Ladakh, the land of high passes, as is aptly named, is a
region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir with a series of mountain ranges that
constitutes much of the area of the state and is a place of unparallel beauty
though it has temperate climate.
The maximum temperature ranges from around 15oC –
30oC in summers to -5oC – 15oC in winters and
the minimum temperature ranges from around -15oC – 10oC
in summers to -25oC – -15oC in winters (depending on the
different places you visit in the region). The best time to visit the Ladakh region is
from mid June to October because in this time of the year, the temperature is
the best suited for visitors. During this time, the maximum temperature ranges
from around 20oC – 30oC and the minimum temperature ranges
from around 5oC – 15oC.
Leh is the biggest city of the Ladakh region with its own
airport for aerial connectivity with the other cities of the country and has
entry/exit from two ways, one through Srinagar via Kargil and the other through
Manali via Sarchu. The best thing to do is make your plans with Leh as your base so that you travel each day the least distance while covering the places in your itinerary.
In case you are planning to fly to Leh directly, plan your
tour in such a way that you spend at least 36 hours in Leh before moving out to
any other destination. In case you are planning to travel by road from
Srinagar, stay for a night in Kargil before moving further for Leh. If you are
entering from the other route, i.e., from Manali, stay at Sarchu for a night
before proceeding for Leh. This is so that you get enough time to acclimatize to
the higher altitude. It is advisable that you enter through Srinagar instead of
Manali for better acclimatization.
Recently, I made a 10 days trip to this barren land along
with my brothers. We started the trip in July end and returned back in the
first week of August. We tried covering as much as we could which can be found
below for reference. First things first though, the entire Ladakh region is
situated at a high altitude and so it is advisable that heart patients,
asthmatic people, people with bronchitis or other similar respiratory problems,
motion sickness, AMS (acute mountain sickness) should not venture out their
luck as it can be risky.
Even for healthy people or people with none of the above
complaints should carry enough medication to prevent any untoward happenings
due to high altitude. A list of medicines and utilities to be carried for the
trip can also be found below.
The other important thing to note is, before planning the
trip, please make sure you have your travel and accommodation arrangements
ready. The people in the region are very polite and helpful but still going
without proper planning and arrangements might result in increase in your
budget or you might end up wasting one or two days out of your planned tour.
To travel within the Ladakh region without any hassles, make sure you arrange for a taxi with registration of Leh/Ladakh (JK 10). Also to visit places within the Ladakh region, like Nubra Valley or Pangong Lake, you will need special permit procuring which is not at all difficult. You will need to fill two forms for each place you visit. These forms can be collected from Leh itself.
To travel within the Ladakh region without any hassles, make sure you arrange for a taxi with registration of Leh/Ladakh (JK 10). Also to visit places within the Ladakh region, like Nubra Valley or Pangong Lake, you will need special permit procuring which is not at all difficult. You will need to fill two forms for each place you visit. These forms can be collected from Leh itself.
Finally, before starting the trip, consult a doctor for
regular physical examination so that you are sure that you are fit enough to
travel. Also, once your trip starts, have adequate amount of food so that you
have energy to sustain the exertion but don’t overeat. Avoid oily foods to the
extent possible.
Itinerary which we
followed in our trip (with relevant details)
Day
|
Event
|
Distance (in kms)
|
Mode
|
Approx Time (in hrs)
|
Stay
|
1
|
Delhi – Srinagar
|
232
|
Air
|
1.5 – 2
|
Local sightseeing/night stay at Srinagar
|
2
|
Srinagar – Kargil (via Sonmarg, Zoji La, Drass, Kargil war memorial)
|
204
|
Taxi
|
7
|
Local sightseeing/night stay at Kargil
|
3
|
Kargil – Leh (via Shaam valley, Alchi, Likir, Magnetic Hill,
Confluence (sangam), Zangskar, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib)
|
210
|
Taxi
|
7
|
Night stay at Leh
|
4
|
Leh – Nubra Valley (via Khardung La, Diskit and Hundur villages, two
hump camel safari in sand dunes near Hundur village)
|
130
|
Taxi
|
6
|
Night stay at Hundur village (Tent)
|
5
|
Nubra Valley – Leh (via same route, covering Diskit monastery in
Diskit and Shanti Stupa and Leh palace in Leh)
|
130
|
Taxi
|
7
|
Night stay at Leh
|
6
|
Leh – Pangong Tso Lake (via Hemis monastery, for which little detour
is required)
|
240
|
Taxi
|
8
|
Night stay near Pangong Tso Lake (Tent)
|
7
|
Pangong Tso Lake – Leh (via Thikse monastery, Shey palace)
|
225
|
Taxi
|
8
|
Local sightseeing/night stay at Leh
|
8
|
Leh – Sarchu/Jispa
|
251/334
|
Taxi
|
8/10
|
Night stay at Sarchu/Jispa (Tent)
|
9
|
Sarchu/Jispa – Manali (via [Sarchu], Baralacha La, Keylong, Rohtang
Pass
|
223/140
|
Taxi
|
9/6
|
Night stay at Manali
|
10
|
Manali – Delhi
|
552
|
Bus
|
14
|
One of the other destination that you can possibly target apart from the destinations mentioned in the above itinerary is the Tso Moriri Lake. But in that case, you will need to plan for 12 days instead of 10 because going from Leh to Tso Moriri Lake and coming back would require 2 more days with night stay near the Tso Moriri Lake in a tent accommodation.
Medicines/First Aid
to carry
1.
Diamox tablet (for AMS) – Dosage – twice a day
after reaching Leh. Do not take if not required as this might lead to upset
stomach.
2.
Levolin inhaler (when having difficulty
breathing)
3.
Cifran CT (for upset stomach)
4.
Saridon (headache/sinus)
5.
Disprin (for mild aches)
6.
Avomin/Domistrol DT (for motion sickness/nausea)
7.
Crocin advance (cold/fever/body aches)
8.
Tus-Q D (cough)
9.
Gelusil (antacid)
10.
Pan D (Gas trouble)
11.
Band aid
12.
Cotton roll
13.
Savlon
Any other medicines required for you or prescribed by
doctor.
Utilities to carry
(for emergency purposes)
1.
Candles
2.
Scissor
3.
Pocket Knife
4.
1/2 single bed sheet
5.
Air pillows
6.
Nylon rope
7.
Disposable glasses
8.
Thermos flask
In case of any further queries, please feel free to post
here. Have a happy and wonderful trip.
