Essential Leh Ladakh Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors

Are you the one among all those first-time visitors and planning to visit Leh Ladakh? Then this blog will be your guiding star as it will share essential Leh Ladakh Travel Tips that will come handy. Ladakh is known as the land of high passes, which means you will be on a high altitude adventure ride when you are in Ladakh. These safety tips are important things to know before visiting Leh Ladakh. 

What are The Essential Leh Ladakh Travel Tips? 

Among the many things to know before visiting Leh Ladakh, these are some of the important Leh Ladakh travel tips:

1. Acclimatization in High Altitude 

Ladakh is located at high altitude and surrounded by high passes, Himalayan range, Karakoram range, Zanskar range and Ladakh range. So proper acclimatization is required to avoid health risks. When you reach Leh, it is mandatory to take proper rest on the first day. Next day it is advised to go slow, eat light, drink 3 litres of water and ORS to keep yourself hydrated to avoid acute mountain sickness. It is important to carry important medicines like Diamox to control AMS, calpol, indigestion and headache medicines. Carry camphor to treat shortness of breath instantly. 

2. Packing Essentials 

The weather is unpredictable over there, even experiencing snowfall in summer. Carry thermal innerwears, fleece, windproof jackets, pullovers, gloves, caps, earmuffs and woollen socks due to the fluctuating temperature and wind conditions above 12000 ft. Always carry backup sneakers and jackets and also raincoats and umbrellas in your packing essentials. You can carry an electric kettle, some dry food items like biscuits and cakes, tea, coffee, sugar and salt sachets. Keep a separate medicine bag ready with all the important medicines that you use and for the trip. 

3. Permits 

You need to acquire inner line permits to visit restricted border areas like Pangong Tso, Hanle, Tso Moriri and Nubra Valley. If you are going through a tour operator then they will arrange everything with your documents. If you are going by yourself, then you can apply via the LAHDC portal. Carry 5 to 6 photocopies of your Aadhaar Card and permits. Only postpaid mobile connections work in Leh Ladakh so either you have one or you can get one from Leh airport. Airtel and BSNL connections only work in those areas. Do not forget to carry enough cash for expenses in case your GPay or ATMs fail to work.

4. Transportation

It is better to book your transportation beforehand if you are travelling with a big group, especially with kids, or even if you are travelling solo. In the case of self-driven cars which are registered in your name or in your parents’ name, you can drive it anywhere. But otherwise, you have to book local cars and drivers, as non-local ones are not allowed in Ladakh for sightseeing and for places to visit in Ladakh. You can only enter Leh on outside vehicles through Srinagar or Manali highways. 

Safety Tips –

These are some of the Leh Ladakh travel tips for your safety –

• Take proper rest in Leh. 
• Always carry diamox, camphor, ORS, thermal innerwears and portable oxygen can. 
• Honk multiple times around blind curves. 
• Drink water, keep yourself dehydrated, eat light, and carry dry food. 
• Carry original and photocopies of Aadhaar Card and permits.

Conclusion

If you are a traveller, you will fall in love with rugged brown mountains, vast valleys, meandering streams, crazy wind, dangerous curves, high altitude passes, off roading, star-filled night skies, turquoise water and warm local people in Ladakh. But when planning a trip, whether you are first-time visitors or not, remember these Leh Ladakh travel tips to make your journey smooth and memorable. Come – stay with us at Dakpa House Ladakh!