There are trips you take because you need a break. And then there are trips that change something in you.
Ladakh is the second kind.
Standing at Pangong Lake at 4,350 metres – that is impossible blue against the brown mountains, total silence except for the wind – is an experience that people from Siliguri drive to do anything to get to. And unlike a Kashmir tour or an Andaman tour, Ladakh requires more planning, more preparation, and a deeper respect for what you’re walking into.
But done right? It’s the trip people talk about for years.
This guide gives you everything you need to plan a Ladakh tour from Siliguri properly – the route, the real costs, a 7-day itinerary that actually works, and the things nobody tells you before you land at 3,500 metres.
Why Siliguri is a Great Starting Point for Ladakh
Siliguri sits at the edge of the Himalayas. Darjeeling and Sikkim are in your backyard. You understand mountain travel better than most Indian cities do.
But Ladakh is a different range, a different scale, and a different altitude altogether. While you can drive to Darjeeling in two hours from Siliguri, getting to Leh takes a full travel day – and the altitude difference between Siliguri (122 metres) and Leh (3,524 metres) is one of the most dramatic in India.
That gap is what makes preparation non-negotiable. But Siliguri travellers tend to adapt well – the mountain mindset is already there.
How to Reach Ladakh from Siliguri
By Flight - Fastest, Most Recommended
Fly from Bagdogra Airport (IXB) to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (IXL) via Delhi. Flights from Bagdogra to Leh are available, with Air India operating the route – fares start from approximately ₹11,738 one way and the flight distance is 1,324 km. Total door-to-door time including connection: approximately 10–11 hours.
Currently, Air India operates 7 flights per week on the Bagdogra–Leh route, with the first departure at 12:20 and last at 19:00. Minimum airfare starts at ₹13,788 and can go up to ₹25,493 depending on season and booking window.
Our honest recommendation: Book flights at least 6–8 weeks in advance – Ladakh flight prices spike sharply in peak season (June–August). A ₹14,000 ticket in April becomes ₹24,000 by July.
By Road (via Manali or Srinagar) - For the Adventurous
Two classic overland routes exist – Manali to Leh (479 km, 2 days) and Srinagar to Leh (434 km, 2 days). Both involve high mountain passes above 5,000 metres and are only open from late May to October.
From Siliguri, this means: fly or train to Delhi, connect to Manali or Srinagar, then drive into Leh. Total journey: 3–4 days one way. Worth it if the road trip is part of the experience. Not worth it if your goal is maximising time in Ladakh.
By Train + Bus - Budget, But Long
Trains from Siliguri to Jammu Tawi (the nearest rail head to Ladakh) include the Lohit Express and Amarnath Express from New Jalpaiguri – journey time approximately 39-43 hours to Jammu Tawi, from where a bus to Leh takes another 18-20 hours via Srinagar.
Total journey: 3+ days. This is the budget option – but it eats most of a 7-day trip just in travel. Fly unless you have 10+ days.
By Package - Easiest Option
As a trusted travel agency in Siliguri since 2014, Travel Soft Holidays coordinates your complete Ladakh routing – Bagdogra flight, Delhi connection, Leh pickup, and day-by-day ground arrangement – as one seamless package. You don’t chase connections. We do.
Best Time to Visit Ladakh from Siliguri
Ladakh is not a year-round destination. The window is real and the consequences of getting it wrong are serious.
Season | Months | Conditions |
Peak Season | June – August | All passes open, all roads accessible, maximum activities. Most expensive. |
Shoulder Season | May & September | Fewer crowds, better prices, most things open. Recommended for first-timers. |
Early Season | April | Some passes are still closed. Pangong is accessible. Cold nights (-5°C). Budget travellers’ window. |
Winter | October – March | Chadar Trek (frozen Zanskar River) for serious adventurers only. Most guesthouses close. Temperatures drop to -30°C. |
For Siliguri families and first-time visitors, May and September are the sweet spots – the landscape is beautiful, the crowds are manageable, and prices are 20–30% lower than peak summer. September, in particular, is Ladakh at its most photogenic – the light is golden, the air is clear, and the summer tourists have gone.
Ladakh in 7 Days: The Itinerary That Works
This is the standard Leh–Nubra–Pangong circuit – the most popular and the most rewarding for first-time Ladakh visitors. The 7-day Leh-Nubra-Pangong circuit is widely considered best for families, couples, and most travellers visiting Ladakh for the first time.
Day 1 – Arrive in Leh. Do Absolutely Nothing. Land at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport – one of the most dramatic landings in India, mountain ridges on all sides, a sudden drop onto a high-altitude runway. Your driver meets you and transfers you to the hotel.
Now stop. This day is for acclimatisation and nothing else. The altitude in Leh is 3,524 metres. Your body needs 24–48 hours to adjust. No sightseeing, no walks above town, no alcohol. Drink water constantly. Sleep early. This isn’t overly cautious – it’s how you avoid waking up on Day 2 with a splitting headache that ruins the next six days.
