Popularly known as "Hermit Kingdom", Ladakh is a land of snow carved peaks, translucent Lakes, barren terrain and mystic culture. The district of Ladakh lies at the border with Tibet at the most eastern corner of the State of Kashmir. Bounded by two of the world's mightiest mountain ranges, the Great Himalaya and the Karakoram, Ladakh is a land like no other. Ladakh is often referred to as the "Little Tibet", or the "Last Shangri-La". Ladakh is the trans-Himalayan region, which separates the western Himalayan peaks from the Tibetan plateau. In geological terms, this is a young land, formed only a few million years ago by the buckling and folding of the earth's crust as the Indian sub-continent pushed with irresistible force against the immovable mass of Asia.

About 20-km south of Rangdum stands the Pazila watershed across which lies Zanskar, the most isolated of all the trans Himalayan Valleys. The Panzela Top (4,401 m) is the picturesque tableland adorned with two small alpine lakes and surrounded by snow-covered peaks.

As the Zanskar road winds down the steep slopes of the watershed to the head of the Stod Valley, one of Zanskar's main tributary valleys, the majestic "Drang-Drung" glacier looms into full view. A long and winding river of ice and snow, the Drang-Drung" is perhaps the largest glacier in Ladakh, outside the Siachen formation. It is from the cliff-like snout of this extensive glacier that the Stod or Doda River, the main tributary of river Zanskar, rises.

Our trekking routes.

The Markha Valley Trek – 8 Days Grade: Moderate
This well traversed trek leads out of Hemis and continues through the Hemis National Park where you have chances of spotting the Bharal (Blue Sheep) and Ibex besides hordes of marmots, though you come across a sign saying Snow Leopard Capital of the World chances of spotting one are almost nil. You cross two mountain passes the highest point you cross is on the Kangmaru La at 5100m/16,730ft.

The Shang La – Matho La – Stok Kangri – 8 Days Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
On this rewarding trek you get magnificent views of the Indus valley, the Karakorum and Stok Matho ranges from the two passes that you cross. Enroute go through high pastures and meadows and get to visit the Shang monastery and village. The highest altitude you will camp is at 5029m/16,500ft at the Stok Kangri base camp.

Leh into Nubra Trek – 8 Days Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
This trail leads out of the small hamlet of Sabu near Leh and crossing the 5250m/17230ft high Digar La pass descends into the Nubra Valley with its extensive flood plains and fertile fields. You get to see the double humped Bactrian camel a remnant of the ancient trade routes that once went through Nubra towards the busy bazaars of Central Asia.

Leh- Lamayuru – Alchi Trail – 6 Days Grade: Moderate
This interesting trek leads out from Lamayuru to where you drive. From here the trail follows a stream and then ascends towards the 3700m/12,140ft high Prinkiti La from where you get some spectacular views of the complex Zanskar range of mountains. We pass the small village of Wanla and then over the next few days head towards the Tar La at 4850m/15,910ft. After passing the Mangyu where two rivers meet, Alchi is reached.

The Changthang Lake Trek – 10 Days Grade: Moderate
This trek goes through the vast plains of the Changthang and traverses two brackish lakes the Tso Moriri and Tso Kar. Traversing the Kyangshu or More Plains you get a chance to spot herds of Kyang (Tibetan Wild Ass), colonies of marmots and probably a lone wolf. You also get to meet the Changpa nomadic shepherds who bring their sheep to graze on the rich pastures here. Return to Leh via the Tanglang La or 5325m/17469ft or the Mahe bridge.

Some Treks in Zanskar

Lamayuru – Padum- 11 Days Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
This trek is loaded with passes exactly 7 of them some high some low the highest being the Sengge La at 5000m. The views are spectacular as you traverse the Zanskar range. The territory is wild and mostly uninhabited save for a few villages. Bizarre shaped hills are encountered Enroute and you also often get to hear the whistles of Marmots and probably spot a few. After reaching Padum you take surface transport back to Leh via Kargil.

Padum – Darcha – 11 Days Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
Further south of Padum the trail winds through a few villages before emerging into uninhabited country. The trail goes over the 5100m high Shingo La and enters the Lahaul valley at the small hamlet of Darcha on the Manali Leh Highway. From here you can head on further south to the hill resort of Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

Lamayuru – Darcha – 22 Days Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
This follows the same route as the two treks mentioned earlier. This is for those who want to do a longer trek and visit Manali in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh.

Southern Zanskar Trek – Padum – Kangla – Lahaul Valley – 14 Days Grade: Moderate to Technical
This strenuous trek leads out of Padum and head south towards the Miyar Valley of Lahaul district in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. The Kang La pass is also home to a massive glacier which needs some technical experience and the services of a well experienced mountain guide. Crossing the pass the landscape changes dramatically as you walk through lush meadows strewn with wild flowers. The final destination is again Manali.

Leh to Padum via Markha and Char char La – 10 Days Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
This excellent trek takes you through Zanskar into Ladakh over the 5000m Char char la and 4900m Ruberung La passes. The trail also passes through Markha and eventually ends at Padum from where we take surface transport back to Leh via Kargil.

Padum to Kishtwar – 7 Days Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
This trek starting from Padum passes over the 5234m high Umasi La does not pose any difficult stretches. Only porters can be employed as some of the trails are unfit for horses. Zanskari porters make the best staff as they are well versed with routes and more adaptable. The trail to the Umasi La is a bit steep but well worth the effort as the views from the pass are some of the most spectacular in this part of the region. From Kishtwar you can proceed to Srinagar in Kashmir.

Sham Trek - Liker to Khalsey – 5 Days Grade: Easy to moderate
This is a short but rewarding trek out of Leh. All the passes here are below 4000m and can be done in any month of the year as the passes are not snowbound. You also get to visit some of the more prominent monasteries in the Indus valley especially those of Thikse, Hemis and Stakna. The trail also provides excellent views of the east Karakorum range.

Kyungyam to Korzok Trek – 9 Days Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
This fascinating 9 day trek leads south from Leh to the quaint little village of Korzok (4572m / 15,000ft) with its large monastery dominating the landscape. Korzok stands at the northern end of Tso Moriri one of the largest salt water lakes in the Changthang plateau. The crossing of two high mountain passes is involved those of Kyamayuri La 5410m and Yalung Nyau la at 5440m. Most of the trek is a pleasant amble on the flat land of the Changthang with its occasional Changpa nomad camp and herds of sheep.

Hemis to Zangla Trek – Junglam: 8 Days Grade: Moderate to Strenuous
This trail leads out of Hemis and heads into Zanskar and involved the crossing of three passes – the Kongmarula Pass (5150m), the Zalung Karpo La (5200m) and the Chharchhar La at 4950m. Also involved are a number of river crossings and visits to the legendary Zanskari monasteries of Stongde, Karsha and Zangla. Your return to Leh is by Jeep through the grand Suru valley under the gaze of the Nun Kun massif. Enroute on the drive back also get to view the gigantic statue of the Maitreya Buddha at the small hamlet of Mulbekh.

Special winter Chadder Trek: 2 Options: Up to Padum: 15 Days & Further up to Phuktal: 21 Days
This is one of the best treks in winter and is increasingly becoming popular and involves an unforgettable trek on the frozen Zanskar River. This trek usually done in the months of January and February when the Zanskar river freezes over, goes through terrain which simply cannot be negotiated during the other months of the year as the gorges which can be crossed on the Zanskar are unapproachable during those months. This trek can be a bit tiring at times as it involves walking over a frozen river on ice. However this is a once in a lifetime trek and affords an unforgettable experience.

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