Adventure
Ladakh's most extreme roads come together in this 9 days 8 nights journey from Srinagar to Leh, built around Umling La — the world's highest motorable road at 5,798 metres, higher than Everest Base Camp. For NCR travellers, this is a complete Ladakh circuit rather than a partial one, covering Nubra Valley's cold desert, the colour-shifting waters of Pangong Lake, and the remote frontier villages near Hanle in a single, well-paced trip.
The route begins in Srinagar with a night on a traditional Dal Lake houseboat, before crossing Zoji La Pass into Ladakh's stark, high-altitude terrain, with a stop at the Kargil War Memorial in Drass along the way. Lamayuru Monastery's moon-like landscape and the Indus-Zanskar confluence at Sangam Point lead into Leh, from where the route climbs to Khardung La Pass before descending into Nubra Valley — home to the 106-foot Maitreya Buddha at Diskit Monastery and Bactrian camels roaming the Hunder sand dunes. From Nubra, the trip reaches Pangong Lake for an overnight lakeside camp, then continues through Rezang La War Memorial toward Hanle — one of India's premier stargazing locations — before the push to Umling La itself. The return route passes Chumathang's natural hot springs on the way back to Leh.
The package includes 8 nights of accommodation across hotels, camps, and cottages, 16 meals through the journey, all arrival and departure transfers, private vehicle sightseeing throughout, applicable environmental fees, and an oxygen cylinder carried on all high-altitude days for safety.
Pack & Go is a Gurugram-based travel agency specialising in planned, well-supported high-altitude expeditions for NCR travellers. Our team manages permits, oxygen and medical readiness, and daily logistics across some of the most remote terrain in India, so the trip stays focused on the experience rather than the planning behind it.
This Ladakh road trip suits travellers seeking a complete, in-depth circuit rather than a shorter introduction — it requires a minimum group size of 4 and at least one full acclimatisation day in Leh before proceeding to the high passes. Reach out to our team to check current departure dates and availability.
Touch down in Srinagar and check into a traditional houseboat on Dal Lake. The day is yours — stroll through Lal Chowk, visit Shankaracharya Temple, or simply drift across the lake on a peaceful Shikara ride as the Pir Panjal range frames the horizon.
Meals: Dinner
An 8-9 hour drive carries you through Sonamarg's golden meadows and across Zoji La Pass (3,528m) into the rugged folds of Ladakh. Stop at Drass — among the coldest inhabited places on earth — before paying tribute at the Kargil War Memorial, which honours soldiers of the 1999 conflict.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Cross Namika La (3,700m) and Fotu La (4,108m) on a 7-8 hour drive, pausing at Lamayuru Monastery set against a moon-like landscape. Watch the Indus and Zanskar rivers merge at Sangam Point, get confused by Magnetic Hill's famous optical illusion, and stop for a moment of calm at Pathar Sahib Gurudwara before arriving in Leh.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Start with sunrise views from Shanti Stupa over Leh town, then climb to Khardung La Pass (5,359m), among the world's highest motorable roads. Descend into Nubra Valley — Ladakh's cold desert — visiting the 106-ft Maitreya Buddha at Diskit Monastery and the Hunder sand dunes where Bactrian camels roam. ATV rides and camel safaris available at your own cost.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
A 5-6 hour drive through Shyok and Agam villages delivers you to Pangong Lake (4,350m). Watch the water shift from deep blue to turquoise through the day, walk along the shore, and click photos at the famous 3 Idiots film location. Settle into a lakeside camp and spend the night under a clear, star-filled sky.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave the lake behind and drive 8-9 hours through Chushul, stopping at Rezang La War Memorial to pay respects to soldiers who fell in the 1962 Indo-China War. Cross the Loma Bridge over the Indus River and reach Hanle village by evening — one of India's finest stargazing spots — for a cosy homestay dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
An early start, a big day. Drive via Photi La (5,524m) to Umling La Pass at 5,798m — higher than Everest Base Camp. The terrain is raw and the air is thin, but standing at the top makes the effort count. Return via Nurbu La (5,282m) and spend the evening recovering at your Hanle homestay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive back to Leh over 6-7 hours, stopping at Chumathang's natural hot springs along the Indus River. Spend your final Ladakh evening at Leh Market — Tibetan handicrafts, woolen shawls and local snacks — before a farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After a final breakfast, you'll be transferred to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport for your flight home. Nine days, eight passes, one lake at 14,000 ft — carry it all back with you.
Meals: Breakfast
Umling La was the highlight, the roads are intense but our driver handled everything confidently. Pangong campsite at night was something else — completely silent, sky full of stars.
First time doing a high-altitude trip and Pack & Go made it easy. Oxygen cylinder on tough days was a great touch. Hotels in Leh and Kargil were clean and warm.
9 days felt like a month in the best way. The Nubra camel ride and Kargil War Memorial both hit differently. Would have liked one more leisure day in Leh but overall fantastic trip.