Traveling To Ladakh With Kids: Your Complete Guide to Ladakh Trip With Young Ones

Is Ladakh Safe For Families?

Ladakh is often considered as a destination for thrill-seekers, bikers, and hikers. But as this Indian Union territory is equipped with all modern facilities, the notion is changing. Instead of hitting the road, you can take a flight to Leh from Indian cities. The hotels have dedicated medical emergency services, including oxygen cylinders, first-aid kits, on-call doctors, ambulance, air ambulance, and medical evacuation services. So if you or your family get a little uncomfortable, make sure to inform the authority.

Before the trip, go for a health check-up, tell your doctor about the trip, ask him for necessary medicines for the adults and the kids, and see if your kid has Asthma. If they have, it is better to avoid the trip. Once you reach Leh, take ample rest during the acclimatization period and go for short walks in the nearby markets. Just like sea sickness, acute motion sickness in high altitude areas is common. So, even if you experience mild discomfort, consult the local doctor.

How Can You Prevent Acute Motion Sickness

It is a common condition, caused by the body’s inability to adjust with the low oxygen level in higher altitudes. You may feel littly dizziness, headache, breathlessness, nausea, vomiting, and a fast heartbeat and breathing. However, you can prevent it by acclimatizing in Leh for two to three days. It is mandatory for all. Keep yourself hydrated, avoid alcohol and smoking, avoid strenuous physical activity, keep yourself warm, and protect yourself from the sun.

Is There An Age Limit For The Kids Traveling to Ladakh?

Even though there is no age restriction in visiting Ladakh, it is better to be careful. Here are some points to consider while traveling to Ladakh with kids.

• Babies, aged less than 3 shouldn’t be traveling to high altitude areas. If there is no medical condition, we suggest you not to travel with infants and kids less than 18 months. However, it is best to travel with three years old, as they can share in case they experience any discomfort.

• Ladakh’s harsh weather conditions and high altitude areas can be challenging for some age groups.

• When traveling with a young kid, you should gradually increase the altitude. It would be better if you start acclimatization at lower altitude areas than Leh, such as Kargil.

• If the kid was born premature or they have a heart or lung condition, ditch your Ladakh trip.

It is best to take expert guidance while traveling to such high elevated areas with your kid. Our Ladakh family tour package is designed to cater to your diverse needs, so that you don’t have to worry about anything else.

Gradually Increase Elevation

If you are planning to go beyond Leh on your family trip to Ladakh, consider gradually increasing the elevation. It will help acclimate your body. If it is your first trip with your kids on such a high elevated area, don’t exceed the 8000-9000 feet mark. You can slowly increase the distance by 1,000 feet each alternate day. Trekking in Hemis with kids is one of the best things to do in Ladakh with kids. Hemis National Park is one of the world’s highest national parks and can be visited by children.

Avoid Staying Longer in High Altitudes

While traveling with kids, keep your stay at high altitude areas at bare minimum. Don’t spend more than 10 to 15 minutes in highly elevated areas like Khardung La Pass. Don’t plan for camping or night stays at Pangong Tso Tso Moriri Lakes. The cold at night can be highly difficult for the kids and there will be chances of catching hypothermia. Don’t push yourself or your kids to go up.

Monitor Your Child’s Health Condition

Ladakh’s harsh climate and rugged roads can take a toll on the children without you even noticing. So, be very vigilant about your kid’s health. Even if they feel mild discomfort, immediately descend and get medical attention. Not all areas in Ladakh have adequate medical facilities. Hence, while traveling with kids, make sure the nearest medical facility is not less than one or two kilometers away. You can also find some army medical facilities on the road. If needed, you can ask for their assistance as well. We also ensure a complete convenience through our Ladakh family tour package, so that our clients don’t feel stranded. Our guide or driver knows the area well and can connect you with emergency medical needs.

Keep Additional Oxygen Cylinders

The more you ascend, the more you may face breathing issues due to low oxygen level. It is more difficult for the kids. So, make sure your driver or the guide arranges extra oxygen cylinders in case of an emergency. It is an absolute necessity to have oxygen cylinders while ascending to high elevated areas. You can rent oxygen cylinders from Leh or you can carry them from your hometown if you are traveling by road.

Protect Your Kid From Cold and The Sun

Bring a sufficient amount of warm and woolen clothes. Carry inner thermals, woolen sweaters, and wind-proof jackets. Waterproof shoes, socks, and gloves shouldn’t be overlooked. Additionally, in Ladakh, it is not just the cold, even the sun can drain you out of your energy. Wear rounded hats and fully covered clothes to keep your skin from coming to direct contact with Sun. Children’s skin is more sensitive, so protect your kid from UV rays with a large, rounded hat and sunshade or sunglasses.

Tips For Traveling With Kids

• Take your kids for a check-up and consult your pediatrician before the trip. Get all prescribed medicines. Make sure your kid doesn’t catch a cold easily.

• Monitor your kid’s behavior and look for symptoms for any discomfort. If they don’t feel well, consult the doctor and lower your altitudes.

• Keep your kid hydrated with lukewarm water.

• Bring enough warm clothes to keep your kid warm. Bring enough thermal, socks, hand gloves, water-proof shoes, jackets, and woolen cap.

• Follow the acclimatization rules and spend the day taking rest. You may take your kids to the nearby monasteries and buy them something from the market.

• Travel during summer even if it means high peak season. Kids will be more comfortable during summer months in Ladakh.