Horse riding holiday India
Horseback vacation India
Ladakh Trail horse riding holiday
Ladakh Trail horseback vacation
Horse riding pack trip in India
Horseback riding pack trip India
Camping horse riding trail
horse riding holiday Ladakh
Ladakh Trail pack trip
Incredible scenery and religious setting in Ladakh
Ladakh Trail pack trip
Cultural horse riding trek India
Remote monastery high in the mountains
Cultural horseback vacation India
Part of one of the many religious celebrations in the region
Riding in the Himilayas
The guides and ground crew
Horse riding holiday Himilayas
Part of the many religious ceremonies of the region

Ladakh is sometimes also known as little Tibet due to its location at the heart of the magnificent Himalayan mountain range. This equestrian vacation starts in Leh and the Indus Valley for a few days, visiting the famous monastic festivals of Lamayuru, Hemis, Dak Thok or Phyang, depending on the date. These are not only unique cultural events, but also gives guests some time to acclimatize to the high altitude. The horseback ride continues from the lush Markha Valley into the magnificent Himalayan scenery, emerging on the Rupshu Plateau.

This is an equestrian camping expedition and horseback riders are accompanied by pack horses to carry the gear. Riders need to be adventurous and fit, although technical ability is not a prerequisite as the pace is at a walk, mainly due to the terrain and altitude. This is an opportunity to visit some remote monasteries and enjoy the rugged contrasts of the Himalayas.

Please Note: The opinions expressed in these reviews are the author's and do not necessarily reflect the views of Unicorn Trails Ltd. These reviews are "directly from the horses mouth" and unedited. Unicorn Trails may make additional comments for clarification clearly identified in red.

Review received from AH of St Helier, Jersey on 02/11/2022

Ride Summary
What was your overall impression of the holiday
Amazing! The scenery on the trek was spectacular and we were extremely well looked after by our guide and the sherpas who did everything for us. The food was very good and varied, and we never went hungry. Overall an unforgettable experience.
Overall impression
Unicorn Trails sales staff

Riding tour leader

Additional Comments
Our guide could not have been more friendly and attentive. He was constantly checking on us and went out of his way to help us and make sure we had everything we needed.
Horses and Tack

Additional Comments
The horses were small and easy-going. They are pack horses so not really responsive to the usual aids but coped extremely well on the difficult terrain.
Meals

Accommodation

Miscellaneous

Was this trip accurately described to you beforehand?
YES
Please give more details to explain your response:
Everything was as described if not better!
Was there anything you should have known and were not told? NO
Please give more details to explain your response:
What could we do to improve this ride?
How would you rate the difficulty of this ride out of 10 where 1 is very easy and 10 is very advanced?
3
Please explain why you scored it as you did:
As an experienced rider I found the horse riding to be the easiest part of the trek as the whole ride was at walk. My partner who had only ridden for 6 months prior also coped fine. However there was some challenging terrain (steep and narrow rocky paths) and a number of river crossings which is why I have rated it a 3.
Would you recommend Unicorn Trails to your friends?
YES
Please give more details to explain your response:
May we use you as a reference for other people wishing to go on this ride?
YES
Any other comments:
Unicorn comments: Thank you for your ride feedback and glad you had a memorable trip to India.
TokTok Festival Itinerary
 
Day 1 
Arrival at Delhi in the evening or early on Day 2. 

Day 2
Delhi – Leh - Alchi (3400m)                                                       
Guests will be met from international flights and transferred straight to the national airport for the internal flight from Delhi to Leh which departs at around 6am. Reach Leh in the morning and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure so as to aid acclimatization. The hotel has a garden and terrace for guests to use. Meet your fellow travelers and the guides.
 
Day 3
Alchi - Lamayuru - Leh                      
 
Day 4
Leh – Shey –Thiksey – Hemis - Leh

Day 5
Leh - TokTok Festival 

Day 6
Spituk - Zingchen (3380m) Distance is approximately 13-14 km. Visit Spituk gompa before starting the ride. Camp altitude 3750m

Day 7
Zingchen - Yurutse (4090m) - Lartsa (4500m).  Approx. 9 km with the trail continuing further through the narrow gorge until it reaches the valley leading to the small village of Yurutse. Camp altitude 4500m
 
Day 8
Lartsa - Skiu (3400m).  Distance15km. A long day crossing the Ganda La to reach Skiu village in the Markha valley. On the way look out for marmots, Himalayan hares, pikas, eagles... beautiful panoramic view of the Zanskar and Stok ranges from the pass. Camp altitude 3400m
 
