Ladakh is a high-altitude cold desert on the far side of the Himalaya, and it rewards travellers who want big landscapes, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and long, quiet drives. Leh is the base for almost everything: from there roads climb over passes above 5,000 metres to the sand dunes and villages of the Nubra Valley, the long blue sweep of Pangong Tso and the more remote Tso Moriri. Kargil, on the road from Srinagar, is lower and makes a gentler entry point for those arriving overland.
The trade-offs are real. Leh itself sits at roughly 3,500 metres, and flying in from the plains puts you there within an hour, so acute mountain sickness is common in the first two days. Distances look short on a map but mountain roads mean five to seven hours between many stops, with rough stretches, dust and very cold nights even in summer. The season is short, facilities outside Leh are basic, and some areas need permits that you arrange before leaving Leh.
For parents and older travellers, be honest before you book: altitude affects people unpredictably, and heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions can make Ladakh risky. Anyone over sixty, or with a chronic condition, should see a doctor well before the trip and ask specifically about high altitude. If Ladakh is cleared, plan fewer places, more rest days and lower overnight stops such as Nubra rather than the high lakes. If it is not, the Kashmir or Himachal clusters offer mountain scenery at far lower heights.
- Ideal trip
- 6–11 days
- Destinations
- 5
- Best season
- Roughly May to September, when the main roads and passes are usually open; June to August is warmest, while early May and late September can bring snow on the passes. Winter (roughly November to March) is extremely cold and road access is limited, so it is not advisable for older travellers.
- Start from
- Leh
Destinations in this region
The base for every Ladakh trip, with the airport, hospitals, hotels and monasteries close by for acclimatisation days.
Read the full Leh guide →Dunes, Diskit Monastery and valley villages over Khardung La, and a lower, easier overnight than Leh.
Read the full Nubra Valley guide →The long, colour-shifting high-altitude lake that many visitors picture when they think of Ladakh, best for well-acclimatised travellers.
Read the full Pangong Tso guide →A remote, quieter high lake with wetland birdlife, suited to fit travellers with extra days and good tolerance for altitude.
Read the full Tso Moriri guide →- Kargil · Ladakh
The lower gateway on the Srinagar road, useful for a gradual climb into Ladakh and a break in the long drive.
Read the full Kargil guide →
Suggested routes
Leh and Nubra with acclimatisation — 6 days
- Day 1 — Leh. Fly into Leh and go straight to the hotel. This day is for rest only: lie down for a few hours, drink water steadily, eat light and avoid stairs, alcohol and any sightseeing. Keep the evening quiet and note any headache, breathlessness or poor sleep to discuss with a doctor if it persists.
- Day 2 — Leh. A second acclimatisation day. If everyone feels well, take a short, slow walk around the hotel or a café in the late morning, then rest again after lunch. A gentle drive to a nearby viewpoint in the late afternoon is enough; Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa involve steps, so leave them for later.
- Day 3 — Leh. Visit Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery by car in the morning, going only as far up the steps as is comfortable, then return for lunch and a long rest. If energy allows, see Shanti Stupa by road at sunset, where the car can drive close to the top. Confirm permits for Nubra today.
- Day 4 — Nubra. Leave early for Nubra over Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the region. Spend only a few minutes at the top, as the air is very thin. Descend to Diskit or Hunder (around 3,100 metres, lower than Leh), check in and rest. A slow walk near the Hunder dunes in the evening is optional.
- Day 5 — Nubra. A relaxed morning visit to Diskit Monastery and its large Maitreya statue, driving close to the entrance. Rest through the afternoon at camp or guesthouse. This lower-altitude night is a good recovery day before the return over the pass.
- Day 6 — Leh. Drive back over Khardung La to Leh in the morning, with a lunch stop in town. Keep the afternoon free for rest and a little shopping in Leh market, and fly out the next morning, as flights from Leh usually leave early in the day.
Overland from Kargil to Leh, Nubra and Pangong — 11 days
- Day 1 — Kargil. Arrive in Kargil by road from the Srinagar side, having crossed Zoji La. At about 2,700 metres, Kargil is a gentler first night than Leh. Check in, rest, and take only a short evening stroll along the Suru river.
- Day 2 — Kargil. An easy day to adjust. Visit the Kargil War Memorial area at Drass if you did not stop on the way in, or simply rest. Keep meals light and drink plenty of water; tomorrow is a long drive.
- Day 3 — Leh. Drive to Leh, a long day of roughly six to eight hours. Break it at Mulbekh's rock-cut Maitreya and at Lamayuru, with its moon-like landscape and monastery, but keep stops short and avoid climbing. Reach Leh by late afternoon and rest.
