Peak Season Ladakh Travel Set To Get Longer With New Rules

The months of May to September witness a large influx of tourists to Ladakh every year.

- Saptaparna Biswas

The pandemic led to a drop in the number, but it soon picked up after travel restrictions were eased. However, recent incidents, including deaths due to Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and unruly behaviour by tourists at spots like Pangong Tso, have prompted the Directorate of Tourism in Ladakh to rethink the travel guidelines. New additions to the list of guidelines include a mandatory 48-hour acclimatisation window on arrival, prior bookings for stays near Pangong Tso to avoid overcrowding, and contribution towards cleanliness of the areas. So, if you were thinking of a quick weekend getaway to Ladakh this season, you may want to redo that plan.

LADAKH ISN'T MEANT FOR A QUICK TRIP, SAY SEASONED TRAVELLERS

Most of the seasoned bikers and travellers have welcomed this move, saying it was long due. Vargis Khan, a travel blogger, who also guides many travel enthusiasts for their trips to the mountains, has himself faced AMS. He shares, "This move will put a control on tour operators and groups who try to rush tourists through Ladakh with a packed itinerary. They bring them to Pangong Tso right after they reach Leh or a day after. It is foolish, as it jeopardises peoples' lives."