Ladakh, a paradise wedged between the great Himalayan and the Kulun ranges. Secluded from the booming life of rest of India into its farthest reaches. Ladakh might fall short in technological advancement aspect but its self-sustaining environment is something even superior to western culture. The plethora of beauty that surrounds this region is just is breathtaking. A land brimming with exceptional scenic views and limitless possibilities for adventure.
Paled turquoise blue streams flowing through Glacier eroded valleys like rivulets in the wide expanse of sterile land. Mountain summit hid behind the translucent curtains of clouds. Paled turquoise blue streams flowing through Glacier eroded valleys like rivulets in the wide expanse of sterile land. Peaks crowned with silvery-white snow. There’s a dearth of vegetation due to the extremely cold temperatures of high altitude. But how can something be so scarce yet so beautiful? Why is there beauty in this desolation? It’s truly a wonder.
Good things are hard to come by. Narrowing and fragile high passes make the accessibility to this place extremely difficult. But still, there’s an invariant rise in the number of travellers coming to experience the sublimity and the adventure this place has to offer.
Here is a list of 10 adventure activities to do in and around Ladakh.
1) BIKING
Only the most daring and the most dauntless should attempt this sport. The chilling cold of high altitude, the tapering passes filled with craggy surfaces and the sheer grit required to complete this journey can challenge even the most prolific rider. The anguine roads are really difficult to manoeuvre through.
But the true riders who are ready to take on this extreme challenge, are in for a journey of a lifetime. Biking is a great way to relish the incomparable beauty of Ladakh’s spectacularly jagged mountains, the foamy waters of streams flowing through the valley and life-giving air of the highest peninsula. This is no doubt one of the best adventure activities to do in Ladakh.
In the Leh Ladakh Bike ride, you can visit Shanti Stupa and glance at the beautiful sunset with a picturesque view of Leh. The 6 days tour will leave you with an unforgettable memory of this paradise.
2) TREKKING
The optimal way of exploring the spectacular mountains, valleys, passes and commune with the culture of Ladakh is through trekking. Be allured by the scenic view of this magical land. Trekking through the mountains will give you a sense of adventure you have never felt before. The rush of adrenaline that passes through your veins when you are standing at the peak of some mountain is immense. At the blossom of your journey, you’ll struggle to contain your emotions that was stirred at the sight of the resplendence of this place. Trekking in Ladakh is trekking at its best.
To have a trekking experience that is novel through and through, have a swing at the Frozen River Trek. Have a trek through the frozen river of Zanskar, at an altitude of more than 12000 feet. The plunging temperature turns the surface of the flowing river into a sheet of ice. One has to maintain extreme caution through the entire trek. This is not for those who just want a peaceful trek through beautiful icy glaciers of Ladakh. This is for those daredevils who want to take the experience of trekking to the extreme. Zankar falls under the best places to visit in Ladakh to try this activity.
3) RIVER RAFTING
Brace yourself to have a battle against the wild rivers that this land has to offer. River rafting in Ladakh is wildly unappreciated and not many people are familiar with the adventure of this sport here. The gushing and ferocious river will test your grit and your tolerance of icy cold water.
Having a splendid view of the mountains and taking in the brisk air flowing across the valleys while rafting is just icing on the cake. The adrenaline increases as the momentum of your raft increases. Rafting should be on your itinerary for it’s among the best water sports in Ladakh.
The turbulent rapids of Zanskar River, a tributary of The Indus River, furnishes a great experience of rafting. This sport should be on your itinerary.
4) MOUNTAINEERING
Ever wondered how majestic the world would look standing at the pinnacle of a magnificent mountain? Now you can have a glimpse this marvelous experience while mountaineering through Ladakh. Get ready for a life-changing experience of mountain climbing.
The mountains of Ladakh are as beautiful as they are challenging to hike. This is what makes mountaineering here of such great prominence. Climbing the gruelling mountains of Ladakh is a dream for many. Pros have a chance to challenge their limits and abilities of mountaineering and the tyro would have an amazing experience while they fall in love with this sport.
The one thing you must take into consideration before commencing your mountaineering trip is getting acclimatized. This is done to ensure that dizziness, headaches or even acute mountain sickness (AMS) from travelling at an altitude of over 10000 feet does not ruin your experience.
Have a stimulating and strenuous experience ascending to the peaks of Stok-Kangri ranges. Or take part in mountaineering to the massive altitude of over 20,000 feet in the twin peaks of Nun Kun, nestled in the Zanskar region. These are among the most famous places in Ladakh to try this activity.
