Glamping in Ladakh
Experience the Land of the Lamas as you glamp your way through its astonishing landscape.
Day 1 Leh
A rule of thumb is that your day of arrival in Ladakh must be dedicated to doing nothing, as Ladakh demands acclimatisation. Land and base yourself in Leh, the largest town in Ladakh. At 3,500 metres, Leh is a quaint town along the River Indus dotted with monasteries, an eponymous palace, and a bustling bazaar. Roughly 20 minutes from the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, The Indus River Camp can be your first glamping site on this trip ( starts from ` 4,500/USD61; indusrivercamp.com). It is a 40-acre natural sanctuary on the banks of the Indus, in the village of Chuchot. Apart from the choice of eight luxury tents, cabins, and cottages, it comes with a library, an organic kitchen, daily yoga sessions, and guided experiences. The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh has direct connectivity from Delhi, Mumbai, and Srinagar.
Day 2 Thiksey
After a night of rest, begin your day with a walk to the nearby Thiksey Monastery. A 12-storey complex made from mud and stone, this is one of Ladakh’s most iconic monasteries. Climb to the top to watch the sunrise and join the prayer ceremony that takes place in its assembly hall between 6 am and 7.30 am. Post that, take a tour of this 16th-century Buddhist institution as well as the adjoining museum. Spend the rest of the day at the camp or visit the camel sanctuary—which re-homes double-humped bactrian camels, a species which, until recently, had nearly disappeared from the area.
Day 3 Hemis National Park
In the spirit of a true camper, dedicate an entire day to hiking through the Hemis National Park. Dominated by the peak of Stok Kangri (6,150 metres above sea level), it occupies a vast area to the west of the Indus River and extends across the Markha Valley. Wellknown for its snow leopard population, the park is also home to species such as ibex, blue sheep, and mountain weasels. Hike from the village of Zingchen to Rumbak, for easy entry into the park.
Day 4 Diskit
After spending three nights in the beautiful environs of your first glamping site, it’s time to move on, further
away from civilisation. Hit the road for a four-hour drive to Diskit—the hamlet that doubles up as the gateway to the otherworldly Nubra Valley of Ladakh—via Khardung La, claimed to be the highest motorable road in the world. Chamba Camp in Diskit ( starts from ` 65,000/USD881; tutc.com) is inspired by the aesthetics of safari camping. The site beautifully complements the rugged terrain of the surrounding valley.
Day 5 Nubra Valley
At the confluence of rivers Shyok and Siachen, separating Ladakh from the Karakoram Range is Nubra Valley, which takes you back in time into a nearly forgotten Shangri La. Drive along River Nubra, where the villages of Sumur, Kyagar, Tirith, and Panamik, among others, give you a glimpse of how life thrives in one of the challenging regions of the country. In spring, see the valley transform into a garden of apple, apricot, and willow trees. Some of Nubra’s salient features, however, remain largely out of reach—like the Siachen Glacier, the world’s secondlongest glacier outside the polar regions.
Day 6 Turtuk
Following an early morning breakfast, hit the road towards Turtuk—famous as India’s northernmost village! A reminder of the Balti Dynasty, Turtuk features steep labyrinthine streets, traditional houses called
nangchung, and a perennial stream that runs through the village. Unlike most of Ladakh, which is steeped in Tibetan culture, Turtuk, along the border of the Pakistanadministered region of GilgitBaltistan, sports a unique Balti Muslim culture. Stay at The Buckwheat Root Camp in Turtuk, located by the stream (starts from ` 4,000/ USD54; buckwheat-rootcamp.business.site).