Heritage hotel
Centrally heated rooms in an old Ladakhi house, a short walk from the bazaar.
All ridesWinter 2026–27
Frozen Ladakh: Pangong, Hanle & Nubra
Per person, 2 travellers · Private SUV · GST extra. Private and tailor-made versions on request.
Overview
Ladakh in its quietest season
In January and February Ladakh empties of visitors and its high lakes freeze solid. This private journey crosses Khardung La to the dunes of Nubra, follows the shore of a frozen Pangong Tso and continues south-east to Hanle, where an astronomical observatory shares a wide plain with a village of herders.
You'll travel in a private SUV with a driver who knows winter roads, staying in heated guesthouses and the few homestays that stay open in the cold months. The pace is relaxed, with three nights in Leh before any high pass.
Day by day
The itinerary
10 days, Leh → Leh. Open a day for the route, travel time, stay and meals.
AcclimatiseDays 1 – 3
Rest and gentle days around Leh.
Day 1Arrive in LehA day of rest
Route Leh airport → hotel
Travel 15 min
Stay Leh
Meals Dinner
Altitude 3,500 m
Your driver meets you at the airport. Spend the day resting and drinking plenty of water — winter air is very dry.
Day 2Old LehShort walks only
Route Leh old town · Leh Palace · Shanti Stupa
Travel Short transfers
Stay Leh
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,600 m
A slow walk through the old town's lanes, the palace above it and Shanti Stupa for a sweeping view of the Indus valley.
Day 3The Sham valleyA lower-altitude day out
Route Leh → Likir → Alchi → Leh
Travel 4 hrs with stops
Stay Leh
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,200 m
Drive west along the Indus to Likir and to Alchi, whose 11th-century murals are among the finest in the Himalaya. Back in Leh by late afternoon.
Out to the lakesDays 4 – 8
Nubra, Pangong and the Changthang plateau.
Day 4Over Khardung La to NubraDunes and Diskit
Route Leh → Khardung La → Diskit → Hunder
Travel 5 hrs
Stay Hunder
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,100 m
Cross Khardung La, one of the highest roads in the region, and drop into the Nubra valley. Visit Diskit Monastery and walk on the dunes at Hunder in the late light.
Day 5Nubra to PangongAlong the Shyok river
Route Hunder → Shyok road → Spangmik
Travel 6–7 hrs
Stay Pangong homestay
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 4,250 m
Follow the Shyok river to Pangong Tso when the road is open (otherwise we return via Leh and Chang La). Arrive at a lake turned to ice, with a heated homestay for the night.
Day 6Pangong to HanleAcross the Changthang
Route Spangmik → Chushul → Loma → Hanle
Travel 7 hrs
Stay Hanle homestay
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 4,300 m
Morning on the lake, then south through Chushul into the high, open Changthang plateau, home to nomadic herders. Reach Hanle in time for sunset.
Day 7HanleMonastery and night sky
Route Hanle village · monastery · observatory hill
Travel Short drives
Stay Hanle homestay
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 4,300 m
Visit the 17th-century monastery above the village and the observatory hill. After dark, wrap up warm for an evening of star-gazing in one of India's darkest skies.
Day 8Hanle to LehDown the Indus
Route Hanle → Nyoma → Upshi → Leh
Travel 7–8 hrs
Stay Leh
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,500 m
A long, scenic drive along the Indus back to Leh, with stops for tea and photographs.
ReturnDays 9 – 10
A free day and departure.
Day 9Leh at leisureA spare day
Route Leh
Travel —
Stay Leh
Meals Breakfast & dinner
Altitude 3,500 m
A free day for shopping, cafés or a monastery you missed. It also doubles as a buffer in case snow delays the return.
Day 10Depart LehMorning flight
Route Hotel → Leh airport
Travel 15 min
Stay —
Meals Breakfast
Altitude 3,500 m
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Where you'll stay
Stays along the route
Chosen for warmth, cleanliness and character. Exact properties are confirmed when you book.
Lakeside homestay
One of the few family homes that stay open in winter, with a stove-warmed room facing the lake.
Homestay
A simple, warm room in a herding village — ideal for stepping outside at midnight to look at the stars.
Dates & prices
Departures and prices
Prices are per person. Private journeys can start on any date in season.
| Departure | Type | Status | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Any date, 5 Jan – 28 Feb | Private journey | Open | Enquire |
| Option | Indian residents | International |
|---|---|---|
| Private · 2 travellers | ₹84,000 | USD 1,450 |
| Private · 4 travellers | ₹62,000 | USD 1,080 |
| Private · 6 travellers | ₹55,000 | USD 960 |
Per person, 2 travellers · Private SUV · GST extra. Single rooms, upgrades and extra nights on request.
What's included
- 9 nights in hotels, guesthouses and homestays
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- Private SUV with driver for the whole trip
- Protected-area permits and environment fees
- Airport transfers in Leh
- Oxygen cylinder and pulse oximeter in the vehicle
Not included
- Flights to and from Leh
- Lunches and drinks
- Monastery and observatory entry fees
- Travel and medical insurance (required)
- GST at 5%
Before you go
Good to know
Practical notes on altitude, kit, permits and connectivity for this journey.
Altitude and acclimatisation
Leh sits at about 3,500 m. Every Ladakh journey begins with at least two easy days there, and we gain height gradually after that. Drink plenty of water, skip alcohol for the first few days and tell your guide about any headache or breathlessness straight away.
Fitness
You don't need to be an athlete, but you should be comfortable walking for an hour or two on uneven ground at altitude. If you have a heart or lung condition, please speak to your doctor before booking.
Permits
Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Hanle and other border areas need protected-area permits. We apply for them once we have copies of your ID — passport for foreign nationals, any government photo ID for Indian citizens.
Phones and connectivity
Most Indian prepaid SIMs don't work in Ladakh; postpaid connections on BSNL, Jio and Airtel usually do. Expect patchy signal outside Leh and limited Wi-Fi in remote areas.
Journey essentialsLeh → Nubra → Pangong → Hanle → Leh · Jan – Feb
Route notes: getting there & permits
Along the way
Photographs from the route
A few of the places you'll pass through.
Before you book
Questions we're often asked
Can I walk on Pangong's ice?
Usually from mid-January, when the ice is thick enough — but local authorities sometimes restrict access. Your driver will follow the rules on the day.
How cold is Hanle?
Very. Night-time temperatures of –25 °C are normal in January. Homestays are heated, and we provide hot-water bottles and extra blankets.
Can foreign nationals visit Hanle?
Rules for foreign nationals in parts of the Changthang change from time to time. We'll confirm the current position when you enquire and suggest an alternative if needed.
Can I travel solo on a private journey?
Yes. Private journeys run for one traveller too; the per-person price is higher because the vehicle and guide aren't shared.
Can you change the itinerary?
Almost always. Private journeys can be reshaped around your dates, pace and interests, and on small-group departures we can add nights before or after the trip.
How do I pay?
A 25% advance confirms your booking and the balance is due 30 days before you travel. We accept bank transfer, UPI and cards.
What if I need to cancel?
Our cancellation terms are set out on the booking terms page — the earlier you let us know, the more we can refund. We strongly recommend travel insurance that covers trip cancellation and high-altitude evacuation.
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