12-Day Leh Ladakh Itinerary – A Road Close To Heaven Down On Earth

Plan your trip to the beautiful locale with this 12-day Leh-Ladakh itinerary!

Ladakh, popular as the “coldest desert in the world,” is home to some stunning scenery. It is an extraordinary region stretching from the Siachen Glacier to the Great Himalayas. A 12-day Leh Ladakh itinerary example is offered below. You can customise your planned travel itinerary from it.

The Leh Ladakh itinerary is organised so you can arrive at your planned destinations before dusk, avoiding the night-time obstacles of travelling in a challenging environment. You can visit the Zanskar Valley for complete calm, Kargil for a dash of adventure, and Magnetic Hill for a fascinating experience.

During your Leh Ladakh vacation, you can try out a Bactrian camel safari tour in Hunder, engage and stay with the locals, go on thrilling adventures on the adventurous roads, and relax and revitalise in Tso Moriri.

Are you a foodie? These are the 9 top local food in Leh Ladakh to try.

12-day Leh Ladakh itinerary from Delhi via Manali

Here is a 12-day Leh Ladakh itinerary from Delhi via Manali.

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi, then transfer to Manali

Your journey to Manali begins with your arrival in Delhi. Take a bus or a cab journey to your dream destination, Manali.

You will be passing through some of the most spectacular natural landscapes. 

Day 2: Arrival in Manali – A scenic beauty

You will arrive in Manali and stay at your pre-booked accommodation. Take in the valley’s beauty and explore Manali at your leisure for the rest of the day. Then you can go on a sightseeing excursion. You can explore the Solang Valley and then engage in various adventure activities such as cable car rides, snow scootering, skiing, paragliding, and much more.

On the second day of the excursion, you can also go to Hadimba Temple, Manu Temple, or Manali’s ancient colonial town. Spend some time in the evening on Mall Road, where you can shop or go café hopping. Return to Manali’s hotel for supper and an overnight stay.

Day 3: Manali to Jispa

Next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary is Jispa. As you begin your journey to Jispa, you will pass through the renowned Atal Tunnel, one of the world’s longest underground highways.

You will continue towards Sissu and Keylong, a tranquil region where natural beauty is in its purest form. Witness the spectacular Sissu Lake and the Sissu Waterfall. After exploring the lush green Bhaga valley, you can drive to Jispa. You will soon arrive at Jispa, known for its distinctive routes and beautiful green trees.

After that, check into the Jispa camp. Spend your evening unwinding with a cup of tea and some snacks. There will be overnight stays at Jispa’s authorised campgrounds. 

Day 4: Jispa To Sarchu via Baralacha-la

Next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary is Sarchu. Get up early and begin your trip to Sarchu after a good breakfast.

Along the route, you’ll stop at Deepak Tal, which reflects the serenity of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. You can take a rest at the Zingzing Bar, which is one of the highest roadside bars in the world. Visit the Suraj Tal, which translates to “Sun God’s Lake”, like a brilliant emerald buried amid the bleak Himalayas.

Your next stop is the Baralacha La Pass, a spectacular mountain pass at 16000 feet that offers breathtaking views of the convergence of the three valleys.

Lunch will be served in the Bharatpur tent colony or the nearby area. Later in the evening, you can enjoy views of the lovely brown mountains and an outstanding sunset from the campground. Have an overnight stay at the Sarchu campground.

Day 5: Sarchu to Leh

Have breakfast at the hotel before departing for Leh, as your dream destination is next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary.

You will fall in love with the ride across Gata Loops, a sequence of 21 hairpin turns up to the peak of NakeeLa Pass. Then you’ll go to the Lachung La Pass, another high mountain pass in the vicinity.

The More Plains, where a vast stretch of beautiful landscape is bordered on all sides by the spectacular Himalayas, is the next destination. Lunch will be served at Pang or in the neighbouring area. Finish all the check-in processes when you arrive in Leh in the evening. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the hotel and spend the night in Leh. 

Day 6: Local Sightseeing in Leh

Acclimatise by waking up to a spectacular sunrise. Next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary is the local sightseeing in Leh. Begin your evening excursion with a visit to the breathtaking Shanti Stupa, built to commemorate Buddhism’s 2,500-year heritage.

Visit the Leh Palace, built in the 17th century and provides a peek into Leh’s golden age. You can then shop for Tibetan handicrafts at the Leh Market or go to a cafe to enjoy some exquisite Ladakhi food. 

