Getting to the Himalayas.

Step 01

Fly to Delhi

Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) — Terminal 3 — is your gateway to the Indian Himalayas. It is one of Asia's best-connected hubs.

London (LHR)

~9h

Air India, British Airways, Virgin

Dubai (DXB)

~3h

Emirates, Air India, IndiGo

Singapore (SIN)

~5h 30m

Air India, Singapore Airlines

New York (JFK)

~14h

Air India direct

Frankfurt (FRA)

~8h

Lufthansa, Air India

Sydney (SYD)

~12h via SIN

Air India, Singapore Airlines

Arriving in Delhi? Allow yourself one night before continuing to Leh — the connection flight is early morning and acclimatisation begins the moment you land at altitude.

Step 02

Delhi to Leh — the final flight

Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport (IXL) is a 1-hour 15-minute flight from Delhi. The approach alone — descending through mountain walls at 3,500m — is worth the trip.

Airlines

Air India · IndiGo · Vistara · SpiceJet

Duration

~1h 15min

Best time

Morning flights (clearer skies, less turbulence)

Altitude on arrival

3,524m — take it very slowly on Day 1

Frequency

Multiple daily flights in season (Jun–Sep)

We recommend booking your Leh flight separately from your international connection — mountain weather can delay or cancel Leh flights, and you don't want a missed connection. Our team will advise on timing when you book with us.

Step 03

Alternatively: Delhi to Manali

Several of our routes begin in Manali rather than Leh. Manali is reached by overnight Volvo bus from Delhi (10–11 hours) or by flight to Kullu–Manali Airport (BHU) — 1h from Delhi.

Overnight bus

Delhi to Manali — 10–11h — approx ₹900–1,800

Private transfer

Delhi to Manali — 10–12h — arranged by us

Flight option

Delhi to Bhuntar (BHU) — 1h — then 2h drive to Manali

Step 04

Visa for India

Most nationalities can enter India on an e-Visa, applied online before travel. The process is straightforward and typically takes 3–5 business days.

Apply at

indianvisaonline.gov.in

Processing time

3–5 business days (apply at least 2 weeks early)

Cost

Approx USD 25–80 depending on nationality

Duration

Tourist e-Visa valid 30 days or 1 year (double/multiple entry)

Ladakh permits

We arrange all Inner Line and Protected Area Permits — these are separate from your visa and handled entirely by our team

Citizens of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and some other nationalities require a regular visa through an Indian embassy. Write to us before applying and we'll confirm what you need.

Step 05

On arrival — what to expect

Leh at 3,524m is the highest commercial airport in India. Your first two days should be spent at rest — short walks, early nights, lots of water. We plan every itinerary with this in mind.

Airport pickup

We collect you. Share your flight number when you book.

Day 1

Rest in Leh. Short walk in the afternoon if you feel well. Dinner at 7pm.

Day 2

Leh Palace, local market, light acclimatisation walk. No high passes.

Day 3

Your expedition begins — road open, team assembled, permits ready.

Currency

Indian Rupees (INR). ATMs in Leh. We recommend carrying cash for smaller villages.

SIM card

Buy an Indian SIM at Delhi airport — network covers most of Leh. Beyond Leh: limited to satellite.

Ready to plan

Still have questions?

Write to us. Our Leh-based team knows every question an international traveller has — we've answered them all. There are no wrong questions before a Himalayan journey.