Packing list for Ladakh

whatsilliness

this was sent to me from a regular Ladakh-visitor.

thought it might be helpful for the first-time travellers =)

any addendums/subtractions/tips etc from anyone else are welcome.


[B]Ladakh List[/b]
Study materials

Prayer book

Pens

Sanskrit text

3x5 cards

notebook





Passport

Travelers' checks ($2000+)

Dollars

Rupees



Gifts

Khatags



Meds

Malarone

Advil

Cold meds

Altitude

Cipro

Immodium

Pepto bismol

Triple antibiotic

Bandaids



Toiletries

Shampoo

soap

moisturizer

sunblock

lip balm

toothbrush and paste

deodorant

earplugs

razors



Sundries

antibacterial baby wipes

headlamp

mini maglite

batteries

waist pouch

camera

film

disposable cameras

recording equipment

ziplock bags

power bars or equivalent

day pack

nalgene bottle or hydration system

padlock



Shoes

Tevas

Hiking

flip flops

dress



Clothing

Skirts (2)

Loose pants (2)

Sweater

Long-sleeved shirts lightweight

Dress shirts

Sun hat

Compact umbrella

T shirts

Socks

underwear

bras

Sheets

Pillowcases

Towel

power bars because you may be going to places where you can't easily get a meal

baby wipes are important because you may often be in a situation where you can't wash your hands before you eat

cipro and other strong antibiotics were available cheaply over the counter last time I was there

Travel medics advise malarone for the transit in Delhi (malaria risk there) I don't take it and don't think it's necessary unless you will be traveling in other parts of rural India

Headlamp important for getting to the john at night, and for reading if there is no electricity (which was becoming fairly reliable last time I was there)

It's nice to take some generic gifts for people who will be helpful to you. Watches (Canal street cheapos) are often appreciated

You will always need to carry your water with you. Likir's spring water from the pipe in the courtyard is safe but be careful elsewhere

Take a pair of shoes that comes on and off easily (I use Tevas) because you will be removing them anytime you go in anywhere

Flip flops for shower (or bucket shower) Take some comfortable pants in which you can sit cross-legged for long periods without discomfort.

I found that basic comfortable sweaters were hard to find Backpacks and duffles are easy to buy there and cheap. So are pens, but their notebooks are different Also easy- passport-style photos for permits

Indian batteries last about 3 hours.

I listed khatags because I always take a couple in case I have an opportunity to have an audience with a lama before I have a chance to buy some, but you can get them in Leh at Karma's shop across from State bank of India for about 20 cents each (as opposed to $5 here) I always carry a couple with me in a ziplock bag that lives in my day pack. Ladakhis often don't tell you when your outing will include a visit to a lama.

Best to have a waist or neck pouch that keeps your passport and money with you under your clothing.

Padlock- you will need to lock your room this way at any guest house. Some guest houses may give you one, but they may give everyone the same one, so that any resident's key will open your room. If you're not comfortable with this, bring your own.

amyl

wow!!

that's a comprehensive list, ain't it?

i specially liked the idea of gifting the locals.....tho i had that on my mind but was just wondering what cud be apt. u got it right.

thanks Friend well how do i hail u if ever we meet on the streets of Ladakh? Hey Silly!!! ...come on now get some 'callable' name for u on the forum

whatsilliness

whaaat- silly works quite well :O)

marina does too

stoopid american does not

will you be in Ladakh? i am going late july - early october

dumb_bacchus

arnt you missing shades - cuz the sun would be bright in the day and with snow around it might reflect a lot, so i guess shades might be helpful.

amyl

oh!!!

well Marina i will be in Ladakh in the first week of July and not end and oct.

hey how about this idea...

any IMer going to ladakh will post a paper/cloth with "IMer <IM ID> resting here" outside the guesthouses one stays
that wud be fun and easy to gather IMers and to rock the Ladkha Region together.
i will try to put in something.....lets see if any passerby IMer spots me there...

gautam

thanks there...

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natasha chanda acharya

1. you should carry your ID card and at least 6 passport size pics. You will need that for getting the inner line permits to visit places like pangong Tso and Tso Moriri.
2. Lots of garlic. Not for the draculas. To consume every morning to prevent altitude sickness.
3. Did anyone mention toilet paper?

Sanskrit text and prayer books? For what joy? Am I missing something here?

AvidTrekker

I am glad natasha asked. Even I was mystified. Who speaks Sanskrit or wants to learn sanskrit in Ladakh?

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The Universe is an ellipsoid?... or a Spheroid?? If the sphere smiles... it becomes an ellipse. This IS Creation.

Balmandir

I don' know if its just me, but I always find it handy to have a small Visine, or a similar eye drop liquid in my kit as Ladakh can be both windy and dusty!

whatsilliness

haha to clear up the mystery: the person who forwarded this list to me is someone who is very seriously studying buddhism and sanskrit and i dont know what else. she spends many months in india- in ladakh- each year. so that part of the packing list can be safely ignored for us regular folks

and yes, sunglasses are definitely handy as well

sggs

I bow to you, oh silliness !!
thanks for posting this list !!
sggs