Trekking Trips in Ladakh India

Ladakh is like Tibet used to be. This is a new adventure for us -- a trekking adventure, not a paddling adventure -- in which we hike high in the mountains between the Himalayas and the Karakoram. Ladakh is a safe, peaceful area located in the far northeastern part of the Indian state of Kashmir, just south of the border with Tibet. The Ladakhis are mostly Buddhists who still honor their prayer walls of ancient stone, prayer banners and flags, and remote monasteries, found even on the high mountain passes. Many Ladakhis are still herders, nomads, farmers, and priests, but there are also internet cafes and excellent restaurants in Leh.

We’ll start the trip in Delhi, seeing the old bazaars, Mughal and Hindu palaces, mosques, and temples, and "new India's" modern skyscrapers. We'll then fly to Leh. Leh is a charming small city of weathered stone walls and houses, clean streets, winding cobblestone alleys and walkways, monasteries, temples, tiny antique shops, tea shops, shawl shops, internet cafes and good restaurants and hotels. In Leh, we’ll watch the procession that opens the “Ladakh festival.” In this procession, villagers, priests, and tribal groups march through the city in costume before performing at a local arena. The Dalai Lama is much revered in Leh, and he has a favorite residence there.

After leaving Leh, we will trek along the Markha Valley on a well-known serious trekking trail that crosses several high passes and skirts gorgeous mountains. We are accompanied by cook, crew, horsemen, and ponies. The staff sets up the tents and latrines, and the cook makes superb Indian, Tibetan and Western food. Along the trail, the local valley women offer tea, snacks and crafts in round tea tents. Atop some of the nearby crags we see the ruins of 9th century Buddhist castles. We also meet local villagers and nomads, and we visit Buddhist monasteries. On the passes, among the high windy mountains, we offer prayer flags.

The Markha valley trail begins from Jingchen located deep inside the valley and crosses several remote picturesque villages with two passes en route - Ganda La (4920 M) and Kongmaru la (5150 M). At Shang village, we reach the ending point of our trek, return to Leh and fly back to Delhi to return home.