India: Trekking in Ladakh

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your trekking adventure kicks off in Delhi – the capital territory of India’s north. Meet your trip leader and new travel buddies at a 6 pm welcome meeting tonight. If you arrive early, there's plenty to do in this wonderfully chaotic city. Maybe wander the streets, sip on your first chai or practice haggling in one of the many markets. Tonight, ask your leader for the best nightlife spots and maybe grab a drink with your group.

Take a flight to Leh this morning – the joint capital of Ladakh, in the Himalayan region, sits framed by the towering peaks of the mountains. When you arrive at the airport, transfer to your hotel, then the rest of your day is free. It might be a good idea to take is easy today as you acclimatise to the altitude (Leh sits at 3500 m above sea level). This afternoon, head out for a gentle orientation walk around the city and its bazaars.

Today after breakfast, you’ll explore Leh’s gorgeous scenery and main sites with your leader. First, head to the Shey Monastery and Palace – this complex, sitting on a high hill, is best known for the one-of-a-kind three-storey statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. Next, you’ll visit the Thiksey Monastery. Also resting on a hill, this site overlooks the Indus Valley with a full view of the Stok Range in the Himalayas. Directly across, you’ll see the Matho Monastery in the village of Matho. Sitting at the mouth of a deep gorge that runs out of the Zanskar Range, this Tibetan Buddhist monastery features red and gold inlays and beautiful views. Later this afternoon, you’re free to wander at your own pace or head back to the hotel and rest.

Today, you’ll hike in and around Leh to continue to acclimatise to the altitude. Time in this city is crucial to properly get used to the high altitude! You’ll set off after breakfast with your leader on a hike around the Leh Valley. Visit the Ruins of Royal Palace – an outstanding example of monumental architecture akin to the Potala of Lhasa, which was built between 1645 and 1695 by the fifth Dalai Lama. Then, visit the Tsemo Monastery for views of Leh and the surrounding villages. From here, continue your walk via Sankar to the recently built Shanti Stupa – this stupa also overlooks Leh and the Stok Range across the valley. If you’re lucky, you might even see the sunset from here!

After breakfast, drive to the small village of Zingchen where your trek begins. Meet your crew, then start the gradual climb to Rumbak. You’ll be walking through epic mountain scenery, blanketed in snow in winter and green grasses in summer. Rare snow leopards live in this area, but the chance of a sighting in summer is very rare. Visit the village Rumbak and meet some members of the local community. Watch the sun go down and maybe help out with dinner tonight.

From your camp site, you’ll take a short trek this morning to the village of Yurutse in the Rumbak Valley. This remote village is home to only one large house and the family here are considered very hospitable hosts. Soak up the natural landscape and watching the stars as they come out, uninterrupted by light pollution.

Today will be one of the longer hiking days of the trip. After breakfast, you’ll climb the 4900-m-high pass of Ganda La passing through base camp. Take in the amazing view and the clean, clear air. It will then be a long descent to Shingo village. When you arrive in the village, continue through a narrow gorge to Skiu in the Markha Valley. Here, there’s a small monastery, part of which is assumed to be over 1000 years old!