 Visits to the major Buddhist
monasteries & other cultural or heritage sites are the principal tourist attractions
of central Ladakh & Zanskar. These sites, most at a proximity to Leh, may be visited
by bus or taxi. Most villages and monasteries are reachable by regular bus services from
Leh. Taxis are expensive, with fixed tariff for almost every monastery or group of
monasteries, but offer good value in terms of comfort & convenience.
Most of the region's principal Gompas are open throughout the day and a
caretaker lama is available to show visitors around. Some of the less visited
establishments have special opening hours, as in the case of Namgyal Tsemo, Shey Palace
& the Stok Palace Museum. Check the timings in the Tourist Office before proceeding to
these places. Most of the monasteries charge a small entrance fee.
The monasteries constitute the fountainhead of Ladakh's Buddhist
religion & culture. Tourists are advised to respect their sanctity. Shoes may have to
be removed before entering some of the temples, smoking is anathema to the monastic
atmosphere, while loud speech may disturb the tranquil ambience characteristic of such
places of worship.
 Adventure:Ladakh
offers great scope for undertaking adventure activities amidst landscapes of breathtaking,
rigged beauty. The most popular among these are trekking, mountaineering & river
rafting.
Trekking:
Trekking possibilities include short, day-ling walks up & down the mountain slopes to
visit isolated villages or monastic settlements, or across a ridge to enjoy the sheer
beauty of a moon-like landscape. Or long, trans-mountain treks involving weeks of walking
& camping in the wilderness. For example, the trek from Lamayuru in the Indus
Valley to Darcha in Lahoul across Zanskar takes  nearly three weeks. The 10 day
Markha valley trek, the 11 day Lamayuru-Padum trek & the Stok-Khangri round trek are
the most popular ones among the numerous options available in the convoluted mountain
mass. The traditional trekking season extends from early June to mid-October. However,
some routes are suitable for trekking only during late autumn, as in the case of the 13
day Hemis-Markha-Padum trek.
The easiest way to go on a trek is through a travel agency, which will
take care of all the arrangements. Making your own arrangements is not recommended. For
trekking in Ladakh, it is not enough to be physically fit, intending trekkers must also be
prepared to face the rigours of back country travel. There is considerable fluctuation in
the day & night temperatures even during the heights of summer. While the days are
pretty warm, even hot due to the desert effect of the barren landscape, evenings can
become chilly. It is advisable to keep a pullover handy. A sturdy pair of shoes with
strong rubber or synthetic soles, thick cotton socks & a good sleeping bag together with an insulated
ground pad are essential gear for going on a trek. A water-proof tentalongwith all
provisions & cooking gear, all backpacked in a rucksack are must for longer treks.
Additional requirements are a balacava, wollen undergarments, wind parkas, toiletries
& first-aid including lip-salve, moisturisers & suncream, water-purufying tablets,
medicines for high-altitude sickness, etc. A ggod quality canteen to carry drinking water
is most essential in the arid conditions. Do not forget to carry a flashlight with
sufficient batteries, a sun-hat & a pair of sunglasses with uv-filter.
River
Rafting: A wide range of rafting options is available on the river Indus &
its major tributaries. The best stretch for professionally guided runs in white water is
on the Indus between Spituk & Sasplo. Upward of Spituk, the Indus has the easiest
stretch up to Karu, ideal for basic training & for day-return "scenic
floating" for amateurs. Several agencies in Leh offer attractive rafting packages.
Ask for details at the Tourist Office at Leh. They will also be able to provide some rafts
on hire.
 The most
difficult but exciting option for river-running is on the Zanskar along its spectacular
course through the gorge in the Zanskar mountains, between Padum & Nimo. This is
suitable only for well-organized white water expeditions, prepared for several days of
river running and camping in absolute wilderness. Participants are requested to be trained
rafters themselves while the arrangements should be assigned to dependable professional
agency.
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