Leh Ladakh Car Trip with Umling La Pass

Umlingla Pass

Overview

Explore the stunning beauty of Leh Ladakh on this 8-day adventure, featuring the world’s highest motorable road at Umling La Pass. Your journey begins with visits to the peaceful Shanti Stupa and the sacred Pathar Sahib Gurudwara. Witness the spectacular Sangam, where the Indus and Zanskar rivers converge, and enjoy exciting activities like river rafting and bungee jumping. You’ll also visit Magnetic Hill, where vehicles appear to move uphill due to a fascinating optical illusion. In Nubra Valley, discover vast white sand dunes and encounter Bactrian camels. Visit the ancient Diskit Monastery and marvel at the towering Maitreya Buddha statue. On your return, stop by the stunning Pangong Tso Lake, renowned for its ever-changing colors. A special highlight of the trip is a visit to Hanle Village, home to the second-highest optical observatory in the world, run by ISRO. Finally, conclude your journey at the awe-inspiring Umling La Pass, standing at 19,024 feet—the highest motorable road in the world. This unforgettable trip offers a perfect mix of adventure, culture, and natural beauty.

Duration

7 Nights / 8 Days

Trip Start & End

Leh

Total Distance

980 Km Covered

Hotel & Meals

Included (3-Star Hotels with MAP Plan)

Transportation

Included (Private Vehicle)

Best Months

June - September

Accommodation Details

Location	Property Name
Leh	Himalayan Retreat
Nubra	La Shayok Resort
Pangong	Ciya Residency
Hanle	Umling La Residency & Similiar

Please note: Typically, we include the properties listed above in our trips. We do not categorize hotels as premium or deluxe. The final price at the time of booking will vary depending on your chosen accommodations and any additional services you select.

Number of Persons	Price (Per Person)
2 Persons	~~₹46,500~~ ₹42,500
3 Persons	~~₹35,500~~ ₹31,500
4 Persons	~~₹31,500~~ ₹27,500

Note: The above prices are based on Per Person.

To secure your slot: You need to pay ₹8000 at the time of booking. The rest should be paid when you arrive in Leh, at least 15 days before the trip.

Transportation Option: Maruti Ertiga, Toyoto Rumion

Children Policy: Children above 6 years old must pay half of the trip price if they stay with their parents. Children between 10-18 years old must pay the full amount.

Tour Prices: The prices mentioned are per person for Indian Nationals only

Group Discount: Available for group bookings.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Leh

Welcome to Ladakh, a land like no other, stretching from the Glacier to the main Great Himalayas. Your adventure begins with your arrival at Leh Airport, the capital and largest town of Ladakh. Upon arrival, the Mountain Intelligence Team will greet you and drive you to your hotel for check-in. Today is reserved for you to settle in and rest, allowing you to acclimatize before we embark on tomorrow’s exploration of stunning landscapes and scenic roads. Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.

Day 2 Leh Local Sightseeing

Today’s drive will cover approximately 90 km, with a basic terrain type. After a relaxing breakfast, we’ll begin our exploration with a visit to Magnetic Hill, where vehicles appear to move uphill due to an optical illusion. Next, we’ll visit Pathar Sahib Gurudwara, a sacred Sikh site, followed by the Hall of Fame, a museum dedicated to the memory of brave Indian soldiers. Our final stop for the day will be at Sangam Point, where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet in a dramatic confluence. After a day filled with history and natural beauty, we will return to Leh for an overnight stay.

Day 3 Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung-la Pass

Early this morning, we will drive towards Nubra Valley, located 126 km from Leh. We recommend starting early to ensure you don't miss any of the destinations on our itinerary. On the way, we will cross Khardung La Pass, one of the highest passes in Ladakh. For lunch, we will stop at the T-point or in Khalsar village, with the driver accommodating any preferences you may have. Afterward, we will visit the Maitreya Buddha in Diskit village and the famous sand dunes in Hunder village, before checking in to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 4 Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via Shayok Route

This morning, we will drive towards Pangong Lake, located 170 km from Nubra Valley. We recommend leaving Nubra Valley before 9 AM to make sure you don’t miss any of the scenic spots along the way. En route, we will pass through several small villages and follow the picturesque Shayok River, which makes this route particularly famous. We will stop for lunch in Durbuk or Tangtse. We should reach Pangong Lake by the afternoon, and before checking into the hotel, we will visit the Shooting Point, offering stunning views of the lake. Afterward, we’ll check in to the hotel for an overnight stay by Pangong Lake.

Day 5 Pangong to Hanle via Rezangla Pass

The travel distance to Pangong Lake is around 200 km taking approximately 6-7 hours. On this day, you will witness the true beauty of Pangong Lake in all its glory. In Chushul, we will visit the Rezang La War Memorial, a site of historical significance. Hanle, located at an altitude of 4,500 meters, is a charming village with a population of about 1,000 people. Here, you can explore the lovely Hanle Monastery, which offers breathtaking aerial views of the village. Hanle is also home to the Hanle Observatory, operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics in Bengaluru. Currently, it is the second-highest optical observatory in the world, with a telescope of about 2.01 meters (6.5 feet) in diameter. We will stay overnight in Hanle.

Day 6 Hanle to Umling-La Pass and Back to Hanle

The travel distance for today is 180 km, which will take approximately 6-7 hours. You will drive on the world’s highest motorable road to Umling La, a mountain pass located in Ladakh, India, between Koyul Lungpa and the Indus River near Demchok. At an elevation of 5,640 meters, Umling La is the source of the Umlung stream, which drains into the Indus River, and a tributary of the Kiungdul River, which flows into Koyul Lungpa. After this unforgettable journey, you will return to Hanle for an overnight stay.

Day 7 Hanle to Leh via Chumathang

The travel distance today is approximately 250 km which will take around 7-8 hours. On the way, you can explore Chumathang, famous for its rejuvenating hot springs. A lunch break will be taken at Upshi village, offering a chance to relax and refresh. Afterward, visit the impressive Thiksey Monastery, known for its striking Tibetan architecture, and stop by the famous Rancho School, featured in the film 3 Idiots. In the evening, you'll reach Leh for an overnight stay.

Day 8 Departure to Home

After breakfast, our driver will drop you off at Leh Airport for your departure. We hope you leave with happy and vivid memories of this enchanting, mysterious landscape and we look forward to welcoming you back to Ladakh in the future. Feel free to share your photos and memories with us on our Facebook page, TripAdvisor review or Google review.

Trip Inclusions

Comfortable Vehicle: For sightseeing on all days as per the itinerary
Accommodation: At all locations on double (for couples & special requests) and triple sharing basis in standard hotels/camps
Buffet Breakfast and Dinner: Starting with Dinner on Day 1 & ending with Breakfast on Day 7 as per itinerary
Fuel: For the whole trip as per the itinerary
Inner Line Permits & Ladakh Union Fee: Assured
Experienced Driver: For the entire journey
Oxygen Cylinder & First-Aid: During the tour
Driver Expenses: Toll tax, fuel, parking included