Leh itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Leh

1. 01

   Day 1: Bazaar, palace and acclimatisation

   If you have just arrived, spend this day resting and acclimatising. Take a slow walk through the old Leh bazaar in the late afternoon when the light is soft, stopping for tea or momos at a small shop. Visit the Leh Palace ruins for the evening light and views over the town. Eat a light dinner and retire early. If you arrived a day earlier and are feeling well, you can add a visit to Shanti Stupa at sunset or Namgyal Tsemo gompa (monastery) in the morning, but do not overload your first full day.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 02

2 days in Leh

1. 01

   Day 1: Bazaar, palace and acclimatisation

   Arrive slowly. Walk through the old bazaar and stop for tea. Visit Leh Palace in the late afternoon for the views and light. If energy allows, walk up to Namgyal Tsemo gompa (roughly 20 minutes uphill from the bazaar, but worth it for the views and the quiet). Rest well and drink water.

2. 02

   Day 2: Monasteries and a nearby excursion

   After a slow morning, drive to Shey Monastery and Thiksey Monastery (roughly 30 km away, about one hour by car), where you can see monks at prayer and the golden Buddha statue. On the way back, stop at the Indus Confluence where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay closer to Leh, visit Hemis Monastery (about 45 km away) for its annual masked dance festival (usually in June, but year-round visits are possible) and its ancient thangkas.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 03

3 days in Leh

1. 01

   Day 1: Acclimatisation walk through the bazaar and palace views

   Spend the morning and early afternoon resting at your hotel. In the late afternoon, walk slowly through the old Leh bazaar to buy prayer flags or local scarves, stop for momos or thukpa (noodle soup) at a local restaurant, and have tea. As the light softens, climb up to Leh Palace ruins for the panoramic view over town and the Indus Valley.

2. 02

   Day 2: Eastern monasteries and the Indus confluence

   Start early and drive south-east to Shey Monastery (about 25 km, 45 minutes), where the Shakyamuni Buddha statue glints in the sun. Next, visit Thiksey Monastery perched on a hill (another 10–15 km), which is one of the most dramatic settings in Ladakh. Stop at the Indus-Zanskar confluence on the return journey, then finish at Leh Bazaar for evening shopping and a local meal.

3. 03

   Day 3: Hemis Monastery, high passes or a northward valley drive

   Either drive east to Hemis Monastery (about 45 km, 1.5 hours), the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh, with a large collection of thangkas and a 10-metre high gold-plated statue, or head north towards Nubra Valley (about 75 km one way), stopping at Khardung La (world's highest motorable pass, at 5,359 metres) and the oasis town of Diskit with its 14-storey high Maitreya Buddha statue. Return to Leh for a final evening in the bazaar.

Guides for the stops on this route

Pacing

Make the plan work for everyone

• Altitude is the biggest challenge. If you have a history of heart, lung or blood-pressure problems, consult your doctor and consider bringing diamox. Spend the first day resting, moving minimally, and acclimating. Do not climb stairs or hike on day one.
• Leh bazaar has narrow lanes, uneven pavements and many steps between levels. Wear comfortable, non-slip shoes and go slowly. Consider a walking stick or trekking pole for stability on slopes.
• Hire a private car and driver for the entire stay. Day trips to monasteries and lakes are taxing without transport, and fatigue at altitude is dangerous. A good driver also knows the road conditions and can stop whenever needed.
• Stay in a hotel with a lift and avoid ground-floor guesthouses in old bazaar that require climbing external steps. Confirm hot water, heating and oxygen availability (some hotels provide oxygen cylinders for emergencies).
• Eat small, frequent meals rather than heavy ones. Avoid rich food, spices and alcohol, which worsen altitude symptoms. Stick to plain rice, bread, soups and boiled vegetables. Ask your hotel to source mild Ladakhi food.
• Drink water continuously—at least 3–4 litres per day—and avoid caffeine. Many pharmacies in Leh stock altitude-sickness remedies; ask your hotel staff where the nearest clinic is.