Day 9
Skiu – Markha (4280m) Distance: 20 km. A pleasant ride through small villages while following the river to reach Markha. Markha has around 20 families and it is the largest village in the valley. Take time to visit the gompa and the ruins of an ancient fort above the village. Camp altitude 4280m

Day 10
Markha – Langhand Chu (4700m), From Markha crossing Nimaling beautiful high valley to go down into small valley crossing Konka Wangpo. Continue on the mountainside for sometime to valley floor where Langtang Chu flows. Camp uphill of Langtang Chu (4500m)

Day 11
Langhand Chu – Zalung Karpo La (5200m). Climb up the large valley, and after crossing a stream, ride along a wall of moraine rock until the valley divides. Follow a ridge trail that leads to another pass, then descend into the valley. Base of Zalung Karpo La. Camp altitude 4600m
 
Day 12
Zalung Karpo La - Tsorka (4560m). From camp it is a gradual haul to the summit of the Zalung La (5190 metres).This windswept pass affords impressive views of the peaks and jagged ridges of the Zanskar Range. From the pass it takes about three hours to reach a grassy camp near to the abandoned Tsorka encampment (4200 metres). The trail becomes steeper and as it reaches the pass, riders realize that it a false summit! The trail climbs further up through the scenery of rolling mountains. From the pass, the jagged rock pinnacles of the Zanskar range on the south. A zig-zag descent leads to Sorra village which is normally deserted in the summers when the inhabitants take their livestock to higher pastures. Camp altitude 4560m
 
Day 13
Tsokra – Dat (4150m). From Sorro, trek to the head of a nearby gorge. Anticipate a cold start to the day as this section necessitates two or three river crossings. Follow a side gorge for about three hours to the settlement of Dat (4340 metres). The shepherds are known as Chang pa, and follow lifestyles similar to their counterparts in nearby western Tibet. Follow the river through a dramatic canyon. Fiinish the trek at the village which is inhabited by semi-nomadic herders. Camp altitude 4150m
           
Day 14
Dat - Leh
 
Day 15
Leh – Delhi. Fly from Leh to Delhi in the early morning, usually around 05:00am. Leh has the highest airport in the world and so flights are often subject to climatic conditions which can cause delays. Depending on flights, there might be some free time to spend in Delhi (no hotel is included tonight).
 
Day 16
Delhi. Departure day, guests will be dropped off at the airport in the evening.
 
Shey Festival Itinerary
 
Day 1
Arrival at Delhi in the evening or early on Day 2.

Day 2
Delhi – Leh (3400m). Guests will be met from international flights and transferred straight to the national airport for the internal flight from Delhi to Leh which departs at around 6am. Reach Leh in the morning and transfer to hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure so as to aid acclimatization. The hotel has a garden and terrace for guests to use. Meet your fellow travelers and the guides.

Day 3
Alchi - Lamayuru - Leh                           

Day 4
Leh – Shanti Stuppa - Tibeten Handicraft Centre                        
 
Day 5
Leh - (visit Hemis, Thiksey enroute to Phyang)   
                                     
Day 6
Leh - Spituk - Zingchen (3380m) 
                                      
Day 7
Zingchen - Yurutse (4090m) - Lartsa (4500m)
 
Day 8
Lartsa - Skiu (3400m)
 
Day 9
Skiu – Markha (4280m). Numerous river crossings today, sometimes by ford and others by bridge to reach the village of Markha, the largest in the valley. There is a stop at the monastery overlooking the valley. 5.5 hrs riding.

Day 10
Markha – Hankar - Langhang Chu (4700m). Follow the river in the direction of the plains of Nimaling. There are excellent views from KangYatse. Head south towards the high plateau of Rapshu. 5hrs riding.   

Day 11
Langthang Chu – Zalung Karpo La (5200m)
 
Day 12
Zalung Karpo La - Tsorka (4560m)       
          
Day 13
Tsokra – Dat (4150m)                     
                                    
Day 1
Dat - Leh - SHEY FESTIVAL
 
Day 15
Leh – Delhi. Fly from Leh to Delhi in the early morning, usually around 05:00am. Leh has the highest airport in the world and so flights are often subject to climatic conditions which can cause delays. Depending on flights, there might be some free time to spend in Delhi (no hotel is included tonight).
 
Day 16
Delhi. Departure day, guests will be dropped off at the airport in the evening.

Choice of camp sites depends on water and site availability.

 

Please note: All itineraries are given for your guidance only and it may be altered on the ground and in accordance with the prevailing conditions by the organising team.

