Ladakh Trek & Bike | JAN Treks & Travels

LADAKH – TREK & BIKE

Tour - 19 days/ 4 days trekking & 8 days bicycling

About LADAKH

Ladakh is a part of the Indian Himalayas, located between the Kunlun mountain range in the north and the main Himalayas to the south. As it is the only Indian region that lies north of the Great Himalayan Range, it is very different from the rest of the Indian Himalayas. In many ways it resembles Tibet. Although part of India now, and earlier of the princely state of Kashmir, Ladakh has been an independent kingdom for almost 900 years.

Ladakh is best known for its Buddhist (‘Tibetan’) culture and its starkly beautiful mountain scenery. It is inhabited by a mix of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan people. Especially the latter, with their colorful Buddhist culture, have given the region the nickname of ‘Little Tibet.’

As a result of its location, in the rain shadow of the Great Himalayan Range, the climate is extremely dry. And due to the high altitude – most valleys are situated at 3300m or higher – winters can be extremely cold. Summers, however, are generally pleasant if not warm and sunny.

Region

Ladakh
(India)

Best Time

July - Sept.

No. Of Days

19 days,
4-day trek & 8-day bicycle trek

Trip Character

Trek and bicycle tour

Sleeping Altitude

3100 - 3700 m.

Trek Character

Homestays & guesthouses
Trek: level 1,
Bicycle trek: level 2/3

Price

INR XXX/ $ XXX

ABOUT THIS TOUR

On this trip you will explore Ladakh and regions near the Tibetan border on foot, by ATB and partly by car. From Delhi you fly to Leh, the capital of Ladakh.

After a few days in Leh to get used to the altitude, you will make a four-day trek in the Sham area. Here you will walk through oases of whitewashed houses surrounded by deep green barley fields and colourful, barren mountains. You sleep in homestays and your luggage is transported by horses.

After a rest day in Leh you cycle to the isolated Nubra Valley, wedged between the Himalayas and the Karakoram. Here, you will explore small villages and Buddhist monasteries, and ride the bicycles, as well as the two-humped camels whose ancestors once maintained trade relations between Leh and Turkmenistan.

On a beautiful, deserted route you will then bike to Shyok, a remote village where you will spend two days at an ecolodge – a luxury homestay – and experience the real Ladakhi life up-close. From here you will visit the azure-blue Pangong Lake, located on the border with Tibet. After returning to Leh, you will fly back to Delhi.

YOUR custom-made TRIP

The tour described here, as well as the other ones on our website, are mainly meant as suggestions. We would be happy to offer you a travel proposal that fully meets your personal demands and expectations. That means that you choose where you want to go, what level of accommodation and type of transport you want and what activities you prefer.

Please let yourself be inspired by this and other trips on our website and then drop us a line (or call us) to explain your travel wishes. We will be happy to help you put together the perfect trip. You can reach us over e-mail, Messenger, Whatsapp or mobile phone.

EXTENSIONS & VARIATIONS

Apart from the tour as described here, you could consider the following add-ons and changes:

Explore the Shyok River further downstream in the direction of Pakistan. The road passes through magnificent gorges and while the vegetation gets more opulent as you are reaching lower altitudes the culture gradually changes from predominantly Buddhist to Muslim. You can travel up to the village of Turtuk where you can stay the night at a simple but decent tented camp.
Spend one more day in Nubra on which you make a 5-hour walk to two small, hidden monasteries that rarely if ever see a foreigner coming.
Do a more challenging trek instead of the Sham trek. For instance, the Chilling – Lamayuru trek. On this 4- or 5-day trek you sleep in trekkers tents while a walk-along cook prepares your meals. You walk longer distances, climb higher passes but the rewards are even better views, more authentic villages. See here.
Likewise, you can extend the bicycle tour as well. For instance, by taking in the ‘Changtang Loop,’ whereby you ride along the Indus to beautiful Tsomoriri. See here.
Spend a day rafting on the Indus. There are different grades available, so there is the easy but fun to do level as well. Professional oarsmen will be with you in any case. You will be picked up from your hotel and dropped off there again at the end of the day, a pic-nic lunch is included.

