Acute Mountain Sickness:

• Precautionary Measures: No activities are planned for the first day of your trip unless specifically requested, to help you acclimate.
• First Day Recovery: It is expected that you should feel better by the first evening.
• Breathing Stabilization: If your breathing stabilizes before leaving for Nubra, Pangong, or Tso Moriri, issues are highly unlikely but not impossible.
• Oxygen Cylinder: If breathing issues persist, carry an oxygen cylinder or can. Rental charges for oxygen cylinders range from INR 500 to INR 1000 per day for the entire journey.
• Avoid Alcohol: Do not consume alcohol on the first day.
• Hydration: Drink enough water throughout the trip.

Motor Bike Rent:

• Test Drive: It is crucial to judge the bike's condition. Please request a test drive before hiring, especially for difficult terrains.
• Deposit & ID: You must submit a deposit amount and your ID card to rent the bike.
• Extra Costs: The luggage carrier/saddlebag costs extra per day with the bike rental.
• Petrol Charges: Petrol charges are borne by the rider unless stated otherwise.
• Half-Day Rental: If renting the bike for half a day, return it by 2:00 PM; otherwise, full-day charges will apply.
• Leh Bike Restrictions: Bikes rented outside Leh are not allowed for sightseeing in Ladakh, including Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley, and Khardung La. They can only be used to enter Leh from Srinagar-Leh Highway or Manali-Leh Highway. For local sightseeing, rent a bike from a rental shop in Leh.
• Private Bikes: Private bikes are allowed everywhere in Ladakh. The private bike should be in your name or your father/mother's name. Having document proof associated with your and the bike owner's identities is generally sufficient.
• Ladakh Police: Unlike the rest of India, the police in Ladakh appreciate people who follow rules. Do not flaunt the rules.

Important Note: The Ladakh motorbike rental association has set up check posts at various sightseeing locations, and they are mostly very active in checking, especially during the season. Hence, do not get into any kind of unpleasant situation if confronted and at fault. It will most likely ruin your trip and the days you took off from work. The best approach in such cases is to act ignorant of the rule and agree to return to Leh to rent a motorbike for sightseeing.

Things to Know If Kashmir/Jammu is Included:

• SIM Cards: Pre-paid SIMs do not work in Jammu, Kashmir (mostly all carriers), and Ladakh (BSNL, JIO, & Airtel). Post-paid SIMs with approved KYC are required.
• Gondola Ride: Book the Gondola ride at least 21-30 days in advance.

Union Related Issues and Information:

• Vehicles are non-AC; heater and AC, if required, will be provided at an additional cost.
• In Kashmir, AC/heater in the vehicle would cost INR 300/- per day additional (as of June 2024; costs may change in the future).
• In Ladakh, AC/heater charges are mentioned in the Union Rate Sheet. Amount has to be compensated as per the rate sheet.
• In Ladakh, the driver must follow the Union Rate Sheet; in case of route diversion, the traveler must compensate for the excess amount incurred.
• Due to the Local Taxi Union, Srinagar taxis are not allowed from the base of Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Gulmarg.
  • Pahalgam - Aru, Betaab, and Chandanwari Valley costs additionally. Rates are listed on the display at the taxi stand.
  • Sonmarg sightseeing, i.e., Thajwas Glacier and Fish Point charges are additional. Rates must be bargained and discussed with drivers. There are no fixed rates at Sonmarg.
  • Gulmarg sightseeing - There is not much to see here except enjoying the world's tallest Gondola/Ropeway; however, if you want to enjoy small sights, then a local vehicle must be hired at an additional cost.
• Due to snowfall, if taxi vehicles with tires cannot travel to Gulmarg, the traveler has to hire another vehicle from Tangmarg. This will incur an additional cost.

Houseboat (Srinagar) Related Updates:

• Houseboats are sharing-based. Basically, one room is assigned in a single houseboat.
• These are boats anchored to a platform.
• Heaters are generally not provided free of cost in houseboats.
• To reach the houseboat, the Shikara person must be informed in advance.

• More than 30 days before travel - 13% of the total package cost. Hotel, cruise, and ferry cancellations or retentions would be additional to the service charges for cancellation.
• More than 15 days and less than 30 days before travel - 50% of the package cost.
• Less than 15 days / No show - 100% of the package cost.
• Travel dates between December 10 and January 20 - 100% of the package cost (no cancellations entertained during this time).