Adventure Tours

Ladakh offers many options of adventure tourism amidst landscape of breathtaking natural beauty. The most popular adventure activity is trekking for which the possibilities range from short and soft treks of 2-3 days duration, to long trans-mountain traverses involving weeks of walking and camping in the wilderness. It is also possible to include short climbing asides during the course of certain treks. Below we offer some popular trekking programs, ranging from short & soft ones for families, to longer and tougher programs for die-hard adventure enthusiast:

Day - 1: Likir - Yangthang : 4 to 5 hours

In the morning drive to Likir village (58 kms. from Leh) from where the trek begins. The first day's trek leads across the Phobe La (3580m), to the village of Sumdo. From here walk steadily upwards to Chagatse La pass (3630 m) and then descend to the village of Yangthang (3630m) to camp near the stream. At an hour's walk from here is Ridzong, a major Geluk-pa monastery well worth a visit during the next day's trek.

Day - 2: Yangthang - Tsermangchen la (3750m) -Hemis Shukpachen : 2-3 hours

From Yangthang, the trail leads northwards, enroute crossing a stream before climbing to the Tsermangchen La. Walk down from the pass to the pretty village of Hemis Shukpachan, so named after the grove of cedars here (rather unusual for  Ladakh). Camp overnight near the streams surrounded by shady willows.

Day- 3: Hemis Shukpachen - Mebtak La (3750m) -Ang : 3 hours

This trek is fairly easy to begin with, leading upwards between two hillocks but climbs steeply to the Mebtak La pass which is marked by prayer flags. From the pass walk down a gorge to approach the charming village of Ang. Camp here for the night.

Day- 4 : Ang to Temisgam and Nurla: 3 hours

The last day's trek is very easy as it is downhill all the way ending at the main road to Temisgam. Here transport will be waiting for the journey to the highway at Nurla and on to Leh.

Day -1:  Leh-Spituk-Zingchen:

After breakfast drive to Spituk Bridge (7 kms.), cross over to the left bank of the Indus and follow a rough road running along the foothills of the Stok Khangri range and on through a gorge which leads all the way to Zingchen. Camp near the village for the night.

Day-2: Zingchen -Rumbak (3900 M): 4-5 hours

Leaving Zingchen, the trail enters the Hemis National Park (home of Ladakhs' rare wildlife including the Snow leopard, among other species). Start climbing gradually to village of Rumbak, through a gorge from which the Stok Khangri can be viewed every now and then. Rumbak is famous as the hub for the study of Himalayan Snow Leopard.  Camp overnight at Rumbak.

Day -3: Rumbak-Stok La (4900 m) -Mankarmo (4200 m): 5 -6 hours

The walk up to base of Stok-la (4900 m) is fairly gradual to start with but gets steeper as the pass approaches. This trek presents great views of the Indus valley and the colorful rock formations of the Stok-la. From the top of the pass, the trail follows the mountainside downhill till Mankarmo (summer pasture of Stok village marked by stone huts) is reached. Camp here overnighs.

Day- 4: Mankarmo-Stok - Leh

Today's trek is quite easy as it involves walking downhill all the way through a narrow valley filled with willows and rosebush here and there. At Stok, transport will be waiting for the short drive to Leh. Overnight in hotel.

Option: Climbing Stok Khangri Peak (6150 M)

This trek can be combined with a short climbing trip of Stok Khangri as per following itinerary:

Day-4: Trek Mankarmo - Stok Kangri Base Camp (4975m): 3 to 4 hrs.

Follow the busy trail up to the Stok Kangri base camp. It's a short day of trekking with gradual ascent to the campsite. The base camp is on a big meadow and is usually full of climbers from all parts of the world. Overnight in camp.

Day -5: Move to the High Camp (5315m):  2 hrs.

Spend the first half of the day relaxing and recuperating before the big climb. Post lunch move camp to a small campsite just before the glacier. Overnight in camp.

Day 6: Stok Kangri Summit (6150m) - back to Base camp: .9 - 10 hrs

Start the trek very early in the morning (well before daybreak), crossing the glacier before starting the actual climbing of the peak, which is quite steep to the ridge. A couple of hours of scrambling on the ridge brings us to the summit of the Stok Kangri. The top of the peak offers wide open views of the Karakoram Range on the north and the Zanskar ranges on the south. Overnight in camp.

Day -7: Mankarmo-Stok - Leh

Today's trek is quite easy as it involves walking downhill all the way through a narrow valley filled with willows and rosebush here and there. At Stok, transport will be waiting for the short drive to Leh. Overnight in hotel.

Day-1: Leh -Lamayuru (by vehicle): 

In the morning drive to Lamayuru (127 kms), enroute visiting the 15^th century Likir Monastery and then the 11^th century Alchi Choskor, oldest surviving monastic heritage of Ladakh. At Lamayuru check-in at your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to explore Lamayuru village and its famous monastery.

Day-4: Lamayuru - Wanla: 3-4 hours

After breakfast, set off on the day's trek. The trail follows a steam for some distance and then climbs to the small pass of Prinkiti La (3750m). The decent to the small village of Shila is gradual and downhill. From here it's a short distance to Wanla (3250m) where we set up camp near the village. Spend the afternoon exploring the village and the ancient monastery of Wanla.

Day-5: Wanla - Tar La Base (4200 mtrs.): 8 hours

From Wanla, it's a long day of trekking along a dusty trail leading first to Phanjila (3410 M) and then Ursi village before reaching the base of Tar La.  Overnight in tents here.

Day-6: Tar La Base -Tar La (5250 m)- Tar village: About 7 hours

The trail is well marked though difficult, with several ups and downs before ascending Tar La. The way down to Tar village is over boulders and needs to be carefully negotiated. Overnight in camp at Tar village.

Day-7: Tar - Mang Gyu 5 hrs

The trek from Tar to Mangyu follows the mountainside to cross a small pass before descending to the village. Mangyu was the seat of one of the oldest Buddhist monasteries of Rinchen Zangpo's period, now a heap of ruins. Camp near the village.

Day-8: Mang Gyu - Alchi - Leh 2 hrs

The trail follows a narrow valley and takes about two hours to cross into the Indus valley at Gera village. From here follow the left bank hillside to reach Alchi where transport will be waiting for the 2-hour drive to Leh.

Day-1: Leh-Lamayuru (by vehicle): 

In the morning drive to Lamayuru (127 kms), enroute visiting the 15^th century Likir Monastery and then the 11^th century Alchi Choskor, oldest surviving monastic heritage of Ladakh. At Lamayuru check-in at your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to explore Lamayuru village and its famous monastery.

Day- 2: Lamayuru-Wanla: 3-4 hours

After breakfast, set off on the day's trek. The trail follows a steam for some distance and then climbs to the small pass of Prinkiti La (3750m). The decent to the small village of Shila is gradual and downhill. From here it's a short distance to Wanla (3250m) where we set up camp near the village. Spend the afternoon exploring the village and the ancient monastery of Wanla.

.Day-3: Wanla -Hinju (3720 m): 4-5 hours

Follow a dusty road to the small village of Phanjila (3410 m) and thence the scattered village of Ursi. From here walk through a narrow gorge till a water mill is reached at the far end of the village, thence trek through the village of Hinju (3720 m) and proceed to the campsite near at a Doksa or herder's camp.

Day-5: Hinju -Sumda Doksa (4430 m): about 6 hours

Follow the ascending trail to the ridge below Kongski-la (4950m), where you might spot some rare wild life of Ladakh. From here begins the gradual ascent to the Kongski- La top, which surrounded by magnificent views of mountains ranges. The descent from the pass is quite steep with loose moraine causing difficulty in walking before taking the left side of valley floor, to reach the campsite at Sumda Doksa.

Day-6: Sumda Doksa - Dung Dung Chan la base (4430 m): 4-5 hours

After a short walk and some river crossings we reach the village of Sumda Chenmo. From here we follow the left side of the valley before cutting through thickets of wild rose bushes to another river crossing before negotiating a steep ascent over Lanak, the campsite, which commands great views of the mountains range.

Day-7: Dung Dung Chan La base - Chiling (3550 m): 5 hours

Today's trek mainly involves a straight climb to Dung-dung Chan La top (4820m), providing grand views of the Stok Range and the Zanskar Range. The descent is gradual along a ridge toward the continually narrowing valley before reaching the village of Chiling, famous for the tradition of a variety of metalwork which are supplied to the Leh markets.  Transport will be waiting at Chilling for the 3-hour drive to Leh.

Day -1:  Leh-Spituk-Zingchen:

After breakfast drive to Spituk Bridge (7 kms.), cross over to the left bank of the Indus and follow a rough road running along the foothills of the Stok Khangri range and on through a gorge which leads all the way to Zingchen. Camp near the village for the night.

Day-2:  Zingchen -Rumbak- Yurutse (3900 M): 4-5 hours:

 Leaving Zingchen, the trail enters the Hemis National Park (home of Ladakh's rare wildlife including the Snow leopard, among other species). Walk through a narrow valley for some distance which then widens nearing Rumbak. Follow the Rumbak stream to Yurutse village at the foot of the Gandala pass, and set up camp for the night.

Day -3:  Yurutse - Skiu (3100 M) Via Ganda La: 6-7 hours:

The trail from Yurutse onwards is gradual at first but gets steeper towards the Ganda-la pass (4900 mtrs.). The descent from the pass is long and winding all the way to Shingo, from where the trail follows a narrow gorge leading to Skiu village where the Shingo & Markha rivers meet.  Overnight in camp at Skiu.

Day-4: Skiu - Markha (3800 M): 7-8 hours:

 From Skiu, follow a good path along the right bank of Markha River amidst lush shrubbery. Then cross over to the right bank of river and walk through barren plain to arrive at Chaluk, from where the left bank of the river is to be followed till the ascent to Markha village. Overnight in camp near the village.

Day -5:  Markha to Thachungtse: 5-6 hours:

From Markha onwards the landscape changes and gets colder and more barren, the villages poorer and simpler.  Along the way, the river has to be forded several times as there are no bridges in this area. Hankar, en route, is the highest village in the Markha valley. Walking past this village, arrive at Thachungtse and set up camp for the night stay.

Day -6: Thachungtse - Nimaling (4900 M): 4-5 hours

Today's trek starts on a good path with several small inclines and a series of grassy ridges. A series of mani walls and chortens are found en route to Nimaling, a sweeping pasture rising to Kangyze peak, where thousands of sheep, goats, yaks etc. graze during the summer months. This is one of the most beautiful mountain valleys of Ladakh and is dominated by the Kangyaze peak. Overnight in camp at Nimaling.

Option: It will be worthwhile to spend a, extra day  in the region to explore the valley and even climb upto the base camp of Kangyze peak.

Day -7: Nimaling to Shang Sumdo: 6-7 hours.

 After breakfast start trekking through narrow gorges and climb up to Kongmaru La (5100 M). From the top of the pass, grand views of the Ladakh range and the Indus valley villages can be had. Walk across the pass and descend to Shang Sumdo. Overnight in tented camp.

Day -8:  Shang Sumdo to Leh via Hemis: 6 hours

Walk along the stream down to the Hemis monastery where transport will be waiting for the drive to Leh. Overnight in the hotel.

Day-1: Leh -Lamayuru: By vehicle.

In the morning drive to Lamayuru (127 kms), enroute visiting the 15^th century Likir Monastery and then the 11^th century Alchi Choskor, oldest surviving monastic heritage of Ladakh. At Lamayuru check-in at your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to explore Lamayuru village and its famous monastery.

Day- 2: Lamayuru - Wanla (3-4 hrs) 

After breakfast, set off on the day's trek. The trail follows a steam for some distance and then climbs to the small pass of Prinkiti La (3750m). The decent to the small village of Shila is gradual and downhill. From here it's a short distance to Wanla (3250m) where we set up camp near the village. Spend the afternoon exploring the village and the ancient monastery of Wanla.

Day -3: Wanla -Hanupatta (3760 m): 6 hours

The trek towards Phanjila (3410 m) is easy and leads into a beautiful valley.  From here the trail descends to a small pass beyond which the valley narrows down, with the mountain sides towering above and the Zanskar River flowing deep below through the gorge.  Camping is by the river bank, just after the village of Hanupatta.

Day-4: Hanupatta - Sirsir La (4850 m) -Photoskar: 6 -7 hours

The trail follows the course of the river through a wide valley for some distance before it crosses over to begin the long but gradual ascent to Sirsir La (4850m) from where panoramic views of the Zanskar range and Singge La can be had. Walk down for another about 2 hours to reach Photoskar village (4200m), which nestle along the cliff of mountains, surrounded by the green cultivated fields. From here, the trail running through the deep gorge leads to Sumdo, where we camp for the night.

