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Explore India's Himalayan Region of Leh & Ladakh

India's best-kept secret

By: The Outbound Collective + Save to a List

Have you ever heard of Leh & Ladakh? No, well let us let you in on the secret — it's spectacular. In one of India's northern-most regions, this Himalayan territory is filled with adventurous explorations to high-altitude lakes, over thrilling mountain passes, and into remote villages with a deep cultural heritage. 

Explore this amazing destination with GeTS Holidays, India's premier tour operators.

About Leh & Ladakh

Ladakh is a union territory in northern India (the Himalayas) that is known for its remoteness (only two roads — both inaccessible in the winter — lead in and out of the region), its spectacular scenery, and its well-preserved Buddhist culture. Unlike its famous Himalayan neighbor, Tibet, it receives a fraction of the visitors, making it an off-the-beaten-path destination that is primed for exploration. 

Leh, often referred to as the heart of the Ladakh region, is a high-desert city that is a popular jumping off point for incredible Himalayan trekking. At just over 11,500 feet high, Leh is a great place to acclimatize before excursions into the mountains. Learn about the rich Buddhist history, have fun exploring the local markets, and get a taste of Tibetan cuisine as you prepare yourself for your adventures to come. 

When to Visit

Prime tourist season in the Ladakh region is the summer, from May through August. In these months, you'll find the greatest variety of hotels and restaurants open, and the weather, though cooler than you may expect from summer (60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit), will be pleasant. 

It's possible to visit Leh year-round by air from Delhi, and if quiet enjoyment in a remote mountain village is what you're after, you'll find it in the winter. That being said, if you travel in the winter, you'll miss the chance to drive over one of Ladakh's famously thrilling (and scenic) mountain passes like Khardungla Pass, which, at 17,852 feet, is thought to be the highest drivable pass in the world. 

Exploring Leh & Ladakh

Leh & Ladakh are a world of their own, and booking a tour can help you navigate the ins and outs of this unique mountain region. GeTS Holidays has received the National Tourism Award from the Government of India (twice!). Here are just a few of the ways you can explore Leh & Ladakh with GeTS Holidays.

Ladakh With Hemis Festival


This 8-day, 7-night trip is an adventurous tour of the Ladakh region that brings you through the mountains on "the roof of India," into remote villages, over the Khardungla Pass, and to the the Hemis Festival, Ladakh's captivating Buddhist Festival.

The journey begins with an acclimatization day at Leh (which is located above 10,000 feet), followed by a trip to Hemis monastery for Hemis Festival. Watch a sacred masked dance, performed by the monastery's monks, then explore the twelve-story Thiskey Monastery.

From there, you'll head over 17,852-foot Khardungla Pass to the high-desert Nubra Valley, where you'll spend two days exploring monasteries, journeying to remote Turtuk Village, and riding double-humped camels on the cold-desert sand dunes.

The tour concludes with a trip to scenic Pangong Lake, and then an afternoon spent wandering through the vibrant marketplace of Leh.

Also, check out a women's only trip to Ladakh, Ladakh: The Land of High Passes and Mountains and take a look at Ladakh with Nubra Valley and Hemis Festival.

Essence of Kashmir and Ladakh

Since you've already traveled around the world to fall in love with India, why not stay awhile? The 15-day, 14-night Essence of Kashmir and Ladakh tour visits two of the most beautiful regions in India.

Start your trip in Delhi and fly to Srinagar, known as "Paradise on Earth", where you'll get settled into your houseboat accommodations before taking a Shikara ride on the lake.

Then, it's off to the mountains. Pahalgam is a beautiful mountain valley, famous as a Bollywood filming location, where you'll see the saffron-growing fields, take a jeep ride, visit ruins, and visit Hindu temples. 

Stops in Sonamarg and Kargil follow, filled with the natural beauty of wild rivers, the snowy Himalayas, and high-altitude lakes. Then it's off to Leh, where you'll have five days to visit Nubra Valley's sand dunes, explore Buddhist monasteries, ride over Khardungla Pass, stroll through Leh's marketplace, and dip a toe in Pangong Lake.

Golden Triangle with Adventurous Ladakh


Like the Essence of Kashmir and Ladakh, this 13-day, 12-night Golden Triangle with Adventurous Ladakh tour explores the best of Ladakh while visiting another spectacular part of India, too. This time, the "Golden Triangle" trip to the cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.

Begin in Delhi and spend a day exploring. Head next through the sites of Rajasthan, to the Taj Mahal and India's "pink city", Jaipur, before heading back to Delhi. From there, you'll fly to Leh, the heart of Ladakh, where you'll spend five days taking in the Himalayan sights and Buddhist history of the region. You'll ride a camel in Nubra Valley, check out Pangong Lake, ride Khardungla Pass, and visit shrines and monasteries.

All photos courtesy of GeTS Holidays

We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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