21 Options for Trekking in Ladakh

Quite rare is the opportunity to trek in a region that holds such natural beauty and such harshness as Ladakh and being close to nature in a place like this has to be an experience in itself. To get the best of the experiences that the place has to offer, trekking is the way. Trekking in Ladakh is varied, vivacious and a must have experience in life.

So the destination of your next trip has to be finalized by now and as you gear up and pack for your trek trip, we have sorted out some of the best treks that the place has to offer.

Best Treks In Ladakh – Altitude up to 4500m

1. Sham Valley Trek

This trek is among the easy treks from Ladakh, yet extremely beautiful and mesmerizing. It takes the hiker through the Tibetan monasteries and apricot orchards of the region. Also called the baby trek, this trek is a mere 30kms hike that too without any steep climbs. It initiates from Likir and goes onto Temisgam.

• Duration: 5-7 Days
• Altitude: 3750 M
• Best Time for the trek: May to October

2. Chadar Trek

Ladakh has been blessed with a variety of landscapes, making it one of the best choices for trekking. Among the many diverse landscapes, the trek over a frozen river is as astounding as it sounds. The Zanskar River in the region freezes during the low temperatures of winter and it is oner this frozen river that the trek is undertaken.

This eight-day long trek helps you witness some of the most impeccable gorges and ice falls. Not for the faint-hearted, this trek epitomizes trekking in Leh Ladakh.

• Duration: 8 Days
• Altitude: 3850m
• Best Time for the trek: Mid- January to February

3. Indus Valley Trek

Talking of the easier trekking routes in Ladakh, this trek is by far the easiest of all. For this trek, the hiker moves through the beautiful Sham Valley and its villages on to the Phobe-La and through several Tibetan Gompas to Lamayuru.

The most commendable feature of this trek is that it covers Leh, Skardu and a barren desert all along its trail and that too beautifully enough to be remembered for a lifetime.

• Duration: 8- 10 Days
• Altitude: 3750m
• Best Time for the trek: Mid June to October

4. Ripchar Valley Trek

This trek that begins in the campsite at Hinju takes the hiker through Sundi Chenmo, Sumda Valley and along the Sumda Chu to Chilling village.

The most commendable feature of this trek is that the trekker is able to have some of the best views of both the parallel ranges of the region, namely the Zanskar and the Karakoram ranges. Jaw-dropping sights are guaranteed along this trek in Ladakh.

• Duration: 5 Days
• Altitude: 4300m
• Best Time for the trek: July to September

5. Snow Leopard Trek

Being one of the popular treks in Ladakh, the Snow Leopard Trek, as the name suggests is ventured upon to witness the snow leopards in the region. This trek takes the hiker through the Rumbak Valley and Hemis National Park to finally end on the Indus.

Witnessing blue sheep, and the views of the Rumbak gorge as some of the other highlights of this trek. All the destinations covered along this route are to spot the white wild cat in its natural habitat.

• Duration: 13 Days
• Altitude: 3000m
• Best Time for the trek: January and February

Best Treks In Ladakh Altitude 4500- 5000m

1. Tso Moriri Lake Trek

Trekking in Ladakh is definitely an experience coveted by many and it is through treks like the trek to Tso Moriri Lake, that such stature has been attained. Being one of the most spectacular experiences of the region this trek is distinguished in terms of route and easy in terms of the effort required to complete the trek.

The Tso Moriri trek incepts at Rumptse and goes through the Rupshu Valley and Kyamar Valley to Kumur La, further the trek goes to Kyamayuri La and finally to Korzok.

• Duration: 18- 20 Days
• Altitude: 4522m
• Best Time for the trek: June to September

2. Lamayuru to Chilling Trek

From the ancient Lamayuru monastery, a trek trails head towards the Sham Valley and further separates from the Kargil- Leh road at Phatu La to reach the distinguished village of Chilling in the Zanskar Region.

This trekking trail is referred to as the Lamayuru Chilling trek and takes the trekkers through scenic views and experiences of meeting the locals of the region.

• Duration: 5- 6 Days
• Altitude: 4700m
• Best Time for the trek: June to September

3. Kharnak Trek

This trek that also goes by the name the Nomad trek derives its name due to the encounter of distinguished nomadic tribes along the routes of this trek.

From the highlands of Nimaling to Zalung Karpo and further to the Changthang Plateau, this trek takes the hiker through a number of nomadic tribes and settles on the hub of such tribes in the region. It is through a hike along this route that the difficulty of the lives of the people of this region can be witnessed,

• Duration: 16 Days
• Altitude: 4600m
• Best Time for the trek: May to September

4. Spituk-Matho Trek

An easy to moderate trek, the Spituk Matho trek revolves around the Hemis National Park. Gorges, barren deserts and steep climbs are common along this trek, but the jaw-dropping views of the mountains from the trek trail are the best feature of this hike.

This trek concludes at the Matho Village which is also a home to the sacred Buddhist Monastery called Matho Gompa.

• Duration: 5 Days
• Altitude: 4855m
• Best Time for the trek: May to October

Best Treks In Ladakh Altitude 5000- 6000m

1. Markha Valley Trek

One of the best treks in Ladakh, this trek is the most beautiful and among the most challenging of the list.  This trek has peculiarly steep ascends and diverse climbs all of which take you through some of the most majestic views of the valley.

The beauty of this trek can be experienced during the winter also to witness the scrupulous snow leopards in action.

