Leh Ladakh August 2021 | Day 1 | Leh Airport | Acclimatisation | Delhi to Leh | Renting a bike

Day 1 in Leh Ladakh-
Been wanting to visit ladakh since 2012, and have been manifesting this trip ever since. However in July got this really strong Intuition to get down to Ladakh . Towards the end of July in 2021 it actually happened .
Flew down to Delhi from Hyderabad, had a 1 hour lay over in Delhi. Delhi airport is actually one of the nicest airports in the country.
The flight: The flight from Delhi to Leh was the most scenic flight I have ever taken in India. Make sure you get a window seat to enjoy these views comfortably.
Leh Airport: landing at the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport was an experience in itself-Located at an altitude of 10500 ft , it is one of the highest airports in the country and the 23rd highest in the world. It’s a very old fashioned airport having only basic functionality, so don’t really expect much to be happening in there. However the airport single handedly has the best views a airport could have.
Security: Leh Ladakh is a highly militarised zone , so photography on the airport is prohibited due to security reasons .
Landing and security check- upon landing you get a shuttle bus to the baggage area which takes some time.
Covid RTpcr- There’s a check upon the exit of the airport for a negative RTPCR, also make sure your rtpcr was taken under the previous 96 hours.
Taxi: The airport is located 20 minutes from Leh city, you can take a cab to Leh for 500 rupees.
Accomodation: Accomodation in Leh varies from traditional homestay, to hostels , to luxury hotels. There’s something in it for everybody. It is preferred you book your accommodation before coming so you would exactly know where to check in, alternatively you can easily get accommodation in the Leh market area and the cab driver will assist you in getting one. I stayed around the Leh market area in a beautiful homestay.
Acclimatisation: This is probably the single most important thing to do while visiting Leh. It cannot be neglected, and successful acclimatisation will help you have a comfortable trip.
What is acclimatisation? : It is a process in which your body’s adjusts itself to newer altitudes, weather, humidity and pH. This process takes about a day or 2. Cannot stress enough on the fact how important this is. Failing to acclimatise may lead to acute mountain sickness.
Stay hydrated, sleep early at night, stay at the same altitude for the 1st 2 days. If feeling uneasy take medicines prescribed by your doctor.
Food in Leh- The best part about Leh is the amazing food options around Leh Market. There are delicious Tibetan food options , German bakeries and really nice cafes. I tried Yak cheese for the first time here .
Day 1 and day 2 can be spent trying out good food, shopping for essentials in the Leh market, visiting areas around Leh, planning your itinerary and getting your permits .
Renting a bike:
🏍 Here’s answering all your queries regarding riding a bike in Ladakh.
Since Leh is know to be a heaven for bike enthusiasts, people who have driven down sometimes like to leave their vehicle and get onto a bike to experienced this adventure. However a lot goes into riding a bike around leh.
🗒Procedure : you can Rent/Ride a bike in ladakh if you’re carrying a Indian driving licence, there are various agencies in Leh which facilitate this. You can check them out around Leh market and test ride the vehicle of your choice.
✅Price: On an average costs 2000 rupees for a 500 cc Royal Enfield to 2500 rupees/ day for a Himalayan , Including 2 helmets and without fuel
⚠️Pre-booking Checklist- Double check the Tyres, air pressure, clutch plate, lights, engine and shocks
⛔️Safety : Ensure your wearing your helmets and biking gear at all times, this can also be rented at a store in Leh.
⏰ Timings : The mountains have their own timings, do not rely on what estimates google maps would give you. Try to always start early and reach your destination before the sunset.
The glaciers melt once the sun is out, so try to cover the difficult areas before noon.
📍Navigation : Offline maps need to be downloaded before your journey commences, as google maps would hardly work around the roads in Leh.
🆘 Emergency : If there’s an emergency with a breakdown or an issue with the bike, contact the service provider immediately or stop a local and get him to contact a camper pick up van, this service would cost you 12000/ van for your bike to be taken back to the original destination.
📶Network : Don’t have high hopes on the network, change into Airtel Postpaid before arriving into Leh. You’d be lucky to get connected to the network around Leh.
Would recommend renting a car to drive you around instead, as the locals know their way around these roads and know exactly what to do when a mishap occurs.
Zandok Palri Monestry - visited this monestry on day 2, it is one of the less explored monasteries . #leh #lehladakh #travelmatcha #lehmarket #acclimatisation #india #indiatourism #lehtourism

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