Leh Ladakh Bike and Car Expedition (10D/9N) – #1Down5Up

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  • Duration: 10 Days, 9 Nights
  • Minimum Group Size: 3
  • Best for Group of Friends, Family & Couples
  • Starting/End Location : Leh Airport

Overview of Leh Ladakh Bike and Car Expedition (10D/9N) - #1Down5Up

Hello Backpackers!

Some journeys are not just trips — they are stories you carry for a lifetime.
And Ladakh? It’s one such place that barely needs an introduction.

Perched high at over 11,000 feet in the mighty Himalayas, Ladakh is a land where raw landscapes meet deep-rooted culture. From endless mountain roads and cold deserts to shimmering blue lakes and age-old monasteries, every turn here feels unreal. The harsh cold is beautifully balanced by the warmth of the locals, the calm of Buddhist prayer flags, and the silence of vast open spaces.

This 10D/9N backpacking road trip (combination of Bikes + SUVs) is designed for travelers who want to go beyond the obvious and experience Ladakh in its most complete form. With Leh as our starting point, we ease into the journey with proper acclimatization before exploring iconic attractions like Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill, Pathar Sahib Gurudwara, and the Sangam of Indus & Zanskar. As the roads open up, we head north across the legendary Khardung La Pass into the dreamy landscapes of Nubra Valley, stopping at Diskit Monastery, the cold desert of Hunder, and even taking a rare day trip towards the Siachen region.

The journey then unfolds towards Ladakh’s eastern frontier — the breathtaking Pangong Lake, where mountains reflect on crystal-clear blue waters. From here, the adventure truly goes off the grid as we travel through some of the most remote roads in India to reach Hanle, home to one of the world’s highest astronomical observatories. Clear skies, countless stars, and the magical sight of the Milky Way make this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Pushing boundaries further, we ride up to Umling La Pass, the world’s highest motorable road — a moment every true traveler dreams of. The adventure continues through surreal landscapes to Puga Hot Springs and the pristine high-altitude lake of Tsomoriri, before we slowly make our way back to Leh via Thiksey Monastery and the famous Rancho School.

Often called ‘Little Tibet’, Ladakh is a land of ancient civilizations, humble people, and untouched beauty. Its silence speaks louder than words, and its skies remind you how small yet alive you truly are.

It’s time to chase endless roads.
It’s time to count shooting stars.
It’s time to cross the highest passes on Earth.
It’s time to live the Ladakh dream — fully, fearlessly, and freely.

Come join us on this unforgettable journey to the Roof of the World.
JULAY Ladakh!

Leh Ladakh Bike and Car Expedition (10D/9N) - #1Down5Up Highlights

  • The Out of This World: Pangong Lake
  • 🌄 The Dreamy Cold Desert: Nubra Valley
  • 💎 The Most Beautiful Freshwater Lake: Tso Moriri
  • 🌌 India’s Finest Stargazing Experience: Hanle Dark Sky Reserve
  • ♨️ Nature’s Healing Touch: Puga Hot Springs
  • 🐫 The Desert in the Sky: Hunder Sand Dunes & Double-Humped Camels
  • 🗿 Spiritual Sentinel of Ladakh: Diskit’s Giant Maitreya Buddha
  • 🧲 The Gravity-Defying Wonder: Magnetic Hill Illusion
  • 🌅 Peace Above the Clouds: Leh Shanti Stupa
  • 🇮🇳 A Tribute to Indian Bravery: Hall of Fame Museum
  • 🙏 The Serene Spiritual Retreat: Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
  • 🏔️ A Monastery in the Clouds: Thiksey Hilltop Monastery
  • 🎒 The Iconic Classroom of Bollywood: Rancho’s School (Druk White Lotus School)
  • 🛣️ Gateway to the Cold Desert: Khardung La Pass
  • 🏜️ The Wild Himalayan Plateau: Changthang Region
  • 🌊 A River Carving History: Indus–Zanskar Confluence
  • 🛡️ Where Legends Guard the Nation: Siachen Base Camp / War Memorial
  • 🏍️ Touching the Sky: Umling La – World’s Highest Motorable Road

Why choose Muddie Trails? 😃

👉 Trusted by 14,000+ travellers over past 8 years, the number keeps growing day by day with numerous new travellers joining our family 🤗
👉 We focus on quality over quantity. We simply cannot compromise on quality of the travel experience. Our itineraries are also considered ‘value for money’ by our guests. The phrase ‘Paisa Vasool’ is a common word we hear on our customer feedbacks ✅
👉 Whether it is South, North or North-East, our team is well equipped with in-depth knowledge on local destinations that enables us in providing a more authentic experience. It’s not just about ticking bucket list of places with Muddie Trails, but also about making memories that will last forever ❤️

Inclusions

  • Travel (Bike/SUV/Tempo Traveller)
  • Stay for 9 nights on double/triple sharing basis
  • 9 Breakfasts, 9 Dinners (All Veg)
  • Inner Line Permits for restricted places like Hanle, Tsomoriri etc.
  • Oxygen cylinder, first aid kit
  • Airport pickup/drop taxis (fixed timings)
  • Expert Driver, Operations Manager online support 24x7
  • Once in a lifetime experience of visiting all places in Highlights section.

