Filled with rugged terrain, crisp air and indescribable scenery, Ladakh is must visit destination for solo travellers. Situated in the Northern Himalayas, the lands of Ladakh are few of the remotest areas of India. People visit the place majorly for two purposes, scenery and culture. It has a lot of Tibetan influence and Buddhism prevails a prominence in the domain. In this ultimate guide to Ladakh find all the information that you need before travelling to Ladakh.

Apart from majestic mountains, plethora of monasteries and culture, Ladakh also offers delicious delicacies, nomadic statement pieces and much more. Attracting tourists from every part of the country, it is a hot spot for a female only trip in India.

When is the best time to visit Ladakh?

This is the most common question that people ask us when looking for a trip to Ladakh. Undoubtedly the best time to visit is from May to September. Even though the flow of travellers continue during the winter months, the extreme weather conditions might require extra precaution and care. Being at such high altitudes, the region doesn’t receive much rainfall but few showers can lead to a dip in temperature. It is always suggested to pack in layers if you are visiting during the monsoon months. October to February is the shoulder season in Ladakh, often visited by trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts. We take our women only trip to Ladakh mostly during the summer months that lets us enjoy the spectacular views.

How to reach Ladakh?

When planning a trip to Ladakh, this can be a question that might require some time and thought. One can reach Ladakh via air or road and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this guide to Ladakh, we have listed all of them below.

Ladakh via road has become a popular biking route and a much sought after road trip for travellers. Yes, the roads are crazy but the views are absolutely jaw-dropping and are worth the time spent alone. It is also good for people who want to gradually acclimatise to the altitude. You’ll pass through valleys, mountain passes, and waterfalls. There’s absolutely no sign of life around in many parts and it’s an experience you won’t forget.

A much faster and convenient way is to travel via air. Ladakh has direct or connecting flights from all the major cities in India allowing you to skip the long and sharp roads up through the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. Although one major drawback of this mode of transport is that you don’t get time to adjust to the high altitudes and might experience some discomfort. We suggest you take a day to settle in and adjust. For our female only trip to Ladakh, we suggest our travellers to take their time to settle.

Is Ladakh safe for women?

Ladakh is definitely one of the safest place for solo women travel in India. The warm and caring locals even go out of their way to make you feel comfortable. Even though it has been a part of Kashmir in the past, there have been no incident of terrorism or violence. The people in Ladakh are also very peaceful and follow the doctrines of Buddhism and live in a closely knit community. We would still suggest you to follow basic safety guidelines.

What to pack for Ladakh?

This is the most confusing and time consuming question. It major highly depends on the time you are visiting Ladakh. Also it is a place that needs serious consideration about what to pack. You can’t just grab few things and leave on a whim. While packing for Ladakh it is important to keep it concise and smart. You cannot leave behind the essentials but also can’t overpack. So in this guide to Ladakh, we have listed the must keep items.

Clothing : Always pack your clothes in layers. The weather is quite unpredictable so it better to wear layers. Since you will be wearing one clothing over another, avoid packing clothes that are either too tight or too bulky to be put as a layer. If you visiting Ladakh in winter, you must keep a lot of thermals, windproof jackets, caps and insulated socks.

Sunscreen : No matter what season you are taking this trip to Ladakh, sunscreen is a must have for all seasons. The sun in Ladakh is so harsh that it might even cause burns on your skin.

Sunglasses : It is not only important to protect your skin but also your eyes. Keep a pair of sunglasses which will protect you from harsh sun and rustling winds.

Gloves : Even in summers, the nights get cold in Ladakh. It is advisable to carry a pair of gloves to keep you warm.

Heavy Moisturiser : The wind in Ladakh is very dry and it can make your skin dry and rough. Carry a heavy moisturiser as per your skin type to avoid chapping of cheeks. Also keep a lip balm for your lips.

First aid : Always keep your medicines close when travelling to a remote location like Ladakh. Basic first aid with a altitude sickness medicine is always helpful. Before keeping any altitude sickness medicine, definitely consult your doctor.

All the above items are a must. For a female solo trip to Ladakh, you must be very careful of what you are packing, as sometimes heavy suitcases might not be the best option for Ladakh.

Places to see in Ladakh

Apart from all the adventure, Ladakh is filled with natural beauties all around. Even with its rugged terrain, the views are so spectacular that you wouldn’t wanna come back. From lakes to snow clad mountains, nature has abundant presence here. But the monasteries and memorials are also a sights to explore. In this guide to Ladakh we have put down a list of places that you cannot miss on your trip to Ladakh.

Leh : It will be the first place that will introduce you to the Tibetan culture in Ladakh. The leh palace is such an iconic building of the city. Watch a beautiful sunset from Shanti Stupa and explore the refugee Tibetan markets to connect with their culture.

Nubra Valley : Imagine vast sand dunes in the middle of Himalayas! Nubra is a desert located at a height of 4,000 meters above sea level and surrounded by the Himalayan range. Here you also find two-humped hairy camels.

Khardung La : Experience the thrill of driving at the highest motorable road in the world. It connects Leh with Nubra Valley and its highest point passes over 5,600 meters.

Pangong Tso Lake : A lake located at 4,350m above sea level which extends across India and China. People go to this lake to see the stunning landscape and for hiking. You should definitely include this in your female solo trip to Ladakh.

Thiksey gompa : Though the most touristic gompa, this fortification is almost like a small town. It has shops, restaurants, a hotel and a huge monk community living there.

Pro Tips from Jugni

While we have mentioned everything in this concise guide to Ladakh, we also want to give you a few pointers that has helped us organise so many successful women only trips to Ladakh. With our experience, Ladakh is once in a life time opportunity and everyone must visit it. Here are a few tips that might help you elevate the experience.

• Always keep some time to acclimatise to the altitude. Don’t hop onto an adventure on your first day.
• Learn a few Tibetan words. It can be fun to connect with the locals
• Definitely try the local food.
• Please do not spend more than 20-30 minutes on K-top or at Changla Pass as it can potentially trigger a bout of altitude sickness.
• Always bargain when buying anything from the local market.
• Lastly, pack light and concise.

We have been to Ladakh with our women only groups so many time, yet each time it has something new to offer. If you want to experience group travel but want to take on a solo trip, join us on our women only trip to Ladakh. You can get all the details here.