Safety & Emergency
Stay safe in Leh-Ladakh
Essential Tips
•Acclimatize for 2 full days in Leh before going to high passes — this is CRITICAL for your safety.
•Carry all prescribed medicines including Diamox — pharmacies are limited outside Leh.
•Inner Line Permits are required for Pangong, Nubra, and Tso Moriri — arrange 1-2 days in advance.
•Carry cash — ATMs exist in Leh but are unreliable. No ATMs outside Leh.
•Mobile network: BSNL/Jio postpaid work in Leh. No signal at Pangong, Nubra, or most remote areas.
•Fuel up in Leh — no petrol pumps between Leh and Pangong or Leh and Nubra (except Diskit).
•Dress in layers — temperature swings of 20-30°C between sun and shade are common.
•Carry sunscreen SPF 50+, UV sunglasses, and lip balm — UV radiation is extreme at this altitude.
•Keep plastic bags for rubbish — Ladakh faces a serious waste management challenge.
•Respect local culture — ask before photographing people, remove shoes at monasteries, walk clockwise around stupas.