- Day 4 — Leh. A full rest day in Leh. Even after the gradual climb, Leh is higher than Kargil. A short walk in the late morning at most, a long afternoon rest and an early night.
- Day 5 — Leh. Monastery morning at Thiksey and Shey by car, back by lunch. In the late afternoon, drive up to Shanti Stupa for the view. Use the evening to confirm permits for Nubra and Pangong.
- Day 6 — Nubra. Cross Khardung La to Nubra, pausing only briefly at the top. Settle into Hunder or Diskit, which are lower than Leh, and rest for the afternoon.
- Day 7 — Nubra. Visit Diskit Monastery in the cool morning and keep the afternoon free. The Hunder dunes are best seen in the soft evening light; camel rides are optional and not needed to enjoy the setting.
- Day 8 — Pangong. Drive from Nubra to Pangong along the Shyok route if your driver confirms it is open, otherwise return via Leh the next day instead. Pangong Tso is around 4,250 metres and nights are very cold. Anyone who struggled at Leh should skip the overnight and see the lake as a day trip from Leh, or not at all.
- Day 9 — Leh. See the lake in the calm early morning, then drive back to Leh over Chang La, keeping the stop at the pass short. Arrive by mid-afternoon and rest.
- Day 10 — Leh. A buffer day for bad weather, road closures or tiredness. If all is well, visit Leh Palace from the lower entrance by car, Hall of Fame museum or the Leh market at an easy pace.
- Day 11 — Leh. Fly out of Leh in the morning. Tso Moriri can be added as a two-day extension before this, but it is higher, more remote and more basic, and is better suited to fit, younger travellers.
Getting around
Most visitors fly into Leh's Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport from Delhi and other cities; there is no railway into Ladakh. Overland, the Srinagar–Kargil–Leh road (usually open from around May to autumn) and the higher Manali–Leh road (shorter season) are the two approaches, and the Srinagar side, via Kargil, gives a more gradual climb. Within the region, people travel by hired car with a local driver, which is strongly advisable for families. Leh to Nubra over Khardung La typically takes around five to six hours, Leh to Pangong over Chang La around five to six hours, Leh to Tso Moriri around six to eight hours, and Kargil to Leh roughly six to eight hours with stops, all depending on road conditions and weather. Check permit requirements for Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri on the official Leh district permit portal before you travel, as rules differ for Indian and foreign nationals and have changed in recent years.
Travelling with parents
- See a doctor several weeks before the trip and ask directly about travelling to 3,500–4,500 metres; take any altitude medication only if a doctor prescribes it.
- Plan two full rest days on arrival in Leh and do nothing strenuous, including stairs and monastery climbs, until everyone feels settled.
- Prefer overnight stays at lower points such as Nubra; treat Pangong and Tso Moriri as optional, and skip the night at the lakes if anyone has breathing or heart concerns.
- Hire a car with an experienced local driver, ask for a vehicle with comfortable seats, and keep drive days to one long leg with frequent short stops.
- Pack warm layers, a windproof jacket, sunscreen and sunglasses; afternoons can be sunny and nights near freezing even in July.
- Hospitals and pharmacies are concentrated in Leh; carry enough regular medicines for the whole trip and keep travel insurance details handy.
Ladakh FAQs
Is Ladakh safe for elderly parents?
It can be, but it depends heavily on health. Altitude sickness can affect anyone, and it is riskier for people with heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions. A doctor's consultation before booking is essential, and even then a slower plan with rest days and lower overnight stops is the sensible approach.
How many days should we rest in Leh after flying in?
Most guidance suggests at least two full days of rest after flying into Leh before any strenuous activity or higher excursions. Older travellers may need longer, so build a spare day into the plan.
Do we need permits for Nubra, Pangong and Tso Moriri?
Some areas beyond Leh are protected and have required permits or registration, with different rules for Indian and foreign nationals. Requirements have changed in recent years, so check the official Leh district permit portal or ask your hotel or driver before you set out.
Is it better to fly to Leh or go by road?
Flying is quicker but takes you to high altitude abruptly. Driving in from Srinagar via Kargil takes longer but allows a more gradual climb. Neither removes the need for rest days in Leh.
Should we stay overnight at Pangong?
Only if everyone has acclimatised well in Leh. The lake is higher than Leh and camps are cold and basic. A day trip from Leh, or skipping it, is a reasonable choice for older travellers.
When is the best time to visit Ladakh with parents?
Roughly June to early September usually offers the most settled roads and mildest days. Early and late season can bring snow on passes and colder nights.
Sources and further reading
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism)
- Leh District Permit Tracking System (official)
- District Leh, official website
- Ladakh — Wikipedia
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.