A Travel Checklist – Ladakh Tour
Sriparna Bandyopadhyay
Mountains are always fascinating
for people living in pain lands. It is more so, because we can stay in the body
of the hilly contours, can touch the rocks and soils, get wet in fountains or
falls or stand under snowfalls while enjoying pleasant cool to shivering cold
climate. When we visit a sea beach we have to stop by the beach and cannot get
into the sea to feel it to the same extent. Perhaps this is reason that people
of cold climate are also in love with mountains, hills and plateaus.
But journey experiences to all hill stations are
essentially different varying with altitudes, temperature, steepness and
availability of civic amenities. Especially very high altitude destinations are
often difficult for those who are not physically fit. But with little bit of precautions
and preparation you can summit your dream land.
If you are heading for Ladakh first Prepare Yourself Physically for this high altitude venture:
·
Walk for 1-2 hour everyday and do some cardio
exercise at least 4 times a week.
·
Daily Breathing and stretching exercises are
must.
·
Consume quality food and enough fluid especially
from a week before the trip.
·
Avoid smoking and in-taking alcohol.
Clothing
1. Multiple
layers of thin cotton based clothes are more effective and convenient than heavy,
bulky wears. Full sleeves T-shirts gives protection from cold as well as harsh
sun light. So carry 6-8 such t-shirts based on duration of the trip. This is
particularly important since with the varying altitudes of the road level from
10,000 ft to 18,500 ft temperature may fluctuate from 35° to -15° or less. Also
days are sunny while nights are freezing. So as per your requirement you can go
on adding or reducing layers of protections.
2. Avail
light snow jackets even if it costs more. Must carry muffler & monkey-caps
even if your jacket has head cover. Also keep hat to shade from sun
3. Several
pairs of socks, woolen gloves and snow gloves.
4. Keep
many sets of thermal inner wears, tights, cotton trousers, track suits, and
under garments. You may not get chance for washing and re-using.
5. Carry
shorts or Capri in case you go for river Rafting.
6. Carry
a Rain coat.
Other Accessories and useful Items:
1. UV
sun-glasses.
2. Sleeping
bag, bed sheets and shawl.
3. A
plastic sheet of about 2 meter × 2 meter may find use.
4. Good
grip, thick soled shoes preferably with anklets and washable sleepers, spare
shoe laces (optional).
5. Safety
scissors, Pocket knife, spoon set, glass or mug.
6. Hand
sanitizing liquid, liquid soap and shampoo.
7. Moisturizer,
cold cream, lip guard, petroleum jelly and of course Sun-screen with high SPF.
8. Toothbrush
and paste.
9. Towel
and tissue papers.
10. A
toilet paper role (even if you are an Indian).
11. Handy
mirror and comb.
12. Shaving
kit (for men).
Medical
Kit:
- Antiseptic lotion and cream, bandage, cotton, nebasulf powder.
- Medicines including antibiotics, anti-histamines, gurgle, nasal drop to combat cough and cold.
- Anti-vomiting, headache removing medicines, diamox or similar for altitude sickness, painkillers.
- Antacids, medicines for diarrhea or stomach upset, digestive enzyme.
- Personal medicines in regular use, camphor to relief breathing trouble.
Other Musts:
- Must carry always with you your
photo identity proof like voter-id card/ driving license/ passport in original
and their photo copies and at least 5 copies of passport size photograph.
These are required to avail permits in certain frontier locations.
- Torch with spare batteries for trekking.
- Chain and locks for train journey.
- For air travel keep liquid items, sharp objects within check-in
luggage and not in your hand bag.
- Zip-lock bag (optional) for camera, spare camera batteries and
charger
- Adopter or spike-guard to get multiple sockets from a single plug
point.
- Spare batteries for mobile too since extreme climate causes faster
discharge.
- Dry food items, candies and bottled water. Purchase from local
market whatever quality foods are available.
Luggage and Packing tips:
- Zipped bags are preferred
over molded luggage. Backpack is even more convenient while walking. The
main bag should be of 60 liters or so.
- Keep individual backpack of
35-40 liters for each family member to carry camera, worm clothes,
medicines, water bottle, torch, photo-id proof etc.
- Small side bags for keeping
money, tickets and documents. Keep handy but essential items in this day
pack.
- A responsible traveler should
carry a Waste Pouch too.
- Using compression strap help
keep things in place.
- All items should be securely
wrapped by waterproof plastic or nylon pouches.
Telecommunication:
BSNL connection is usually
available even in remote places of India. Post paid connections also functions.
But in most sites like Pangong Lake, Nubra Vally Sarchu mobile signals are not
at all available.
Emergency Money:
Emergency Money:
Always keep money for emergency and ATM card in
addition to the tour & camp fee. This is a reserve fund in case you face
any adverse climatic condition prolonging your stay and making you halt in a
location not included in your tour programme or medical emergency. Please don’t
mix it up with your shopping provision.
Precautions:
Keep
provision for buffer time because of unforeseen delay due to landslides,
climatic change or road conditions leading to traffic jam. Many rivers cut the
roads which are crossed without bridge. But with the progress of the day the
rivers swell up not allowing direct passage. Start your journey in the early
morning which is possible only if you reach the night shelter before 11am.
Don’t
exert much during first 2/3 days and allow your body to acclimatize with rapid
gain of altitudes. Air travelers landing directly in Leh should take complete
rest in the first day. You should go for thorough health check up before
commencing the journey. If possible carry oxygen cylinder for emergency in
addition to medicines.
Drink
plenty of water and non alcoholic fluids and eat even if you don’t feel like.
Empty stomach aggravates vomiting tendency and other symptoms.
In
Ladakh safari journey is as enjoyable if not more as the destinations. If you
choose to cross Kashmir valley enjoy landscape change from green meadows to
arid zone while crossing Zoji La Pass (11.200 ft). Have a thrilling trip to sensitive
Kargil and Drass sector (second coldest habitat place in earth), watch 30 ft
statue of ‘Matreya Buddha’ carved on stone cliff at Namkila Pass(12,204 ft),
cross Fatu La (13,479 ft), the highest pass between Kashmir and Leh, camp at
Ulhey Topko to enjoy rafting in Indus and many more. Another road rout is via
Manali to Ladakh valley. The entire journey is a lifetime experience. The tour
is hectic in both way and attempt if you are mentally and physically prepared
to fight odds of mountain region.
