FAQs

Q: Where is Orion Home?

A: We are situated in Lower Skara (about 2 km from the airport).

Q: How often can we change bed sheets?

A: Sheets are changed between guests.

Q: How can we do we get to Leh, Ladakh?

A1: All major airlines such as Indigo Air, Spice Jet, Vistra, and Air Indian offer direct roundtrip flights between Delhi/Leh.

A2: Roads are open from May thru October. Busses depart from either Manali or Srinagar. Travel by bus is about 474-434 kilometers and typically takes (2) two days.

Q: What are the oxygen levels like in Ladakh? Should I worry about altitude sickness?

A: Ladakh village is located at 11500 ft above sea level. It is likely that anybody traveling 10,000 feet above sea level will have difficulty in breathing or is likely to fall prey to altitude sickness. This is one of the frequently asked questions, and we recommend that travelers take low levels of atmospheric oxygen into account with any current health conditions.

Q: What are the symptoms of high-altitude sickness? How long does it take to acclimate?

A: Common symptoms of high-altitude sickness include giddiness, loss of appetite, lack of sleep, and difficulty in breathing. The best way to acclimate to the high altitude in Ladakh is by taking a rest for at least 48 hours upon arrival or when symptoms occur.

Your safety is a top priority and our expert staff are trained in proper care for altitude sickness. The Orion Home is equipped with emergency oxygen tanks for severe reactions, and our staff will arrange for care and hospitalization for extreme cases.

Q: Is Ladakh safe for female solo travelers?

A: On an average, Ladakh hosts many female tourists traveling solo. Our local tour guides and drivers are very trustworthy, and our guesthouse team will reach out to you immediately in cases of emergency or security risks.

Q: What should I bring on a trek, bike, or road trip?

A: When heading out on a trek, bike, or road trip, you should be very careful about the things you carry. We recommend you bring all necessary safety equipment, proper footwear, comfortable clothing, along with prescription/over the counter medications. Our main recommendations include:

• Diamox (Acute Mountain Sickness/AMS)
• Avomine (motion sickness)
• Ibuprofen, Paracetamol & Crocin (pain killer)
• Alker-Seltzer & Pepto-Bismol (acid indigestion & upset stomach)
• Allegra, Benadryl, or Cetirizine (allergies)
• Lip balm, sunscreen 50+ SPF, and large hat (sunburns)
• Running or hiking shoes (injuries)
• Extra water/water bottle (dehydration)

Always travel light, but at the same be well equipped with first aid items, reliable gear, and comfortable clothing. Remember that as you travel, you will need to continuously pack and unpack each day. Clothing needs to be layered and should be of good SPF quality (if appropriate), breathable, quick-drying, and a lightweight cotton/polyester blend, or similar material.

Temperatures can change quickly in high-altitude climates and can rapidly drop to below zero at night. We recommended that you pack a good set of winter clothing, even when travelling in the summer season. Most trekking, biking, and road trips will ascend to heights well above 12,000 ft. and will go from one climate to another without little notice.

Q: What kind of accommodations do you provide?

A: The Orion Home guesthouse has modern facilities and guest services comparable to those expected at larger hotels. Our traditional craftsman-designed home features oversized rooms equipped with modern amenities. Rooms are fully furnished.

Q: Why take a bike or road trip in Ladakh?

A: It is our experience that a bike or car is the best way to experience all the historic and scenic surroundings tucked among the Himalayan mountains in the Ladakh region.

Q: How many days do you recommend to fully explore Ladakh?

A: We recommend first that you take (2) two days to acclimate. Once comfort with low oxygen levels are met, we suggest you plan for a minimum of 10-15 days to explore the region. Many villages and monasteries of historical/cultural interest are scattered far away and take about (2-4) two to four days of travel time. Mountain trekking and biking will require additional travel days as well.

Q: What kind of clothes should we pack?

A: During the daytime T-shirts are acceptable, but after evening temperatures drop the climate gets chilly and requires a warm jacket or pullover sweater. If you are trekking at 4,000meters above sea level, you need a warm light-weight woolen clothes. Heavy rain and snow are common June thru July and a good water-proof raincoat or windbreaker is necessary. For trekking adventures, a pair of waterproof shoes is required.

Q: Is there laundry service available?

A: Laundry service is available in Leh only, while you are a current guest at Orion Home.

Q: What type of vehicles are used for scenic tours in this region?

A: Leh has a good fleet of tourist vehicles which include modern Toyota, Innova, and Mahindra vehicles. You will not find auto rickshaws here.

Q: Can I access ATM’s in Leh?

A: Yes. Leh has many ATM’s operated by Axis Bank, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, Punjab National Bank, Jammu and Kashmir Bank, and State Bank of India.

Q: Is there money exchange service at Orion Home guesthouse?

A: Yes. We offer a competitive exchange rate consistent with local banks.

Q: What cell phone network services are there in the Ladakh region?

A: Only post-paid SIM work in the area. We recommend using providers like BSNL, AIRTEL and Jio.

Q: Do credit cards work in hotels and restaurants?

A: Yes. Credit cards are accepted but there is an additional 2% service tax charged.

Q: What is the Local Cuisine of Ladakh like?

A: The staple foods of the Ladakhi people include:

• Chang (fermented drink made from watered down miller’s yeast),
• Khambir (pan bread made from whole wheat flour) – typically served with salted Butter Tea,
• Momos (steamed wheat flour dumplings stuffed with meat or vegetables),
• Paba (bread made from roasted barley, wheat, and buckwheat flour mixed with black beans and peas) – typically served with Tangtur (buttermilk) and Zathuk (wild vegetables),
• Sku (light soup made with flat wheat dumplings and wild vegetables),
• Thenthuk (large flat noodle soup made from whole wheat flour, known as atta, and cooked with mutton or yak meat and wild vegetables),
• Thukpa (thick noodle soup made from atta, and cooked with meat and wild vegetables), and
• Tsampa (barley flour).

Ladakhi dishes are made from whole foods grown on-site in traditional gardens or sourced from local vendors. We encourage all visitors to Ladakhi to enjoy these local mildly spicy and nourishing dishes.

Q: What is it like visiting Ladakh during winter months?

A: The temperatures are much colder in the winter, yet this is a great season to visit Ladakh. In this off season, the streets are less crowded, but there are many local festivals, making this the best time to visit. Ladakh in winter is quiet, but a great time to enjoy the surreal landscapes and local culture.

Q: Do you have on-site parking?

A: Yes, we have one parking space available.

Q: Is breakfast provided for guests?

A: Yes. Orion Home is well stocked with a continental breakfast buffet, which is available each day inside the dining area.

Q: Do you accommodate special diets?

A: Our buffet-style breakfast does not accommodate for special requests, however items on the buffet are labelled and appropriate for most dietary needs.

Q: Do you have private bathrooms?

A: Yes, each guestroom suite includes an attached private bathroom.

Q: Can non-guests visit current guests of Orion Home?

A: Yes, daytime visits are allowed, but overnight stays of non-guests are not permitted.

Q: When can I check-in?

A: Check-in hours are from (11:00 AM to 6:00 PM). Please call prior to your visit to arrange for arrivals outside these hours.

Q: When is check-out?

A: Check-out is strictly at 11:00 AM.

Q: Is smoking permitted inside the guestroom suites?

A: No. Smoking is not permitted indoors on the property; however, it is permitted on the terraces and other outside areas where ashtrays are present.