General Information

INFORMATION FOR TRAVELERS
When to come?
Ladakh is open for tourists throughout the year, while the best period for the cultural tour is between April and October ending. For adventure tours June to October is the suitable period. Most of the trekking routes are closed after November due to heavy snow at high passes except the Liker to Khaltsey trek. The best period for Chadar-trek (frozen river trek) to Zanskar is from December to February.
The festivals of Stok, Matho and New Year take place in winter and it is possible to visit monasteries in winters. These days there are increasing number of hotels and guest houses with central heating facilities in Leh providing accommodation in winter as well.
Getting Acquainted:
Ladakh is spread over an area of 97,000 Sq. Kms and lies on an average of 3500 meters above the sea level. Ladakh has a population of around 1,70,000.
Climate:
Temperature in summer (June to September) can touch 35 c and minus 30 c in late December and January. Annual rainfall is 6''
Visa and Permit:
National tourist can visit Leh without any visa or permit. However, the foreign tourists are required to register themselves at Drass, Rumtse and Sarchu if they are travelling by road. Those travelling by air get themselves registered at the airport. The foreign tourist are required to get permit for some restricted areas like Tsomoriri, Tsokar, Pangong Lakes, Dhahanu and Nubra Valley, Which can be obtained through registered travel agencies.
Currency, Money Exchange & credit Card:
The local currency is Indian Rupees. There are authorized agencies for money exchange for USD or Euro traveller cheque and cash. You should insist for a receipt, which will help you in reconverting the money whenever you desire. Credit Cards are accepted by major Travel Agents, hotels and antique shops on paying 2.5% service charge.
Time difference:
The Indian Standard time (IST) is as per the calculation done in the Allahabad city. IST is 5 hours and 30 minutes ahead of London, 4 hours and 30 minutes ahead of Paris and about 09 hours and 30 minutes ahead of the New York City.
How to Reach
By Air: the following three Flights that operates regularly in Leh, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Go Air.
The Indian airlines and Go Air operate every day between New Delhi to Leh. While Jet Airway operates every day from Delhi to Leh except on Saturday. The Indian Airlines has its flight operates only on Wednesday between Leh and Srinagar. It also operates from Jammu - Leh twice a week i.e on Monday and Friday. Jet airways and Go Air flights operate only between Leh and Delhi.
Road: The Srinagar Leh road remains open from end of April to November. And the Manali-Leh road remains open from early June to mid-October.
Dos and Don'ts for Ladakh tour
Notes : 

• At Pangong Lake the temperature will be around 20 degree to 10 degree Celsius.
• Khardungla pass is at a height of 18530ft, advised to relax and not exert as there is lower oxygen levels.
• Please cooperate with the localities, hotels and driver as they of more helpful.
• The above -mentioned itinerary is subject to change depending on the local weather, road, political scenario and health conditions.
• Room heaters are LPG heater (October to May), so it is advised not to be used on first day of the Tour, as the body needs to acclimatize to Lower oxygen Level.
• Please note the hotels in Ladakh are basic in nature, the hotels offered to you are some of the best in that region.
• In order to visit Pangong Lake permission is required, hence requested to carry photo identification card as proof of identity.
• While visiting a Monastery, women are requested to cover their body and men in their full pants.
• Pangong Lake is the highest salt water Lake in the world, shared by two countries India (25%) and China (75%)
• Enjoy the beauty of lake, while appreciating the changing color of fascinating high altitude lake.
• We request you to follow and respect the rules in the temple and local sentiments.
• Avoid leather items and digital cameras in the Temple.
• Transits between two destinations depend upon weather and road conditions.
• Any services unutilized are non refundable.
• India is a shopper dream. Shopping is recommended from the Government Emporium and suggested shop by us. Most of large stores will ship your purchases for you, though for convenience and to avoid postal delay it is advisable to carry your shopping with you or to book it as baggage.
• Medicines of all kinds are usually available in local pharmacies with no prescription necessary. Check expiration dates.

Avoid Acute Mountain Sickness
Acute mountain sickness can occur to anyone at an altitude above 10,000 feet's from the sea level. The most common symptoms of the acute mountain sickness are headache disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, irregular breathing, breathlessness, lassitude and lack of concentration, Since Leh Town is situated at an attitude of 11,500ft.above sea level, it is advisable to take the following precaution, so as to acclimatize your body properly.