Exclusions

  • Lunches
  • Any entry tickets, adventure activities, any kind of misc. expenses that are not in Inclusions
  • Any extra cost arising due to any change in the itinerary/stay/route on account of bad weather, traffic-congestion, landslides/roadblocks, natural calamities, political disturbances and/or any other factors beyond our control.

Itinerary for Leh Ladakh Bike and Car Expedition (10D/9N) - #1Down5Up

Day 1 - Arrival at Leh and acclimatize to high altitude

  • Altitude: 3600 meters (11600 ft)
  • Once you deboard your flight at Leh airport, we will arrange a taxi to reach our guesthouse.
  • Spend a relaxing day to get acclimatized to the high altitude of Ladakh.
  • It is highly advisable not to move around today as travelers may suffer from dizziness, headache, or acute mountain sickness (AMS). Note that acclimatization is an important part of every Ladakh trip.
  • You can still explore Leh market on foot in the evening if you wish (though its not recommended).
  • By evening or next morning, our operations manager will brief you about the incredible road trip of the next few days.
  • Overnight stay on cozy beds of the Leh guest house.

Day 2 - Around Leh: Shanti Stupa, Sangam, Magnetic Hill, Pathar Sahib, Hall of Fame

  • Altitude: 4275 meters
  • Start time around 9 to 10 AM after having Breakfast.
  • Today we will explore Leh and the surrounding attractions starting with Hall of Fame by Indian Army – every Indian’s pride. Note that Hall of Fame is closed on Mondays. If our Day 2 falls on Monday, we can visit an alternate place like Leh Palace (needs climbing up).
  • Head towards Sangam, the beautiful confluence of two mighty rivers: Indus and Zanskar. The Indus river originates from the Holi Mansarovar in Tibet, flows into Ladakh.
  • Visit legendary Pathar Sahib where Guru Nanak Dev, founder of the Sikh religion, is believed to have conquered a demon. Spend some time in the warmth of Gurudwara built in the 15th century and sit down for a quiet meditation for few minutes.
  • Stop by at Magnetic Hill – an optical illusion created by wondrous nature, where a slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope because of the surrounding terrain.
  • Give an evening visit to Shanti Stupa – Buddhist White Domed Statue located on a hilltop.
  • Head to the guesthouse  by late evening, finish Dinner and rest for the night.

Day 3 - Nubra Valley via Khardungla Pass, Diskit Buddha Statue, Hunder Cold Desert

  • Max altitude: 5350 meters (17,800 feet)
  • Start time around 9 AM
  • Roadtrip to amazingly pretty Nubra Valley, known for its Ldumra (flower garden) via one of the world’s highest motorable passes called Khardung La.
  • Enjoy hot Kawa tea and Maggy noodles at the top of the pass.
  • Descend towards Diskit Monastery with 100 feet Future Buddha statue to get a stunning view of the valley.
  • The road to Nubra valley will continue towards international LOC, till the base camp of great Siachen Glacier (which we cannot go) which is well protected by Indian Army.
  • Stop by at Hunder which is also called ‘Desert in the sky’ to witness double-humped giant Camels. Want more? Take a Camel joy ride and make those cool reels for your Instagram. Hunder is also famous for its adventurous ATV rides.
  • Explore sand dunes and reach our campsite of Swiss deluxe tents by evening.

