Ladakh is a place where journey is more beautiful than the destination..
I usually prefer to write any kind of tour guide with literature, relevant history, geopolitics, culture, food, several ways to explore the place ( as i wrote in case of South-West Sikkim, Darjeeling, Gar-panchkot circle - those you can find in this blog). But now due to lack of time, i am compelled to write just some tips and short guide with some pictures. But if i get some leisure time i will surely write everything you need to know about Ladakh. This tour guide is specially for those who have very little time for themselves.
How to reach - Reach Delhi airport followed by Leh airport. Remember all domestic flights are restricted within 12 pm at Leh airport. So you may have to stay at Delhi airport overnight.
Day 1 - After checking in the hotel, use this day for acclimate only. As Leh City has very high altitude( 3524 m from sea level). Do not do anything that may cause exertion or you will suffer.
Day 2 - You should use this day also for acclimatisation, but you may check some local sights like Leh Palace, Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill, Sangam, Shanti Stupa and Leh Market. Price of clothes here is lesser than Kolkata.
Day 3 - You should use this day for total adventure. Starting from World's highest motorable Pass (5,359 m) i.e. Khardung La pass to Sand dunes via Nubra valley, Siachen, Diskit Monastery . Don’t forget to enjoy the sunset at Sand dunes.
Day 4 - After early checking out from hotel or camp near sand dunes, you should go to Pangong lake ( World's highest salt water lake - 4350 m). And return after spending some hours there via Chang La pass (More than 5000 m altitude ). On the way to Leh city, you can explore Thiksey Monastery.
Day 5 - Return via Leh airport.
When to visit - According to locals, August month is best if you want to see flowers in Nubra valley. Month of Nov - January is for chilly winter and snow fall.. But high passes will be closed then. Otherwise mostly Ladakh is a dry place.
How to suspect cerebral edema -
1) A tight band like sensation around head
2) Brain works slower than usual ( You will type slowly, calculate irrelevantly)
3) Features of cerebral irritation ( restlessness, more or less sleep, mood swing, rage outburst, hallucination etc)
Food - In your first few days avoid oily and fried foods.. Reply upon fruits and boiled food only.. Take lot of dry food (like choco lotte pie, cadbury, biscuit etc) with you.. If you wanna buy here, remember here everything is costly. Keep drinking warm water all the time..
Medicine -
Tab Headset for Migraine attack
Tab Acetazolamide if you suspect cerebral edema (125 BD for prophylaxis, 250 BD for treatment)
Tab Pan -40
Tab Ondem -4
Tab Vitamin C
Cap Racecadotril for watery diarrhea
Tab PCM
ORS
Tab Levocetrizine
Xylometazoline N/D
Zerodol-MR, Metrogyl
Lip balm
Moisturiser
Sunscreen lotion (UVB 50)
You may need IVF, IV cannula, Iv Ondem inj, Oxygen - but those you can buy locally if necessary.
Dress -
Sunglass to protect your eye
Cap
One woolen jacket
Two set of dress
One set warmer
Socks and gloves
Sports Shoe
Gloves must in Khardungla pass, Chang La pass
Culture - Mostly people living here are Muslim or Buddhist.. and deeply religious
Special suggestions - Old people, people with heart disease, asthma etc should not visit Ladakh as FiO2 is very low than sea level. Staying more than 15 minutes at Khardungla, Chang La pass is not advisable. Biking, running even fast walking not advisable in at least first two days. Whenever you feel palpitation or dizziness or shortness of breath or tight band shaped headache, you need to be warned. Only Jio, airtel and BSNL postpaid connection works here. That even doesn’t work everywhere. Those who litter plastics in this heavenly place, i curse them -after their death their body will not be burnt fully.. Their soul will not get peace.. They will die with MODS with full consciousness..
There are many foreigners here than Indians. Please don’t make our country look bad. Government should take some action like the Govt of Sikkim so that no packet of Lays can be found in places like Pangong Lake.
Budget - Rs 55 - 65 K per head
N.B. - I wrote this very fast. If anyone has any query please do not hesitate to ask @sapronwhitecoat@gmail.com
"Tough times never last, tough people do "
- Indian Army ❤️
**Copyright of the content belongs to Dr Suprabhat Das **