Route Map

ITINERARY

Day 1: Flight Delhi - Leh
The flight from Delhi to Leh takes only 1 hour but on a clear day, is breathtaking. Stepping down from the aircraft you may feel the altitude, but even if you don’t, it is very wise to take the rest of the day off. Stay at the hotel or at best walk around Leh bazar. Altitude: 3500m.
Day 2 & 3: In Leh
If you wake up today without a headache you may consider yourself fit to go on not too strenuous walks/excursions in and around Leh. Else it is better to stay at the hotel another day. Altitude: 3500m.
Day 4: Leh - Likir; Trekking to Yangthang (2 h drive, 4 h walking)
After a transfer to Likir, and a look at the picturesque Likir Gompa, perched on a hillock, you'll start your 4-day trek. Today you cross a low pass to picturesque Yangthang. Altitude 3500 → 3600 → 3720 → 3630m.
Day 5: Trekking Yangthang - Ridzong - Yangthang (4 h walking)
You walk up and down through a beautiful gorge to the hidden monastery of Ridzong, part of the 'reformed' Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) Sect. The monks here adhere to a very austere lifestyle. Altitude 3630 → 3400 → 3630m.
Day 6: Trekking Yangthang - Hemis Shukpachan (3 - 4 h)
Today is a short walk. You'll pass the 3875m high Sermanchan La (La = pass) to the beautiful village of Hemis Shukpachan. Altitude 3630 → 3875 → 3575m.
Day 7: Trekking Hemis Shukpachan - Temisgang (4 - 5 h) & car to Lamayuru (2 h)
Crossing another pass, the colorful Meptek La (3825m) takes you to Ang, again a charming village with many apricot orchards. Continuing over a jeep track you'll reach Temisgang. The car will be waiting here to take you to Lamayuru Gompa, where you'll stay near the monastery. Altitude 3575 → 3825 → 3260 → 3500m.
Day 8: Lamayuru - Alchi - Leh (4 -5 h)
Today you return to Leh. You'll follow the old caravan route from Kashmir to Ladakh, which descends from a small pass above Lamayuru Gompa in a series of spectacular hairpin bends. Further down the Indus you'll visit Alchi Gompa, Ladakh's oldest temple, before continuing to Leh. Altitude 3500 → 3000 → 3500m.
Day 9: In Leh
Day to spend as you like. In case you want to do any excursions the management of the hotel will be most happy to assist. See day 2 & 3 for suggestions. Altitude: 3500m.
Day 10: Leh - Hundar/ Nubra (car/ biking 125 km, +2650m, -2930m)
As climbing up world’s highest motorable road by bicycle so early on in this trip may not be everyone’s cup of tea, we suggest you and the bikes ride the accompanying pick-up truck upto the breathtaking 5450m high Khardong La. Once on the bikes, a whopping 2300m descent eventually lands you in the Nubra valley. After some level coasting along the banks of the wide, gushing Shyok River you’ll reach Deskit, the cute little capital of Nubra, and nearby Hundar, a lush small enclave hidden away among apricot groves. Altitude 3410 → 5450 → 3130m.
Day 11 Day 11: In Nubra (biking 91,3 km, +1120m, -1120m)
Today you can do a ride on two-humped bactrian camels near Hundar. Then you’ll ride back to the Shyok River, visiting Deskit Gompa on the way. Then, after crossing the river you’ll follow the Nubra River up to Pranamik and back to Sumur, where you can visit beautiful Samsthanling Gompa, Sumur’s Old House. Back at Hundar you can make a stop for a ride on a camel through the sand dunes. Altitude 3130 → 3130m.
Day 12: Nubra - Agyam (biking 49,5 km, +770m, -590m))
After descending to the Shyok River again, you’ll bike upstream through the wide, almost uninhabited Shyok Valley. Except for a few climbs at the beginning and halfway, the route has a very gradual climb. Overnight is at a homestay in the hamlet of Agyam. Altitude 3130 → 3310m.
Day 13: Agyam - Shyok (biking 46,4 km, +890m, -500m)
Today a thrilling ride awaits you. The road that follows the beautiful, wide valley, while it narrows to a dash of asphalt with whole stretches unpaved. Chances are that you will have to wade small side-rivers that cross the road ever so often. But you always have the 4WD pick-up with you. The next three nights will be spent at Shyok River Lodge. Altitude 3310 → 3700m.
Day 14: In Shyok
Today you'll be taken on village and nature walks near Shyok. You'll learn a lot about the Ladakh way of life and the Ladakhi flora and fauna. Altitude 3700m.
Day 15: In Shyok, visit Pangong Tso (biking/ car 137,5 km, +2080, -2080)
Famous Pangong Tso, located at 4250m on the border with Tibet (China), is probably the largest high salt lake on earth. It is not only a spectacular lake, set amidst light-coloured mountains, but the route to the lake is beautiful too. We suggest you bicycle the 60 kms to the lake and take the car back. But you can also stay at the lodge and just relax. Altitude 3700 → 4250 → 3700m.
Day 16: Shyok - Takthok (biking/ car 78,8 km, +2075, -2055m)
Today you return to the Indus Valley via the Chang La pass (5360m) with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. You’ll stay the night at Takthok, a lovely enclave with an ancient cave monastery. Altitude 3700 → 5360 → 3720.
Day 17: Takthok - Leh (biking/ car 57 km, +610, -920m)
Descending to Karu, you reach the road from Manali to Leh. Here, you’ll cross the Indus River and complete last the stretch to Leh on the less travelled west side of the river, visiting the very interesting monastery of Matho on the way. Altitude 3720 → 5360 → 3410.
Day 18: In Leh
A last day in Leh to buy souvenirs and to get organised for the trip back home. Altitude 3500m.
Day 19: Flight Leh - Delhi
Early morning transfer to the airport. On a clear day, again, you can expect great views of the mountains of Zanskar and the Great Himalayan Range.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS TOUR

