7 journeys
Slow journeys through Ladakh's monasteries and villages: a spiritual retreat from Lamayuru and Hemis to Nubra and Tso Moriri, short village walks in Stok, Sang and Tar, the road into Zanskar and a winter search for the snow leopard in Hemis National Park.
EasyAn 8-day journey through the living heart of Ladakhi Buddhism. Visit the great monasteries of the Sham valley (Lamayuru, Alchi and Likir) and the Indus valley (Shey, Thiksey and Hemis), sit with a Ladakhi oracle, then cross the Khardung La to the gompas of Nubra before ending at the high lakes of Pangong and Tso Moriri. The pace is slow, with time to join morning prayers and simply be still.
EasyA gentle walk up the Sang (Shang) valley, a green side valley off the Indus near Hemis. Starting from Martselang, the trail follows the stream through barley fields and poplar groves to the village of Shang, its old gompa perched high above braided irrigation channels, and on to the new Shang monastery and Shang Sumdo. Do it as a day walk, or stay the night with a local family.
EasyA day in Stok, the village of Ladakh's royal family, just 15 km from Leh across the Indus. Explore Stok palace, built in 1820 by King Tsepal Namgyal and still home to the royal family, with a museum of royal costumes, jewellery, coins and thangkas. Visit Stok monastery, then wander through the barley fields and lanes of the village below Stok Kangri.
ModerateA full-day walk between two of the Sham region's most isolated villages. Tar can only be reached on foot, through a dramatic river gorge from Nurla on the Leh–Kargil highway. From Tar a steep zigzag trail climbs to the Hipti La (4,200m), with wide views over the Sham mountains and the Indus, before dropping to the small farming village of Hipti. Keep an eye out for blue sheep on the slopes.
EasyThe classic 8-day loop through Ladakh's best-known sights. Explore Leh palace, Shanti Stupa and the Indus–Zanskar confluence, cross the Khardung La to the sand dunes and villages of Nubra, then head to Pangong Tso, the dark skies of Hanle and the shores of Tso Moriri before returning to Leh.
ModerateA winter wildlife expedition into the Rumbak valley in Hemis National Park, one of the best places in the world to see the snow leopard. Walk in from Spituk through the Zingchen gorge, then spend five days based in Rumbak village, heading out each day with expert spotters to track snow leopards, Tibetan wolves, blue sheep and golden eagles. Best in February and March, when the cats come down to lower valleys.
EasyA road journey of about 990 km into Zanskar, an isolated valley of remote villages where time seems to stand still. Travel through Lamayuru, the Mulbek rock-carved Buddha and the Suru valley below Nun (7,135m) and Kun (7,087m), cross the Pensi La past the 23 km Drang Drung glacier, and visit the great monasteries of Zanskar: Karsha, Stongde, Sani and the palace at Zangla.
Every journey can be tailored to your dates, fitness and group. Tell us what you have in mind.
