Introduction

For centuries the forbidden land of Ladakh has been unknown and otherwise inaccessible to rest of the world. Ancient explorers from Europe and Asia visited Ladakh taking several months of harsh travel in subzero temperature through this tough terrain;  just to find a “Little Tibet” hidden in the vast of this difficult and barren land. The first recorded arrival was in the seventh century A.D. the great Buddhist pilgrim – explorer Hsuan – Tsang  followed by in later the famous Russian artist and explorer Nicholas Roerich, famous treasure seekers and explorer Sir Aural Stein and Von Le Cog or the British Explorer Moorcroft of whom the “Moorcroft route” is till today famous in his name.

The ancient path of silk route has been for centuries a much significant-pivotal point for all the traders between the central Asia, Afghanistan, China and India which passed through the Nubra Valley of Ladakh.

Trekking in Ladakh is one of the most unique and varied in this world. Unlike many other trekking regions in the world this one is completely a different experience in the vast land of more then 90,000 sqr Kilometers and just 2 inhabitants per kilometer-one of the worlds least populated area.

Altitude varies from 3500 mtrs to 5700 mtrs in these treks and from 3 days mild walk to a vigorous expedition of 25 days can be done in this region. Many “off the beaten treks” are there as well,  and if you are a class apart adventurous then sit with the mountain guide and make your own route as the variation of route in the entire region lies like a spider web on the trekking map of Ladakh; that one can always join them between points.

Most interestingly many peaks from 6000 to 7000 mts can be coupled with the trekking by giving just a day or two extra. Many unknown and unscalled peaks lays there with invitation to any adventure lover.

“La” means pass in Ladakh and Ladakh is also known as “the Land of High passes” / “the land below the high passes” etc. and truly in every trekking one has to cross several passes; attitude ranging from 5000 mtr to 5700 mtrs,  while some are gradual climbing and some are stiff enough to give you a feeling of mountaineering. To put a prayer flag at the high pass is a tradition in Ladakh like in the region of Mr. Everest. In many of the Sham valley treks one requires to cross several rivers some being wild and difficult and ropes are used.

Human porters are almost not used in Ladakh trekking except for climbing and the frozen river trek of Zanskar. Horses and ponies are used in trekking as the carriage; which comes from the villages of that area. The horses and horsemen are completely versed and experience to the region and the sport.

The main season of trekking in Ladakh starts from May and last till end of September. If one wish to climb a mountain also with the trekking then early May or end of September is ideal.

At myadventuretrip.com we unveil the treasures of these ancient routes and let you interact with the professional mountaineers and trekkers as a first hand experience; one to one.