Yak Safari in Ladakh & Umba La Pass Guide 2025: Explore the Wild Side of the Himalayas

If you’re planning a trip to Ladakh in 2025 and looking to go beyond the usual bike rides and sightseeing tours, there’s a wild, slow-paced, and majestic experience waiting for you — the Yak Safari in Ladakh. Yes, the very animal that thrives in extreme cold, carries goods across snowfields, and symbolizes Himalayan resilience — now offers you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride through valleys, lakesides, and high-altitude trails.

Add to that the thrill of crossing the remote and rugged Umba La Pass in Ladakh, and your journey becomes more than just travel — it becomes an adventure into Ladakh’s wild heart.

This article explores how to experience yak safaris, what you’ll need, the routes to choose, and how to include a trip to Umba La in your itinerary.

 Yak Safari in Ladakh: A Unique Way to Explore the Himalayas

While most tourists hop on bikes or jeeps, few get to experience the high-altitude desert from the back of a yak — an animal deeply embedded in the nomadic life of Ladakh. Yak Safari in Ladakh isn’t just an activity; it’s a connection to the region’s raw nature and traditional ways of life.

Imagine riding past glacial lakes, through wildflower-strewn valleys, or ascending silent ridges, all while sitting on a slow-moving, sturdy yak. It’s eco-friendly, surreal, and deeply immersive.

 Where Can You Do Yak Safari in Ladakh?

1. Pangong Tso
   • Short yak rides along the lakeshore
   • Great for first-timers and family travelers
2. Tso Moriri – Korzok Region
   • Authentic experience with Changpa nomads
   • Offers longer rides across wetlands and grasslands
3. Nubra Valley – Hunder & Turtuk
   • Less common but available with local arrangements
   • Combine with camel safari if you wish
4. Sham Valley – Likir and Alchi belt
   • Cultural experience + scenic views + local food
   • Best for slow-paced travelers

 Best Time for Yak Safari

• May to September – Ideal season when trails are accessible
• July & August – Wildflowers bloom, rivers are full, great photo ops
• Avoid winter – too cold, trails snow-covered, and yaks are reserved for local utility

 Why Try a Yak Safari Instead of the Regular Stuff?

• Slow Travel: Absorb the beauty of Ladakh at a meditative pace
• Local Support: Encourages nomadic communities through tourism
• Zero Pollution: Silent and sustainable, unlike engine-based tours
• Photographer’s Dream: Yaks + landscapes = unforgettable frames

 Yak Safari Tips for First-Timers

• Wear layers — yaks go to colder altitudes even in summer
• Hold on gently; yak saddles are basic and designed for utility
• Communicate with your guide; most safaris are customizable
• Carry sunglasses, gloves, and sunblock — high-altitude sun is harsh
• Don’t spook the yak — they’re calm but powerful creatures

 What to Carry for a Day Yak Safari

• Reusable water bottle
• Light snacks (energy bars, trail mix)
• GoPro or lightweight DSLR
• Warm hat and sunglasses
• Small backpack with rain cover
• Binoculars for birdwatching at Tso Moriri or Pangong

 Umba La Pass in Ladakh: The Road Less Taken

If you’re craving high-altitude offroading, rough routes, and dramatic Himalayan passes — look no further than Umba La Pass in Ladakh. At 13,000+ ft, Umba La is the link between Drass and Suru Valley, offering an alternate route to Kargil that few tourists dare to explore.

 Where Is Umba La Located?

• Between: Drass (north) and Parkachik (south)
• Region: Western Ladakh, near Kargil
• Distance from Kargil via Umba: ~80–90 km
• Altitude: ~4,500 m (14,764 ft)

 How to Reach Umba La Pass

• Option 1: Srinagar → Drass → Umba La → Parkachik → Suru Valley
• Option 2: Leh → Kargil → Sankoo → Parkachik → Umba La → Drass
• Requires good ground clearance vehicles or adventure bikes (Himalayan, RE 500)
• No fuel stations after Kargil/Parkachik — plan accordingly

 Best Time to Cross Umba La

• June to September – Snow is melted, roads are rough but motorable
• October–May: Not accessible due to heavy snow

 What Makes Umba La Special?

• Less Crowded: Rarely seen by tourist buses or regular cabs
• Raw Terrain: Streams, jagged peaks, and mind-blowing silence
• Ideal for Bikers & Trekkers: An alternate route into Suru-Zanskar
• Complete Isolation: Great for solitude seekers

 Activities Around Umba La

• Biking Expedition: Combine with Zanskar Loop or Drass-Kargil circuit
• Photography: Unreal light and shadows during early morning/late evening
• Camping: If you’re self-sufficient, pitch your tent on a flat stretch for a night under stars
• Trekking (Advanced): Trekking trails exist around Suru side — local guides recommended

 Where to Stay Near Umba La

• Drass: Guesthouses, local stays
• Sankoo & Panikhar: Homestays and eco-lodges
• Parkachik: Limited options but stunning glacier views
• Wild camping for experienced trekkers or self-drive explorers

 Suggested 5-Day Offbeat Ladakh Itinerary (Yak Safari + Umba La)

Day 1: Arrive in Leh → Acclimatization
Day 2: Yak Safari at Tso Moriri or Pangong → Overnight in Korzok
Day 3: Drive to Kargil via Chumathang → Overnight stay
Day 4: Explore Suru Valley → Continue to Umba La → Reach Drass
Day 5: Visit Kargil War Memorial → Return via Zoji La or loop back toward Leh

 Why Combine Yak Safari and Umba La Pass?

Because this combo shows you both the grace and the grit of Ladakh.

• Yak Safari in Ladakh lets you experience local life, tradition, and nature up close — at the pace of breath.
• Umba La Pass in Ladakh puts you face-to-face with Ladakh’s rugged soul — remote, untouched, and wild.

Both are far from the beaten path. Both let you feel Ladakh, not just see it.

 Final Thoughts

Ladakh isn’t just about chasing checklists or posting Instagram reels. It’s about feeling small under giant skies, slowing down with a yak on a silent trail, or conquering a desolate pass where the road disappears.

In 2025, go offbeat. Try the Yak Safari in Ladakh to bond with nature. Cross Umba La Pass to test your spirit of adventure. And in doing so, discover a side of Ladakh that few ever do.