Peaks of Ladakh Trek

• Accommodation: 6 Classic nights (hotels), 9 Simple nights (full-service camping)
• 10 days of point-to-point walking
• Group normally 4 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 18
• Golden Triangle extension available

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.

Generally, the weather is good in Ladakh during summer, with warm to very hot sunny days (temperatures can reach up to 35C/95F or more), and cool to cold nights depending on the altitude (it can be just below freezing at the highest camps in late August). There is, however, always the possibility of rain and snow at higher altitudes. Please note, the sun is very strong at these altitudes and it can be very hot in the daytime. For the climb of Dzo Jongo, we set off before dawn and it can be very cold that day and snow may be encountered.

Ladakh, though technically part of the Tibetan plateau and classified as a high-altitude desert, occasionally experiences the effects of the Indian monsoon. Although the departures are timed to coincide with when the weather is normally good, the weather is never wholly predictable in any mountain area and you should be prepared and equipped to deal with any differences in weather beyond the conditions described above.

Delhi in summer is very hot and humid.

This trip is rated Activity Level 7 (Tough). For more information on our trip gradings, visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip, please contact us.  

Trek essentials: This is a demanding full-service wild camping trek with 10 days of point-to-point hiking at high altitudes – it is not a beginner’s trek and we recommend you have trekked at high altitude before. Most days involve five to eight hours of hiking, although there are a few longer days and there are five passes over 16,075ft (4,900m). The adventure is designed for those willing to put in the necessary fitness preparation and are confident of their physical fitness; however, it is a fully supported camping trek with full porterage (mules and ponies) throughout − you need only carry your backpack.

Maximum altitude: 17,455ft (5,320m)

Average altitude: 14,765ft (4,500m)

Optional peaks: There are two optional peaks: Vatseri (18,505ft/5,640m) and Dzo Jongo (20,305ft/6,189m) – alternative treks are offered to those not wishing to climb them. Vatseri is a straightforward, easy-angled hike up a slope requiring no technical skills. The highest peak is Dzo Jongo East (20,305ft/6,189m) and anyone wishing to make the ascent should have experience of using ice axe and crampons, which are sometimes required if snow is encountered. Roping up is not usually necessary but a rope is carried in case of need. Dzo Jongo East is approached via a broad ridge at a comfortable angle; the summit day is about a 12-/14-hour day (waking up around 12.30am and starting the trek at 1.30am) and is made tough by the altitude. The climb is suitable for experienced walkers who are comfortable scrambling on loose rock on a ridge.

Terrain: Most of the trekking trails are well made on sandy paths. There are a few river crossings.

Climate: Daytime temperatures can be very hot, especially in the middle of the day as the sun is very strong at these altitudes. Nights are cooler and cold at base camp.

Altitude: As this trip spends considerable time at altitude, we ask you to refer to the altitude warning within the Trip Notes. We spend three days in Leh (11,485ft/3,500m) to allow you to acclimatise before starting the trek.

Timings: Walking distances and hours are given as approximates only. Timings stated include rest and photo stops but not a longer lunch break and vary depending on the group’s pace.

Connecting to the internet: Ladakh is ideal if you want to be present and enjoy a digital detox, as there is no coverage across the region. Therefore, we do not recommend that you purchase e-sims or local sims for use during the trek.

Why trek with Exodus?

More than 30 years’ experience organising treks in Ladakh.

‘Ask an expert’ – talk to Exodus office staff who have done the treks themselves.

Experienced English-speaking local leaders who are qualified in first aid and trained in recognising and dealing with altitude sickness.

All staff (leaders, guides and porters) are fully insured and paid a fair wage.

Carefully planned ascent rates and itineraries with built-in acclimatisation and contingency days.

Staff carry oxygen and first-aid kit.

Self-assessment AMS cards used to monitor every client at altitude.