Trekking- & Cultural Journey: Ladakh, India

• 28 days from and to Delhi • two treks at 4 days each with 2 – max. 6 hrs of trekking/day • 
• easy to medium/challenging • Trekking-trail & open terrain • 
• 6 x overnights in homestays, permanent camps or lodge – rest in hotels of various standards • 
• max. altitude during trekking: 3’800 m (12’450 ft) & 4800 m (15’700 ft) •
• max. altitude during cultural journey: 5’359 m (17’600 ft) •
• Support-team during trekking: Trekking-Guide, Kitchen crew, porters, carriage animals (Pony/Dzo/Dzomo) •

Introduction

Ladakh is surrounded by the world’s most powerful mountain ranges. This remote region is one of the highest inhabited areas on earth with sparsely populated valleys at an average altitude of 3500 m (11’500 ft). A unique highly civilized agrarian culture has developed here with strong influence by the teachings of Buddhism. 

Ladakh has probably with the exception of the Spiti region in Himachal Pradesh the most spectacular scenery of the entire Indian subcontinent.
In addition, the Tibetan cultural heritage in Ladakh has been preserved here with many active monasteries. The deep roots in Buddhism reflect the spirit of the amiable Ladakhi people and expresses itself in their close connection with nature. 

A visit to Ladakh is certainly ideally combined with trekking as it is in the most remote areas and by foot that you will experience the land in the most profound and impressive way. This journey integrates two easier village-treks with all overnights in permanent homes and includes Ladakh’s greatest scenic attractions.

Highlights

• Two village- and mountain-treks of four das each
• Hemis National Park
• The lakes Tsomoriri and Pangdong
• Ladakh 's Buddhist heritage - on request with visits to several monasteries
• Gain deep insight into the life in the country by overnight stays as a house guest in locally run homestays
• Nubra Valley, sand dunes, the villages of Deskit & Hunder
• Village Turtuk on the border between India and Pakistan
• Village Merak on the border between India and China
• The highest motorable pass in the world, Khardung La, 5359 m (17’580 ft)

Popular Itinerary 

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi

Day 2: Delhi city tour. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 3:  Delhi – Leh by flight. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 4:  Visit monasteries in and around Leh Shey Palace, Thiksey, Hemis, Stok Palace & Sindhu Ghat

Day 5 – 8:  4- days trek from the village Liker via Hemis Shukpachan and the passes Maptek La, 3750 (12’300 ft) 
Bongbongcham La , 3800 m (12’400 ft) to Khaltse and continue by vehicle to Lamayuru . Overnight in 
local homestay.

Day 9 – 11:  Explore the area around Dha Hanu, 3300 m and visit different villages as Beeama, Domkhar and 
Skurbuchan . Overnight in local homestay.

Day 12 – 15:  4- days trek from Hemis National Park via the Ganda La Pass, 4800 m (15’700 ft) to the Markha Valley.Overnight in local homestay.

Day 16 - 18:  Discover the Nubra Valley with its authentic villages , monasteries, peculiar landscapes and sand
dunes. Overnight in lodge.

Day 19 – 21:  Day trip to the lake Tsomoriri, 4500 m (14’700 ft), Village Korzok, thermal springs, sulfur-mines and back to Leh via the pass Taklang La, 5270 m (17’290 ft). Overnight in permanent camp or lodge.

Day 22:  Excursion to the campus of the NGO SECMOL (Students Educational Movement of Ladakh). Overnight in hotel.

Day 23 - 25:  Travel via pass Changla, 5300 m (17’390 ft) to see Lake Pangong , 4240 m (13’900 ft); also visit the village Merak located on the border between Tibet (China ) and India. Overnight in permanent camp (from May onwards) or in guesthouse.

Day 26:  Free day in Leh

Day 27:  Return flight Leh - Delhi. Sightseeing of Delhi ‘beyond touristy attractions’.

Day 28:  Delhi. City tour, shopping or rest-day.

Day 29:  Return flight from Delhi International Airport

Best time to visit 

• The months of June to September are ideally suited, with temperatures from + 5° (41° F) to + 29°C (84° F). This is also the most touristy season.
• The month of May is suitable for cultural trips without trekking, Pangong Lake and Nubra region
• Snowfall in most inhabited areas begins in late October and lasts until mid-March
• Whosoever is not impressed by the low temperatures experienced in Ladakh during the months of March, October and November or the winter months will enjoy a calm Ladakh with very little to no tourism

Options

• This trip can be altered to fit your timeframe and your preferences
• For example, you can opt to integrate no or only one trekking 
• We can also integrate a more challenging trekking for you. We have a gigantic selection of trekking and mountain tours in Ladakh. Check our partner agency’s offers for Ladakh Trekking
• Reach Ladakh by road via Srinagar (Kashmir) and Kargil or leave Ladakh via Kashmir by road and/or combine your Ladakh-trip with explorations of Kakshmir
• Reach Ladakh by road via Manali (Himachal Pradesh) and/or combine your Ladakh-trip with explorations within Himachal Pradesh.

Tags: trekking, Ladakh, villages, culture, agriculture mountain farmers, Leh, Kargil, Nubra Valley, Hemis Merak, diverse, cultural journey