For travelers, Tibet has always been a fascinating place. A paradise of pure air in the heights of the Himalayas, an authentic place that is difficult to access. We imagine steep cliffs, Buddhist monasteries dominating immense valleys, monks in their reddish robes...

What if I told you that there is another place, easier to access, with very similar characteristics in India? Well, believe it, because that place exists and is called ladakh, a region belonging to the state of Kashmir in northwest India. A desert in the heights, on a plateau dominated by mountains of six to seven thousand meters and scattered Buddhist villages. Here the majority religion is also Buddhism and its similarity to Tibetan culture (including food) is more than evident.

Many Tibetans, due to conflicts with China, had to emigrate to this remote area of India. The result is a fascinating place that will not leave you indifferent where you can live multiple Adventure activities. From rafting down the Zanskar River and the mythical Indus to climbing the highest motorized mountain pass in the world (5,600 meters above sea level) and descending it by bicycle, snowboarding on sand dunes, riding a Royal Enfield through the vast deserts and climbing the great lakes at high altitude, ascend large peaks of more than 7,000 meters above sea level or contemplate a Mandala ceremony in a Buddhist monastery.

Sounds good, right? Well, come with me.

Tourism in Ladakh: What you can't miss

Leh, the capital

The capital of the Ladakh region is located in a privileged location. There are several ways to get to it. The most common is via a commercial flight from Delhi. Of course, given the great difference in altitude between the capital of India and Leh (located at almost 3,700 meters above sea level) it may be that on the first day you suffer from altitude sickness. So hydrate and take it easy the first and second day, and bring aspirin just in case.

If you have time, it is advisable to reach this city by road, either from Manali or Srinagar. Of course, it is not a path suitable for people with vertigo unless you want to suffer a heart attack. Even better, you can rent the legendary Royal Enfield and explore these incredible landscapes through the spectacular mountain passes. The pass to be crossed from Manali reaches 5,300 meters above sea level and the road is not paved in many sections. So for both this pass and Srinagar (not as high, but even more terrifying) it is better to have some driving skills. And patience…

But I assure you it will be worth it.

Once in Leh, you can spend a few days doing some sightseeing by visiting the buddhist stupas and the main palace or visiting nearby Buddhist monasteries.

But I know that you like adventure. AND Ladakh adventure no lack. There are many agencies that offer different packages, all at similar prices. On many occasions there is no choice but to do the activities with them because a special pass is required, but not in all of them.

Now I describe some of the best ones, which you can hire from Leh:

Zanskar River Rafting

The Zanskar River is a tributary of the mythical Indus River, which gives its name to the country. With cold waters and a murky color, its waters flow turbulently between walls of bare rock. In just over an hour you can access the rafting starting point (28 kilometers upstream).

The activity lasts about 4 hours, with category 2 and 3 rapids. There are no major risks in this section, making it a good option for beginners in this exciting sport.

If you are looking for a closer place to get started in this sport, don't miss this rafting activity in the Picos de Europa, where you will also enjoy spectacular landscapes.

Mountain Bike Descent from the Khardung La Pass

Imagine that you are going to do a Mountain Bike descent from a mountain pass in the Indian Himalayas. Now imagine that this pass is the highest motorized pass on the planet, at 5,600 meters above sea level. Would you dare to go for only 10 euros? I think it's clear that you can't miss this unique opportunity.

The pass is located in the Ladakh mountain range, north of Leh, and is the gateway to the Shyok and Nubra valleys. He siachen glacier It is located halfway, in the Nubra Valley. After an hour and a half of climbing in a van, between 2 and 4 hours of descent await you (depending on how daring you are and your speed on the handlebars) along a road that crosses scandalous landscapes. A third of the road is unpaved. The rest of the way back to Leh is paved and generally in very good condition.

Snowboarding over dunes in Hunder (Nubra Valley)

In the spectacular Nubra Valley and at 4,000 meters above sea level is a town called Hunder. This town is famous for its “silver dunes” where it is even possible to practice snowboarding. If you don't feel like sliding down the dunes, just taking a walk at sunset will be an unforgettable experience.

To get here you need to cross the aforementioned mountain pass, Khardung La.

Markha Valley Trek

One of the most popular treks in Ladakh is the Markha Valley trek. Just because it is popular does not mean that it is very crowded, you can enjoy the tranquility of nature and sleep in towns lost in the depths of magical valleys.

This trekking can be done with or without a guide depending on your mountain experience. It doesn't have much loss but you reach a maximum height of more than 5,000 meters above sea level, so if you don't have previous experience it may be a good idea to hire a guide. Normally, it is done in about 5 or 6 days to allow good acclimatization. I did it in just 4; Yes, there were difficult moments due to the height. So my advice is that, if you are not very used to altitude and want to play it safe, hire a guide.

