(Dedicated to the Chills at Leh)

A much-awaited trip to visit the highest altitude of the world is always on everyone’s list to explore or venture and so it was on ours as well. I will try to cover both myths and realities when I start penning down my experience on this trip, again I would surely add a disclaimer that different people differently imbibe every experience…so here I am expressing mine!! But yes, I will keep the myths for last as I just want to be honest and keep your prepared 🙂

The Day we landed in Leh it was an incredible place, a place which no insta story or reel or a picture can tell you, all you can do is to register this view and glimpse in your memories and just memorize whenever you turn the pages of your most memorable trips that you have been to…having said that, that doesn’t stop you to click those views in your cameras and we are all bound to do so.

Yes – I am not saying this just to exaggerate indeed every corner of Leh has so many places which are nature at its best – may it be the snow-capped hills, the frozen lake, the magnetic Hill, The Gurdwara or the Hall of Fame. Now first I will give a brief on the whole Itinerary followed by our experiences:

1. Day 1 – We landed in Leh and checked in the hotel. Remember Leh is not so high altitude wise when compared to the spots that You will visit on your trip, so it’s advised to get comfortable to this altitude before you start travelling, thus it’s essential that you spent 1-2 days in Leh initially and see places in and around. Thus, we just made ourselves acclimatized to feel good at this high altitude initially.
2. Day 2 – We started exploring tourists spots in Leh – which included Leh Palace, Leh Market, Hall of Fame, Shanthi stupa and Spittuk Gompa. Remember if the weather is not very cold side you will see sunlight for 3-4 hours post 10 am and it will be very pleasing. The travel dates we picked was during kid’s summer vacation that starts in April so we could get some amount of sunlight.
3. Day 3 – We explored the Magnetic Hill, Gurudwara Patha Sahib, and Sangam Point. The water is just like ice and view is just stunning.
4. Day 4 – We travelled to Nubra Valley…oh that whole pathway and that terrain cannot be articulated in words. On this way to Nubra itself you will come across the Highest altitude point – Khardung-la-Pass. Please remember you may get dizzy and uncomfortable on this trip if you have motion sickness, so just carry required medicines and drinks and food to keep yourself hydrated and distracted.
5. Day 5 – We stayed in Nubra and then travelled to Pangong. You can choose different itinerary as well at times, but you may have to check the same with your travel agents as at times that way is blocked, and you may have to travel back to Leh and then travel to Pangong.
6. Day-6 – We visited Pangong, returned to Leh and head back to Delhi.

Now a little more dive into each spot or you can say Highlights of the whole trip:

• The people here are extremely helpful and good so you will love any interactions that you happen to make, and this is something anyone who has visited the place will have a special mention.
• Leh being a small place with very less population you can easily explore places but yes stamina is the key so keep that up.
• Every place I have mentioned here are incomparable to each other so I will not prioritize them but for us – Khardung-La-pass was something which no one should miss and is a must go thing in a lifetime and then Magnetic Hill and Sangam Point followed by Pangong.
• If you are looking for good places to eat cafes are your best bet for sandwiches and juice or Tea. We explored few in the market and they served decent food, Hotel food was just ok.

Now here I start few things which you will not find anywhere but this is something you should be prepared:

• Being on high altitude your body is bound to breathe less oxygen and you will feel breathless, this is normal so do not panic but be ready to experience this. As well few medicines are there that adults can use if it gets uncomfortable. I and my spouse couldn’t sleep first 2 nights because of this, so please don’t panic.
• As it is a cold place you wear clothes in layers and there will be occasions when you will start feeling too hot and then too cold – happens with all of us but could be because we are more used to Bengaluru weather now.
• Carry medicines if you are travelling with kids as you may need them but let me give you one additional information the Government Hospital is immensely helpful if need comes. The standards are as good as any private hospitals (mind it not luxury ones) because people here live simple life. We had to visit it because our elder kid could not adjust to the weather and was down with fever, but the charges were just like 30 Rs or so and we got the right expertise.
• Carry enough woollens, gloves, caps, and furry coats to keep you safe.
• Will not recommend this for asthma patients at all.
• As well have an oxygen cylinder intact on the way to Nubra as at times people really need it. We did not have any such situations but if elderly folks are travelling it may be a necessity and you will not find it on that way as it is just snow everywhere.

Final notes –

We travelled to Leh from Delhi as the flights cost much cheaper from here. Delhi being closest to Leh, our complete itinerary was within 1.2 lakhs for four people (2 adults and two kids).

Do not expect very oily and spicy food as food cooked here is with simple spices so it stays light for the body and easily digestible and you will mostly get hot water which will anyways get cold after some time. I am a water person, and I cannot have hot water so that is how it worked for me.

I will stop here but yes connect with me if any further details or any other help!!

Stay tuned for more travel diaries 😀