Blessed with picturesque landscapes, high altitude ranges, gigantic lakes, zigzag trails, deep valleys and high passes, Leh-Ladakh is a beauty beyond art. The splendid views and majestic landscapes not only excite you but also give you experience that stays in your heart forever. Whether you are an adventure lover, foodie or nature lover, the region of Leh-Ladakh has got so much in its store for you. You will like or rather fall hard for this place if you are a mountain person who fancies being surrounded by the tranquil ambience of the monasteries and lip-smacking local cuisine. Leh-Ladakh is not a place to visit like a tourist but it is meant to be experienced like a local by taking an adventurous trip to Ladakh!
The region sets up a perfect platform for a wide range of adrenaline-boosting action. From fluttering of prayer flags to the innocence of Ladakhis, rich culture to colourful festivals, Leh-Ladakh is enveloped in mysteries and packed with so much action that you can’t decide what to do first. If you are thrill-seeker yearning for some adrenaline rush, Leh-Ladakh is an ideal destination to spend your adventurous vacation. The incandescent beauty of the land offer experiences that you’ll cherish all your life. We’ve picked five cool things to do to free the adrenaline junkie inside you.
- River Rafting
River Rafting in Ladakh is not for people with faint hearts. It’s a unique experience that demands great stamina. Ladakh gives you a chance to take on the ever turbulent and rumbling waters of Zanskar River while running down the valley and enjoy faithful spectacular views. Gushing through the waters of Zanskar and Indus River is an experience you won’t be able to forget ever.
You might have done river rafting in Rishikesh, but the white water river rafting experience you take here will leave you dumbfounded. Cold spurting rapids, landscape lined with mountains, scenic views of monasteries, snow-clad peaks and the sheer thrill of bouncing in the flowing water is what you get to enjoy on your adventurous trip to Ladakh. The fun of defeating obstacles during rafting cannot be expressed in words. Indus River supports Grade I to V of rafting levels which is ideal for both beginners and professionals.
River Rafting in Zanskar stream can be the most energizing and exhausting of all stretches particularly the stretch between Padum and Nimu. If we talk about the best stretch in Indus River, then you can easily traverse through Spituk and Saspol. After you’re done with river rafting, set up a camp near the rafting site or stay in a nearby hotel to soak the enthralling view of the valley.
- Camping
Just like river rafting, camping in Leh-Ladakh is also an unforgettable experience which you can’t afford to miss out on. Imagine sitting under the blanket of twinkling stars with Indus River flowing beside you, that’s what you get with camping in Ladakh. Moreover, it’s a great way to escape the heat in the cities and rejuvenate your body, mind and soul.
Places like Sarchu, Namara, Hunder, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri are the perfect spots for camping. Camping unravels fun and excitement as you build a campfire, chat with fellow campers, feel the wind under your hair and interact with locals, these alone are worth a thousand memories. If you haven’t experienced camping in Ladakh, you haven’t really had fun before. Besides that, camping is also good for your mental health as it de-stress your mind from the oppressive weather of the plains.
- Trekking
Have you ever thought about walking over a frozen river? No doubt it sounds thrilling, right? But do you know that Ladakh is a place where thrill follows you at every step of the way? Being a part of challenging treks can pump up anyone’s adrenaline especially when there is no dearth of risky trails amid spellbinding views. Leh-Ladakh offers some of the best treks in the world, which is why people from across the world can’t help themselves but visit the place. There is no doubt that Ladakh is one of the best trekking destinations for an adventure enthusiast.
Mountaineering in Ladakh won’t disappoint you if you want to push your limits and test your grit. Here are treks worth taking once in this lifetime- Chadar trek, The Markha Valley Trek, Stok Kangri Trek, Snow Leopard Trek, Lamayuru to Darcha Trek, Jhunglam Hemis to Padum Trek and so much more. Chadar Trek over the frozen river Zanskar is considered to be the most challenging trek in the country as you’d have to traverse through the bed sheet of ice formed on the river.
- Mountain Biking
Thrill-seekers leave no stone unturned to figure out new ways for adrenaline-pumped action. Mountain biking in Leh-Ladakh is one of the most sought after adventure sports and a dream for many bikers. Those who love an adventurous journey through the rocky hills, dramatic terrains, steep roads and cluttered villages must experience mountain biking in Ladakh. Interestingly every year, thousands of motorbikers flock to Leh-ladakh to explore the rich beauty of the region and find inspiration from it. You can go for biking along the Pangong Lake shores, Spituk, Thiksey, Diskit, Leh to Zingchem and more based on your itinerary. The roads of the region can sometimes be steep and challenging, but they are worth travelling by as the ride is extremely joyful. On your way, you can stop by at monasteries and religious abodes.
- Camel Safari
Camels have been a major mode of transportation for centuries and riding on a camel’s back especially when the camel is double-humped Bactrian one is an experience no one would want to miss out on. But in Leh-Ladakh, your dream of taking camel safari not only comes true but makes you feel as if you’ve entered into the land of Aladdin. When people say that the true beauty of the land can be felt and experienced when you see the place like a local, it is absolutely correct.
Camel safari is one way to understand Leh-Ladakh. Some of the famous camel safari spots in Ladakh are Dixit, Hunder Valley and Nubra Valley. If you are in for some crude country experience of Ladakh, these safaris fill in the void as a brilliant medium as riding on these camels feels like a nomad wandering in the deserts. As you embark upon this journey, you’ll pass through the rocky terrains, elevated swinging passes and sand dunes which is quite impossible to reach by any vehicle.
Apart from the activities mentioned, polo and archery are also very famous in Leh-Ladakh. Polo is played on the Leh Polo Ground with the Zanskari ponies. During Ladakh festival, Polo tournaments are organized. Archery is a traditional sport of Ladakh and villages regularly organize contests thereby putting more sports on the table for Ladakhis and tourists alike.