Ladakh: Nubra Valley Trek

15 Days Starting and ending in Delhi

Visiting: Delhi, Leh, Khardung La, Diskit Monastery, pullu, ሀመር።, jhigmoche, Lasermo Ladakh - Leh, Jhingar Kalan

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

TGD

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Challenging

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $3450 $2760 Operator discount: -$690 -20%

NB: Prices correct on 23-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Concealed by the Ladakh and Karakorum mountains, the Nubra Valley in northern India remains unseen and untouched by mass tourism. Here, rare double-humped Bactrian camels share a near-unspoiled terrain with traditional shepherd camps and elusive snow leopards. To reach it, we must take a spectacular flight over the Himalaya to Leh, the largest city in the Ladakh region, before crossing the Khardung La, one of the highest drivable passes in the world and a one-time route for Silk Road traders. It’s then into the wilderness, exploring the virtually uninhabited Nubra Valley on foot while gazing at unnamed peaks and camping wild as we go.



Our 20 July 2025 and 19 July 2026 departures are led by Valerie Parkinson, winner of Best Tour Leader in the prestigious annual Wanderlust World Guide Awards in 2021.

Highlights

  • Survey the tallest mountain range in the world on a sensational flight over the Himalaya

  • Travel in jeeps over the Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world

  • Visit the Diskit Monastery, home to a colourful Buddha statue that’s taller than a house

  • Meet rare double-humped Bactrian camels

  • Cross the wild, glaciated Lasermo La pass

Places You'll See

Delhi

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Delhi

Location: Delhi

Welcome to Delhi, a captivating city full of life and cultural intrigue. To make the start of your adventure easy, free arrival transfers are available for all travellers provided you have supplied your flight details in advance and have requested a transfer.



Depending on your arrival time, you may then have time to explore this electric city. A short taxi or tuk-tuk drive from our hotel is Karol Bagh Market, where colourful stalls are packed with clothing and jewellery, and the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a magnificent Sikh temple topped with an onion-shaped gold dome.



Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)

Day 2 : Sensational Flight Over The Himalaya To Leh

Location: Leh

Meals Included: Breakfast

We wake early this morning for a spectacular flight over the Himalaya mountains to Leh, the largest city in the Ladakh region. Reserve a moment or two on your journey to peer out the window and over some of the tallest mountains in the world.



After touching down and arriving at our hotel, we settle into our rooms and freshen up. This afternoon, we take a gentle orientation walk around the city and bazaars. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise to the altitude (11,480ft/3,500m).



Accommodation: Hotel Rafica (or similar)

Day 3 : Leh Tour; Visiting Thikse And Shey Monasteries

Location: Leh

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we continue our sightseeing in and around Leh, visiting Tikse and Shey monasteries, two of the major gompas (Buddhist temples) in the area.



We first drive to Shey, once a palace of the Ladakh kings. Inside is a small temple containing a 350-year-old copper-and-gold statue of the Buddha. From Shey, we walk across the fields to Tikse, where we visit the monastery. This hilltop complex with red-and-white buildings can be seen for miles and within is a recently built temple with a magnificent image of the Future Buddha.



We return to Leh and the rest of the afternoon is free to explore and try more local dishes, such as thukpa (a noodle soup), momos (steamed dumplings) or skiu (a traditional stew).



Early evening there will be a full trek briefing.



Accommodation: Hotel Rafica (or similar)

Day 4 : Drive Over The Khardung La To Hundar, In The Nubra Valley. Visit Diskit Monastery And See The Sand Dunes And Bactrian Camels

Location: Khardung La

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We leave Leh today and set off in jeeps over the Khardung La, once part of the Silk Road and now one of the highest motorable roads in the world at 17,635ft (5,375m). The journey to the top of the pass takes us on a winding road high above Leh. From the top, we get great views back to the Leh Valley and the Ladakh mountains and ahead we can see the Karakorum mountain range. The road winds down and down through the North Pollu checkpost and to Khardung village, then on to Khalsar village (10,710ft/3,264m) and the Shyok River. We stop en route to visit Diskit monastery. Overlooked by a 105ft (32m) high Buddha statue, it is the oldest and largest in the Nubra Valley, dating from 1420, and belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.



