I decided to go to Ladakh on a Thursday. I was landing there fourteen days later. Here is exactly what I did in those fourteen days and what I would do differently.
Day 1–2: Deciding the Dates and Duration
The flight situation clarifies everything else. Delhi-Leh has limited seats and they fill up. I searched for flights first before deciding anything else. Found reasonable prices for a flight two weeks out — mid-September, which as I later learned is actually ideal timing. Booked a 9-day trip (fly day + 7 days + fly day) to get a full 7 usable days in Ladakh.
One thing I wish I'd known: morning flights from Delhi to Leh are significantly more reliable than afternoon flights. The Leh airport sits in a valley — afternoon cloud buildup causes frequent delays and cancellations. Book the earliest available flight.
Day 3–4: Understanding What I Actually Wanted to See
I spent two evenings reading travel forums, watching YouTube vlogs, and reading guides. Conclusion: the non-negotiables for me were Pangong Tso and one of the less-touristed destinations (I chose Tso Moriri). Everything else was flexible.
This exercise saved me from over-planning. Many first-timers try to fit six destinations into 7 days without accounting for the 5–6 hour drives between each one. I settled on: 2 days acclimatization + Leh, 1 day Nubra, 1 day Pangong, 2 days Tso Moriri circuit, 1 day Leh/departure prep.
Day 5: Booking the Operator
I contacted Lehladakh Travels through their website. Response was within a few hours. The itinerary they suggested was close to what I'd planned, with some useful modifications (don't try to do Tso Moriri as a day trip — it needs an overnight minimum). Package included car, driver, accommodation, permits, and breakfast at each stop. I added the Tso Moriri overnight as a specific request.
Day 6–8: Gear and Packing
I over-packed on my first draft (11kg for 9 days) and then ruthlessly edited. Final bag: 7kg. What I kept: down jacket, fleece, 3 t-shirts, 1 set thermal underwear (used more than I expected), waterproof jacket, sunscreen SPF 50 (used every single day), sunglasses with UV protection, basic first aid, Diamox (from GP consultation on day 7), and camera gear.
What I left behind: the second pair of shoes (carried one pair of trail shoes, wore them the whole trip), the travel pillow, the portable speaker, and the book I brought as backup (couldn't read on the car — landscapes too distracting).
Day 9–14: The Logistics Checklist
- Withdrew ₹15,000 in cash from Delhi before departure (ATMs in Leh are unreliable in peak season)
- Informed family of full itinerary with contact number of driver and guesthouse names
- Downloaded offline Google Maps for Ladakh region
- Travel insurance purchased: covers high-altitude medical evacuation (this is not optional — get it)
- Started Diamox 24 hours before landing (as instructed by GP)
What I'd Change
I'd book a day earlier to have more buffer. And I'd build in one unscheduled day — an itinerary that has every hour accounted for is a recipe for mild disappointment. The best moment of my trip was an unplanned forty-five minutes sitting on a rock beside the Indus River while our car got a tyre changed. You need empty time for those moments to happen.
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