Day 4 – Nubra Valley to Siachen Base Camp Day Trip, Panamik Hot Springs

  • Altitude: ~4,800 meters
  • Start early after breakfast towards one of the most strategically important regions of the country – Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, guarded by the brave soldiers of the Indian Army.
  • A visit to the Siachen War Memorial & Base Camp is a deeply humbling experience. The road runs through stark landscapes, glacier-fed streams, and wide open valleys that echo stories of courage and sacrifice. Take a few quiet moments here to pay respect and absorb the emotions of this magnificent place.
  • On the return, we can stop by Panamik village, the northernmost accessible village of Nubra Valley, known for its natural hot water springs and spend some relaxed time here, letting the warmth soothe tired muscles amid the cold mountain air.
  • Drive back to Nubra stay by evening.
  • Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 5 - Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake

  • Altitude: 4250 meters
  • Important note: Gear up for long and tough journeys next 3 days. Try to squeeze in as much rest you can in the form of short naps.
  • Early morning start!
    Head out on a road trip to one of the prettiest places on Earth: “Pangong Lake”, driven by the free-flowing river Shayok at one end and giant mountains with amazing landscapes at the other end. You cannot help but keep your eyes out of the windows as we cross many streams and barren mountains special to Ladakh.
  • Enjoy the stunning view of Pangong Tso with the purest & bluest sky in the background, pose for those photographs you have been longing for.
  • Pangong is the only lake we share a border with China, with more than half in its control. You would have had a glimpse of it in the Bollywood 3 Idiots movie.
  • We will spend quality time at Pangong through the evening.
  • Note 1: There are power restrictions at Tsomoriri/Pangong/Hanle. Electricity is only available till 9 PM usually. Power is generated by Solar panels & Diesel generators.
  • Note 2: Nights are usually very cold at Tsomoriri/Pangong/Hanle because of very high altitude.
  • Dinner and rest.

Day 6 - Pangong to Hanle Dark Sky Reserve

  • Go on a long journey to Hanle from Pangong Lake travelling through remotest parts of the country: Pangong – Tangste – Man – Merak – Chushul – Mood – Hanle.
  • Hanle boasts one of the world’s highest astronomical observatories with a giant Telescope located at 14,764 ft. It is a heaven for star gazers and people interested to witness Milky Way galaxy.
  • Travellers will be treated with magical night if the skies are clear. As the evening sets, be prepared with thick winter clothes to witstand extremely chill night.
  • The tiny village of Hanle is home to warm welcoming 1000 odd people only. As one can understand, the facilities are extremely basic.
  • Dinner and rest at a cozy homestay in Hanle.

Day 7 – Hanle to Umling La Pass Day Trip (World’s 2nd Highest Motorable Road)

  • Max Altitude: ~5,798 meters (19300 feet)
  • Today’s journey is a special one! After an early breakfast, we will ride out from Hanle towards Umling La Pass, officially the 2nd highest motorable road in the world. The route is remote, rugged, and incredibly raw, with almost no settlements.
  • As we climb higher, oxygen levels drop and the terrain becomes more dramatic — vast plains, sharp inclines, icy winds, and endless mountain views.
  • Capture those iconic photos, soak in the views, and enjoy the feeling of standing at the top of the world.
  • We will then begin our descent back to Hanle, watching the light slowly change across the mountains.
  • Return to Hanle stay by evening, tired, thrilled, and filled with stories to last a lifetime.
  • Dinner and overnight stay in Hanle under star-filled skies.

Day 8 - Hanle to Puga Hot springs, Tsomoriri

  • Altitude: 4522 meters
  • Check out of Hanle stay after Breakfast, start journey towards next offbeat destination – Tsomoriri.
  • Spend quality time at Puga hot springs and marvel at the wonderful nature. This is a great place for the Social Media Reels too!
  • Reach Korzok village by late afternoon, check into our very basic stay.
  • Visit the most beautiful fresh water lake – Tsomoriri – wait for the sunset.
  • Get back to the guest house, finish Dinner and take good rest in the cozy rooms.
  • Note 1: There are power restrictions at Tsomoriri/Pangong/Hanle. Electricity is only available till 9 PM usually. Power is generated by Solar panels & Diesel generators.
  • Note 2: Nights are usually very cold at Tsomoriri/Pangong/Hanle because of very high altitude.

Day 9 - Tsomoriri to Leh, Thiksey Monastery, Rancho School

  • Altitude: 17800 feet above sea level.
  • Go on a road trip back to Leh.
  • Visit hilltop Thiksey Monastery with panaromic views of Ladakh landscapes. The artwork and the Buddhist prayer flags fluttering is mesmerizing.
  • Take a pit stop at Rancho School that got popular by 3 Idiots movie and pose for some pictures.
  • Get back to Leh guest house by late evening and say goodbye to our driver who has been with us past few days taking us through most rugged routes.
  • Interested people can walk down to Leh market for a round of shopping.
  • Finish Dinner, and gather around for social gathering one last time on your Leh Ladakh Trip.
  • Good night!

Day 10 - Airport Drop, Return Home

  • Check out of the guest house as per your flight timing. We will arrange one time cab service to Airport.
  • Take back memories of a lifetime. You will surely want to return to this magical place once again. But this first trip of yours will be etched in your memories forever.
  • Till the next time, say JULAY to Ladakh.