Day-7: Photoskar - Singge La (5090 m) - Singge La Base: 7-8 hours

Today's trek starts with the crossing of the small Bumiktse La pass (4200), before entering the broad Photang valley. A gentle trail leads through this beautiful landscape, where villagers graze their livestock. The best feature of the Lamayuru-Padum trek is the changing landscape at almost every corner or across every ridge or passes. The Zanskar River provides a lively backdrop to the landscape as it passes through the deep gorges or meanders through the green cultivated valleys. The ascent towards the Sengge La is long though gradual, the last stretch being the steepest.  From the pass it is an easy walk down to the campsite at its southern base.

Day-8: Singge La Base -Lingshed : 5 hours

The trail ahead runs  high above the course of the Zanskar river before descending steeply from the Kiupa La (4400 m) to the village of Gongma and Skiumpata. From here it gently climbs up to the Margum La (4400m), from where the village of Lingshed is at an hour's walk. The campsite is near Lingshed monastery, which is a major Gelugpa seminary with about 60 lamas on its rolls. Lingshed is a well spread major village of the region.

Day-9: Lingshed - Haluma La (4950 m)- Snertse: 8 hours

The long walk to the base of Haluma-la begins through Lingshed village.  From here begins the steep zigzagging ascent to the top of the pass. The descending trail is gentle before entering a dramatic and rocky gorge which soon flattens out and the trail follows the riverbed covered with rosebushes. Just before Snertse, the campsite, the route passes through a Doksa, or herders' camp where it's possible to get fresh cheese, milk and curd. After setting up camp, it will be a good idea to explore the valley for wildlife viewing or fossils hunting.

Day-10: Snertse - Purfi La (3950 m)- Hanamur : 5 hours

From Snertse follow a gentle climb up to a ridge from where one can view the Parfi-la upwards and the Omachu River valley downwards.  The trail follows down to the riverbed, crosses the bridge and begins the zigzagging ascent of the Parfi La. This area is rich in wild life and one might glimpse the Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan blue sheep and other rare wildlife species. The descent from the pass follows the bank of the Zanskar River, leading all the way to the beautiful campsite at Hanamur (3380 m) for camping overnight.

Day-11: Hanamur -Pidmo - Pishu : 4-5 hours

From Hanamur it's an easy walk on plain and barren ground along the the Zanskar River to Pishu (3470m), passing the small village of Pidmo (3420m) en-route. Just across Pishu is Zangla (capital of a former tiny kingdom). Camp can be set up near a spring by the village.

Day-12: Pishu - Rinam- Karsha: 4-5 hours

From Pishu the route follows the course of the Zanskar and ascends to Rinam village (3550 m). From Rinam, it's easy walking on well defined path running along gentle hillside to approach Karsha (3600 m), seat of the largest monastery of Zanskar, with about 150 Geluk-pa monks on roll.  A visit to  the Karsha monastery is an important component of this itinerary. Overnight in camp or guest house.

Day-13: Karsha - Padum (3531m): 2hrs

From Karsha, one can cross over to Padum, capital of Zanskar Sub-Division, by the bridge on the Doda river. Padum is a  major hub of tourist activities and has facilities such as hotels, fixed camps, guest houses etc. Overnight in fixed camp or hotel.

Day 14: Padum - Kargil (240 kms)

It is a 10-hour drive through stunning mountain scenery, passing through the Penzila pass (4400 M), Rangdum and the Suru Valley to reach Kargil in the evening.  On the way, one can view the Drang-drung glacier near Penzila, have lunch in picturesque surroundings in the Suru valley and view the spectacular Nun - Kun massif from the village of Thangbu, about 12 kms ahead of Panikhar.  Overnight in hotel at Kargil.

Day 15: Kargil -Leh (234 kms)

After early breakfast, drive to Leh reaching in the late afternoon / evening. En-route some sightseeing sites such as  Bazgo castle,  Gurudwara Pathar sahib, Spituk monastery etc. can be visited, time permitting.

Day-16: Departure transfer to the airport for taking the flight out of Leh.