Self-Launched Ladakh: Nubra Valley Trek

Arrive in Delhi and check into a budget guesthouse or hostel in the Paharganj or Karol Bagh area — both well-connected and popular with independent travellers. If you have time, take a tuk-tuk to Karol Bagh Market or visit the stunning Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Sikh temple nearby. Grab dinner at a local dhaba — try butter chicken, dal makhani or chole bhature for under £3.

🚌Pre-book an airport pick-up via your hostel, or take the Delhi Metro Airport Express to New Delhi station (~£2), then an auto-rickshaw to Paharganj (~£1-2)

🛏Zostel Delhi or similar hostel/guesthouse (dorm ~£8-10/night, private ~£18-25/night)

• →Explore Karol Bagh Market for clothing, jewellery and street food
• →Visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, an iconic Sikh temple with a golden dome
• →Eat dinner at a local dhaba in Paharganj or Karol Bagh

Take an early morning domestic flight from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh (~£60-90 booked in advance via IndiGo, Air India or SpiceJet). The flight offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks — grab a window seat. On arrival, rest is essential: altitude sickness is a real risk at 3,500m. Check into a guesthouse in Leh, drink plenty of water, eat lightly, and take a gentle orientation stroll through the old city bazaar in the afternoon. Do not exert yourself today.

🚌Domestic flight Delhi to Leh: book in advance via IndiGo, Air India or SpiceJet (~£60-90). Shared jeep or taxi from Leh airport to town (~£3-5 shared, £8-10 private)

🛏Goba Guest House, Leh Palace View Guesthouse or similar mid-range guesthouse in Leh (~£18-25/night)

• →Take the scenic early morning flight over the Himalaya from Delhi to Leh
• →Rest and acclimatise — altitude in Leh is 3,500m (11,480ft)
• →Gentle walk through Leh bazaar — browse local handicrafts, Ladakhi jewellery and pashmina shawls
• →Try local cuisine: thukpa (noodle soup) or momos (dumplings) at a local café

Spend the day exploring two of Ladakh's most impressive gompas (Buddhist monasteries). Hire a shared taxi or local jeep from Leh's taxi stand to visit Shey Palace (entry ~£1), once the royal palace of the Ladakh kings and home to a 350-year-old copper-and-gold Buddha. Then walk across the fields to Thikse Monastery (entry ~£2), a stunning hilltop complex with red-and-white buildings visible for miles, and a recently built temple housing a magnificent Future Buddha statue. Return to Leh for the afternoon — try more local dishes and visit the Leh Palace or Namgyal Tsemo Gompa. In the evening, plan and confirm your trek logistics: book your local guide, cook and pack horses through a reputable Leh-based trekking agency.

🚌Shared taxi from Leh taxi stand to Shey and Thikse (~£5-8 shared return). Local agencies can arrange jeep hire for this day tour (~£15-20 shared between group)

🛏Goba Guest House or similar guesthouse in Leh (~£18-25/night)

• →Visit Shey Palace and its ancient copper-and-gold Buddha statue (entry ~£1)
• →Walk across the fields to Thikse Monastery and explore its hilltop complex (entry ~£2)
• →Return to Leh — visit Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo Gompa (free or nominal entry)
• →Confirm trek logistics: hire local guide, cook and pack horse handler through a Leh agency (e.g. Rimo Expeditions, Ladakh Adventure or similar) — budget ~£35-50/day for full crew support
• →Evening briefing with your local guide on the upcoming trek route

An epic day on the road. Hire a shared jeep from Leh's taxi stand or through your local agency for the drive over the Khardung La pass (5,375m/17,635ft) — one of the highest motorable roads on earth and a former Silk Road route. The winding road offers spectacular views back over the Leh Valley and forward to the Karakoram range. En route, stop at Diskit Monastery (entry ~£2), the oldest and largest in the Nubra Valley, dating from 1420, and dominated by an extraordinary 32m-high Maitreya Buddha statue. Continue to Hundar's famous sand dunes in the late afternoon to see the rare double-humped Bactrian camels — a surreal sight between towering mountains. Check into a guesthouse or eco-lodge in Hundar for the night. Permits: you'll need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) to enter the Nubra Valley — arrange this in Leh (online or via your guesthouse, ~£5-8 per person).

