Route: Leh - Nubra - Pangong - Leh - Tso Moriri - Leh
Places covered: Leh, Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Kar, Tso Moriri, Korzok
This is the plan for travellers who want to go beyond the usual circuit and see the high lakes of Changthang. It adds Tso Moriri to the classic Nubra and Pangong loop, and it spreads the journey over nine days so that nothing feels rushed. It also takes you into some of the most remote country in Ladakh.
Who it suits
Healthy travellers with a love of landscapes, birdwatching or photography, and a tolerance for simple facilities. It works from June to September. It is not recommended for young children, older relatives or anyone with significant health conditions.
How the days flow
The first three nights are in Leh, for acclimatisation and local sightseeing. Day four takes you to Nubra over Khardung La. Day five continues to Pangong. Day six returns to Leh. Day seven is a long drive to Tso Moriri, via Tso Kar or Chumathang, depending on conditions. Day eight takes you back to Leh. Day nine is departure.
What makes Tso Moriri different
The lake is quieter and less visited than Pangong. The shore near Korzok is a protected wetland where migratory birds, marmots and kiang can be seen. Nomadic Changpa families graze animals on the plateau. The sky is clear and dark. The trade-off is distance: the drive is long and rough, and the camp is simple.
The honest part
- Altitude is high. Tso Moriri sits at about 4,500 metres, and nights are freezing, even in summer.
- Facilities are basic, with limited electricity and no mobile coverage at the lake.
- The roads are rough, and the schedule has little room for delay.
- Rules for these border areas change, and we confirm requirements with the authorities close to your dates.
- If you feel unwell on arrival, we will descend to a lower stay.
Wildlife and birds
Summer is the time for bar-headed geese, brahminy ducks, great crested grebes and, with luck, black-necked cranes. Kiang and marmots are common. Snow leopards are not realistic on this trip, though winter specialists may find them elsewhere in Ladakh.
Pace and rest
Notice that the plan returns to Leh between the two lake nights. This is deliberate: it gives you a bath, a proper bed and a chance to recover before the second high night. It also leaves room for a late start if the weather has been rough.
Customising
Replace Nubra with extra time in Leh, add a night at Tso Kar, or extend to Hanle for the Dark Sky Reserve. Hanle needs additional days. Tell us what you would like and we will price it.
