All you need to know about planning a trip to ladakh. My experience; My adventures
I have been travelling to Ladakh since 2010 until about now, the year before COVID hit the world bad. This was also the time our BRO brothers put together an enormous amount of work and dedication and brought Ladakh closer to the rest of the world; better roads, better connectivity.
The call from the towering barren mountains, clean blue skies, ancient monasteries, witnessing the beautiful culture and of course the astonishing nature is probably one of the undoubted reason why Ladakh is on the bucket list of most travelers as “The place to visit before you Die”. This possibly was also the reason why it was on mine too.
Used to be … Now it’s the become the only place to visit before you start the holy Instagram account. My 10 trips in the last 14 years makes me wonder, Why Ladakh? Why now?
Nevertheless, I still feel the region brings in a high amount of toll on an individual and it still is a once in a lifetime experience to have. You will either fall in love with it or instantly hate it forever. It can be absolutely romantic and at the same time one can find it super depressing.
A well planned trip to Ladakh could take couple of weeks, if not months, prior to embarking on this strenuous, challenging and yet a splendid experience filled trip.
As there are few management lessons one learns in the corporate world; there are also few lessons I believe every traveller should embed in themselves.
- Nature at its Best is also the Nature at it WORST
- Never EVER defy Nature
and of you are in doubt of point 2, remember point 1
AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)
Acclimatation is the “Key”. Understand the concept before it tries to understand you
Acute mountain sickness (AMS), is the negative health effect of high altitude, caused by rapid exposure to low amounts of oxygen at high elevation. Symptoms may include headaches, vomiting, tiredness, trouble sleeping, and dizziness.
Also Read: How to manage AMS
Understanding the region better
Best ways to visit
There are two ways to reach here; By Road or By Air. There also are two seasons you could travel here in; Winters (not prefered by most), and then the summers. One must realize each of these options will bring different challenges that he or she would need to adapt too
Roads open in and around the month of May, this is when BRO is able to clear the snow and make it possible for vehicles to cross by. While Ladakh is open round the year, your purpose of visit will decide the best months to travel to this region.
By Road:
Typically, it is noticed that folks want to be the first to travel to this region. This is the best time too; the snow is clean but the roads are not. A thrill for an adventurous is experienced the most in the early months since the road are opens: May/June.
From Srinagar: is an easier drive and folks doing this stretch for the first time should explore this road, the NH1. One experiences a gradual climb to Leh, which in turn helps acclimatize better.
Also Read: Srinagar to Leh by Road – My first Trip
From Manali: this is a more scenic drive, which also brings in a lot of challenges towards acclimatation, and takes a toll on the car too. The elevation make is challenging, could take a toll on both the car you drive and the people you drive with. Climb slowly
Also Read: Manali to Leh – The Land of Lama
One needs to understand the vehicle you drive also need air to breath – to burn fuel. Understand you vehicle better and drive safely
By Air:
Leh airport is open across the year subject to the weather. We travelled in the Month of feb 2018, in the peak of winters to experience the frozen waterfalls and frozen pangong. This wasn’t the first time that I had witnessed a frozen lake. When living in Their States of America, this was a very common phenomenon. But for me, walking on the Pangong was experience I had to witness.
Also Read: 3 More Idiots
During winters, people also fly into Ladakh for the Chadar Trek and for Snow Leopard Safari
Don’t be a self made doctor
Usual Medicines that one may use at home for regular remedies may not be the right medication at high altitude. It is strongly advisable for one to consult the doctors to prescribe medication. Nevertheless, one should be aware on ways to prevent AMS
Special attention towards the 4 legged children
Our furry friends do not talk our language. The best way to communicate with them is to understand their emotions. Keeping them on the back of the seat all the time is just ignoring them to their miseries. Just like a human they will have impact of the cold weather and the high altitude climb. Visit a vet and understand all preventive measures and remedies in case of an emergency
Avoid travelling with toddlers
Kids need to be kept in control. They have an exorbitant level of energy that is waiting to be released in some way. Over exertion can lead to unmanageable conditions. The endurance factor with the kids is lower and so is the immunity, hence the possibility of they becoming a pray to AMS is higher
Healthy diet
It is very important to eat healthy food and stay hydrated. Junk food can lead to upset stomach. The last thing on the trip you want is to be dehydrated. Diarrhea and vomiting are the main causes of losing fluids from the body. Drink a lot of water and if required a supplement of an electrolyte can help too. Refer to the instruction on the consumption of electrolyte
Drive & Stay safe
With almost non existent roads in this region, it becomes important to be careful and very cautious while driving. it will be an added advantage to know the route and the facilities available enroute.
If flying in; spend enogh necessary time to acclimatize
Also Read
- How to manage Acute Mountain Sickness – Precautions and Remedy
- How to prepare a your car for a a Ladakh Drive
- Altitude Map of Ladakh
- Places to visit around Leh
- Interesting Signboard
- Inner Line Permits
- Public Transpiration
Map of Ladakh & Point of Interests
The Map below is an interactive map that can help one with a fairly good idea of most of the attraction points in Ladakh.
This map cover the road trip one should take around Leh.
4 Corners of the World 
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