India: Trekking in Ladakh

This is a trekking trip that includes strenuous activities at high altitudes. You will need to be in great health and have excellent fitness to attempt this trip, as well as be committed to training to ensure you are suitably physically prepared for the challenge.

This trip visits places as high as 4800 m above sea level, which can cause altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Medical and health’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more details on travelling at altitude and ensure you are familiar with signs of Acute Mountain Sickness. 

This trip involves a full camping experience, giving you access to more remote destinations in close proximity and the joy of experiencing the elements. Expect two-person tents (single supplement available) and sleeping bags, as well as a separate mess tent, to enjoy fresh meals prepared by your support crew.

Please read our packing list for required equipment carefully, and remember that you don’t necessarily have to bring all of it with you — you can hire or buy some of it in Leh.

On this trip, we use internal flights between Delhi and Leh. We use safety-approved airlines, but please note, due to unfavorable weather conditions, these flights may be delayed, causing some interruptions and amendments to the itinerary.

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Due to the demands of travelling at high altitudes a Passenger Self Assessment Form is required for this trip. You will be trekking on hilly terrain, generally on well-defined paths, walking anywhere between 2–7 hours per day. Altitude may exceed 4800 metres.
3. On this tour we travel from Delhi to Leh by plane. In case of unfavorable weather, we may need delay the flight by a day. On the way back, we fly from Leh on Day 13 of the trip. In case of unfavorable weather, we may need delay the flight by a day. Please book your international flights for the late afternoon/evening of day 14 of the trip as the earliest.
5. Passport scans are required at the time of booking to book domestic flights and trekking permits.
6. All trekking permits and National Parks entrance fees are included in the price of the trip.
7. This trip includes a domestic flight as indicated on the trip map. The luggage allowance is 15kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.

Most travellers prefer to take a small to medium wheeled suitcase, which is a great size for the packing capacity in our private vehicles. Whatever you take, be mindful that you will need to be able to carry your own luggage, handle it at airports, take it in/out of accommodation and perhaps even walk short distances. We recommend you pack as lightly as possible.

If your trip includes travelling on overnight trains or primarily using public transport, the smaller your luggage, the easier it will be to store under or above bunks. Large suitcases may not be able to be taken on board. A lockable bag or small padlock for your bag will be useful, especially when travelling on public transportation as well.

When you're exploring during the day, you'll also need a day pack/bag to carry water, a camera, a jacket and activity-specific items like a swimsuit, a waterproof pouch/bag for your phone, or hiking shoes.

Below we have listed the essentials for this trip:, https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list, LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE ON DOMESTIC INDIA FLIGHTS:
Please note that internal flights in India carry a weight restriction of 15kg per person for checked luggage and 7kg for carry on. Excess weight will incur extra cost, payable direct to the airline, As well as your underwear, toothbrush and other items you always need to pack for travel, below are some items that you specifically need for this trip.

https://www.intrepidtravel.com/packing-list

MAIN LUGGAGE
You need to bring your main piece of luggage as well as a small to medium backpack for day’s walks (20-25 litres). One with waist strap would be most comfortable for all included hikes.
Please note, your main luggage is going to be transported from one camp to the other while you walk. Total weight of your main bag must not exceed 15kg and it should be packed in a soft bag/duffle bag or a rucksack. Any excess luggage can be stored in Islamabad for the duration of the trek, at extra cost.

ESSENTIALS

- Day pack: for carrying essentials during activities
- Trekking clothing: A mixture covering lightweight clothing and some warm layers is recommended. Your activities will take place in high mountans, where weather may change quickly. Lightweight, comfortable, and quick drying clothes for the activities are best. Laundry facilities may not be available on every day basis, so make sure you have a few cycles of clothes.
- Sturdy hiking boots with a good grip, ankle support and waterproof membrane that are comfortable to walk for an entire day
- 3 season sleeping bag (comfort rated min -5°C). Can be hired in Leh.
- Walking Poles for support on steep uphill sections and longer descents. Can be hired in Leh.
- Comfortable shoes for shorter beach walks or evenings spend around accommodation
- Sport sandals
- Light jacket, fleece and base layers
- Warm down jacket
- Warm hut and gloves
- Wind and waterproof jacket
- Waterproof over trousers
- Breathable, non-cotton hiking t-shirts
- Long hiking pants or zip-offs
- Nylon hiking shorts
- Scarf or buff
- Water bottle or bladder: you will need water during activities and it’s best to avoid buying unnecessary plastic.
- Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, sunhat or bandana
- Torch/flashlight/headtorch
- Toiletries

RECOMMENDED

- Personal medical kit. A larger kit will be on hand with your leader, but we recommend you carry items such as mild pain killers, antihistamine tablets and any personal medication you may need
- Ear plugs & eye mask
- Camera with spare batteries/power bank: You will have access to power to recharge your electrical items daily
- Travel eco-friendly wipes/hand sanitizer

OPTIONAL

- Swimwear
- A good book, a journal and music player

VALUABLES

Please try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables. It’s also recommended to bring a copy of all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary.
If you need some further tips for packing, you can always check out our ultimate packing list.

WATER BOTTLE

Please bring your own water bottle to refill along the way. The sale of bottled water contributes to an enormous environmental problem around the world. In addition to the water in bottles, the production of a 1 litre plastic bottle takes 2 litres of water and 200ml of oil. A large proportion end up in limited landfill or discarded in waterways and natural environments.

