Indian Himalaya

Indian Himalaya Treks & Tours

The Indian Himalaya offers a spectacular alternative to Nepal, particularly during the monsoon months when Ladakh’s high-altitude rain shadow delivers clear skies and prime trekking conditions. Vast mountain deserts, remote valleys and dramatic high passes create an adventurous landscape that feels both wild and culturally distinct.

Rooted in Tibetan Buddhist heritage and shaped by centuries of trade across Central Asia, this is a region where ancient monasteries, high plateaus and nomadic communities sit beneath some of the world’s most striking peaks.

Whether you’re seeking your first high-altitude trek or a more demanding Himalayan crossing, our Indian Himalaya adventures combine acclimatisation, expert leadership and immersive cultural experiences in one of the most rewarding trekking regions on Earth.

Spiti Monastery with the Ladakh Range towering behind | Richard I'Anson

About Indian Himalaya

Accommodation Leaders Responsible Travel

The comfortable grassy campsite of Narding | Brad Atwal

Wilderness Camping

While trekking in the Indian Himalaya, you enjoy fully supported wilderness camping in remote mountain settings.

Quality two person tents are erected in carefully chosen scenic locations, with a dedicated dining setup where freshly prepared meals are served each day.

Your crew manages all camp logistics, creating a comfortable and well organised base in these high altitude environments.

Operations are conducted with strong responsible travel practices to minimise environmental impact.

Camping based treks feature in our Classic Adventures range.

Delhi or Calcutta Hotels

Stay in well appointed hotels selected for their comfort, service and convenient location.

Properties are typically situated within easy reach of major landmarks, markets and heritage sites, providing a calm retreat from the energy of the city.

Comfortable rooms, professional service and quality dining facilities ensure a relaxed start or finish to your Indian Himalaya adventure.

Regional Hotels

In towns across the Indian Himalaya, like Leh or Darjeeling, you will stay in good quality properties chosen for their comfort, character and reliability.

Hotels are typically centrally located or well positioned for easy access to key sights and amenities, providing a welcoming and practical base before and after your time in the mountains.

Garry Weare

Garry has been involved with World Expeditions since its inception in the mid 1970s. He is a recognised authority on the Indian Himalaya with his intimate knowledge of the region documented in the Lonely Planet guidebook 'Trekking in the Indian Himalaya' now in its 5th edition. He is also a founding director of the Australian Himalayan Foundation.

Sanjay Wangchuk

One of our most senior guides, Sanjay has been with us for some 20 years and is a star performer with regard to traveller feedback. Aside from leading many cultural tours in Bhutan he has also led numerous Snowman Treks, which is one of the most strenuous treks in Bhutan. He is an asset to our company and we are certain that travellers will surely enjoy his experience and cultural knowledge of his Bhutanese mother land.

Dr Ross Anderson

Dr Anderson lives with his wife in a small town near the Lakes District in the north of England. He is a Family doctor and spends much of his spare time travelling as an expedition doctor. He has more than 10 years of altitude and travel medicine experience. Previous treks and expeditions have focused on the Himalayas, with others in the Scandinavian Arctic and mountainous areas of Africa. He also enjoys trail running, cycling and open-water swimming.

Cultural sensitivity

Positive interactions are achieved when the traveller is aware of the cultural sensitivities of the community they are visiting. Our guides are always ready to inform travellers about the correct etiquette, including matters of appropriate clothing and actions when entering a temple.

Support of local economies

We ensure that the landowners whose fields we use for camping are paid fairly for the use of their land and we encourage travellers to shop at handicraft shops within the small villages we pass through.

Animal welfare focus

We adhere to our Animal Welfare Code of Conduct in the Indian Himalaya. We engage the services of reputable and registered horsemen and yak contractors, insisting that all animals are in good health before carrying loads and that the loads are appropriate for the animal.

