Preparing for the Ladakh trip:
Ladakh experiences considerable fluctuations in the day and night temperatures, even during the summer. While the days are pretty warm, sometimes even hot due to the landscape’s desert effect, the evenings can become chilly, requiring additional clothing. It is, therefore, advisable to keep a pullover and / or an anorak or jacket handy. A sturdy pair of walking shoes with strong rubber or synthetic soles for grip, thick cotton socks (woolen for late autumn treks or glacier walks) are other essential items for the trip.
Following is a brief list of items advised for your Ladakh visit:
Dress / equipment:
Comfortable trousers, preferably of warm material (cotton or wool mix) and / or Jeans.
Thermal undergarments, sweat shirts / warm shirts (April-May / October- November).
A full-sleeved sweater.
Wind proof outerwear / jacket / parka, sun hat, a pair of good quality sunglasses with sufficient filter-factor to check the sun’s brightness & ultraviolet rays.
A cap or balaclava (in case the weather turns bad especially in higher places such as Pangong Lake, Tsomo-riri, Khadongla etc.)
Comfortable walking shoes / sneakers / with thick cotton socks (avoid fancy shoes/sandals).
For ladies: Trousers or Shalwar suite (worn over thermal inner or tights during April-May & Sept-October only), woolen sweaters / cardigans, a windproof jacket or a shawl, walking shoes with comfortable soles / sneakers (avoid sandals).
And lastly, it will be most useful if one carried a flashlight.
Miscellaneous:
Sun cream, lip- salve, moisturizers, antiseptic creams etc.
Important – Take one Diamox tablets for 3 days prior to your departure for Leh by flight and continue the same for further 2 days within Ladakh to fight the effect of high altitude.
Weather Forecasting:
Please go to the ” Weather Forecast for Leh ” link on our website to learn about the weather conditions in Ladakh during your visit; you can get advance information of the weather conditions for a 15-day period, including temperature at different parts of the day-night cycle.
Time zone:
India is five and a half hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time. That means if it is 1 pm in New Delhi, India it is 7:30am in London and 2:30 am in New York.
Weather Forecasting:
Please go to the ” Weather Forecast for Leh ” link on our website to learn about the weather conditions in Ladakh during your visit; you can get advance information of the weather conditions for a 15-day period, including temperature at different parts of the day-night cycle.
MONEY MATTERS:
You won’t need to take a great deal of money on the trip—just enough for any souvenirs you may buy, drinks, and any meals that are not covered in the cost of the trip. Anywhere from $300 to $500 should be enough, depending on how much shopping you like to do, plus an amount for any tips you may want to give the camp staff or trip leader (see the Gratuities section).
CASH OR TRAVELERS CHECK:
Take some of your money in small denominations of traveler’s checks and some in small denominations of cash. Traveler’s checks by American Express are widely accepted in India. Generally speaking, American Express offers the fastest replacement in case yours get stolen. Make sure you keep your receipt for the checks and record of the check numbers in a separate place from the checks. The local currency in India is the rupee.
CREDIT CARDS:
In India’s large five-star hotels and restaurants, you can often use credit cards. American Express, Visa, and MasterCard are accepted. It is always better to exchange enough currency either at the airport or bank in Delhi for use in Ladakh or you would Be spending a good 2 – 3 hrs waiting in the queue in Leh.
Inner line Permits:
For visiting Khardungla, Nubra Valley, Pangong and Tsomo-riri Lakes and the Dah-Hanu area of Leh District, it is mandatory to obtain Protected Area permits from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Leh. For Diplomatic personnel, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, issues this permission.
Inner line Permits:
For visiting Khardungla, Nubra Valley, Pangong and Tsomo-riri Lakes and the Dah-Hanu area of Leh District, it is mandatory to obtain Protected Area permits from the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Leh. For Diplomatic personnel, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India, issues this permission.
Useful Tips:
In Ladakh, you will find a culture in rapid transition, yet one in which the traditional values are still largely intact. In order to make your visit to Ladakh more pleasant, both for yourself and for the host community, following steps / precautions may be helpful.
Dress Code:
Please avoid wearing shorts and sleeveless shirts, blouses, tops, undershirts etc. in public and especially in monasteries, mosques, temples, gurudhwaras, and churches. The same holds true on the trekking routes. While short clothing is acceptable in campsites away from human habitation, they should be changed for trousers, slacks and blouses in villages where you might stop. Under no event should swimwear (and for women bikini tops) be worn in public as these may be taken as sexually provocative and be a cause of possible harassment.
Behavior Code:
Please keep your affection for your partner as a private matter and confined to your own rooms or tents, but not for public display, on the street, in religious buildings, in restaurants or at public events.
Photography:
Please do not take photographs of local people without seeking permission, nor of, or within, any religious building and of any religious ceremony, without permission of the official in-charge of the concerned religious place. Remember that the intense light of flash photography is damaging to ancient wall paintings and tapestries placed in the monasteries and may charge a nominal fee.
Population:
Approx. 2.40 lakh in the 2 districts of Leh & Kargil.
Languages:
Ladakhi including Balti / Purgi, Shina or Dardic, Urdu / Hindi.
People:
Mongoloid/Tibetan, Dardic and assorted Indo-Aryan elements.