Mid-May to Mid-October is the ideal time to go to Ladakh.

There are two ways of reaching Ladakh by road

1. Srinagar – Leh Highway (434 kms), open from Mid – May to November
2. Manali – Leh Highway ( 473 kms), open from Mid-June to Mid-October

• Delhi to Leh via Jammu/Srinagar 1650 km
• Delhi to Leh via Manali 1030 km
• Srinagar to Leh 434 km
• Manali to Leh 473 km
• Srinagar to Kargil 204 km
• Kargil to Leh 230 km
• Manali to Jispa 138 km
• Jispa to Leh 335 km
• Leh to Sarchu 257 km
• Sarchu to Manali 216 km

The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (Leh Airport) operates regular flight services during tourist season. Direct flights are available from Leh to Delhi & Srinagar.

A few points you need to keep in mind if you are traveling to Leh-Ladakh

• Only postpaid connections work in Leh-Ladakh. You might get a prepaid sim-card from Leh and parts of Kashmir though.
• BSNL has the most coverage here, with Airtel coming close by.
• Most places will have erratic networks (sometimes zero coverage), particularly the Manali-Leh highway and parts of Srinagar-Leh highway.
• As of 2018, Airtel has launched its 4G services in Leh & Kargil.
• Data connectivity is a luxury enjoyed only around these town, otherwise you can use the BSNL WIFI connections which available in hotels, restaurants.

It is mandatory for Foreigners as well as Domestic Indian Tourists to obtain a Protected Area Permit or also known as Inner Line Permit for visiting some of the protected areas of Ladakh such as: Nubra Valley, Tso Pangong, Tso Moriri, etc.

The Protected Area Permit can be obtained directly from the District Magistrate Office in Leh or through any local travel agent. PAP’s are valid for a period of 7 days and can be extended for INR 20 a day.

• If applied directly INR 400 as an environmental fee + INR 20 rupees per day
• A local agent would charge between INR 700 – INR 800

• Indians – Original & Xerox of Aadhaar Card or Driving Licence
• Foreigners – Original & Xerox of Passport

• If applied directly INR 400 as an environmental fee + INR 20 rupees per day
• A local agent would charge between INR 700 – INR 800

• Don’t smoke or drink especially on 1st day of arrival.
• Always use a sunscreen.
• Full sleeves clothes are recommended as the sun rays are intense.
• Keep yourself hydrated to stay away from altitude sickness and heat stroke.
• Wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
• Plastic covers or polythene is banned all over Ladakh and hence avoid using them.
• Ladakh is a fragile ecological region. Carry back plastic waste, worn out batteries etc as much as possible to larger cities that have safer systems to manage such waste.
• Don’t waste water as Ladakh has huge shortage of water.
• You would be checking-in and checking-out every day while you visit various places. Carry your luggage in backpacks instead of a suitcase.
• For your safety and comfort we advise you to not trouble the cab driver as any requests to drive the car will not be entertained.
• Avoid tinned and packaged food and prefer local hygienic food which comes in environmental friendly bags.
• Don’t throw rubbish or waste but put them in dust bins provided in guest houses/camps/monasteries/tourist spots, etc. Please dispose plastic bottles appropriately and not throw them in lakes, rivers or streams.
• Use environmental friendly toilets.
• Tourists are required to obtain permits to visit various places in Ladakh. To get the permits Domestic tourist requires their Aadhaar Card. Foreigners require their passports.
• Foreigners holding diplomatic/official passport and citizens of the following countries: Afghanistan, China, Pakistan, Myanmar and foreign nationals of Pakistani origin, need to approach the Ministry of Home Affairs at least eight weeks before the date of the expected visit.

What is AMS?

AMS is a short form for Acute Mountain Sickness. AMS is the effect on the body when it is exposed to a high altitude environment. This is due to the lower level of oxygen at that altitude and the body’s inability to cope with rapid change in oxygen levels.

AMS impacts a person at altitudes above 8,000 feet (2440 meters). The occurrence of AMS depends on the altitude, the rate of ascent, and the individual ability to cope with lower oxygen levels.

Symptoms of AMS

Symptoms of mild AMS are dizziness, headache, muscle ache, insomnia, nausea, loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath with physical exertion and swelling of hands, feet and face.

Symptoms of severe AMS are coughing, chest congestion, lack of balance, pale complexion and skin discoloration.

Treatment for AMS

Usually, once the body has adapted to the change in altitude, the symptoms of AMS fade away.

In case they don’t, the best thing to do is to descend to a lower altitude. In most cases, with descent, symptoms of AMS tend to go away. In any case, avoid further ascent at any cost.

Severe cases may need supplemental oxygen or even hospitalization.

Prevention of AMS

The best way to avoid AMS is to ascend gradually. And one should always follow the golden rule of staying hydrated during the journey.

There are medicines like Diamox which are available to help in the acclimatization process, but do consult a physician before consuming these medicines. They tend to have side effects.

Documents

• For Indian Nationals – Aadhaar Card/Driving Licence (Mandatory)
• For Foreign Nationals – Passport (Mandatory)
• Valid Driving Licence (if opting for bike)
• Five passport size photographs and photocopies of documents (must have)

Travelling Gear

• A rucksack
• A daypack to move around with ease (must have)
• One litter water bottle
• A camera with memory card (optional)
• LED Torch (must have)
• UV Sunglasses (must have)
• Cap (must have)

Personal

• Toothpaste, toothbrush, soap bars, shampoo sachets or small bottles of shampoo (must have)
• Toilet roll (must have)
• Paper soap, hand sanitizer, detergent soap sachets (must have)
• Sun screen with a minimum of 40 SPF, lip balm and cold cream should be carried along (must have)

Clothing

• Cotton t-shirts or shirts
• 1-2 pair of comfortable jeans
• 1-2 Pairs of Inner Thermal Suits
• Four sets of undergarments and three sets of socks
• 1-2 thick sweater or warm hoodie
• Woolen gloves
• Ear mask
• Slippers
• A half towel is preferred to a full size one as it saves on space in the bag pack
• A pair of comfortable shoes that have a good grip (must have)

Accessories

• Itinerary printouts 1-2 copies (must have)
• Pen & Diary
• Small locks
• Safety pins
• Power board/multi-plug to charge multiple gadgets
• A 3 meter nylon rope to dry clothes and to tie things along the way (optional)
• Lighter/Match box and a box of candles
• Ten garbage bags to carry dirty clothes. These also help to junk the trash and keep the natural setting clean and green (must have)
• Charger for mobile/camera, etc

Medicals

• Diamox: Helps reduce some of the symptoms of AMS (check with your doctor)
• Glucose powder
• Tablets for headaches, diarrhea, motion and altitude sickness
• Bandage
• Cotton
• Aspirin
• Medicines for cold and throat relief
• Any personal medication that you have been advised by your doctor