What to keep in mind while
planning your holiday
Ladakh
Solo travelers must keep in mind that the cost will go up as hotels charge a
supplement for single occupancy. If you do not find a person to share a room
with, expect the room rent to go up by 15-20 per cent.
Stay in a hotel located in the city centre and navigate the city using public
transport. In Europe public transport is very efficient.
Book early to avail of discounts
First-timers should ideally choose destinations and tours that suit your
personality. Don’t go for cookie-cutter holidays; opt for a customised tour. If you
are travelling overseas, a group tour will help you get around more easily.
Group tours for first-timers will also help if you can’t do without Indian food.
For families group holidays work best as they are not just affordable but also
include all the must-see options.
Insist on connecting rooms if the group comprises two adults with children.
Choose a tour that has visits to amusement parks and other attractions that
children love.
Insist on connecting rooms, if you are booking accommodation for two adults
and two children
Choose a tour that features amusement parks and those that have attractions
for children
Smita Kumar , 30 years
Type of Traveller: Prefers leisurely budget trips; no more than one or two cities on
each vacation
Planning Tip: Check travel websites for good deals; book hostel rooms and hotel stay
using Airbnb
Word of caution: While booking rooms through Airbnb, check if the building has a
lift or else be prepared to haul your luggage. Hostels may not be very comfortable, so
book them for days you plan to be mostly outdoors and need a place to sleep at night
Best time to visit
June to August – after that
it gets really cold and the
temperature can fall to below
habitable levels.
How to get there
Either fly directly from a metro
city, or take a flight to Srinagar
and then drive to Leh.
Tip: The highway is generally
closed from November to May.
Places to see
Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley,
and Tso Moriri Lake. Check out
Turtuk village for a real-life
local experience.
Accommodation
Hotel accommodation
is available only in Leh.
At all other places the
accommodation is in tents
because concrete structures
are difficult to build. These
tents come with attached
bathrooms and hot water.
The ideal way to go about it
is to deposit your luggage at
a hotel in Leh, backpack to a
camping spot, and stay the
night before returning to Leh.
Precautions
If you have any breathing
issues it is advisable to consult
your doctor well ahead of your
trip. Also carry anti-nausea
medicines if you are prone
to motion sickness, because
you will be on the road for
6-7 hours almost every day.
Toilets may not be easy to find
everywhere during your road
trips, so be prepared to answer
nature’s call in the open.
Food
While north-Indian cuisine is
available, instant noodles and
momos are the best option
since you’ll be on the road for
most of the day.
Airfare to Leh
From Mumbai `21,090-26,491
From Delhi `9,542- 9,546
(Source: Skyscanner.co.in, tentative
return airfares for April 2018)
Photo: Rajneesh
www.outlookmoney.com April 2018 Outlook Money
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