Trekking
Ladakh one of the most favourite trekking destination, having some of the most picturesque and challenging treks. Ladakh is a paradise for adventure lover given by its world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Greater Himalaya and the Karakoram, and two others, the Ladakh range and the Zangskar range. The most important feature of trekking in Ladakh is it's High Mountain passes which comes on the trekking routes gives you opportunity to have wonderful view of colorful mountains and amazing landscape.
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Popular Treks
The treks from Spituk to the Markha valley and Lamayuru gompa to Chiling village alongside the Zanskar River are the most popular treks in the region. Another trek route is from Likir to Temisgam.
Best Time to Trek
Treks are open from the June end upto mid October. The passes for trekking are as high as 5,000 m in altitude. Many trekking agencies in Leh offer trek packages with a guide, packhorses, food and supplies.
Treks in Ladakh.
A. Easy Treks in Ladakh
- Sham Trek (07 Days)
- Spituk Trekking (06 Days)
- Indus Valley Trek (13 Days)
- Sham & Indus Valley Trek (14 Days)
B. Moderate Treks in Ladakh
- Manali Ladakh Trekking (23 Days)
- Markha Valley Trek (11 Days)
- Spiti To Ladakh (24 Days )
- Sangla to Leh Trek (13 Days)
- The Nubra Valley Trek (10 Days )
- Tsomoiri Lake Trek (23 Days)
- Trekking in Zanskar (darcha-Padum) (18 Days)
- Lamayuru Alchi Trek (09 Days)
- Lamayuru Martselang Trekking (19 Days)
- Lamayuru Chilling via Dung-Dung La (12 Days)
- Ladakh Monastery Trek (17 Days)
- Wild Ladakh Trekking (23 Days)
C. Alpine or Tough Treks in Ladakh
- Hemis Rupsu Darcha Trekking (21 Days)
- Stok Kangri Trekking (18 Days)
- Remote Zanskar Trekking (18 Days)
- Darcha Lamayuru Trek (18 Days)
- Frozen River Trek (23 Days)
- Journey To Southern Zanskar (26 Days)
- Ladakh Zanskar Trek (18 Days)
- Lamayuru Padum Trek (19 Days)
- Stok Kangri Climb-Markha Trekking (22 Days)
- Trans-Zanskar Expeditionl (27 Days)
- The Rupshu Trek (23 Days)
Trekking Permit
In Ladakh, special permits are only required for restricted areas like the Nubra Valley and for summiting certain peaks. Travel agents will arrange these permits.
Trekking Guidelines
The easiest way to go on a trek is through a travel agency, which will take care of all the arrangements. Making your own arrangements is not recommended. For trekking in Ladakh, it is not enough to be physically fit, intending trekkers must also be prepared to face the rigours of back country travel. There is considerable fluctuation in the day & night temperatures even during the heights of summer.
Equipments
The following list of clothes and small personal articles you will need during the trek.
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- Kit-bag with padlock or a big backpack. It will contain the 12 kg personal belongings
- Good sleeping bag.
- Walking stick optional.
- A frontal lamp or an electric torch.
- A foam mattress.
- Hiking shoes.
- Sweater
- Fleece jacket
- Waterproof jacket.
- Good trousers
- Waterproof trousers.
- Gloves and cap
- Sunglasses
- Sun cream
- A water bottle
General Instruction
Trekking is a completely different world of activities when compared with our normal life. Uncertainties have to be faced with courage and determination. To face all these unlike problems, some important tips for a traveler on these adventurous yet demanding terrains are being described below:
- A complete medical check-up prior to start trekking
- Toning up of the body and acclimatization should be strictly observed.
- Patients of asthma and diabetes should restrict their climb up to 3000 meters above sea level.
- In case of any severe sickness, provide first aid and then make arrangements to bring the patient to lower area and to hospital.
- Protect the body from changing weathers.
- Use well broken comfortable walking shoes.
- Collect maximum information about the trek.
- Keep all the equipment and food stuff in order.
- Camp site should be preferably near the source of drinking water.
- Do not camp under trees.
- Pitch the tent on an inclined surface and dig a small trench around.
- Set off for trek early in the morning, fording a stream will be easier at that time.
- After finishing cooking or after packing up the kitchen, extinguish fire completely, especially while camping in forests.
- Clean the camp site before setting off and dispose off wastes and litter to protect the natural beauty of the area.
- Check the first aid kit before starting off.
- Keep a handsome amount of medicines to be distributed in local people. Appoint a tour leader of group.
Awareness
A Respect local traditions, customs, values and sentiments to help them protect local culture and maintain local pride.
- Respect privacy when taking photographs
- Respect holy places
- Refrain from giving money to children as it encourages begging
- Respect for the local etiquette earns you respect
- Let the Himalayas change you - Do not change them
- Protect the natural environment
- Leave the campsite cleaner than you found it
- Limit deforestation - make no open fires
- Burn dry paper and packets in a safe place
- Keep local water clean and avoid using pollutants
- Plants should be left to flourish in their natural environment
- Have a break and give the World one.
Clothes And Equipments
The summer visitors to Leh will need basically warm- weather clothes, with a sweeter for evenings and mornings when it may be chilly. Temperatures begin to fall around the 2nd half of August, and though cottons continue to be worm during the day until mid September, a heavy sweeter or an anorak or coat will be needed in the mornings and evenings. Form mid September it starts getting distinctly cold and woollens are needed even during the day, though in the sun it is still hot. Winter visitors- which means November to April- will need to equip themselves with heavy woollens, anoraks or tweed coats, gloves, balaclave helmets or equivalent and warm boots.
Reasonably good trekking equipment can be hired from Private Tour Operators specialised in mountain treks. All trekkers should remember that nights in the mountains would be chilly at any time of the year and make sure that they should be fully equipped for the treks. They must carry enough food for the whole trek, basic supplies- fruit & vegetables or the occasional villages enroute will be able to provide local food if you run out of food stock. It is advisable to keep a good torch handy during treks and visit to the monasteries because shrines are often found ill- lit.