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 - the long haul
With donations from our trekker community, we really cared for our staff, a heartfelt thank you.
Inspiration and memories
Relax with some Trans-Himalayan inspiration. Jamie's carefully selected photos of most previous treks are organized into Flickr collections by region/topic and alternatively simply by albums, more in the works too. Our Previous treks pages cover every trip we ran too. Lose yourself!
All Flickr albums — region/topic collections — Previous treks
2021 No sky treks
June 2021: India is working through their severe second wave although Ladakh is managing to partially protect itself from the worst by rigorously testing everyone who enters. We cannot enter India or safely run treks this season so are aiming for 2022.
2022 Big Sky Adventures
Are we more or less rid of covid yet? 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. Watch this space and talk with us, we are open to ideas!
2022? Markha Magic *private
A private family adventure.
?late June, 13 days — Leh to Leh — Jamie & Esther — private
Markha Magic
The Markha Valley is a classic yet homestay trekkers skip the highlights. Instead, with our full camping crew, we have a better itinerary and acclimatization, and time to explore one of the most beautiful alpine valleys in India. Next up is a wilderness route out in the domain of blue sheep and wolves, surprisingly wild and stunningly scenic with idyllic camps, making this the most satisfying extended Markha trek.
July?, 15 days — Leh to Leh — caravan style — Lobsang Chomphel
Ladakh Skypacking - Tso High & Wild
Trails less trekked. Backpacking is carrying all your own gear and camping out in the most amazing wilderness but our twist is luxury resupplies by Lobsang. Refuel on his Asian fusion cooking and swap dirty for clean, far more satisfying and rewarding. Treat yourself!
July/Aug, 28? days — Leh to Leh — backpacking — Jamie McGuinness
2022? Zanskar Canyons
Join our unique Zanskar affair for mesmerizing views, adventurous canyons, stunning wild camping and pretty villages. Rugged, colourful rock contrasts with the azure rivers and green village oases, ancient monasteries cling to rock faces and Buddhist chortens dot the immense landscape on a trek where each and every day is scenically surprisingly different.
30 Aug-26 Sept, 28 days — Leh to Leh — caravan style — Jamie McGuinness — US$3480
2022? Great Divide
This is our sublime panoramic wilderness trek in the dazzling light traversing a forgotten way through the Great Himalayan Range to Upper Spiti where argali, kiang, wolves and snow leopard roam, and not much else. Long form adventure on our best route through the area from start to finish!
Sept, 24-28+ days — Leh to Delhi/Leh? — caravan style — Jamie McGuinness — US$3?80
2023? Great Divide Kang La
Gulp; spectacular and one of the best kept secrets, the Kang La crosses the huge Great Himalaya range via the wild Miyar Glacier. Utilizing the best month, we have support where possible but perhaps we backpack the glacier crossing? Our route and style is still being formed.
Sept, 24-28? days — Leh to Delhi — backpacking & caravan style — Jamie McGuinness — US$??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 in the remote wilderness areas we traverse, are 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 12-25+kms 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.
Seasons 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 cooks 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 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.
*Introductory treks are suited to relatively fit trekking or climbing novices.
Contacting us
Email info@project-himalaya.com or use this handy form: