Plan your trip · Leh
Best time to visit Leh
Leh sits in the rain shadow of the Himalaya, so the Indian monsoon barely reaches it. The real calendar is set by snow on the passes, which decides when the roads open and close.
❄️ Winter
Oct – Mar
Cold, with snow on the higher ground and some high passes and roads closed — beautiful, but pack and plan for it.
Pack: heavy insulated layers, gloves, a warm hat and waterproof boots.
Shines now: Magnetic Hill
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
RecommendedApr – Jun
The prime window — comfortable days and the higher roads open again, though pre-monsoon haze can hide the far peaks by May and June.
Pack: light layers by day and a warm jacket for cool evenings and altitude.
Shines now: Magnetic Hill
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
RecommendedJul – Sep
Lush and green but wet, with a real risk of landslides and roadblocks on mountain routes.
Pack: a waterproof shell, quick-dry layers and sturdy, grippy footwear.
Shines now: Pangong Tso
Plan a monsoon day →May and June
The season starts in May, when hotels reopen and flights fill up. Days are pleasant, nights are cold, and there is still snow on the high passes. The Srinagar–Leh road over Zoji La usually opens in spring, and the Manali–Leh road usually follows around June, depending on the snow. Early June is a good time for clear views and thinner crowds.
July and August
These are the warmest and busiest months. Everything is open, including the camps at Pangong Tso. Leh itself gets very little rain, but the monsoon hits the Himachal side of the Manali road, where landslides can close the route for hours or days. Rare cloudbursts do strike Ladakh too; the 2010 floods in Leh killed more than 100 people. Watch the weather and road reports before long drives.
September and early October
This is the best trade-off for many travellers. The crowds thin, the sky is clear and the poplars and willows turn yellow by early October. Nights are cold. The Ladakh Festival usually runs in Leh in the second half of September. Camps at Pangong usually close around October, and the Manali road closes with the first heavy snow.
Winter, November to March
Leh is reachable only by air for most of winter. Night temperatures fall far below freezing, pipes freeze, and many hotels, cafés and camps shut. Those who come see monastery festivals without crowds, and in the deepest cold, from around January, Pangong freezes over. Only a few homestays stay open by the lake. Pack serious winter gear and plan for power cuts.
April
A quiet shoulder month. Snow is melting, the roads are still closing and opening, and many businesses are only just reopening. It suits travellers who want quiet and can accept limits.
Whatever month you pick
The 48-hour acclimatisation rule applies all year, and every trip needs warm layers for the evening. See the wear guide and the events page before you book.
Questions
Leh — FAQ
Does Leh get monsoon rain?
Very little. Leh lies in the rain shadow of the Himalaya and gets only a few centimetres of rain a year. Rare cloudbursts do happen, and the monsoon can block the Manali road on the Himachal side.
When does the Manali–Leh road open?
Usually around June, and it usually stays open until the first heavy snows in October. The dates change each year with the snow, so check the latest road reports before you go.
Can I see Pangong frozen?
Yes, in deep winter, roughly January to March. Most camps are closed then, only a few homestays stay open, and temperatures fall far below freezing.
Is October a good month for Leh?
Early October is quiet and clear, with autumn colours. It is cold at night, and camps and some roads start closing as the month goes on.