Two things make or break a Ladakh trip: the right permit, and respecting the altitude. Here’s an honest guide to both โ not a sales pitch.
โ ๏ธ Read this first: permit rules, fees and forms change regularly, and altitude is a health matter. So what follows is general guidance โ please confirm current permit rules officially (Leh administration), and speak to your doctor about the health side, especially if you have heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions. We’re a transport operator, not doctors.
For Indian nationals โ required for protected areas like Pangong, Nubra, Tso Moriri and Hanle. Issued by the Leh administration (online portal or DC office).
For foreign nationals โ a different process, usually through a registered agent, and it takes longer. Plan ahead.
Typically: valid photo ID (Aadhaar or passport), a photograph, and an environmental or wildlife fee. Exact requirements vary โ confirm the current ones.
From Leh โ either yourself via the portal, or through an agent in Leh. We tell you what’s needed and how it works, but the Leh administration issues the permit itself.
After reaching Leh, before your inner circuit. Allow some time in peak season.
Entering inner areas without a permit is illegal and you’ll be turned back at a checkpoint. Don’t look for shortcuts.
Leh is at ~11,500 ft. Khardung La is ~17,582 ft. Chang La is ~17,590 ft. Pangong is ~14,270 ft. These aren’t trivia โ there’s substantially less oxygen up there, and your body needs time to adjust.
AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) can affect anyone โ fit people, young people, anyone. Fitness doesn’t protect you; acclimatization does.
Don’t rush off to Pangong or Nubra the moment you arrive. This is the single biggest mistake, and it’s why our packages include a rest day.
Dehydration worsens AMS. Water throughout the day, and no alcohol or smoking for the first 48 hours.
No trekking or partying on arrival. Gentle walking, rest, light food.
Headache, nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, trouble sleeping. Mild? Rest. Getting worse? Descend immediately.
People talk about Diamox. It’s a prescription medicine. Ask your own doctor before your trip, not a travel forum.
Heart, lung, blood pressure, pregnancy โ get medical advice before booking, not after.
We pace it properly. The Kargil overnight and the Leh rest day are in our itineraries deliberately โ and we don’t advise removing them even when clients ask.
We tell you the truth. If your plan is Leh, Pangong and Nubra in three days, we’ll say it isn’t sensible โ even at the risk of losing the booking.
Our drivers stay alert. If a guest seems unwell, the driver knows what to do โ and descending is always an option.
But we are not doctors. Please take medical advice from a medical professional, especially if you have any condition.
Kashmir se Ladakh โ highway leg hamari vans, inner circuits local network se. Fixed quote 5 minute mein.