Ladakh is well known not just for its views, but for the various adventure activities that it offers as well. Its rugged terrain, interspersed by cliffs and streams, opens up endless possibilities for adventure here. Whether you’re into extreme sports such as biking or rafting, or prefer more casual options like safaris, the city offers it all.
The Ladakh packages come in all shapes and sizes, tailoring its experience to fit the needs of the adventure lover in you. Maneuver the mountain’s daring passes on a bike, or pitch your tent in the stunning Nubra Valley for a fantastic camping experience- these thrilling adventures are bound to enhance your trip to the mountains.
Camping
Apart from trekking, camping is by far the most popular tourist activity in the Ladakh region. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayas, there are too many glorious campsites to choose from here. There are several ways to go camping in Ladakh. One could opt to stay in established camping resorts and facilities.
Alternatively, the more seasoned camper might also choose to pitch a tent in one of the many scenic camping areas that are scattered around the town. While Nubra Valley is the most popular camping spot in Ladakh, several trekkers choose to pitch camp on the banks of the river Indus here. The Zanskar Valley is an ideal camping spot during the months of spring, when the valley is brimming with blooming plants and local flowers.
A lot of people choose to go camping during the winter months, when the snow clad area appears twice as resplendent. However, the ideal time for camping would be during the warmer months between July and September, when the weather here remains pleasant and best suited for outdoor activities.
Mountain Biking
Unarguably, Ladakh is a paradise for mountain bikers. Cutting its way through rugged mountains, these biking trails offer quite the adventure. Most of these trails travel to lesser-known routes that are generally not taken by those on foot, allowing one a deeper glimpse into the beauty of the hills.
There are several popular trails scattered around the city. The Khardungla La Pass, being the highest motorable pass in the country, is a popular road taken by several bikers. The shoreline of Pangong Lake and the Sakti and Nubra Valleys are some of the other popular biking trails here.
Mountain biking in Ladakh is not just an extreme sport, but a wonderful way to explore the local cultures as well. Several routes travel through villages and across little monasteries and temples jutting out from the mountains, allowing riders to disembark and take a short tour.
White water rafting
White water rafting is a sport suited for the lover of extremes. With several swift rivers flowing through its expanse, the rapids in Ladakh begin to be explored. The mouth of river Indus and the Zanskar River are two of the most popular rafting destinations here. The rapids here are available across various difficulty grades.
While the Indus rapids are generally milder, not going beyond grade II, Zanskar offers some faster rapids of Level III and IV as well. While the lower rapids are well suited to beginners, the faster ones require a degree of expertise and should be attempted by experienced rafters only.
The best time to enjoy white water rafting in Ladakh is during the transition months between summer and monsoon which lasts between July and September. The water flow in rivers swells up considerably during this time, allowing for a smoother experience.
Biking from Manali to Leh
If biking is a sport you’re enthusiastic about, then the road from Manali to Leh will be an experience of your lifetime. The elaborate and long winding route travels through some of the most beautiful destinations across Ladakh, offering scintillating views. It also cuts through some of the highest passes in the Himalayas, such as the Khardung La Pass, the Rohtang Pass, Lachung La Pass and the Baralacha La Pass.
The route takes about 10 days to complete, with rest stops made at select hotels and campsites. Riders can also stop to try their hand out at various different activities along the route, such as white water rafting, camel riding, and even skiing. The biking experience is a fairly moderate one, and will require a certain degree of expertise on the rider’s part.
Camel Safari
The tradition of camelback traveling is not new to Ladakh. In fact, camel travel and camel caravans were quite the norm here in the pre-partition days. Now, the Bactrian Camel safari is a special attraction in the Nubra Valley region of Ladakh. The Bactrian camels, commonly recognized as the ‘Real Camel’, is a two-humped camel endemic to the Ladakh region. The camel safari takes riders through the snow-clad slopes of Ladakh.
The safari travels along the ancient Silk Trade route, crossing orchards and valleys as it goes by. The safari is accompanied by an expert guide, who offers invaluable commentary and support to the riders. The best time to enjoy a safari is between the months of July and September, when the weather here remains quite pleasant and not too harsh.
Also read: 5 Most Prominent Trekking Trails In The Everest Region