Hundar is only about 6mi (10km) from Diskit and it is filled with dunes, an unusual sight between magnificent mountains. Stopping at the dunes in the late afternoon/early evening we see the rare Bactrian camels. These magnificent two-humped dromedaries were once vital to the traders passing through this region, but when trade decreased in the late 1950s, the animals were left in the Nubra Valley. Thankfully, a government programme has ensured these camels continue to survive and we get a chance to meet some of those still living in the area.



From the dunes it is a short drive to our hotel in Hundar (approximately six hours’ drive).



Accommodation: Hotel Karma Inn (sleeping altitude: 9,910ft/3,020m)

Day 5 : Drive To Hundar Gompa; Trek Through A Spectacular Gorge To Wachan

Location: Diskit Monastery

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We head into the valleys this morning, driving for about 1.8mi (3km) to Hundar Gompa, where we start our trek. Leaving the main valley, we turn up into a narrow side valley. The walking today is fairly easy as we follow a wide 4x4 track into the gorge. Rocks tower above us as we gain height gradually.



After approximately 4.5mi (7km), we come to a small droksa (shepherd camp) with a few trees providing welcome shade from the sun. The valley now widens a little and we camp where the valley splits on the edge of a small village called Wachan.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 12,467ft/3,800m)

Day 6 : Leaving Villages Behind; Continue Ascending The Valley To Our Wild Camp At Snia Sumdo

Location: Diskit Monastery

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a half day as we begin to gain height. We start by taking the left-hand valley and climbing steadily to Dok Yokma, a small collection of houses and fields. This is the last village we see until Phyang. We can visit the small monastery and maybe stop in a local house for a cup of tea.



The trail ascends down the valley all morning until we reach our campsite opposite the Snia Valley. In the afternoon, there is time to explore the hills and take in the spectacular scenery.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 13,780ft/4,200m)

Day 7 : Surrounded By Unnamed Peaks, The Trail Climbs The Snia Valley; Camp At Pullu

Location: pullu

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We cross a small stone bridge and turn into the Snia Valley and follow it upstream. The trail climbs steadily on the left hand side of the valley. We are surrounded by unnamed peaks and passes and only shepherds inhabit this valley in the summer. Before there were roads in Ladakh, people used the passes regularly. Now, apart from the summer shepherds with their herds of yaks, the valley is inhabited by wildlife only. Keep your eyes peeled for marmots, foxes, wolves and, for the very lucky, the elusive snow leopards that hunt here.



We camp close to the river just before the next valley junction. In the afternoon there is an optional walk further up the valley towards a glacial lake.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 15,090ft/4,600m)

Day 8 : Descend To The Valley Junction And Ascend The Thanglasso Valley To Jingmoche

Location: ሀመር።

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A descending start leads us to the intersection of Snia and Thanglasgo valleys. From here, we ascend gradually on the left side of the valley. The trail crosses rocky glacial moraine and green pastures. A picturesque walk for around five to five and a half hours brings us to our beautiful camp by the river at Jingmoche (14,795ft/4,510m), a popular location among shepherds who bring their sheep, yak and dzos for grazing.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 14,960ft/4,560m)

Day 9 : Trek To The Base Of The Lasermo La

Location: jhigmoche

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We walk to the base of our next pass, Lasermo La, today. As we leave the campsite, we follow the river upstream walking amid a valley of pretty meadows with grazing yaks and dzos. An hour and a half from Jingmoche we pass the shepherd camp at Thanglasso. Continuing up the valley we get higher and higher and we finally reach the campsite in the afternoon, set below the Lasermo Pass.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 16,240ft/4,950m)

