The 72-Hour Rule: How to Acclimatise in Ladakh Without Losing Days
Altitude rewards patience and punishes bravado. A simple protocol for your first three days at 3,500m.
Day one: less than you think
Land, hydrate, walk slowly to a café, sleep early. No stairs-two-at-a-time, no monastery marathons. Your body is making more red blood cells; your only job is not to interrupt it.
Day two and three
Short walks with gentle gradient — Shanti Stupa at sunrise is the classic test. If your heart rate settles quickly and sleep improves, you're adapting. Headache that worsens, nausea or confusion means descend and seek help — no summit is worth it.
Then Ladakh opens up
From day four, the valleys, passes and rides are yours. Every journey we plan for Ladakh builds these buffer days in by default — it's the difference between surviving the altitude and enjoying it.
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