LADAKH – ACTIVITIES
Ladakh is a paradise for active people. After having relaxed in a comfortable accommodation the first days to get relief from the exhausting arrival, never expected possibilities of activities are waiting for you. Best way to explore Ladakh by foot doing a trek - a way of travelling Ladakhis do since centuries. Little horses carry the luggage and the travellers have enough time to get into the slow speed that gives space for discoveries next to the path. But also followers of more modern or extreme sports in nature can find a rich area of variety. Several 6.000-and-more high summits offer great 360º-views, River-Rafting on the Indus shows Ladakh from the "wet side", by bicycle you can climb high passes or do sightseeings, a motorbike is great for the overland-trip or feel the wind on the highways in Ladakh, with the Jeep you can go to areas only allowed with permits and for the "hard ones" an adventurous walk on the frozen Zanskar river is a great challenge.
Expeditionen on very high mountains cannot be offered in this area, but some summits above 6.000 m and in Ladakh and the 7.000er twin-peaks Nun and Kun in Zanskar are recommendable options. One has to pay summit-fees - peaks below 6.200 m are trekking-mountains and not so expensive (approx. 40 Euro p.P.), peaks above are quite more expensive (depending on groupsize). We list the walk on the frozen river Zanskar in the winter here, too, as it is quite a little dangerous challenge due to open spots in the ice.
Stok Kangri
Stok Kangri is a 6.120 m high mountain (category: Trekkingmountain) directly opposite Leh on the other side of the Indus. A tour takes 4-5 days. Starting point is Stok. From there one has to gain 2.500 meters of altitude towards the summit. In every season there is snow on the top, so iceaxe, crampons and ropes (included in a booking with us) are necessary. Luggage horses make the ascent easier. One can include the Stok Kangri also in the Markha-Valley-Trek.
Kang Yaze
Kang Yaze is a 6.400 m high mountain, which can be climbed from the high valley in Nimaling. Starting point is Shang Sumdo. From here one treks via the pass of Kongmaru-la (5.150 m) to Nimaling. 2-3 days are counted for the ascent to the Base Camp, another for the Advanced Base Camp and after that one needs again a day for the summit and the way back to the Base Camp.
Dzo Jongo
Next to the Kang Yaze is the little lower Dzo Jongo with 6.280 m. The climb starts at the same Advanced Base Camp. One can just aim at this peak only or do it together with Kang Yaze. Both can be included in a Markha-Valley-Trekkingtour.
Changthang
Around Tsomoriri-Lake are some nice mountain-peaks above 6.000 m, which can be climbed nicely: Chalung (6.500 m), Chamser Kangri (6.600 m), Lungser Kangri (6.650 m) in the East and Yalung Nong (6.080 m) as well as the Mentok-peaks I (6.250 m) and II (6.210 m) in the West. Incl. Travelling from and to Leh a climb is possible in 6 days. For sure one can combine some peaks. As one has the first overnight already on 4.500 m, a good acclimatisation is essential! 2014 Chamser and Lungser Kangri were closed - we are waiting for a reopening.
Nun Kun
The 7.000er Twin-Peaks Nun (7.135 m) and Kun (7.090 m) are in Zanskar. Kun was first climbed in 1913 by the italian mountaineer Piacenza, Nun only in 1953 by the swiss Madame Claude Kogan. The journey starts from Kargil to Parkachik, where one has to do the climbing which will take approx. 10 days.
Chadar (walking on the frozen river in Winter)
When the Zanskar-River is frozen in the winter, it offers the Zanskaris a quite fast possibilitiy to get into the Indus Valley and to Leh. Who wants to join this adventure in January or February, has to adjust to approx. 8 days of walking on ice with leaky spots and icecold nights in a tent. Back one has to take the same route or get a helicopter from Padum or wait until spring in Zanskar for the opening of the road. For sure one can also just walk to Lingshed and back.
There are more less known and maybe unclimbed peaks - let's talk if you are interested in discover new experiences!
Ladakh doesn't have a tradition in cycling. On my first visit in 1993 I didn't see any bicycle at all. In the following years there were more and more tourists with bicycles observed by the locals with huge eyes. Nowadays also some Ladakhis are owners of bicycles. But unfortunatly the cycling in the Indusvalley and around is still a little uncomfortable. The roads are sometimes steep and often in a critical condition (and if not, the cars are speeding). The motorised traffic-vehicles are often reckless and one is challenged by exhaust gases. Who is not scared by that, awaits the highest driveable roads in the world in a breathtaking landscape. One can go from Manali to Leh, from Leh via the Khardong-la into the Nubra-Valley und from Leh via Kargil to Padum or Srinagar. Another idea is the Changthang-roundtrip for which one has to be acclimatised well as one is mostly on 4.500 m altitude. A big part is a bumpy rough road. It is worth to take the package with accompagnying car, tents, thick mats and a cook.
Who thinks that these tours of several days are too much, but would like to kick the pedal, can do a daytour with the bicycle starting from Leh on roads with less traffic. The bicycles to rent are good mountainbikes, which are easy to handly on the sometimes rough roads.
Ladakh is very appealing for motorbikers. There is comparativly less traffic and the surrounding mountains are terrific. The condition of the roads is different: while the road in the Indus Valley is well tared, other sectors are more tough. Who starts for Padum should know that this is going to be a realy dusty and stony issue. The Nubra-Valley is quite well to do, just around the pass you can face some difficulties, Between Tsomoriri and Tsokar in Changthang there is less tar.
A special excitement is for sure a journey from Delhi or Chandigarh maybe even via Spiti to Ladakh. One can rent a motorbike there (Enfield, Honda and Yamaha are the most common brands), which are transported back, while one is taking a flight. Yangla Tours likes to organise an All-inclusive-package with accommodations and if desired an accompagnying car. Due to some strange rules and regulations, it is not allowed to enter Ladakh with a motorbike from Himachal Pradesh (Spiti, Manali) and vice versa. But no problem: in Sarchu you will change the motorbike easily.
For shorter trips one can also rent a bike with us. One just needs a drivers license, The fee is without petrol (attention: in some areas there are just few petrol pumps, please inform yourself before starting!). A helmet comes included in the rent.