7-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Ladakh in September 2023

1. Day 1: Leh Palace
   15 minutes (5.3 km) from Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport

   Explore the 17th-century Leh Palace, a nine-story building that used to be the royal palace of the King of Ladakh in the morning. In the afternoon, visit the Shanti Stupa, a white-domed Buddhist stupa with beautiful views of Leh city. End the day with a stroll around the Leh market to see local handicrafts and taste some delicious Ladakhi food in the evening.

2. Day 2: Nubra Valley
   4 hours 30 minutes (120 km) from Leh

   Take a scenic drive to the beautiful Nubra Valley in the morning. Visit the Diskit Monastery and its famous 32 meters tall statue of Maitreya Buddha. In the afternoon, enjoy a camel ride in the sand dunes and end the day by watching the sunset at the Hundar village.

3. Day 3: Pangong Tso Lake
   5 hours 30 minutes (160 km) from Nubra Valley

   Take a scenic drive to the famous Pangong Tso Lake in the morning, which is famous for its changing colors. Enjoy a picnic lunch by the lake and then visit the Rancho School, made famous by the Bollywood movie '3 Idiots.' End the day by watching the sunset by the lake.

4. Day 4: Leh to Lamayuru
   3 hours 30 minutes (127 km) from Leh

   Visit the Lamayuru Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh, in the morning. Stop by the Moonland, a unique landscape resembling the moon's surface, in the afternoon. End the day by watching the sunset at the beautiful Lamayuru village.

5. Day 5: Alchi Monastery
   1 hour 30 minutes (70 km) from Lamayuru

   Visit the Alchi Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in the morning. Explore the beautiful murals and sculptures in the monastery complex. In the afternoon, visit the Basgo Monastery and the ruins of the Basgo Fort. End the day with a visit to the Magnetic Hill, a gravity-defying phenomenon.

6. Day 6: Khardung La Pass
   2 hours 30 minutes (40 km) from Leh

   Take a drive to the Khardung La Pass, the highest motorable road in the world. Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Himalayas and snow-capped mountains. In the afternoon, visit the Stok Palace, a beautiful palace that houses the royal family's museum. End the day with a visit to the Thiksey Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in Ladakh.

7. Day 7: Leh
   In and around Leh

   Explore the Leh city in the morning. Visit the Leh market for some last-minute shopping and souvenirs. In the afternoon, relax at a local cafe and enjoy some Ladakhi tea and snacks. End the day with a visit to the Leh Mosque and the Leh Gompa.

Recommendations

Don't miss the Hemis Monastery, the largest monastery in Ladakh, and its annual Hemis Festival in July. You can also take a day trip to the beautiful Zanskar Valley and experience river rafting. To maximize your fun, try out some local Ladakhi dishes like Skyu, Thukpa, and Momos.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Leh Palace (2 hours, ₹250)
• Shanti Stupa (1 hour, free)
• Camel ride in Nubra Valley (1 hour, ₹600)
• Rancho School in Pangong Tso Lake (1 hour, free)
• Lamayuru Monastery (2 hours, ₹100)
• Alchi Monastery (2 hours, ₹100)
• Magnetic Hill (30 minutes, free)
• Khardung La Pass (2 hours, free)
• Stok Palace (1 hour, ₹100)
• Thiksey Monastery (2 hours, ₹30)
• Total Estimated Costs: ₹1,330

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