Although no mountaineering experience is required on this trip, a good level of physical fitness is necessary. You must be comfortable hiking up to 8-10 hours a day, with many steep uphill sections, uneven, rocky terrain and in unpredictable weather. This hike is a strenuous one, so the better prepared you are, the more you should enjoy it.

We recommend that in the months leading up to your climb you increase your physical fitness with aerobic exercise. Walking, running and stair-climbing will all strengthen your legs and improve your stamina.

Almondz Hotel, 4/3, Block-4, Near Metro Pillar No- 171 East Patel Nagar, Delhi, 110008, INDIA, Phone: +91 9311219000

Almondz Hotel is conveniently located 12 km from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and just a short walk from the local metro station, shops, and restaurants. The hotel facilities include a gym, restaurant, and bar. Each guest room features air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, an ensuite, and free WiFi.

Alternate Joining Point

Almondz Hotel, 4/3, Block-4, Near Metro Pillar No- 171 East Patel Nagar, Delhi, 110008, INDIA, Phone: +91 9311219000

Almondz Hotel is conveniently located 12 km from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and just a short walk from the local metro station, shops, and restaurants. The hotel facilities include a gym, restaurant, and bar. Each guest room features air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, an ensuite, and free WiFi.

Alternate Finish Point

Breakfasts included: 12

Lunches included: 6

Dinners included: 7

While travelling with us you'll experience the vast array of wonderful food available in the world. Your group leader or local representative will be able to suggest restaurants to try during your trip. To give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where, what and with whom to eat, generally not all meals are included in the trip price. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. As a rule, our groups tend to eat together to enable you to taste a larger variety of dishes and enjoy each other's company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your booking agent know prior to departure.

During trekking, provided food will be a mixture of local and international dishes made from ingredients mostly purchased in India and cooked at the camp every day. Breakfasts consist of cereal, muesli or porridge, eggs, bread or chapatti, tea and coffee. Picnic lunches will include a choice of meats, cheese, pickles, crackers or chapattis, sometimes accompanied by hot soup and noodles. Dinner is usually a three-course meal served in a group 'mess' tent. We cater for vegetarians, but you must inform us if you wish your diet to be exclusively vegetarian. The trek kitchen provides drinking water during breakfasts and lunch stops. While trekking, trail mix and snacks will also be provided.

During summer in Ladakh, daytime temperatures range from 10°C to 25°C. However, nights in Ladakh can get chilly with temperatures dropping as low as 5°C. The summer season in Ladakh offers comfortable weather for trekking.

While we always endeavour to provide the best possible holiday experience, due to the nature of travel and the areas we visit sometimes things can and do go wrong. Should any issue occur while you are on your trip, it is imperative that you discuss this with your group leader or local representative straight away so that they can do their best to rectify the problem and save any potential negative impact on the rest of your trip.

We recognise that there may be times when your group leader or local representative may not be able to resolve a situation to your satisfaction - if this is the case, please ask the group leader or local representative to speak to their direct manager.

You may also choose to provide details in your online feedback, which we ask you to complete within 30 days of the end of your trip. Please do be aware that it is very difficult for us to provide any practical help after the trip is completed, so informing us while still travelling will give us the opportunity to resolve the issue in real-time.

For general contact details please use the following page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/contact-us

Available for phone call or WhatsApp call on +91 999 900 5019

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.

Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.

Our accommodation in Delhi and Leh is Original standard hotels. Whilst on the trek, seven nights will be spent camping in spacious two-person alpine tents. It is possible to hire a single tent for an additional cost. Group ‘mess’ tent will be set up in each camp as well.

TRANSPORT IN INDIA:
Main roads in India are usually very busy with an assortment of vehicles from the biggest trucks (who always have right of way) down to bikes (and animals!). Overtaking on blind corners at speed is common as is the total use of the horn as a form of communication. Our leaders have complete authority to remove groups from local transport if the driver is not driving safely. Drivers of our private vehicles are experienced and well trained. if you are uncomfortable with your driver, please always let your tour leader know immediately. Please ensure you wear your seat belt at all times.

TRAVEL TIMES:
Distances in India do not reflect the driving time and to cover 100km may take much longer than you would expect at home, even if much of the route is on a highway.

TRAINS:
India has a massive network of trains and millions of people travel by rail every day. Trains often travel the length of the country over several days. Trains are a great way to see the countryside and get you away from the busy road system. Delays and cancellations are common on trains. Your tour leader will check the train status to see if there are delays and will do their best to keep you informed of any changes.

From December to February, delays are more common, especially in the north of the country due to fog. It’s not uncommon for trains to be delayed for up to 12 hours. On occasion, your trip will may to be rerouted to allow for these delays. Your tour leader in conjunction with our local office will advise any changes to the itinerary.

The Indian Railway system is one of the largest railway networks in the world and quite complex. Seat allocation is completely computerized on a centralized reservation system and we do not have control over seat allocations. Despite booking tickets months in advance of a departure your group's seats, or sleeping berths on overnight trains, maybe spread out within one carriage or multiple carriages of the same class. There’s a chance you’ll be sharing a compartment with local travelers of either gender.

For a detailed look into the experience of travelling by overnight trains read more here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/india-trains-guide/

AUTO RICKSHAWS:
On this trip, we travel on the local style of transport called an auto-rickshaw. These small, motorised three-wheeled vehicles are a common form of transport in India and do not have seatbelts.

FLIGHTS:
Airlines in India are of excellent quality. Airports are becoming more modern (especially in the major and tourist cities). To enter the airport, you must have a copy of your flight ticket and passport. Schedule changes and delays do occur, especially when weather conditions make visibility poor.