Planning & permits
Best time to visit Ladakh: a month-by-month guide
When to go to Ladakh for trekking, road trips, festivals or snow leopards, with what each season is really like on the ground.
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Ladakh Information Center
Ladakh travel guide
Everything you need to know before you go: permits, seasons, altitude, getting here and how to travel well, written by the people who guide here.
Planning & permits
Planning & permits
Ladakh permits: Inner Line Permit and Protected Area Permit explained
Which parts of Ladakh need a permit, how Indian and foreign travellers get one, and what to carry at checkpoints.
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Planning & permits
How to reach Ladakh: flights, the Manali–Leh road and the Srinagar route
Flying into Leh versus driving or riding in over the Himalaya: routes, seasons, distances and the pros and cons of each.
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Planning & permits
What to pack for Ladakh: a season-by-season packing list
Layers, sun protection and the small things that make a big difference at 3,500 m and above.
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Planning & permits
Mobile network, ATMs, money and other practicalities in Ladakh
Which SIM cards work, where you'll find ATMs and fuel, and other day-to-day things to know before you go.
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Health & safety
Health & safety
Altitude sickness in Ladakh: how to acclimatise safely
Leh is at 3,500 m and you fly straight in. How to acclimatise, which symptoms to watch for, and when to go down.
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Culture & people
Culture & people
Ladakhi culture, festivals and monastery etiquette
An introduction to Ladakh's people, its Buddhist monasteries and festivals, and how to be a welcome guest.
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Culture & people
Responsible travel in Ladakh: how to leave it better than you found it
Ladakh's environment and communities are fragile. Simple choices that keep it the way you hoped it would be.
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Where is Ladakh?
Ladakh is a Union Territory of India in the far north of the country, between the Karakoram and the Great Himalaya. Its main town, Leh, sits at about 3,500 m in the Indus Valley.
Is Ladakh safe for tourists?
Yes. Ladakh is known for its very low crime and its warm hospitality. The main things to take seriously are altitude, cold and remote roads. Acclimatise properly, and travel with an experienced local team in remote areas.
How many days are enough for Ladakh?
Seven days is a sensible minimum, including two days of acclimatisation in Leh. Ten to fourteen days lets you add the Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and a trek or a road journey in or out.
Is Ladakh expensive?
Ladakh suits a range of budgets, from homestays to boutique hotels. Remote travel adds costs such as vehicles, permits and support teams, which is where a local operator saves you money and time.
Do I need a guide in Ladakh?
Not for Leh and its monasteries. For treks, high passes and remote lakes, a local guide makes the trip safer and much richer, and is required for foreign nationals in some protected areas.
Ready to plan your Ladakh journey?
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