Welcome to Trekking in Ladakh

Best Time to Visit the 'Little Tibet' (Leh Ladakh) for Trekking

The rough terrains, high altitude, harsh climatic conditions and frozen rivers make up the best time for the arrival of trekkers in the northernmost union territory of India, Ladakh. Between the months of June and September, trekking in Ladakh can be enjoyed in its fullest form as there are no signs of road blockage and the climate temperature is also hospitable. The temperature in the summer stays between 16 degrees Celsius to 3 degrees Celsius and in winter it ranges from -7 degrees Celsius to 5 degrees Celsius.

During the months of October and April, mountaineers and adventurers can visit the region only via airways as the Rohtang La Pass in Himachal Pradesh and Zoji La Pass in Kashmir get blocked due to heavy snowfall and hence becomes a difficult task for the drivers to drive through the snow-covered roads.

What Types of Treks Available in Ladakh for Trekkers?

Trekking in Ladakh will offer tourists a wonderful opportunity to experience the different types of trekking within the cold desert lands and frozen rivers. The trekking routes in Ladakh are categorised into easy, moderate and difficult trekking routes which can be completed by both amateur and professional trekkers.

• Easy Treks - People who are amateurs and travel with family members can explore the easy trekking routes of Ladakh which covers an elevation of 3000 to 4500 metres. For beginners, Lamayuru to Alchi Trek, Ripchar Valley Trek, Padum to Darcha Trek, Lamayuru to DarchaTrek and Sham Valley treks are suggested for trekking.
• Moderate Treks - Moderate treks are ideal for those who have little experience of trekking in the hilly and mountainous regions of Ladakh. Markha Valley Trek, Lamayuru To Stok Kangri and Lamayuru Stok Kangri are moderate trekking routes for people who want to experience the thrill alongside the scenic beauty of nature. 4500 to 6000 metres are the elevation ranges for the moderate treks.
• Difficult Treks - Trekking in the hilly and steep routes of Ladakh can be quite challenging and is experienced by professional trekkers to feel the rush of adrenaline throughout their journey. The terrain is difficult, and these hikes demand both mental and physical preparation before embarking on them. These Ladakh trekking adventures need regular acclimatisation to the unbearable temperatures. Chadar Trek Ladakh, JhunglamHemis To Padum Trek, Snow Leopard Trek and Stok Kangri Trek are some of the difficult treks. The elevation of trekking routes scales above 6000 metres in the Ladakh region.

Some Popular Treks in the Cold Deserts and Frozen Rivers of India

The Ladakh Trekking Packages involves some of the most important treks such as Stok Kangri, Markha Valley, Nubra Valley, Snow Leopard Trek and many other treks which can be enjoyed in the Ladakh region.

Chadar Trek - Hikers believe the Chadar Trek of Ladakh to be the most famous and difficult, especially in winter as while trekking the routes, trekkers will have to walk on the frozen Zanskar River which is quite dangerous as it turns into a white sheet of snow. Chadar Trek is also known as the 'Frozen River Trek' in the Zanskar region of Ladakh and the ideal time for the trek is between January and February.

Markha Valley Trek - In Ladakh, close to Hemis National Park runs the Markha Valley parallel to the Indus Valley. The Markha Valley Trek allows trekkers to witness the Stok Kangri mountain range in the north and the Zanskar range in the south adorned with small villages and green fields. The ideal time to enjoy the trek is between mid-May to October.

Nubra Valley Trek - The Nubra Valley Trek starts from Phyang to Hunder and connects with the Indus Valley during the expedition. The route that is followed by the trekkers is the ancient silk route network used for trading from India to Central Asia. Adventurers get to witness the Karakoram range along with double-humped Bactrian camels in the cold deserts during the trek. The trek can be enjoyed most during the months of mid-July to September.

Snow Leopard Trek - The land of Ladakh is home to the endangered wild cat, the snow leopard and the Snow Leopard Trek in the Ladakh region is organised during the month of February and March in the Hemis National Park which provides a great habitat for the snow leopards and other hilly animals. During the trek, it takes high patience to observe the snow leopard in sub-zero temperatures. The best time to experience the Snow Leopard Trek is between November and March.

Lamayuru to Alchi Trek - The trek can be experienced in the western part of Ladakh where trekkers get to experience the tough passes and scenic beauty of the mountains along with the age-old Buddhist monasteries. Mid-June to October is the ideal time to attend the trek.

Zanskar Trek - The Zanskar Trek starts from Padum to Lamayuru which covers the age-old monasteries, hilly terrains, tiny villages and mountains of the Zanskar range. The trek covers three main passes which are Hanuma La, Singge La and Sir Sir La. The best time to participate in the Zanskar trek is between mid-June to October.

Sham Valley Trek - Sham Valley Trek of Ladakh region which is also known as the 'Baby Trek' offers scenic views of the mountains and the trek is quite suitable for amateur trekkers. Trekkers get to try the local cuisine while staying at the homestays and exploring the ancient monasteries during the trek. The Sham Valley trek of Ladakh can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

Ladakh Weather and Climate

Ladakh is an incredible place to achieve the adrenaline rush within the souls and minds of adventurers as the region is located at an altitude of 7742 to 2550 metres. The region has an amazing topography which covers hilly terrains, Rocky Mountains, green fields, high altitude and dry climate. Due to its high altitude, the region remains freezing cold and dry throughout the year. The cold desert region of the northernmost Union Territory of India, Ladakh receives very little rainfall but sometimes the snowfall in the region is a bliss to the eyes of the trekkers.

Flora and Fauna in Leh Ladakh

• Flora - The region of Ladakh receives extreme dryness and cold atmospheric conditions which result in the sparse vegetation in the area. Alpine vegetation and trees such as apples, apricots and walnuts are grown in the region. The animals of the region graze on the scanty patches of grass and shrubs as only a few parts of the valleys are fertile. Willow groves, wildflowers, and herbs of different varieties are also cultivated in specific parts of the region.
• Fauna - Wild animals found in the region include snow leopard, Tibetan Wild Ass, Himalayan Blue Sheep and Ladakh Urial along with common animals like wild goats, wild sheep, yak and special dogs. The common animals are reared by the locals to extract milk, meat and wool.

• Monasteries: Ladakh is highly influenced by the Tibetan and Buddhist culture and therefore visiting the monasteries is widely appreciated by the visitors as Ladakh is famous for its well-known monasteries such as Hemis Monastery Lamayuru Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Alchi Monastery, Diskit Monastery and other monasteries.
• Valleys: Wandering through the valleys feels like witnessing heaven on earth as it is surrounded by beautiful rivers and snow-capped mountains. While hiking through the trails of the Himalayas and Zanskar, trekkers get to witness the beautiful valleys such as Markha Valley, Nubra Valley, Zanskar Valley, Indus Valley and many other magnificent valleys to learn about the histories and culture of Ladakh.
• Mountain Ranges: The land of Ladakh is a crucial point to observe the different mountain ranges while trekking and rock climbing. Stok Kangri, Golap Kangri, Matho West, and Kantak are the mountains of the Zanskar range. Travellers can also get a chance to observe the mountains of the Karakoram range.
• Rivers and Lakes: Ladakh is among the top trekking destinations as it provides amazing and challenging trek experiences along with views of pristine rivers and serene lakes. Some of the popular rivers that can be seen during the treks are the Zanskar River, Indus River, Shyok-Nubra and Chang Chenmo along the beautiful lakes including Pangong Tso Lake, Tsomoriri Lake and Tso Kar Lake.