Best Time To Visit Leh-Ladakh│How To Reach Leh-Ladakh│Things to Explore
Ladakh gains heaps of recognition for being the only cold desert in India apart from bordering the World’s highest seawater Pangong Lake. Riding up the topmost motorable road in the World, Khardung la is a dream come true for many. The Hunder dunes, frozen river trek, and snow leopards are found only in Ladakh.
Trekking on the high mountains is one of the most wanted adventures of individuals visiting Ladakh on routes like Chadar Trek, Stock Kangri Trek, Markha Valley Trek, Nubra Valley Trek, Padum to Darcha route, etc. The scary heights and, therefore, the risky valleys along the way make it one of the most popular trek routes accomplished for adventurers.
Best Time to Visit Leh-Ladakh
The best time to go to Ladakh is throughout the summer season, from April to July. Throughout this time, the temperature is between 15 to 30 degrees Centigrade. Ladakh is famous for its shallow temperatures almost throughout the year. Whereas it’s quite pleasant in summer, the winters are severely cold. Thus, the best time to go to Ladakh is during the summers.
Ladakh Throughout the Summer (March- June)
- Temperature
20-30 Degrees
- Weather
The weather remains warm and comfy, and the sun shines brilliantly.
- Why visit
Out of all the seasons, summer calls to be one of the best seasons when you will witness and luxuriate in the energising encompassing of the place to the fullest. The snow appears to have softened this season, rendering a spectacular buzz of scenery. Late April showcases beautiful changes. The Pangong Tso lake and the Tso Moriri lake begin to melt quickly at this time, significantly revealing the spectacular hue and sight of the place. At this time, Leh out cases lovely atmospheric condition endowing clear sky. So, it would help if you thought about visiting places like Stongdey Monastery, Likir Monastery, Shey Monastery, and Thiksey Monastery.
Ladakh Throughout the Monsoon time (July-August)
- Temperature
10-20 Degrees
- Weather
Monsoons in Ladakh are as harsh and untoward as winters, if less. The air is crisp, blue, and typically clear. Starting in July, monsoons in Ladakh don’t last long, and the very little precipitation that the area receives is usually in the form of significant, short-lived downpours.
- Why you must visit
The weather is refreshing and ideal for outings. It’s additionally an excellent time for journey activities like water rafting which may be indulged in at Indus and Zanskar rivers. May to October is also a beautiful time for trekking, mainly the Kang Yatse trek, Markha Valley trek, and the one from Spituk to Stok.
Ladakh Throughout the Winter (September-February)
- Temperature
Below 0 Degree (most minimum recorded temperature is -23 degrees)
- Weather
During the winters, the temperature drops from September (5 Degrees to -21 Degrees ) to January (-2 Degrees to -14 Degrees ) and increases again. The weather is pleasantly chilly in the first phase (September-October) of the season, with cold winds blowing in the evenings. The latter stage of winter (November-February) is extraordinarily unendurable, with temperatures dipping violently, making it impossible to enjoy. The temperature in Kargil throughout this part of the season will drop up to -50 Degrees!
- Why visit
Winter calls to be the time when you may relish the wonder and journey of trekking through one of the best treks in the World, referred to as the Chadar Trek. Moreover, you’re also sure to relish trekking over the solid and grand Zanskarriver, which is very popular and cherished by travellers. Only the first phase of the winter is good for visiting the place. This time is right for several famous treks in Ladakh, including the celebrated Frozen River Trek or the Zanskar Valley Trek. The time from mid-Jan to March is best suited for the Chadar trek.
How to Reach Leh-Ladakh?
By Road :
There are two road routes to LehLadakh – one through Manali in Himachal Pradesh and the second through Srinagar. The distance between Ladakh and Srinagar is 434 kilometres, and 494 kilometres between Manali.
To reach Leh by road, rent a cab or a jeep or board a JKSRTC bus, both deluxe and routine, which runs from Kargil and between Leh and Srinagar at constant and frequent intervals.
Alternatively, depending on your time, you may have a bike trip to Leh from Srinagar, Manali, Delhi, or Chandigarh. You’ll only be able to travel to Ladakh between May and Sept as the highways are shut throughout the winter. Thanks to heavy snowfalls!
By Bike :
The best time to go to Ladakh by bike is from June to September. These months allow the bikers to enjoy the tour circuits of Ladakh. However, most riders like to kick-start their year with this crazy bike trip as Ladakh offers charming vistas which can be cherished round the year apart from monsoon season.
Depending on many things like the route you’ve taken, your entire schedule, and the weather, a perfect duration for a LehLadakh bike tour would span over fifteen days or more. Also, this time is apt when one opts for Manali to Leh bike trip from urban Delhi.
Best Suitable Time to Visit LehLadakh for Honeymoon Vacation
Since you will be going to LehLadakh on your honeymoon, the most beautiful and enjoyable time to go is during the summer (April to May). The climate isn’t too cold, and you may get to see many native festivals just like the Hemis Festival. If you like cooler weather and can tolerate the cold, winter has its charm too.
