Treks in Ladakh

A queen of trekking and nature extremes, Ladakh has the privileged top spot in travel lists and bucket lists of travellers and trekkers around the world. Most renowned for its exhilarating trekking experiences and unmatched beauty, Ladakh is an absolute delight of an experience and has many treks to offer for all kinds of travellers.

The small villages and hamlets nestled high in the mountainous terrain have their style of life. If you get a chance to take your eyes off nature’s beauty, you get to see some of the world’s greatest monasteries, rustic homes and shops, plantations of fruit, palaces, and other beautiful structures.

The barren landscape, beautiful lakes, and huge mountains blend in with the magnificent surroundings to create unparalleled views for people to bask in. Then came the trek experiences. Trekking in Ladakh is a unique experience that no other place can replicate. Each trek in the region has a distinct flavour, unique offerings, and something to make it stand apart. But one thing is for sure, all of the treks are sure to offer you the best blend of adrenaline, exhilaration, satisfaction, accomplishment, and peace.

That said, here are 15 treks in Ladakh that each trekker wants to accomplish. Let us dive in and see what each one of them has to offer. Don’t worry about choosing one or two, because you know your heart wants to do them all.

1. Lamayuru – Padum

• Duration – 10 days

• Distance – 149 km

• Max altitude – 5,000 metres, 16,400 feet

This exciting trek takes you through Zanskar’s beautiful landscapes. As you tread on taking in the sights, you pass through monasteries and villages. You begin the journey at Lamayuru after reaching there from Leh via a 3-4 hour drive. The first stop is at Wanla, and the trek carries on through Hanupatta and Photoksar, crossing or passing by rivers and trails, carrying on to Sengge La. The ascent is relatively steep, from 4,200m to 5,000m, and then you get the first full day of rest to relax and explore the area at Lingshed. The second half of the trek begins here as you make your way through exotic views while crossing Snerts, Pishu, and Karsha, reaching Padum. This may seem to be a tiring one, but what relaxes you is the fact that each day only has an average of 6-7 hours of trekking, so that you do not miss anything.

2. Lamayuru – Padum – Darcha

• Duration – 24 days
• Distance – 291 kms
• Max altitude – 5,000 metres, 16,400 feet

An extension to the Lamayuru Padum trek, this one adds much more excitement to the experience. Trekkers have to cross 9 passes and various mountain streams on the way. Some parts of the trek route are tougher than others, but the beautiful sights across the passes and the serene moments on the water slides more than make up for the times when you feel a bit tired. Once at Snerts, you carry on to Hanumil and on to Parfi-la. A steep descent from there to the Good bridge and the river Oma-Chu for some relaxed moments as the trek comes to an end.

3. Panikhar – Pahalgam

• Duration – 7 days
• Distance -79 km (approx)
• Max altitude – 4,500 metres, 14,800 feet

This is a relatively shorter trek and is also known as the Suru Valley trek. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful treks in the local area and begins with an easy first day from Pahalgam to Chandawari. After the first day’s camp, you start an ascent to the Pissu Top, which is a 6-hour climb to 3400 metres altitude. Once you arrive at Sheshnag, you are greeted by serene lakes that are surrounded by mystical mountains. The days ahead lead to stops at Rangmarg, Wandkadal, and Kanital. High mountain landscapes bathe you with their magnificence upon your arrival at Sagar-Nor Pass, situated 4500 metres high. A descent from there brings you down to Panikhar where the trek ends.

4. Spituk – Rumbak – Stok

• Duration – 3 days
• Distance – 39 km
• Max altitude 4,855 metres, 16,000 feet

Another gem of a trek in the Ladakh region, this magical experience is set in the Hemis National Park. One of the shortest treks, this one takes you through the charming and rustic village of Rumbak and the wonderful views of the Stok La pass. The first day begins with a 5-hour-long trek to Zingchen on trails along the banks of Indus that carry on to a gorge at Zingchen. Day two will have you amazed by a shorter trek from Zingchen to Rumbak with a slight elevation towards the end that leads into the Rumbak village. The last day’s trek has a steep incline leading up to the Stok La pass that hits you with fresh panoramas all around. The last leg of the trek begins here as you descend from the valley down to Stok.

5. Spituk – Zingchen – Markha – Hankar – Kongmarula – Martseling

• Duration – 8 days
• Distance – 113 km
• Max altitude – 5,260 metres, 17,250 feet

An exhilarating choice, this one is also known as the Markha Valley trek. The unique points about this one include sublime views of the snow-capped peaks and marvellous villages with lush greens sprayed across the landscapes. Since this trek and the valley lie in the Hemis National Park, there is a good chance that you might be able to spot a few wild animals too. There are two high elevation areas with the first point being Ganda La and the second one being Kongmaru La. The trek begins at Spituk, taking you through Zingchen and Yurutse to Ganda La. Next is a steep descent from Ganda La on to Skiu from where you prepare for the second steep ascent through Markha, Hankar, and Nimaling to the top at Kongmaru La. 

