9 Days · Grand Overland Circuit
An all-encompassing journey across every major geography in Ladakh, from the lunar hills of Lamayuru to the Balti village of Turtuk in the far north.
The murals of Alchi, the high passes of Khardung La and Chang La, the blue of Pangong and the Balti culture of Turtuk, in a single circuit.
Arrive at Leh Airport, meet our local representative, and transfer smoothly to your hotel. Dedicate the whole day to resting indoors for altitude acclimatization. In the evening, take a peaceful stroll through Leh Main Bazaar.
After breakfast, embark on a westward journey along the Leh–Srinagar Highway through the Sham Valley.
Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring nearby traditional villages and taking in views of the lower Indus Valley. Drive back towards Leh, arriving by mid-afternoon. Spend the rest of your day at leisure, exploring local cafes or resting up for the high-pass journey ahead.
Depart early for Pangong Lake, traveling across the snow-draped Chang La Pass. Descend into the vast Changthang plateau, passing wild yak herds and nomadic camps. Reach Pangong Lake in the afternoon, check into your camp, and enjoy an evening walking along the shore.
Catch the morning light on the lake before taking the scenic Shyok river highway directly into Nubra Valley. Arrive in Nubra, check into your camp, and head to Diskit Monastery to see the colossal Maitreya Buddha statue. Later, enjoy a camel safari among the Hunder Sand Dunes.
Set out on an extraordinary day trip to Turtuk, one of the northernmost villages in India, opened to tourists only in 2010. Annexed during the 1971 war, Turtuk is home to the Balti people, who possess distinct customs, language, and architecture. Walk through lush green apricot orchards, visit ancient stone houses, see the historic heritage house/museum, and view the Karakoram peaks framing the border region before returning to Nubra.
Bid farewell to Nubra Valley and begin the mountain drive back to Leh, crossing Khardung La Pass. Arrive in Leh by afternoon and spend the evening enjoying a well-earned dinner at a local restaurant.
Spend your final full day immersing yourself in Ladakhi Buddhist culture. Visit Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery, and the historic Hemis Monastery. Return to Leh for last-minute souvenir shopping in the local market.
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to Leh Airport for your return flight home.
Murals a thousand years old, lunar hills, high passes, and apricot orchards at the edge of the map.
The grand circuit
Highlights
Select a highlight to see where it happens and which days of the expedition it falls on.
Highlight 01 / 06
Moonland, the gravity illusion of Magnetic Hill, the meeting of the Indus and Zanskar rivers, and a night out west in the Sham Valley.
Book this Expedition
bookings@laladakh.com · +91 70062 84499
