Planning a Ladakh Road Trip: Permits, Altitude and Route

The two things that make or break a Ladakh trip are altitude acclimatisation and permits — get both right and the rest of the trip is straightforward.

Altitude comes first

Leh sits at roughly 3,500m. Flying in means your body has no time to adjust, so a full rest day on arrival — no sightseeing, minimal exertion, lots of water — is not optional, it's the single most important planning decision for this trip. Watch for headache, nausea or breathlessness as early signs of altitude sickness and tell your travel companions or guide immediately if you notice them.

Permits

Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and several other routes require Protected Area Permits or Inner Line Permits, which need passport/ID details submitted in advance. We handle this as part of booking, but it's worth knowing it isn't a same-day formality.

A realistic route

For a first visit, Leh (with its monasteries) plus Nubra Valley via Khardung La and an overnight at Pangong Tso covers the highlights without over-packing the schedule. Trying to add Tso Moriri or further passes usually needs an extra 2–3 days.

When to go

May to September is the reliable window — roads to the high passes are typically closed the rest of the year.