Road Tripping to Ladakh – FAQ

by Shaurya Chalmela Travel consultant

Road Tripping to Ladakh

Read on to find the answers for some of the most frequently asked questions that you may have in mind for Ladakh Road Trip. We have given you a brief input on all your queries which may be helpful to plan your Leh Ladakh road trip.

Every traveler wants to tick this place off their travel bucket list at least once in a lifetime. Far in

the northern Himalayas, this high-altitude tourist destination is becoming increasingly popular with its wondrous and thrilling feel for an adventure connoisseur. Road trips are one of the most rewarding experiences to travel to Ladakh. With its rugged landscape aligned by snow crust peaks, monasteries’ perched top on spell bounding backdrops and lush green patches along with streams flowing from the valleys make for scenic beauty and treat to the eyes. Some of the key attractions are Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri, Leh and Lamayuru, Zanskar River, Stakna Monastery, the school from the Bollywood movie ‘3 Idiots’, Chadar Trek and Magnetic Hill.

Spending time in the mountains, rivers, valleys, and deserts enriches and adds to your life some not to be missed heavenly moments, which will rejuvenate and linger as a heart-warming and humbling experience. Here are some of the common frequently asked questions that you may have in mind for Ladakh Road Trip. We have assorted few FAQ’s that you may go through, which I am sure you will find helpful to plan your Leh Ladakh road trip.

Having less experience of driving on rough terrain – Could you still consider this trip?

Any biker or car driver can take this trip if they are confident in their driving skills. If you are still not sure if you will be able to drive through these roads, consider traveling after the month of August up to early October when the condition of the roads is much better.

However, you need to know a few things well in advance if you are planning for a Leh Ladakh road trip. You will need to spend extra in case you are considering to hire a bike after reaching Leh. Also, do check out the cheapest Ladakh tour package from your travel advisor to cut down on the overall expense of the journey. The bike trip is definitely not for everyone. You will certainly need to be fit and in good health to embark on this journey on the bike. Drive for a short distance and take multiple intervals to give yourself rest.

If you are planning to travel in June, ensure that you are well clothed and protected from extreme cold. Do carry enough woolen clothes, jackets, and extra pair of shoes for your safety and precaution.

The difference in weather – Season wise

The cheapest Ladakh tour package can be booked during the offseason that is between the months of November to March. The cold may persist during April to early June when the water freezes at Pangong lake and Zanskar valley. Leh Ladakh road trip is difficult during this time as there is a lot of traffic on the roads due to snow. Camping is stopped, but if you like to spend time watching the snowfall and playing in the snow, this time is perfect to come to Ladakh.

The temperature is minimum from 10 degrees to going as low as -4 degree Celsius. The roads on the passes, especially Khardung La Pass, Baralacha La, Rohtang Pass, Changa La Pass, are full of snow, and traveling is restricted from these regions unless the snow melts.

The best time for a Leh Ladakh road trip is the months from July to September. These are the months of summer when you see the beautiful landscape and blissful heaven while there might be some rain and occasional showers due to monsoons. The weather is pretty unpredictable, and it may rain at any time due to changes in global climatic conditions. Your trip to Ladakh will be a blissful experience during these months as you can freely walk around and explore many places in the entire Leh Ladakh road trip.

Also do carry basic things which are required like sufficient woolen clothes, boots, jackets, hand gloves, and socks. Also, do carry fruits, energy drinks, and water to keep yourself hydrated as the weather keeps changing. It starts to become cold again by October end, but still, you can find peace and comfort while planning during these months.

November onwards, the temperature falls further. Trek lovers who want to experience Chadar trek plan their visit during this period of the year to encounter a different Ladakh altogether.

What type of things and clothes should we carry for the trip?

Traveling to Ladakh means getting ready to bear the cold weather. Being prepared for zero degree temperature along with windy conditions. We should make sure to carry woolens with us, which includes woolen caps, gloves, warm and windproof jackets. Always wear clothes in layers as we descend or ascend in the journey with the change in temperature, we must also adjust with the clothes. All the clothes we carry should be such that we can access them in winters, snow, and rainfall.

List of medicines for personal use in case of emergencies

General Pain Killer & Crocin for fever and body pain
Diamox for dealing with Acute Mountain Sickness
Avomine can be taken for motion sickness
Medicine for loose motion and acidity
Anti Allergic medicines ( Cetirizine or Allegra )

Carry sunscreen lotion to prevent skin damage as sun rays are pretty harsh in high altitude regions. Wear a cap and apply a lot of moisturizers

You must carry sports shoes if you want to enjoy plenty of nice walks in this region.

Carry a water bottle and keep refilling it at the hotel with filtered water and drink plenty of it along the way. The air is very dry, and you may lose moisture very fast since it’s a desert area, so drink lots and lots of water and fluids like energy drinks.

Always remember to travel light but at the same time also be well equipped.

You will be on the road each day, so you will need to continuously pack and unpack each day. It’s ideal to keep another bag ready with necessities whenever required.

How’s the mobile network and data connection in Leh Ladakh?

The mobile network, to be honest, is erratic. The network and connection from JIO, Airtel, Vodafone and BSNL as voice and data network in Leh, Srinagar, Manali, and Shimla, however, the network may fluctuate depending on the climatic conditions. The only postpaid mobile connections work in Ladakh and Kashmir for security reasons.

Once you are beyond these regions, only BSNL can provide your network in some regions mentioned below :

At Tangste when you are on the way to Pangong (BSNL network)

Nubra Valley (BSNL network)

At Leh – Srinagar highway in Kargil (JIO / BSNL and Airtel Network), You will get more coverage on this highway with a lot of spots in every few kilometers.

At Jispa on the Manali – Leh highway (BSNL network). There is no network until Leh after your cross Jispa. You will be totally cut off when on this road.
At Keylong (Airtel / JIO and BSNL network)
At Pangong Tso Lake when you have just entered the lake in Lukung (BSNL network)
At Tso Moriri Lake (BSNL network and satellite phones for calls).
At Sarchu (Satellite phone, which can be used in case of emergency).

Most of the hotels in Leh have Wi-FiFi, which can be used to connect and check emails or net. Besides, there are cafes that also provide a wi-fi connection.

Mobile Data network is poor in Leh and cannot be relied upon. JIO / Airtel works better in Leh

Go2Ladakh is the best travel company in Ladakh, which can give you affordable and cheapest Ladakh tour packages with their dedicated team of experts working round the clock to make your holiday to Leh Ladakh a journey of a lifetime. So open the doors to discovery and have a great time on your Leh Ladakh road trip.