How to Plan Your Leh Ladakh Trip
Ladakh has, in recent times, become one of the most popular summer holiday destinations in India. Riding across high altitude mountain passes, visiting monasteries, and camping by some stunning high altitude lakes are the major allure of Ladakh. Nestled in the Trans-Himalayan region, in the state of Jammu & Kashmir in North India, Ladakh is renowned for its spell binding landscapes, ancient Buddhist monasteries.
In this article, I’d like to mention some important points that every tourist planning a trip should know. All of my tips are based on my personal experience in the region.
Although a trip to Ladakh has a lot to offer, I personally request everyone to take some precautionary measures to deal with the low atmospheric pressure and low oxygen level.
High Altitude and Acclimatize in Leh Ladakh.
The most important part of your Ladakh itinerary would be acclimatization. Please don't rush your trip. Instead allow time for your body to adjust to the low atmospheric pressure. Reserve the first two days after your arrival in Leh for getting used to the high altitude and to avoid getting seriously affected by AMS which may lead to severe headaches, nausea, restlessness, or even inability to walk or think, and ataxia which will ruin your vacation. Remember even the most fit people can also be effected by mountain sickness. Here are some tips:
- You should take rest for a day or two after reaching Leh to get adjusted to the low atmospheric pressure and gradually increase altitude with rest to help your body acclimatize. Remember if you are suffering from heart ailments, asthma or high blood pressure consider not to visit Ladakh, sincerely.
- Try not to exert yourself physically too much due to excitement, especially on passes as due to lack of oxygen it could be difficult to catch your breath and lead to fatigue. Seriously you might feel the earth spin or even pass out. Though it's difficult but always be mentally strong enough to avoid smoking and drinking when you are in the high altitude to prevent AMS. If you are hit by AMS, be ready to gulp the time tested proven local remedy, the garlic soup or a soup prepared with lots of garlic. I advise you to keep the preventive medicine to strike back AMS, Diamox. If you notice any symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, or fatigue, rest immediately and descend without delay if you are at a high altitude (as in Khardung La Top).
- I am assuming that you have already spend a night in Manali or Srinagar so en route Leh-Manali highway stop at Keylong, Jispa, and Darcha and avoid staying at Sarchu if possible. While in the Leh-Srinagar Highway you should spend the night at Kargil. If you are flying directly to Leh , you still need to take two days to rest. During this period , you could always go on a short trip to Thiksey, Hemis, Shey, Nimoo and Stok etc. to visit monasteries and palaces.
What to Pack : Clothing / Essentials
Here are a few key things which you should pack when traveling to Ladakh.
- A couple of pullovers and the same number of jackets is a must. You will also pack 2-3 pairs of inner thermals, good waterproof shoes for trekking, a pair of hand gloves, warm clothes & caps.
- If you are planning to camp along the route do carry one warm sleeping bag, besides soaps, towels, bandages and general medicines.Carry some vital medicines for Acute Mountain Sickness such as Avomine, Dexamethasone, Diamox and Acetazolamide
- Lots of chocolates, biscuits, and dry fruits
- Camera, chargers for cell phone and other basic things
- A pair of sleeper
- Torch
- Mobile chargers
- Camera kit etc.
Packing Essentials for Bikers
Besides what I mentioned above, you will also need:
- A pair of good raincoats
- Waterproof gloves
- Boots
- Spare tube, puncture kit, clutch wire, break wire, chain lock, gear oil, engine oil, spark plugs etc are a must pack in your bag. Also carry a petrol jar if you are taking Leh - Manali Highway as the last petrol pump that you’ll find is at Tandi which is around 380 KM before you find the next at Karu. So you should carry 10-20 liters of extra petrol.
Puncture shops are also not available and even if you find one, there is no guarantee that they will have the tube, which is why a tyre tube is a must-pack item even if you don’t have a puncture kit.
Leh - Ladakh Bike Rental Costs 2016-17
Bike name
|
Model
|
Min. rate per day
|
|---|---|---|
Royal Enfield
|
500 CC All Models
|
1500
|
Royal Enfield
|
350 CC Classic/Thunderbird
|
1600
|
Royal Enfield
|
350 CC Electra
|
1000
|
Royal Enfield
|
350 CC Standard
|
900
|
Honda Activa
|
Automatic
|
1400
|
Bajaj Avenger
|
200 CC
|
900
|
Bajaj Pulsar
|
200 CC
|
900
|
Bajaj Pulsar
|
150 CC
|
700
|
Yamaha FZ, Hero Impulse
|
700
| |
Scooters
|
125
|
800
|
Automatic Bikes without Gear
|
700
|
The cost of hiring motorcycle in Leh Ladakh as announced by Ladakh Bike Rental Association which governs the rate in the region.
New Rules for Inner Line Permit since 2014
Indians don't need to obtain inner line permits to visit destinations in Ladakh. That's a good news except for some areas like Chusul, Man, Mirik (Pangong to Tso Moriri direct route). As per the new circular issued by the office of District Magistrate of Leh, Indian Nationals will no longer need to apply for inner line permits to visit certain inner areas like Turtuk, Panamik, Khaltse, Pangong, Changthang, Hunder, Nubra Valley Tso Kar, and Tso Moriri etc. in Ladakh. Just carry Nationality ID proof (Driving Licence, Voter ID etc.) which will have to be presented at certain check posts where earlier Indians were required to submit a copy of an inner line permit.
But still, if you are on a motorcycle and your route involves crossing or traveling to Hanle, Chusul, Tsaga, beyond Loma bend, Chumur, Marsimik La, and Batalik sectors, then you'd still need to apply for and obtain inner line permits as per the earlier procedure.
Travelers from overseas (with the exception of residents of Burma, Bhutan, Nepal, and Pakistan) need to obtain Protected Area Permit (PAP) to visit the above places. In the case of foreigners, the permit is issued only for a group with four or more foreign tourists. For foreign tourists, it is also mandatory to go through a registered travel agent in order to obtain the permit. The travel agent will also help you group together with others in case you are traveling solo or as a couple so that your permit can be obtained.
The permit application forms are available at the stationary shop just behind the Leh DC office which opens at 9.00 AM, and applications for permits are not usually accepted after 03:00 PM (The office is closed on Sundays and National Holidays.)
You should get to the office as early as possible to avoid the rush and get your permit in a hassle-free way. The fee required for the permit is Rs. 200 per person as environment tax + Rs. 20 per person per day as wild life protection fee and Rs. 10 for a Red Cross Donation.
If you need to know more about Ladakh please do visit my blog https://simplymypleasure.blogspot.com and read Ladakh: The Land of High Passes.
If you feel the article helpful and informative, show your love and off course do not forget to comment about your views and experience.
Till then, keep writing...
Signing off
___Dev
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