Useful Indian Himalaya Info

Ladakh & Zanskar: High-altitude deserts, dramatic gorges and some of the world’s highest passes create a bold Himalayan experience ideal for trekkers and cyclists seeking remote landscapes and reliable summer conditions in the rain shadow.

Nanda Devi & Uttarakhand: Forested valleys, Hindu villages and alpine meadows beneath sacred peaks offer a culturally rich trekking experience suited to active travellers wanting immersion beyond the mainstream.

Sikkim & Eastern Himalaya: Lush rhododendron forests, Buddhist monasteries and close-up views of Kanchenjunga define this lesser-visited region, perfect for trekkers looking for biodiversity, strong cultural identity and quieter trails.

Spectacular views from the Ganda La Pass on our Markha Valley Trek - <i>Photo: Bruce Gray</i>

India is +5 and a half hours ahead of UTC/GMT

Hindi (41%); Bengali (8.1%); Telugu (7.2%); Marathi (7%); Tamil (5.9%); Urdu (5%); Gujarati (4.5%); Kannada (3.7%); Malayalam (3.2%); Oriya (3.2%); Punjabi (2.8%); Assamese (1.3%); Maithili (1.2%); Other (5.9%), including Kashmiri, Sindhi and Sanskrit

As befitting a nation of such ethnic diversity, India is home to huge linguistic diversity. Most Indians are multilingual and many people speak a great number of different languages

Hindi is India’s most widely spoken and official language, and the primary language of 41% of the population. Along with Hindi are another 22 different official/recognised languages, plus hundreds of other major and minor languages and regional variations/dialects

English is an “associate official language” and India’s most common lingua franca, and is widely spoken in business, law, politics, education and tourism. Hindustani is India’s second most common lingua franca, but is considered technically to be a variation/combination of Hindi/Urdu languages, rather than an official language itself

Indian Rupee

We recommend that you bring US dollars (in cash or travellers cheques) as it is readily accepted over other currencies in India.

Credit cards and ATM are available in most large cities and hotels, however it is not recommended to rely on these solely. Always keep a watch when your card is being processed and please note that you will be surcharged for the use of your card.

Traveller’s cheques may be changed (for a fee) at many hotels. Make sure that you bring some small denominations and keep a separate record of your cheque numbers, to assist with quick replacement should you lose them.

Electricity in India is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C. (2 round prong).

Visas are required to enter India and visitors from some countries including Australia and New Zealand can obtain an online visa, the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to arrival.

For stays of less than 30 days, travellers can apply for an ETA online (US$60) at the official website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/tvoa.html, no less than five days and no more than 30 days before the date of travel.

At present other nationalities including the UK and Canada and those clients regardless of nationality visiting Sikkim and other restricted areas must have an Indian visa stamp in their passport prior to arrival in India.

Your safety is our number one concern, supported by careful risk management procedures, thorough consultation with trusted local partners and experienced field leaders who prioritise safety at all times.

On our Indian Himalaya treks, expert bilingual guides trained in wilderness first aid lead the journey, supported by comprehensive group medical kits, portable altitude chambers and emergency oxygen where applicable, with structured acclimatisation schedules, established evacuation protocols, hygienic meal preparation by dedicated trek cooks and a daily supply of safe treated drinking water while on trek to reduce health risks and single-use plastic waste.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

Travel insurance is compulsory and should be arranged at the time of booking to cover sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements, emergency evacuation and cancellations. Insurance information is provided with your pre-departure documentation and we can assist with a quote if required.

We recommend consulting your doctor, local government inoculation centre or travel medical specialist for current health and vaccination advice prior to departure.

Money and valuables should be stored securely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times, use hotel safety deposit facilities where available and keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.

People and Culture First

Travel with purpose, placing local communities at the heart of your adventure.

Led by experienced local guides and supported by regional crews and partners, your trip helps sustain livelihoods, build skills and strengthen long term partnerships.

Every adventure is designed to encourage respectful cultural exchange and ensure the benefits of tourism are shared with the communities you visit.

Our Sustainability Commitment