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Trekking
Ladakh the land of high passes, snow clad mountains, azure blue lakes is among the world’s highest inhabited plateaus. Trekking in Ladakh offers a vast diversity with its unique landscape and exquisite culture, from the green oasis of the hidden Valleys and Plateaus with abundance of wildlife, nomads, wetlands, pastureland, fresh water springs, streams, and the famous lakes such as Tsomoriri, Tsokar & The Pangong. Culturally you will come across the remote villages and ancient monasteries of Ladakh and Zanskar, which are ideal ground for pilgrimage journeys, and these are the age-old pillars of Tibetan Buddhism.
Sham Valley
An easy trek that will lead you through some beautiful villages of Ladakh and to famous Tibetan monasteries like Lamayuru, Spituk, Likir and Alchi, Sham Valley trek is the portal to bond better with Ladakh.
Sham Valley is also known as Apricot Valley because of the Apricot orchards dotting this region. Also named as ‘Baby Trek’, the trekking route for this trek stretches about 30kms from Likir to Temisgam.
The trek also gives the opportunity to interact with the village people who are still in touch with their traditions. The plethora of natural beauty and the tranquility has the capability to rejuvenate. The trek begins from Likir and passes through Yangthang via Chagatse La (3630m), Phobe La (3580m), Hemis Shukpachan via Tsermangchan La (3750m), Ang village via Mebtak La and Nurla before concluding at Leh.
Duration: 5 to 7 Days
Best Time: May to October
Nimaling Plateau
Beginning from the sacred Hemis monastery, the Nimaling Plateau trek is one of the best trekking routes in Ladakh. Crossing through Shang and passing through Kongmaru La and many hidden villages of Ladakh, one finally reaches Nimaling Plateau. The high pasture land is famed as a shelter for the nomadic tribes of Ladakh, who often bring their cattle (Yak and Pashmina goat) to graze in this area.
A flower-strewn trail in the month of August and September enhancing the beauty of the place is what you can expect here.
Nimaling also is the perfect sight for camping and learning about the challenging life of Ladakh. The journey is a bit strenuous but offers immense excitement and gorgeous landscape views.
Duration: 8 to 10 Days
Best Time: June to October
Indus Valley
Reckoned to be one of the easiest treks in Ladakh, the Indus Valley Trek is apt for beginner level trekkers. Trekking along the Indus Valley trail, one is likely to traverse through the beautiful Sham Valley and its villages, high mountain pass like Phobe-La and through a number of Tibetan Gompas like Likir, Thiksey and Alchi. The dramatic change in the landscape is what excites the trekkers here the most; while on one side you can see snow-clad mountains and ground, on the other side lush greenery will catch your attention.
The trekking trail covers areas of Leh, Skardu and a barren desert. The trek is flagged off from Likir and passes through Yangthang, Ang Village via Sermanchan La (3750m) and Lago La (3750m). The trek then further moves to the camping site at Wanla, which can be reached by crossing through Temisgang, Bongbong La and Khaltse. From Wanla the trekking trail moves to Prinkit La and then after crossing several streams reaches Lamayuru.
Duration: 8 to 10 Days
Best Time: Mid-June to October
Markha Valley
One of the most fascinating alpine treks in Ladakh, Markha Valley Trek will make you fall in love with Ladakh. Also known as the ‘Tea House Trek’, where parachute camping is available en route, this trek offers an opportunity to trek through the striking cold desert valley.  The majestic view of the Kang Yatse peak and Stok Kangri peaks, the visit to rocky canyons and to Buddhist villages are the highlights of the trek.
The trekking trail is a zesty experience as it allows one to cross through waist-deep water and traversing beautiful places like Spituk, Zingchen, Skiu via high pass Gandala (4,800 m).
Markha Valley is a demanding trek that requires skill and stamina to accomplish it. The scenic views are the reward for this exotic trek.
Duration: 11 Days
Best Time: June to October
Nubra Valley (Phyang to Hunder)
An exhilarating trek to the most remote regions of the Himalayan belt sounds nothing short of an adventure. Nubra Valley Trek draws trekkers from all around the world to explore something unusual. The trekking trail follows the Indus Valley and then moves towards Zanskar Valley.
In order to accomplish Nubra Valley Trek one has to face challenging climate, dramatically changing topography that on one side has narrow graveled roads and on the other side is blessed with wide open grounds and high altitude mountain passes.
The cold desert of Hunder, and the splendidly beautiful Diskit village and monastery are the major attractions of this trek. The trek begins from Sabu Village and then covers the high altitude Digar La pass (6000m) to reach Digar Village. Further moving along the river Shyok, the trekking trail continues towards Agyam Village and Khalsar Village. Descending to Diskit village via Sumur, the trek comes to an end.
Duration: 10 to 12 Days
Best Time: June and Late September
Ripchar Valley
Offering splendid views of the two parallel ranges namely Zanskar and Karakoram, Ripchar Valley is an interesting trek. The jaw-dropping landscape with unusual rock formation, flower-strewn trails, barley and potato fields and grassy open spaces make it a popular trek amongst adventure lovers.
The trek begins from the campsite at Hinju and then traverses through Sumdo Chenmo via Prinkiti La, Lanak, Sumda Valley and runs along Sumda Chu to reach Chilling Village by crossing Dungduchun La.
Duration: 5 Days
Best Time: July to September
Lamayuru to Alchi
Taking you to two of the most ancient monasteries that date back to the 11th century, the Lamayuru to Alchi Trek is an ideal way for a spiritual tour in Ladakh.
The trail covers the beautiful valley of Wanla and Sumdochoon and many high mountain passes like Penji La and Prinkiti La and a number of rivulets and streams. The trekking route of Lamayuru Alchi trek begins from Lamayuru and passes through Prinkti La (3750m), Shilla, Wanla, Base of Tar La, Tar, Man Gyu and then finally leads to Alchi.
The trek gives ample of opportunityto witness and contemplate the culture and scenic beauty of Ladakh.
Duration: 9 Days
Best Time: July to October
Rupshu Valley
Known for offering scenic panorama, Rupshu Valley Trek is something that gives one goose bumps. Starting from Hemis (40kms from Leh), the trekking route for Rupshu Valley is a moderate one with a number of scenic encounters and few tough climbs.  Inhabited by people of the nomadic community (Chang-pa tribe), the trek offers opportunity to see some of the remote inhabited areas in India.
Different colourMountains, Lake Tsomoriri, lofty passes and the cold desert area are the major attractions of Rupshu Valley trek.
The trekking trail starts from Rumtse and passes through Kyamar, Tisaling, Pangunagu, Nuruchan, Rachung Karu, Gyama Lhoma and Korzok.
Duration: 10 to 12 Days
Best Time: June to October
Kharnak
Also called the Kharnak nomad trek, it suggests that this particular expedition gives you the opportunity to meet some nomadic tribes of Ladakh who often move together with their yaks.
The trek starts from Shang and the trail crosses through high pasture land of Nimaling to Zalung Karpo La and then further proceeds to Changthang Plateau, which is the hub of a number of nomadic tribes.
Walking towards Puga Valley one can witness campsites of the nomadic tribes that differ in customs and traditions with each other. This trek will help you understand the challenging life in Ladakh.
Duration: 16 Days
Best Time: May to September
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