A 4-Day Itinerary to Explore the Raw and Beautiful Leh Ladakh

  1. Day 1: Explore the Ancient Kingdom of Leh
    Estimated time and Distance: 15 minutes (3 km) from Leh Kushok Bakula Airport

    On your first day, visit the Leh Palace, also known as the 'Lhachen Palkhar'. This architectural marvel has nine storeys, and it was the place where the royal family lived until the mid-19th century. Next, head to the Shanti Stupa, a white-domed Buddhist stupa designed to promote world peace. Finally, end your day with the Leh Bazaar, which is full of colorful shops, delicious food, and Tibetan handicrafts.

  2. Day 2: Explore the Mystic Monasteries and Picturesque Lakes
    Estimated Time and Distance: 1 hour 15 minutes (30 km) from Leh City

    Begin your day with a visit to the Thiksey Monastery, one of the largest monasteries in central Ladakh. Next, head to the Pangong Tso Lake, a beautiful blue lake at an elevation of 4,350 meters and located near the Line of Actual Control. Spend some time admiring the scenic beauty of the lake and taking pictures. Finally, end the day with a visit to the Hemis Monastery, one of the wealthiest and most important monasteries in the region.

  3. Day 3: Visit Ancient Yet Beautiful Monasteries and Nature
    Estimated Time and Distance: 1 hour (22 km) from Leh City

    Today, start by visiting the Likir Monastery, which was built in the 11th century and has beautiful murals and priceless relics. Next, head to the beautiful Alchi Monastery, a complex with various temples, stupas, and murals. After that, go to the Zanskar River rafting point, where you can enjoy the rapids and admire the beauty of the vast landscape of Leh.

  4. Day 4: Explore the Beauty of Nubra Valley
    Estimated Time and Distance: 4 hours (120 km) from Leh City

    On your last day, experience the unique and scenic beauty of the Nubra Valley. Start by visiting the Khardung La Pass, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Next, visit the Sumur Sand Dunes, where you can take a camel ride to explore the vast desert. After that, go to the disputed Siachen Base camp, which is the highest battlefield in the world.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Thiksey Monastery (1 hour, Free Entry)
  • Pangong Tso Lake (2 Hours, INR 500 permit)
  • Hemis Monastery (1 Hour, INR 300 Entry fee)
  • Likir Monastery (2 Hours, INR 10 per person entry fee)
  • Alchi Monastery (2 Hours, INR 50 per person entry fee)
  • Zanskar River Rafting (3 Hours, INR 3000 Per Person)
  • Khardung La Pass (2 Hours, Free Entry)
  • Sumur Sand Dunes (2 Hours, INR 400 for 30 minutes of camel ride)
  • Siachen Base Camp (3 Hours, Free entry)
  • Total Estimated Cost: INR 4,260

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, you can also visit Shey Palace, the Magnetic Hill, and the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, which are located near Leh City. If you have a longer duration of stay, you can extend your trip to Zanskar Valley or Drass Valley. For those with less time, you can skip any of the activities mentioned above, depending on your preferences.

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