Ladakh literally means 'Land of the high passes'. However, it is more popularly and affectionately known as the Little Tibet in India.
Vastness, isolation, rigor, hospitality, spirituality, traditions and splendor are some of the words one can use to sum up Ladakh.
Ladakh moves you, no matter where you look. And if you come here, it will open your heart.
Traveling to Ladakh, you are consumed with a vast serenity and a quiet sense of peace. Despite this, the military presence here reminds us that we are on a strategic land disputed by India, China and Pakistan.
In the north the Nubra Valley lies resplendent, irrigated by the waters from the Karakoram glaciers. The sediments of the largest continental glaciers of the world have formed sand dunes which camels call home.
No one can feel indifferent when discovering peaceful villages tucked away in such an isolated valley of the world.
In East Ladakh, the narrow valleys open up and spread out as mountain lakes turn into flooded plains at over 4500 meters. You will be awestruck by the majestic beauty of Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar.
In the South and the West, the chain of Zanskar, one of the largest mountain chains with peaks reaching above 6000 m, will reveal all the secrets of the Himalayan geology before your eyes and expose the many animal and plant species in the region.
The elusive snow leopard can be seen in the Hemis National Park.
In the heart of Ladakh is the Indus Valley. The valley is only accessible by crossing passes over 5000 m. In fact, this is the meaning of Ladakh, “The land of high passes”.
Ladakh also houses the oldest and most beautiful Buddhist monasteries in the world. Despite the arid landscapes of the Indus and its tributaries, every village and monastery appears as an oasis, as the villagers and monks organize their land into fertile terraces by channeling the flowing torrents of glacial water towards their land.
Tso Moriri lake in Ladakh
Monasteries and mountains in Ladakh
Nubra valley in Ladakh
Lamayuru in Ladakh
Ladakh
EnquireOther pages about Ladakh
On this page
Ladakh: little Tibet in India
Ladakh map
Ladakh, India map. With main roads, trek routes and places to see.
Map of Ladakh - Legend
Town
Motorable road
Trekking trail
Monument
Village
Camping spot
Noticeable peak
Mountain pass
National Park
How to reach Ladakh
Manali to Leh road
Entering Ladakh and Zanskar region near Sarchu.
You can reach Ladakh by road or by air.
Ladakh by road
For your acclimatization to such high altitude, we recommend you to spend a night at Manali, then a second night at or near Keylong (Jispa).From Keylong you can then reach Leh in one day. It is a long drive of almost 10 hours. If you wish to enjoy the landscape of the Manali to Leh road, you could spend one more night between Keylong and Ladakh.
The two options for a third night before Ladakh are Sarchu and Pang. Both these places are above 4200 m. So, you may experience altitude sickness during the night.
The second road to Ladakh starts from Srinagar in the Kashmir area. The distance is slightly shorter and the road is also very scenic but the geopolitical situation in Kashmir is uncertain. For your safety you may prefer to choose going via Manali.
Ladakh by air
It is very easy to reach Ladakh by air from Delhi. But the problem is your acclimatization to the altitude. Leh being at an altitude of 3500 m, reaching by air may give you altitude sickness when reaching. It usually takes two days to feel better.Therefore, we recommend our travellers to reach Ladakh by road and to come back by air.
Do you want to go to Leh by road in the best and safest way ? Enquire now !
Ladakh weather
Ladakh has a continental climate.
The weather is warm with plenty of sunshine in the summer. However it can get very cold and dip below freezing in the higher reaches of Ladakh even during the day in summer.
Unpredictable weather conditions can add days to your journey. It is always advisable to keep one or two days free in case you are stuck somewhere because of a landslide, flood or so. For instance, in 2010, there was a terrible flood in Ladakh that has affected a lot of visitors.
The winters of Ladakh are very cold. Winter visitors are only those who want to trek on the frozen Zanskar river or those who wants to spot the Snow Leopard.
In case you want to reach Ladakh overland (recommended) you can only come in summer and in autumn since the high passes are closed the rest of the time due to snow.
Do you want to plan a trip to Ladakh in the best and safest way ? Enquire now !
Weather on a trek
Summer is the best time to trek in Ladakh. Some of them opens later due to weather conditions.
Best time to visit Ladakh
Best time to visit Ladakh is from June to mid-October.
