Ladakh & Zanskar High‑Pass Expedition
14 Days • Remote Valleys, World’s Highest Roads & Starry Skies Download ItineraryFrom the apple orchards of Kullu to the wind-carved gorges of Zanskar, the monastery-crowned ridges of Ladakh, the turquoise sweep of Pangong, and the star-studded skies of Hanle — this 13–14 day loop is the Himalayas at their most extreme and exhilarating. It’s a journey of high passes, remote valleys, and once-in-a-lifetime roads — starting and ending in Manali.
Trip Overview
Duration→13–14 Days
Best Season→Mid-June to late-September (Shinku La, Singe La–Sirsir La, Umling La open)
Total Distance→~1,800–2,000 km (with detours)
Difficulty→Challenging (high altitude, rough tracks, water crossings, long fuel stretches)
Permits→Ladakh Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Nubra, Pangong, Hanle, Chushul, Umling La, Tso Moriri
Mobile Network→Jio/BSNL in towns; no signal on remote legs (Shinku La, Singe/Sirsir La, Hanle–Umling La)
Vehicle Type→4x4 or high-clearance SUV; experienced rider for bikes (500+ cc recommended)
Fuel Planning→Longest dry stretches are Nubra → Pangong → Hanle → Tso Moriri; carry 20–30 L spare
Day‑by‑DayItinerar
Day 1: Manali → Atal Tunnel → Keylong/Jispa
- Distance/Time: ~100–135 km 3–5 hrs
- Highlights: Atal Tunnel climate shift, Sissu waterfall, Keylong market.
- Adventure: Evening walk to Sissu lake.
- Stay: Jispa (3,200 m) for acclimatization.
- Tip: Fuel up at Tandi — last reliable pump before Zanskar.
Day 2: Jispa → Darcha → Shinku La → Padum (Zanskar)
- Distance/Time: ~210 km 8–10 hrs
- Pass: Shinku La (≈5,091 m)
- Highlights: Snow walls (early season), turquoise streams, Zanskar entry.
- Adventure: Short glacier-view walks (only if acclimatized).
- Stay: Padum (3,530 m)
- Caution: Start early to cross streams before they swell.
Day 3: Padum acclimatization + Zanskar explorations
- Highlights: Karsha, Stongdey, Sani monasteries; rope bridges; Zanskar river banks.
- Adventure: Half-day ridge trek above Karsha; short rafting (seasonal).
- Stay: Padum
- Tip: Carry cash; ATMs/fuel are unreliable.
Day 4: Padum → Singe La → Sirsir La → Lamayuru → Leh
- Distance/Time: ~270–310 km 10–12 hrs
- Passes: Singe La (≈5,000 m), Sirsir La (≈4,780 m)
- Highlights: Cliff roads, moonscapes, Lamayuru monastery and “Moonland”.
- Stay: Leh (3,500 m)
- Tip: Pre-dawn departure from Padum.
Day 5: Leh rest + culture loop
- Highlights: Thiksey sunrise, Hemis frescoes, Shey palace, Leh market.
- Adventure: Sunset cycle to Shanti Stupa.
- Stay: Leh
- Permits: Ensure ILP covers Nubra, Shyok route, Pangong (via Chushul), Hanle, Umling La, Tso Moriri.
Day 6: Leh → Khardung La → Diskit → Hunder (Nubra Valley)
- Distance/Time: ~120 km 5–6 hrs
- Pass: Khardung La (≈5,359 m)
- Highlights: Diskit monastery, Hunder dunes.
- Adventure: ATV rides, Bactrian camel safari, zipline.
- Stay: Hunder/Diskit
Day 7: Hunder → Turtuk → return Hunder/Diskit
- Distance/Time: ~170–200 km round trip 6–7 hrs
- Highlights: Turtuk’s Balti culture, apricot orchards; Thang viewpoint (permissions vary).
- Adventure: Village heritage walk and wooden bridges.
- Stay: Hunder/Diskit
Day 8: Nubra → Shyok River road → Pangong (Spangmik)
- Distance/Time: ~170–200 km 6–8 hrs
- Highlights: Shyok gorges, river fords, Pangong’s changing blues.
- Adventure: Lakeside sunset walks, astrophotography (clear/new moon best).
- Stay: Spangmik/Man/Merak
Day 9: Pangong → Chushul → Tsaga La → Loma → Hanle
- Distance/Time: ~170–200 km 6–8 hrs
- Checkpoints/Pass: Chushul, Tsaga La, Loma
- Highlights: Rezang La War Memorial, Changthang wildlife (kiang), Hanle Observatory.
- Adventure: Night-sky photography; constellation walk.
- Stay: Hanle
- Note: Respect no-photography zones near sensitive areas.
