Ladakh, is a large area of the northern and eastern Kashmir region, the northwestern Indian subcontinent. Administratively, Ladakh is divided between Pakistan (northwest), as part of Gilgit-Baltistan, and India (southeast), as part of Ladakh union territory (until October 31, 2019, part of Jammu and Kashmir state); in addition, China administers portions of northeastern Ladakh.

Ladakh is called the adventure capital of the country for a genuine reason. The geographical location of the place makes it an ultimate destination for anyone looking for an adrenaline-filled vacation.

Best Time to Visit Ladakh Desert

The most popular time for visiting Ladakh is from May to the end of September when temperatures are warmer. But there really is no bad time to visit Ladakh, as the weather is always sunny and each season offers its own enchanting sights and experiences. Ladakh lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas so monsoon rain clouds are blocked and the climate is always very dry.

Summer is the high season for tourism in Ladakh and this is the best time for those who want to do trekking. The shoulder months (April and October-November) combine the advantages of both high and low-season travel. Temperatures are still pleasant (between 10 and 15°C during the day) and there are fewer tourists which means that you can enjoy the famous cultural and natural sites without the crowds. Winter has its own charms and beauty as you can trek on the frozen Zanskar river and spot the elusive snow leopard which comes down to the valley to look for food and mating partners.

Things to do in Ladakh Desert

Yak safari

Experiencing the desert lands of Ladakh on a yak is a must for every traveler as you get to enjoy the pristine beauty of serene blue lakes, sprawling green valleys, and regal snow-peaked mountains standing tall on all sides. The yaks are natural-born animals of the rugged terrain and can easily climb high altitudes.

Camel trekking

Camel trekking or camel safari in Ladakh is one of the most fun things to do in Nubra Valley. This is the only place in India where you will find the Bactrian camel or the double-humped camel; they store fat instead of water inside their humps.

Indus river rafting

The Indus river originates from Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar Lake in Tibet and runs across the desert region of Ladakh. While rafting in this river you get to go through gorges in the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges. You can choose from various levels of difficulty owing to the rapids in different sections in the river.

Motorbiking

Ladakh is synonymous with Motor Biking, especially in recent years. You can go on an expedition from Manali, crossing Rohtang Pass, Darcha, Tanglang La and Baralacha La till you get to Leh. You can also go biking to Khardung La Pass – the highest motor-able road in the world, Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri Lake and other sites. It’s a thrill that cannot be expressed in words, and the gorgeous panorama makes every bit of it worth it.

Cycling

Cycling in Ladakh is nothing short of a delight. The trails here are gorgeous where you can feast your eyes on the natural beauty all around. Cycling on the quiet roads, stopping by to chat with the friendly locals, or even get a few pictures of the ever changing landscapes and the tall snow-covered mountains – it’s slow travel at its best. However, at times the difficult terrains may make cycling a bit arduous; so be prepared for that as well.

How to Reach Ladakh

Ladakh is one of the very few destinations in the world where entertainment starts the moment you begin your travel towards it. Thanks to the scenic routes, the travel to Ladakh is as exciting as your vacation.

The land is bestowed with mountains, valleys, snows, cold deserts, frozen lakes, trekking routes, rivers, mountain passes and so on. If you have picked Ladakh as your next destination, you are in for an exciting vacation.

By Air: The easiest way to travel to Ladakh is by air. The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport located in Leh. This airport is connected with many international airports in India like Delhi. It also receives flights from Srinagar, Jammu, Chandigarh and other common destinations in India.

The airport is a military terminal and thus, the security is a bit strangling. It is important to have all your documents ready when you enter Ladakh via the airport. It is better to have a hard copy of your e-ticket.

You can find a few taxis outside the airport to reach the required destination. Not all destinations have daily flights to Leh. It is better to book your accommodations after you book your tickets.

The most common flights to Leh fly from Delhi. The cost of an air ticket from Delhi to Leh starts from INR 8,000. The cost varies with the service provider, season and other factors.

By Bus: There are government and private buses from Srinagar and Manali. If you are choosing Srinagar, you will pass through Zoji La Pass to reach Ladakh and you will scale Rohtang Pass to reach Ladakh from Manali.

The Srinagar path is open from June to October for bus entries. The Manali route is open for bus routes from June to September. If you were planning to hire a bus from New Delhi, it would take minimum 4 days to reach Ladakh

By Train: The nearest railway station to Ladakh is in Tawi, which is 700 km away from Ladakh. This railway station receives trains from many important destinations like Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi and others. From the station, you can find cabs to reach Ladakh.

You can also pre-book cabs. It would take two days to reach Ladakh and the trip will cost INR 10,000. Other nearest railway stations are in Chandigarh and Pathankot. It would take at least three days to reach the railway station in Ladakh. This is the most inconvenient method to reach Ladakh.

By Bike:

Most tourists visit Ladakh by bike. The place has the world’s top three highest mountain passes that can be scaled on a vehicle. Biking along with the mountain passes and stopping for a steaming cup of tea is the iconic activity of this place. If you are planning to travel to Leh via bike, you can choose one of two routes.

Leh – Srinagar Highway

Srinagar is 434 km away from Leh. The route covers Sonmarg, Zozi La, Drass, Kargil, Mulbek, Lamayuru and Saspol before reaching Leh. This route is open from May to October. It is the most scenic route with many attractions in its path.

Leh – Manali Highway

This route stretches from 490 km covering Rohtang, Gramphu, Kokshar, Darcha, Baralacha La, Gata Loops, Lachulung La, Tanglang La, Gya and Karu on the way. This route is open from May to September.

If you are planning to reach Ladakh by bike, choose a brand that can easily take you through rocky terrains. It is better to choose a bike with higher displacements.

The most common bike opted for is Royal Enfield, Hero Impulse, KTM Duke, Bajaj Avenger and others. You can hire bikes from Srinagar or Manali at the cost of a minimum INR 1,700 per day. The cost of the bike varies with a service provider, brand, quality, season and others. The documents required for hiring a bike also vary between service providers.

By Jeep: Anyone wanting to enjoy the adrenaline rush of a bike ride but not able to handle the activity can choose a jeep. A Jeep ride is easier than a bike and more comfortable. You can choose either one of the highway routes as mentioned before.

If you are choosing a jeep, you ought to visit Zoji La, the door of Ladakh that is found on the way from Kargil to Ladakh in the Kashmir Valley. The price of a jeep safari can start from INR 32,000 and the price is subject to change.