The mountains of the Himalaya do not stop on the borders of Nepal – Lonely Planet author Garry Weare has been involved with World Expeditions since its inception in the mid-1970s and over the years he has devised a number of itineraries across the most beautiful corners of Ladakh and the Indian Himalaya.

Below are four of the most memorable trips in the region – whether you want to explore on foot, go mountaineering, visit the mystic Kashmir or sharpen up your photography skills…

Capture the spirit of trekking in the Indian Himalaya >>> Hidden Valleys of Ladakh
This trek is the ideal introduction to the visually stunning and culturally rich region of Ladakh. A land of high passes on the borderlands of Tibet, it offers timeless landscapes and vistas of spectacular scenery – this is where the snow leopard seeks out the highest ridges at the margins of the season. This rugged region is characterised by remarkable Buddhist monasteries and ancient forts, such as the striking Tikse Monastery and the historic Stok Palace, while journeying into the beautiful Rupshu Valley, you will camp underneath the stars in spectacular terrain alongside the vast waters of the stunning Tso Morari Lake.
www.worldexpeditions.com/uk/index.php?section=trips&id=1400
• Hidden Valleys of Ladakh (20 days) departs in June and July, from £1,490 per person

Step into the world of mountaineering >>> Triple Peaks of Ladakh
Keen to extend your mountaineering CV? This high altitude foray is an ideal (albeit challenging!) introduction to Himalayan climbing. Under the expert guidance of World Expeditions' local leader, this trip combines ascents on the well-known Stok Kangri (6,121m), before tackling the non-technical summit of Dzo Jongo (5,900m), followed by the imposing Kangyaze peak, which at 6,400m looms above the head of the beautiful Markha Valley. In between the climbs you will cross high passes and follow trails linking tiny whitewashed settlements and traditional Buddhist monasteries, set beneath the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Trans-Himalaya.
www.worldexpeditions.co.uk/index.php?section=trips&id=713822
• Triple Peaks of Ladakh (22 days) departs in July and August, from £1,990 per person

For photographers of all capabilities >>> Ladakh, Zanskar & Kashmir with Richard I' Anson
Join internationally renowned Lonely Planet photographer Richard I' Anson, who has spent a lifetime travelling and photographing the mountains and people of the Himalaya, on this handcrafted itinerary. Offering countless opportunities to shots of spectacular scenery and timeless landscapes, Richard's aim is to get you to the right place at the right time, giving you the best opportunity of capturing photographs in the best possible light. You will indulge in memorable experiences – stay on Kashmir's famous houseboats, visit handicraft centres, explore the Buddhist monasteries and palaces of Little Tibet and witness the colourful Karsha Festival in Zanskar.
www.worldexpeditions.com/uk/index.php?section=trips&id=295199
• Ladakh, Zanskar & Kashmir with Richard I' Anson [NEW FOR 2015] (15 days) departs on 8 July, from £2,240 per person

Back after a 20-year absence >>> Kashmir Ladakh Adventure
World Expeditions remains one of the very few UK operators to have now returned to Kashmir, 20 years after it suspended trips due to safety concerns. In line with the Foreign Office's advice, this trip suits intrepid travellers keen to explore one of the most beautiful, little visited corners of the Indian sub-continent. Stay on the famous Kashmir houseboats, undertaking shikara boat rides to the beautiful Mughal Gardens and through the serene backwaters to Anchar Lake. The trip also includes a five-day mountain trek in Ladakh, through Buddhist settlements and across grazing pastures, home to the elusive snow leopard, including one night in the exquisite Alchi monastery.
www.worldexpeditions.co.uk/index.php?section=trips&id=2154751
• Kashmir Ladakh Adventure (15 days) departs June-September, from £1,590 per person

For more information and bookings please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk or call 0800 0744 135. World Expeditions' policy ensures there are no local payments. Prices do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.

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Notes for editors:
• One of the very first operators in what is now becoming a very popular area in travel, since its inception in 1975 World Expeditions has earned itself an outstanding reputation as a world leader in small group adventure holidays and cultural journeys.
• The two factors that distinguish World Expeditions from its competitors, the number of inclusions and the exceptional value of its trips, can be found today in more than 500 stand-alone itineraries, escorted by expert leaders and meticulously designed for those travellers who want to take the 'paths less travelled'.
• Always innovative, it was, among others, the first operator to offer cycling holidays in India (1977) and China (1978) and trekking trips in Mongolia (1980) and Tibet (1981). In 2013 it launched a dedicated 'World Cycle Journeys' programme, while as of 2011 it is the only company to offer the newly mapped Great Himalaya Trail.
• World Expeditions is independently owned and a truly global company, with nine offices around the world, including London, Sydney and Montreal.
    
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World Expeditions | UTracks | Sherpa Expeditions
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Gordon Steer gordon@worldexpeditions.co.uk