Christmas & New Year in Ladakh | Year-End Winter Adventure

Wake up in Leh to crisp winter air, then enjoy a warm breakfast at your stay before heading out.

Enjoy a drive out to Shey Palace, once the summer seat of Ladakh's old kings, sitting on a small hill.

Climb up to its quiet terraces for views over the valley and the Indus river winding below.

Next, head to Thiksey Monastery, built up a hillside like a smaller version of Lhasa's Potala Palace.

Walk through its prayer halls full of old thangka paintings, and step out to the rooftop for a wide view of the Indus Valley and snow-covered peaks.

Back in Leh, enjoy a traditional Ladakhi food preparation and dining experience, where you will learn to prepare local dishes with local hosts and enjoy the meal together.

Sit down together to eat what you made, one of the cultural highlights of this Ladakh Christmas New Year tour.

After lunch, visit the Hall of Fame, an army museum with old photos, weapons and stories of soldiers on the border.

Round off the day at Shanti Stupa, a white hilltop dome with steps leading up, best seen at sunset over Leh town.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Leh.

After breakfast, we check out and set off for an adventurous journey on this day of your Ladakh winter group tour.

We will then get ready for the exciting journey on one of the highest motorable roads.

Our first stop will be the iconic Shanti Stupa (if not covered on Day 2) for a mesmerizing view of Leh and its surroundings.

After that we will start climbing the snow-covered mountain roads, until we reach Khardung La (5359m), one of the highest motorable passes in the world.

Coming down the other side, we enter Nubra Valley, often called Ldumra, the Valley of Flowers.

We stop at Diskit Monastery, home to a 106-foot Maitreya Buddha statue that looks out over the whole valley.

From here, we drive along the Shyok River before reaching our hotel for the night.

Settle in at the hotel, enjoy a hearty dinner, and let the body rest after a long mountain drive.

Overnight stay in Nubra Valley.

Wake up to a sunrise over the Nubra peaks, have breakfast, and set off for Turtuk.

It’s a charming village, inhabited by ethnic Muslims who have their own distinct traditions and culture.

Walk through its narrow lanes, greet locals, and notice how different the culture feels from Ladakh.

Cross the old wooden bridge over the Shyok River for one of the best photo spots amid snow-covered mountains on the whole route.

Here you can try out fruits like apricots and walnuts, for which this place is well known.

Then we will visit the Shyok War Memorial, built for the soldiers who held this ground through brutal winters.

This stretch of the drive is where a Ladakh Winter adventure really shows its wild, still side.

By evening, head back to Nubra Valley for a warm dinner and some rest.

Overnight stay in Nubra Valley.

After an early breakfast, start your scenic journey from Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso.

Enjoy the drive through the Shyok Valley, past the small villages of Agam and Shyok, with bare mountains rising on both sides.

At Pangong Tso (4,350m), witness the lake's colour shifting from deep blue to green through the day, with snow peaks reflected on the surface.

Walk along the bank, breathe in the cold mountain air, and visit the famous 3 Idiots filming location, subject to access and local conditions.

After some time by the lake, we start the return drive over Chang La (5,360 m), one of the world's highest motorable passes, subject to road accessibility.

Enjoy the spectacular mountain views along the way, passing through Karu and the villages of Thiksey and Shey.

After a full day of driving, we'll reach Leh by evening and check in at our hotel.

After having some rest, you may head out to Leh Market to explore cafés, souvenirs and local snacks, if time permits.

You may pick up pashmina shawls, apricot jam or a Ladakhi cap before the shops wind down for the night.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay in Leh.

Have breakfast at the hotel, pack your bags and check out at your own pace.

Board your shared transfer to Leh Airport for your flight home, carrying frozen lakes, high passes and new friends in your memory.

Your Ladakh Christmas New Year getaway comes to a close, though the stories from it will stay for a long time ahead.