Food in the high Himalaya is simple, warm and filling. Here is what you will find on the road, which meals our trips include, and how to eat well at altitude.
Local dishes to try
- Thukpa: a noodle soup with vegetables or meat, perfect on cold evenings
- Momos: steamed dumplings, everywhere from Leh to Kaza
- Thenthuk: a hand-pulled noodle soup
- Butter tea: salty tea churned with butter, served in homes and monasteries
- Tsampa: roasted barley flour, a traditional staple
- Apricots and apple products in Ladakh and Kinnaur
Which meals our trips include
| Trip | Included | Not included |
|---|---|---|
| Leh Ladakh bike trip | Breakfast and dinner as per the itinerary | Lunch |
| Ladakh Moon Land tour | Breakfast and dinner on all days (no breakfast on day 1) | Lunch |
| Summer Spiti tour | Day 2 dinner, days 3 to 7 breakfast and dinner, day 8 breakfast | Lunch |
| Spiti bike trip | Breakfast and dinner at the stays | Lunch; non-vegetarian meals cost extra |
| Winter Spiti expedition | Breakfast and dinner at all hotels | Lunch on travel days |
Vegetarian, vegan and special diets
Vegetarian food is the default in most places. Vegan and gluten-free meals are harder in remote villages, so tell us when you book and carry some snacks you trust. On the Spiti bike trip, non-vegetarian meals are charged extra.
Eating well at altitude
- Drink plenty of water and warm fluids; you lose more water in dry, thin air
- Eat light, regular meals rather than one big one
- Avoid alcohol for the first days and before riding
- Carry energy snacks such as nuts, dried fruit and chocolate for long stretches
Questions
Is vegetarian food available in Ladakh and Spiti?
Yes. Vegetarian food is easy to find in hotels, homestays and dhabas.
Are meals included on your trips?
Breakfast and dinner are included as per each trip's itinerary. Lunch is usually paid separately.
What is the local food of Spiti?
Thukpa, momos, thenthuk, butter tea and barley-based dishes, alongside North Indian staples.
Is the food safe to eat?
Freshly cooked hot food is the safest choice. Drink bottled or filtered water and avoid raw salads in remote places.
