Ladakh Travel Advisory & Emergency Guide

Ladakh Travel Advisory & Preparation Guide

Dear Sir,

Greetings from Himalayan Shepherd.

Ladakh is a high-altitude destination and is very different from other tourist places in India. Due to its elevation, low oxygen levels, dry climate, fragile ecosystem, limited connectivity, and strong cultural traditions, proper acclimatisation, preparation, and responsible behaviour are essential for a safe and comfortable journey.

Please find below the complete travel advisory, including acclimatisation guidelines, altitude care, season-wise clothing, mobile connectivity, payment advisory, and important do’s & don’ts.

1. Mandatory Acclimatisation Advisory

As per the Ladakh Government Travel Advisory, all visitors are strongly advised to stay the first two nights in Leh to allow the body to adjust to the altitude before travelling to higher regions such as Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Hanle, or Tso Moriri.

During these first two days, guests should rest well and avoid physical exertion.

2. Diamox & High-Altitude Care

Some travellers may experience Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), including headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, or breathlessness.

Diamox (Acetazolamide) helps the body adapt faster to high altitude and reduces the risk of AMS.

Suggested Dosage (only after consulting your doctor):
• 125 mg twice daily
• Start 1 day before arriving in Leh
• Continue for 2–3 days after arrival

Important Notes:
• Drink plenty of water
• Avoid alcohol and smoking initially
• Do not over-exert on arrival day
• Do not take Diamox if allergic to sulfa drugs
• Always consult your physician before starting any medication

General Guidelines:
• Keep Day 1 & Day 2 strictly for acclimatisation in Leh
• Walk slowly and eat light meals
• Inform us immediately if you feel unwell

Optional: Oxygen cylinder can be arranged for high-altitude travel.

3. Season-Wise Clothing Guide

Season-Wise Clothing Guide for Ladakh

Ladakh weather varies significantly by season and altitude. Please carry clothing according to your travel period.

Winter Season (November – March)

(Very cold | Sub-zero temperatures)

Essential Clothing
• Thick heavy winter jacket (down / padded / insulated)
• Thermal innerwear (top & bottom – mandatory)
• Woollen sweaters / fleece
• Warm trousers (preferably thermal-lined)
• Woollen socks (2–3 pairs)
• Woollen cap, muffler & gloves
• Insulated / waterproof shoes

Note: Even during daytime, temperatures remain low. Nights are extremely cold.

Spring & Autumn (April – mid-May | October)

(Cold mornings & nights, pleasant to cool afternoons)

Recommended Clothing
• Medium to heavy warm jacket
• Light fleece or sweater
• Thermal innerwear (recommended, especially for nights)
• Full-sleeve t-shirts / shirts
• Jeans / trekking pants
• Warm socks
• Cap & gloves (useful for evenings)

Note: High-altitude areas like Pangong, Hanle & Tso Moriri remain cold, especially after sunset.

Summer Season (Mid-May – September)

(Pleasant days, cool nights | Peak travel season)

Recommended Clothing
• Light jacket or fleece (mandatory for evenings & high passes)
• Full-sleeve t-shirts / shirts
• Comfortable trousers / jeans
• Light sweater (optional)
• Cotton socks
• Comfortable walking / trekking shoes

Sun Protection (Very Important)
• Sunscreen SPF 40–50+
• UV-protected sunglasses
• Cap / hat & lip balm

Note: Even in summer, nights at lakes and high-altitude regions can be cold.

Essentials for All Seasons

• Sunscreen SPF 40–50+
• Sunglasses (UV protection)
• Moisturiser & lip balm (dry climate)
• Basic medicines & personal prescriptions
• Power bank
• Reusable water bottle

4. Mobile Network & Digital Payment Advisory (Very Important)

Mobile connectivity in Ladakh is limited and different from the rest of India due to security and geographical conditions.

Mobile Networks

• Only Indian POSTPAID connections work in Leh–Ladakh
• Prepaid SIM cards do NOT work in Leh and surrounding regions

Working Networks (Postpaid only):
• Airtel Postpaid – relatively the most reliable
• Jio Postpaid – works mainly in Leh town
• BSNL / MTNL – works with limited coverage

Network availability is mostly limited to Leh town and is very weak or unavailable in remote areas such as Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, Hanle, and Tso Moriri.

OTP & Digital Transaction Advisory

• Since prepaid SIM cards do not function in Ladakh, OTPs linked to prepaid numbers will not be received
• Even on postpaid connections, OTP delivery may be delayed due to limited network coverage
• Online banking, UPI, and card transactions may occasionally fail, especially in remote areas
• UPI is accepted at many places in Leh town, however, if network issues occur, digital payments may not work
• Guests are strongly advised to carry sufficient cash for daily expenses
• Please complete all important bank verifications, app logins, and payment authentications before arriving in Ladakh

5. Do’s & Don’ts in Ladakh (Important)

Cultural & Religious Respect

• Dress modestly at monasteries and villages
• Shorts, sleeveless tops, and revealing clothing are NOT allowed inside monasteries
• Remove shoes where required
• Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels
• Ask permission before photographing monks or locals

Transport & Legal Regulations

• Self-drive vehicles hired from outside Ladakh are NOT permitted for local sightseeing
• Only Ladakh-registered taxis are allowed for sightseeing as per local regulations
• Outside self-drive vehicles may be used only for point-to-point travel

Drone & Restricted Area Rules

• Drone flying is strictly prohibited without official permission
• Drones are banned near army areas, border regions, Pangong Lake, Hanle, Tso Moriri, monasteries, and villages
• Violations may lead to fines or legal action

Environmental Responsibility

• Do not litter or use single-use plastic
• Carry back all waste
• Avoid loud music in natural and religious areas
• Respect wildlife and natural habitats

Health & Safety

• Stay hydrated and walk slowly
• Avoid alcohol and smoking during initial days
• Do not ignore AMS symptoms
• Avoid late-night travel in remote areas

Kindly review the above advisory carefully to ensure a safe, respectful, and memorable Ladakh experience.

Warm regards,
Team Himalayan Shepherd
Direct contact: +91 84920 27744

Foreign Guests – Payment & Connectivity Advisory

Important Information for International Travellers

• International SIM cards generally do NOT work reliably in Ladakh
• Mobile network availability is limited mainly to Leh town
• Foreign guests are advised to activate international roaming before arrival in India
• Wi-Fi availability is limited and may be slow or unreliable

Payments

• Many remote areas do not accept international cards
• Digital payments may not work due to network limitations
• Foreign guests are strongly advised to carry sufficient cash (INR)
• ATMs are limited and may occasionally be out of service
• Inform your bank about international travel to avoid card blocks

Travel Advisory & Emergency Pages

Emergency Contact Numbers

Travel Advisory