6. Likir – Yangthang – Temisgam

• Duration – 5 days
• Distance – 35 km
• Max altitude – 4,000 metres, 13,123 feet

The Sham trek, also known as the baby trek, is one of the easiest in the whole region. It is a great choice for beginner trekkers, allowing them chances to stay at homestays and visit quiet villages and monasteries. The passes are not extremely high, and the picturesque surroundings do a wonderful job of washing away the tiredness. The trek route begins at Likir, taking you to the quaint sights of Phobe La and Saspotse village to the Yangthang village. The trail then carries through the Rizang Monastery to Hemis Shukpachen, one of the most beautiful villages in the region. It is surrounded by towering high mountains, and various meadows, streams, and brooks add to the beauty. The last leg of the journey takes you through the mesmerizing sights of Mebtak La, down to the Ang village and on to the Temisgam village that is renowned for its famous monastery and views of the Sham Valley.

7. Saboo – Digarla-Digar – Khalsar

• Duration 5 days
• Distance 59 km
• Max altitude – 5,405 metres, 17,700 feet

Situated at a relatively higher altitude, this trek is known as the Nubra Valley trek. Famed as one of the best trekking routes, it takes you through the main point of confluence of the Nubra Valley and the Indus Valley. Through the trek, you stay spellbound by the scenic views of the Karakoram range, Stok Kangri, and the Saser Kangri. The trek begins at Saboo, from where you ascend to Digar La base in a trek of 5-6 hours. The journey continues to Digar La peak and descends to Chumik Yokma. The next legs move on through a descent to Digar, and carry on to Khalsar via Rongjok.

8. Hunder – HunderDok – Dokla – Phyang

• Duration 5 days
• Distance 59 km
• Max altitude – 5,438 metres, 17800 feet

This trek takes you through enchanting sights of the old silk road trade route based through the Indus and Nubra valleys. This one takes you through the most untouched parts of the valleys and the region. The high pass of Lasermo La and stunning landscapes surrounding Hunder Dok is more than enough to rethink the bounds of nature’s beauty. The trek starts at Phyang and takes you through Phyang Phu and the South Base of Lasermo La to the pass at the top. Lasermo La greets you with its raw natural beauty, two peaks and both valleys in a clear view. The next leg descends straight to Hunder Dok and Hunder to end the trek.

9. Nimoo – Padum (Chadar trek)

• Duration – 8 days
• Distance – 62 km
• Max altitude – 3,566 metres, 11,700 feet

The Chadar trek is hands down the most coveted experience because of the unchartered experiences it offers. An eye-opener for the soul, this one takes you through weather extremes in temperatures ranging from -15 to -20 degrees or even below. The trek takes you through the Zanskar river which is frozen. The trek teaches a lot about travelling, taking you through mesmerising views of the frozen river, frozen waterfall, and towering mountains in the surroundings. A difficult and tricky trek, it is one of the most exhilarating experiences you can get in the world of trekking.

10. Lamayuru – Padum – Kishtwar

• Duration – 20 days
• Distance – 
• Max altitude –

Another beautiful extension to the Lamayuru Padum trek, this one continues to Kishtwar, which is a beautiful town with incredible scenery, situated over 200 km away from Srinagar. Once you reach Padum, you begin the extended trek after a good amount of rest. The first notable stops after starting from Padum include the Zongkul monastery and the top of the Omasi La. The journey continues with overnight camps as you cross Abran village, Shafat Nall, Machail, and Choshoti. As the journey takes you through unforgettable sceneries and quaint hamlets and villages, you carry on to Sinyas and Gulabgarh to end the trek in Kishtwar.

So many treks to choose from!

Now that you know about some of the most beautiful trekking experiences Ladakh has to offer, get packing quickly as the adventures await. All you need to make sure of is to be prepared with everything you need to travel such as harsh winter clothes, fatigue and body ache medicine, and other utility supplies, and you will surely have a magical experience. From a safety point of view, please ensure that you carry the necessary basic mediation, good quality thermal wear and proper trekking footwear to ensure the best experience.

If you are still thinking or planning which trek to decide first, we are right there with you. Trust us, even after all these years, the tempting enchantment of Ladakh’s treks still washes over us as if it were our first time.

Happy trekking!