Top 10 tips for safe travelling while trekking in Ladakh.
by Divij Pasrija
The scenic beauty and splendor of Ladakh keeps you on your feet, and is no doubt enthralling. There’s a lot one can do and experience in this cold desert of the north.
The warm friendly people, the amazing rolling grasslands, rugged terrains for rock climbing, untamed rivers for kayaking, steep slopes beckoning you to go trekking, all of which makes this land a paradise for adventure seekers.
Apart from that you’ll love to visit the age old monasteries for their peace and tranquility, where Buddhist monk’s pray and chant while you sit around the Gompas, and enjoy the lucid clear mystical aura in the evening air.
And mingle with the locals and tribal folk moving around their normal day to day routines, sometimes kids coming over and warmly greeting you as you traverse the cobbled rugged paths to unknown destinations. Ladakh is a land of great adventure and mystery.
But there are a few tips which I would like to share with you today, before you embark on trekking in Ladakh. If you follow these tips well enough, your travels in this wonderful place would be etched in your memory for a very long time to come.
Tips for a happy journey in Ladakh
The Ladakh trekking experience which you embark on should be happy and exciting. But as we know, no place on this planet is perfect; so we share these tips to help make it a near to perfect, if not flawless, adventure of a lifetime for you.
- Ladakh has only in the recent past become a tourist destination for many trekkers and adventure seekers from across the globe. You should be aware that the north-western parts of Ladakh are still very sensitive zones, and special permits are needed to enter these areas. You can easily get them from the authorized permit centers at Ladakh; foreigners especially should follow this rule.
- Trekking is the main reason why Ladakh has a crowd, but you need to be fit and active if you are here for this adventure sport. The weather is cold and amateurs may need to get acclimatized to the location before hiking or trekking at high altitudes. Give it a day before you join the Ladakh trekking expeditions.
- Water in your “must things to carry” is essential, since hydration at such high altitudes can take a toll on you. In this weather you can get very thirsty and hydration is important, you have to keep your fluids up. Along with that don’t forget to keep a first-aid kit, sun shades, sunscreen lotion and a moisturizer, and bring plenty of warm clothes with you. Camping the night out will mean facing strong icy winds, especially during winters.
- If you do happen to take a jeep safari tour or a hiking trail, please be sensitive by not throwing waste around. Protection of the environment is high on the list of Ladakhi’s and they are very protective about their place. It would be nice to not use plastic bags but paper bags instead.
- Photography isn’t permitted everywhere, and you should observe the rules by not taking photo’s where it’s not allowed. Sightseeing may tempt you to click randomly but read the signposts along the way for permission while the Ladakh trekking experience is on.
- Leh has all the basic amenities for you to stock up on, including batteries for your cameras, and STD booths to connect nationally as well as internationally, however they shut post 10pm, so do all your business before that, including checking and sending e-mails before you move on from Leh elsewhere. And remember, Ladakhi’s use Indian currency and cash is preferred everywhere, most don’t accept credit cards. Kargil and Leh have banks and ATMs, so you can withdraw cash.
- There are hospitals in Leh and a district hospital at Kargil with doctors round the clock and modern facilities. Keep their numbers handy, just in case.
- For wildlife and hiking, Leh national park is a good place to be at. However sound pollution and disturbing the animals or even teasing them is not taken lightly.
- Carry water purification pills because the pollution in the water is very high around Leh-Ladakh. It’s best if you could carry mineral water which is easily available at all shops and outlets.
- Finally, when trekking in Ladakh or simply roaming around, it is important that you respect the ways of the locals. You can mingle with them and make friends while enjoying your tour, but do not get over friendly and cross the line.
You have provided a good and valuable information on trekking in Ladakh. Ladakh is a good place to visit and explore through adventure activity. One should visit Ladakh once in a while for adventure.