Day 10 : Acclimatisation Walk To Glacial Lakes

Location: Lasermo Ladakh - Leh

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend the day exploring the area around camp with various optional walks available. We can take a packed lunch and ascend the valley across from our camp up to a series of lakes. It is about 1.5 hours to the first small lake. It is about another 45minutes to the second lake. We are now surrounded by unnamed and unclimbed peaks. We can either descend back to camp or there is a rocky trail which climbs to a third small glacial lake (16,700ft / 5,090m) if you’d like to explore further.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 16,240ft/4,950m)

Day 11 : Cross The Lasermo La And Descend To High Camp

Location: Jhingar Kalan

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We have a challenging day as we cross the Lasermo La pass. We need to carry our Yaktrax/Microspikes for the last part of the pass which is on glacial moraine.



We aim for the highest pass on the trek. Leaving the Nubra Valley with an early start, we begin our climb ascending on an easy path up the valley. It takes about 3-4 hours to the bottom of the glacier, where we put on our microspikes for the last hour to the top of the pass. The Lasermo La is 17,715ft (5,400m) and from the prayer flags at the top the view takes in the spectacular Karakoram mountains in one direction and the Ladakh range on the other. From the top the first part of the descent is steep at first and then after an hour the descent eases off to a more gradual descent to a high camp at Morubuk, a small area of green pasture.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 16,076ft/4,900m)

Day 12 : Descend Via Phyang Sumdo To Phyang

Location: Lasermo Ladakh - Leh

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

An easy last day after the exertions of the pass. We have an easy and wonderful walk down the valley today. We may have to cross the river several times as the trail goes from the left to the right hand side of the valley. Ahead the Stok range of mountains appears. Halfway we pass Phyang Sumdo and continue on down the valley until the large, spread out village of Phyang appears below us. Our camp tonight is on a grassy patch at the top of the village. We will reach camp by lunchtime and in the afternoon there is time to explore the village.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 13,123ft/4,000m)

Day 13 : Visit Phyang Monastery; Drive To Leh

Location: Leh

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our cars will drive to camp this morning and we drive to the monastery which towers above the valley.



It is a one-hour drive back to Leh, arriving late morning to the comforts of a hot shower in our hotel. The rest of the day is free for relaxing and reflecting on the last week or last-minute sightseeing or shopping in the bazaars. The energetic can walk to the Shanti Stup or to Leh palace above the town.



Accommodation: Hotel Rafica (or similar)

Day 14 : Fly To Delhi

Location: Delhi

Meals Included: Breakfast

We fly from Leh to Delhi. The rest of the day is free for individual sightseeing in Delhi.



Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)

Day 15 : End Delhi

Location: Delhi

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your journey in India completes after check-out from the hotel. Free departure transfers are available for any flight, provided you have supplied your flight details in advance. Alternatively, speak to your sales representative about joining our five-day post-trip extension taking in the Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. This extension can also be done before the tour.

What's Included

  • All accommodation

  • All breakfasts, nine lunches, nine dinners

  • All listed transport and activities

  • Tour leader throughout

  • Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone (in Delhi)

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Personal trekking/climbing equipment

Accommodation

In Delhi, we use a Classic-rated hotel with air-conditioned rooms. In Leh, we stay in a Classic-rated hotel, close to the local market and town centre. There is wifi available in Leh; however, there is no mobile coverage for international phones in Ladakh.



The trek itself is on a full-service camping basis, meaning our camp staff will put up and dismantle the tents for you, cook, and do all the camp chores. You need only carry your day pack. Most of the camping on this trek is wild camping. We stay in two-person tents, which have enough room inside for kitbags. We also have a dining tent with a table and folding chairs, and at least one eco toilet tent (usually two) for use during the evenings. No running water is available while camping. You camp close to a river or stream and the camp staff will provide bowls of warm water (to wash with) while trekking.



Worth knowing:



It’s common for hotels in India to have limited times in the day for hot water use to save energy. If you find your shower is cold, please let your leader or reception know so they can make sure the water heater is on.

Toilet tents used while camping comprise of a dug hole (prepared by your camping staff) inside a tent, with dirt/sand beside the hole to cover waste after each use.

