Leh-Ladakh is a paradise and a haunt for trekkers. Ladakhi’s are friendly, warm and affectionate people, willing to go out of their way to make your trekking in Ladakh experience a unique one. The scenery at Ladakh is captivating and mind-blowing to say the least. And if you opt for homestays, you get to learn so much about the culture and traditions of the Ladakhi’s around. The barren rugged terrains, the monasteries and the colorful streets of Ladakh filled with hovering prayer flags, doe eyes citizens and children walking, talking, sipping tea, smoking pipes, going on their daily businesses etc keeps you wondering how simple lives can be magnificent. Hiking and trekking here is famous and you don’t have to be an expert on some of the trails. All you need to have is a lot of spirit within to absorb everything around, right from the thick glaciers to the snow-capped peaks, barren lands to a frozen river, and the vast open spaces where shepherds take their flock to graze.
Here are my top 5 favorite trekking trails:
The famous Markha Valley trail
One of the most famous trekking trails in Ladakh, the Markha Valley route is the most sought after. I have been on this trail in June last year and enjoyed a homestays as well. The trek route is beautiful and passes through the scenic valleys, colorful village hamlets, broad canyons and even pristine alpine rolling grasslands too. It took me around a week to complete this whole trekking experience, and at times with my newly made friends I went biking as well. You need to carry a sleeping bag, so that you have something to sleep in when camping around. The trek started out at Stok which is a difficult pass, or you could even start at Spituk and even at Chilling as well. The most fascinating part of being on this trek was climbing uphill to Gongmaru La and Nimaling, all the way from Markha. Spend the night at Nimaling if you can, enjoy the mystic evening air that surrounds and then hike to the peaks and ridges which provide you with breathtaking scenes that would pull the ground from beneath your feet.
The amazing Lamayuru to Chilling also known as the “Hidden Valley Trek”
You need to have around a week in hand to go Ladakh trekking on this trail. You come to the Lamayuru monastery, which is famous and one of the oldest around. One doesn’t have to slog it out on this trek, but carry a sleeping bag if you need to go camping. I carried along with me some food, because there are not many dhabas along the way to serve you food and snacks, or even tea. You start out at Hinju and go to Sumdha Chenmo passing through the well-known Kungski La. Then you go to Sumdha Chenmo up to Chilling which passes through Dungdungchen La. These climbs are worth every ounce of energy in you. The scene at Dungdungchen La is picturesque with flapping colorful prayer flags all over the place. This is also a place famous for rafting in Ladakh during the summer months.
The amazing trekking trail from Spituk to Stok
For those of you who have lesser time in hand for Ladakh trekking expeditions, this one maybe for you. You can go camping at Rumbak or choose to have homestays options as well. While I was on this trek, I came across Stok La which gave me a panoramic view of the rugged terrains and picturesque landscapes below. This trekking trail is for those who have two to three days in hand. From Rumbak you would follow the trail down. At Spituk the trail begins, and if you are hungry or need tea, there are many dhabas along the way to give you a piping treat. What I got to see on this trek were the wonderful mountains and the beautiful village, Rumbak. The people are very friendly over here and would always pass warm greetings and wishes when they bump into you at the tea stalls around.
Another short but exciting Ladakh trekking experience from Liker to Tingmosgam
| This trekking trail is also known as the “Sham Valley” and some even call it the “Baby Trek as well. This route is perfect for amateurs and there are no tough terrains and passes to encounter on the way here. If you plan to go camping here, this spot would be perfect for you and your friends. There are plenty of lodges on the way to stay and food is in abundance to be found and had as well. But don’t expect any high snow capped mountains on this route, what you would find here are plenty of hamlets, colorful villages and the pristine stupas of monasteries. To complete this trek have around two to four days in hand.
The Lamayuru to Darcha Ladakh trekking trail Fabulous is the word I would associate this trekking trail with, and especially if you prefer homestays over camping or lodging at the hotels nearby. You can expect to go through passes which are steep and the trek can be tough and strenuous for some, so be active and well ready for the walk ahead. The Padum Darcha route would present you with a high pass, and it would take two nights to move across this pass. Have around three weeks in hand to enjoy this trekking trail and don’t forget to carry your sleeping bag. I met explored scenery along this trekking trail, right from the narrowest of gorges to the highest of all mountain passes along the way. The villages I passed through were mystical and beautiful, especially the dotting monasteries in all their glory. People give homestays options here and the Ladakhi’s are very affectionate with their hospitality ways. So if you are planning on the trekking in Ladakh experience, make sure you follow each place mentioned here because Ladakh Trip will be incomplete without visiting these places. |