Ladakh AstroPhoto Tour – 4.0
*At World’s Best Skies* – Bortle Class-1
*Leh – Alchi – Pangong – Hanle – Leh* – 8N/9D
🏔️ Ladakh Itinerary (08 Aug – 16 Aug 2026)
📅 Day 1 – Saturday, 8 Aug 2026
📍 Arrival in Leh (~3,500m)
- Arrival at Leh Airport
- Transfer to hotel (complete rest mandatory for acclimatization)
- Hydrate well, avoid exertion
Evening (light activity only):
- Introductory meet and greet and discuss experience and itinerary details
- Short walk in front of hotel for Indus River.
- After dinner assemble on rooftop for quick stargazing with Telescope
Night Stay: Leh (Hotel) Sleep well and recover from high altitude acclimatization.
📅 Day 2 – Sunday, 9 Aug 2026
📍 Acclimatization + Local Sightseeing
- After breakfast:
- Hall of Fame
- Leh Market for lunch and shopping
- Leh Palace (optional)
- Shanti Stupa
Important: Keep pace slow, no overexertion, Keep Hydrated (most important part)
Night Stay: Leh (Hotel) Sleep well and recover from high altitude acclimatization. By the morning, you will be fully acclimatized.
📅 Day 3 – Monday, 10 Aug 2026
📍 Leh → Alchi (Sham Valley)
- Distance: ~65–70 km
- Travel Time: ~2–2.5 hrs
Route Highlights:
- Gurudwara Shri Pathar Sahib
- Magnetic Hill
- Indus–Zanskar Sangam
- Basgo Monastery
At Alchi:
- Visit Alchi Monastery (ancient murals, unique architecture)
- Explore Alchi village
Optional nearby:
- Likir Monastery
Night Stay: Alchi (Hotel)
📅 Day 4 – Tuesday, 11 Aug 2026
📍 Alchi → Pangong Lake (~4,500m) (via Leh / Karu / Chang La Pass)
- Long travel day
- Route: Alchi → Leh → Karu → Chang La Pass (5,360m) → Pangong
- Distance: ~160–180 km
- Time: ~6–7 hrs
Stops:
- Shey Palace
- Thiksey Monastery
- Karu
- Chang La Pass
- Tangtse
- Exploring the “3 Idiots” point
- Reach Pangong by Evening
Evening:
- Lake exploration
- Sunset photography
- Night Stargazing
- Astro photography
Night Stay: Pangong (Hotel)
📅 Day 5 – Wednesday, 12 Aug 2026
📍 Pangong – Full Day
- Relaxation + exploration of:
- Lake areas, Spangmik
- Man / Merak villages
Astro Advantage:
- Excellent dark skies (if weather permits)
- Milky Way observation
- Deep sky viewing
Night Stay: Pangong (Hotel)
📅 Day 6 – Thursday, 13 Aug 2026
📍 Pangong → Hanle (~4,500m) (via Chushul – Loma – Nyoma)
- Distance: ~160–170 km
- Time: ~6–8 hrs (remote route)
Route stops & Highlights:
- Chushul
- Rezang La War Memorial
- Nyoma, Loma
- Follow Indus river stretches
Reach Hanle by evening
Night Stay: Hanle (Homestay)
📅 Day 7 – Friday, 14 Aug 2026
📍 Hanle – Full Exploration + Stargazing
- Visit:
- Umlingla Pass – world highest Motorable road, higher than Everest Base Camp.
- Indian Astronomical Observatory (inside tour)
- MACE Observatory (inside tour)
Major Highlight:
- One of India’s best stargazing locations
- Near-zero light pollution
Perfect for:
- Milky Way observation
- Deep sky viewing
- Astro Photography
Night Stay: Hanle
📅 Day 8 – Saturday, 15 Aug 2026
📍 Hanle → Leh (Return)
- Distance: ~250–270 km
- Time: ~7–9 hrs
Route: Hanle → Nyoma → Mahe → Upshi → Leh
- Scenic drive along Indus River
- Stops
- Lunch on the way back.
- Hemis Monastery
Evening:
- Closure Report
- Thank you Note
Night Stay: Leh (Hotel)
📅 Day 9 – Sunday, 16 Aug 2026
📍 Departure from Leh
- Transfer to airport
- Fly back
⚠️ Important Notes (Operational)
- Permits Required: (we will take care of your permits)
- Pangong, Hanle (including Chushul route)
- Vehicle Recommendation:
- Tempo Traveller
- SUV (Innova / Scorpio / 4×4 preferred)
- Acclimatization:
- Our plan is well structured (2 nights Leh start 👍)
- Connectivity:
- Airtel/BSNL/Jio – all networks postpaid only works
- Travel essentials Strategy:
- We take care with local drivers about full tank at Leh and carrying extra fuel as necessary (no pumps after Karu for long stretch)
- We also carry one big oxygen cylinder per vehicle
- Enough water bottles (2 included per day per person in package, more than that on payment basis only)
🌌 Stargazing Advantage Summary (Our Plan is Strong)
Meteor Shower Nights at Pangong and Hanle locations
8″ Dobsonian throughout the locations for better stargazing expereince.
Tracker and advanced Cameras for astro photography at all locations.
- Pangong → good skies
- Hanle → world-class dark sky site
- Alchi → low-light pollution bonus
*Brief Travel Details:*
Day 1: Sat. Aug. 08, 2026 – Arrive in Leh
Day 2: Sun. Aug. 09, 2026 – Explore Leh – local sight scene
Day 3: Mon. Aug. 10, 2026 – Leh to Alchi
Day 4: Tue. Aug. 11, 2026 – Travel to Pangong Lake
Day 5: Wed. Aug. 12, 2026 – Stay and Explore Pangong Lake
Day 6: Thur. Aug. 13, 2026 – Pangong Lake to Hanle
Day 7: Fri. Aug. 14, 2026 – Hanle to Umling La Pass and Back to Hanle
Day 8: Sat. Aug. 15, 2026 – Hanle to Leh
Day 9: Sun. Aug. 16, 2026 – Departure from Leh Airport
Packages Available and Cost
*Premium Package Cost:*
- *Rs. 67,500/-* per person on single sharing basis.
