Trekking tips and ladakh Map

Trekking Tips

For trekking in Ladakh to be a rewarding experience, it is not enough to be physically fit. Trekkers must also be prepared to face the rigours of back country travel. Ladakh experiences considerable fluctuations in the day and night temperatures, even during the height of summer. While the days are pretty warm, even hot, due to the desert effect of the landscape, the evenings can become quite chilly, requiring additional clothing. It is, therefore, advisable to keep a pullover and/ or an anorak or jacket handy. A sturdy pair of walking shoes with strong rubber or synthetic soles for grip, thick cotton socks (woolen for late autumn treks or glacier walks) and a good sleeping bag along with an insulated ground pad are essential gear for going on a trek. In case of trekking across mountain passes or trans-mountain traverses, a waterproof tent will have to be carried along, besides provisions and cooking equipment, all back- packed in a good quality rucksack. Such treks should, however, be undertaken in groups and accompanied with a good trekking guide. Additional requirements could include a woollen balaclava, woolen undergarments, wind parkas etc. Toiletries and first-aid kits should include lip salve, moisturisers and sun cream, water purifying tablets, medicines for high altitude sickness, etc. A good quality water canteen is a must to carry drinking water so essential during high altitude trekking in arid conditions. And lastly, do not forget to carry a flash light with sufficient spare batteries, a sun-hat and a pair of good quality sunglasses with sufficient filter-factor to check the sun's brightness and ultraviolet rays.

These are fairly simple things to do or keep in mind that can really help to make your time in India more enjoyable and make you a more culturally sensitive traveler.

Packing hints

1) Packing hints: Culturally appropriate clothing. What does this mean?

Clothing

When you are packing for this program it is really important that you bring clothes that will be both comfortable and suitable to the locations we are going to.
For females this means loose fitting shirts that have sleeves at least the length of a usual t-shirt. Shirts that have spaghetti straps, are sleeveless, tight-fitting, or mid-riff baring are not appropriate and can lead to troubles that can almost certainly be avoided by more conservative dress. If you wear pants that have a low-waist line you need to have shirts long enough to cover your mid-riff. If you wear a skirt, it should be at least to your knees.

For Males it is best to have pants and shirts with short sleeves as well. Local men in India almost never wear shorts and if you wear them it will set you apart in a way that is not helpful.

For all : It is important that your clothes be clean (no holes, stains, etc.).

In Ladakh you will want some warm clothes, and you’ll probably want a pair of nylon, lined sweats for trekking or doing yoga too. (You can buy warm, used clothes inexpensively in Ladakh and you might want to just plan on bringing an extra $20-$25 US to buy a winter jacket and extra layers as warm clothes are bulky to carry around).

Jeans are not always the best traveling pants for India, but some of the fall brought them and found having a pair to be useful, so you might want to consider this. A variety of cotton pants can be bought easily and inexpensively in India. Jeans are available too, but it might be hard to find styles you like, so if you have a favorite pair of jeans or parachute pants, bring ‘em along.

Remember that having a light weight long sleeved shirt or two to wear in the warmer regions during the dusk to dawn phase when malarial mosquitoes may be around is important.

If you don’t have clothes that meet these criteria…. go buy some or bring money to get some as soon as we arrive. Your clothes are a huge part of the first impression you will make on people and in some cases will determine how you will be treated. The culturally sensitive clothing issue is especially important, please don’t arrive in India with a backpack full of tight-fitting t-shirts or short skirts as this really makes a bad impression and is also very likely to lead to harassment.

Basic Ladakhi Phrases

Introducing oneself:

• Hello, goodbye, thank you : Julley (Djulay)
• How are you ? : Khamzang le ? (kamzanque lay)
• I am well : Khamzang in le (kamzanque ine lay)
• What is your name ? : Nyerangi ming chi in le ? (niayrangui mingue tchi ine lay)
• My name is : Nge ming le (nguay mingue lay)
• Where do you come from? : Nyerang kane in le ?
• I come from Belgium : Nga Belgium ne in le
• I understand : Hago le !
• I do not understand : Hamago le

On the road:

• Where are you going ? : Karu skyodat le ? (karou skiodate lay ?)
• I am going to Leh : Nga Leh a chaat le (nga lay a tchaat lay)
• I am hot : Tsante rak (tsantay rak)
• I am cold : Tangmo mi rak
• I am tired : Ngalte rak (ngaltay rak)
• I am ill : Zumo rak (zoumo rak)
• How much is it ? : Tsam in le ?
• Ladakh is beautiful : Ladakh ma demo duk (Ladak ma daymo douk)

In the home:

If you are invited to drink tea, or to eat in the home of a Ladhaki, always remove your shoes before going into the main room, and sit cross-legged in the place that your host indicates. It is considered impolite to accept enthusiastically that which is offered. So, always refuse (“man le”) the first offer – then accept the subsequent offer, but insist that you only want a little (“tsapik”).

• Come on : Skyot le ! (squiote lay)
• Sit down : Zhuks le ! (joukse lay)
• Drink, eat : Don le ! (done lay)
• A little : Tsapik
• No, thank you : Man, Julley (mane Djoulay)
• I am full / I have eaten enough : Dankste rak le ! (dankstay rak lay)
• It is delicious : Zhimpo rak ! (jimepo rak)
• May I have : Thobina le ?
• Tea with butter : Gurgur cha (goure goure tcha)
• Water : Chu (tchou)
• Boiled water : Chu skol (tchou skole)
• Bread : Tagi (tagui)
• Rice : Das (dasse)

Family ties :

Rather than using given names or ( Mister ) and ( Missus ), Ladakhis use ( family ties ) to address each other. In this way, one establishes one's position in relation to the person with whom one is speaking.

• Be careful to avoid mistakes – don't forget the respectful suffix “le” (“lay”).
• When speaking to a little girl ( little sister ) : Nomo (le)
• When speaking to a little boy ( little brother ) : Nono (le)
• When speaking to a girl or woman of one's own age ( big sister ) : Ache le (atchaylay)
• When speaking to a boy or man of one's own age ( big brother ) : Acho le (atcholay)
• When speaking to an older woman (aunt) or ( grandmother ) : Ane le (anaylay or abilay)
• When speaking to an older man (uncle) or ( grandfather ) : Ajang (le), or, mémé lé (ajanglay or maymaylay)
• When speaking to a monk, use ( Gelong ) (gaylong)