Our India Treks
Small - Friendly - Adventurous
An experience to savour. Indian trans-Himalaya (& Nepal) journeys are truly our passion and we run the best two week+ India treks and India trekking peaks there are. Unlike Nepal with Everest, there aren't big name drawcards however our treks are incredibly scenic, carefully timed with seasonal conditions, feature the best camping gear & meals and are more adventurous than you might expect. They are truly adventures of a lifetime.
Refresh yourself with our comfortable, summery Ladakh treks; here's some photo inspiration.
"I very much appreciated your loose "facilitator" style, (as opposed to "strong leader") which allows room for individual responsibility and decision making ... I can't imagine ever going on a heavily scripted and controlled, marching toe to heel, trip again."
- Bruce Utsey
Covid protocols
June 2022: India is finished with its huge omicron BA.2 wave and life is more or less back to normal. Most Indians have had delta as well and have also been vaccinated mostly twice.
Probably, there are long term effects from covid and so avoiding it or reinfection is still the smartest health choice. So, take care while travelling. You do not want a breakthrough case to happen on a high altitude trek. Compared to many other international travel options, our trekking trips are relatively low covid risk travel.
Travel protocols: you must be vaccinated, boosted and have travel insurance that includes covid cover. For all flights do mask up rigorously with an N95 or similar mask. Delhi airport is relatively quiet and airy at night and early in the morning however during the day there are crowded choke points. Plan your flight times and treminals to avoid the need to exit Delhi airport.
Leh protocols: the summer climate is a delight and our hotel rooms have plenty of fresh air plus we eat some meals outside. We sightsee at mostly more off-beat, quieter gompas and so wear masks relatively minimally.
Leaving Leh and can then put the mask away. We have minimal close interaction with locals or other trekkers as we camp independently using our own dining tent or eat outside in the summer warmth and trek under the big sky.
Descending the Pandang La between Kanji and Dibling in Zanskar
2022 Big Sky Adventures
This pandemic has reinforced the privilege of trekking in this most incredible place and so we are aiming for a season of the very best treks.
2022 Zanskar GHT
NEW: traversing Zanskar through to Spiti, this is indeed a Great Himalaya Trail, and our unique route is a medley of striking landscapes. Mesmerizing panoramas, remote villages, famous Phuktal Monastery and sublime big sky wilderness. Join us!
6 Aug-10 Sept, 36 days — Leh to Leh/Delhi — caravan style — Jamie McGuinness — USD3980 — filling
2023? Great Divide Kang La
Gulp; spectacular and one of the best kept secrets, the Kang La crosses the huge Great Himalaya range via the wild Miyar Glacier. Utilizing the best month, we have support where possible but perhaps we backpack the glacier crossing? Our route and style is still being formed.
Sept, 24-28? days — Leh to Delhi — backpacking & caravan style — Jamie McGuinness — USD??80
Ladakh-Zanskar is a huge, starkly beautiful high altitude mountainous desert on the Tibetan Plateau (but in India).
Trek basics trekking is walking, not climbing, and we only rarely walk in snow. You carry a day pack, the horses carry your duffel/kitbag. There are short homestay treks (Markha is the best) but no lodges, unlike Nepal.
Trails are rough, unmarked and unformed with few bridges, and sometimes exposed (so trekking alone is only for experts).
A typical day on the trail is 4-6 hours walking, we start a little after 8am and arrive at camp 2-4pm, usually. Distances are 8-27kms in the open terrain, sometimes with big ascents/descents and with rest days spaced in the trek.
Altitude acclimatization we take this seriously on every trip.
Fitness reasonable fitness required, trekking is physical.
Season June through September, summer warmth but little/no rain/snow as we are behind the main Himalaya. Day temperatures are up to 25C/77F, nights mostly a little above freezing point.
India prices are ex-Leh, i.e. you are responsible for getting to Leh (IXL airport code), see Delhi-Leh travel.
Dates are the date you must arrive in Leh and the date you are free to fly out of Leh. You can are welcome to arrive earlier or leave later and we book hotel and transfers to suit. When transiting Delhi in particular, plan your flight times carefully.
Minimums For many trips the minimum number that we run the trip with is three trekkers, although sometimes with a small group surcharge. All treks normally run.
Caring for our staff We have great staff, and we really care about them, as they care for us. Our guides and horsemen have worked many years with us. Our ponies-mules never have open sores and are never hit.
Caravan-style trekking means sleeping in tents. Our cook and helpers cater for us with 3 course meals and post-trek snacks, and ponies carry it all while you trek with a daypack. Couples share a roomy tent, everyone else gets a roomy single tent. Luxury!
All treks include
+ Leh airport transfers
+ Leh sightseeing
+ charming hotel in Leh
+ guesthouses as needed (double/twin share)
While trekking:
+ quality roomy single tent / 3 person tent for couples
+ all meals, afternoon tea and hot drinks
+ toilet tent and hot water for 'bird bath' washing
+ solar charging for phones
+ French press coffee, herbal infusions
+ compact Himalayan library + maps
+ camp chairs+table+sunshade for some meals outside
+ cosy dining tent with legless chairs
+ filtered water
... and more Project Himalaya unique services
Tipping allow approx 5% of the trip cost as a guideline. The western guides don't take tips.
*Exploratory treks The golden age of exploration dead? Never! These are 'back of an envelope' treks that would warm Tilman's heart.
Contacting us
Email info@project-himalaya.com or use this handy form: