A road trip to Leh-Ladakh is something that one must do, atleast once. It is not only challenging for the driver, but the views are also breathtaking. Here are 10 dangers that one must keep in mind before heading out there:
Landslides
Landslides are very common in the hills, especially the Leh-Ladakh region. Not only will this cause you delay, it may also mean that supplies won’t reach you. This is something you will have to take into account before heading out. You should keep a few spare days in the itinerary, keeping this in mind.
AMS
AMS stands for Acute Mountain Sickness, something that you could feel if you ascend too quickly. Make sure you take your time to get accustomed to the temperature and the atmosphere. Spend a few days at one place (Leh) before heading to higher altitudes. Since the air is thinner at higher altitudes, you need to be extra cautious. AMS symptoms include nausea, fatigue, weakness, dizziness, etc. If you feel any of these, do take a break instead of moving on. If it becomes serious, show it to a doctor.
Unpredictable weather
While you do need to pack a lot of warm clothes, weather conditions are unpredictable. There could be heavy rains and snow fall, all of a sudden, which could cause roads to be blocked. Do keep that in mind while planning your trip.
Fuel shortage
Changing weather conditions are something that can cause havoc and disrupt daily life. One landslide is all it takes to stop supplies from reaching their destination, which means you could end up without any supplies for a few days. Keep that in mind and make sure you keep some supplies (including fuel) in hand, in case of an emergency.
Drivers on a death wish
Driving on mountain roads is itself challenging. This one takes that to an all-new level. With poor road conditions and roads which are very twisty and have no such guardrails, it is necessary to drive slowly and patiently. Driving rashly on the mountains could be disastrous not only for you, but for the other people in the vehicle too.
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