Ladakh was a totally new region for me and I really had only few heard assumptions about Ladakh before I traveled. I am sharing my experience in v brief and answer a few questions which people asked me and I feel many of us are ignorant about Ladhak as I was. I found that Ladakh is very safe and population is sparse and this place is very different from Kashmir militancy and they are different and much more peace loving and un-rigid compared to Kashmir moods.
1. Myth – There is nothing to see in Ladakh. Only barren lands. Better I say one of the barren beauty on earth which depicts earth as an infant just born. Tens of youth and foreigners, I see biking from Srinagar and Manali route. I saw a few Japanese ladies on TVS from Leh to Khardongla pass on TVS. They are from all corners of India. They come here only to love the barren but colorful mountains. Just sit in Leh in your hotel lawn take tea (I am tea teetotaler) and see mountains changing colors every 1 minute. That is Ladakh. Drive along any route of Ladakh you will find a river as your companion. If we are looking for city life here we will be disappointed.
2. Myth – Ladakh terrain is dangerous. The Roads are good and maintained regularly as lot of army is there spread to protect you. The roads near to passes like Rohtang, Changla and Khardongla are not good but I see many bikers (boys, girls) and even oldest Maruti 800 at Khardongla pass which is about 17800 feet + height. Even Japanese ladies drive on TVS scooty here.
3. Myth – There are no hotels in Ladakh. I would say there are more hotels and home stays in Ladakh than any other hill stations. Ladakh economy depends on tourists and so the home stays, tents and hotels are provided even in remote areas. In Leh itself there are 150+ tourist shelters with food.
4. Myth – There is no vegetarian food available in Ladakh. Many hotels in remote area serve only vegetarian during lunch. For non veg you have to order separately in dinner. Some hotels are serve only vegetarian. Many hotels are dependent on Gujarat tourists who come in plenty.
5. Myth – Drinks and smoking to be avoided in Ladakh. Yes. But it is not taboo. I saw many tourists taking alcohol. But drinks should be limited as it consumes some oxygen from your blood to burn.
6. Truth- Ladakh is costly place. The Hotels and home stays may be 15% costlier and taxis also may be costly by 30%. The reason is that due to weather conditions Ladakh is open for tourists only for 5 months an year.
7. Myth – Staying facilities are worse in remote areas in Ladakh.
The staying facilities in remote areas in Ladakh is much better that any other parts of India. I saw many small villages which can provide you shelter and food. Why stay in start hotels. Just spend few days with locals and know Ladakh more.
8. Truth – We can not get South India Idly- Dosa in Ladakh Yes, I did not see any Idly-Dosa shops anywhere even in market. I guess five star hotels might serve.
9. Truth – Can not do anything in case of vehicle breakdown on remote places. You need to wait till someone obliges you in his car to Leh. Another option is to keep a local service center number of Leh and call them. They may charge from Rs. 6000 to Rs.10,000 for this service.
10. Truth – Petrol pumps are less around Ladakh. Yes. Keep your vehicle enough charged and also you can keep a small fuel canter.
11. Myth – Only heavy duty cars can work in Ladakh. On all routes I saw even Maruti-800 in tough terrain and even TVS scooty. If you hire a two wheeler better avoid cheaper.
12. Truth – Telephone connection is problem in Ladakh. Yes. Post paid Airtel works in Leh only. While Post paid BSNL works almost all places in Ladakh except some exception places.
13. Truth – WiFi availability is poor. Do not expect that WiFi will be available in remote areas. Hotels may advertise that they have WiFi but it really does not catch. Only in Lah and around seen WiFi working.
14. Myth – You can not travel to Ladakh if you ar 70 plus. There is no issue with age. With me traveled a 75+ years old from South India. You also need not to walk so much in Ladakh.
15. Myth – Breathing will be problem in Ladakh. Normally you will not feel this problem until you make it yourself out of fear.. Just stay calm and acclimatize for a day in Leh. Next day also exert less. After that you will be fit to go round any where. Just start Dimox -250 mg (half tablet in morning and evening) 24 hours before landing in Ladakh. Drink enough water and keep your self easy. Keep oxygen bottle with you available in market from Rs.300-Rs.600.
16. Myth – Only barren mountains are in Ladakh. Well it depends on persons choice. To me the best part was barren but different colours in mountains, Indus, Zanskar and Shyok rivers flowing every where along the road side where ever you travel in Ladakh. Pengong lake, monasteries, green valley at some places, sand dunes. And above all it is your curiosity about nature.
17. Myth – Lot of woolen clothes to carry in Ladakh trip. Do not carry unnecessary weight with you. Just below is enough and note that day time will be hot from May to September. Only nights are very cold.
- Half and full sleeve woolen pullover,
- Thin wind cheater
- A monkey cap. Gloves are not necessary.
Keep the handy backpack to keep your camera, water bottle, pullover, cap etc. - Medicines specially Avomin, Diamox, small portable oxygen which is available in plenty in Leh shops
18. Truth – I wonder what Ladakhis do in such winter. Small agriculture to meet their ends, tourism, taxi. Normally Ladakhis do not like to work in hotels.In hotels you will find staff from Himanchal Prdesh, Uttarakhand, Kashmir. In winter they move to Leh and so have one settlement in Leh as well.
19. Myth – Locals in Ladakh are rough. Just Opposite is true. They are peace loving and believe in Buddha doctrines religiously. They will be open to you soon. Like any other places some time you may come across rude also. They will make way into your heart. I realized that our drivers, guides, shopkeepers, hotel staff were so friendly and mannerly.
20. Truth- I have no idea about budget in Ladakh travel. This is the first question which comes to a traveler’s mind. Minimum Rs. 45,000 per person on twin sharing basis for 8 days tour. Need to send additionally Rs.15000 for 3 days trekking to a hill. Hotels and home stays are from Rs.500 to Rs.15,000 per day. Taxis are 20% costlier. Bikes are available on hire from Rs.500 to best one for Rs. 2000 per day.
21. Myth – All the time Ladakh is snow clad. Best season for Ladakh is from June to September. Remote regions are closed from October to April end. May season I believe is a bit unsafe for likelihood of avalanche.
22. Myth – If I have motion sickness I can not ravel in Ladhak. I have seen a traveler with me who had severe motion sickness and faced problem during first 6 hour car travel from Leh to Nubra. He had to miss his lunch. But next time he took “avomin” tablet two hours before travel and he was alright.
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