How to Prepare for Ladakh Trip

Imagine strolling along the world’s highest saltwater lake, visiting the serene white-domed Shanti Stupa, driving through the scenic Nubra Valley, and offering prayers at Diskit Monastery. These are just a few of the unique experiences Ladakh has to offer. This comprehensive ‘How to Prepare for Ladakh Trip’ travel guide will help you make the most of your journey.

In this Ladakh travel guide, you will learn all you need to know about the type of clothes to carry, what documents are required for a Ladakh bike trip, how to deal with AMS, permits required for Ladakh travel, the cost of travel, how to travel to Ladakh with kids and senior citizens, and much more.

Clothes to Carry for Ladakh

What to wear in Ladakh can be a little tricky, provided its temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, especially in summer. The kind of clothing you would carry to Ladakh in summer will differ from that of winter. Below is the list of types of clothes you must carry on a Ladakh trip according to the summer, winter, and monsoon seasons. Whatever the season might be, always be prepared.

Summer

While packing for the summer Ladakh trip, make sure to carry less heavy woolen and more cotton clothes. Carry clothes you can layer easily, like T-shirts, thermals, light woolens, and windproof jackets. The temperature during summer is very unpredictable. You might wander around in a single T-shirt during the day and need a woolen jacket at night.

Monsoon

If you are planning a trip to Ladakh in the monsoon, you must pack waterproof or fast-drying clothes made of polyester. There is no need to carry the extra weight of heavy jackets when you can get away with wearing light woolens and windproof jackets.

Winter

On your ‘things to carry for Ladakh winter trip,’ include heavy woolens, a lot of thermals, a windproof jacket, insulated socks, waterproof shoes, a woolen monkey cap, and sunglasses. Ladakh experiences sub-zero temperatures in winter, and putting all the woolens in your house would be an understatement.

If you plan to travel to Ladakh in winter, here are some valuable things to carry.

Things You Must Carry to Ladakh Trip

Make a checklist before you start packing in case you might forget something important. While packing clothes for your trip, make sure to pack the essentials to avoid last-minute hassle. Carry all required documents, medicines, electronics, eatables, and other necessary items for your Ladakh travel.

• Documents - Voter ID, driver’s license, passport, Aadhar Card, itinerary, flight ticket copy, hotel reservation, medical insurance, and more.
• Medicines - Diamox tablet, pack of glucose, cough, fever, headache, and other essential medicines.
• Accessories - Sunglasses, sunscreen, cap, and gloves.
• Toiletries - Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, towel, etc.
• Eatables - Dry fruits, chocolates, disposable spoons and forks, and mineral water.
• Electronics - Chargers, spare battery and memory cards, and power bank.
• Cash - Carry cash, as there are no ATMs after the Manali or Srinagar route.
• Phone Connectivity - Get BSNL/MTNL postpaid connection.

Things to Carry for Leh Ladakh Bike Trip

Whether you are on a bike trip to Leh Ladakh with an alleged company or a self-drive trip, some of the essential items you must carry on your trip are -

• Basic tool kit including jack and spanner
• Air Compressor and foot pump
• Puncture repair kit
• Spare tyre and tube
• Jumpstart cables
• Fuel refills
• Good pair of muffler/scarves
• Bungee CordsProtective gear

How to Rent a Motorcycle to Ladakh?

A bike trip to Ladakh is a dream for many bikers. But when you don’t have a bike and still wish to travel to Ladakh by bike, don’t go and buy one. Just rent it! Depending on your itinerary, you can rent a bike to Ladakh from Manali, Leh, or Srinagar. Remember not to pre-book a bike anywhere. Just reach the destination, ask around, and then decide.

How to Travel to Ladakh

Traveling to Ladakh is easy. You can take your car, hire a taxi, or board a flight. There are no direct trains, and the nearest airport to Ladakh is approx. 700 km away in Jammu. And nobody wants to travel that much. Right? Therefore, here are the easiest ways to reach Ladakh -

Ladakh by road - Ladakh can be easily reached by road. You can plan a bike trip from Srinagar and Manali to Leh Ladakh. For more information, see Traveling from Srinagar to Leh -How to Travel from Manali to Leh.

If you plan to travel to Ladakh by Road, here is a complete guide.

Ladakh by air - If you are planning to travel to Ladakh by air, the nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. It is located in Leh and is well-connected to many international airports in India, including Delhi. You can fly from Srinagar, Chandigarh, Jammu, and other major destinations.

Bike, Car, or Taxi: Which transport is better for Ladakh?

Well, there are several ways to travel to and from Ladakh. Of course, bikers and adventure enthusiasts prefer to travel to Ladakh by bike. If you are traveling with a family, then traveling by car or taxi is the best option. You can also board a bus from Manali, Srinagar, and ISBT Delhi. If you are traveling solo, taking shared taxis is one of the best ways to save some pennies.

Permits Required for Ladakh trip

For those who don’t know, Ladakh is located near the India - China border, and to visit here requires a permit from the District Magistrate’s Office. This issued permit does not apply to visiting Leh but to other areas such as Pangong, Tso Moriri, and Nubra Valley. Further, if you are traveling from Manali, you must get a separate permit for the Rohtang Pass, which can be obtained from Manali. Here are the following permits for Ladakh -

Inner Line Permit or ILP - The Indian government issues this permit for nationals outside the state. It allows you to enter restricted areas for a limited period.

Read complete detail: Innerline permits in Ladakh.

Rohtang Pass Permit - This permit is divided into two parts. The first is called ‘Permit for tourism purposes’ and is required by vehicles traveling only to Rohtang Pass. The second one is given to cars crossing Rohtang Pass towards Spiti or Lahaul Valley and is called a ‘Permit for travel purposes.’