Day 2 – Leh Local Sightseeing Body adjusted. Time to start. Leh Palace sits above the old city – a 17th-century nine-storey royal palace with views of the valley that justify the uphill walk entirely. Shanti Stupa in the evening for the sunset over the Indus Valley. The Leh market for local crafts, apricots, and dried fruits – Ladakh produces some of the finest in India.
Day 3 – Nubra Valley via Khardung La Pass Sightseeing on the Nubra route includes Khardung La Pass, Hunder sand dunes, Nubra Valley, and the Diskit Monastery.
Khardung La sits at 5,359 metres – one of the highest motorable passes in the world. The drive from Leh takes about 2.5 hours. At the top, the air is thin, the views are total, and most people step out, take exactly three photos, and get back in the car quickly. That’s fine. What follows is the point: descending into Nubra Valley – a wide green valley with the Shyok River running through it, completely unlike anything you’ve seen in the last two days. Overnight at a desert camp in Hunder, with the Karakoram Range visible in every direction.
Day 4 – Nubra Valley: Sand Dunes and Bactrian Camels Nubra has something nobody expects in the Himalayas: sand dunes. Double-humped Bactrian camels still roam the dunes near Hunder – a remnant of the old Silk Road trade route that once passed through this valley. A camel safari here is one of the most surreal experiences Ladakh offers. Diskit Monastery in the afternoon – a 700-year-old Tibetan Buddhist monastery with a 32-metre Maitreya Buddha statue overlooking the valley. Drive toward Pangong Lake via the Shyok Valley route.
Day 5 – Pangong Lake The complete Ladakh couple circuit covers Leh, Nubra Valley via Khardung La, Hunder sand dunes, Pangong Lake via Shyok Valley, and Chang La.
Pangong Tso at 4,350 metres is 134 km long, spanning India and China. The section accessible to tourists shows water that shifts from deep blue to turquoise to green across the day depending on the light. There’s nothing you can do here except sit beside it. That’s the correct response. Overnight in a lakeside camp – the stars at this altitude, away from any light pollution, are something else entirely.
Day 6 – Return to Leh via Chang La The return route via Chang La (5,360 metres) passes through Hemis, one of Ladakh’s richest and most celebrated monasteries. The Hemis Museum has thangka paintings and artefacts dating back to the 11th century. Afternoon at Thiksey Monastery – a 12-storey complex that looks like a smaller version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Back in Leh for dinner and a final evening.
Day 7 – Departure Early morning transfer to Leh Airport. If your flight is in the afternoon, a final walk through the old Leh bazaar – local saffron, Pashmina wool products, and Ladakhi jewellery are the real souvenirs. Don’t buy the mass-produced thanka paintings sold at tourist shops near the palace.
Ladakh Tour Package Cost from Siliguri - Honest Breakdown
A standard Ladakh tour package starts from ₹37,435 per person and covers Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Tso Moriri.Here’s a full picture for Siliguri travellers:
Package Type | Duration | Cost Per Person | What’s Included |
Budget | 6 Nights / 7 Days | ₹22,000 – ₹30,000 | Hotels, transport, breakfast & dinner, permits, airport transfers |
Standard | 6 Nights / 7 Days | ₹32,000 – ₹45,000 | Better hotels, private SUV, all meals, sightseeing |
Premium | 7 Nights / 8 Days | ₹50,000 – ₹70,000 | Luxury hotels, deluxe camps, private SUV, all meals |
Couple / Honeymoon | 6 Nights / 7 Days | ₹45,000 – ₹65,000 per person | Private vehicle, romantic camp setup, meals, sightseeing |
Please Note: All prices listed above are approximate and indicative only. Actual package costs vary based on travel season, hotel category, group size, and availability at the time of booking. Prices are subject to change without prior notice. Contact Travel Soft Holidays for a current, customised quote before making any travel decisions.
What nobody tells you about Ladakh package costs: Every Ladakh trip requires Inner Line Permits for areas like Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Tso Moriri. These cost approximately ₹400–₹600 per person per restricted area and are not always included in budget package pricing. At Travel Soft Holidays, permits are included in every package – you won’t discover this cost on the ground.
A private SUV (Innova Crysta or similar) is non-negotiable for Ladakh – the high mountain passes and unpaved approaches to camps require a proper vehicle. Packages that advertise very low prices often use shared cabs or smaller hatchbacks, which are genuinely unsuitable for routes like Khardung La. Always confirm vehicle type before booking.
Ladakh for Every Kind of Traveller
For Families A 6-day budget-friendly Ladakh family circuit covering Leh, Nubra Valley, and Pangong Lake balances travel, acclimatisation, and practical routing.Families with children above 10 years generally do well – the camel safari, Pangong Lake camp, and stargazing are genuinely spectacular for kids. Children under 8 should ideally avoid Ladakh due to altitude concerns – consult your paediatrician before booking.
