Ladakh

Land of high passes

Ladakh sits above 3,000 metres, a cold desert cradled between the Himalaya and the Karakoram. Its landscapes are elemental: ochre mountains, prayer flags snapping in the wind and lakes such as Pangong and Tso Moriri that change colour with the light.

Acclimatise properly

Altitude shapes every Ladakh itinerary. We build in at least two easy days in Leh before travelling higher, plan routes so that you sleep lower than the highest point of each day, and work with experienced drivers who know the roads in every season. Comfortable boutique hotels and well-appointed luxury camps make the journey surprisingly gentle.

Monasteries and villages

Visit Thiksey for the morning prayers, Hemis for its museum and festivals, and Alchi for some of the oldest wall paintings in the Himalaya. In the Nubra Valley, double-humped Bactrian camels graze among sand dunes, and village homestays offer a warm insight into Ladakhi life.