6-day Leh Ladakh tour: Pangong Lake, Khardong La Pass

Six days crossing Ladakh's highest passes and oldest monasteries

A 6-day guided tour of Leh, Ladakh with private transport, accommodation and sightseeing across five nights. You visit Pangong Lake (a 134-km salt lake straddling the India-China border), Khardong La Pass (the world's highest motorable road at 18,380 feet), and four major monasteries: Shey, Thiksey, Hemis and Stok. The itinerary includes acclimatization time in Leh on arrival, local sightseeing along the Srinagar Highway, and packed lunches on high-altitude days. A live English-speaking guide accompanies all excursions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and acclimatization in Leh

• Arrive at Leh airport
• Meet representative and transfer to hotel
• Rest and acclimatize at hotel
• Visit Leh market on your own
• Overnight stay in Leh

Day 2: Leh local sightseeing tour

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Hall of Fame museum
• Visit Kali Mata Temple
• Visit Gurudwara Patthar Sahib
• Experience magnetic hill
• See confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers
• Return to Leh
• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 3: Leh to Pangong Lake excursion

• Early breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Pangong Lake via Changla Pass
• Optional packed lunch at lake
• Drive back to Leh
• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 4: Leh to Khardongla Pass visit

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Khardongla Pass
• Optional packed lunch
• Explore Leh local markets
• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 5: Monastery sightseeing around Leh

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Shey Palace
• Visit Thiksey Monastery
• Visit Hemis Monastery
• Visit Stok Palace Museum
• Lunch provided
• Return to Leh
• Dinner and overnight stay

Day 6: Departure from Leh

• Early morning transfer to airport
• Catch onward flight

The experience

How do you fit Ladakh's most famous high-altitude drives into one trip without rushing? This tour builds the six days around the two passes and the lake, leaving time to adjust to the altitude on day one and explore Leh's monasteries on day five. You start with a rest day at the hotel after arriving at Leh airport, then move into the sightseeing: a local loop that takes in the Hall of Fame museum, Kali Mata Temple, Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, and Magnetic Hill (where a vehicle rolls uphill in neutral), plus the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. The drive to Pangong Lake covers 4–5 hours each way through Changla Pass at 17,350 feet, the third-highest motorable road in the world. The lake itself sits at 14,500 feet and stretches 134 kilometers, with three-quarters of it on the Chinese side of the border.

Khardong La Pass comes next: at 18,380 feet, it holds the title of world's highest motorable road and marks the gateway to the Siachen Glacier. The views from the top are the draw, and the afternoon is free to wander Leh's local markets. On day five, a full day takes you to four monasteries across 104 kilometers: Shey Palace, Thiksey, Hemis and Stok Palace Museum. Packed or hot lunch is provided on the high-altitude days. On the monastery day, you get lunch as well. All transport runs by private car with your guide, and all tolls, parking, fuel and driver costs are included. You stay in 3-star hotels on a double-sharing basis for five nights, with a welcome drink on arrival.

The tour ends with an early-morning airport transfer on day six. Monument entrance fees and camera charges are separate. Travel insurance and flights are not included. Personal expenses like drinks, laundry and any unmentioned taxes are your own. The itinerary is wheelchair accessible, and the transportation options accommodate wheelchairs. Infants can sit on an adult's lap or use a specialized infant seat if needed.

What’s included

• Private car transport for all excursions and transfers.
• live English-speaking guide throughout.
• accommodation in 3-star hotels on double-sharing basis for five nights.
• all tolls, parking, fuel and driver allowances.
• welcome drink on arrival.
• packed or hot lunch on high-altitude and monastery days.
• sightseeing as per the itinerary including Hall of Fame, temples, Magnetic Hill, Pangong Lake, Khardong La Pass and four monasteries.
• assistance on arrival.
• all transport-related taxes and GST.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (6 and older) · Child (under 6): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availableInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Indian Travel Online

Is this one for you?Choose this six-day itinerary if you need built-in rest days (an acclimatization stop on arrival and a free afternoon after Khardong La), so you're not driving at high altitude every single day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How high is Khardong La Pass and what makes it special?

Khardong La Pass sits at 18,380 feet and is the world's highest motorable road. It serves as the gateway to the Siachen Glacier, and the views from the top are the main reason the tour includes it as a full-day excursion from Leh.

What is Pangong Lake like, and how long is the drive there?

Pangong Lake is a 134-kilometer salt lake at 14,500 feet, famous for its bright blue water and the fact that 75 percent of it lies on the Chinese side of the India-China border. The drive from Leh takes 4–5 hours each way through Changla Pass, the third-highest motorable road in the world.

Which monasteries do you visit, and how long does that day take?

You visit four monasteries (Shey Palace, Thiksey, Hemis and Stok Palace Museum) across a full day that covers 104 kilometers. Lunch is included on this day, and you return to Leh in the evening.

What happens on the first day after I arrive at Leh airport?

A representative meets you at the airport and transfers you to your 3-star hotel for check-in. You spend the day resting and acclimatizing to the altitude. In the evening, you can visit Leh market on your own if you wish.

Are meals included in the tour price?

Packed or hot lunch is provided on the high-altitude days (Pangong Lake, Khardong La Pass, and the monastery day). Breakfast is included at your hotel each morning. Other meals and drinks are your own expense.