Things to Carry For Ladakh Trip
Here is a list of essential things one should carry for a trip to Ladakh, irrespective of the mode of transportation being. While this in no way is an exhaustive or one size fits all guide, we have tried to come up with the list of things we feel are quite essential and shouldn't be missed out on.
- Water: Water is the most essential thing while travelling in Ladakh since dehydration can further complicate health issues at such a high altitude. So make sure you are carrying at least a couple of litre of water per person all the time and drinking at regular intervals.
You should always carry your own water bottle and refill it as many times as you need water. It will not only keep you hydrated always, but you will also help in saving the Himalayas from plastic garbage. Remember, every tiny step counts and you can help save the Himalayas too !!
- Medicines: Carry Diamox if you aren’t allergic to sulphur drugs (helps reduce some of the symptoms of AMS) and medicines for a headache, fever, stomach ache, cold and cough syrup.
- 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 eg. Lotus Herbal Sun Screen Lotion with a rating of SPF-30 or higher and apply it properly before going out in the sun.
- UV Sunglasses: As mentioned earlier, UV rays at high altitude can be quite damaging and this holds true for eyes as well.
- Lip balm: Dry and cold weather of Ladakh will make your lips dry, which can get quite painful due to cracking and skin coming off, so make sure to carry a lip balm or Vaseline.
- Mustard oil: Mustard oil can be used for moisturising skin, putting it in your hair and for lubricating insides of nostrils, which can become quite dry and painful due to dry and cold winds of Ladakh.
- Glucose: Carrying water mixed with Glucon C/D is a good idea while travelling at high altitude, as it provides instant energy on the move, when your appetite is likely to be reduced due to AMS and at the same time, doesn’t act as a diuretic, like most caffeinated energy drinks. Carry a couple of small packs with you, which you can mix in water, at the beginning of the day.
- Chocolates, biscuits and nuts: Carrying a couple of chocolates, a pack of biscuits and few hundred grams of almonds, raisins and cashews is a good idea, as these provide instant energy and easy snack and don’t take up too much space.
- Other personal essentials: Paper soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb and toilet paper. You can also carry your shaving kit and face wash if you have space and need for these and any other toiletries.
- Clothes: In Ladakh, it is best to dress in layers, since a majority of coldness is due to wind chill and temperatures can change rapidly depending on the place, time and weather. Hence dressing in layers will allow you to add/subtract layers as and when needed. So make sure apart from your regular clothes, you are also carrying a sweater, gloves, and if possible an air/water resistant jacket.
- Documents and IDs: 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.
- Chargers for all the gadgets, cameras and mobile: Need we explain this?
- Power banks: Recommended one is a power bank with at least 10000 mAH capacity.
- Enough memory cards to last you the entire trip: Doesn’t matter if you are carrying a laptop or planning to burn CDs/DVDs at Leh, carry enough memory cards to cover your entire shooting duration in Ladakh.
- Money: Our recommendation would be to carry enough cash you need. So please keep in mind that ATMs beyond Srinagar and Manali are only available in Kargil and Leh and they too are few with often long queues in front of them.
- Mobile phone connectivity: Only post-paid mobile phone connections from other states work in Ladakh region. Among these only BSNL has a presence beyond Leh. So unless you wish to be dependent upon STD booths, carry a BSNL/MTNL post-paid connection.
- Bag Types: Bring only Medium sized Rucksack bags for your luggage.
Riding Gears for bikers :
1- Helmet
2- Riding Jacket with Thermal Liner/ Elbow guards
3- Riding Pant with Thermal Liner/ Knee guards
4- Riding Shoes /Army boots
5- Riding Gloves
6- Skullcap / bandana / balaclava
7- Riding Goggles (UV/Polarised)
8- Gum Boots
