Ladakh & Zanskar security discussion
The huge country of India has lots of issues, including a succession of horrible rapes, however it worth pointing out where we trek is a mostly Buddhist area with a far better cultural attitude to women, and of course you absolutely safe on our treks.
All our treks in Ladakh and Zanskar and Himachal Pradesh are in safe areas that have never experienced the separatist Kashmir troubles.
Take a look at this map from the Economist to see how far Leh is from Srinagar.
When travelling in Ladakh and on the Manali-Leh road be mentally prepared for roads blocked due to landslides, flooding streams and road works. Rarely there could be random strikes or protests and other disturbances.
See your government advice:
Australian government travel advice
Travelling through Srinagar
2015: although tourists do visit Srinagar, we still suggest avoiding that route as there are frequently unexpected incidents and strikes, and therefore delays. We still suggest avoiding trekking out of Srinagar and the trekking routes that are accessed from that side of Kashmir, as indeed do the above government cautions.
Sam Palsmeier who traveled through Srinagar in mid-2011 said the Srinagar hotel manager basically told me three rules:
always be at your hotel by 9pm
do not change money in the street
do not trust anyone who says "hello friend" or wants to take you on a boat ride
- pretty typical stuff... and to take trusted rickshaws everywhere...
"I wasn't that impressed with Srinagar or maybe my romantic expectations of the lake and house boats were too high or too antiquated? However the countryside after going over (and before) the Zoji La is amazing-big green mountains and aqua blue pounding rivers-just astonishing beauty." - Sam