Protected Area Permit or PAP - The Indian government also issues this permit to foreign nationals. With this Ladakh permit, they can enter restricted areas, such as places near LOC (Pakistan) and LAC (China), for a limited period.

Fuel Availability in Ladakh

Due to the increased number of tourists and avid bikers, Ladakh's fuel availability has improved dramatically. Whether you are coming from Manali or Srinagar, you can get fuel in many places. Also, carrying some extra liters wouldn’t hurt anybody.

• Petrol Pumps on Manali Leh Highway - Tandi is the only petrol station between Manali and Leh. As you get closer to Leh City, you can find one at Karu.
• Petrol Pumps on Srinagar Leh Highway - When coming from Srinagar, you will find numerous petrol pumps on the way. If traveling from Srinagar, there is a little petrol pump before Sonamarg, and from the Leh side, the petrol pump is at Khalsi, about 90 km from Leh.
• Spare Fuel - Carry at least 10 liters of fuel if you are coming from Manali. Otherwise, you can get spare fuel at Karzk and Kargil.

Read complete information about how & where to carry spare fuel for the Ladakh trip.

How to Deal with Acute Motion Sickness in Ladakh?

Being at a place you’ve never been before, at such an altitude, in new climatic conditions with low oxygen levels, can lead to altitude sickness. Therefore, it is crucial to know the causes, symptoms, precautions, medicines, and remedies for AMS in Ladakh.

Causes of Acute Motion Sickness - Ladakh is situated at a high altitude with less oxygen. This causes stress and uneasiness in our bodies, leading to Acute Motion Sickness in Ladakh.

Symptoms of Acute Motion Sickness - AMS symptoms are not very unique. High fever followed by vomiting, headaches, chest pain, nausea, etc., can continue for a few hours to even a day. It depends on the individual. But if you have never been to a high-latitude place, you are bound to feel few AMS symptoms in Ladakh.

How to handle AMS - To handle it, avoid smoking or drinking, move slowly, do not turn the heater on, get a good amount of sleep, hydrate yourself, and eat nutritious food.

Medicines for AMS - Diamox or Acetazolamide is the preferred medicine for AMS. It helps the body get used to the altitude and reduces minor AMS symptoms. You can take it a day before you climb and then for the next 1 to 2 days. Please consult a doctor before consuming the medicine.

Home Remedies - Ginger, clove, and garlic oil can significantly benefit during AMS.

Traveling to Ladakh with family

How to Plan a Trip to Ladakh With Children

Planning a trip to Ladakh with kids, infants, children, and toddlers can be challenging. Make sure that your child is between 1 year and 18 months of age. It will make things a little easier for you. Also, you need to always check on their behavior and look for any symptoms that may cause AMS.

How to Plan a Trip to Ladakh With Senior Citizens

Before planning a Ladakh trip with elders, consult a doctor. If your elders have a history of any health conditions or are currently going through one, avoid traveling to Ladakh. The high altitude can cause serious problems for them. Apart from this, if you visit Leh with senior citizens and they complain about any symptoms of AMS at Pangong or Moriri, cancel your plans and return to Leh.

What to Buy in Ladakh

It is impossible to come empty-handed from Ladakh because there are many options. During your visit to Ladakh, indulge in some shopping time and get yourself and your loved ones something to look back on and remember. Some of the most famous things to buy in Ladakh markets are Tibetan handicrafts - prayer wheels, Buddhist masks, Gur tea churners, and Buddhist flags. Ladakhi jewelry - blue stone jewelry and Ladakhi silver jewelry. Handwoven Pashmina products - stoles, caps, gloves, and socks. Handicrafts - t-shirts with themes, hand-woven rugs, and carpets.

Must-Try Foods of Ladakh

Ladakh cuisine combines Tibetan, Chinese, Continental, and Korean dishes and is very popular in India. On your visit to Ladakh, savor some of the best dishes prepared by the locals. Thukpa, momos, Skyu, Chhutangi, Tingmo, Chhurpe, butter tea, Chhang, Khambir, and Apricot Jam are famous foods in Ladakh that you shouldn’t miss.

Cost of Ladakh Trip

Honestly, the cost of the Ladakh trip varies a lot. If you travel to Ladakh by taxi/car, the budget will include the taxi rate, accommodation rate, sightseeing, etc. On the other hand, if you plan a trip to Ladakh by bike, you need to consider - the fuel, spare fuel rate, accommodation, motorcycle rent, etc. You can easily plan a budget trip or a more luxurious one, depending on how much budget you decide.

The average budget for visiting Ladakh

INR 25,000 to INR 38,000 is the average cost of visiting Ladakh. *Prices are subject to change.

Is Ladakh safe for tourists?

Yes, Ladakh is safe for tourists. There is no crime rate, and the people are straightforward and humble. Of course, you must not take any unnecessary risks, visit areas that are not meant to be visited, do not wander around, and have proper documentation.

How much time is enough for visiting Ladakh?

It simply depends. If you travel by car, then 7 days are good; otherwise, bikers need 12 to 14 days to cover the maximum number of places in Ladakh. Ladakh cannot be covered in a rush. So take your time, get acclimatized, and make the most of your time in Ladakh. Also, to be more precise and clear, make a day-by-day itinerary, and if not, choose a trusted destination management company like Leh Ladakh India, which can create a curated Ladakh itinerary for you.

Hope this helped! Now that you have all the information on preparing for the Ladakh trip, plan one! Choose Leh Ladakh India, to help guide you through your Ladakh tour and help you gain the best experiences that will last a lifetime!