Day 10: Hanle → Umling La (day trip) → return Hanle
- Distance/Time: ~170–200 km round trip 6–8 hrs
- Pass: Umling La (≈5,800+ m)
- Highlights: Stark high-altitude desert, summit prayer flags.
- Adventure: Minimal exertion summit shots if fully acclimatized.
- Stay: Hanle
- Caution: Monitor SpO2; carry portable oxygen.
Day 11: Hanle → Nyoma → Mahe → Tso Moriri (Korzok)
- Distance/Time: ~160–180 km 5–7 hrs
- Highlights: Wetlands and birdlife (seasonal black-necked cranes), Korzok monastery, Tso Moriri’s deep blues.
- Adventure: Ridge walk above Korzok for panoramas.
- Stay: Korzok
Day 12: Tso Moriri → Tso Kar → Debring → More Plains → Pang/Sarchu
- Distance/Time: ~220–260 km 7–9 hrs
- Highlights: Tso Kar salt flats, More Plains’ long straights, Nakee La, Lachulung La, Gata Loops.
- Adventure: Controlled-speed photography stops; expect strong crosswinds.
- Stay: Pang/Sarchu (or push to Jispa if you want lower altitude)
Day 13: Pang/Sarchu → Baralacha La → Jispa/Keylong → Manali
- Distance/Time: ~230–260 km 8–10 hrs
- Pass: Baralacha La (≈4,890 m); Deepak Tal, Zingzing Bar
- Highlights: Glacier streams, Lahaul farewell scenes.
- Finish: Manali (trip end)
📍 Route Map for Your Planner
Manali → Atal Tunnel → Keylong/Jispa → Darcha → Shinku La → Padum (Zanskar) → Singe La → Sirsir La → Lamayuru → Leh → Khardung La → Diskit/Hunder → Turtuk → Shyok road → Pangong (Spangmik/Man/Merak) → Chushul → Tsaga La → Loma → Hanle → Umling La (day trip) → Hanle → Nyoma → Mahe → Tso Moriri (Korzok) → Tso Kar → Debring → More Plains → Pang/Sarchu → Baralacha La → Jispa → Atal Tunnel → Manali
Essentials to Carry
- Documents: DL, RC, PUC, insurance, ILP printouts (5–6), ID proofs; passport for foreign nationals
- Clothing: Layering system (thermal, fleece, windproof), down jacket, gloves, beanie, neck gaiter
- Footwear: Waterproof trekking shoes, spare socks
- Health: Doctor-advised Diamox, personal meds, ORS, basic first-aid, portable oxygen can, oximeter
- Gear: Tyre inflator, puncture kit, tow strap, jump cables, jerrycans (20–30 L), headlamps, power banks, Type-C/USB cables
- Navigation: Offline maps (download entire region), paper backup of routes and emergency contacts
- Misc: Category 3/4 sunglasses, SPF 50+, lip balm, wet wipes, thermos, high-energy snacks
Insider Tip:
- Acclimatize wisely: Two nights split across Jispa/Padum/Leh before pushing Umling La. Avoid alcohol and heavy exertion early on.
- Drive craft: Give way on the mountainside; flash/honk before blind bends; walk water crossings first if unsure.
- Cold management: Windchill at passes is brutal — keep a warm layer in the front seat to throw on instantly.
- Eco-ethic: No littering, no off-roading on wetlands/lake shores, carry back all plastic.
- Photography: Best light is early and late; mid-day is for moving between locations.
Permits, fuel and checkpoints
- Permits (ILP):
- Sectors to tick: Nubra (Khardung, Shyok), Pangong (via Durbuk/Chushul), Hanle, Umling La, Tso Moriri (Nyoma–Mahe–Korzok).
- Copies: Carry 5–6 sets for South Pullu, North Pullu, Khalsar, Tangste, Chushul, Tsaga, Loma, Nyoma, Mahe, and random checks.
- Fuel plan:
- Reliable pumps: Tandi (before Jispa), Karu (near Leh), Diskit (Nubra).
- Variable/occasional: Tangste (Pangong side), Nyoma/Chumathang (infrequent).
- Dry stretches: Nubra → Pangong → Hanle → Tso Moriri. Carry 20–30 L spare; refuel wherever available.
- Timing strategy:
- Early starts (6–7 am): For Shinku La, Singe/Sirsir La, Umling La; streams rise post-noon.
- Weather windows: Expect afternoon winds at Pangong/Changthang; aim to reach camps by 3–4 pm.
- Conduct:
- Checkposts: Keep permits/IDs handy; be polite and patient.
- Sensitive zones: Follow no-drone/no-photo rules; respect wildlife corridors.
