Peaks of Ladakh Trek

16 Days Starting and ending in Delhi

Visiting: Delhi, Leh, Stok, Ladakh, Shang La, Markha Valley, Nimaling, Nimaling Camping Ground, Zanskar

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

TGV

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 16

Physical rating:

Tough

Age range:

18-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $3750

NB: Prices correct on 23-Dec-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Journey among towering peaks to discover Tibetan culture and fantastic trekking routes, many off the beaten track. Ladakh is also the best place to conquer your first 6,000m (19,685ft) Himalayan peak – and if one summit isn’t enough, try two peaks and seven passes! After acclimatisation time in Leh, we begin trekking from Mankarmo. The trail ascends spectacular gorges and crosses mountain passes to reach a high-altitude plain at Nimaling. This is inhabited by Ladakhi shepherds and their huge flocks. Vatseri Peak is a good warm up before summiting our highest peak, Dzo Jongo East, which offers breath-taking views over the Karakorum and Indian Himalaya. This optional climb is tough but technically easy and a much quieter summit than Stok Kangri. We trek out to the roadhead via a remote pass and beautiful valley with fantastic rock formations.



The 9 August 2025 departure is led by Valerie Parkinson, winner of Best Tour Leader in the prestigious Wanderlust World Guide Awards in 2021.

Highlights

  • Embark on an off-the-beaten-track Himalaya adventure visiting remote villages

  • Discover colourful Buddhist monasteries

  • Climb Dzo Jongo East

Places You'll See

Taj Mahal, India

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Delhi

Location: Delhi

Accommodation Name: Hotel Deventure (or similar)

The tour starts at our hotel in Delhi – rooms are usually available from noon. The rest of the day is free to relax and recover from the flight or you can get out and explore this buzzing city.



Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)

Day 2 : Fly To Leh; Afternoon Orientation Walk

Location: Leh

Accommodation Name: Glacier View Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We start very early for the flight to Leh. We often have to leave the hotel around 2am and drive to the airport for the very early morning (but highly spectacular) flight over the Himalaya to Leh. If the weather is good and the flight goes on time, we should be in Leh early. The rest of the day is free to relax and acclimatise to the altitude (11,485ft/3,500m). In the morning, we rest and catch up on sleep; in the afternoon, we have a gentle orientation walk around Leh and its bazaars.



Accommodation: Glacier View Hotel (or similar)

Day 3 : Sightseeing In And Around Leh

Location: Leh

Accommodation Name: Glacier View Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today there is a sightseeing tour to two of the major gompas (Tibetan Buddhist temples) in the area. We first drive to Shey, a former royal palace of the Ladakh kings. Inside is a small temple containing a 350-year-old Buddha statue made of copper and gold. From Shey, we walk across fields to Tikse (about 1hr 30min), where we visit a hilltop monastery whose red and white buildings can be seen for miles. A recently built temple contains a magnificent image of the Future Buddha. We have lunch at Tikse and return to Leh. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore. There is a full trek briefing and gear check today.



Accommodation: Glacier View Hotel (or similar)

Day 4 : Acclimatisation Walk; Optional Jeep Ride To Khardung Pass

Location: Leh

Accommodation Name: Glacier View Hotel (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we have an acclimatisation walk round the Leh Valley. Set above Leh on the Namgyal Hill are the ruins of the Old Royal Palace. From here, a winding path takes us to Tsemo Monastery, where we can see the whole of Leh and the surrounding villages. We continue the walk via Sankar to the recently built Japanese Peace Pagoda. This huge stupa (Buddhist shrine) overlooks Leh and we can see the Stok mountain range across the valley. Today there is an optional jeep safari to the Khardung Pass; at 18,379ft (5,602m), one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The trip to the top and back takes roughly four to five hours and can be booked and paid for locally. Your leader will have details. If you do the jeep safari, this will be in the morning and you can do a walk in the afternoon.