• Duration: 8-10 Days
• Altitude: 5100m
• Best Time for the trek: June to October

2. Nimaling Plateau Trek

Incepting at the distinguished Hemis Monastery of the region, the Nimaling plateau trek crosses through Shang, Kongmaru La and some beautiful hidden villages of Ladakh before reaching the plateau itself.

The plateau in itself proves to be quite a site for camping. The journey is sort of strenuous but well rewarded with exquisite views and the chances to experience the life of Ladakhis first hand.

• Duration: 8-10 Days
• Altitude: 5050m
• Best Time for the trek: June to October

3. Lamayuru to Alchi Trek

Taking you through some of the most ancient monasteries of the region, this trek is more or less of a spiritual journey from one place to another.

The only element that lets in the adrenalin rush is the trek through the high passes of Penji La and Prinkit La. Further, this trek is beautified by the presence of a number of streams and rivulets along the way.

• Duration: 9 Days
• Altitude: 5200m
• Best time for the trek: July to October

4. Padum to Darcha Trek

Padum is the former capital of the Zanskar region and therefore has a quite a few sights to its credit.  This trek is among the closest to the trails of Himachal Pradesh and takes you up to the hidden gem of Himachal, Lahaul. Mountain stops, jagged peaks and homestays along the trek make for an exceptional experience of this trek.

• Duration: 9 Days
• Altitude: 5000m
• Best Time for the trek: June to September

5. Lamayuru to Darcha Trek

Labelled as one of the most beautiful treks in Ladakh, the Lamayuru- Darcha trek is all about the exquisite views of the Zanskar region.

Other than the views, this trek goes through a number of Tibetan monasteries that prove to be quite a delight for the trekkers; some of the monasteries that fall along this route include Lamayuru, Phuktal, and Lingshed.

• Duration: 18 Days
• Altitude: 5000m
• Best Time for the trek: July to September

6. Jhunglam Hemis to Padum Trek

Taking the hiker through the distinguished monastery of Hemis and Latza Kongmaru, this trek is among the more difficult treks of the region. The difficulty of the terrain along this route makes it suitable to be undertaken by a professional trekker only.

The basic reasons for such a tough terrain are the several rivers along the route. The constantly changing altitudes also play their role in making the trek quite challenging.

• Duration: 12 Days
• Altitude: 5200m
• Best Time for the trek: August to October

7. Rupshu Valley Trek

Splendid, scenic and spectacularly beautiful, this trek is a little moderate on the hiker. Lofty passes and extremely cold deserts form the highlights of this trek, whereas the different coloured mountains viewed along this trek make for the vividness along the route. Tough climbs are frequented along this trek which adds a little spice along with the sweetness of nature.

• Duration: 10- 12 Days
• Altitude: 5000m
• Best Time for the trek: June to October

8. Lamayuru-Padum Trek

Exploring the core of the Zanskar region, this trek is among the famous treks of Leh Ladakh as it covers about seven high mountain passes and several river crossings.

Scenic campsites, gorges and serene dry deserts when coupled with the view of the snow clad mountains along the trek make for unforgettable sights. The remotest of Buddhist monasteries and villages of this region fall along this route.

• Duration: 18 – 20 Days
• Altitude: 5000m
• Best Time for the trek: July to September

Best Treks In Ladakh Altitude Above 6000m

1. Spituk-Stok Trek

Another one of the easier trekking in Ladakh experiences is the trek from Spituk to Stok. This trek extends over a period of six days during which the trail is frequented by ascends and descends through the jagged hills. Walking along some of the fantabulous streams is also an experience that you will cherish along this trek.

• Duration: 6 Days
• Altitude: 6400m
• Best Time for the trek: May to October

2. Nubra Valley Trek

The beauty of this trek has not failed to attract hikers from around the world to experience its pristineness. In order to complete this majestic trek,  the hiker has to come across some of the harshest climates and dramatically changing topographies, yet it is all worth it.

This trek begins from Sabu Village and then goes on to Digar La pass, and along the Shyok River to Khalsar Village.

• Duration: 10- 12 Days
• Altitude: 6000m
• Best Time for the trek: June to Late September

3. Stok-Kangri Trek

This razor-edged summit is hard to miss for anyone in awe of Ladakh. The site itself explains the tough ascent that you might be venturing on when planning on undertaking this trek. But the rewards of the trek are definitely worth the effort.

The iconic landscape of Ladakh seems most spectacular along this single trek. Since the trail takes you through some of the toughest routes, the hiker needs to be prepared for all forms of mountain sickness,

• Duration: 5- 6 Days
• Altitude: 6152m
• Best Time for the trek: Mid June to September

4. Kang Yatse and Dzo Jongo Trek

Another one of the more difficult trekking in Ladakh experiences is along the Dzo Jongo trek from Kang Yatse. But being exceptionally gifted in terms of the views it offers to the hikers, this trek is a must undertake for professional trekkers.

Some of the impeccable views that this trek offers are that of the Hemis National Park, the Zanskar and the Stok ranges and the varied hikes through the valleys.

• Duration: 13 Days
• Altitude: 6200m
• Best Time for the trek: July to September

Unbeaten, unparalleled, and unsurpassed, trekking in Ladakh is an experience to cherish for life. To have the best of this experience firsthand, head onto a trek from the list of treks above and understand the beauty of it all.

If you have already ventured on any of the treks above, we would love to hear about your experiences and suggestions regarding the same, do share your insights with us in the comments section below. Any further contributions to the list above are also welcome.