Ladakh

Fly into Leh and transfer to your hotel. Rest, drink water and keep activity light. A short evening stroll is enough.

A slow morning, then Leh Palace and the old town, and Shanti Stupa at sunset. Remain at an easy pace for acclimatisation.

Visit Shey, Thiksey and Hemis, with an optional stop at Stok. Distances are modest, but monasteries involve steps. Return to Leh in the afternoon.

Drive west to Alchi, Likir and Basgo, stopping at the Magnetic Hill and the Indus-Zanskar confluence near Nimmu. This is a longer, lower-altitude day. An optional shorter alternative is a half-day Khardung La excursion if you feel well.

Transfer to Leh airport. Morning flights are the norm, so there is no sightseeing planned.

Fly to Leh and rest. Keep the day light and drink plenty of water.

Visit Leh Palace, the old town and Shanti Stupa at an easy pace. This day is for acclimatisation and is not skipped.

Drive over Khardung La (around 5,300 metres, brief stop) to Nubra Valley (around five to six hours). Visit Diskit monastery and the Hunder dunes at sunset.

Continue by the Shyok route to Pangong Tso, subject to permits and current road conditions. If this route is unavailable, we return via Khardung La and add a night in Leh. Long drive, around six to eight hours. Overnight by the lake at around 4,200 metres.

A lakeside morning, then drive back to Leh over Chang La (around 5,300 metres) with a brief stop. Around five to six hours.

Visit Thiksey, Shey and Hemis in the Indus Valley, with time for tea and local life. Evening at leisure.

Transfer to the airport for your flight, ideally in the morning.

Fly to Leh and rest. Keep the day gentle.

Slow day with Leh Palace, the old town and Shanti Stupa. No high passes.

Cross Khardung La (brief stop) to Nubra Valley, around five to six hours. Evening at the Hunder dunes. Overnight in Nubra at around 3,100 metres.

Drive by the Shyok route to Pangong, subject to permits and road conditions. If unavailable, we adjust the sequence. Long day.

Morning by the lake, then return over Chang La to Leh. A lower night to recover.

Visit Thiksey, Shey and Hemis, or take the Sham Valley route to Alchi and Likir, depending on how you feel.

A long drive (around seven to eight hours) via the Indus Valley and Tso Kar region to Tso Moriri. Stay at the lakeside village of Korzok at around 4,500 metres. Altitude requires a very early night.

Morning by the lake and the Korzok monastery, then drive back to Leh. A long day. If you feel unwell at any point, we descend.

Transfer to Leh airport.

Fly into Leh (IXL), about 3,500 m. Rest, drink plenty of water and avoid exertion for the rest of the day.

A short visit to Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and the local market. Keep the pace gentle while acclimatising.

Visit Thiksey, Shey and Hemis monasteries, with short walks only. Return to Leh for the evening.

Drive about 5 to 6 hours over Khardung La (about 5,300 m) to Nubra, with a short stop at the pass only. Evening in the valley.

Visit Diskit Monastery and the sand dunes at Hunder, with an optional short camel ride. Return along the valley road or begin the journey back, according to conditions.

Drive back to Leh (5 to 6 hours) and fly out the next morning, or fly out after a rest, keeping a safe margin.