Accommodation: Glacier View Hotel (or similar)

Day 5 : Drive To Stok; Trek To Mankarmo

Location: Stok

Accommodation Name: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave Leh this morning and drive to the start point of our trek. The road follows the Indus River for a short while through Choglamsar before crossing the river and then climbing on a side road to Stok. We start trekking at the end of Stok village, taking an easy trail that winds up a spectacular valley. We follow the Stok River most of the way (and may have to cross it once or twice), with multi-coloured rocks towering above us as we ascend. The walking is easy and not steep; it takes five to six hours to reach our first camp at Mankarmo. Look for herds of blue sheep that graze on the hillsides here.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 13,780ft/4,200m)

Day 6 : Cross The Matho La To Ganpoche

Location: Ladakh

Accommodation Name: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We cross our first pass today. The trail takes us gradually to the top of the pass, the Matho La, at 16,275ft (4,960m). The ascent is long but not too steep and, as we ascend, the views become more and more spectacular with the magnificent rock formations of the Ladakh mountains surrounding us. The dramatic mountains in various shades of purples, greens and browns can be seen for miles in every direction. From the pass, we descend easily to our campsite at Gangpoche, which is located by some shepherd huts, with views up to the Matho mountains.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 13,780ft/4,400m)

Day 7 : Cross The Shang La To Shang Phu

Location: Shang La

Accommodation Name: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave camp and have a long climb to our second pass, the Shang La (16,240ft/4,950m). The trail climbs out of camp to a low ridge and then contours round and down into the next valley, from where we have a long but gentle climb to the pass. From the top, we are greeted with more fantastic views of the Matho range to the north. We then descend into the valley below and camp near shepherd houses at Shang Phu.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 14,347ft/4,373m)

Day 8 : Cross The Gyuncho La To Chuskurmo

Location: Markha Valley

Accommodation Name: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Another day, another pass! This morning, we turn into a side valley to the right and climb through barren landscape to the Gyuncho La (15,479ft/4,718m). Descending a short way, we cross a stream and then climb up again to a second col at 15,397ft (4,693m). We now descend on a rocky trail into a large barren valley that brings us down to Chokdo village, which is on the Markha Valley trek. We arrive in a spectacular gorge with wonderful, purple-coloured rocks. From Chokdo we turn up the valley towards to Gongmaru La and camp at Chuslurmo at the entrance of the gorge.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 13,780ft/4,200m)

Day 9 : Cross The Gongmaru La To Nimaling

Location: Nimaling

Accommodation Name: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We have a tough day as we cross our highest pass yet. The trail follows a small stream as we climb, tracking the riverbed and sometimes climbing above it. Wonderful multi-coloured mountains surround us as we head to the pass. The final ascent zig zags steeply up a barren slope and we finally reach the string of prayer flags that marks the top of the Gongmaru La (17,178ft/5,236m). From the pass, we are rewarded with views down to Nimaling and across to the Indian Himalaya and the Ladakh range. The most prominent peak is Kang Yangtse (20,997ft/6,400m), the highest in the Ladakh mountains, and we can pick out Dzo Jongo across the valley if it’s clear. It’s an easy descent to our camp at Nimaling. During summer, shepherds bring their sheep, goats and dzos to graze on the high-altitude pasture. The shepherds stay in stone shelters close to the grazing area for the whole summer and we can often buy yoghurt or local cheese from them. In the evenings, the animals are brought down from the hills and it is quite usual to have a lot of them wandering through the campsite. Look after your food!



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 15,925ft/4,854m)

Day 10 : Trek To Dzo Jongo Base Camp, Ascend Vatseri Peak (5,640M)

Location: Nimaling

Accommodation Name: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we ascend our warm-up peak. Vatseri (18,503ft / 5,640m) requires no technical skills and it’s an easily graded trail to the summit. The altitude makes it a tough walk but the views from the top make it all worthwhile. On a clear day, we can see Dzo Jongo East and West across the valley plus many other peaks. The trail is indistinct today and we descend on a rocky trail towards our base camp, home for the next three nights. Please note, Vatseri Peak is optional and we have several choices of hikes depending on weather and ability. Your leader will assess the conditions and discuss with you the best options on the day. The trekking crew walk directly to base camp from Nimaling, which is 1.9mi (3km) and takes two hours.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 16,735ft/5,100m)

Day 11 : Rest And Acclimatisation Day At Base Camp

Location: Nimaling Camping Ground

Accommodation Name: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After the exertions of yesterday, we have a day of acclimatisation at base camp. In the morning, we can have a short walk up the valley to see tomorrow’s trail and admire the scenery or we can walk to a glacial lake at the end of the valley. In the afternoon, we get the climbing gear out, check everything and prepare our backpacks for tomorrow.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 16,735ft/5,100m)

Day 12 : Climb Dzo Jongo East

Location: Zanskar

Accommodation Name: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is summit day and starts with a very early wake-up (around 12:30am). After a quick breakfast, we set off with our headtorches (head lamps). We walk a short way up the main valley before turning into a steep gully to the right. We climb very steeply up the gully, passing a glacier on our right, and emerge onto an easy-angled slope, which leads us to a fine ridge that we follow to the top. Sometimes there is snow and, depending on conditions, we may need to use our ice axe and crampons. We should not have to rope up, but we carry a rope just in case. The summit ridge is long but technically easy. It is rocky; good balance and a head for heights are needed. There is no path and you need to have experience of scrambling on rough rocks. A small group of prayer flags marks the top with views of the Zanskar mountains and north to the Karakorum and the mountains in Tibet. We then descend slowly to base camp for a celebration.



