LADAKH

Ladakh, characterized by its rugged, high-altitude terrain and challenging landscapes, can be categorized into four primary routes:

1.     The Western Route encompasses the scenic Sham Valley, Markha Valley, Zanskar, and Kargil.

2.     The Northern Route spans from the Siachen Glacier Region to the mesmerizing Nubra and Shyok Valleys.

3.     The Southern Route leads towards Manali, offering a different perspective of Ladakh’s beauty.

4.     The Eastern and Southeastern Route boasts captivating Blue Lakes such as Pangong, Tso Moriri, and Kiagar Tso, and also provides access to the world’s highest motorable road, Umling La.

Covering the entirety of Ladakh’s terrain within a single tour is a formidable challenge, typically requiring a duration of at least two months. Consequently, most travelers carefully curate their itineraries to focus on key destinations. This commonly involves traversing the three major routes: the Kargil stretch, Nubra stretch, and Pangong. Many tour operators design circuits that align with these preferences, as they cater to the majority. 

But what if you want to cover offbeat places in Ladakh?

Kindly Check out our Ladakh Information Site for further details – Read before you plan Ladakh

Tours to Ladakh by RIDE

TREACHEROUS LADAKH

 

Circuit: Leh - Siachen Base Camp - Umling La 

LADAKH by BIKE

Circuit: Leh - Alchi - Nubra - Pangong

LADAKH - FULL CIRCUIT

LADAKH THROUGH HANLEY - THANG AND ALCHI

APRICOT BLOSSOM RIDE

Two routes to explore the Apricot Blossom Festival. Click to know more.

Things to Note

  1. Day one, complete rest is essential if you are flying into Leh directly. Leh is at 3500 Mts. Air is thin up there. Walking ten steps will feel like you have run a marathon. Body needs to adjust to the altitude. This is a pre requisite for everyone who travels to Ladakh, regardless of the number of times visited earlier.
  2. You need to do a lot of Cardio in order to have an enjoyable time in Ladakh. BMI should be below 25.
  3. Best time to Visit Ladakh is from Mid-July to Mid-September. In May and June, roads won’t be paved making the ride all the more difficult that it already is. Any other time, the entire range is filled with snow making bike ride impossible.
  4. There are multiple blue lakes in Ladakh. Pangong, Tso Moriri, Kiagar Tso, Tso Kar, Suraj Tal, Chilling Tso, Ryul Tso, Stat Tso, Mirpal Tso, Lang Tso and many more.
  5. The Colour contrast in Sangam happens in Winters as the mud settles and the rivers look blue and emerald. Rest of the time, Zanskar and Indus look muddy.
  6. Siachen Base Camp and Op Baba Temple, Tyakshi are all open for tourists.
  7. There is no permit required for entering remote places in Ladakh anymore.
  8. For a good visit, you need a minimum of seven days. In five days, you can’t see Ladakh. Not because of altitude, but because of sheer distance between the attractions that are usually planned by tourists.
  9. Diskit, Hunder falls in the Nubra Region of Ladakh along with Villages Sumur, Tegar and Panamic. Incidentally Diskit and Hunder villages are on the banks of Shyok river and not Nubra River.
  10. Please look at the maps and find out where the places in Ladakh are situated before planning a tour.
  11. Ladakh is not a suitable place for Honeymooners.

Things to Carry

  • Riding jacket/ fluffy jacket. This will protect you from any falls. If you have a riding jacket, that’s the best. 
  • Please pack a Raincoat along. The Rainwear will work as a windcheater too.
  • Saddle bag. You need this if you are pillioning. This is essential for keeping your clothes
  • If you are not pillioning, Please pack all clothes in a duffel type bag or a bag which is less than 60 litres only. Anything above 60 litres or a trolley type luggage is not allowed on tours.
  • Keep a 10 litre bag for essentials.
  • Riding gloves. Pro biker is not good enough. You need one that has -20 Degrees written on it. The Fluffy Winter Gloves. You will get it only online or from Delhi, or North India.
  • Knee guard. Fox guards cost 400-600. That’s more than enough. Knee Guards, more than protecting you from falls, protects your knees from cold air. If you have knee caps, that will also do the trick.
  • 4-5 pairs of socks.
  • Shoes. Regular comfortable shoes. Don’t buy new one.
  • Thermal Wear – one Set
  • Regular clothes
  • Helmet. We will provide a helmet with the bike. But if your head size is different, Bring the one you use regularly. Even though bike comes with helmet, it won’t be comfortable as visor will be definitely damaged.
  • Bandana for covering Head and Face. Get two Bandanas. One for Head and One for Neck.
  • Rain jacket. Although rains are not predicted, snow fall might happen. Be prepared.
  • Copies of Aadhar card, driving license for now.