What to Expect From Leh Ladakh Bike and Car Expedition (10D/9N) - #1Down5Up

 

Travel:
  • Trip starting/ending point: Leh Airport.
  • Tempo Traveler, SUV (Innova/Xylo/Ertiga/similar) as per number of people.

Airport Pick-up/Drop:
  • Pick up (Day 1):
    > Anytime – we will arrange 1 time pickup from Leh Airport.
  • Drop (Day 10)
    > Anytime – we will arrange 1 time drop to Airport.

Stay:
  • Total 9 nights of stay
  • Standard package: Comfortable Guest Houses / Homestays / Swiss Tents.
  • Deluxe package: Hotels / Resorts / Wooden Cottages.
  • 2 or 3 sharing rooms based on final combination.
  • Leh : 3 nights
  • Nubra : 2 nights
  • Pangong : 1 night
  • Karzok (near Tsomoriri) 1 night (offbeat place)
  • Hanle village 2 nights (offbeat place)
  • You may get in touch with booking team if you wish to see stay pictures.

Food:
  • Breakfasts & Dinners included (All Veg).
  • Lunches are self-sponsored as we will be outside at that time.
  • How much you have to spend for good food?
    200 – 250 per meal

Important notes about Ladakh:
  • Ladakh is a high-altitude destination that may not suit everybody.
  • Do your research on Acute Mountain Sickness.
  • Travelers are expected to come with an open heart, respect local culture, care towards the environment & climate change, and help each other.

Special disclaimer about Ladakh trip:
  • The journeys are long and tiresome towards the second half of the trip.
  • Not everyone can feel comfortable with this journey. But since we are covering all best places of Ladakh within a week (Leh, Nubra, Pangong, Tsomoriri, Puga, Hanle), we don’t have another choice.
  • Because of the unpredictable nature of rough Himalayan terrain, one should expect road closures or diversions in Ladakh which may alter the order and/or places in the itinerary. The Operations Manager & Driver will take a call on the changes in itinerary when such situations occur. No special requests will be entertained.
  • The facilities at remote places like Tsomoriri, Hanle are much more basic than famous places like Leh & Nubra valley.
  • There could be small changes in the itinerary as per different local factors.
  • Hot water for shower at Pangong, Hanle & Tsomoriri stays depends on Solar water heaters only. On a cloudy day, it would be difficult to get hot water.
  • If climate gets colder you can avail room/bed heaters at extra cost directly at the stays based on the availability.

Seasonal Variations:
  • Ladakh has only 2 seasons literally – Summer & Winter.
  • Oct to April (Winter): As one can expect, most of the time it’s Winter in Ladakh because of the high altitude and geographic location at the top of Himalayas. One can experience freezing temperatures this time, as the land receives good amount of snowfall. Almost every corner of Ladakh gets covered with thick snow layers. 
  • May to October (Summer): As the snow starts melting, Ladakh gets prepared for the onset of summer, and along with it the tourists.
  • Even though it’s the monsoon season in rest of India from June to October, Ladakh receives very less rainfall. That’s why it is called ‘Rain Shadow’ region.

FAQ

Things to carry

Basic Essentials

  • Tooth brush, paste, other toiletries
  • Small Bag (20-30 liter)
  • Backpack (50-60 liter)
  • 1 water bottle (it’s important to drink plenty water and keep ourselves hydrated)
  • Personal medical kit
  • Original ID Card (Aadhar, DL)

Clothing Essentials

  • Thermal Wear
  • Jacket (Water proof)
  • Warm Inner-wears
  • 2-Gloves (1 Woolen, 1 Waterproof)
  • Track Pants, Full sleeve T shirts
  • Sweater for nights
  • Socks (Cotton or Woolen)
  • Rain Coat / Poncho (Just in case)
  • Handkerchief/towels

Misc:

  • Cap/Hat
  • UV sunglass
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+
  • Lip Balm
  • Quick Dry Towels
  • Body Lotion
  • Sanitizer, Handwash for hygiene
  • Camera/Go pro (optional)

Medicines

  • Consult your doctor and carry medications necessary for fever, acidity, allergy, loose motions, travel sickness, vomiting and other common sicknesses that may occur while traveling to Himalayas and high altitude places.
  • Note: To avoid basic ailments, it is advisable to drink plenty water to keep yourself hydrated, avoid alcohol, and get as much rest as possible during the nights of your Ladakh trip.

What's next after booking your trip?