The climb is entirely optional. There is a great alternative walk further up the valley to a small glacial lake for anyone not wanting to attempt it.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 16,735ft/5,100m)

Day 13 : Cross The Lalung La And Chaksang La To Riyul Sumdo

Location: Ladakh

Accommodation Name: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We leave base camp this morning and head towards the Manali to Leh highway through a remote valley, where we are unlikely to meet other trekkers. The trail climbs away from the base camp to the Lalung La (17,455ft/5,320m), where we get wonderful views looking back to Dzo Jongo and Kang Yangste peaks. From the top we contour round the valley to the Chaksang La (17,060ft/ 5,200m). Descending from the pass the path contours gently round and down the valley before turning right into a side valley where we soon reach our camp at Riyal Sumdo.



Accommodation: Full-service camping (sleeping altitude: 14,765ft/4,500m)

Day 14 : Trek To Lato; Drive To Leh

Location: Leh

Accommodation Name: Glacier View Hotel/Hotel Chubi (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

The last two hours of our trek take us further down this beautiful valley with a few river crossings, before we emerge at the green fields of Lato village and the main Manali to Leh road. We say goodbye to our ponymen and camp crew before driving back to Leh. The drive follows the Kyamur River until it meets the Indus River at Upshi. We follow the main road back into Leh and the comforts of a hot shower at our hotel. We should get to Leh for lunch and the rest of the day is free for last-minute sightseeing or shopping in the bazaars.



Accommodation: Glacier View Hotel/Hotel Chubi (or similar)

Day 15 : Fly To Delhi

Location: Delhi

Accommodation Name: Hotel Deventure (or similar)

Meals Included: Breakfast

We fly from Leh to Delhi and check into our hotel. The rest of the day is free for individual sightseeing and your leader can advise on what to do.



Accommodation: Hotel Deventure (or similar)

Day 16 : End Delhi

Location: Delhi

Meals Included: Breakfast

The tour ends after breakfast today and we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively, if you’d like a little more adventure, consider joining our five-day Golden Triangle extension. Encompassing Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, the trip is a whirlwind of culture, taking in the Taj Mahal, Red Fort of Akbar and much more.

What's Included

  • All accommodation

  • All breakfasts, nine lunches, nine dinners

  • All listed transport

  • Tour leader throughout

  • Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone (in Delhi)

What's Not Included

  • Entrance Fees to Monasteries

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Personal climbing equipment

Food

All breakfasts, nine lunches and nine dinners are included.



India is famous for food and there is ample chance to try various Ladakhi favourites, which are often influenced by the cuisines of Tibet and China thanks to the passing Silk Road traders of yesteryear. Momos (filled dumplings) and yaks cheese are popular. Other favourites (but there are plenty more) are: thukpa, a clear vegetable soup with noodles and often mutton, chicken or yak meat; tingmo (pronounced tee-mo), a steamed bread eaten with dal; and chutagi, a thick soup of local vegetables with bow tie-shaped pieces of dough cooked in broth (also served with meat).



Allow at least 1,000-2,000 rupees (US$20-US$25) per day for lunch and dinner, where it is not included. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you go to the more expensive restaurants most of the time, you will spend more than the suggested amount. Please note, service in restaurants can be quite slow. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap. A large bottle of beer is approximately 300 rupees (US$4).



While camping, staff bring a hot drink (usually tea) to your tent each morning. When you reach camp in the afternoon, tea and biscuits are served. At breakfast, dinner and in the afternoons, there is a choice of hot drinks. Breakfasts typically include cereal, toast and jam, eggs and porridge. Lunch on trek is usually served as a picnic en route (except on shorter days when it is in camp). Lunch and dinner typically include soup to start, followed by a variety of hot dishes (both local and Western) such as potatoes, vegetables, curry, pasta, rice, dal and paneer (cottage cheese). At dinner, a dessert such as tinned fruit and custard, fritters or cake is also served.