Day 7: Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung-La Pass

Prepare for the ultimate adventure as you cross some of the world’s highest passes, with ever-changing vistas of the lonely countryside to greet you. Next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary is the most stunning Nubra Valley.

Stop at a café atop the world’s highest all-season motorable road, the Khardung-La Pass, to soak in the scenery and feel like you’re on top of the world. As you descend from Khardung-La, the landscape shifts from bleak cold desert to white sand desert as you approach Nubra Valley, home of the Nubra Sand Dunes. If time allows, pay a visit to Ladakh’s oldest and largest monastery, Diskit Monastery, which holds a gigantic Buddha statue. 

Enjoy a beautiful double-humped Bactrian camel ride, which is the speciality of this region because it was initially part of the famous Silk Route. Later, enjoy a night of camping with a bonfire beneath a star-studded sky at the Nubra Valley campground. 

Day 8: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake

Wake up in the beautiful Nubra Valley and be ready for the most exciting day as you go to Pangong Lake on the Indo-China border, the next destination on your Leh Ladakh itinerary. 

Pangong Tso, one of the highest-altitude saline water lakes, will greet you with its changing blue, green, and red colours. For the rest of the day, explore the location around Pangong Lake, which includes views of the Shyok River and the mountains on both sides.

Live your Bollywood dream by replicating the scenes from Bollywood movies like 3-idiots and Jab Tak Hai Jaan to get a Bollywood-style experience. You will spend the night in the campground to find all the stars are closer.

 Do you enjoy biking trips? Read a short guide to plan your bike trip to Leh-Ladakh.

Day 9: Pangong Lake to Leh

Enjoy the beautiful Pangong Lake on the 9th day of your Leh Ladakh travel itinerary.

On your way back to Leh, take a short diversion to the Chang-la Pass, one of the world’s highest mountain passes. The Chang-La Cafe, located directly on the Changla Pass, is well worth a stop. Visit the Changla Baba Temple, which gives the pass its name and is supposed to protect Chang La tourists.

Visit the Druk Padma School, which appeared in the film “3 Idiots” as the set for the last scene. Visitors with time can also stop by the Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace along the route. After landing in Leh, take some time to unwind before heading to the hotel for dinner. Stay the night at a hotel in Leh.

Day 10: Leh to Kargil

Prepare yourself for a thrilling trip to ‘Sham Valley,’ located along the Srinagar-Leh route, the next on your Leh Ladakh itinerary.

Begin your trip with the Hall of Fame, where you can pay your respects to the Indo-Pak War martyrs. Enjoy exquisite langar while learning about the army’s part in the Gurudwara’s building at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.

Magnetic Hill, a short stretch of road that defies gravity, is another fascinating location to visit on this day. From the Indus Sangam Viewpoint, you can see the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus Rivers. You’ll also observe a transition in the terrain that mimics the moon’s surface when you walk through Lacanuru Village.

Then you’ll proceed to Basgo Palace and Monastery, built on a steep incline and resemble huge anthills rising from the earth. Find yourself at Kargil for a night stay on the tenth day of this Leh Ladakh travel itinerary.

Day 11: Drive from Kargil to Srinagar

Prepare to depart for Srinagar on the 11th day of your Leh Ladakh travel itinerary. Visit the Drass Village – the world’s second-coldest inhabited village.

Enjoy stunning views of Kargil, Tiger Hill, and other Kargil War peaks. Make a quick stop at the Kargil Conflict Memorial to pay your respects to the martyrs of the Kargil war. To go to Srinagar, take the Zoji La Pass. Check into your Srinagar hotel and unwind for a few hours.

The remainder of the day is free to do anything you like, including a leisurely Shikara ride on Dal Lake. On the 11th day of your Leh Ladakh travel itinerary, you will spend the night in Srinagar.

Day 12: Departure from Srinagar

Check out of the accommodation and make your way to Srinagar Airport to begin your journey home.

Ladakh is a visual feast of colourful prayer flags, elaborate paintings, and red-robed monks among the stunning Gompas (Tibetan Buddhist monasteries). There’s a myth that only in Ladakh can a guy get sunstroke and frostbite simultaneously by sitting in the heat with his feet in the shade.

People in Ladakh are warm and inviting, and their culture is reminiscent of Tibet in many ways. This year, go where you feel most alive; the perfect destination is Leh Ladakh. Plan a travel itinerary for it with zeal.