• On arrival please rest for 24hrs, as you travelling to high Altitude from Low, due to low oxygen.
• Have plenty of drinking water or any kind of liquid (except alcohol)
• In case you develop any of the above -mentioned symptoms. Please consult Doctor.

Distance /Travelling time
Please note that the distance and time taken mentioned in the itinerary are to give you an approximate idea, and the same may vary according to road or weather condition and political scenario.
Meals at Hotel
The meals provided at Hotel depends totally on the occupancy level at the hotel at that point ,during high occupancy the hotel usually arrange for a buffet and if the occupancy is low the meals will be on alacarte.
Transport and driver

• Please treat your driver respectfully and feel free to tip them, as they will assist you throughout your tour.
• Please co-operate with driver and his instruction ,in hills the large vehicles need to take some sharp turns ,so the speed could varies from time to time

Do and Don'ts

• On arrival please rest for 24hrs, as you are traveling to high Altitude from Low, due to low oxygen.
• Have plenty of drinking water or any kind of liquid (except alcohol)
• While visiting any Gompa, please take Lamas permission for Photo or video shoot.
• Please wear proper clothing while visiting Gonpas.
• Please follow Gompa rules while visiting Gonpas
• Please take suggestion of family doctor before visiting Ladakh for any kind of medicines.

Things you must carry.

• Clothing (Light Jacket, hat / cap, Socks, Sweater)
• Sun glass with UV Protection
• Torch with extra batteries.
• Sun Screen lotion and cold cream.
• Slippers and proper shoes.
• Cotton clothing for day journey.
• Personal toiletries/wind cheater/Tissue rolls.

Medicines:

• Avomine-Vomiting
• D cold-Illness/combilflame-Body ache
• Vicks balm
• Diamox (250mg) - for high altitude/high pressure.
• Saridone-Headache.
• Personal Medicines.
• Glucon D/ Electral powder and camphor.
• Also consult your local doctor for any other medicines.

Shoes:
Good waterproof shoes are needed while trekking and extra Pair of shoes or slippers is useful while crossing the rivers.
Ruck Sack: Two ruck sacks are needed. One small handbag for your camera, water bottle, pack lunch and a space for jacket. Bigger one to carrying clothes with extra layer to be safe from rain and dust.
Sleeping Bag: 
Summer sleeping bag is enough if you are travelling between mid June to mid September and warm winter sleeping bag is required if you are travelling between mid September to mid June. You can also rent very good sleeping bags from trekking companies in Leh.
Accommodation:
There are hundreds of family run hotel and Guest Houses in Leh to suit every pocket.
Food: All the hotel and restaurants serve Local Ladakhi, Tibetan, Indian, Chinese, Italian and continental cuisines.
Street Hawkers:
Generally there are no street hawkers in Leh Town, but at time you might come across people in the street trying to lure you to their shops. You should discourage such practices, it may cause inconvenience to you later.
Telecommunication facility: 
Telephone & Fax facilities are available in Leh, Padum, Kargil and Nubra Valley.
Internet Service: 
Internet and e-mail services with wifi are available in the Leh town.
Clicking portraits of interesting people: 
it would be advisable to ask before clicking a picture of individual or even group of people. However, a tourist should refuse to give money if asked for.
Drinking Water: 
It would be convenient to carry a water purification set with you on a trek. It is even safe to use boiled fresh water during the trek.
The Dzomsa Laundry in the main market sell high pressure boiled water for Rs 7 per liter. You can bring your water bottle or container to get it filled with the chemical-free safe drinking water at the Dzomsa Laundry.
Plastic Bags: 
Ladakh is perhaps the only region in India where the use of plastic bag is officially banned. So, the plastic carry bags that you see in other parts of India are not seen in Leh. However, market goods in readymade plastics packages are there. A trekker should ensure that the biodegradable camping wastes are buried properly and burn the non biodegradable ones before they move further.
National Park:
All the trekking routes fall under the sensitive wildlife habitat area including the Hemis National Park. In fact Ladakh is a place where villages are part of the vast wilderness that harbours rich but sparse wildlife. Some of the species are even endangered ones. Therefore, one should be extremely careful about not causing any disturbance to the vulnerable wildlife habitat while on trek.
Hiring Taxi from outside Leh:
Hired taxis from outside Ladakh are not allowed to be used for local sightseeing and jeep-safari. You can book the non-local taxis only to drop you at Leh or for your return trip while leaving Ladakh. You have to hire local taxis for local sightseeing and jeep safaris. However, there is no restriction for those traveling in their own private cars.