Leh Ladakh Tour: Essential Do’s and Don’ts
A Leh Ladakh tour is an extremely rewarding and enriching experience for many visitors. Travelling to an altitude of 3,500 m and watching the beautiful Himalayas, alpine lakes and Tibetan Buddhist culture is one of the best experiences. However, a poorly planned Ladakh trip can make your travel an uphill battle, quite literally. It happens with some first time travellers that they did poor research before coming to Leh Ladakh. Some tourists do not properly acclimatise themselves well at lower altitudes. This causes nausea, headache and many forms of altitude sickness.
Tourist etiquette is also important when visiting Leh Ladakh. Remember to repay the kindness, warmth, and hospitality of Ladakhi people by keeping their villages clean. Littering or leaving plastic bottles behind tampers with the clean environment here. Taking responsibility for your trash and preserving the pristine beauty of this region should be a moral and environmental responsibility.
If you are going to visit Leh Ladakh for holidays for the first time, here is a list of DO’s and DON’Ts to follow:
Leh Ladakh Tour: Do’s | What to Follow on Your Ladakh Trip
- Pack well for your Leh Ladakh trip
This might be an obvious travel tip, but it is extremely important. Pack according to the weather and activities you or your tour operator have planned for the Ladakh Trip. Irrespective of season, you must carry warm clothes, thermals, caps, gloves to keep yourself warm. Carry all the necessary documents, ID proofs, stay address, travel insurance, before your trip.
- Acclimatise Properly
One of the biggest mistakes that people make before travelling to the higher altitudes in Ladakh is not acclimatising properly. Giving your body enough time and opportunity to relax and adapt to the changing environment is important before continuing an uphill journey.
- Carry a First-aid Kit
No matter how fit or healthy you feel before your trip, it’s a must that you always carry a first-aid kit. In your first aid kit, make sure you have paracetamol, bandages, crepe bandage, antihistamine tablets, pain-relieving balm or spray. In areas like Pangong and Nubra where temperatures drop down, apply mustard oil beforehand on your feet and palms to keep them moisturised and warm.
- Buy/Carry a Portable Oxygen Can:
The lack of oxygen on higher altitude becomes a problem even for the healthiest of individuals. Therefore, carry a portable oxygen can with a mask to increase your oxygen levels or buy one from a medical store in Leh.
- Buy a Post-Paid SIM in Leh:
Mobile and internet connectivity in Leh Ladakh isn’t stable. You have to buy a post-paid SIM of your choice (Jio or Airtel or BSNL). Your hotel in Leh will give you a wifi connection that you can use for making WhatsApp calls, but the overall connection is shaky. Inform your families well in advance about your trip to higher altitude where there is zero connectivity.
- Carry Trekking/Non-Slippery Boots:
Whether you plan to trek or not, always carry gum boots for your Ladakh trip. It will help you walk easily and comfortably on the rugged or slippery terrain. Do not even think about walking the rough and cold terrains in flip flops or canvas sneakers.
- Always Wear a Hamlet While Driving Bike:
Ladakh is home to the world’s highest motorable road, Umlingla Pass. Make sure on your bike riding adventures in Ladakh, you always wear a good quality helmet. It will not only protect you from cold winds but also is paramount for your safety.
- Ensure Wearing Enough Sun Protection:
Believe it or not, wearing SPF is extremely important, even when travelling to snowy or hilly areas. The sunlight falling on mountainous areas can give your skin and hear UV damage. Therefore, wearing sunscreen is non-negotable on all exposed parts of the body.
- Take Permission Before Clicking Photos:
Even though Ladakhi people are warm, friendly and hospitable, it’s always a good habit to ask permission before taking photos. Don’t click photos of people randomly, you may startle them. Always ask permission before you take pictures.
- Use a Refillable Water Bottle:
Instead of buying a water bottle again and again and generating trash, bring a steel or aluminium bottle on your trip. Use this refillable bottle and stay hydrated throughout the trip.
Leh Ladakh Tour: Don’ts | Things to Avoid on Your Ladakh Trip
- Don’t Carry Plastic:
Single-use plastic bags, bottles, or any other objects are strictly banned in Ladakh. Carrying them to the UT can bring fines and penalties.
- Avoid Wearing Immodest Clothes:
Do not wear revealing clothes in Leh Ladakh, especially when visiting a monastery or a religious shrine. Make sure to cover your head, shoulders, and legs (both men and women).
- Do Not Click Photos of Monks:
While exploring a monastery, do not click photos of monks. It may be seen as an invasion of their privacy. Always respectfully ask permission and maintain your distance.
- Do Not Talk or Laugh Loudly in Monasteries:
Monasteries are an incredible structure to find peace and calm. You can sit quietly and meditate. But do not talk, shout or laugh loudly in monasteries or pass comments on murals, paintings or rituals.
- Do Not Drive Rashly on Roads:
Many locals complain about rash driving often done by tourists coming from different states. While hill driving can be exciting and challenging, causing troubles to others in the name of adventure is not cool. Kindly drive properly and obey all the road and safety rules.
- Do Not Disturb Wildlife:
Wildlife like mountain goats, sheep, yak or camels can be spotted in Ladakh. Do not engage with them, disturb them or chase them. Always maintain a safe distance.
- Do Not Click Photos Near Armed-Forces Areas
Both Indian Army and Indian Air Force have a heavy presence in Leh Ladakh, therefore do not click photos or trespass in restricted areas. Avoid taking drone photoshots and strictly follow the local guidelines.
- Do Not Litter:
As much as Leh Ladakh thrives on tourism, in recent years the trash generated through tourism has become a nuisance. It is absolutely important to not litter here and there. Collect your trash and take it back with you to dispose of properly.
- Do Not Solely Rely on GPS:
While GPS is great, do not solely rely on it because poor connection will leave you nowhere. Instead, use traditional maps or travel in groups to navigate your journey
- Do Not Drink Alcohol or Smoke Before Ladakh trip or in Ladakh
A Leh Ladakh trip can be physically and mentally demanding, especially if you’re planning to visit high altitude areas. Therefore, it’s imperative to be in the best of your health and avoid alcohol and smoking.
Following the above Do’s and Don’ts will make your Leh Ladakh trip much more comfortable and enjoyable. Make sure to be mindful of the places and culture you are travelling to and avoid believing in stereotypes. Talk to experienced travellers and then plan your travel accordingly, whether it’s Ladakh or any other place for that matter.