Trekking in Ladakh

With its moon-like landscape, pockets of vegetation, and ancient monasteries, Ladakh is a trekker's paradise. Nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, it is known to possess some of the world’s most beautiful and difficult trails. People come from all over the world to go on a Ladakh trip just to view its majestic snow-capped peaks, clear lakes, and rocky outcroppings. 

The Ladakh trekking expedition of Markha Valley takes you to remote villages and gives you a wide view of the Zanskar Range, and you walk upon the frozen Zanskar River on a Chadar Trek. You can set out on the Dzo Jongo Peak Trek which rewards you with views of dramatic glaciers, jagged peaks and winding valleys, while the Stok Kangri Trek is famous for its high peak. Both these treks treat you to views of vast meadows, and high-altitude deserts. 

Along with many others, these treks offer a one-of-a-kind chance to experience the natural beauty of Ladakh. Trekking in Leh Ladakh is an adventure activity that lets you cross high mountain passes and frozen rivers, and camp out under the stars. 

Ladakh effortlessly captivates trekkers seeking unmatched experiences amid the beauty of nature, making it the premier trekking destination. Thus, you can experience the thrill of trekking in Ladakh Himalaya by immersing yourself in the pristine wilderness of the “Land of High Passes”.

Ladakh Trekking

1.Chadar Trek: The 62-kilometre Chadar trek takes to an elevation of 11,100 feet and is a difficult one to complete. The unique feature of this walk is that the trekkers need to walk upon the Zanskar River which freezes into an enormous ice sheet during winter. You walk on this trail that is generally used by the locals while soaking in the breathtaking views of spectacular ice formations like the towering icicles and dazzling ice caves. This 6-9 day trekking in Ladakh is an exhilarating experience that may challenge your stamina and test your limits to the brim. 

Altitude: 11,123 ft.

Duration: 9 Days

Best Season: Mid January to February End

Difficulty Level: Difficult

2.Snow Leopard Trek Ladakh: The Snow Leopard trekking in Ladakh takes you to over 4400 metres above sea level. This is a moderately difficult trek that lasts for 7–10 days. You follow knowledgeable guides into the wild to look for snow leopards, which are hard to spot. The trek also treats you to some beautiful views of snow-capped Himalayan mountains and rare animals like Himalayan ibex and Tibetan Argali. 

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3.Stok Kangri Trek: The 40-kilometre Stok Kangri trekking in Ladakh ascends to elevations of about 6152 metres. It usually takes between 8 and 10 days to finish. The high altitude and challenging trails make this trek difficult. You need to be in good shape and be used to trekking in higher elevations to be confident on this trek. When you reach the top of Stok Kangri, you'll be rewarded with stunning views of the Zanskar and Karakoram ranges.

Altitude: 20080 ft.

Duration: 9 Day

Best Season: Mid July to Mid September

Difficulty Level: Difficult

4.Parang La Trek:The 125-kilometre Parang La trek takes you through the pristine scenery of the Spiti Valley and the western Changthang plateau. These plateaus is located in the Zanskar and trans-Himalayan range of mountains. The trek is a difficult one as it climbs to altitudes exceeding 5,500 meters, and it usually lasts for about 8-10 days. You must be in good shape and know how to handle mountain sickness to complete this adventure. On this trek, you will also get to see beautiful landscapes, clear streams, diverse flora and fauna. and small villages amidst magnificent surroundings.

5.Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh: Discover the frigid desert of Ladakh in the Hemis National Park on the Markha Valley Trek. It's a moderately difficult trek that includes crossing ice-cold rivers and crossing high passes at 17,060 feet. Along the route, you'll come across steep canyons, a variety of wildlife, and also Mt. Kang Yatse. It takes about 6-7 days to the top. The trek starts at 10,490ft at Chilling, and it truly tests your fitness as well as stamina.

Altitude: 17,060 ft.

Duration: 9 Days

Best Season: June to September

Difficulty level: Moderate

6.Kang Yatse Trek With Markha Valley, Ladakh: The Kang Yatse Trek with Markha Valley reaches heights of over 6,000 meters. It usually takes about 10-12 days to complete. This route of trekking in Ladakh is considered difficult due to the high altitude and steep climbs. Trekkers need to be physically fit and properly acclimatized before undertaking this journey. Along the way, you'll pass through the wildflower-filled pastures of Nimling and Thactungtse. Moreover, you will also pass through the refreshing lakes of Tigu, and the mysterious Mani stones that make for a rewarding experience.

Altitude: 20,341 ft.

Duration: 13 Days

Best Season: July to September

Difficulty Level: Difficult

7.Lamayuru To Chilling Trek, Ladakh: The 63-kilometer Lamayuru to Chilling Trek reaches a maximum elevation of roughly 4950 metres. It's a fairly difficult walk that goes through orchards of apricots and apples, barley fields, and high mountain passes. The trail goes over three passes of Kongskil La Prinkti La, and Dung Dung Chan La from where you can see the Stok and Karakoram ranges. This trek takes 5 to 6 days to finish and requires some amount of technical skills to complete as well. 

8.Sham Valley Trek: The Sham Valley trek is also called the “baby trek” given the easy level of the route. The highest elevation you reach on this 27-kilometer trek is about 3874 meters. It is a short 3-day trek and is perfect for families and beginners. This picturesque route of trekking in Ladakh takes you through the lower ranges of the region. It treats you to views of Alchi monastery, Yangthang village, and willows and barley fields. 

9.Ripchar Valley Trek: Set out on the 8-day-long Ripchar Valley trekking in Ladakh, starting from Lamayuru and traversing through the less-travelled Ripchar Valley. Explore small villages, nomadic settlements, and lush pastures adorned with diverse flowers and birds. The ideal time to go for this trek is from July to August. You can encounter breathtaking views of the Karakorams and Zanskar ranges while crossing high passes. With a highest altitude of 4300m and a moderate difficulty level, this trek promises a memorable adventure.

10.Padum to Darcha Trek: The thrilling 16-kilometre Darcha Padum trek takes you across the breathtaking Zanskar valley. You'll see vast moonscapes, meadows, and flowing rivers as you travel through remote towns, desert regions, and old monasteries. The trek takes around 9 days to complete and goes up to a height of 5090 metres. Though a difficult trek, it gives you the opportunity to see historical places like the architecturally stunning Phuktal Monastery as well.

11.Lamayuru to Alchi Trek: In Ladakh, you can trek from Lamayuru to Alchi within a period of 5-6 days, and see beautiful towns and landscapes along the way. Prepare yourself for two days of difficult mountain pass crossings and the rest of the trail can be relatively easier. Highlights include seeing the gompas (monasteries) at Alchi, Lamayuru, and Sumda Choon. This 71-kilometer walk, which reaches a maximum elevation of 5153 meters, is graded as a difficult one.

12.Nubra valley trek from Phyang to Hunder:The 59-kilometre Nubra Valley Trek from Phyang to Hunder in Ladakh, reaches altitudes up to 5,000 meters. This walk traces the path of an old Silk Road trading route that linked the valleys of Indus and Nubra. It usually takes about 6-8 days to complete. It is a moderately difficult trek, and suitable for trekkers with some experience. You will be mesmerized by the the breathtaking views from Lasermo La's high pass, and the magnificent valley of Hunder Dok en route.