10 essential tips to help you plan your Ladakh Trip
Planning your trip to Ladakh is very vital. There are a few things like inner line permits, acclimatization and road trip which have important role in your successful trip to Ladakh.
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| Pangong Tso Lake, Ladakh by Road |
One of the most sought after destination in India for summer
and Monson travel is Ladakh region in Kashmir. Ladakh is favored as tourist
destination in monsoon because of the almost negligible rainfall. But same
could not be said for the road which leads you to Ladakh.
You may also want to check out the one page handbook on
things to do in Ladakh.
Here’s how to ensure that you have a perfect holiday in
Ladakh by keeping these travel and packing tips in mind.
Know what Inner line permits are
Inner line permits are required to travel to interior places
in Ladakh region which include Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. You
need to apply for inner line permits at Leh DC office or you may have them
arranged by a local tour operator. If you are a resident of India traveling on
your own then you may personally apply for the permits and get it the same day.
But if you are an overseas traveler then you need to apply for your permit
through a government recognized agent.
Find more information on inner line permits in Ladakh here.
Acclimatization
This is of paramount importance if you want to enjoy your
trip to Ladakh. Acclimatization refers to getting used to the high altitude air
pressure and low oxygen level conditions. For that you need to spend first 2
days upon your arrival in Leh itself. You could utilize that time for local
sightseeing and only after day 2 should you head for higher up tourist places
like Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri or Nubra Valley.
You could find more on acclimatization in Leh Ladakh here.
Check Road Status
Monsoon often causes landslides in the mountain road in Himachal
if the route you are taking is the Leh-Manali highway especially at Rohtang
Pass. If you are taking this route and make sure that the pass is open for
traffic before you leave from Manali towards Leh by road.
You should do the same for Zoji La Pass which you need to
cross on Leh-Srinagar highway as rain could cause road to be blocked sometimes
for more than a day.
Have extra time up
your sleeve
Since Ladakh is the land of high mountain passes, even if
you have arrived in Leh, you might find road blocks at passes which might delay
your travel plans by hours. Landslides at Chang La (On your way to Pangong from
Leh) and Khardung La (which you need to cross to go to Nubra Valley) often
causes traffic snarls and road blocks which could prolong your travel time by
many hours.
Pack accordingly
A mosquito net or mosquito repellent cream often comes handy
while traveling in India but same is not true for Ladakh. Although staying in
good hotels would make the nets redundant, but the cream comes handy when you
travel or even during extended sightseeing tours. In Ladakh packing essentials
include warm clothes.
Stay on top of
technology
Since Ladakh region is a remote high altitude area as well
as sensitive owing to proximity with Chinese and Pakistani Border, you’d hardly
find mobile signals in most of the inner areas. For foreign travelers, it is
all the more harder as only the Airtel and BSNL post piad network works in
Kashmir which won’t be issued to them.
To stay connected,
use internet available in some places in Nubra Valley and Leh Town. There are
STD/ISD phone booths too from where you could call up your near and dear ones.
Another trick is to befriend your hotel staff and pay him (get his mobile
recharged) to make your calls which also happens to be the most handy solution
in Ladakh region.
Carry warm clothes
Ladakh region is situated in high altitude Greater Himalayan
Region and is quite chilly after sunset. It is advisable that you carry
pullovers, scarves, sweaters and jackets to beat the cold. Wearing full shoes
are also recommended.
Carry the Extra pair
It’s always wise to carry that extra pair of clothes as weather
condition causes them loner to get dry.
Sunscreen
lotion/sunglasses
Due to high altitude, it is always wise to apply sunscreen
lotion and carry sunglasses for eye protection in Ladakh to avoid the ill
effect of sun rays.
Come with an open mind
Lonely Planet travel guide describes India as Bamboozling. Although
Ladakh Region also known as “The Little Tibet” is very much different from rest
of the India, it is nice to arrive with an open mind and you are sure to have a
wonderful time.
If you are traveling to Ladakh and wondering which are the most popular tourist destinations in the region then you may also want to check out 5 Most Popular Places to visit Leh Ladakh.
Author Bio: Contributed by Nikhil Chandra