Flight to Leh

Although the flight takes only one hour, on a clear day this no doubt is one of the most spectacular flights in Asia. After leaving the North-Indian plains and the heavily forested hills you’ll cross a number of ranges before flying over the actual glacier-clad Himalayas, the highest mountain range in the world. You’ll be amazed at the different landscapes you’ll see beneath you on the other side: bare, lightly coloured mountains, tiny rivers, small hamlets of Ladakhi farms surrounded by deep-green fields of barley, made possible by ingenious forms of irrigation.

LEH

Leh is a bustling little town with a laid-back atmosphere. While in Leh, there are numerous things to do. Apart from short walks in and around town, you can browse the little streets and allow yourself to be lured into some of the many little shops, mostly run by Kashmiris and Tibetans, that sell beautiful Kashmiri carpets, Tibetan artefacts, and jewellery. Leh abounds in restaurants that cater to all tastes, quite a number of them located on a rooftop or in a pleasant garden. Also, it is highly recommended to take a taxi and visit some of the delightful gompas – Buddhist monasteries – in the Indus Valley near Leh. Apart from the traditional trio of Shey, Thikse & Hemis, you may also consider visiting Matho and Stakna, maybe in combination with Stok Palace.

CARAVAN ROADS OF LADAKH

Leh’s small size and unhurried atmosphere belie a very prominent and historically important position. It used used to be at the intersection of seven caravan routes. Yaks, donkeys and camels were used as pack animals. One route connected Leh with the Silk Road in China. Others routes went to Lhasa in Tibet, Srinagar in Kashmir and to Baltistan, Nubra and Manali (the opium route). When the borders with China and Pakistan were closed in 1962, the caravans stopped. But by now Leh had acquired a place on the world maps, and the Ladakhis were used to ‘strangers’ in the bazaar. When the first tourists came to Leh, in 1974, it was not a big step for the Ladakhis to accommodate and guide them.

SHAM TREK

Ladakh has quite a reputation as a trekking paradise. Although we can offer you many different treks, the truth is that many of these do require a certain level of fitness. However, there is one trek, between Likir and Temisgang, that almost anyone can do. This trek locally goes by the name Baby Trek. It’s about 3.5 – 4.5 h walking per day, 250-450 m up, 250-550 m down. You’ll walk from village to village, passing colorful mountain slopes and gorges, and climb low passes marked by prayer flags with great vistas. The villages are emerald green oases with streams, willows and barley fields. Your luggage will be transported by horses and you sleep in homestays where you will get an insight into the daily life of the Ladakhis.

