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Sports

In Ladakh

‘’Ladakh shares its ground with Adventure’’

Ladakh is an exceptional destination for adventure aficionados as there are lots of sports activities to dive in. From mountaineering in the Himalayas to trekking and rafting, the options are never-ending. You can also have a date with conventional sports options like Polo, Ice Hockey and Archery. We, at Himalayan Safaris, make special arrangements for people wanting to experience any of these adventure sports.

A date with Polo

It is said Polo came to Ladakh from Baltistan in the 15th century and ever since it has grown to be a major sport in this rugged Himalayan region, albeit with a few distinct peculiarities. Almost all the major villages around have their own polo grounds called “Shagaran”. In fact, the Ladakh Polo Club consisting of 7 different teams is now a proud part of the Indian Polo Association.

Also, no Polo match in Ladakh is complete without the musical accompaniment of ‘Surna’ and ‘Daman’ or the oboe and the drum. The music varies according to fortune of the game, growing in tempo and volume at the scoring of a goal! We recommend you catch a game while you are here. The game, the costume and the enthusiasm of the spectators will hold you enchanted for sure.

Archery: Hit a Bull’s Eye

Archery is a favorite pastime for many in Ladakh and many archery festivals are held in the villages during the summer months with a lot of fanfare. Shooting takes place according to strict etiquette to the accompaniment of the music of ‘surna’ and ‘daman’(oboe and drum). The local ale flows freely, the men take out their traditional wear and the women wear their brightest brocade mantles and their heaviest jewellery.

So, it you are willing to test the Robin Hood in you, there’s a Sherwood Forest waiting for you in Ladakh!

Ice Hockey in the backdrop of Himalayas

Ladakh, home to India’s ice hockey, is becoming a latest attraction among those who love this adventure sport and are eying this rocky terrain to experience the game in the backdrop of Himalayas. Ladakh's obsession with hockey is especially remarkable bearing in mind the sport's humble beginnings here.
The game has gained popularity and hence is a worth a shot. We make sure that you have a great time while playing this out-of-the-box game in the backdrop of Himalayas. You just have to show your interest and we shall get on our toes to help you have a great ‘sporting’ time.

What Our Client Says

  • "As tour manager of Joe Far Tours I want to thank you for the great services my group received during Oracle-festivals from March 11 - 20, 2011. We stayed in the best hotel of town with good central heating and excellent food and service, had new cars with friendly and helpful drivers and a very experienced local guide Tashi. Besides that you personally came to check everything! Your service even included a reserved area with chairs during festival, lunch and hot tea.

    Thanks again and I am looking forward to your services in Changthang in July 2011."

    Prof. Hans Först
    Executive Director-Tours
    Joe Far Tours/Vienna/Austria

  • "I arrived in Ladakh with only six precious days and no semblance of a plan. Odpal George and his team at Himalayan Safaris worked with me on short notice to set up a fantastic tour, including a 3-day trek from Likir to Lamayuru. Their service and local knowledge were top notch, and I assumed that their prices would be high -- but after checking around town with other tour operators, I realized they were right in line. I highly recommend working with Himalayan Safaris."

    Dan Fineman

  • Himalayan Safaris and Odpal George are excellent. They handled our Leh experience comprehensively, taking care of our every need, while remaining very flexible in ensuring we got the best experiences in spite of weather changes (it rained in Leh). Peter, the trek guide, was fantastic along the trek, chatty, knowledgeable about the trek area, the flora and fauna. He made good decisions on how to keep the trek experience high as the weather changed. Stenzin, our main guide at the gompas, was a fountain of knowledge. Even the drivers Egbol and Naxir, where efficient and courteous.

    Vincent Fabella

  • I wanted to take this opportunity to thanks you, your brother Peter and your staff for a delightful stay in Ladakh. It was a pleasure to get to know Tashi and we all enjoyed seeing the scenery, temples and towns of the region. I especially appreciated you and your company's flexibility in helping us with our changing plans.

    Finally, we so enjoyed our stay at your hotel in Sabu. The rooms were great and well designed. The food was wonderful and the staff was friendly and experienced. You and Peter have clearly put a lot of thought into it.

    We had a wonderful experience with you and would recommend it to anyone.

    Graydon Pleasants
    Real Estate Development