Horses & Riding

The horses are native Tibetan horses; small and calm, very strong, hardy and sure-footed, ideally adapted to the terrain and altitude. The escort team take great pride in their horses and prefer to look after the horses themselves, although riders may be allowed to help if desired. The pace of the ride is not fast, due to the altitude and the walking pace, this gives ample opportunity to take in the stunning scenery as well as a chance to stretch your legs.


Rider requirements

Riders should have a good sense of balance and no fear of heights to participate in this trek as this ride involves long ascents and steep descents. Riders must be fit and healthy as the ride is at an altitude between 3400 and 5200m (11000 - 16000ft), although acclimatisation is progressive. There are stretches where you will need to lead your horse e.g. across bridges and steep descents.

Weight Limit

The weight limit for this ride is 209 lb/95 kg, please enquire if you are an experienced rider exceeding this weight.

The hotel at Leh is comfortable in double rooms and 4 days are spent here to aid acclimatisation. Excursions are arranged each day. Camping is very comfortable, in two person tents equipped with foam mattresses. There is a kitchen tent, a dining tent and a toilet tent. A warm sleeping bag is required as nights can get very cold. All the equipment is carried on pack horses. The camp is full serviced with staff setting up each night and preparing full meals.



Please note that as some guests have difficulty sleeping at very high altitudes, the camping sites are always lower than the altitudes mentioned in the itinerary, and in the case of extreme heights, up to 800m lower. This can be dependednt on the day's weather, ground conditions, and accessibility.


Vegetarian or other dietary requirements within reason can be accommodated with advance notice. Please contact Unicorn Trails with requests before booking.

Documents - Visa and Consulate Info

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct documentation in place for your trip. NB: Be sure to check the COVID status of the country you plan to visit including entry procedures and requirements while travelling. You’ll need to get a visa before travelling to India. This can be applied for online at the following website, www.indianvisaonline.gov.in Make sure you get the right visa for your travel and that it’s valid for the purpose and duration of your stay. If you enter India on the wrong visa, you could be detained on arrival and you may be deported and blacklisted, meaning that you cannot enter India again. Make sure you meet entry requirements. You can find further information on the Indian High Commission website or the Indian Immigration Bureau website. To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India. Your passport must be machine readable, with 2 blank pages for your visa and valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of your visa application. Always keep a copy of your passport and your Indian visa separate from your passport, in case of loss Airport tax User Development Fees (UDF) apply at many airports. The fees are around Rs.1,000 per international passenger and Rs.150 to 260 per domestic passenger. This should already be included in the cost of airline tickets. If for any reason the fee is not included in your ticket it will be collected at the airport check-in counter in Indian rupees. Passport and Visa requirements can change regularly depending on diplomatic relations. Please request information from the appropriate Consulate in your home country. Unicorn Trails will assist with any questions you have or supply any necessary supporting documents as required by the consulate should you need a visa. In the UK the British Foreign Office gives advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india In the USA: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html In Canada: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/india

Another useful resource is Sherpa - this summarises any travel and vaccination requirements based on when you are travelling simply by entering your home country followed by your destination country: https://apply.joinsherpa.com/travel-restrictions


Climate Summary

Temperatures in Ladakh, range from -3 to 30 degrees Celsius in the summer. Mainly sunny in the daytime the temperatures can plummet at night. The sun's effect is multiplied many times at altitudes of this magnitude. You could therefore suffer from conditions as diverse as frostbite and sunburn at the same time, if you're not well protected.

Climate Chart

Health

COVID: Be sure to check the latest COVID regulations for travelling in any country you visit.

Mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever occur all year round. There’s been an increase in the number of cases of dengue fever, including in New Delhi.

Health authorities have classified India as having a risk of Zika virus transmission.

Cases of Chikungunya Virus have been confirmed in India, including in New Delhi. You should take steps to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes.

Please refer to your country’s latest health guideline for travel in India and contact your own GP for up to date advice on vaccinations and prophylaxis prior to travel.

You should make sure you have sufficient medical supplies (including prescription medicines) for the duration of your stay and any unforeseen delays, adequate travel insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment and repatriation.


Health (ride specific)

The pace of the ride is deliberately slow to minimise the chances of altitude sickness. Riders should be generally fit and healthy.

Sunscreen and insect repellent is advised.

As with all countries where the bacteria present in water and around food are not those to which we are accustomed you are advised to exercise a degree of care. Bottled water is widely available, but check that bottle seals are intact and water levels reach the top. Fruit and raw vegetables which can be peeled are fine. Avoid ice cubes, diluted fruit juices and any unpasteurized/unboiled milk.