LOWER INDUS VALLEY (WEST)

The Indus Valley to the northwest of Leh is definitely an area worth exploring while you are in Leh. Some of the most picturesque and atmospheric Buddhist monasteries are found here, notably Phyang, Likir, Ridzong, Alchi and Lamayuru, as well as the burrough temple of Basgo. The road passes through some pretty spectacular mountain scenery that makes the drive in itself more than worthwhile. You’ll drive over desert plateaus, alongside the Indus River in the gorge that is has carved out for itself and on seemingly never ending switchbacks clinging to steep mountain slopes.

LAMAYURU & ALCHI GOMPA

The two most remarkable monasteries of lower Ladakh are Lamayuru Gompa and Alchi Gompa. Lamayuru Gompa is spectacularly situated, overlooking a “moonland” of yellow silt deposited in a prehistoric lake. Lamayuru belongs to the Digungpa sect, one of the many older Buddhist sects collectively named ‘red hat order.’ The current buildings date from the 16th century, but the foundations are much older. Alchi is hands down the most respectable gompa of Ladakh. Inside you’ll notice the artwork is very different from what you see in other monasteries and temples. The reason is that this was created by Kashmiri artists at a time when the typical ‘Tibetan’ art style that you see elsewhere was not developed.

Khardong La

Labeled the highest motorable pass in the world by the Indian Army, crossing the Khardong La (5450m) between Leh and Nubra is definitely an adventure in itself. It is nearly 2 vertical kilometers higher than the town of Leh, of which you get fantastic views while driving down. The road over the Khardong La follows the old caravan trail that used to connect Leh with Yarkhand in Turkmenistan (present day Xinjiang in China). Just imagine long trains of mules, horses and camels trudging up this pass, laden with Indian commodities, the most important one being opium from the Kullu Valley. The opium stopped passing through in 1962, after the war between China and India. Half a century later, a new valuable commodity passes daily in even longer caravans: tourists.

NUBRA VALLEY

Nubra Valley is an idyllic enclave between the mountains of Ladakh and the famous Karakoram. The main highlight here are the many small villages, hidden between poplars and apricot groves and adorned with an abundance of stupas, mani walls and prayer wheels. Definitely worth visiting as well are the beautiful gompas (monasteries), such as 15th century Deskit Gompa, with commanding views over the valley. While in Nubra you may bump into some of the large bactrians, two-humped camels that are descended from the animals that used to work the caravan trails between Leh and Yarkhand (Turkmenistan, now China). Riding the bactrians over the extensive sand dunes near Hundar is like being a Sahara traveler.

SHYOK RIVER LODGE

Shyok River Lodge is a community-based accommodation. The lodge is part of a traditional Ladakhi house and while on the outside is hard to distinguish from the neighbours’ house, inside the rooms are clean, with luxury mattresses and a private bathroom. Shyok river lodge is in a remote village halfway between Nubra and Pangong Lake. It is not a place to pass through but a place to be, to absorb the Ladakhi culture and lifestyle and, if you want, be part of it. You’ll be taken on village and nature walks where you’ll learn about the incredible adaptation of the Ladakhis to their beautiful but forbidding environment, as well how to recognise tracks of snow leopards and wolves. More info.

PANGONG LAKE

Pangong Tso (Tso means Lake in Tibetan) is a huge brackish ‘salt lake’ located right on the border if Ladakh (India) and Tibet (China). Situated at an altitude of 4450m, it is the largest high-altitude salt lake on earth. The lake is spectacular, especially in the afternoon when its colors range from cobalt blue to turquoise, and the yellow-orange mountains behind it form a striking contrast. Besides, the drive in itself is more than enough reason for the trip. It takes only 2 hours from Shyok River Lodge and there is plenty of time to stop along the way for photos, for instance of marmots and, if you’re lucky, the beautiful wild Tibetan horses (kyang). A warm lunch will be served in the form of an outdoor picnic at the lake.