Mumbai travel influencer Kamiya Jani faces acute mountain sickness in Ladakh

New Delhi: Travel influencer Kamiya Jani experienced Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) during a recent trip to Ladakh, highlighting the challenges of high-altitude travel. Jani shared her experience on Instagram, posting images and reflections on the condition and precautions for travellers.

Ladakh, with altitudes around 11,500 feet, has oxygen levels of roughly 60–65% compared with sea-level cities like Mumbai. While many travellers acclimatise within a day or two, Jani reported that her body struggled to adjust, resulting in AMS shortly after arrival. The condition occurs when the body does not have sufficient time to adapt to reduced oxygen levels at high altitude.

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In her posts, Jani emphasised the importance of acclimatisation, advising that the body generally requires 24–48 hours to adjust. “Your body needs at least 24–48 hours to adapt to the thin air,” she wrote, noting that the process varies for different individuals.

Jani also highlighted the impact of diet on adjustment. Heavy meals can make acclimatisation more difficult, she observed, and recommended light meals and slow eating during the initial days at high altitude.

Rest, she added, is crucial. The excitement of exploring Ladakh’s landscapes, monasteries and lakes can lead travellers to over-exert themselves, but pushing too hard can worsen AMS symptoms.

Despite falling ill, Jani continued to engage with her surroundings, noting the natural beauty of Ladakh, including Pangong Lake, prayer flags and the region’s unique atmosphere. She described the experience as humbling, underscoring the physical demands of high-altitude travel alongside its aesthetic rewards.