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The valley and city of Leh, Ladakh. |
Trekking to visit Asia's remote villages is one of the greatest of family adventures. If you have children under the age of 12, you may be thinking that you shouldn't read any farther. Think again! In 1998, I spent three weeks trekking in Ladakh, India's northernmost state in the Himalayas, and met several families with young children on trekking holidays. Their secret: ponies.
Because it was in the geologic impact zone when India's continental plate met Asia's, Ladakh is sandwiched between two huge mountain systems, the Himalaya to the south and the Karakoram to the north. Among the many lasting effects of this collision are the amazing variety of colored rocks and the extraordinary geologic formations seen on every trekking route.
Starting Out
Ladakh means Land of Mountain Passes, and on most treks you'll cross at least one pass a day. Because you'll start at an altitude 10,000 feet above sea level and continue up from there, the trekking is fairly rigorous. Acclimating to the altitude is key to a safe and healthy trek, especially for children.
Ladakh's commercial hub, Leh, sits at 12,000 feet and is the best place to spend a few days getting used to the thin air. I found a quiet, charming guest house recommended by friends. My room had windows on three sides that faced the mountains from two and the Leh Palace, a tall imposing structure resembling Tibet's Potala Palace, from the third. While I waited for the local trekking agent to gather a group, I tried to stay in shape and found plenty to do. The now-abandoned, 17th-century Leh Palace, built nine stories high on a hill above the town, offers great views of housing, the surrounding mountains, and the local polo grounds where the lucky might catch a game. Leh also has many shops selling excellent turquoise jewelry, beautiful hand-woven folk rugs, and Tibetan curios. When you tire of urban life, you can make a daytrip to the nearby monasteries and villages such as Alchi, Thikse, Stok, Spituk, and Likir, to name a few.
Where are you going?
What do you want to do?
