GENERAL INFORMATION

• Requests to modify your booking (e.g., date or destination changes) must be made at least 45 days before departure.

• Amendments may involve additional charges and depend on availability.

• All legal dispute or claims will be settled under the Jurisdiction of Ladakh Administration.

• For cancellations due to health issues, a medical certificate may be requested for partial refund consideration.

• You also have the option to postpone your trip to the following year.

• More than 60 days before departure: Full refund minus a cancellation fee and bank transfer charges.

• 45 days before departure: 75% of the paid amount will be refunded.

• Less than 30 days before departure: No refund.

• No-show or late arrival: No refund.

• F (Facile / Easy): Easy climbs suitable for beginners with basic alpine skills. Gentle snow or rock slopes, little technical difficulty.

• PD (Peu Difficile / Not Very Difficult): Slightly more challenging than F. Some steeper slopes or short technical sections, suitable for those with basic experience.

• AD (Assez Difficile / Fairly Difficult): For experienced climbers. Steep snow or ice slopes (around 50°), some technical rock climbing. Requires proper alpine skills.

• D (Difficile / Difficult): Serious climbs with sustained technical sections, steep slopes, glaciers, and remote terrain. For strong, experienced climbers.

• TD (Très Difficile / Very Difficult): Very challenging climbs with long technical sections, mixed rock, ice, and snow. Requires excellent fitness, skill, and experience.

• ED (Extrêmement Difficile / Extremely Difficult): The most demanding climbs. Continuous technical challenges, high altitude, long routes, and remote areas. Only for highly skilled and experienced mountaineers.

Easy: Gentle trekking for beginners or those physically fit. Trails are not steep, altitude stays below 3,500m, and walking is 4–5 hours per day.

Moderate: Suitable for those in good physical condition. Walking 4–7 hours per day, with varied trails including gentle to steep sections. Highest camping around 4,500m.

Strenuous: For physically fit trekkers. Crossing high passes up to 5,400m, mixed terrain including boulders and glaciers, with long walking days of 8–9 hours.

Challenging: For those in excellent physical condition. Camping around 5,000m, glacier crossings, high passes, and demanding treks up to 9 hours per day for more than two weeks.

It is important to travel light and carry only essential items. Domestic airlines in India generally allow up to 15 kg of check-in luggage, and during the trek your duffle bag—carried by a porter or pack animal—can weigh up to 15 kg. Any city clothes or extra items you don’t need on the trek can be safely stored at your hotel (if you are returning there) or handed over to us for secure storage until you return.

It is essential to have travel insurance for your treks, expeditions, and tours, which should be purchased in your home country. If you are trekking or climbing, your insurance must cover all emergencies, including hospitalization, hotel expenses, flights for early return, and helicopter rescue. Coverage for helicopter evacuation is especially important for trips in remote areas. In India, and particularly in Ladakh, helicopter rescue can be very costly, as the Indian Air Force may deploy two helicopters for a single rescue for safety reasons, which could result in a minimum cost of around US$10000

We provide spacious three-person tents (North Face or A-shaped) for sleeping, each equipped with reinforced rubberized ground sheets and a comfortable 3-inch thick foam mattress with a cover. Sleeping bags are available upon request, and we supply high-quality bags along with liners. In addition to this, we set up a kitchen tent, a dining tent with tables and chairs, as well as toilet and shower tents for your comfort. All you need to bring is your personal gear.

Indian Rupee is the local currency of India (100 paisa = 1 rupee). Banknotes come in ₹500, ₹200, ₹100, ₹50, ₹20, and ₹10, and coins are ₹10, ₹5, ₹2, and ₹1. ATMs are available in all towns and cities, and most urban areas accept major credit and debit cards as well as foreign currencies. You don’t need to carry a large amount of cash—around $300 to $500 is usually enough for souvenirs, drinks, and any meals not included in your trip. It is helpful to carry some small-denomination cash, and you can exchange your currency at airports, hotels, or money exchange counters. While Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are widely accepted in cities, they may not work in remote trekking areas or villages, where only local currency is accepted. Tipping is not compulsory, but if you wish to tip the support team, it is customary in India to contribute to a group tip shared among the guides, porters, cooks, and camp staff. We suggest $50 to $80 per person (in Indian Rupees), which comes to about $5–$6 per day. The guide will help distribute this among the trek team, and many travelers also choose to give an additional tip to the Team if they wish.

The best season for trekking and expeditions in Ladakh is from May to October, when the region enjoys its most stable and pleasant weather. During these months, high-altitude passes are open, skies are generally clear, and conditions are ideal for trekking, climbing, mountain biking, and cultural tours.

From May to June, the snow begins to melt, temperatures rise, and many trekking routes open. Daytime temperatures range from 10°C to 20°C, while nights can drop to 0°C to 5°C. July to September is the peak adventure season, as Ladakh lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas and remains mostly dry during the monsoon. Days are warm, usually 15°C to 25°C, with cooler nights ranging from 5°C to 10°C. Warm days, clear skies, and accessible trails make this the perfect time for high-altitude treks and mountaineering expeditions. October brings crisp air and golden landscapes, with daytime temperatures between 10°C and 15°C, while nights turn colder, dropping to –5°C to 0°C as winter approaches.

Winter in Ladakh (November to March) is cold but beautifully serene. Daytime temperatures average –5°C to 5°C, while nighttime temperatures can drop sharply to –10°C to –25°C, depending on altitude. While high passes close, travelers can still enjoy short treks and a few longer winter routes. Winter also offers exceptional opportunities for wildlife expeditions, especially the famous Snow Leopard Trek, where you may spot snow leopards, blue sheep, foxes, and other Himalayan wildlife.

Ladakh is also rich in cultural experiences throughout the year. Both summer and winter host vibrant cultural and monastic festivals, where visitors can witness traditional masked dances, rituals, music, and centuries-old Buddhist customs in monasteries across the region. Iconic festivals like Hemis, Takthok, Losar, Dosmoche, and Matho Nagrang offer unforgettable insights into Ladakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

Whether in summer or winter, Ladakh offers adventure, culture, and natural beauty in every season.

• All refunds will be processed within 15 working days.

• If the trip is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., natural disasters, political issues), an alternative trip of equal value will be offered.

Booking Confirmation

• A 50% advance payment of the total trip cost is required to secure your booking.

• The remaining balance must be paid 30 days before the departure date.

• Please ensure the advance payment is completed to confirm your reservation.

Easy: Rock scrambling or easy snow slopes, some glacier travel. Usually climbed without ropes except on glaciers. Alpine grade: F.

Moderate: Steep climbing or long snow/ice slopes above 50°, suitable for experienced alpine climbers. Alpine grade: AD.

Strenuous: Sustained snow and ice slopes of 65–80°, technical and remote. Alpine grade: D to TD.

Challenging: The most difficult climbs with continuous technical challenges. Alpine grade: ED.

While we strive to follow the planned itinerary, adventure travel can involve unexpected changes due to weather, transport issues, political situations, or regulations. Any necessary changes before departure will be communicated to clients, and once the trip begins, the guide will adjust the itinerary in the best and safest interest of the group. If a participant returns early for illness or personal reasons, no refund will be provided for unused services, and any extra costs from deviations will be borne by the participant.

For trekking, expeditions, and even sightseeing tours, all our trips include a minimum of three days in or around Leh to allow participants to acclimatize properly to the altitude before starting the trek or expedition. We also recommend that guests arrive a few days in advance to give themselves additional time to adjust. At high altitudes, illnesses such as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) can occur, so proper acclimatization is essential. Our guides and leaders are well-trained to provide assistance, and if necessary, they can send a guest to lower elevations or to a hospital. On all trips, we carry oxygen cylinders and a basic medical kit for emergencies, and guides and leaders have the authority to ensure that anyone who is unwell is safely sent back immediately with support staff.

Our meals are wholesome, nutritious, and hygienically prepared by our cook team. We offer a mix of local dishes and various other cuisines, with meals mainly being vegetarian; fresh chicken or mutton is served at the beginning and end of the trek. We can accommodate special dietary needs such as gluten-free or lactose-free meals, and we request that you inform us in advance of any requirements or allergies. All drinking water is thoroughly boiled and stored in water cans so you can refill clean water whenever needed. It is best to carry two bottles for convenience. On some days of the trip, you may also join our cooks, try your hand at cooking, and learn how to prepare local dishes.

During your trekking or expedition, you will be supported by a dedicated team that includes a trip leader or guide, a cook, kitchen helpers, and skilled mountain guides. Depending on the region, your luggage will be carried by pack animals or porters, and all climbing trips are accompanied by experienced climbing guides. Many of our leaders and guides come from Ladakh or the Himalayan region and are passionate about protecting this beautiful and delicate environment. They are knowledgeable, caring, patient, and highly skilled, always striving to make your journey enjoyable and memorable. Our cooks consistently impress travelers with delicious meals prepared even in the most remote locations, and our entire crew is known for being reliable, friendly, and welcoming. Their exceptional teamwork ensures that your holiday is not only safe and comfortable but also a truly rewarding experience.

India and the surrounding region offer many types of accommodation, from simple guest houses to traditional hotels and luxury resorts, and at Ladakh Traverse we always try to book comfortable and reliable options that suit your budget. In Ladakh, the main tourist areas have hotels and resorts, but remote trekking regions do not, and only homestays are available there. We ensure these homestays are clean and hygienic, though they provide only basic facilities such as simple rooms, local compost toilets, and no showers. Because of their remote location, accommodation standards may not match Western expectations, so you should be prepared for simpler conditions. However, during outdoor camping, we do not compromise on quality and always provide the best camping equipment available.

India’s 5 ½ hours ahead of GMT and there is only one time zone throughout the country

India is 4 to 5 hours ahead of Europe, depending on the country and whether they are in winter or summer time.