Electricity

In India the supply voltage is 230V. If the appliance is a single voltage rated appliance, it will need to operate at the same voltage as the supply voltage of the country i.e. 230V. If this is not the case it should be used alongside a voltage transformer or converter to allow the appliance to work safely and properly.

Mobile, WiFi and charging

It will be possible for electrical equipment to be charged while on the hotel portion of the holiday, but not while camping so extra batteries are a must or a solar charger. Mobile phone coverage is limited to the big cities.

Packing List

Clothing should be comfortable and well-tested. Boots should be low-heeled and suitable for both riding and walking, worn with half-chaps for riding. Clothing that can be layered is useful, as the temperature can fluctuate quickly. Luggage should be kept to a minimum and in soft hold-alls or duffel bag as it is transported by packhorse. Sleeping bags are required and you may wish to bring a sleeping bag liner.

- Riding Helmet - we strongly recommend that you wear a properly fitted riding helmet of the current standard which is PAS015 or BSEN1384
- Gloves
- Jodhpurs - jodhpurs, breeches or other comfortable trousers (jeans may rub and can also be quite hot)
- Chaps
- T-shirts & long sleeved shirts
- Thermal underwear
- Change of shoes for evenings
- Windcheater or light waterproof
- Warm woolen or fleece clothing
- Thick socks
- Gloves and scarf
- A hat or woolen cap
- Light towel
- Sunscreen of at least 50+
- Lip balm & moisturizer
- UV protected sunglasses/goggles
- Water purifying tablets
- Wet wipes
- Torch
- Personal Items - toiletries, any medicines you require and please be sure to take insect repellent, anti malaria pills
- Refillable Water Bottle - it's very important to drink a lot of water when it's hot, especially when doing physical activities
- Plenty of batteries for camera equipment or a solar charger

Programmes

16d / 15n programme with 8 riding days. Departures can be tailormade for groups of 8 or more in the summer months of July and August.

Departure Dates

2025: 1 - 16 Aug (TokTok Festival); 19 July - 3 Aug (Phayeng Festival - Shey)

Pricing
No single supplement is charged if the rider is willing to share with someone of the same sex, and a sharer can be found.


No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description £
202516d/15n8double pp2,615
202516d/15n8single supplement355
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 4249
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 3619
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 21,239
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description
202516d/15n8double pp3,079
202516d/15n8single supplement419
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 4295
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 3729
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 21,459
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description US $
202516d/15n8double pp3,375
202516d/15n8single supplement459
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 4325
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 3799
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 21,599
No of   
days/nights
Riding days Product item description SEK
202516d/15n8double pp35,845
202516d/15n8single supplement4,849
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 43,425
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 38,485
202516d/15n8Supplement pp for group of 216,995
Recommended Reading

For the equestrian traveller who would like to see what is possible on horseback visit www.thelongridersguild.com also a fantastic place to acquire your equestrian travel books is www.horsetravelbooks.com


Other Activities

Very fit non-riders may wish to accompany the ride hiking, while their packs are carried on the horses. The pace allows this to be done with ease.

Wildlife

Ladakh and the surrounding area is a haven for wildlife. There are herds of Bhoral (Blue sheep), ibex, Tibetan gazelle and yak. The elusive snow leopard and lynx have also been sighted. It is a bird-watchers paradise, with golden eagles, lammergeiers, bar-headed geese, brahminy ducks and the rare black-necked crane all found in the area

Other Information

Due to the nature of the terrain, and the altitude, the trip may be modified for reasons of security, the weather or unforeseen events, and events outside the organisers control. The organisers, the guides and the local guides will make every effort to find the best option even if means changing the itinerary or route.

Other Country Information

India forms a natural sub-continent with the Himalayas to the north. The Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, which are sections of the Indian Ocean, lie to the west and east respectively.

The official language of India is Hindi written in the Devanagari script and spoken by some 30% of the population as a first language. Since 1965 English has been recognised as an 'associated language'. In addition there are 18 main and regional languages recognised for adoption as official state languages. There are another 24 languages, 720 dialects and 23 tribal languages.

India will sideswipe you with its size, clamour and diversity - especially if you enjoy delving into convoluted cosmologies and thrive on sensual overload. Nothing in the country is ever quite predictable; the only thing to expect is the unexpected, which comes in many forms and will always want to sit next to you.

The time difference for India is GMT/UTC +5.5hrs and the dialling code is +91. India has adopted metric weights and measures.

Travel Summary

Meeting-point (getting there):
Delhi airport (DEL)
Transfer:
2025: Included from meeting point. Transfer time is approximately 15 minutes.
Flight Guide:
2025: London to Delhi (DEL) return from £740pp
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