Let’s talk about whether you can travel with a senior person in your group who is above 60 years of age, or if you yourself are over 60. If they are about 60 years of age, can you travel to Zanskar, Spiti, Ladakh, Pangi, or any high-altitude remote Himalayan place? If not, first of all, understand that this is not just a medical issue.

Also Read:Leh Ladakh in winter

When travelling with an old person, increase the altitude gradually. If you are going to Ladakh, take the Srinagar Highway. If you are going to Spiti Valley, take the route between Shimla and Kinnaur. Avoid the Manali-Kaza route and the Manali-Leh Highway. If you are going to Zanskar Valley, go from Srinagar to Zanskar Valley so that the altitude increases gradually. To reduce the risk further, you can stop at Srinagar, then at Kargil, and then reach Leh. You can also add one more night at Alchi or Ule Topko before reaching Leh. At high-altitude places like Khardungla, Changla, Pangong Tso, or Moriri Lake, avoid stopping overnight. Instead, stay at Tangtse or Chumathang. Similarly, avoid an overnight stay at Chandratal Lake; start from Kaza in the morning, visit Chandratal Lake, and return to spend the night elsewhere. In this way, you can minimise altitude exposure when travelling with old age individuals or children, as mentioned in my last blog.

When travelling with older individuals or if you are of old age, make the trip comfortable. Avoid planning long drives of 8, 10, or 12 hours daily, which can be very hectic. As the altitude increases, so does the risk of AMS. Plan for a relaxed altitude and remember the beauty of Ladakh. Comfort is very important if you are travelling with old age people or if you yourself are older.

If you are planning this trip, should you travel or not? I cannot answer this question. Your doctor will do whatever they can. Especially if you have asthma.

Also Read:Spiti Valley

Asthma can occur in old age as well as at a young age. If you have asthma, can you travel to Ladakh? Asthma is not inherently related to high altitude; it is a condition affecting breathing.

Although asthma itself is not related to high altitude, breathing difficulties can occur at high altitude because the lungs have to work harder. People often worry about whether they can travel if they have asthma. The best and safest answer will come from your doctor, so follow their advice. Generally, you can confirm with your doctor whether your asthma is triggered by dust mites or pollution, which may be less prevalent at high altitudes. If your doctor approves, you can bring your medications and travel to high-altitude places. Otherwise, if your doctor advises against it, do not travel.

Similarly, if you have high blood pressure or hypertension, it can be a bit tricky. Again, consult a doctor. Through this blog, I am sharing information and experiences from the past 13-14 years and the people I have met. This is not medical advice.

In general, if you are taking medication to control your blood pressure and it remains under control at lower altitudes, people with hypertension have travelled to Ladakh, Spiti, and Pangi Valley without issues. However, keep in mind that blood pressure can increase at high altitudes as your body adapts. Your doctor will tell you if you can travel. Do not adjust your medication dose based on your altitude without consulting your doctor. If you have hypertension, consult a doctor before travelling to high altitudes.

Finally, let’s talk about travelling with your pet or dog to high-altitude places. With the boom in tourism in India, including places like Ladakh and Spiti, you can definitely travel with your pet. There are hotels in these areas that are pet-friendly and offer special food for pets.