At the Indus River Camp, we offer our guests opportunities to experience Ladakhi cultural traditions and the warm, joyous spirit of its people. Our proximity to local festivals provides a window into the region's Buddhist prayers, cultural teachings, masked dances, sacred rituals, and mythical battles between good and evil.
While the famous Hemis Festival is a popular tourist attraction on the cultural calendar, we encourage our guests to explore lesser-known, remote ceremonies for a more authentic experience of Ladakhi culture.
Zanskar Valley Festivals
The Karsha and Sani monastery festivals offer a rare glimpse into a region largely untouched by tourism. With an impending road project, the time to visit is now to witness this unique culture before it changes.
Korzok Gustor
Set against a picturesque high-altitude lake and monastery, Korzok showcases Ladakhi culture in a breathtaking setting — one of the most scenic festival locations in the region.
Local Traditions
In our local village of Chuchot, the annual Ladakh Polo Festival is one of many celebrations of the region's traditional sports. Polo and archery continue to thrive among Ladakhi youth, alongside ice hockey in winter.
More recent additions to the calendar include a two-week festival throughout Ladakh for the apricot blossoms in April, Astro Week in May celebrating the region's dark skies, and film and bike festivals in September.
2026 Festival Calendar
| Date | Festival | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 5th – 22nd April | Apricot Blossom Festival | Sham Valley / Turtuk |
| 20th – 26th May | Ladakh Astro Week | All Over |
| 31st May | Saka Dawa | All Over |
| 24th – 25th June | Hemis Festival | Hemis |
| 12th – 13th July | Phyang Festival | Phyang |
| 15th – 16th July | Phyang Tserup | Phyang |
| 17th – 18th July | Korzok Gustor | Tso Moriri |
| 24th – 25th July | Takthok Festival | Takthok (near Sakti) |
| 9th – 10th August | Changthang Nomadic Festival | Changthang Region |
| 26th – 27th August | Suru Summer Festival | Suru Valley |
| 1st – 7th September | Ladakh Bike Week | All Over |
| 15th – 16th September | Zanskar Festival | Sani, Zanskar |
| 21st – 24th September | Ladakh Festival | Leh |
| 29th Sept – 1st Oct | Himalayan Film Festival | All Over |
Dates are approximate and based on the Tibetan lunar calendar. Please confirm closer to your visit.