Ultimate Adventure: Leh Ladakh Travel Guide 2023

This article contains general Leh Ladakh travel guide and important information about things like AMS, Petrol pumps, ATMs, transport, permits, things and clothes to carry etc. Please feel free to comment and let us know what more information you need in this article

If you are planning a trip to Leh Ladakh, you are in for amazing fun times. With lots of adventure packed in for you, this trip will take you on a roller coaster ride. Amidst all the excitement you have built up inside to explore the wilderness of this wonderful landscape, there are many things to be taken notice of prior to booking your trip.

This article is a perfect guide for you that will help you chalk out a perfect trip to Leh Ladakh. Whether you prefer to ride up to this Himalayan region or simply fly to this barren land, this guide is all that you need. This article will cover issues such as accommodation facilities, the climate and the permits. Since this place is situated in the Trans-Himalayan region, the climate can be a challenge for you. Thus, follow this guide well to assure you have a safe and smooth trip.

General Leh Ladakh travel guide

Get familiar with the region

People have phenomenal experiences while on their trip to Ladakh and if you wish for the same, you must get familiar with the region well in advance. Due to its high altitude, Ladakh offers low atmospheric pressure, which can bring in a couple of troubles for you. While May to August is the best months to travel, you need to ensure safety measures while mapping out your trip. If you have already been to similar higher ranges then you must have general information on the climate and its effect on health. If you are a novice and travelling to this higher range for the first time, you will be encountering low atmospheric pressure, which might induce nausea, headache and dizziness in you. Hence, rushing for this trip is not a good idea and you must plan it only if you are physically fit for the same. To ensure your proper health, you can get a complete check-up at your doctor’s clinic.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

AMS is common in travellers here and these are the points to look out for. After reaching Leh, you need to acclimatize and that period can range from 24-36 hours. This is to ensure your body gets accustomed to the low atmospheric temperature before you embark upon your trip.

• If you have heart problems, asthma or blood pressure issues, it is advised that you not embark upon this trip.
• Drink water as per your body demands.
• Keep yourself warm in thick clothing.
• Avoid physically exerting yourself.
• As you scale higher and higher, the oxygen levels will go low, which is why you will experience nausea, shortness of breath and dizziness.
• Visit a doctor if your condition worsens.
• Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol and do not sleep during the daytime.

Clothing and basic amenities to carry

Travelling to higher altitudes will bring you ample of sunshine and warmth but as the evening approaches, you will be greeted by cold temperatures, which can even reach zero. Equip yourself with these items-

• A few jackets and pullovers with other warm clothing
• Woollen gloves and headscarves
• Sun caps and socks
• Soaps and towels
• Essential and basic medicines with a first aid kit
• Waterproof shoes
• Sleeping bags, camping equipment
• Camera, batteries, chargers and cell phone
• UV protection sunglasses and sunscreens
• Water, energy bars and lots of snacks
• If you plan to bike to Leh, these are the items that you must carry
• Gloves, warm clothes, jackets, raincoats, socks and boots,
• Spare tube, puncture kit, clutch wire, break a wire, chain lock, gear oil, engine oil, spark plugs and a toolkit

You need to carry petrol jar if you are taking the Leh-Manali Highway as the last petrol pump that you’ll find is at Tandi which is around 380 Kms before you find the next at Karu. So 10-20 litres of extra petrol is recommended for you to carry. Puncture shops are also not available and even if you find one, there is no guarantee that they will have the tube hence a tube is a must-pack item even if you don’t have puncture kit.

Permits

If you wish to explore inner regions like Turtuk, Panamik, Khaltse, Pangong, Changthang, Hunder, Tso Kar and TsoMoriri etc. you need to obtain inner line permits. To acquire application forms for obtaining the permit you can easily access them at the stationery shop just behind the Leh DC office, which remains open on weekdays from 9 am to 3 pm and is closed on Sundays and national holidays. The fee required is Rs.200 per person and environment tax plus Rs.20 per person per day as wildlife protection fee and Rs.10 for donating to the Red Cross. Carry important documents like voters ID, passport, UID and driving license. Even the hotel you are staying in or your travel agent can arrange for your inner line authorization and mail or fax them to you so that none of your time is wasted and you can directly visit those particular regions. After acquiring the permit make sure that you carry minimum 4-5 copies of the permits and photo id proof. You may need to submit them at various check posts by the military personnel who track entry and exit at certain points to check if a tourist has returned or not.

Accommodation facilities

Due to the nature of the place, luxury hotels are a rare to find in Ladakh but various homestays available in the place will surely make your stay worth. These basic accommodation facilities are loaded with basic amenities like hot water and proper washrooms. Just one luxury hotel is available, the Grand Dragon, which will cost you around Rs.3000-5000 per night. While homestays will cost you around Rs.150-200 per night.

Biker’s accommodation

If you are a biker, cruising towards Leh, you will get accommodation facilities on the Leh-Manali and Leh-Srinagar highway. Acclimatization is necessary, which is why you will find accommodation options through the Leh-Manali highway such as accommodations at the Keylong, Jispa, Sarchu and Darcha areas. Avoid crossing the Baralacha La if you have arrived at the Zingzing bar in the late afternoon. You will find strong water currents, which cross the road and this could get very dangerous. You should return to Darcha or Jispa or stay at Pang. Have a stopover at Mulkbeh instead of Kargil or Lamayuru in case you are riding from Srinagar as accommodation in Kargil are pricey.

Petrol pumps

If you are travelling by road to Ladakh, petrol is a necessity and hence you need to keep an extra can of petrol with you in case of emergencies. The last petrol pump you will find is in Tandi and the next one in Karu which is almost 400 km away. If you are cruising through the Leh-Pangong-Tso Mosriri-Rumtse-Leh or Leh-Nubra-Pangong-Leh which is almost 700-900 km then equip yourself with a good capacity of petrol in reserve. Do not get surprised if you find petrol at local shops and residences but they might cost you more, which is why it is crucial to have a backup.

ATM facilities

You will be left in shock since hotels and travel agents do not accept credit cards. This leaves you with an option to carry hard cash in abundance. But if you are worrisome for the same then plastic money will come to your rescue, that is, debit cards. Withdrawing money from ATM’s will become easy as and when in need. Several banks like PNB, SBI, Axis, J&K bank etc have their ATMs installed in several locations in Leh town. More interior places like Pangong, Changthang etc do not have ATM facilities so carry a good amount of cash. Use your money sparingly as it can be of great help during emergencies.

General travelling tips

Respect the local culture and seek permission before clicking pictures in the local areas.

Most markets in Ladakh have STD booths, which shut down after 10 pm. In Kargil, you will find global direct calling telephone facility, telegraph facility. Wireless radio phone network services of J&K tourism station with various field stations at Leh, Padum and Kargil. During the peak season starting from May to August, J&K tourism establishes mobile wireless stations in remote areas too. Prepaid sim cards do not work here.

Important things to know 

• Avoid using plastic bags, which are banned here and do not litter the place.
• Carry proper documents and permits. Passes like Changla Pass, Zojila Pass, Fatula Pass and Khardungla Pass have a military presence, which is why you never know when you might need your documents.
• Do thorough research before embarking upon your trip and be in constant contact with your tour guide. Carry the card of the hotel you are staying in as it might be of use in case of emergencies.

Enjoy your trip to Leh Ladakh where you are sure to get lost and find yourself amidst the white wilderness that this Himalayan land is.