January
Winter specialists-14°C to -2°C (Leh)
Deep winter. Frozen landscapes, very few tourists, heated stays only.
Roads: Manali & Srinagar highways closed; fly in
When to go
Best time to visit Ladakh, month by month
Weather, road status, crowd levels and what each month is best for, so you can pick the right window for your kind of trip.
Jan-14° / -2°Winter specialists
Feb-12° / 1°Winter specialists
Mar-6° / 6°Winter specialists
Apr-1° / 12°Shoulder season
May3° / 17°Very good
Jun8° / 22°Ideal
Jul11° / 25°Ideal
Aug10° / 24°Very good
Sep4° / 20°Ideal
Oct-3° / 13°Shoulder season
Nov-9° / 6°Winter specialists
Dec-12° / 1°Winter specialists
Less suitable → ideal for general sightseeing · temperatures are approximate Leh lows / highs (°C)
February
Winter specialists-12°C to 1°C (Leh)
Coldest wildlife season with the best snow leopard odds.
Roads: Highways closed; fly in
March
Winter specialists-6°C to 6°C (Leh)
Thawing begins; still very cold at night.
Roads: Highways mostly closed
April
Shoulder season-1°C to 12°C (Leh)
Apricot blossom in the lower valleys. Some high passes still snowbound.
Roads: Srinagar–Leh often reopens
May
Very good3°C to 17°C (Leh)
Shoulder season: good value, snow on the peaks, and Pangong sometimes still partly frozen.
Roads: Srinagar route open; Manali route opening
Trips: Ladakh Essentials, Hanle Dark Sky & Umling La, Ladakh Family Holiday, Gentle Pace
June
Ideal8°C to 22°C (Leh)
Peak season begins. Book early.
Roads: Both highways usually open
Trips: Ladakh Essentials, Ladakh Grand Circuit, Manali – Leh – Srinagar Road Expedition
July
Ideal11°C to 25°C (Leh)
Warmest month. Ladakh lies in a rain shadow, though occasional storms affect roads.
Roads: Open
Trips: Ladakh Essentials, Ladakh Grand Circuit, Manali – Leh – Srinagar Road Expedition
August
Very good10°C to 24°C (Leh)
Still excellent. Occasional monsoon spill-over can close roads briefly.
Roads: Open; watch for landslides
Trips: Ladakh Essentials, Ladakh Grand Circuit, Manali – Leh – Srinagar Road Expedition
September
Ideal4°C to 20°C (Leh)
Crisp, clear and golden. Many travellers’ favourite month.
Roads: Open
Trips: Ladakh Essentials, Ladakh Grand Circuit, Manali – Leh – Srinagar Road Expedition
October
Shoulder season-3°C to 13°C (Leh)
Golden poplars and cold nights. Many camps close mid-month.
Roads: Manali route closes mid/late month
Trips: Ladakh Essentials, Hanle Dark Sky & Umling La, Ladakh Honeymoon, Luxury
November
Winter specialists-9°C to 6°C (Leh)
Winter sets in. Limited stays open.
Roads: Highways closing; fly in
December
Winter specialists-12°C to 1°C (Leh)
Ladakhi New Year (Losar) celebrations in some years.
Roads: Highways closed
Questions about timing
What is the best month to visit Ladakh?
June and September are often considered ideal: all roads are usually open, days are pleasant, and September has especially clear skies. July and August are also excellent, with occasional rain-related road closures.
Can I visit Ladakh in winter?
Yes, by flying into Leh. Winter (December–March) is for the Chadar trek, snow leopard safaris, festivals and frozen landscapes. Expect −10 °C to −25 °C and limited open hotels.
When do the Manali–Leh and Srinagar–Leh highways open?
The Srinagar–Leh highway usually reopens around April–May and the Manali–Leh highway around May–June, closing again from October–November. Exact dates depend on snowfall each year.
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One message to our Leh team covers flights, arrival, permits, stays, vehicles and every day in between.