McLeod to Leh
A 10-day overland route from the Dhauladhars to Ladakh — crossing Atal Tunnel and Shinku La Pass into remote Zanskar, trekking to Phuktal, then over Khardung La and Chang La through Pangong and Nubra.
A remote Himalayan road journey through hidden valleys, ancient monasteries, and authentic local life. Beginning in the green Kangra Valley below the Dhauladhars, the route climbs through Lahaul via the Atal Tunnel, crosses the dramatic Shinku La Pass into the heart of Zanskar, and continues to the cliffside Phuktal Monastery, ancient Karsha and Sani gompas, and a hidden traditional Zanskari village stay. From Padum, an internal Zanskar route descends into Leh — followed by a slow cultural day in the capital, the high crossing of Chang La to Pangong Lake, the cold deserts of Nubra Valley, and a return over the legendary Khardung La. A complete Himalayan transition — from Himachali tea estates to Ladakh’s high frontiers — designed for travelers who value scale, silence, and meaningful immersion.
- Duration
- 10 Days | 9 Nights (Dharamshala to Leh)
- Location
- Dharamshala · Lahaul · Zanskar · Leh · Nubra · Pangong, India
- Difficulty
- Moderate to Challenging
- Season
- June to September
- Group
- Maximum 6 people
Journey highlights
- Drive from Dharamshala through Palampur’s tea estates, over the Atal Tunnel into Lahaul.
- Cross Shinku La Pass — a newly opened high-altitude route into Zanskar.
- Witness the sacred pyramid-shaped Gombo Rangjon mountain rising from the valley floor.
- Scenic trek to Phuktal Monastery, carved into a cliffside above the Lungnak River.
- Visit Karsha Monastery — the largest gompa in Zanskar — and ancient Sani Monastery.
- Stay with a local family in a hidden, off-map Zanskari village near Padum.
- Spectacular internal Zanskar route — gorges, plateaus, and high-altitude horizons — into Leh.
- Slow cultural day in Leh: Hemis, Thiksey, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, and the main bazaar.
- Cross Chang La to Pangong Lake's shifting turquoise waters and onward to Nubra Valley.
- Hunder sand dunes, double-humped Bactrian camels, Diskit Monastery's Maitreya Buddha.
- Return to Leh over Khardung La — one of the world's highest motorable passes.
Full itinerary
Dharamshala → Sissu via Atal Tunnel
Begin in Dharamshala and drive through the lush tea estates of Palampur and along scenic river valleys towards Kullu. As you approach the iconic Atal Tunnel, the landscape changes dramatically. Crossing the tunnel marks your entry into Lahaul — wide-open valleys, snow-lined peaks, and rugged Himalayan beauty. Arrive in Sissu, a peaceful village along the Chandra River, with an evening walk to the Sissu waterfall. Route Dharamshala → Palampur → Atal Tunnel → Sissu (≈260 km) Elevation 1,475 m → 3,120 m Stay PLM Dhara Hotel, Sissu. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available. Most stays have WiFi.
Stay: PLM Dhara Hotel, Sissu
Meals: Dinner included
Sissu → Shinku La Pass → Purne (Zanskar)
After breakfast, ascend toward Shinku La Pass, a high-altitude crossing connecting Lahaul to Zanskar via a newly opened, lesser-travelled route. As you descend, witness the sacred pyramid-shaped Gombo Rangjon mountain rising from the valley floor. Continue through vast, rugged terrain into the heart of Zanskar Valley — a land of silence, scale, and surreal Himalayan beauty. Arrive in Purne, a remote village serving as a gateway to deeper Zanskar. Route Sissu → Shinku La Pass → Purne (≈170 km) Elevation 3,120 m → 4,922 m → 3,800 m Stay Traditional homestay, Purne. Network unavailable at the pass and on the remote approach road. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal returns when you reach the valley. WiFi at your stay where available — very remote camps may not have it.
Stay: Traditional homestay in Purne
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Purne → Phuktal Trek → Padum Region
After breakfast, begin one of the most iconic experiences in Zanskar — the scenic hike to Phuktal Monastery, perched dramatically on a cliffside above the Lungnak River. Explore ancient meditation caves, interact with resident monks (subject to availability), and take in the dramatic Lungnak river canyon. Continue toward the Padum region and arrive at a secluded, off-map Zanskari village to stay with a local family. Route Purne → Phuktal trek → Padum region (≈3 hr trek + 2 hr drive) Elevation 3,800 m → 3,850 m → 3,500 m Stay Zanskari homestay near Padum. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available in the village. Very remote camps may have limited WiFi — ask at check-in. Download any offline content you need before the remote section begins.
Stay: Traditional Zanskari homestay near Padum
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Cultural Immersion in the Heart of Zanskar
Begin with Karsha Monastery, the largest and most influential monastery in Zanskar, perched dramatically above the valley. Continue to the serene Sheela Waterfall and the peaceful Sani (Saini) Lake known for its reflective waters. Visit the ancient Sani Monastery, one of the oldest religious sites in the region. Return to your village home for an evening with the host family — a slow, meaningful day rooted in culture and authentic Himalayan life. Route Karsha → Sheela Waterfall → Sani → village (local circuit) Elevation 3,500 m – 3,650 m Stay Same Zanskari homestay near Padum. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available. Most stays have WiFi.
Stay: Same traditional Zanskari homestay
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Padum → Leh via Internal Zanskar Route
Depart from Padum and begin one of the most spectacular drives of the journey. This lesser-travelled internal Zanskar route winds through dramatic river valleys, deep gorges, high-altitude plateaus, and vast open landscapes. As you gradually leave Zanskar behind, the landscape opens toward Leh, the cultural heart of Ladakh. Arrive by evening and check into your hotel. Route Padum → internal Zanskar route → Leh (≈430 km, full-day drive) Elevation 3,500 m → 4,400 m → 3,500 m Stay Hotel Northern Singee, Leh. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available. Most stays have WiFi.
Stay: Hotel Northern Singge, Leh (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Leh Local — Slow Cultural Day
After days of remote exploration, enjoy a slow morning in Leh. Visit Hemis Monastery — the largest and one of the wealthiest in Ladakh — and Thiksey Monastery, often compared to the Potala Palace. In the afternoon, explore Leh Palace, a 17th-century royal residence with sweeping town views. At sunset, head to Shanti Stupa for golden-hour views over the Indus Valley, and conclude with a leisurely walk through Leh Market. Route Leh → Hemis → Thiksey → Leh Palace → Shanti Stupa (≈80 km loop) Elevation 3,500 m (Leh base) Stay Hotel Northern Singge, Leh. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available. Most stays have WiFi.
Stay: Hotel Northern Singge, Leh (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Leh → Pangong Lake → Nubra Valley
Depart early and ascend toward the high-altitude Chang La region. Descend to the legendary Pangong Lake, whose waters shift between deep blue, turquoise, and emerald through the day. After time along the lakeshore, continue toward Nubra Valley — the landscape transforms into a cold desert framed by rugged mountains and braided riverbeds. Route Leh → Chang La → Pangong → Shyok → Nubra (≈350 km) Elevation 3,500 m → 5,360 m → 4,350 m → 3,050 m Stay Camp / homestay, Nubra Valley. Network drops at the high pass — expect silence above 4,500m for a few hours. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal returns once you descend to the valley. WiFi available at your stay.
Stay: Camp / Homestay in Nubra Valley
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Nubra Valley Exploration — Hunder & Diskit
Begin with the sand dunes of Hunder, where rolling desert meets snow-capped peaks. Spot the famous double-humped Bactrian camels, remnants of the ancient Silk Route. Continue to Diskit Monastery, home to a towering Maitreya Buddha statue overlooking the valley. Spend the afternoon at leisure with relaxed village walks and time with locals. Route Nubra base → Hunder → Diskit → return (≈40 km local) Elevation 3,050 m (Nubra Valley) Stay Camp / homestay, Nubra Valley. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available. Most stays have WiFi.
Stay: Camp / Homestay in Nubra Valley
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Nubra → Leh via Khardung La
After breakfast, drive back toward Leh via the legendary Khardung La, one of the world’s highest motorable passes. The ascent offers sweeping views of rugged mountain ranges and dramatic high-altitude terrain. Brief stop at the pass (weather permitting) and descent into Leh by afternoon. Free evening for shopping, cafés, or relaxed exploration. Route Nubra → Khardung La → Leh (≈125 km) Elevation 3,050 m → 5,359 m → 3,500 m Stay Hotel in Leh. Network drops at the high pass — expect silence above 4,500m for a few hours. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal returns once you descend to the valley. WiFi available at your stay.
