The Best Time To Visit Ladakh: A Season-By-Season Guide

April 8, 2025
Travel

Ladakh — the land of high passes, rugged valleys, and stark, surreal beauty — is a destination like no other. But choosing when to go is key to unlocking the kind of Ladakh experience you’re looking for. Whether you’re after snow and trekking adventures, summer days in the hills or epic road trips, here’s what each season brings to this Himalayan region.

Summer (April To June)

Often considered to be the peak season for a trip to Leh, summer brings with it open roads after a season of bone-chilling winters. The weather is pleasant (15°C to 25°C), skies are bright, and the iconic Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh highways become drivable. If you’re planning a road trip to Ladakh this summer, don’t miss the stunning Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri as well as the dry desert of Nubra Valley. Plus April is also the apricot blossom season in the hills and you can visit some beautiful apricot orchards on your trip here.

Nubra Valley Credit iStock — Nubra Valley. Credit: iStock

Monsoon (July-August)

If you’re bookmarking a road trip to the hills, don’t pick this season unless you’re an expert in local terrain. While Ladakh, being in the shadow region, does not experience heavy rainfall, you might find road closures if you’re driving through Himachal Pradesh, which often experiences heavy landslides. If you still want to go to Ladakh, you can always fly down to Leh.

Autumn (September to Mid-October)

In autumn, Leh wears a gorgeous golden-orange hue. While this used to be the lean season, September in Ladakh is now almost as crowded as peak season. You can still go for treks like Sham Valley and Markha.

Snow Leopard in Ladakh Credit iStock — Snow Leopard in Ladakh. Credit: iStock

Shoulder Season (November)

While November is officially the beginning of winter season in Ladakh, many travellers prefer this season since the crowd thins out and there is a chance of snowfall in higher passes like Khardungla.

Winter Season (December-February)

Ladakh in winter is remote, raw, and stunning. With temperatures dipping below -15°C, this is the season of silent beauty and epic challenges like the Chadar Trek. Since this is officially ‘off season’ for the region, winter is also the cheapest time to visit Ladakh. We recommend skipping a few weeks between December and January, when the region receives very heavy snowfall and the roads are mostly closed. Starting January-end/Early February is when you can come back to Ladakh and go look for the elusive snow leopard! However, the only way you can travel to Ladakh in this season is to take a flight to Leh.

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