Trekking in Ladakh

Why Ladakh is a great trekking destination?

Bestowed with an incredible topography of hilly terrains, enchanting valleys and serene alpine glacial lakes; Ladakh is undoubtedly an epitome of mountain beauty and a hub of exhilarating adventure activities like mountaineering, white water rafting, mountain biking and most importantly, trekking. Snuggled in the lap of Himalayas and hiding in its store, some unexplored and enticing trekking trails, no wonder why this mystical land is called an empyrean for trekkers all across the globe. Also, with its huge offerings of trekking options ranging from easy to moderate to challenging grades, the treks of Ladakh do not disappoint any avid trekking enthusiast, whether he is a beginner or an expert.

What to look for in a trekking expedition in Ladakh?

Enchanting scenic beauty : On a trekking expedition in Ladakh, you are sure to be rewarded with spectacular mountain scenery of snow-laden peaks, snow-fed glaciers and picturesque glacial lakes. Where at one end, the lofty arid and parched mountain peaks stand tall in their full glory; the other end is teeming with lush greenery and carpets of vibrant alpine flowers - a unique and rare contrast of landscapes that can only be witnessed in the region of Ladakh.

Buddhist culture: The land of Ladakh is deeply immersed in age-old Buddhist cultures and traditions. During your trekking trip in the region, you will come across various picturesque monasteries perched precariously atop steep and sharp peaks. These monasteries are a lifeline of Ladakh and offer you immense serenity and peace. Nothing can be more holistic and divine than sitting in the prayer hall of one of these monasteries and dipping your souls in peaceful echoes and chants of Buddhist monks.

Unusual wildlife: The landscape of Ladakh has been blessed with a spectacular animal and bird life. While spotting Himalayan sheep, goat and yaks is a common sight, it would not come as a surprise if all of a sudden, you also come across a Himalayan Ibex and Antelope or are treated with a rare glimpse of the elusive Snow Leopard while on a hiking and walking tour in Ladakh. Needless to say, a treasure trove of myriad endemic bird species, Ladakh also mesmerizes you with unusual sights of Tibetan Snowcocks, Golden Eagles, White and Brown throated Dippers and various species of Wall creepers, Pipits and Ibis.

Warm hospitality of Ladakhi people: Being a remote and an unspoiled scenic destination, you will not find hotels and resorts in Ladakh and moreover for a real rustic trekking experience, there is no better choice than staying in village homestays and getting an insight into the simple lifestyle of Ladakhi people. As you interact and spend few moments with the local people of the region, you would realize how simple they are and how beautiful their lives are, away from any kind of interferences from technology, internet and social media that has, kind of made the lives of city dwellers so complex and complicated. The people here eat simple food, live peaceful lives and celebrate all festivals with zealous spirits. Also, they will leave no stones unturned to provide you with best of their limited resources, be it accommodation or food.

Popular treks of Ladakh

Frozen 'Chadar Trek': For many ardent trekkers, the major draw to Ladakh is the magical 'Chadar Trek'. Undoubtedly, the most fascinating and challenging of all the treks in the region, the Chadar trek offers you an unparalleled experience of witnessing the sheer beauty of Himalayas in peak winters. The trek takes you through the serene Zanskar valley tucked away in deep remoteness of Zanskar ranges covered in thick layers of snow. As you walk along the frozen Zanskar River, the eye-catching scenery of frozen waterfalls, ever-changing shades of snow-covered mountains and miraculous natural rock formations keep you engaged and mesmerized. Offering a feast to your eyes, the trek tests both, your physical and mental endurance. Navigating your ways through deep ravines and narrow ridges braving a sub-zero temperature and feeling your senses going numb; this trek, for sure, can run down a chill down your spine and simultaneously, present you with the most blissful experience of your lifetime.