Stay: Hotel in Leh
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner included
Departure — Leh to Delhi
After breakfast, transfer to Leh Airport for your onward flight to Delhi. Your journey concludes with unforgettable memories of remote valleys, sacred monasteries, high mountain passes, and the vast landscapes of Zanskar and Ladakh. Route Hotel → Leh Airport (KUU) transfer Elevation 3,500 m (Leh) Stay Departure — onward to Delhi. Jio and Airtel postpaid signal available. Most stays have WiFi.
Stay: Departure transfer to Leh Airport
Meals: Breakfast included
Pricing and planning
₹98,000
Inclusions
- Private SUV with experienced local Himalayan driver throughout the journey.
- All fuel, road tolls, parking fees and driver expenses.
- Accommodation in carefully selected hotels, guesthouses, and traditional homestays (double occupancy).
- Daily breakfast and dinner from Day 1 dinner to Day 10 breakfast.
- All required Inner Line Permits for Ladakh and Nubra regions.
- Entry logistics assistance for the remote Zanskar sector.
- Phuktal Gompa trek coordination and local guide support.
- Airport transfers in Leh on arrival and departure.
- On-ground local coordination throughout the expedition.
- Basic first-aid kit available in the vehicle at all times.
Exclusions
- International and domestic flights.
- Travel insurance — mandatory and strongly recommended for high-altitude travel.
- Lunches throughout the journey.
- Monument and monastery entrance fees where applicable.
- Camel ride charges in Nubra Valley.
- Personal expenses such as laundry, beverages, tips, and shopping.
- Emergency evacuation costs (helicopter cover available on request).
- Additional accommodation or transport costs arising from weather, road closures, landslides or flight delays.
Questions before you book
Will I have mobile network and WiFi during the trip?
Most stays on this route have WiFi. Very remote camps at high-altitude passes or riverside locations may not — your guide will let you know in advance. For mobile network in Ladakh, a postpaid Jio or Airtel SIM is essential — prepaid SIMs do not work in Ladakh due to Inner Line regulations. Network coverage has improved significantly across the region: Leh, Kargil, Pangong Tso, Hanle, Demchok, Padum, and Zanskar town now have reliable signal on both Jio and Airtel. Expect brief network drops on high mountain passes and remote valley drives between stops — this is normal and part of the remote experience. Download offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me) before entering remote zones.
Who is this 10-day trans-Himalayan odyssey designed for?
Travelers seeking a true overland Himalayan transition — from the Dhauladhars in Himachal to the high frontiers of Ladakh — with deep cultural immersion in remote Zanskar. Comfort with long mountain drives, basic homestays, and high-altitude crossings is essential. Reasonable fitness for the Phuktal trek is required.
How is altitude managed across the route?
The journey naturally acclimatizes through Lahaul before entering Zanskar and Ladakh. High passes (Shinku La, Chang La, Khardung La) are scheduled progressively. Every vehicle carries a basic first-aid kit, and helicopter evacuation cover can be arranged on request.
What kind of stays can I expect in Zanskar?
Two nights in a traditional Zanskari village homestay near Padum and one night in Purne — authentic, family-run stays with home-cooked meals and modest amenities. Leh and Nubra stays are at curated hotels and camps. The Zanskar sector intentionally prioritizes immersion over commercial luxury.
How demanding is the Phuktal Monastery trek?
It is a moderate scenic hike (around 3 hours one way) along a well-defined trail through a river gorge. No technical skill is required, but reasonable fitness and prior acclimatization are needed. Local Zanskari support is provided.
Can I customise — luxury upgrade, single room, or add Tso Moriri?
Yes. Optional add-ons include single-room upgrades, a luxury Leh stay (Hotel Chospa / Abdul or similar), an extra Leh day, a private monk session, a curated Indus picnic, a local SIM on arrival, or a Tso Moriri day extension. Speak to our team to design your version.