5) CAMEL SAFARI THROUGH NUBRA VALLEY
The vast expanse moon-like surface extending to the horizon, with distant soaring mountains encircling the skyline. This is the beauty of the cold desert of Nubra Valley. One of the reasons that make this a coveted place is travelling through the highest motorable road in the world, Kardung La Pass. Surely this is one of the most revitalzing things to do in Ladakh. Visit the grand monastery of Diskit which houses 106 feet tall Maitreya Buddha statue, the largest and oldest Buddhist Monastery.
The most alluring activity in this desert is the Camel Safari on the double-humped Bactrian Camel (Ship of the Cold-Desert). Cover the anguine dunes of Hunder while gazing at the wondrous beauties of the Nubra valley.
Or take a detour to the hot water springs of the Panamik village. And for a change of view, you can also visit Turtuk which unlike Nubra Valley has some vegetation of Apricot trees carpeting the entire village.
6) ARCHERY
The confluence of Ladakh’s own culture and its inherent beauty is what makes this ravishing wonder of nature an anchorage for the globe-trotters. The inhabitants of Ladakh have been able to salvage their traditions through ages. One such tradition of theirs is Archery. This is surely one of the best activities to do in Ladakh.
This sport had its origins from the age-old tradition of hunting. Most of the inhabitants of Ladakh are well versed with the basics of this sport. One can take part in this revered sport in many archery festivals during the summertime. This is an excellent way to indulge with the locals and get involved with their culture and traditions. Why stop at sight-seeing when you too can be a part of the community of this wonderful land?
7) CAMPING
Sitting under the myriad of stars, gazing into the Milkyway in the perfect silence of the night and being lost in the stream of thought, in a place secluded from the hustle-bustle of city life. A perfect getaway from the burdens of life. Camping in Ladakh is an exceptionally peculiar experience. It furnishes a place where you can vent out all the negativity from your mind and fill that with the tranquillity of the mesmerizing scenic vistas.
There are plentitude regions in Ladakh that house some of the most gorgeous panoramic view of the intrinsic beauty of this sacred land. Pangong Retreat Camp is among the highly visited locations in Ladakh. You can relish in the unparalleled comfort provided by the campsite while being blown away by the magnificence of its prospect. Positioned near the Pangong river, one can cherish the beautiful clouds hovering near the lofty peaks of the distant mountains past the ocean-blue river.
Camp redstart in the Spangmik Village and Tsomoriri Camp near Korzok Village are also great locations that one can opt for camping.
8) QUAD BIKING
Quench your thirst of adrenaline Quad biking in the high passes of the jagged landscape of Ladakh. Sense the howl of the heating engine, while you throttle away through the wide sweep of moonscape in the Nubra valleys of Ladakh. Cold wind gushing to your face and the rush of adrenaline warming up your body in the soaring high altitude. Paradisiacal for the all the adventure enthusiasts out there. Be bedazzled by the striking landscape of this fantastic place while quad biking through the daunting passes of this valley.
This is the perfect conflux of beauty and adventure. You are bound to regret if you miss this perfect opportunity to get the best out of this trip to Ladakh.
9) MOUNTAIN BIKING
Want to factor up the adventure in your quest to Ladakh? Then take a dare at mountain biking through the snaking rugged high passes that this place has to offer. This shouldn’t be undertaken by those who just thought of taking a peaceful and pleasing vacation in Ladakh. For this is a gruelling task that would examine the tolerance of your physical and mental strength. In the high altitude where the atmosphere gets thinner by every pedal, you’ll be gasping for air. But once you finish your journey, the elation of success you’ll feel would be boundless. Just imagine shouting through the peak of your voice which echoes back to you resonating from the magnificent mountains in the form of applauds at your notable feat. Don’t miss the chance to try this because it’s one of the best adventure activities in Ladakh.
If you are up for this challenge you should try pedalling your way through the Kardung La Passes.
10) PARAGLIDING
It’s time to take to the skies and have an aerial prospect of this magical place. Have a deeper and wider introspect into the beauty of the lofty peaks glacier sprinkled with pristine white snow and the green patches of vegetation of the high elevated land. If the scenic view from land is so breathtaking, there is no wondering how awe-inspiring the view from the skies would be. Taking in the bracing air, boosting your adrenaline levels, all while being mesmerized at the azure beauty of nature’s gift to humanity, Ladakh. You’ll truly be flying with ecstasy. Do have a try at one this for it’s among the best activities to do in Ladakh.
You can take home the unforgettable memory of gliding through the high land of Kardung La passes. Leh also has a paragliding flight location.