Sham Valley Trek: Also known as the 'Baby Trek', the Sham Valley trek is the easiest of the treks in Ladakh and offers ample opportunities to witness various beautiful monasteries including Alchi, Lamayuru, Spituk and Likir. This trek is a perfect choice for trekkers who along with revelling in the fun of trekking, also wish to have a glimpse at lifestyle and culture of Ladakh. Needless to say, the scenic beauty and the tranquillity of the trek is also something to cherish for your lifetimes.

Markha Valley Trek: Situated on the foothills of the majestic 'Kang Yatse' peak, Markha Valley is the most beautiful valley of Ladakh. A paradise for trekkers, the valley is dotted with some of the most varied and scenic trekking trails of entire Ladakh region. Luring many ardent trekkers from across the globe, the trek offers splendid vistas of nature that include but, are not limited to bustling rivers, narrow and deep gorges, steep canyons, emerald green meadows, fairy-tale villages and terrains of multi-hued rocks. For wildlife lovers, the trek is a dream come true as it takes them through the hub of Himalayan wildlife, the gorgeous 'Hemis National Park' giving them ample opportunities to witness rare species of Himalayan animals and birds. The trek also provides with a chance to have a closer look at the Ladakhi lifestyle by staying in remote village houses and interacting with local people. The captivating views of the 'Stok Kangri' peak are the additional highlights of this trek.

Nubra Valley Trek: For trekkers wanting to explore something unusual, the Nubra Valley trek is a huge draw. Dramatically unique topography of arid & parched mountains teeming with sand dunes, enclosing in it, beautiful villages dotted with lush fields and striking apricot orchards standing like an oasis on long stretches of white cold desert; trekking in Nubra Valley is definitely a great and fascinating experience.

The above list just gives you a short glimpse at few of the popular treks of Ladakh. There are many other enigmatic trails that still remain unexplored and unspoilt. To explore the hidden magic of this serene world, just put on your trekking gears and get on for your life's most exciting and thrilling trekking expeditions.

Best season for trekking in Ladakh

Ideally, the best time for trekking & hiking in Ladakh is between the months of May and September when the weather is salubrious and rejuvenating. Also, this is the best time to explore nature teeming with lush meadows, carpets of wild alpine flowers and striking peach and apricot orchards. For those who wish to witness the snow-white mountain beauty, the ideal time is during winter months, especially for the 'Chadar Trek' that you can attempt only in January-February when the Zanskar River is completely frozen.

Some pre-requisites for trekking in Ladakh

Trekking in Ladakh is not everyone's cup of tea and requires some early preparations. Here are some basic pre-requisites to get on with a trekking expedition is this stunningly beautiful kingdom.

• The first and foremost important requisite is building up your physical and mental fitness. Trekking in Ladakh requires endless walking and hiking at times. Without a physical stamina, a trek in Ladakh is out of question.
• The second most important point is to get yourselves medically examined to make sure you are fit enough to access great mountain heights. Most trekking routes in Ladakh start from a height of around 3500 metres above sea level and needless to say, at greater heights thickness of air can result in acute mountain sickness. So, be sure you don't have any sort of asthmatic and cardiac problems.
• Getting required permits from different authorities before commencing with your trek is the third most important requisite. For accessing Tso-Moriri, Hemis National Park and Stok-Kangri peaks, these permissions are of utmost importance.

Why trek with us?

If you are planning for a Leh-Ladakh trekking holiday, we would be more than happy to assist you in organizing special trekking tours for you in Ladakh. With an experience of more than 30 years in travel industry and having a special expertise in organizing high altitude trekking tours in great Himalayan regions, you can trust us for various services including but, not limited to the following.

• Arrangements for world-class accommodations including homestays and parachute camps.
• Arrangements for sight-seeing and hotel transfers.
• Provisions for trekking & camping gears and winter trekking equipment.
• Arrangements for experienced local guides and ponies and horses for carrying heavy loads.
• Arrangements for permits and permissions from Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF), army authorities and forest department, wherever and whenever required.

With our special Leh-Ladakh trekking packages, you can be sure of top-class services and facilities. If you wish, we can also customize our packages as per your tastes and requirements.