Taxi Rental in Ladakh – Things You Must Know

With start of the travel season in Leh Ladakh, thousands of people have their bags packed; and are just waiting for the roads to open before they can be on their way. A lot of people are planning to drive their own vehicle while others are looking forward to rent a taxi for the trip. Some people rent a taxi from either Manali or Srinagar; some bring one from their own home town while others look for one in Leh city itself. If you too are planing a trip to Ladakh this year by a private taxi; then mentioned below are a few things that you must know about Taxi Rental in Ladakh.

To summarize it in one line, non local taxis are banned for sightseeing in Ladakh. You can only use these to reach the city of Leh but cannot bring them to any other part of Ladakh.

I really do not want to get into the argument of whether or not it is justified because everyone has their own opinion on this matter. I will however summarize the rules here just for everyone’s information.

• Non-Local taxis are still banned in Ladakh since 2015-16.
• What this necessarily means is that any taxi registered outside of Ladakh can be used to reach only Leh city.
• You cannot use these taxis for sightseeing at places like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Chumathang, Chushul route etc.
• This also includes taxis registered in Srinagar, Manali and Kargil.
• Self-drive taxis like Zoomcar too fall under this rule.
• You can use the non-local taxi to reach Leh but then will have to leave these parked in Leh city while you go visiting other areas.
• This is a self-created and imposed rule by the locals; not the actual law.
• No one raises a voice against it because the authorities too are a part of it. Several of the high ranking officers in administrations departments have their own cabs running.
• Do not please take this lightly. In 2014-2015, several of Zoomcars in Ladakh were attacked and vandalized. Even some passengers got hurt during the attack.
• Locals will have barriers put up at several places on tourists routes and will stop any Yellow number plate vehicle that is not local.
• This rule applies for motorcycles as well. You cannot use a motorcycle that you rented outside Ladakh for sightseeing here. You can arrive in Leh on it but then will have to rent a local bike for visiting other places.
• Even while driving in a White number plate vehicle (both taxis and motorcycles); please ensure that it is registered in either your own name, or your sibling’s, or your either of your parents.
• Do not borrow a bike from a friend and bring it to Ladakh. It may become a problem.

Why the locals have this self-imposed rule? Well everyone has their own opinion on the matter. But below is the justification that Ladakhi people give. I will copy paste their own words from their taxi union websites.

Also read: Why you Should rent a Local Taxi in Ladakh

New Reforms

A must know for visitors

Subject : Protection of Employment and Business Opportunities of the local Tribal population of Ladakh.

1. Ladakh is a remote, mountain –locked region of J&K State and remains cut-off from the rest of the country for over seven months. Due to its geographical limitations and severe climatic conditions the local economy remains at subsistence level; with very limited scope for employment generation for the growing number of educated youth.

2. However, with the opening of the region for tourism; a window of opportunities was provided for generation of employment and avenues of entrepreneurship; and the local people have invested their hard earned saving and resources; for putting up accommodation facilities and tourist transport services. A large number of educated un-employed are now engaged in providing various tourist facilities including tourist transport service.

3. But in recent years there has been relentless pressure; by big business and vested interests from outside Ladakh to usurp even this vital resource-base from the local people; and they are getting involved in aggressive exploitation with all kinds of means, fair or unfair. This development is strongly impacting the investment opportunities; and employment resources of the region; thus putting the interests of the local scheduled tribe population at risk.

4. In particular there has been greater inroads in the tourist transport sector; by several private operators from outside Ladakh by providing self-driven vehicles to tourist right from home cities; commercial taxis in the garb of privately owned vehicles; and other similarly unauthorized transport services which operate all over the region; without any benefit to the local people in any way; thus robbing away the business and employment opportunities; which rightfully belongs to the Tribal population of Ladakh.

5. Preservation of the cultural heritage and environment of Ladakh is another concern which is adversely affected by the influx of large number of vehicles from outside the region and conducting tours without any regard for the fragile environment. Driving of these vehicle in the wild life habitats of Tso Moriri Lake / Pangong Lake or in the Nubra valley, in the vicinity of the monasteries etc. showing rowdy behavior, disturbing the tranquil atmosphere of the destination, driving the vehicles into the lakes and disturbing the bird habitats, leaving piles of garbage and broken beer bottles along the routes etc, is causing great anxiety among the local tribal people for whom these natural resources are basic for their economic survival.

In view of the developing situation as outlined above, a meeting was convened on 23rd July 2015 at Leh under the chairmanship of the Chairman/Chief Executive Councilor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, along with all the religious, political leaders, different stakeholders of Tourist trade societies and transporters of Leh district.

That employment and investment opportunities provide the tourism industry; to the local people of Ladakh shall be protected from exploitation by outsiders in any form.

That the efforts made by the local tourist traders and service providers; in preservation of cultural heritage and environment of the tourist destination will be improved and re-doubled.

That any influx of tourist service providers, especially tourist transport services form outside Ladakh ( Self –Drive vehicles, Commercial passenger vehicles such as taxis/mini buses, motorbikes hired from outside outlets) for exploitation of the tourist business by depriving the locals from this resource base shall be discouraged and stopped.

That vehicles hired form outside Ladakh region shall be free to operate on the two highways; viz Manali –Leh and Srinagar –Leh for bringing in or taking out the passengers. However, these vehicles will not be free to operate within Ladakh (including Leh Municipality area) for sightseeing; or Journeys within the region for the protection of the employment opportunities; and livelihood resources of the local operators. The same restriction is being faced and honored by the taxi operators of Ladakh; when they take passengers from Leh to Manali or Srinagar.

Source: Ladakh Taxi Union

Taxi Rental in Ladakh – Conclusion

Is it justified? Well I do not really want to get in to that argument. Everyone has their own thoughts on the matter. The locals of Ladakh will definitely call it a “fair” while I have heard others calling it “Plain Gundagardi”. Whatever your thought is, fact still remains that it is a rule that is applicable in Ladakh so I would request you to please follow it and be careful. Stay out of trouble and have a safe trip.

I though the information above was of help. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below; or at our Community Forum; and I will be glad to answer.