You can come any other time of the year if you want to avoid the peak tourist season or if you have any other travel purpose.
Enquire with us to get the best advice.
You can come any other time of the year if you want to avoid the peak tourist season or if you have any other travel purpose.
Enquire with us to get the best advice.
Ladakh trip, how will you move ?
On the road !
A mix group of bikers and non-bikers on a trip with Himalayan Ecotourism.
Ladakh is vast ! And the roads are not always in good conditions because of the harsh environment.
So to visit most of the places you will need to move with a good vehicle that we provide.
Himalayan Ecotourism offers you two options.
Ladakh in a private vehicle
Travel with our team in a private jeep/minibus. Our Ladakhi drivers and guides will take you safely on the roads of Ladakh. Having your guide with you in the vehicle is a big advantage as he can tell you all the facts and stories of the different places on the way.Prefer traveling in a private vehicle for your safety and comfort !
Ladakh on a motorcycle
You travel Ladakh on a motobike (Royal Enfield).We will provide the best bikes available and you will be going with our team that follows you in a backup jeep.
In the team you have the jeep driver, your guide and a mechanic to help if you have any problem on the way.
You will have to drive carefully as the roads can be dangerous, especially on the high passes.
Biking experience required !
We organize tours in Ladakh for many years. Trust our experience : Enquire now !
Ladakh hotel. Where to stay ?
Ladakh has now a lot of different options for your stay, especially in Leh and in the Indus valley.
Stay in Leh is easy and you will find any accommodation that matches your budget : luxury hotels, budget guesthouses or even homestay.
But as soon as you are off the beaten track, you may not have so much of options.
Especially after crossing one of the high passes, there is rarely permanent residences.
Hence, you may have to camp ! The locals set up camps as soon as the passes open and they close them just before the passes are going to close.
This is the case on the Manali to Leh highway for instance.
Ask our advice if you want to visit the lakes of Ladakh or the Nubra valley.
In some cases we also offer that you go in the wilderness with our team of mountain experts who will set up the camp on the way, with you, wherever you feel like having a night stop !
Don't worry, we provide the best camping equipment for safe and comfortable stay in the wilderness of Ladakh.
When you are on a trek, you will either have the option of staying in a homestay or camping. The camping equipment is carried by mules.
Let's know your preferences, we will make it for you. Enquire now !
A traditional guesthouse
Some of the guesthouses are the best choice for comfort and experience.
Fairs and Festivals of Ladakh
Monastic festivals of Ladakh
We can curate a Ladakh experience for you where you can enjoy a festival.
Like any other state, the people of Ladakh celebrate their festivals in their unique way.
The Tibetan new year, the beginning of harvest, the flowering season, and plenty of other occasions are celebrated with zeal.
The rich tradition and culture of Ladakh are showcased at monastic festivals in the Buddhist monasteries across Ladakh. The vibrant festivals of Ladakh truly celebrate life in the valley.
Read more about the Festivals of Ladakh
Ladakh tours and treks
Select your favorite experience
Trekking in Ladakh
Ladakh and Zanskar are among the most incredible places to trek on earth !
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Spiritual tour to Ladakh
Tibetan Buddhism, meditation, shamanism, yoga, traditional medicines and much more !
Read MoreLadakh photos
Tso Kar lake
A high altitude salt lake near the Manali-Leh road !
Buddhist monastery
This one is very close to Leh and offer a great view of the valley.
Sarchu
The Manali-Leh road just after crossing Sarchu in the Tsarap valley.
Buddhist festival
In the monastery of Takthok just an hour drive from Leh!
Nubra valley
The most secluded valley of Ladakh has the most stunning landscapes !
Nun Kun
One of the highest mountain range in Zanskar !
Other places around Ladakh
Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP)
Come and trek with us in one of the most pristine Himalayan Park.
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Recognition of Himalayan Ecotourism
Our awards
Himalayan Ecotourism is the winner of the To Do award 2022 in the field of "Socially Responsible Tourism".
We are also the Overall Winner of the Indian Responsible Tourism Award 2019 and the Gold winner in the Best Adventure Operator category.
We have been declared winner of the Sustainable Tourism Award 2019 by Skal International and Biosphere.
Our cooperative-based model of social enterprise and our efforts to conserve the Himalayas are the main reasons for winning these awards.
Thank you to all our cooperative members, our customers, our friends and well-wishers !
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