LADAKH.....Supplementary Info-Leh

Travel Agencies & Tour operators

A number of tour operators and travel agents offer their services to the tourists. These include local operators as well as representatives of national - level travel agencies. Visitors are advised to look for the operator with the best service record because their inclusion in the list does not confer any official recognition upon them or any recommendation. For a detailed list of these firms go to Travel Agencies

Acclimatization and altitude sickness

Ladakh is a high altitude cold desert with a low level of atmospheric oxygen. It is, therefore, absolutely necessary that visitors reaching Leh from the plains of India by air, give themselves sufficient time for acclimatization before engaging in any physical activity. The rarefied atmosphere may cause high altitude ailments like Acute Mountain Sickness, necessitating instant evacuation of visitors who are unable to get acclimatized.

Anyone travelling to altitudes above 10,000 ft (2,700 m) is liable to suffer from acute mountain sickness (AMS) unless properly acclimatized. The most common symptoms of acute mountain sickness are headache, disturbed sleep and loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, irregular breathing, breathlessness, lassitude and lack of concentration. If you are reaching Leh by air, it is important to take complete rest for the first 24 hours after arrival. Any kind of physical exertion is to be avoided. Smoking and drinking should also be avoided till you are fully acclimatized. The symptoms of acute mountain sickness generally develop during the first 36 hours, and not immediately upon arrival. Your body should get used to the lower oxygen level of Ladakh after 2 or 3 days if you have taken complete rest for the first 24 hours and as much rest as possible during the next 12 hours.

High Altitude Pulmonary Oedema (HAPO) and High Altitude Cerebral Oedema (HACO) are very serious forms of acute mountain sickness. These are life-threatening ailments and warrant immediate medical attention.

As a preventive measure, Tab Dismox 250 mg should be taken at the rate of 1 tablet twice a day for 3 days, atleast 2 days before coming to Ladakh or any high altitude area.

Healthcare & Medical Assistance

The main centre for health care in Leh is the SNM Hospital, which is well equipped and staffed by specialists to handle all problems. Elsewhere in the region, there are sub-district hospitals at block headquarters and medical dispensaries in major villages, which are staffed by qualified doctors. In addition, services of the following private clinics and associated facilities are also available in Leh:-

Clinics, Opticians & Chemists

Kunfan Osting Clinic, Tele 53699; Consultant: Dr. Tsering Norboo, Physician;
Soway Clinic: Consultant: Dr. Tsering Norboo, Surgeon Specialist
Siachen Chemist: Consultant: Dr. Nurboo Tsering: Tele No. Res.: 53229/ 52758, 52329
Ladakh Medicate Chemists and Druggists: Consultant: Dr. Nurboo Tsering.
Indus Clinic, Choglamsar: S. Dawa Lonpo / Dr. Stanzin Punchok
Nurboo Optical, Chemdey Labrang, Near I.T.B.F Headquarters.
Alamdar X- Ray, Balkhang: Consultant: Dr. P.T Angchok.
Dr. Shoukat Ali, Gompa Complex. 1000 hrs to 1600 hrs.Ph 44088
Noble Medical Hall Lingshet Labrang 53865 9AM -10AM and 4PM - 6PM.

Meditation Facilities

The Mahabodhi International Meditation (MIM) Centre situated near Choglamsar, Leh, offers regular courses in various forms of meditation under the supervision of trained teachers. The MIM Centre’s facilities are quite good and the charges are nominal, sufficient to cover the cost of food. The Centre also runs a branch within Leh town at Changspa. Meditation facilities are also available in Hotel Agling Resort on commercial basis in a package covering accommodation and courses.

Foreign Exchange

The State Bank of India and the J&K Bank have branches at various places in Ladakh, with main branches in Leh and Kargil, where foreign exchange facilities are also available. The State Bank of India also operates an extension counter at the Tourist Information Centre located in the Dak Bungalow Complex, Leh. Some hotels in Leh are also licensed to deal in foreign exchange, though these mainly service in-house clients. There is no foreign exchange facility outside these two towns.

Communication

Leh and Kargil towns have worldwide direct dial telephone facility and there are a number of public call offices operating in Leh town for the convenience of the tourists. There is also a General Post Office and a Telegraph Office in Leh.

The State Tourism Department has its own wireless radiophone network linking its offices at Leh, Kargil and Padum, with those at Srinagar, Jammu and Delhi. This facility is mainly used to monitor the movement and welfare of tourists in the State. It is especially useful in ensuring timely rescue arrangements for tourists falling ill or injured in accidents.