Ladakh
- the cold desert of India is located at a very high altitude. This results
in the scares availability of proper living requirements. But, though it is
very difficult to find some very useful items of daily need at this place,
it is so beautiful, that a true travel buff will not forget to add this
emerald land in his / her travel itinerary.
So, it is always better to plan the travel very properly before leaving for
Ladakh. It would be best to book a travel agent, who will help you properly
all through your trip to Ladakh.
Visa & Passport
Any travelling to India requires to acquire a Visa & Passport for a
fare entry to the land.
Best time to visit
Ladakh is open for tourist throughout the year, while the best period for
tour and trek is from June to October. Most of the trekking routes are
closed after November due to heavy snowfall at high passes except the Liker
to Kahltsey (Sham) trek. The best period for Chadar trek is from January to
Mid-March.
Travel Agencies & Tour operators
A number of tour operators and travel agents offer their services to the
tourists. These include local operators as well as representatives of
national - level travel agencies. Visitors are advised to look for the
operator with the best service record because their inclusion in the list
does not confer any official recognition upon them or any recommendation.
For a detailed list of these firms go to Travel Agencies
Clothing
Shirt and shorts can do during the daytime but in evening one needs Jacket
or pullover. While trekking above 4000m, you need warm cloth. Sometimes
there is a rain or snow in early June therefore you need Wind sheeter or
raincoat. Shoes:
Good waterproof shoes are needed while trekking and extra pair of shoes and
Sandal is always handy.
Ruck Sack
A good spacious rucksack is needed to carry your items of use. Sleeping
Bag: Warm sleeping Bag.
Foreign Exchange
The State Bank of India and the J&K Bank have branches at various
places in Ladakh, with main branches in Leh and Kargil, where foreign
exchange facilities are also available. The State Bank of India also
operates an extension counter at the Tourist Information Centre located in
the Dak Bungalow Complex, Leh. Some hotels in Leh are also licensed to deal
in foreign exchange, though these mainly service in-house clients. There is
no foreign exchange facility outside these two towns.
Communication
Leh and Kargil towns have worldwide direct dial telephone facility and
there are a number of public call offices operating in Leh town for the
convenience of the tourists. There is also a General Post Office and a
Telegraph Office in Leh.
The State Tourism Department has its own wireless radiophone network
linking its offices at Leh, Kargil and Padum, with those at Srinagar, Jammu
and Delhi. This facility is mainly used to monitor the movement and welfare
of tourists in the State. It is especially useful in ensuring timely rescue
arrangements for tourists falling ill or injured in accidents.
Precautions
Acute mountain sickness can occur to any one at an altitude above 10,000
ft. from the sea level. The most common symptoms of acute mountain sickness
are headache disturb sleep loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, irregular
breathing, breathlessness, lassitude and lack of concentration. Since Leh
Town is situated at an altitude of 11,500 ft. above sea level. It is
advisable to take the following precautions, so as to acclimatize your body
properly.
1. Take complete rest for the first 36 hours of your arrival at Leh.
However, this period may vary with different people.
2. Your body should get used to the lower oxygen levels.
3. In case you develop any of the above-mentioned symptoms, please consult
a Doctor.
Rescue and precaution for mountaineering and trekking in
Ladakh Tourists undertaking mountaineering and trekking in Ladakh should
take some precautions. There is no private aerial rescue agency in Ladakh
and only as a life saving measure; engaging the Indian Air Force help in
evacuation.
Climate
Temperature in summer (June to September) can touch 30C and -20C in late
December and January. Annual rainfall is 6".
Permit and Passport
Tourist don't require permit for Leh; however, all foreigners are required
to registered at Drass, Rumtse and Sarchu if they are traveling by road.
Those traveling by air get themselves registered at the airport. The tourist
are required to get a permit for restricted areas like Tsomoriri, Tsokar,
Pangong Lakes, Dhahanu and Nubra Valley, which can be obtain through
registered travel agencies. Make it sure to carry six photocopies of the
permit while traveling, to submit at the Checking points.
Credit Cards & Internet Services
Credit Cards are not accepted by most of the hotels and travel agents
except some antique shops.
Internet, Email services are available in Leh only.
