Trekking

There's wide range of trekking options available in Ladakh. These include short, day-long walks up and down mountain slopes to visit remote villages, or a monastic settlement, or long trans-mountain treks involving weeks of walking and camping in the wilderness. The trek from Lamayuru in the Indus Valley to Darcha in Lahoul, across the Zanskar Valley takes nearly three weeks and crosses two major mountain ranges. Most of the established routes traverse the Zanskar range, which separates the Indus Valley from Zanskar. The 10-day Markha Valley trek, the 11-day Lamayuru-Padum traverse and the 4/5-day Stok-Khangri round trek are the more popular ones among the numerous options available. The Ladakh Range, lying between the Indus and Shayok valleys, also provide some exciting trekking routes across the Lasermo pass.

Several soft treks are also available in the Sham area, which pass through rustic villages and traverse low hills. On these treks you get the opportunity to experience rural Ladakh in its traditional best. You also get to stay with local families in Homestay units in villages falling on the trekking trail.

The trekking season normally extends from May through September. Some trekking routes are suitable only for the late autumn as during the summer the tracks are submerged under excessive flow of snowmelt water, as is the case of the Hemis-Markha-Padum trek. The winter access to Zanskar is actually along the frozen surface of the Zanskar River called Chaddar. This route, though difficult and highly demanding in terms of arrangements, is perhaps one of the most exciting and memorable foot journeys in the world.

Trekking Tips - For trekking to be a rewarding experience, it is not enough to be physically fit. Trekkers must also be prepared to face the difficulties of walking in the mountains in high altitude. Ladakh experiences considerable fluctuations in the day and night temperatures, even during the height of summer. Although the days are pretty warm, sometimes even hot, evenings can suddenly become quite chilly, requiring additional clothing. It is, therefore, advisable to keep a pullover and / or an anorak or jacket handy. A sturdy pair of walking shoes with strong rubber or synthetic soles for grip, thick cotton socks (woolen for late autumn treks or glacier walks) and a good sleeping bag along with an insulated ground pad is essential gear for going on a trek. For trekking across mountain passes or trans-mountain traverses, a waterproof tent has to be provided, besides provisions and cooking equipment. A flashlight with sufficient spare batteries, a sun-hat and a pair of good quality sunglasses with sufficient filter-factor to check the sun's brightness and ultraviolet rays are some of the other requirements.