Camel Safari in Ladakh

The Land of Ladakh is craggy, rocky, hilly and unpredictable. From the luxuriant orchards of Zanskar to the sand dunes of Sumoor Nubra to the barren heartlands of Hunder to the hills on which monasteries are situated; you will be amazed by seeing the geographical diversity of the land. Transport however has always been an issue as cars don’t take well to this type of land and there is a limit to the amount of distance you can cover on foot.



The best way you can see the remarkable natural beauty of the Ladakh landscape and its natural attractions is atop a Bactrian Camel.

Features of Bactrian Camel

The Bactrian Camel is only found in Ladakh in India and it has two bumps instead of one. Earlier these camels were only used as pack animals, load carriers and a source of hide and meat. However with ascent and interest in Ladakh as a tourist spot since the last 50 years, Bactrian Camels are now bred with almost the sole purpose of acting as a conveyance medium for tourists. One Bactrian Camel can carry two to three adults easily on its back.

Timing and Price Range of Camel Safari

During the months between July to September the Bactrian Camel ride is the most popular option amongst tourists. The camel knows its way well through craggy lands and proves to be a comfortable carrier. The price of Camel Safari per night is 1600 INR per camel and 1700 INR per camel in the daytime. The rate might increase in peak season between April to July.



It’s advisable to check the health and condition of the camel before you get up on it. Sometimes camel owners force old and sick camels to work which is against animal rights ethics code. PETA is currently involved in framing new rules for ethical and considerate treatment of Bactrian Camels.

Best Places for Camel Safari in Ladakh

There are many ways in which you can frame your camel safari in Ladakh. If you are little scared of the prospect of a camel ride then opt for the one day ride. On the other hand if you are confident an adventurous then opt for 7 day, 6 day or 9 day camel safari. One day Camel ride is available from Agling to Stok with a visit to Tibetan refugee camps. Another option is to take the city tour of Leh covering 5 historical places and 3 monasteries in one day. You can hire the Bactrian camel for 1 day to reach the Sand Dunes Leisure Park in Sumoor Nubra but the road is less than comfortable. The ride will take you 6 hours but once you reach you can camp there overnight as there are beautiful camps with sumptuous food and wine available.



In the longer Camel Safari consisting of 6-9 days you will cover the following points and those are Shey Gompa, Thiksey Gompa, Hunder Sand Dunes, Nubra Valley, Shyok River, Diskit Gompa, Hunder Village, Chamba Monastery, Diskit Village, Samastaling Village, Pinchmic, Panamic, Karakoram hill range, Thermal Hot Springs, Ensa Gompa.

There will be overnight hats at Panamic, Pinchimic, Hunder, Diskit, Nubra Valley, Samastaling Camp, Leh town. The camel safari ride is a unique experience as it combines the exotic experience of boarding the two humped Bactrian camel with the beauty of the Ladakh’s natural and cultural wonders.