The path is clear, as it always runs through the Markha valley following the river, except in the final stretch towards the mountain pass where the slope increases considerably. It is not necessary to bring a sleeping bag or tent if you do not want (not even food or water) since there are towns every few hours where you can stay to sleep, and they serve you dinner, breakfast and ration for the next day for 1,000 rupees Indians. They are called homestays, highly recommended to experience how the locals live in these remote towns that can only be reached by donkey after several days of travel.

The route begins in the town of Chilling (about 3,300 meters above sea level) and from here goes up the Markha valley. You can stop at Skyu or Markha itself, already located at 3,800 meters above sea level. The latter is a small town located on a promontory next to the confluence of two rivers, with green meadows and spectacular views of the naked mountains. There's even a small school, a stupa, and a Buddhist temple (you'll see many along the way, some even perched on top of huge rocky cliffs). A stop here is almost mandatory.

From Markha, you can reach the Nimaling camp (4,700 meters above sea level) in a single stage. But if you are not in a hurry you can rest halfway in Hankar or in the Tchachungstse camp (although they did not rent tents here when I passed by), since the climb to Nimaling is hard and you may want to rest beforehand. Half of the section is flat and it is already possible to see the magnificent KY (6,400 meters above sea level) that will accompany you all the way to the camp.

At the Nimaling camp you can rent a tent and sleeping bags, so if you don't want you don't have to carry them. It is in a privileged location surrounded by Yaks, marmots and other animals, at the foot of the KY and with incredible views of the valley. Of course, you will need warm clothes because the nights can be very cold here. This is a meeting place for mountaineers. If you feel strong and experienced (you must also have equipment: crampons, ice axes...) from here you can climb the KY

Your last stage (if you don't want to make another stop somewhere in between before returning to Leh) is the climb to the Gongmaru La mountain pass, at 5,130 meters above sea level. It has no difficulty; Yes, breathe deeply and climb slowly to avoid altitude sickness. From Gongmaru La the descent begins to Shan (3,670 meters above sea level) through spectacular rocky gorges.

The route can be done in the opposite direction, although it is harder because there is no time to acclimatize: in the first stage the slope is steep.

Ascent to Stok Kangri, Kun or Nun peaks

If you didn't have enough trekking to Markha, or if climbing big peaks is your thing, there are 3 mountains that will quench your thirst for climbing. In progressive level of difficulty they are Stok Kangri (6,153 meters above sea level), Kun (7,077 meters above sea level) and Nun (7,135 meters above sea level).

For the first, great experience or technique is not required, but prior acclimatization is required. It can be uploaded in a couple of days. The other two require more experience and physical fitness and the expeditions last more than a week. Whichever one you choose, it will surely be unforgettable.

Before traveling to Ladakh, you can train with this activity in which you will ascend the three great peaks of Sierra Nevada.

Jeep or Royal Enfield tours

From Leh there are numerous tours covering the various areas of Ladahk. For certain places (such as Nubra Valley or Pangong Tso) permits are required. Tours are done by off-road jeep and can last several days. If you like driving a motorcycle, you can do it on your own by renting a legendary Royal Enfield. Of course, you will have to obtain the necessary permits in advance where applicable.

Driving on these roads in the vastness of Ladahk, admiring the huge valleys, visiting stupas and Buddhist monasteries, is something difficult to explain in words. Rather go for it and judge for yourself.

Although there are many more places, I am going to recommend these two:

Pangong Tso Lake

Pangong Tso Lake is located at 4,200 meters above sea level, about 6 hours by jeep from Leh. Famous for its crystal clear emerald waters, it is worth visiting. The path through high mountains to reach the lake will take your breath away. You can make a stop at Chemrey Monastery, a monastery on a rocky peak overlooking a valley of green crops.

Pangong Tso Lake is 135 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide, and extends from India to Tibet. You can visit between May and September but prior permission is required. We recommend spending a night in one of the towns on the shores of the lake. The further you get from the beginning (Leh) the more you can enjoy the nature and tranquility of this unparalleled place.

You can stay in a homestay or in cabins of different prices. However, reservations must be made for the latter, especially in high season (from the end of June to the end of August). One last piece of advice: don't forget to go out at night and watch the spectacle of the Milky Way...

Lamayuru

Lamayuru is the oldest Buddhist monastery in Ladahk, with a permanent population of 150 Tibetan monks. Located 100 kilometers before Leh, on the Srinagar-Leh highway, it is located next to the Valley of the Moon, surreal and whimsical rock formations that are worth visiting. The route to get here from Leh goes up the Indus River and is mostly in good condition. In the final stretch the river is enclosed in sinuous and immense rocky gorges of great beauty.

There are several guesthouses in this town, so you can spend a night here and enjoy the landscape, climb the Meditation Hill or simply watch the Tibetan Buddhist monks go about their daily chores.

In addition to what has been mentioned, there is much more to discover in this incredible region; but we want to leave something for the surprise. Ladahk is a paradise that you must explore by yourself (between May and September is the best time). Give yourself time and immerse yourself in the ancient culture and Buddhist rituals. Lose yourself in the immense bare landscapes; Venture into a friendly and, at the same time, wild world…