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Trekking in Ladakh

Trekking possibilities include short, day-long walks up and down mountain slopes to visit isolated villages or monastic settlements, or across a ridge to enjoy the sheer beauty of the lunar mountainscape.

Or long, transmountain treks involving weeks of walking and camping in the wilderness. For example, the trek from Lamayuru in the Indus valley to Darcha in Lahoul across Zanskar takes nearly three weeks. Most of the established routes traverse the Zanskar range which separates the Indus Valley from Zanskar.

The 10- day Markah valley trek, the 11- day Lamayrur-Padum traverse and the stock-Khangri round trek are the more popular ones among the numerous options available in this convoluted mountain mass.

In recent years, parts of the Ladakh range between the Indus and Shayok valleys have also become available fro trekking The traditional trekking season extends from early June to mid-October.

But localised treks within the Indus Valley can undertaken even in May. On the other hand, some routes are suitable only for late autumn as during the summer, the bed of narrow valleys through which the tracks lie become turbulent streams, as in the case of the 13-day Hemis-Markha-Padum trek.

The winter access to the Zanskar Valley is actually along the frozen surface of the Zanskar river. This route, known as Chaddar, calls for elaborate arrangements, but it is perhaps the most exciting trek in the world.

Depending on the time and budget you can afford, ask the Tourist Offices at Leh, Kargil or Padum to design a trekking programme for you.

For more inforamtion about trekking through the Zanskar mountains and across the Great Himalayan Wall, ask for a free copy of our brochure, Ladakh-Kargil and Zanskar from any J&K Tourist Office.

The easiest way to go on a trek is through a travel agency, which will take care of all arrangements including camping gear, provisions, porterage, staff, etc.

But if you intend to make you own arrangements, it is advisable to carry as much of your provision and fuel from Leh or Kargil as possible.

Please remember that Ladakh is a harsh land where most villagers cannot part with their foodstock. In some villages along the trek, fresh yoghurt and some tsampa can be procured, but these sources cannot be relied upon.

Kerosene or gas for cooking stoves must be carried in sufficient quantity to last the duration of the trek as fuel is unlikely to be available along most of the route.

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Trekking in Ladakh, Ladakh Adventure Reservation Form