🚌Shared jeep from Leh to Hundar via Khardung La — arrange through Leh taxi stand or local agency (~£15-25 per person shared). Journey is approximately 5-6 hours

🛏Hotel Karma Inn, Nubra Ethnic Camp or similar guesthouse/eco-camp in Hundar (~£18-25/night)

• →Drive over the Khardung La — one of the world's highest motorable passes (5,375m) — stop for photos at the top
• →Visit Diskit Monastery and its towering 32m Maitreya Buddha statue (entry ~£2)
• →See the rare double-humped Bactrian camels at Hundar's sand dunes — camel ride optional (~£4-6)
• →Obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Leh before departing — essential for Nubra Valley access (~£5-8)

The trek begins today. Your local guide and cook (arranged in Leh) will have your camping equipment, food and pack horses ready. Drive the short 3km to Hundar Gompa and start trekking into the narrow side valley. The trail today is relatively easy, following a 4x4 track into a dramatic gorge with towering rock walls. After ~7km you'll pass a small shepherd camp with shady trees before reaching Wachan, where the valley splits at the edge of a small village. Your crew will have camp set up on arrival — enjoy your first night sleeping wild under a sky full of stars at 3,800m.

🚌Short jeep drive (~3km) from Hundar to Hundar Gompa trailhead — arranged with your driver

🛏Full-service camping with local hired crew — tent, sleeping bag and meals provided by your cook (~£35-50/day crew cost split across trekkers)

• →Trek 13km from Hundar Gompa through a dramatic gorge to Wachan (5-6 hours)
• →Pass a small droksa (shepherd camp) with welcome shade mid-route
• →Camp at 3,800m in the Nubra Valley wilderness

A shorter half-day trek as you begin to gain significant altitude. Take the left-hand valley and climb steadily to Dok Yokma, the last village you'll see until Phyang on Day 13. If the opportunity arises, pop into the small monastery and accept the offer of a cup of salt tea from a local family — a true Ladakhi experience. The trail ascends to your wild campsite opposite the Snia Valley junction at 4,200m. Use the afternoon to explore the surrounding hills and soak in the vast, silent mountain scenery.

🚌On foot — no vehicle transport today

🛏Full-service camping at Snia Sumdo (~4,200m)

• →Trek 8.5km from Wachan to Snia Sumdo, ascending steadily to 4,200m (3-4 hours)
• →Visit the small monastery at Dok Yokma — the last village before Phyang
• →Optional: visit a local house for traditional salt tea
• →Afternoon free to explore the hills and appreciate the wilderness scenery

Cross a small stone bridge and turn into the Snia Valley, following the river upstream. The trail climbs steadily on the left side of the valley, surrounded by unnamed peaks and passes. You are now in truly wild terrain — only summer shepherds with their yaks inhabit this valley. Keep your eyes peeled for marmots, foxes and wolves; the very lucky may spot a snow leopard. Camp close to the river at Pullu at 4,600m. In the afternoon, take an optional walk further up the valley towards a glacial lake.

🚌On foot — no vehicle transport today

🛏Full-service camping at Pullu (~4,600m)

• →Trek 6.5km up the remote Snia Valley to Pullu, reaching 4,600m (3-4 hours)
• →Watch for marmots, foxes, wolves and — if very lucky — snow leopards
• →Optional afternoon walk further up the valley towards a glacial lake

Descend to the intersection of the Snia and Thanglasso valleys, then ascend gradually on the left side of the Thanglasso Valley. The trail crosses rocky glacial moraine and green pastures alive with grazing sheep, yaks and dzos. A picturesque five-hour walk brings you to a beautiful campsite by the river at Jingmoche (4,510m) — a favourite spot for Ladakhi shepherds in the summer months.

🚌On foot — no vehicle transport today

🛏Full-service camping at Jingmoche (~4,560m)

• →Trek 10km from Pullu to Jingmoche via the Thanglasso Valley (5-5.5 hours)
• →Walk across glacial moraine and green shepherd pastures
• →Watch yaks, dzos and sheep grazing at Jingmoche — chat with shepherd families if encountered

Follow the river upstream through a valley of pretty meadows filled with grazing yaks and dzos. About an hour and a half from Jingmoche, pass the shepherd camp at Thanglasso. Continue up the valley, gaining altitude steadily until you reach your campsite in the afternoon, set directly below the Lasermo La pass at 4,950m. Tonight you camp in a raw, high-altitude landscape with the pass looming above you — a dramatic and memorable night.

🚌On foot — no vehicle transport today

🛏Full-service camping at Lasermo La base camp (~4,950m)

• →Trek 12km from Jingmoche to Lasermo La base camp at 4,950m (5-6 hours)
• →Follow the river through meadows with grazing yaks
• →Pass through Thanglasso shepherd camp
• →Prepare kit and layering for tomorrow's high pass crossing — ensure microspikes/Yaktrax are ready

A rest and acclimatisation day before tomorrow's big pass crossing. Take a packed lunch prepared by your cook and explore the valley across from camp, ascending to a series of stunning glacial lakes. The first lake is about 1.5 hours away; the second a further 45 minutes. A rocky trail climbs to a third glacial lake at 5,090m for those wanting to go further. You are surrounded by unnamed and unclimbed peaks — an extraordinarily remote and otherworldly place.

