Visiting a monastery festival in Ladakh is one of the highlights of their trip for most of the visitors and yes, it is something spectacular and touching to see the colorfully dressed monks dance their stories. Here are the celebrations for 2020. Ladakh: Monastery festivals and other celebrations 2020 Hemis-Festival Spituk Gustor in [...]
We proudly present our two new promotional videos showing what our trekking tours in Ladakh looks like. Videos by Patrick Haderer This is trekking in Ladakh When you step out of the plane in Leh, you already are at 3500 m of altitude. That’s no small thing. The plane is (hopefully!) pressurized to [...]
Monastery festivals and buddhist celebrations in Ladakh The dates 2019 Colorful robes, scary masks, unusual musical sounds for western ears, never seen dance steps, these are monastery festivals in Ladakh, where monks in incredible dance performances try to impart stories and philosophies of Tibetan Buddhism. If you feel like it, plan your trip so that [...]
Despite its name, the Ladakhi "Baby trek" is not a trail on which you can see little diaper-wearing babies hiking with miniature backpacks, quenching their thirst by drinking milk from feeding bottles, sitting by cozy streams and talking about the beauty of the Himalayas. But then, how the hell did this popular short trek in [...]
More and more often, parents are daring to travel to Ladakh with their children. And why not? The country has also plenty to offer to small guests. Children actually usually adapt better to the height than their parents - probably because the kids are not thinking about it. Here are some things that you should [...]
If you are planning to take a trekking tour for more than a few days in the Himalayan Ladakh, you should carefully consider a couple of things. Choosing the right maps, knowing how to deal with the local people, and even the proper way to do business with horsemen are some of the more specific [...]
Trekking in the Markha Valley is one of the most popular activities in Ladakh. The trail is wonderfully varied in the charms it hides, and can be dealt with in many different ways. We have compiled a few facts you should know before putting your hiking boots on. 8 Facts about Trekking in the [...]
Some people consider it madness. For others, its call is irresistible. The Ladakh Marathon is the ultimate challenge for runners. At such altitudes, achieving the same level of performance as one is used to back home is not an easy task. But with the proper preparation the task is both quite feasible and an unforgettable [...]
It is always good to speak a few words in the language of your host's country. Ladakhi - the language of the people of Ladakh - isn't that easy to learn, but on the other hand you do not have to know it perfectly. It is enough to speak a few words and you [...]
Every Buddhist village in Ladakh has a cloister or a temple. There are so many that you don’t know where to start, or when to stop. In this post we tell you what monasteries you shouldn’t miss no matter what. The Monasteries of Ladakh There are many impressive monasteries in Ladakh - most of them [...]
Nubra is the northernmost part of Ladakh, with borders both to Pakistan and China. Nubra has a lot to offer, but whoever wants to go there has to first cross one of the two 5000m-high mountain passes. General facts about Nubra Nubra is one of the three Tehsils (an administrative unit in India and [...]
When it comes to trekking and mountain climbing, Ladakh is a fantastic destination overall, but there’s a region within the province that seems almost designed for these activities: the Changtang – home of the nomads. In a place where the ground level is at 4500m over the sea, climbing a 6k mountain is a very [...]
The best stories in life are usually real ones. The tale of Tashi Wangail, founder of Gesar Travel, is improbable, exciting, and of course very very real. Let’s find out how a mountain shepherd boy became a successful tour operator. Childhood as a shepherd Tashi's parents Tashi was born in 1969 [...]
Let’s be completely honest here: there are some really good reasons not to travel with us to Ladakh. We want to be perfectly clear in advance, so you can’t say afterwards that you didn’t know what you were getting into. So take your time to read this and consider carefully, if you really want to [...]
Many climbers are always longing for higher peaks to conquer. The beautiful Alps rise only until the 4.810m summit of the Mont-Blanc, so it is natural to look farther; and of course, no matter how far you look, the highest mountains of the planet rest on the Himalayas, the roof of the world. The Stok [...]
The most dangerous worldview is the worldview of those who have not viewed the world. Alexander von Humboldt A travelling fool is better than a sitting wise man. Nomadic wisdom Walking is better than sitting by the fire. Paracelsus The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a [...]
What will the weather be like in Ladakh? What temperatures should be expected? These two questions are between the most frequently asked by our guests. And every year I'm a bit more cautious when answering them. Why? Because in Ladakh you can expect almost anything, almost always. How will the weather be in Ladakh? [...]
Cycling is becoming a very popular activity in Ladakh. The bicycle rental sector in Leh has been steadily growing every season for the last few years. But what are the best cycling routes, and what should you take into consideration when exploring the country on two wheels? Discovering Ladakh on a bicycle can be [...]
Zanskar remains one of the very few places on Earth that, for several months every year, becomes almost entirely isolated from the rest of the world. It can only be reached, or left, via the frozen river Zanskar. Our guide Phunchok Motup - also known simply as Kalyan - comes from that region, and he [...]
Holidays also mean good food and drink, taking time to slow down and enjoy a coffee and a cake. There are many restaurants and cafes in Leh during summer, where you can meet people from all over the world and enjoy really good food. That’s why we recommend our guests insteat of exclusively eating at [...]
Are you planning to go for trekking in Ladakh but not sure which trek will be right for you or which area in Ladakh and Zanskar? And which trek is suitable for you and your stamina? We'd like to help you choosing the right one. Which is the best trek for you depends on several [...]
Many people shy away from traveling to Ladakh (and other regions of the Himalayas), because they are afraid of the effects of high altitude. And yes, Ladakh is only in a few places below 3,000 meters above sea level. At that altitude the air is thin enough that keeping it inside requires some effort. But [...]
When in Rome, do as the Roman do. You do not have to adapt to everything what the Romans do, but knowing a little bit about how to behave in their country while on a visit can avoid annoyance and disrespect to the local customs and hence earning some unexpected friendly treatments. Some experiences and [...]
Even though Ladakh is for the most part a high altitude desert and therefore very, very dry, it can surprise you with some really beautiful lakes. The best known are the Pangong Tso, the Tsomoriri & the Tsokar. These three lakes have a lot in common: First of all their names contain the word “Tso”, [...]