For Couples and Honeymooners Leh Ladakh tour packages for couples include a private cab, overnight stay at Nubra Valley camps, Pangong Lake, and romantic camp setups – packages start from ₹22,363 per person for the 5–6 night circuit. An evening at Pangong with no other humans visible in any direction is one of the most private, genuinely romantic experiences available in India at any budget.
For Solo and Adventure Travellers Ladakh is one of India’s premier adventure destinations – river rafting on the Zanskar, mountain biking on high passes, trekking routes like Markha Valley, and the legendary Manali–Leh bike trip. If you’re coming from Siliguri for an adventure-first trip, allow 10–12 days minimum.
Altitude Tips - The Section That Can Make or Break Your Trip
This deserves more than a bullet point.
Leh sits at 3,524 metres. That’s higher than most people in Siliguri have ever been, including those who’ve done Darjeeling and Sikkim. The air has roughly 60% of the oxygen available at sea level.
Day 1 rest is not optional. People who try to sightsee on Day 1 – even a gentle walk – frequently develop Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) by Day 2. Symptoms include severe headache, nausea, dizziness, and in serious cases, fluid in the lungs. The treatment is decent. That ends your trip.
What to carry: Diamox (acetazolamide) – take 125mg twice daily starting 24 hours before you land in Leh and continue for 48 hours after arrival. Consult your doctor before travelling. Carry basic pain relief and an oximeter – your hotel will likely have one, but having your own lets you track your oxygen saturation.
What to watch for: Normal resting SpO2 at sea level is 95–100%. In Leh at altitude, 88–92% is common and generally fine. Below 85%, or if it’s dropping, descend to a lower altitude and seek help.
Who should be careful: Anyone with heart conditions, respiratory conditions, or high blood pressure should consult a cardiologist before booking. Children under 8 and pregnant women should avoid high-altitude Ladakh.
What helps: Water – drink 3-4 litres a day. Light meals. No alcohol for the first 48 hours. Walking slowly. Sleeping enough.
Practical Travel Tips for Ladakh
Book flights early – prices spike hard. Bagdogra to Leh flights start from ₹11,738 in advance booking periods. The same route costs nearly double in peak June–July. Book as soon as your dates are fixed.
Carry cash. ATMs in Leh do exist but run out of cash regularly. Most camps at Nubra and Pangong don’t accept cards or UPI. Carry ₹10,000–₹15,000 in cash as a minimum for daily incidentals.
Pack for all four seasons in one bag. Temperatures in Leh can hit 28°C by afternoon and drop to 5°C after sunset – on the same day in July. Layers are the only rational approach. Thermal innerwear, a fleece mid-layer, and a windproof jacket.
Sunscreen is essential. UV radiation at 3,500+ metres is significantly higher than at sea level. SPF 50 minimum and reapply. Ladakh sun looks mild – it isn’t.
Mobile connectivity is patchy. BSNL and Airtel work best in Ladakh. Jio coverage exists in Leh but drops completely in Nubra and near Pangong. Download offline maps before leaving Leh.
Permits are required. Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Tso Moriri all require Inner Line Permits. Your travel agent arranges these – make sure they’re confirmed in your package before you travel.
More Trips to Plan from Siliguri
Ladakh is one of our most popular domestic packages – but it’s not where Travel Soft Holidays’ expertise ends. As a tour operator in Siliguri since 2014, we plan:
- Kashmir tour from Siliguri – Dal Lake, Gulmarg Gondola, Pahalgam valleys, Vaishno Devi. The classic North India mountain circuit.
- Andaman tour from Siliguri – Port Blair, Havelock Island, Radhanagar Beach, Baratang Island’s limestone caves. The complete Andaman circuit.
- International trips from Siliguri – Dubai, Thailand, Bali, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Bhutan, Europe. Every destination was handled end-to-end from Bagdogra.
One call, and we plan it all.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I reach Ladakh from Siliguri?
What is the best time for a Ladakh tour from Siliguri?
How many days are enough for a Ladakh trip from Siliguri?
What does a Ladakh tour package from Siliguri cost?
Is Ladakh safe for families with children?
What permits are required for Ladakh?
How is Ladakh different from a Kashmir tour from Siliguri?
Plan Your Ladakh Trip with Travel Soft Holidays
Ladakh is not the type of place where you just go for a trip on impulse. Proper planning is required for many things related to your journey like altitude, permissions, transportation, and air tickets.
That’s exactly what we do.
As the most trusted travel agency in Siliguri with over a decade of Himalayan travel experience – from Darjeeling and Sikkim to Kashmir and Ladakh – we understand mountain travel in a way that national portals simply don’t.
Tell us your travel dates, your group, and what kind of Ladakh trip you want. We’ll put together a plan that fits.
0353-3591009 | +91 80017 78888 | +91 80010 72200
travelsoftin@gmail.com
Softech House, 3rd Floor, College Para, Siliguri, West Bengal 734001
WhatsApp: +91 80017 78888
Travel Soft Holidays – Siliguri’s Trusted Tour Operator Since 2014.