Ladakh Travel Planning

Foreign SIM cards and prepaid Indian SIM cards do not work in Ladakh. As of 2025, the only compatible networks are postpaid connections from Airtel, Jio, and BSNL. While 4G is generally strong in Leh, reception may drop in remote border areas.

We provide Wi-Fi at The Indus River Camp for our guests. If you do not have a postpaid Indian SIM, we recommend visiting the local Airtel store in Leh upon arrival to purchase a local SIM card.

Yes, Ladakh is a very safe destination known for its peaceful, interfaith society. Violent crime against tourists is virtually non-existent. However, in urban areas, please be wary of stray dogs, as they can be territorial and aggressive in packs.

The most important concern when travelling to Ladakh is its altitude. Flying to Leh from sea level means a sudden transition from 0 to 3,400 metres above sea level, and your body needs to adjust to that.

Leh sits at 3,400 metres (11,150 ft) above sea level. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a genuine risk that does not discriminate by age or fitness level. It is often the healthiest who get sick, as they are least likely to take the necessary precautions.

If you are flying into Ladakh, the first day should be totally reserved for acclimatisation—resting and being in nature. Drink plenty of water (3-4 litres a day), and avoid alcohol entirely for the first 48 hours. Avoid sleeping during the day on your first day, as respiration decreases during sleep, which can worsen symptoms.

Diamox is effective for aiding acclimatisation. We recommend starting it 1-2 days before arrival. Please consult your doctor regarding dosage and side effects.

The best time to visit is during the shoulder months of May, September, and early October. During these months, the weather is pleasant, the crowds are thinner, and in September, the valley is lush with local produce.

While late June to early August is popular, be aware that the high-altitude sun is very strong. Even if the thermometer reads only 25°C, the solar intensity can be draining.

Does it rain in Ladakh? Ladakh is a high-altitude desert, generally shielded from the Indian monsoon. Rainfall has increased slightly in recent years, but it remains rare—typically only about 3 days in a month, though it can be unpredictable.

A Fragile Ecosystem Under Pressure — Ladakh opened to tourism in the 1970s, but the release of the film 3 Idiots in 2009 caused visitor numbers to explode. While this brought economic growth, it has severely strained the region's infrastructure.

The Reality of Waste: No Recycling Infrastructure — Be aware that there is no recycling infrastructure in Ladakh. Currently, the only way to dispose of waste is to burn or bury.

Climate Change and Glaciers — Our ecosystem hangs in a delicate balance. We depend entirely on winter snowfall to bolster the glaciers that feed our farms and villages.

How You Can Help — Please minimize single-use plastic. We strongly encourage you to bring a reusable water flask.

The native language is Ladakhi. However, English and Hindi are widely spoken, especially by those working in tourism.

Learning a few local words is a great way to connect with the community:

All tourists (Indian and foreign) require an Inner Line Permit to visit restricted areas such as Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Tso Moriri, and Dha/Hanu. The areas around Leh and the Indus Valley (where The Indus River Camp is located) are fine to explore without a permit.

You can reach Ladakh by flight (year-round) or road (summer only).

By Air: Flights operate daily to Leh (IXL) from Delhi and other major cities. This offers a bird's-eye view of the Himalayas but requires strict acclimatisation upon landing.

By Road: You can drive from Manali or Srinagar. These high-altitude highways are usually closed from November to April due to heavy snow.

There are no self-drive rental cars (like Hertz/Avis) in Ladakh. You must use local taxis, a private car with a driver, or rent a motorbike.

Union Prices: Transport rates are strictly regulated by the Ladakh Taxi Union. They publish an annual taxi rate list, and drivers are expected to charge no more or less than that.

A full list of Taxi Union prices is available on the Taxi Union website.

The union rate list is exceedingly long, covering many of the routes within Ladakh, but often they will extrapolate from that list if the precise route isn't mapped.

Rates are set annually, but at the time of writing, daily motorbike rental prices are as follows:

The sun is deceptively strong, and the air is dry. Aside from your standard travel gear, these items are essential:

Traditional Ladakhi food is very different from Indian food—there were fewer spices and ingredients historically, and so the diet revolved around what was available: barley, butter, meat, and flour.

Local specialities include Thukpa (noodle soup), Momos (dumplings), and Skyu (a thumb-pressed pasta stew). In Leh, some excellent restaurants are making traditional Ladakhi food (Alchi Kitchen, De Khambir), plus innovative modern takes at Namza and Tsam-Khang.

Dietary Restrictions: Mutton and chicken are widely available. Beef is not. There is fish, but it's less common due to Buddhist customs.

We advise that children unable to communicate yet do not come to Ladakh. They may feel discomfort from the altitude—if they cannot express this, it could present some difficulty.

Otherwise, it should be fine, granted that you take the necessary measures mentioned above. Please check with a doctor. We are not an authority.