Ladakh Travel Planning: Permits, Transport & Essential Information
Here we condense all the information we claim to know on the logistics of travelling to Ladakh
If you would like to to book a complete holiday and leave it all to us then check out our packages page
If you have any questions, we are happy to answer. Please drop us an email at theindusrivercamp@gmail.com
WILL MY SIM CARD WORK IN LADAKH?
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.
IS LADAKH SAFE FOR TOURISTS?
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
HOW DO I PREVENT ALTITUDE SICKNESS IN LADAKH?
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.
Note: The Indus River Camp is located 200 metres lower than Leh city, which aids slightly in the acclimatisation process.
WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT LADAKH?
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.
Weather in Shoulder Season (May, Sept, Early Oct) - This is our favorite time. Nights can be crisp—dropping near freezing just before dawn—but rooms in Ladakh generally retain the day’s solar heat well. Expect dinner temperatures around 6–10°C. Days are perfect at 15–20°C, which feels much warmer in the direct sun.
The Peak Season (June, July, Early Aug) - This is the warmest time. Daytime temperatures hover around 20–25°C but feel significantly hotter due to the UV intensity. Evenings are very pleasant, sitting at around 12–15°C.
The Winter Season (Dec – Feb) - For the adventurous only. The mercury can regularly drop to -20°C at night. However, the powerful desert sun makes the days tolerable, hovering around 1°C. This stark, frozen isolation is the best time for spotting snow leopards.
HOW CAN I TRAVEL SUSTAINABLY IN LADAKH?
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. In an arid high-altitude desert where water is already scarce, mass tourism is depleting vital reserves.
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. This means every piece of plastic brought into the region stays here, often polluting the soil and water.
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. Climate volatility has made this unpredictable—too much snow leads to floods, while too little threatens our harvest.
How You Can Help - Please minimize single-use plastic. We strongly encourage you to bring a reusable water flask. At the camp and throughout Ladakh, you will find access to Himalayan spring water. It is far fresher than bottled water and helps protect the landscape you came to see.
WHAT LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN IN LADAKH?
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:
Julley (Joo-Lay): Hello, Goodbye, Thank you (The most important word!)
Khamsang-Ley?: How are you?
Don-ley: Please eat / Please take.
Man-ley: No, thank you.
O-ley: Yes, thank you.
DO I NEED A PERMIT TO TRAVEL TO LADAKH?
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 Indus Valley (where the Indus River camp is located) are fine to explore without a permit.
Cost: Approximately 800 INR for a week-long permit.
How to get it: Any local travel agent can arrange a permit for a foreigner from the Deputy Commissioner's office. Any Indian tourist can arrange online.
HOW DO I GET TO LADAKH?
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.
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HOW DO I GET AROUND LADAKH?
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. Whilst taxis in Ladakh are significantly more expensive than other parts of India, the drivers have a very short season, and their cars sustain alot of damage over the long roads, and through extreme conditions. Generally, in Ladakh, the condition of cars, and the quality of the drivers is pretty high.
HOW MUCH DOES A TAXI COST IN LADAKH?
A full list of Taxi Union prices is available on the Taxi Union website here.
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 isnt mapped.
HOW MUCH DOES A MOTORBIKE RENTAL COST IN LEH?
Rates are set annually, but at the time of writing, daily motorbike rental prices are as follows.
- Royal Enfield Himalaya (411cc) - 2,500
- Royal Enfield Classic (500cc) - 2,100
- Royal Enfield Standard (500cc) - 2,000
- Royal Enfield Standard (350cc) -1,100
- Bajaj Avenger (220cc) -1,200
- Scooty - 1,000
WHAT SHOULD I PACK FOR A TRIP TO LADAKH?
The sun is deceptively strong, and the air is dry. Aside from your standard travel gear, these items are essential:
Health: Diamox (for altitude), Moisturiser, Lip Balm, Sunscreen (SPF 50+).
Clothing: In colder months, such as May, September and October, layers are key. Warm socks, thermals, and a good windbreaker. All year round, we recommend bringing a sun-shielding hat, linen trousers, sunglasses, shorts, or anything to protect you from the sun.
Eco-Tip: Please bring a reusable water flask. We provide fresh Himalayan spring water to help reduce plastic use.
HOW IS LADAKHI CUISINE?
Though winter limits the availability of fresh produce, in the summer, the greenhouses are the pride of every Ladakhi's home, and the whole region is packed with local vegetables.
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, amongst others.
Local specialities include Thukpa (noodle soup), Momos (dumplings), and Skyu (a thumb-pressed pasta stew). In Leh and close by, some excellent restaurants are making traditional Ladakhi food (Alchi Kitchen in Sham Valley, De Khambir in Leh), but also locals who have innovated traditional cuisine with modern techniques and ingredients, such as Namza, Tsam-Khang and others. Kunzes Angmo from Artisanal Alchemy offers a brilliant long lunch highlighting the history of Ladakh's cuisine through multiple courses.
Dietary Restrictions: Mutton and chicken are widely available. Beef is not. There is fish, but it's less common, due to Buddhist customs. On specific holy days (dry days), meat and alcohol are not served.
When trekking or in remote areas, expect lots of Maggi noodles.
FAQS
Can small kids visit Ladakh?
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 then this could present some difficulty.
Otherwise, it should be fine, granted that you take the necessary measures mentioned above. Children's lungs often cope better with acclimatisation however they are harder to keep still and so more likely to have a problem if they are active. That said, please check with a doctor. We are not an authority.