India Kashmir Holidays

Trekking in Ladakh

Places one can visit :LEH - PHYANG - TARU - TARU LA - NYEMO - NIE - LIKIR - YANGTHANG - HEMIS SHUKPACHAN - TEMISGANG - LAMAYURU - LEH

Duration : 09 Nights / 10 Days

Travelling to Leh-Ladakh is one of the most cherished dreams for many. Experiencing the sights of vast and desolate expanse of hills and valleys combined with the thrilling experience of enduring the harsh climate is one of its kind adventure. While some people suggest summers for the reason the weather is exciting and amiable, some like winters to experience the charm when only a handful of travelers visit the place and take peaceful gasps at the most breathtaking views. Season (Month) Wise Best Time and Way to Visit Leh (Ladakh)

April-Mid May : April marks the beginning of tourist season in Ladakh when the place begins to warm up with tourist activity. Restaurants open, hotels and guest houses start to welcome guest and various camps at sites such as Pangong Tso and Moriri Lake commence to set up. Usually by the second week of May, the crucial Srinagar-Leh highway opens up leading to a flurry of tourism energy into Ladakh. By late April, all the lakes including the Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri begin to melt, uncovering the beautiful colors and fabulous sights.

Mid May- July : During this time, one will only find Srinagar-Leh highway opened and this is just not the right occasion to complete the circuit. But in June beginning, Manali road opens up along with Rohtang Pass, however, the starting 7-10 days are really not suitable for travel since area experiences snow slides and recurring blockages. In the time of this short window, just before the monsoons, it is really cool and alluring to travel to Ladakh due to the amazing weather.

August - Mid September : At this time, the monsoons are in full swing and rivers, puddle and water crossings are full with flow. Travelling during this period can be risky and dangerous as landslides are common. However, the area beyond Zozi La Pass, in the direction of Leh from Srinagar and further from Baralacha Pass, towards Leh from Manali side is a rain shadow area and do not receive much showers.

Mid September- Mid October : This is one of the best seasons of all for visiting the amazing and picturesque locations of Leh and Ladakh as the place is imbued in wonderful colors in all their glory right up through the Srinagar-Leh as well as Manali-Leh roads. After monsoons, the flowing waters recedes too much extent and the weather is dry with a beginning chill and occasional snowfall. Moreover, the road conditions are better and the maintenance work is also settled by this time.

Mid-October to Mid- November : By this time the cold has completely taken over the area with the place experiencing sub-zero temperatures at all locations above 14,000 ft. Almost all of the tourists have deserted the place with only few ones remaining to brave the chill. Most of the hotels, guesthouses, restaurants are closed while even locals have moved back, abandoning the place till winters. It is not advisable to travel through them due to extreme chill.

Mid-Nov to March : This is the coldest seasons of all in Ladakh when the region is completely cut-off from rest of the India by road, although roads to Pangong Tso Lake and Nubra Valley over KhardungLa Pass and Chang La Pass are kept open all round the year, leaving few days of snowfall. From Mid-January to Mid-March is also the time when many adventure tourists arrive in Ladakh for the famous Chadar Trek, involving walk over the frozen Zanskar River. One of the major highlight of your visit during this time is the changing colors of Pangong.

Day 1: In Leh

Visit of the high Indus valley monasteries. Shey houses the old summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. Its gompa shelters an amazing Buddha, 12m high. The picturesque Thikse monastery is perched on top of the hill overhanging the Indus. The Hemis gompa is one of the largest in Ladakh.

Day 2: Leh - Phyang

(3600m) by Jeep / Bus (1hr ) and walk towards Taru (3700m in 3 hrs ). We visit the Phyang monastery and continue onwards with a pleasant walk. A short day necessary for our acclimatization.

Day 3: Taru - Taru La (4200m) - Nyemo (3700m in 5 hrs )

The trail climbs steeply towards the first pass of the trek, and descends to the Nyemo village.

Day 4: Nyemo - Nie (3800m) in 5hrs.

The route traverses Basgo, dominated by impressive ruined fortresses. A quite stricking succession of shortens, sanctuaries and a palace line the path.

Day 5: Nie - Likir

(3600m in 4 hrs 30 minutes). We enter an arid and bare landscape. Visit of the Likir monastery, one of the oldest in Ladakh.

Day 6: Likir - Yangthang

(3600m in 5 hrs). The route goes through two low passes, the Phobe La (3700m) and the Charatse La (3800m), opening to beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 7: Yangthang - Hemis Shukpachan

(3600m in 5 hrs ). En route, visit of the Ridzong monastery, which is set in stunning surroundings and hidden amongst the hills. After a tiny pass, we descend towards Hemis Shukpachan.

Day 8: Hemis Shukpachan - Temisgang.

(3700m in 5hrs ). This part of the trail has been carved out from the ochre rocks into a balcony. We climb towards two passes at 4000m and arrive at Ang. Then on to Temisgang, ancient capital of the Sham Kingdom , and its monastery.