Ladakh

Leh, Ladakh, is the main town in the Leh District which is also home to the Indus River which runs through the stunning Indus Valley. As one of the largest rivers in the world the Indus originates high in the Tibetan Himalaya and flows through the mountains of Ladakh and onto Pakistan, where it is a vital source of water for the country, before it reaches the Arabian Sea.

The high-altitude town of Leh sits at 3,524m above sea level so it is important to acclimatise to the altitude here before beginning any Ladakh trekking trip. There is plenty to do in Ladakh and spending time visiting the local monasteries and immersing yourself in the traditional village culture here will not be time wasted. The Indus Valley in which Leh sits is a great base for trekking with high peaks overlooking the river and traditional villages and monasteries scattered across the slopes.

The next valley over from Indus Valley is the Markha Valley which is home to Kang Yatse II. At 6,250m this is a challenging peak to climb and slow and steady progress is essential. The view from the summit of Kang Yatse II is astounding and on clear days you may be able to see K2 and Nanga Parbat, two nearby 8,000m plus peaks, in the distance as well as the surrounding high peaks of the Himalayas.

The best time to visit Ladakh is from July – September. As a high-altitude region the temperatures can be cool for most of the year, but the summer has hotter daytime temperatures from 15 – 30 degrees Celsius. Bear in mind that the higher you reach the colder it will be, so packing layers and preparing for all weathers is a good idea.

Hotels in Ladakh range from basic homestays to higher end, more western hotels. Remember this is a remote mountain region so luxury home comforts may be hard to find, power cuts will be common and WiFi patchy. This might sound tough for some, but the opportunity to switch off is welcomed by many who book Ladakh tours.

Ladakh has been relatively unchanged for a long time and many people here are self-sufficient. Farming is prevalent and Buddhism influences much of the culture here. For incredible Himalayan treks we can think of no better place for experiencing unique and hospitable culture set amidst a breath-taking backdrop of soaring mountains and lush valleys.