Suggestions (Ladakh)

Our trip to Ladakh was full of unique experiences. There were so many things we did not beforehand. It is very important to be aware of so many things while planning a trip to Ladakh. This prompted us to share all the important suggestions for visiting Ladakh based on our experiences. Please try to incorporate them in your planning to make the execution easier.

Best time to visit

• Our suggestions regarding the best time to visit Ladakh is during the summers i.e., May to July. Everything will be convenient. No severity of weather. Pleasant conditions with clear skies will brighten your spirits just like the days.
• Make the bookings in advance or last moment bookings will cost you a bomb.
• If you can bear some cold and want to avoid the rush during peak season, choose going in April or first half of October. You can enjoy every part of Ladakh without so much crowd. You may experience snowfall or frozen lakes, but since, it is either the start of season (April) or end of season (October), food options and stay options become fewer.
• We went in April, so it was quite cold. Pangong lake had melted but Kyagar Tso and Tso Moriri were still frozen. It was almost impossible to stand straight on the lakesides in the freezing cold. The winds were so strong that it was pushing us. We suffered from wind burns at the Pangong within one hour of our arrival.
• Since it was April, we got to see Apricot blossoms all around Leh. They fill the trees and look very beautiful.
• Most people are dependent on tourism – and due to extreme cold, the stay and food options beside the lakes are temporary. They set up for the season and retreat as the winter approaches. Some of routes close down in winter.

How to reach

Stick to flights due to its many benefits:

• Comfort
• Saves time
• Hassle free
• No preparation
• Amazing views

Transportation

In our suggestions of travelling through Ladakh, transportation was the most tricky part. Initially, we were 5 people supposed to go together. Hence, we booked a taxi which was the most reasonable thing to do. Later, due to unforeseen circumstances 2 people pulled out. With just the three of us, expenses on taxi became inflated. Therefore, if you are solo or less than 4 people we have the following suggestions for you to travel through Ladakh.

• Check the union rates, contact a few taxi operators, provide them your itinerary, and ask for rates. We have covered in detail about transportation in this post.
• Compare at least 3 before finalizing.
• In case you are solo or a small group, stick to booking in a group tour at tour operators. You may take day trips as they might cost little less.

For our Ladakh circuit, we booked with Chamba – (contact – 9596979829), a joyous and friendly person. He even took us to his home and was very hospitable. Additionally, he arranged for the hotels in Pangong, Hanle and Tso Moriri. We had a good trip with him.

Permits

Inner line permits/Protected area permits are required to visit Pangong and Tso Moriri @₹450 per person. You can get it yourself online through LAHDC, Leh website. You may either carry a print out or collect it from the DC office. However, you may ask your taxi/tour operator to get it for you. But, he will charge ₹500 per person.

Accommodation

In our suggestions booking accommodation in Ladakh is one of the most important part of your itinerary. Depending on your travel plan, you might need to book stays in different places. Although there are many homestays in the popular places in Ladakh but, there are many other points to note. These are as follows:

• Book accommodations in advance if you can find one online.
• If you have booked a taxi in advance, ask them to give you stay options. Avoid on the spot booking. In the peak season it can get very costly specially in the areas like Pangong.
• We booked stays in Leh and Diskit online. Rest of the bookings were done with the help of the Chamba our taxi operator. All the places were good.
• Following plans are available with the hotels offline:
  • AP (American Plan): Room + All meals
  • MAP (Modified American Plan): Room + Breakfast + Lunch/ Dinner
  • CP (Continental Plan): Room + Breakfast
  • EP (European Plan):  Room only
• Below are the places we booked on our stay:
  • Leh: Zostel, Lhachik Guest House
  • Diskit: Sand Dunes
  • Pangong: Pangong Cottages
  • Hanle: Padma Homestay
  • Karzok: Dolphin Guest House
• You can take day trips to avoid staying at every place. This way you can save more money.

Food

• Leh has many eateries. Do visit Lamayuru restaurant. The food there is delicious.
• The food in other places was genuine home cooked Ladakhi food. They were served hot in the dining areas as buffet. It was delicious and filling.
• Carry as many packaged food items as you can. This is helpful while covering long distances in you taxi. You can also carry ready to eat items where you put boiled water and the meal is ready.
• You cannot use kettle due to lack of proper electricity and hotels running on solar power.
• Since, it was yet very early into the season when we visited, not many food stalls had been setup on the roads. We could find nothing to eat for 4 hours straight on our way from Pangong to Hanley. At one check point, the military camp was set up with a momo and tea stall. Trust us when we say momos have never tasted better!
• Same problem was faced on way from Tso Moriri to Taglang La as there were no food stalls and no public conveniences.

Caution:

• The cold is extreme. Consider the weather to feel 2-3 degrees lower than what shows on the meter. Please take acclimatization seriously. We have a detailed post regarding dos and don’ts of acclimatization here.
• The snow looks attractive and playing in it looks like a good idea. It is true to some extent but, you cannot stay in snow for long. Gum boots are a must for going into the snow and playing. Snow can get inside your clothes if you lie down or throw it up in air. The snow eats away your skin when in contact for longer duration giving you rashes. Your limbs go numb and you would not be able to speak after sometime because of locked jaws. 15 minutes in snow will feel like a very long time. Be careful!
• Ladakh is no joke and unlike any other tourist destination. Visit there with a prepared attitude and not we will see attitude.
• Respect nature while you are there. It needs to be protected. Do not litter or spread pollution. Buy water bottles of more capacity to avoid creating plastic garbage. We are already adding more carbon footprints by just going  there.
• Do not exhaust yourself by keeping a very tight schedule. Prepare a plan and explore Ladakh in a relaxed manner to enjoy to the fullest.
• Local people are very warm and welcoming. Respect them and their culture. Follow the rules.
• The houses have traditional toilets. Even some small roadside restaurants will have such toilets. Built on a raised platform or on a dug chamber, with foot rest on each side of the hole. The excreta go into the chamber below the  holes. You will find western toilets in hotels and public conveniences.
• Since, every grocery supply in places other than Leh is brought down from Leh, you will find packaged items at higher rates than MRP. Please co-operate.