Ladakh, unlike many other Indian places, is not a year-round destination. Ladakh is a stunning mountainous region in the Himalayan Mountains, located on the banks of the Indus River. This location offers breath-taking landscape as well as numerous adventure routes for motorbike enthusiasts. In a nutshell, the best time to visit Leh Ladakh is during the summer, from late March to mid-August. The months of June and August are the busiest for tourists.
Due to significant snow at Rohtanag Pass / Bara La Cha and Tanglan La Pass, the Manali to Leh route opens from the middle of May to the end of May, depending on weather conditions. By the end of April, the Srinagar-Leh route will be fully operational, subject to weather conditions. From the fourth week of May, you may schedule your program. The route will be open until the end of September or early October; please check the weather forecast before travelling. The nights between April and October will be plenty cool. However, the days will be warm and bright, making it easy to go throughout the area. Flights are available all year, though flight schedules may change during the winter months of October to March.
The Best Time to Visit Leh Ladakh according to season
Leh Ladakh during summer: While you contemplate and think about it, you might be interested in reading this piece of information that is quite informative about the most popular periods to visit Leh Ladakh.
Temperature range, from 20 to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
Weather: The sun shines brightly and the weather remains pleasant and comfortable.
Why to visit during summer?
Summer, out of all the seasons, is one of the greatest for witnessing and enjoying the stimulating surroundings of the region to the fullest. The snow appears to have softened this season, creating a wonderful flurry of scenery. Late April is a great time to see how things have changed. At this time, the Pangong TSO lake and the TSO-Moriri lake begin to melt quickly, revealing the area’s stunning colour and sight. At this time, Leh is blessed with wonderful weather and a clear sky. Stongdey Monastery, Likir Monastery, Shey Monastery, and Thiksey Monastery are all worth visiting at this time.
Importance: During this period, you can also enjoy the best festivals such as YuruKabgyat, Hemis Festivals, and SakaDawa, which are only held in June. The Hemis festival, which is held in honour of Tibetan Buddhism’s founder, Guru Padmasambhava, is a must-see. It has incredible masked performances, vibrantly coloured costumes, and one-of-a-kind music that should not be missed.
Know before you go: There is no heavy snowfall between April and mid-May, and the summer season gradually and steadily takes over the land. Travelers planning to visit Ladakh around this period can find homestays, hotels, places to stay, and guesthouses on a variety of websites. If you plan on going around this season, you need book a flight because all of the passes and roads leading to the location are usually closed or closed. Despite the fact that it is summer, the weather is not warm or sunny at this time.
The first seven to ten days of June are not that suitable for travelling to Ladakh because most of the roads are closed at this time. If you want to travel to Ladakh at this time, you should surely take a flight because it is the finest option. The KushokBakulaRimpochee Airport is the principal airport in the area for visiting this area during the summer season. Also, travellers should visit the roadway between Srinagar and Leh in the middle of this period. This is the only highway that is open during this time of year.
If you want to visit Ladakh by road during this season, you should go from Kashmir Valley via Kargil, a distance of roughly 434 kilometres. From the beginning of June until the end of November, this is the path that is open. Finally, the Manali-Leh road route, which covers a distance of 473 kilometres, opens in the middle of June and remains accessible until early October.
Wear sunscreen and shield yourself from direct sunlight because the thin atmosphere here might intensify the sunrays. Even though it is still early in the season, you should bring some warm clothing with you because the nights are still cold.
Ladakh during winter (September-February)
Temperature: Below 0 Degree (the most recorded temperature here is -23 Degrees) (minimum most recorded temperature here is -23 Degrees)
Weather: The temperature lowers steadily from September (5 degrees to -21 degrees) until January (-2 degrees to -14 degrees) during the winter, then gradually increases again. Early in the season (September-October), the temperature is pleasantly chilly, with cold breezes blowing in the nights. The latter few months of winter (November-February) can be unbearably cold, with temperatures plummeting to dangerously low levels, making it impossible to enjoy your stay. During this time of year, temperatures in Kargil can reach -50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why to, visit now?
Winter is the perfect time to enjoy the beauty and thrill of walking through the Chadar Trek, one of the best treks in the world. You will also enjoy trekking along the frozen and magnificent Zanskar River, which is much loved and cherished by tourists. Only the early winter months are suitable for visiting the area. Many fantastic and popular treks in Ladakh, such as the legendary Frozen River Trek or the Zanskar Valley Trek, are best done during this time. The greatest time to go on a Chadar trek is from mid-January to mid-March.
In Ladakh, many notable festivities take place throughout the winter months. SpitukGustor, Stok Monastery Festival, Dosmoche, ThiksayGustor, Matho Monastery Festival, and Ladakhi Losar are among the most well-known. While summer festivals are often overshadowed by tourist throngs and photographers, attending these winter festivals will provide you with a unique insight into the lives and cultures of the people.
Know Before You Go: Due to significant snowfall in the area, Ladakh sees a fairly scarce throng of tourists from November to February. This is also why several trekking routes are closed from time to time. Also, expect frequent power outages throughout this season.
Tips: The intense cold and high altitude can develop AMS, as well as a common cough and cold. As a result, it’s a good idea to be prepared with the essential precautions, such as many layers of warm clothes, medications, and plenty of drinks. If you’re feeling dizzy or have headaches as a result of the high altitude, you can get oxygen at an oxygen bar. Because the cold depletes batteries quickly, bring a 1000mAh power bank and extra backup batteries with you.