While visiting Ladakh is an imaginary experience, it is not really an easy trip. One needs to be prepared for it. Itinerary preparation is a major task, one has to take up if you are planning to embark on this remarkable journey on your own.
Here’s a ready reckoner on what the preparation for a trip to Ladakh entails.
How to Make a Ladakh Trip Itinerary
The first (and most essential) thing you have to do before boarding on a trip to Ladakh is to pick up your itinerary. Leh, the capital of the Ladakh district, is a three day drive from Delhi (even though the distance is just 1,030 km). You will have to be economical on the travel time – three days to reach and three days to return, and add following days for the places you want to visit in the region.
1. One day if you wish to enjoy Manali or Srinagar and take a rest before taking up the harder sections of the road.
2. Travelling from Manali, might just add one extra day if you take the evening halt at Jispa instead of Sarchu.
Depending on the number of days you can extra, make a plan to visit other places in the region. Just Leh and back would want only seven days, but the ideal trip should span over 14 days.
Spending two weeks would allow you to visit the subsequent places in and around Leh Ladakh, depending on the routes you take. You may plan visits to Kargil, Zanskar Valley, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri / Changthang, Hanle, Siachen, Turtuk Village, Panamik, Umling La.
The weather in the Ladakh region can be quite changeable. The maximum temperature during the day can reach about 20-24 degrees centigrade between June and September, although night time temperature in certain locations can dip to minus 5 degrees in about the same months. The icy cold winds can make it feel much colder as well, so be well organized with full sets of warm layers covering you.
Pack full body thermal wears, a good wind cheater, gloves, cap, and sweaters. If you are biking, make sure you have full riding gear with a shielding lining, as it can get really cold near the passes.
Riding or driving in the mountains has its dangers. Landslides / waterslides could leave you stranded on the road, so be ready to spend a day out in the cold. Carry a sleeping bag and a small tent, if possible, to guard yourself from the elements. Carry a day’s worth of rations as well – drinking water and high-energy foods (chocolates and energy bars) would comfort.