Single rooms and tents can be requested for a supplement (subject to availability). Please enquire at the time of booking.

Single supplement from £480

Food

All breakfasts, eight lunches and nine dinners are included.



Indian food is highly regarded and there is ample chance to try various Ladakhi favourites, which is influenced by Silk Road traders from Tibet and China. Don’t miss the delicious and popular snacks – momos (dumplings). Also try: thukpa, a clear vegetable soup with noodles and often mutton or chicken; tingmo (pronounced tee-mo), steamed bread eaten with dal; and a favourite found in most restaurants, chutagi, a thick soup of local vegetables and bow tie-shaped pieces of dough cooked in the broth (also served with meat).



Allow at least 1,600-2,000 rupees (approximately US$20-US$25) per day for lunch and dinner (where not included). You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A (large) bottle of beer is approximately 300 rupees (approximately US$4).



While camping, the staff will bring a hot drink (usually tea) to your tent each morning. When you reach camp in the afternoon, tea and biscuits are served. At breakfast, dinner and in the afternoons, there is a choice of hot drinks. Breakfasts typically include cereal, toast and jam, eggs and porridge. Lunch on trek is usually served as a picnic en route (except on shorter days when it is in camp). Lunch and dinner typically include soup to start, followed by a variety of hot dishes (both local and Western) such as potatoes/chips, vegetables, curry, pasta, rice, dal and paneer (cottage cheese). At dinner, a dessert such as tinned fruit and custard, fritters or cake is also served.



Please note, although some meals include meat, it is not as readily available while camping.



Drinking water



Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 3-4 litres per person per day.



We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Ladakh. In Leh, there is a shop called Dzomsa that sells safe drinking water. Your leader will show you where this is on your first day in Leh. The Leh hotel provides safe filtered drinking water.



During the trek, the cooks will collect and boil drinking water from the mountain streams and fill up your water bottles for you, but you may need to collect water during the day and may wish to use your own water purification treatment as well.



We recommend you bring a reusable bottle/water bladder/Camelpak (ideally two) and use an effective form of water treatment. There are a wide range of products available including Steripens or purification tablets or drops, which are the quickest and easiest options to use on trek – we recommend talking to an outdoor retailer for the latest advice as technologies are improving all the time. Make sure to check the product’s performance in cold/freezing conditions and consider battery life (lithium batteries are best in cold conditions).

Check out our Q&As

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this operator

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

Trustpilot
Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

paul green (Google Reviewer)  

Went on a tour of...

14-Jan-2022

Went on a tour of morocco in October and loved it ,mohamed the tour guide was excellent, probably go with exodus to India next year

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

Trustpilot
Ann B (Google Reviewer)  

We had a week walking...

08-Oct-2024

We had a week walking and wine in the Duro valley with two local guides Louis and Theresa. They were both exceptional, knowledgeable, professional and funny. Our group of 11 had a great time. This was a premium tour. Our 4 star hotels were both well located clean and with great views. We had several local meals arranged by our guides with local people cooking for us. We did not meet any other walkers during our hikes only two shepherds. I would certainly recommend this tour to anyone interested in the local produce and wine. We both felt as we had learnt a lot about Portugal during this tour. We will use Exodus again. One of our group had done 30 tours with Exodus over the years. Quite an endorsement.

Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

David (Google Reviewer)  

Exodus are generally a good...

21-Aug-2024

Exodus are generally a good travel company. Things tend to run smoothly and trips well organised. Their customers tend to be at retirement age. Trips are a bit overpriced. I would also avoid trips in Europe, as these often focus on more coffee stops and meals, rather than walking. I would also recommend making sure your guide records any accidents you have, hopefully not applicable. I had one on Sierra de Aitana which the guide saw and knew about, but he and Exodus said it never happened when I followed up after the trip. I wasn’t putting in a claim, just suggested a safety improvement. They have since apologised and acknowledged this as an error. They are a good reliable option for outside of Europe trips.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

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