"Adventure is out there-Charles Muntz"
If you want to experience an adventorous trip without hopping on a plane and flying to Europe, New York or London, then a Leh-Ladakh trip might be the next best thing. The amazing views, rocky mountains, breathtaking sunlight being reflected from the snow-covered mountains, bustling bazaars and intriguing food scene – what’s there not to love. The leh-Ladakh bike trip gives you one in a lifetime experience, but while travelling you should keep certain things in mind. We have listed the most important things to keep in mind while travelling to Leh-Ladakh.
1. Medical Kit
You must be wondering why did we put the medical kit in the first place while curating the list of things to carry while travelling to leh-Ladakh. It is because this is one of the most important things on the list. You need to have the medicines for a headache, fever, stomach ache, cold and cough syrup. Also, carry band-aids because while hiking and trekking (Best Treks In Leh Ladakh) you might get hurt and there ain't much of medical facilities available in Leh-Ladakh.
2. Sunscreen Lotion
UV rays at high altitude can be quite damaging to the skin, even during the harshest of winter, so don’t forget to carry a good quality sunscreen lotion. The UV rays will not just badly tan your skin at this altitude, but they can also cause serious harm. We recommend a cream-based sunscreen of SPF 50 which would keep you safe from the UV rays while you will be exploring the historical places in Leh-Ladakh.
3. Torch with extra cells
Always carry a torch even if your smartphone has one. We recommend this because while travelling in Leh-Ladakh, you might not always find a place to charge your phone, so having a torch helps you not only travelling better in the night but also helps you in keeps your phone's battery safe. Carry a small LED one because it is light weighted. If you are an avid smartphone user, you need to carry a power bank so that you can log to your route on the GPS App as well as upload pictures on Instagram or snapchat.
4. Water
Leh is situated at very high altitude and at such high altitude you can easily have dehydration that can create a huge health problem. Even though you'll find water in Leh-Ladakh, to always be on a safer side carry at least a couple of liter of water per person while you are traveling. You should also keep on drinking water at regular times to be hydrated. You can also carry water mixed with Glucon C/D as it gives moment vitality progressing when your hunger and appetite is probably going to be lessened because of AMS and in the meantime, doesn't go about as a diuretic, as most stimulated caffeinated drinks.
5. Eatables
Food can be difficult to find at places while you are travelling in Leh-Ladakh, so it is always a good idea to carry eatable items like chocolates, nuts, chips, and so forth. You can also carry pickles because usually, the food found in Leh-Ladakh is very bland when it comes to taste. As said earlier that due to AMS you might find your appetite to be very small, but carrying these items are good as snack items.
6. Toiletries
Carry along with you toiletries like Facewash, toothbrush, toothpaste which is very important things to keep in mind while you are packing your bags for the road trip to Leh-Ladakh. Carry lots of tissue paper as tissues are expensive in leh and you might need it often since you can't always find water or even waste your own for doing petty things like washing hands. Also, due to the dry and cold weather of Ladakh, your lips can be dry, so make sure to carry a lip balm or Vaseline so that the skin does not come off.
7. Clothes
Apart from your regular clothes, you should carry some important clothing items like a sweater, gloves, cap, warm inners and if possible, air/water resistant jacket. Make sure you don't carry a lot of similar clothes and try to wear the clothes in layers because the temperature change is very sudden in Leh-Ladakh. Dressing in layers will allow you to add/subtract layers as and when needed.
8. Carry your documents
It is essential to carry at least one government-issued identity card and a couple of photocopies of it since it is needed while applying for inner line permit and at certain places, to register at the check post. Carrying a map of Leh-Ladakh is very important so that you don't get lost while travelling. Though always try to use the photocopied documents first since using the original can be a risk.
9. List of important contacts on a paper
You should have a list of important contacts written on a paper because at times when your phone's battery is down; you won't find a charging point everywhere. At those times of need, you can use the public phone of the STD Booth in Ladakh only if you have the important contact on a paper which should always include the emergency police and nearest hospital number.
10. Carry enough cash
There aren't many ATMs beyond Srinagar and Manali. You can find just a few in Kargil and Leh where you'll always find a long queue of people waiting for their turn to get cash from the ATM's. So, it is always a good idea to carry enough cash along with you while travelling to Leh-Ladakh. It is anyway not always feasible to withdraw money from the ATMs.
11. Camping Gears
Carry camping gears like tents so that you can enjoy the one in a lifetime feeling of camping in Leh-Ladakh. Imagine waking up the most beautiful scenery of mountains that tell a lot of tales by just looking through them. There are chances of the camera battery being dead due to the cold weather, so do not forget to carry a spare set of batteries.
12. UV sunglasses
As we have already written earlier that the UV rays at high altitude can be quite damaging and falls right on the eyes as well. So carrying a decent quality UV sunglasses while travelling to Leh-Ladakh is a must. It is one of the most important things especially if you are traveling early in the season or during winter when the sunlight is harsher due to the rays reflecting the snow-covered mountains.
13. Mustard oil
Carrying mustard oil while on a Leh-Ladakh bike trip might sound a bit weird, but it is also one of those things to carry while travelling to Leh-Ladakh which would help you make your trip better. Due to dry and cold winds of Ladakh, it is possible that your nostrils can become dry and painful which can be lubricated with the help of mustard oil.
Want to really hit the road for a Leh-Ladakh trip? Go cross-country with these important things to carry while traveling to Leh-Ladakh and have an adventurous and safe trip. You can also use the same list while travelling to near places from Leh-Ladakh. Read Best Places Near Leh-Ladakh That are a Must Visit to know more.
Suggested Reads:
Conquer Your Fear With These Best Treks In Leh Ladakh
9 Adventure Sports In Leh Ladakh For Every Thrill Seeking Soul
FAQs
Q: What are essential things to pack when travelling to Leh-Ladakh?
A: The travel essentials to pack when you are planning to make a trip to leh-Ladakh are good enough cash, a medical kit, handy torch, warm clothes, a lot of water, UV sunglasses, mustard oil and so forth.
Q: Is there any age restrictions for trekking in Leh-Ladakh?
A: There is no age limit for trekking in India. But, it's important for children to be at least older than 10 years to be a part for the same.