Altitude acclimatisation, Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, permits, costs, and how to plan the trip of a lifetime.
Ladakh sits at the meeting point of three of the world's greatest mountain ranges — the Himalayas, the Karakoram, and the Hindu Kush. The landscape is a high-altitude cold desert — bare brown and ochre mountains carved by glacial rivers, punctuated by impossibly blue lakes, ancient Buddhist monasteries on cliff faces, and the occasional splash of green around a village. It looks like a different planet. The sky at 3,500m+ is a deeper blue than anywhere else in India. The stars at night are overwhelming. And Pangong Lake — at 4,350m, stretching from India into Tibet — is one of the world's most extraordinary landscapes.
June: Roads fully open, weather excellent, fewer crowds than July–August. Good for first-timers who want the full experience without peak season pricing.
July–August: Peak season — maximum visitors, best weather, every road and attraction open. Book accommodation 2–3 months ahead. Highest prices.
September: Our top recommendation — crowds reducing, roads still open, weather still excellent, prices dropping, and the first hints of autumn colour in the valleys.
October: Late season — getting cold, some passes may close. Early October still excellent. Fly rather than drive in October.
November–May: Most roads closed. Leh accessible by air only. Winter Ladakh experience for experienced cold-weather travelers.
By Air (recommended for first-timers): Delhi to Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport — 1 hour. One of the world's most spectacular flights — the Himalayan range below you is extraordinary. Fly on the morning flight for the best visibility. Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, Vistara. Book early — Leh flights sell out months ahead in peak season.
By Road — Manali-Leh Highway: 479km, 2 days, crosses 5 high passes including Rohtang (3,978m) and Baralacha La (4,890m). Spectacular but physically demanding. Opens late May/early June, closes October/November. Not recommended for first-timers or those prone to altitude sickness.
By Road — Srinagar-Leh Highway: 434km, 2 days via Kargil. More reliable than Manali-Leh. Opens April/May, closes later in the season. Passes through the dramatic Zanskar Range.
This is the most important section for any Ladakh visitor. Leh is at 3,524m — 30% less oxygen than sea level.
On arrival day: Do nothing. Rest completely. Do not exert yourself. Sleep early.
Day 2: Light activity only — short walk around Leh market. No climbing, no sightseeing involving steps.
Day 3 onwards: Begin sightseeing. Most people feel normal by Day 3.
Prevention: Drink 3–4 litres of water daily. Avoid alcohol for first 3 days. Eat light meals. Consider Diamox (acetazolamide) — consult your doctor before travel.
Symptoms to watch: Headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness at rest. If severe — descend immediately. Do not sleep at altitude with severe symptoms.
Pangong Tso (Tso means lake in Ladakhi) sits at 4,350m and stretches 134km from India into Tibet. Only 40% of the lake is in India. The water changes colour through the day — from bright blue to turquoise to dark green — as the light changes. The surrounding mountains are bare and brown, creating an extraordinary contrast with the vivid water. The campsite area near Spangmik village has basic but adequate accommodation — luxury camps available. Reach: 4–5 hours from Leh via Chang La pass (5,360m). Permits: Required (we arrange as part of your package).
Budget per person, 7 days, excluding flights:
Ladakh is the most extraordinary landscape in India — possibly in the world. The altitude challenge, the long drives, the basic accommodation at remote locations — all of it fades the moment you see Pangong Lake at sunrise or look up at the Milky Way from 4,000m. Every traveler who visits Ladakh says the same thing: it was worth every bit of effort. Plan it properly, respect the altitude, and it will be the trip of your life.