  • Organizers will get in touch with you, or vice versa.
  • Once minimum number of people book this trip (at least 4 members), Organizing team will give a green signal to book your flights.
  • A Whatsapp group will be created for all the registered folks 5 days before the event.

Terms & Conditions

  • The itinerary is fixed. No special requests to change itinerary/schedule shall be entertained. Travellers are not allowed to advice/instruct the Organizers (Driver or Trip Leader or Operations Manager) to change the itinerary.
  • Cooperate with the Organizers in following the schedule set for the day (especially getting up and getting ready in the morning). This will ensure travellers won’t miss out on the real fun part that is traveling and visiting all places in itinerary.
  • Every traveler is responsible for his/her for your own safety. Do not indulge in any illegal or silly activity that causes harm to self or fellow travelers.
  • Do not wander into the forest away from the designated trail for treks. There may be snakes, scorpions, and dangerous animals.
  • Unexpected situations: In rare scenarios, we might not be able to cover all the places mentioned in the itinerary because of unpredictable reasons like bad weather, landslides, wild animal presence, abrupt blocking of sites by the police/forest/local authorities, delay in travel because of an issue with our group itself, traffic conditions, etc. In most cases, if the time permits, the Organizers will take travelers to an alternative place. But in some cases, we may have to skip places altogether.
  • Note: In case of flight delays, cancellations, or reschedules, Muddie Trails will not be responsible for missed connections to the trip starting point. Travelers are requested to make their own arrangements to reach the destination, as per the itinerary. We recommend booking flights with sufficient buffer time to avoid any last-minute issues.
  • No alcohol & smoking during travel, treks, and other outdoor activities. There would be a separate window and space (usually at night) to have these at the stays for interested people.
  • This is a budget, backpacking group trip. The facilities are shared between all group members. By default, all the stays and vehicles are Non-AC. No special preference shall be given to anyone.
  • Travelers are expected to respect each other and help one another. Avoid discussing sensitive matters like sex, politics, and religion/caste/race.
  • Using foul or abusive language, eve-teasing, arguing with fellow travelers/Organizers, and/or involving in the physical assault will not be accepted and will stand a chance of being deserted by the group then and there.
  • Every traveler is expected to digitally fill & submit a liability/waiver form given by the Organizers before the trip. This liability form will discharge Muddie Trails of any unexpected incident like injury/death/theft etc.

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation by Traveler

  • 80% refund if a cancellation request is sent 30 days before the trip start date.
  • 50% refund if a cancellation request is sent between 30 to 15 days before the trip start date.
  • An email has to be sent to muddietrails@gmail.com to raise a cancellation request.
  • No refund within 15 days of the event start time whatever is the reason (Health, COVID, Accident, Family crisis, Office issue, or anything else).
  • No refund during/after the event.
  • No refund on the partial payment (advance) done to block your seat for the trip.

Cancellation by Muddie Trails

Muddie Trails may decide to cancel the event if there are less than 3 travelers signed up for the trip/trek.

What if we don’t get the minimum number of people for the trip?
We have 2 options in this case:
Option 1: Complete refund.
Option 2: Switch to any other long trip of the same dates or future dates. The difference amount will be collected from you or paid back according to the new trip cost.

Note: We do not recommend to book flight tickets until the trip is confirmed with atleast 3 travelers signed up.


Cancellation due to external factors

Muddie Trails may have to cancel the event in case of external factors that are beyond our control like Natural Disasters, Extreme Weather Conditions, Red Alerts, Political Disturbances, Bandh/Curfews, Local Issues, Road Blocks, Train cancellations, Covid-19 or any other disease outbreaks etc.

In these scenarios:

  • No Refund is allowed.
  • 100% trip amount can be used for any other new trip of the same weekend or future weekends. The difference amount will be collected from you or paid back according to the new trip cost.
  • Once you confirm your participation on the new trip, all the above Cancellation policies will apply for the same.

Is acclimatization included in the Leh Ladakh Tour Packages?

Yes, the itinerary includes a day at Leh on arrival dedicated to acclimatization to help prevent altitude sickness before heading to higher altitude destinations like Nubra Valley and Hanle.

What kind of accommodation can I expect during the Leh Ladakh Trip?

Accommodations include comfortable guesthouses, homestays, and Swiss tents in Leh, Nubra, Pangong, Hanle, and Tsomoriri. Note that stays in Hanle and Tsomoriri are basic due to the remote locations.

Are meals included in the Leh Ladakh Tour Packages?

Breakfast and dinner (all vegetarian) are included in the Leh Ladakh Tour Packages. Lunches are self-sponsored, allowing travelers flexibility to explore local food during daytime excursions.

 

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