Please note, although some meals include meat, it is not as readily available while camping.



Drinking water



Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity but particularly so at altitude where it is generally recommended to drink at least 100 floz to 135 floz (3-4 litres) per day. We strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in Ladakh. In Leh, there is a shop called Dzomsa which sells safe drinking water. Your leader will show you where this is on your first day in Leh. During the trek, the cooks collect and boil drinking water from the mountain streams and fill up your water bottles for you, but you may need to collect water during the day and may wish to use your own water purification treatment too.

Accommodation

We spend six nights in hotels and have nine nights of full-service camping during the trek.



In Delhi, we use a hotel with air-conditioned rooms. In Leh, we stay in a hotel close to the local market and town centre. There is wifi available in Leh; however, there is no mobile coverage for international phones in Ladakh.



The trek itself is on a full-service camping basis, meaning our camp staff put up and dismantle the tents, cook, and do all the camp chores. You need only carry your backpack. Most of the camping is wild camping. We stay in two-person tents, which have enough room inside for your kitbags. We also have a dining tent with table and folding chairs, and at least one toilet tent (usually two) for use during the evenings. No running water is available while camping. We camp close to a river or stream and the camp staff provide bowls of warm water (to wash with) while trekking.



There are recharging facilities at all the hotels in Delhi and Leh. In Leh, the electricity supply is not 100 percent reliable but it is usually only off for short periods of time. On trek, there are no charging facilities and you need to bring spare batteries, a solar charger or power bank if you wish to recharge anything.



Single rooms and tents can be requested for a supplement (subject to availability). Please enquire at the time of booking.

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  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.

  • Who is Exodus Travels?

    At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    International flights are not included with this tour.

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes, our local guides are English speaking.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    The minimum age for this tour is 16 years old.

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Great trip

Great trip with fantastic guide (Valerie Parkinson)

Be prepared for the unexpected

It wasn't as expected! I have trekked in Ladakh before and had reviewed my previous photos before this trip. None of us, including Valerie, were expecting to have to face a blizzard, and heavy overnight snow on a couple of nights! The result was that rivers were swollen and crossings became more difficult, and the ascent of Dzo Jongo East was not possible. It was also a remote trek - we only saw other people or groups occasionally, and the sudden return to civilisation was a bit of a shock. Personally I also found that altitude acclimatisation this time took much longer than expected; I am used to high altitude but I think old age is catching up! But overall a great experience, and conditions, particularly the blizzard, led to a close group bonding developing.

3 peaks of Ladakh

A good opportunity to experience the raw and unspoilt beauty of the Himalayas. A challenging trip with only the basic amenities, taking you to less frequently travelled paths and up some less renowned but no less spellbinding peaks. Also, for those willing to listen and learn, it offers a good exposure to Tibetan Buddhism, its rituals and beliefs. Finally, a good chance to meet very interesting, widely travelled people who appreciate the challenge and don't mind the monastic austerity of the trek.

three peaks of Ladakh

The Queen of Kashmir does it again

A Proper Adventure

This was a remote trek in a tough mountain environment south west of Leh. After three days acclimatising in Leh, we spent around 10 days climbing high passes, crossing rivers in full flood and seeing few people outside our own little group. Every day was challenging. We experienced a range of weather from blizzard to heat wave, rain to frost and always a cold breeze at the top of every pass. And every day I would lie back in my tent after dinner and know I’d pushed myself and feel really good about it. We experienced unseasonable weather which forced changes to the itinerary, which our crew and leader were more than capable of dealing with. Heavy snow on the mountain prevented us from summiting Dzo Jongo but we reached the top of Konga Ri in brilliant sunshine and pristine white snow. Such was the nature of the trek that I was not left feeling disappointed at not getting the big mountain, as the whole experience was a proper adventure.

A satisfying challenge

Wonderful landscapes and trekking over the high passes gives a real sense of the geography of the place.

Valerie - An exceptional leader in Ladakh

An excellent trip led by an excellent and extremely knowledgeable leader. In country guides and staff were all excellent. Some good challenging trekking at altitude making this a great trip if you wish to extend your achievements at altitude.

Three Peaks of Ladakh

Very special trek in a remote area of Ladakh with challenging peaks and passes (very!) but worth every bit of effort.

Three Paeks of Laddakh

An excellent demanding trip which was well organised

Read all 9 reviews

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