Since it snows heavily here in rest of the months, the best time to visit Leh Ladakh is between May and September. The high mountain passes remain closed rest of the year due to heavy snowfall.
Ladakh has clear, stunning views with warm and sunny weather from Mid May until September, as it is summer season here in these months with day temperatures ranging from 20-30 0 C.
Trekkers prefer to visit Ladakh during July and August, as Manali-Leh and Srinagar- Leh routes are open for vehicles. Most of the trekking passes are opened up only at the end of June.
April to July
Tourists or travelers from all parts of the world begin their travels in Ladakh during April. All the lakes of Ladakh including Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri start to melt in April and are liquefied completely by mid- May.The Srinagar-Leh Highway opens up by the second week of May.
The Srinagar-Leh highway is the only option in May as the Manali – Leh Highway opens by June first week or late May. The time from Mid of June to July just before the onset of monsoon season is preferred by most travelers. This is also the perfect time if you wish to enjoy the snow around the road or drive through the snow walls of Rohtang Pass/Rani Nalla.
August to November
This is the best time to travel to Ladakh.The roads of Srinagar-Leh, Manali-Leh are filled with colors of fall/autumn. The rivers, lakes become aqua blue again and an ethereal view of the region is on display. The water crossings also flow with less water in them and are easy to pass by. The weather is pleasant and cool during September.
With the beginning of November, winter returns in all its glory with sub-zero temperatures at almost all places above 14000 feet especially over Manali-Leh highway and high altitude lakes. The holiday season has almost ended by November with no tourists. Although Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh highways remain open unofficially, it is not recommended to travel over them because of landslides, black ice on roads and extreme temperatures.
December to March
December marks the beginning of ferocious winters. Lakes and rivers are covered with ice sheets as thick as six inches.The cold gradually decreases by March and Ladakh is once again open for tourists from April.
Also, check out:
Ladakh:
Additional information about Ladakh
Frequently asked questions about Ladakh
Health and safety precautions for Ladakh
Monuments and Museums in Ladakh
Leh:
Connection of Leh with nearby places
Nubra Valley:
Mountain Ranges in Nubra Valley
Pangong:
Pangong – Flora and Fauna and Geography
Tso Moriri:
Zanskar:
Others:
Maps:
