Trekking in Ladakh

Trekking in Ladakh is a dreamlike experience that you should try once in a lifetime. Nestled in the northernmost region of India, Ladakh is blessed with the unmatched beauty of beautiful landscapes, rugged terrains, blue lakes, clear rivers, and majestic Himalayan peaks.

Also known as the “Land of High Passes”, the Himalayan region of Ladakh Tourism offers infinite adventure opportunities such as trekking in Ladakh. As Ladakh has steep, rough roads, and high passes, it has various trekking options that vary in difficulty levels and duration. These treks are short and long and can be completed in three days or may take a week or two weeks.

You can book your Ladakh package and experience trekking at various attractions such as Chadar Trek, Markha Valley Trek, Nubra to Hunder Trek, Sham Valley Trek, and many more.

Trekking in Ladakh offers a challenging trek along with the thrill of exploring all places by foot. The Ladakh trekking packages includes pick drop, local guides, accommodations, trekking costs, and permissions which makes your trek easier and more enjoyable.

The best season for trekking in Ladakh is summer from May to October. In winter, you can go to the Chadar Trek on the frozen Zanskar River and the Snow Leopard Trek.

Top 8 Places To Explore Trekking in Ladakh

Explore the beauty of Ladakh with these amazing trekking places which are described below

Markha Valley Trek

The Markha Valley trek is an awesome trip that takes you to some amazing landscapes. It is one of the best trekking in Ladakh which is situated close to Markhar River and lies between Ladakh and Zanskar. The trek allows you to experience the beauty of landscapes, lush green valleys, mighty snow-covered peaks, and the mesmerizing views of Stok Kangri, and Kang Yatse. This trek is a haven for nature lovers who will enjoy here diverse wildlife and unique flora.

Markha Valley trek takes about 6 to 8 days to complete. Markha Valley can be visited via two routes: from Spituk and Chilling. The trek starting from Spituk is the longest one crossing through two passes Ganda La (4961m) and Kongmaru La (5260 m), before reaching Hemis National Park which is the end point of this trek. The best time for this trek is mid-May to the beginning of October.

Nubra Valley Trek from Phyang to Hunder

Nubra Valley Trek is the most extraordinary trek that takes you along the breathtaking and unseen landscapes of Ladakh. The trek from Phyang to Hunder traverses through Indus Valley to Nubra Valley and crosses the highest point Lasermo La Pass (5438 m) which is covered with ice and snow in summer. This 5-day trek is an opportunity to deeply connect with the history, culture, and raw beauty of Ladakh.

The best time for a trek in Nubra Valley is from mid-July to the end of September.

Rumtse to Tso Moriri Trek

 Rumtse TsoMoriri Trek is the most thrilling trek and one of the most beautiful and wild Trekking in Ladakh. The Trek begins at Rumtse village which leads you to lush green valleys, crystal clear lakes, and towering mountain passes. This trek will also take you to the Tso Kar and Tso Moriri lakes.

The Trek also includes crossing the most challenging high-altitude passes like Kyamar La which is at 4500 meters and Mandalchan La pass. On your trekking route, you will find a variety of Himalayan flora and fauna which include wildflowers, snow leopards, and marmots. You can enjoy this 7-day trek from mid-June to the beginning of October.

Sham Valley Trek

 The Sham Valley Trek is often called as ‘Baby Trek’ or “Ladakh’s Apricot Valley” and is one of the easy treks offering picturesque views of the landscapes of Ladakh. This short trek of 4000 meters is completed in 2 or 3 days and is suitable for beginners, especially kids. This trek passes through the villages of Likir, scenic apricot orchards, lush green valleys, and picturesque villages. You can also visit some ancient and famous monasteries of Ladakh such as Likir, Rizong, Temisgam, Basgo, and Alchi during and after this trek. This trek can be experienced all around the year.

Lamayuru to Alchi

 This 5-day trek begins at the oldest monastery of Ladakh and ends at Alchi monastery. During the trek, you will pass through Urshi, Wanla, and Tar La offering amazing sights. The Trek will take you to villages and monasteries which will let you fully immerse in the culture of the region. The Lamayuru trek is marked by two difficult passes, one is Kongskil La (4948 m) and the other is Stakspi La (5153 m) which offers mesmerizing scenes of mountains. The best time for this trek is from mid-June to the beginning of October.

Zanskar Trek from Padum to Lamayuru

It is a 10-day trek from Padum to Lamayuru and is one of the best treks in Zanskar. On this trek, you will explore the remote village of Zanskar, old monasteries, small hamlets, and stunning landscapes of the Zanskar range. At the start of the trek, you can discover the isolated monastery of Ladakh, Phuktal Monastery. This trek has three passes which include Hanuma La (4724 m), Singge La (5009 m), and Sir Sir La (4832 m). This trek can be enjoyed from mid-June to the beginning of October.

Snow Leopard Trek

The Snow Leopard Trek is one of the most popular Trekking in Ladakh which offers an opportunity to see one of the most dangerous predators-the snow leopard. You can do this trek in February and March at Hemis National Park. This place is located in eastern Ladakh at an elevation of about 3000 meters.

During the trek, you can also discover rare and endangered species such as snow leopards, Tibetan Wolves, Shapo, blue sheep, Asiatic Ibex, Marmot, and Antelope. You can also enjoy birdwatching of various species which include Snow Cock, Horned Lark, Snow Patridge, and Red Billed chuff. Due to the presence of diverse wildlife, this region is a favorite place for adventure and animal lovers.

Chadar – The Frozen River Trek

 The Chadar Trek is one of the most difficult treks in India offering a challenging experience in the Himalayas. The trek starts at Zanskar River which gets frozen in winter due to a minus temperature of -25 to -30 degrees Celsius. This ten-day-long trek offers adorable views of snow-covered mountains and Himalayas. You can enjoy the trek in January and February.