Ladakh travel guide

Located in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh is remote, Himalayan region that is an adventure arcadia all year round. It is also one of the most peaceful places on earth. Trek in the mountains and valleys, visit some of the most remote and spectacular Buddhist monasteries in the world and seek out one of the most elusive and exquisite creatures in the world too: the snow leopard. Two words sum it up. Mind blowing.

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Ladakh travel guide

Ladakh, in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, is one of those places where it is almost easier to tell you what isn’t there, in order to highlight what is so wonderful about it. First, there are the Himalayas and mountain passes that go up to 6,000m but not ones that require highly trained alpinism skills. Just a passion for trekking. Second, there are practically no tourists outside July, August and September. Third, forget WiFi or mobile signal outside Leh. Fourth, despite what people believe, there is no travel warning here. That was lifted in 2012.

One of my favourite memories of Ladakh is standing on the summit of Dzo Jongo Peak (6,189m). Probably the easiest and quietest 6,000m peak on earth.

– Valerie Parkinson, Ladakh tour leader for our supplier, Exodus

Fifth, Ladakh is not Tibet, but it feels like it. Serenity, spirituality and solace are what Ladakh is all about. Sixth, there are few trees and forests. This is a barren, cold desert with rugged, rocky mountains. Are you loving all these Ladakhi lacks as much as we do? Then read more in our Ladakh travel guide.

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Ladakh is…

one of the prettiest packages of serenity you could hope for. A halcyon of mountains, monasteries and moonlike terrain.

Ladakh isn’t…

under an FCO travel ban, and hasn’t been since 2012. In the disputed territory of Kashmir, its beautiful landscapes and people are indisputably spectacular.

Things to do in Ladakh...

The wonderful thing about trekking in Ladakh is that you have super elevated terrain – which doesn’t require super elevated climbing skills. Just good fitness and a head for heights. And you really hit the heights here – Himalayan ones no less, trekking the Markha Valley in around eight days, or the easier Likir or Sham Trek in three days. Aim even higher and trek to Stok Kangri peak at just over 6,000m. If conquering one Himalayan summit isn't enough, try three peaks and five mountain passes in 18 days.Visitors looking to imbibe Ladakh’s culture usually head east to explore the Buddhist traditions that the region is famous for, although half the population of Ladakh is Muslim. But it is the Buddhist, Tibetan-influenced gompas or monasteries, and stupas or shrines that are scattered throughout the mountains that most tourists are drawn to. Such as Shanti stupa in the Leh or, in contrast, Rizong monastery, Ladakh’s most remote place of worship north of Alchi. The heritage is also tied up in Silk Road traditions, and travelling along the iconic Khardung La Pass takes you through this ancient world of caravan trading. For wildlife watching, Hemis National Park’s mountains are home to the elusive and spectacular snow leopard, as well as ibex, wolf, blue sheep and lynx. Trek with local experts, who have the gift of spotting snow leopard as descend from the peaks in the height of winter in search of food. February/March is the best time to see these beauties.

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Things not to do in Ladakh…

Expect luxury. Holidays in Ladakh are about trekking, wild camping and staying in welcoming homestays with a few remote hotels as well. Cocktails? Forget it. Sundown over the Himalayas sipping hot toddies out of a flask, that’s more like it. Swap fluffy robes for the comfort of a traditional yurt, and transcendental meditation replaces digital communication. As for organic food – not a problem. It’s always been the way to do things in Ladakh, which is all about the natural.

Just go in summer. So few people travel here outside July-September, that you will have the place to yourself. Stay in homestays, trek with expert guides, track snow leopard in February and March and enjoy totally untouristy monastery festivals such as in Stok when the brightly robed monks perform ritual masked dances. Flights are much cheaper during winter months too. Skies are clear and blue, so it is also a great time for photography.

Go it alone. Not only are roads inaccessible outside summer, there are always issues, such as glaciers melting and roads becoming impassable, or encountering a slow-moving military convoy on a mountain pass where overtaking is not possible. Local holiday companies know the ins and outs of road travel as well as trekking, and have support networks if you need help of some kind.

This isn’t like the rest of India, so don’t expect people to speak English or Hindi. Ladakhi is the language, and you can buy a phrasebook in Leh, or learn a few key phrases online before you go. An easy one is ‘Jullay’, pronounced joo-lay, which covers all bases for hello, goodbye and thank you.

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Written by Catherine Mack

Ladakh travel guide