- *Rs. 1,05,000/-* for double occupancy for a group of 2 people.
- *Rs. 1,53,000/-* for Tripple occupancy for a group of 3 people.
*Super Deluxe Package Cost:*
- *Rs. 65,000/-* per person on single sharing basis.
- *Rs. 1,02,000/-* for double occupancy for a group of 2 people.
- *Rs. 1,49,500/-* for Tripple occupancy for a group of 3 people.
*Deluxe Package Cost:*
- *Rs. 61,000/-* per person on single sharing basis.
- *Rs. 1,00,000/-* for double occupancy for a group of 2 people.
- *Rs. 1,39,000/-* for Tripple occupancy for a group of 3 people.
Above 3 packages have minor cost difference due to different rooms types in Pangong mostly and Hanle probably.
- *Discounts* – As per your Club Membership plans terms and conditions. Only applicable for Club Members, who opted for club membership plans earlier.
*Inclusions:*
- Ladakh Inner Line Permit charges.
- Accommodation in single / double / triple occupancy rooms or cottage huts (as applicable) for the entire 8 Nights / 9 Days trip.
- Daily breakfast and dinner.
- Sightseeing as per the itinerary.
- Oxygen cylinder in each vehicle for emergency use.
- All astronomy and stargazing activities (subject to weather conditions).
- 2 water bottles per person per day. Additional bottles will be chargeable.
*Doesn’t Includes:*
- Flight tickets to and from Leh from your home city.
- Lunch during the trip.
- Entry fees for monasteries, museums, local attractions, or any other sightseeing points, if applicable.
- Local transportation charges for the complete Leh-to-Leh journey. Travel will be arranged in Tempo Traveller and/or Innova or similar vehicles on a shared basis (minimum 4 people in smaller vehicles and as per seating capacity in larger vehicles).
- Airport pickup/drop and all local travel arrangements from Leh will be organized by us. The total shared transportation cost is expected to be approximately ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 per person, depending on the final group size. We will optimize the cost while ensuring comfort and a better overall experience for everyone.
- Any personal expenses or services not specifically mentioned under the inclusions section.
*Bookings Pre-requisites:*
- Please share the names and ages of all participants joining from your group.
- Please provide a copy of Aadhaar Card or any valid Government ID proof for each participant.
- Participants are required to book their own travel/flight tickets to and from Leh, or arrange their own mode of transportation to reach Leh by the evening of Day 1: Saturday, 08 August 2026. And share details.
- If you would like to travel on the same flight as us, feel free to contact us for our flight details.
*Contact for further queries and Bookings:*
Vijay Kapoor
*Call/Whatsapp:* +91.95.99.110.220
*e-mail:* info@BangaloreAstronomyClub.com
*URL:* https://BangaloreAstronomyClub.com/
Ladakh Travel – Do’s & Don’ts for Participants
Do’s
• Carry valid Government ID proof (Aadhaar Card / Passport / Driving License).
• Keep warm clothing for all weather conditions — thermal wear, jackets, gloves, woollen caps, and good trekking shoes are highly recommended.
• Stay well hydrated throughout the trip to help your body acclimatize to high altitude conditions.
• Take adequate rest on the first day after arriving in Leh. Avoid unnecessary physical exertion initially.
• Carry personal medicines and basic first-aid essentials as per your health requirements.
• Use sunscreen, sunglasses, lip balm, and moisturizer to protect yourself from strong UV exposure and dry weather.
• Follow the tour schedule and instructions shared by us.
• Respect local culture, monasteries, traditions, and local residents.
• Carry power banks and keep electronic devices charged, especially for astrophotography and remote locations.
• Keep cash with you, as digital payments and ATM availability may be limited in remote regions.
• Maintain silence and discipline during astronomy observation sessions to ensure the best experience for everyone.
• Carry reusable water bottles and help minimize plastic waste in the Himalayas.
• Most Important – check with your doctor for any issues you have or if you are on any medication and you are fit for high altitude travel.
• Precautionary *Oxygen cylinders* :: we will keep in vehicle, available on rent in Leh and will return on last day.
Don’ts
• Do not consume alcohol or smoke during the entire trip in Ladakh. This is most important point for your own safety and health, If you cannot follow this then please don’t book.
• Do not overexert yourself, run, or climb aggressively at high altitudes.
• Avoid heavy meals immediately after reaching high-altitude locations.
• Do not litter at campsites, villages, lakes, or astronomical observation locations.
• Avoid loud music, shouting, or use of bright lights during stargazing sessions.
• Do not disturb wildlife or damage the natural environment.
• Avoid unnecessary roaming alone at night in remote locations.
• Do not ignore symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) such as headache, dizziness, nausea, or breathlessness. Inform the coordinators immediately if you feel unwell.
• Do not rely completely on mobile networks or internet connectivity, as network coverage can be limited in many areas.
• Avoid carrying excessive luggage; pack light but smart for the journey.
• Do not use drones without proper permissions, as many areas in Ladakh are restricted zones.
Cancellation and Refund Policies:
- 15+ Days – 100% Refund
- 7-15 days before: 90% refund or 100% credit to another date (valid 12 months)
- 5–6 days before: 70% refund or 90% credit to another date (valid 12 months)
- 3–4 days before: 40% refund or 80% credit to another date (valid 12 months)
- <2 days / No-show / Late arrival: No refund, no credit.