There is this one Indian destination that everyone dreams of going to with friends and family. People are so excited to visit this place that they somehow manage to visit this paradise even after so many canceled plans. Here, we have listed 10 important Leh Ladakh travel tips for first-time travelers. Also, which will be useful for adventure seekers, nature lovers, and bike tour riders. Take a glance at these and plan your trip accordingly.
1. Climate Condition Of Leh Ladakh
Ladakh occupies most of the high mountains of the Himalayas in India. It has a cold desert climate all year round. One of Ladakh’s important travel tips is that the area has cold winds day and night. Those who cannot tolerate the cold even in warm clothing should avoid traveling to Ladakh in the winter from November to March. As it is below freezing, the weather will be extreme. You should wear a sweater and a warm jacket here at any time of the year. We recommend visiting during the dry season from April to June. You can feel the sun and warmth during the day. The summer season is the perfect time to travel for all age groups. Explore glaciers and the Indus River, or hike mountain passes and valleys. You can also take a scenic drive to Ladakh by bike or car.
2. Doctor Consultation And Essential Medications
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) Medications are a must here. This is one of the most important Leh Ladakh travel tips. It is advisable to consult your doctor before traveling to Ladakh. This is because you will be on the high-altitude mountains ranging from 10,000-ft to 23,000-ft above mean sea level. One should carry AMS medication as prescribed by an expert doctor. The reason is, that AMS can cause breathlessness, severe headache, vomiting, and lack of appetite. Without such medication, there are chances to get bubbles formation in the lungs. This may be a medical emergency if not treated well and can even lead to coma or death. It is advisable to carry a personal thermometer, sphygmomanometer, and a first aid kit. Periodically, check your BP and temperature whenever you are feeling dizzy in high-altitude ranges in Ladakh. In any such case, you must reach a nearby hospital or clinic in Leh for any medical emergency.
3. Bike Rental Services For Travel
High-altitude mountain biking is one of the most important adventure activities and you must try it in Ladakh. Traveling on the road to Ladakh, you are also traveling on the highest motorable road in the world. This will be one of the most memorable rides in your life. You will never forget the enchanting beauty of the Himalayas that you will witness while mountain biking. You can hire a bike for rental from Leh or Manali. They are in-between 350-cc to 490-cc. A few places on the road are rigid. Therefore, you must have some experience with a bike on mountain terrain. This is an affordable way to take the road not taken in Ladakh. It is advisable to bring your helmet, jerkins, boots, and hand gloves. You can also bring a knee, elbow, and kidney guard for additional safety. This road is safe to drive and that is one of your Leh Ladakh travel tips right there. You can only find a few military and goods trucks on the way. Other SUVs are for tourists and self-owned cars too are seen while on the journey.
4. Road Safari Car Rentals
Generally, a trip to Leh Ladakh includes knowing that the road is the best choice for those who are not willing to take mountain biking. There are many car rental service providers in Leh. They will allow a maximum of 6-person to travel. You can self-drive or hire a driver if you are not able to drive on the high-altitude mountain road. This is a much more cost-effective way to explore the world’s highest road in Ladakh. It is advisable to plan during the peak season from March to June. Yet, the tourist does take road safari in other seasons to see the white beauty of the Himalayas. They do provide drivers. Exploring by road is the utmost way to see the Majestic Himalayas to the fullest. You can browse online for car rentals for Leh to Ladakh road safari. This is a scenic mountain road drive on the Himalayas.
5. Accommodation Packages For Tourists To Stay
This Leh Ladakh travel tips on accommodation will help you to find a suitable place to stay in various tourist seasons. March to June is the peak tourist season. It will be difficult to find accommodation if you come here and search. This is because it has very few lodging facilities. Most budget-friendly hotels are in Leh. It will be better to plan during the peak season. The other seasons are snowy. Yet, there are many tourists, who wish to see the snow beauty of the Himalayas during winters. You cannot find a good luxury stay in Ladakh. You can expect standard accommodation with an HVAC system, a TV, and hot bath facilities. The night temperature will drop below zero degrees celsius. It is better to look for stay packages in advance.
6. Best Clothing & Accessories To Wear
Arguably, there is no other choice than warm clothing. The day temperature during the summer will remain below 25 degrees Celsius. During the night, it may drop to 15 degrees Celsius. Wearing jeans shirts and pants is the best for men and women tourists during the day. During the winter, the day temperature will be below 15 degrees Celsius. During the night, it will fall below zero degrees Celsius. It is advisable to bring warm jackets, furry socks and glows, mufflers, sweaters, and a pair of boots above ankle level. If your warm clothing does not give much protection from the cold, it will be better to buy from Leh. They are handmade natural fur. It will give immediate worthiness soon after you wear them as they are affordable too.
7. Backpacking Tips To Consider
Depending on your travel plan days, packing in a large-size backpack is the best way to carry many materials and that is one of your primarily important Leh Ladakh travel tips. This is because; you need to carry woolen blankets and woolen cloths, which occupy most of your luggage space. You must also carry two pairs of boots, jerkins, and woolen accessories to keep you warm. It is advisable to carry emergency lights, a torch, and a portable gas stove. These are essential items during your night travel for the light source and drinking hot water. Try to keep your photo and video camera as this is the finest place to capture the beauty of North India. Do not forget to keep a first aid kit. If you take any medicines daily, you must ensure to stock them for your travel too. Also, pack your GPS devices if any. A bathroom kit is a necessary one, as you cannot find any shops on the way to Ladakh from Leh city.
8. Currency Accepted
This Leh Ladakh travel guide is specifically most helpful for international tourists. They have to convert their currency from New Delhi itself. This is because; Indian Rupees or INR are the only accepted currency for transactions in Ladakh. Here, it will be hard to find a shop with POS that accepts other modes of electronic payments. This is due to a lack of internet connectivity. Moreover, there are a few money exchange service providers in Leh city. If you are not coming through Leh, it will be a problem. You need INR for transport, food, and stay. This is because; this place has no ticketed entry places. You need cash to buy authentic crafts. There are a few ATMs in Leh. Most of the time, they are without cash. The banks with currency exchange are also very less in Leh. It is advisable to convert your nation’s currency into INR while visiting Ladakh to enjoy your tour.
9. Food Delicacies To Enjoy
This Ladakh travel tip deals with the food options available in Ladakh. The people of Ladakh follow the Tibetan culture. Therefore, it is the finest place to taste Tibetan food without going to Tibet. Most of the food available here is non-vegetarian food. It is advisable to eat or pack your food from wherever you find a shop open. You cannot find food vendors on the road to Ladakh. When you are looking for places to stay, it is advisable to see if they serve food or not. If not, you have to travel some distance for food alone. It is advisable to stock some tinned food to fill your appetite. You cannot expect a multi-cuisine restaurant in Ladakh. It will be better to inquire about what they serve before giving the food orders. The vegetarians must find a hotel, which serves vegetarian food only which will be easy to find too.
10. Transportation In And Out Ladakh
Last but not the least, this Ladakh travel guide will not be complete without mentioning how you can commute to Ladakh. You can reach Leh through a flight from Delhi. The Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is the only passenger or commercial airport in Ladakh. Locally, you must hire a private travel agent’s vehicle to commute and explore Ladakh attractions. There are no mountain rail services in the Ladakh region. There are no lifts too. All you have to depend on is on-road transportation only. Bike and car rentals are available from Leh. You can do self-driving and hire a driver too. Camel safari is available in some attractions of Ladakh. This is a vast mountain cold desert region. It is not advisable to commute by walking and hiking. You may get tired soon due to altitude sickness. Altogether, transportation costs will be high due to long-distance travel in Ladakh. It is advisable to come under any of the all-inclusive Leh-Ladakh tour packages at the best prices. Which will include your local transportation facility for traveling to the famous destinations.
Well, this ends our blog here. Although, we have mentioned the information to the best of our knowledge we request everyone to their own study and take advice from experts to confirm your safe and happy travel to this land of heaven. In case, you need any more information related to travel, stay and bike rental packages. Contact us to know more in detail.
