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Weather in Leh Ladakh
High-altitude desert kingdom of Buddhist monasteries
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About Leh Ladakh
Buddhist gompas cling to rust-coloured mountains in a high-altitude desert where peaks scrape 20,000 feet and the sky burns cobalt blue. Prayer flags flutter in thin air across mountain passes; chanting echoes from whitewashed monasteries. A patchwork of barley fields and poplar groves creates emerald oases in an otherworldly moonscape.
Best months to visit
July, August
Language
Ladakhi, Tibetan, Hindi, English
Things to do in Leh Ladakh
Trekking the Markha Valley trail for 5-6 days past monasteries
Visiting Hemis, Diskit, and Thiksey monasteries for prayers and views
Motorcycling or jeep-touring over the world's highest passes
Shopping in Leh's old bazaar for Tibetan crafts and thangka paintings
Acclimatizing with meditation and yoga at Buddhist monasteries
Visiting Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri alpine lakes for sunrise photography
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
-6C
Cold, with occasional showers.
February
-5C
Cold, with occasional showers.
March
-1C
Cold, with occasional showers.
April
4C
Cold, with occasional showers.
May
10C
Cool, with some rainy days.
June
16C
Cool, with some rainy days.
Recommended
July
22C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
Recommended
August
22C
Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.
September
18C
Mild and comfortable, and mostly sunny skies.
October
9C
Cold, and mostly sunny skies.
November
2C
Cold, and mostly sunny skies.
December
-3C
Cold, and mostly sunny skies.
Leh sits over 3,500 metres up in a high-altitude desert where snow-capped peaks meet stark brown valleys and turquoise lakes, with Buddhist monasteries perched on outcrops that have watched over this Himalayan trade route for centuries. It's a place that rewards slowing down — both for the thin air and for the sheer scale of the landscape, from the changing colours of Pangong Lake to the dizzying switchbacks of some of the world's highest motorable passes.
Best areas to stay in Leh Ladakh
Leh Old Town
Below the ruined Leh Palace, a maze of lanes with guesthouses, cafes and the main market for souvenirs and gear.
Changspa
A relaxed traveller hub with mud-brick guesthouses, rooftop cafes and views toward the Shanti Stupa.
Nubra Valley
A multi-day side trip over Khardung La to sand dunes, double-humped camels and the monasteries of Diskit and Hunder.
Pangong Lake
A vast high-altitude lake that shifts through shades of blue, with simple camps for overnight stays near its shores.
Getting to Leh Ladakh
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Flights
Leh's Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport has direct flights from Delhi, the easiest way to reach the region given its altitude.
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From London
Flights from Delhi take around 1.5 hours; the overland route via Manali or Srinagar takes 2 days and is only open in summer.
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Getting around
Hired taxis, organised tours and self-drive bikes are the main ways to reach outlying valleys and lakes.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Leh-Ladakh?
Late May to September is the main season, when the high passes are open and weather is mild during the day. Winter (Dec-Feb) is extreme but offers the famous frozen Zanskar river trek for the very adventurous.
Do I need to worry about altitude sickness?
Yes — Leh sits at roughly 3,500m. Plan at least 1-2 days of rest on arrival before any strenuous activity or trips to higher passes like Khardung La.
How do I get around Ladakh?
Hired taxis or self-drive motorbikes are the most common way to reach Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley and the monasteries, as public transport is limited and distances are large.
What permits do I need?
Indian and foreign travellers need Inner Line Permits for areas like Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley and Tso Moriri, easily arranged through hotels or agencies in Leh.
What food is local to the region?
Tibetan and Ladakhi staples like thukpa (noodle soup), momos, skyu (a thick pasta-and-vegetable stew) and butter tea are widely available in Leh.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Pangong Lake at sunrise was unlike anywhere I've been. Take the altitude seriously and rest a couple of days first — it makes a huge difference.
Tenzin K. · July 2024
★★★★★
Rode to Nubra Valley over Khardung La, an unforgettable trip. Leh itself is small and relaxed, great for recovering between excursions.
Mark S. · August 2023
★★★★☆
Stunning scenery but plan logistics carefully — permits, altitude, and long travel days between sights all need building into your schedule.
Fiona L. · June 2024
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