Medical Kit

  • Ibuprofen – for pain and paracetamol for fever.
  • Knee caps (only if you don’t want to buy Knee Guards)
  • Diamox – Mandatory Medicine.
  • Avomine – mandatory before food morning if feeling nausea
  • Loperamide – for diarrhoea. One tab is enough for remedy.
  • Norflox Tz – For diarrhoea through infections.
  • Benadryl – antihistamine/ allergic reactions/ cough
  • Cipladine – solution or tube. For cuts and wounds. Application will seal the wound immediately.
  • Water – clean wounds only with water. Not savlon or dettol. Please don’t carry dettol or savlon
  • Gauze – don’t buy Cotton, buy gauze.
  • Surgical mask, Sanitizers and latex gloves for emergencies
  • Crepe bandage. For additional support during injury or treks.
  • Safety pins
  • Sanitary pads. This can also be used to stop arterial bleeding and is safe and sterile to use 
  • Athletic tape. Or normal elastic adhesive tape.
  • Cream for insect bites. And mosquito bites
  • Sprain Spray like Jusgo or Volini
  • Please don’t buy Tablets for Headache.

AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness)

Acute mountain sickness is an illness that can affect mountain climbers, hikers, skiers, or travelers at high altitudes, usually above 8000 feet (2400 meters). LADAKH IS AT 3500 MTS ABOVE SEA LEVEL. And this ride will take you up to 5600Mtrs.

Causes

Acute mountain sickness is caused by reduced air pressure and lower oxygen levels at high altitudes.

The faster you climb to a high altitude, the more likely you will get acute mountain sickness.

The best way to prevent altitude illness is to ascend gradually. It is a good idea to spend a few days ascending to 9850 feet (3000). Above this point ascend very slowly so that the elevation at which you sleep does not increase more than 990 feet to 1640 feet (300m to 500m) per night.

You are at higher risk for acute mountain sickness if:

  • You live at or near sea level and travel to a high altitude.
  • You have had the illness before.
  • You ascend quickly.
  • You have not acclimatized to the altitude.
  • Alcohol or other substances have interfered with acclimatization.
  • You have medical problems involving the heart, nervous system, or lungs.
 

Symptoms

Your symptoms will also depend on the speed of your climb and how hard you push (exert) yourself. Symptoms range from mild to life-threatening. They can affect the nervous system, lungs, muscles, and heart.

In most cases, symptoms are mild. Symptoms of mild to moderate acute mountain sickness may include:

  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Dizziness or light-headedness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Rapid pulse (heart rate)
  • Shortness of breath with exertion

Symptoms that may occur with more severe acute mountain sickness include:

  • Blue color to the skin (cyanosis)
  • Chest tightness or congestion
  • Confusion
  • Cough
  • Coughing up blood
  • Decreased consciousness or withdrawal from social interaction
  • Gray or pale complexion
  • Inability to walk in a straight line, or walk at all
  • Shortness of breath at rest
 

Treatment

Early diagnosis is important. Acute mountain sickness is easier to treat in the early stages. 

The main treatment for all forms of mountain sickness is to climb down (descend) to a lower altitude as rapidly and safely as possible. You should not continue climbing if you develop symptoms.

Extra oxygen should be given, if available.

People with severe mountain sickness may need to be admitted to a hospital.

A medicine called acetazolamide (Diamox) may be given to help you breathe better. It can help reduce symptoms. This medicine can make you urinate more often. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcohol when taking this drug. This medicine works best when taken before reaching a high altitude.

If you have fluid in your lungs (pulmonary edema), treatment may include:

  • Oxygen
  • A high blood pressure medicine called nifedipine
  • Beta agonist inhalers to open the airways
  • Breathing machine in severe cases
  • Medicine to increase blood flow to the lungs called phosphodiesterase inhibitor (such as sildenafil)

Dexamethasone (Decadron) may help reduce acute mountain sickness symptoms and swelling in the brain (cerebral edema).

Portable hyperbaric chambers allow hikers to simulate conditions at lower altitudes without actually moving from their location on the mountain. These devices are very helpful if bad weather or other factors make climbing down the mountain impossible.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most cases are mild. Symptoms improve quickly when you climb down the mountain to a lower altitude.

Severe cases may result in death due to lung problems (pulmonary edema) or brain swelling (cerebral edema).

In remote locations, emergency evacuation may not be possible, or treatment may be delayed. This can have a negative effect on the outcome.

The outlook depends on the rate of descent once symptoms begin. Some people are more prone to developing altitude-related sickness and may not respond as well.

 

Prevention

Keys to preventing acute mountain sickness include:

  • Climb the mountain gradually. Gradual ascent is the most important factor in preventing acute mountain sickness.
  • Stop for a day or two of rest for every 2000 feet (600 meters) of climb above 8000 feet (2400 meters).
  • Sleep at a lower altitude when possible.
  • Make sure that you have the ability to rapidly descend if needed.
  • Learn how to recognize early symptoms of mountain sickness.

If you are traveling above 9840 feet (3000 meters), you should carry enough oxygen for several days.

If you plan on climbing quickly, or climbing to a high altitude, ask your provider about medicines that may help.

If you are at risk for a low red blood cell count (anemia), ask your provider if your planned trip is safe. Also ask if an iron supplement is right for you. Anemia lowers the amount of oxygen in your blood. This makes you more likely to have mountain sickness.

While climbing:

  • Do not drink alcohol
  • Drink plenty of fluids (especially Water)
  • Eat regular meals that are high in carbohydrates

You should avoid high altitudes if you have heart or lung disease.

Source: https://medlineplus.gov/

IMAGE SOURCE: ONLINE