan-style property in Tegar, on the east bank of the river.
In the afternoon, take a private tour of Tegar with a local guide, discovering its history as a stop on the Silk Road. You’ll also learn about the town’s Buddhist faith, stopping at two monasteries – Samtsaling, just two miles away, and Diskit, the oldest and largest in the valley.
This morning, set off on a hike to Yarab Tso Lake, a sacred high-altitude lake just over nine miles from Diskit Monastery. Though small, its waters are sacred to the Buddhist community, and local legend states that on a clear day, you’ll be able to see a lost monastery reflected in the lake. Along the way, admire the views over snow-capped peaks, lush valleys and the small pebble stupas created by visitors that dot the lake’s shores.
In the afternoon, visit Diskit Monastery, founded in the 14th century. Admire the murals of the Four Heavenly Kings and the striking 105-foot-high statue of Maitreya, blessed by the Dalai Lama in 2010 to promote protection, peace and harmony.
Feeling peckish after all that exploring? We can also arrange a picnic lunch for you to enjoy among the sand dunes, taking in the serene desert landscape before returning to camp.
Today, bid farewell to the Nubra Valley as you begin the five-hour journey back to Leh, retracing the winding hairpin bends of the Khardung La Pass.
When you arrive, settle into your new hotel. Spend the afternoon unwinding and reflecting on your nomadic adventure before enjoying a tasty dinner and preparing for your journey home.
Your adventure sadly draws to a close today as you’re privately transferred to Leh Airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival, you’ll be whisked to a hotel near the airport, allowing you to rest, enjoy the pool or indulge in a last-minute massage before your late-night departure.
In the evening, a private transfer will take you to the terminal for your overnight flight home. The flight will take around ten hours, and you’ll arrive the following morning, armed with magical memories of high-altitude nomadism and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes.
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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