You know how they have a saying about how far the Himalayas is? Well, are you ready to finally trek there? Northern India is the pinnacle of untouched beauty; for hikers and sightseeing junkies, you would call it a privilege to trek in the breathtaking landscape of Ladakh. The vistas and experience is unlike any other normal forest trail in the world; its beauty is solely its own. However, before you pack up and head to India to behold this wonder, first read up on this article for your ultimate guide to trekking in Ladakh!
Pick Your Trek
Sitting 2750 until 7,000+ meters above sea level, Ladakh is situated high above the mountains and offers you many treks starting there. You’re not going to have the same view on each trek, and they all have different levels of duration and difficulty. You must first assess what you (and your friends, if you went with them) are ready for, and if you can hack the trip. There an array of trekking agency that offer package deals. Although these deals are a little pricey, they offer you the complete set, from a tour guide explaining the history of the grounds you’re set to trek, to safari rides, and biking.
Some treks take 4 days, as one agency offers Spituk to Matho in Rumbak Valley. That same agency holds a whopping challenge of 18 days, from Lamayuru to Darcha. These are completely different treks, and you will have varying experiences in both. If you don’t want the help of an agency, you can go at it alone. The Markha Valley trek is well mapped-out and you can find your way around it if you’re an experienced trekker already, but just make sure you don’t get lose in these mountains, as that’s easy to do.
Ready Yourself Physically, Mentally
Ladakh is physically exhausting, and is not for beginning trekkers. Come with your body and mind already geared up to make sure you can take on this long and arduous journey. This isn’t for the impatient and weak, as it will take days to arrive at certain destinations. Believe us when we say that it’s worth it, because the people you will meet, the Buddhist monasteries, the villages that you will come across are humbling and will change your outlook on life. The exhaustion that comes from constantly trekking will pay off when you see the inner beauty of the cultures within Ladakh up close.
Frozen River Treks, Mountain Climbing
For those who really want to get into the nitty gritty, freezing cold parts of Ladakh, you don’t have to stick to the easy greenery and serene bodies of water. If you go around January to February, you can walk on their frozen rivers; particularly the Zanskar lake. A little colder and higher altitude you ask? Then you’ve got the Stok Kangri climb, where you really have to put forth your best game and hike up ‘til you’re about 6,000 meters above sea level. You’ll be gritting your teeth through the freezing, snowy terrain, but just as we’ve mentioned so many times – it’s worth it.