Best Time to Visit LehLadakh for Snowfall
Winter in Ladakh (from late October to February, temperature from 5°C to 10°C). The winter season in Ladakh starts in late October and lasts until February, with the temperatures dropping as low as 10°C. Snowfall happens heavily during this period and causes a frequent block of roads.
Local Festivals in LehLadakh
Celebrated with grand fervour each year, the festivals of Ladakh are generally held within the courtyard of Buddhist monasteries. Monks sporting vibrant robes and frightful masks perform cham (sacred mask dances). These charms represent the purification of mind and the win of good over evil. The festivals are a vital part of Ladakh’s cultural life. People, young and old, from all parts of Ladakh attend these festivals. Festivals are historically celebrated to commemorate the birthday of religious figures (Buddha, Padmasambhava, etc.) and other vital dates in the Buddhist calendar.
Things to Explore in LehLadakh
Here are some attractions that you can explore in LehLadakh:
- Pangong Tso Lake – Thanks to Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots which made this lake famous. Its world’s highest saltwater lake. Its also known for changing colours between blue, green and red at different intervals.
- Thiksey Monastery –It’s one of the most beautiful Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. It will provide you some insights on Buddhist culture, scriptures, lifestyle, etc.
- Khardung-la Pass – It acts as a bridge between Indus River Valley and Shyok River Valley. It’s scary and beautiful at the same time.
- Markha Valley – It’s the ideal place for camping in Ladakh. You can trek to some amazing sites like Markha, Skiu etc.
- Nubra Valley – The white sand desert and double humped camels makes it one of the most attractive places in Ladakh.
- Tso Moriri Lake – It is a lake in the Changthang Plateau of Ladakh. It may not be so appealing to the tourists because of its high altitude but surely it is a great place to visit.
- Hemis National Park – Only national park in the Himalayan region inhabiting the snow leopards in India.
- Diskit Monastery – It will be a complete shame if you travel to Ladakh and not visit this holy place which was found in 14th century. The tranquil aura of this place will surely teleport you to another dimension!
These are some of the most famous places to explore if you visit LehLadakh.
Temples in LehLadakh
Here’s a list of a number of the most eye-catching temples to go to in Ladakh that will leave you mesmerised and cause you to fall in love with Ladakh:
- AlchiChosKhor Temple
- Red Maitreya Temple
- VajraBhairav Shrine
- Sun Temple
- Serzang Temple
- Lamokhang Temple
- Tara Temple
- Matho Temple
Top 5 Food Places in LehLadakh
- Bon Appetit Restaurant
- Amigo Korean Restaurant
- Achi Kitchen
- Chopstick Noodle Bar: The Den of Asian Food
- Cloud Cafe
Hotel Availability in LehLadakh
Hotel Availability in LehLadakh in the Summer Season
Summer sees the peak of tourism in Ladakh, and hotel booking remains a problem. Though the accommodations work in full swing, finding a decent one can still become a task due to the rush. It’s suggested that one should get their rooms booked before travelling to Ladakh.
Hotel Availability in LehLadakh in the Monsoon Season
The accommodations in Ladakh throughout the monsoon season will not be a problem. At each attraction, there are a lot of choices accessible to you. The hotels or camps will be in full swing; however, the crowd is relatively thin. It permits the guests to relish choosing through the choices. You need not pre-book your hotel rooms anywhere because it’s implausible that the hotels anywhere are full.
Hotel Availability in LehLadakh in the Winter Season
Most hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants get closed, and even locals move back, vacating the place until next summer. And finding accommodation won’t be troublesome, however extremely limited. It’s suggested to get your rooms booked before visiting here. The cold would have already settled in, and frequent snowfall makes survival and adaptation troublesome.
The temperature continues to dip more with every passing day. One of the essential highlights of your visit is witnessing the dynamic colors of Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri from November to December/mid-January. After this, the Lakes of Ladakh get frozen with solid ice, and none can even walk on them.
FAQs
Q: Which is the best time to visit LehLadakh?
Ans: The best time to visit LehLadakh is between April and September. Tourism is at its peak during this time. Temperature is moderate, between 15 to 30 degrees Celsius.
Q: Is August the best time to visit LehLadakh?
Ans: Yes, you can tell that August is the best month to visit LehLadakh. However, there is not much snowfall in August.
Q: Is September the best time to visit LehLadakh?
Ans: Yes, Ladakh is open in September. You can visit. The weather also remains calm and pleasant, and there is less crowd. You can enjoy adventure sports like camping, rock climbing, mountain biking, etc.
Q: Is July the best time to visit LehLadakh?
Ans: July is the month when the tourist traffic is at its peak. Nature lovers from different corners of the world visit at this time. The weather remains in its best form in July.
Q: Is November the best time to visit LehLadakh?
Ans: November is a total winter month in Ladakh. Temperatures fall below freezing point. The road from Leh to Kargil remains available in November, even if there has been snow on the route. So most of the places in the Sham Valley are often visited throughout this time, creating it one of the most famous places to go to LehLadakh in November.
Q: Which month is best for Ladakh?
Ans: July or August is the best month to visit Ladakh. The weather remains in its perfect conditions at this time. Tourism remains at its peak.
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