Things to Do in Ladakh: A Complete Activity Guide from Our Farmstay

Ladakh is one of the world's great adventure destinations, a place where ancient Buddhist culture, dramatic high-altitude landscapes, and remarkable wildlife all come together. After three years of hosting guests from across India and around the world at Nature Palace Farmstay, here is our insider guide to the very best things to do in Ladakh.

Nature walks and birdwatching at dawn

Our farmstay sits on the banks of an Indus River distributary surrounded by farmland — a habitat that attracts an extraordinary range of birds. Dawn walks from our property regularly produce sightings of the Bar-headed Goose, Brahminy Duck, Common Merganser, Brown-headed Gull and, during the breeding season, the rare Black-necked Crane. No guide or transport needed — just step outside your room.

Monastery trail: Shey, Thiksey and Hemis

The monasteries of the Indus Valley are among the greatest treasures of Tibetan Buddhist culture. From our farmstay, you can visit Shey Palace (8 km), Thiksey Monastery (12 km) and Hemis (40 km) in a single day by taxi. We recommend starting at Thiksey for the 6am morning prayers, then Shey for the golden Buddha, and ending at Hemis to explore the museum.

Indus River rafting

River rafting on the Indus and Zanskar rivers is one of Ladakh's most popular adventure activities. The Phey to Saspol stretch (Grade II-III) is ideal for beginners and families, while the Zanskar confluence section offers more challenging rapids for experienced rafters. The season runs from June to September and we can arrange bookings through trusted local operators.

High mountain passes: Khardung La and Chang La

Driving over the world's highest motorable passes is a bucket-list experience. Khardung La (5,359m) is the gateway to Nubra Valley and its famous sand dunes and Bactrian camels. Chang La (5,360m) leads to the stunning Pangong Tso lake. Both passes are accessible from our farmstay in half-day or full-day trips. Acclimatisation of at least 2-3 days in Leh is essential before attempting high passes.

Village bike rides and local life

One of the most rewarding things you can do in Ladakh is simply cycle through the villages near our farmstay. Chuchot Shama and its neighbouring villages along the Indus are working farming communities with barley and pea fields, mud-brick houses, prayer flags and local people living much as they have for centuries. We can arrange bicycle rentals and suggest the best local routes.

Stargazing evenings at the farmstay

Ladakh's altitude, dry air and zero light pollution make it one of the best places on Earth to see the night sky. On clear nights from our farmstay grounds, you can see the Milky Way, shooting stars, planets and deep sky objects with the naked eye. We organise evening bonfires under the stars — guests consistently rate this as their most memorable Ladakh experience.

Plan your Ladakh adventure with us

Nature Palace Farmstay is open from May to October. We are happy to help you plan a full itinerary, arrange taxis, guides, rafting bookings and permits for any activity in Ladakh. WhatsApp us at +91-9599385259 or email care@naturepalace.in and we will plan your perfect Ladakh trip.