🚌On foot — no vehicle transport today

🛏Full-service camping at Lasermo La base camp (~4,950m)

• →Acclimatisation walk to a series of glacial lakes (5km round trip, 3-5 hours depending on how far you go)
• →Optional: push to the third glacial lake at 5,090m for stunning high-altitude views
• →Rest, hydrate and prepare physically and mentally for the Lasermo La crossing tomorrow
• →Evening briefing with your guide on the pass crossing plan and safety protocols

The most challenging and rewarding day of the trek. Start early with your guide. The ascent to the pass takes 3-4 hours on an initially easy path up the valley, then onto glacial moraine where microspikes or Yaktrax are essential for the final hour to the top. The Lasermo La at 5,400m is the highest point of the trek — at the prayer flags on the summit, take in a jaw-dropping panorama of the Karakoram mountains in one direction and the Ladakh range in the other. The first part of the descent is steep, then eases to a gradual descent to high camp at Morubuk — a small, green oasis of pasture. Note: microspikes/Yaktrax can be hired or purchased in Leh (~£8-15 hire for the trip).

🚌On foot — no vehicle transport today

🛏Full-service camping at Morubuk high camp (~4,900m)

• →Early start — cross the Lasermo La at 5,400m, the highest point of the trek (10km, 6-8 hours)
• →Use microspikes/Yaktrax on the glacial section near the summit — hire in Leh if needed (~£8-15)
• →Panoramic views from the pass: Karakoram range to one side, Ladakh range to the other
• →Descend steeply then gradually to high camp at Morubuk — a green pasture at ~4,900m

A long descent day from the high camp, heading via Phyang Sumdo to the valley at Phyang. The trail descends from the high altitude wilderness back into a landscape with more vegetation and eventually signs of habitation. Camp at approximately 4,000m — a welcome drop in altitude after several days above 4,500m. Enjoy the sensation of breathing more easily as the oxygen thickens around you.

🚌On foot — no vehicle transport today

🛏Full-service camping near Phyang (~4,000m)

• →Trek 8.8km from Morubuk to Phyang, descending from 4,900m to ~4,000m (4-5 hours)
• →Follow the trail via Phyang Sumdo — watch for wildlife as you descend
• →Celebrate the completion of the high-altitude section of the trek

The trek concludes today. Before departing, visit the beautiful Phyang Monastery, an active gompa belonging to the Red Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism, perched above the village. Then meet your pre-arranged jeep for the drive back to Leh (~30km, about 1 hour). Check back into your Leh guesthouse, take a long-awaited hot shower, and celebrate with a hearty meal — try the rooftop restaurants on Fort Road for Ladakhi and Tibetan cuisine with views of the Leh Palace. Debrief with your local guide and settle any outstanding crew payments.

🚌Jeep from Phyang to Leh arranged through your local trekking agency (~£10-15 per person shared)

🛏Goba Guest House or similar guesthouse in Leh (~£18-25/night)

• →Visit Phyang Monastery — an active Red Hat sect gompa above Phyang village (free or nominal entry)
• →Drive back to Leh (~30km, ~1 hour) in a pre-arranged jeep via your local agency
• →Hot shower, rest and a celebratory dinner on Fort Road in Leh
• →Settle final crew payments (guide, cook, pack horse handler)

Take an early morning flight back to Delhi — once again enjoy those incredible Himalayan views from the air. On arrival in Delhi, check into your guesthouse or airport hotel if you have an onward flight. If you have time, Delhi's excellent metro system gives easy access to Old Delhi (Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid) or the grand Red Fort for a final cultural experience. Treat yourself to a final celebratory dinner — Delhi's food scene is world-class.

🚌Domestic flight Leh to Delhi: book in advance via IndiGo, Air India or SpiceJet (~£60-90). Delhi Metro from airport to city centre (~£2)

🛏Zostel Delhi or similar guesthouse in Paharganj or Connaught Place (~£10-25/night)

• →Morning flight from Leh to Delhi — enjoy final Himalayan aerial views (~£60-90, book in advance)
• →Optional: explore Old Delhi — Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid and Red Fort via the metro (entry ~£1-2)
• →Celebratory final dinner — try Old Delhi's legendary street food or a restaurant in Connaught Place

Your Ladakh adventure comes to an end. Depending on your onward flight time, you may have a few hours to pick up last-minute souvenirs — Connaught Place and Janpath Market are great for Ladakhi crafts, pashmina shawls and silver jewellery brought back from Leh. Take the Delhi Metro Airport Express from New Delhi station directly to Terminal 3 for international departures (~£2, about 20 minutes). Safe travels!

🚌Delhi Metro Airport Express to IGI Airport (~£2, 20 minutes from New Delhi station)

🛏Check-out — no accommodation needed

• →Last-minute souvenir shopping at Janpath Market or Connaught Place
• →Take the Delhi Metro Airport Express to Indira Gandhi International Airport (~£2)