When the winters set in Leh Ladakh, the most important question for lovers of Ladakh becomes “How to travel to Leh Ladakh in Winters??“. The roads to Ladakh are closed in winters.
Traveling on Srinagar – Leh Highway and Manali – Leh Highway gets very risky as you enter the end of October owing to snowfall at passes, black ice on road which skids the vehicles making driving hazardous and above all extremely harsh cold conditions with not much shelter and food at disposal, especially on the Manali – Leh Highway.
Hence, the only option to travel to Leh Ladakh in Winters after October is to directly fly to Leh from Delhi and then traveling within Ladakh.
Download your FREE high-resolution version pdf copy of this Leh Ladakh Winter Trip day by day plan infographic guide. If, you liked it and found it helpful, please feel free to share it with your family and friends to help them too.
Let's quickly dive into the details:
Winter Tourism & Responsible Travel
Winter tourism in Ladakh is always special but lately, it is rising like anything. Many senior travelers and lovers of Ladakh, including me, who use to love this once upon a time remote place named Ladakh, now see much filth, garbage, and litter in the season time. Hence, many are trying to avoid visiting Ladakh in summers.
Especially, owing to the rise of domestic tourists (forgive me on saying the bitter truth, but you know it is true, don’t you?? 😥 ) who litter like anything on the shores of pristine Pangong Tso or Tso Moriri, at remotest passes, in remote corners and where not they throw those plastic bottles out of their moving cars or those wafer packets which such morons eat, open the window and throw out – disturbs the ecological balance, flora, and fauna just for the mere show off of the 4×4 capabilities their supercars posses, for few 100 likes, smileys, RTs in Social Virtual Media???…
Does traveling to Ladakh in winter helps?
Well to be very frank even winters are no longer that rosy and you will get such people in winters too nowadays. All thanks to the uncontrolled mass tourism and the age of Instagram. Confronting such idiots means getting into trouble, spoiling your mood, sometimes taking on punches and spoiling your trip as locals have closed their eyes in the name of development, and they don’t come forward to beat the shit out of such morons… Aah, my heart bleeds as I write all this and more but anyways lets come back to topic 🙂 🙂 …
Still, do not believe me?? Read yourself in the article how Ladakh is turning itself into an environmental disaster.
Since many Responsible travelers who respect the mother nature are ready to take on the hardships of Ladakh in winters to see this heavenly land not getting polluted in front of their eyes at every corner or not getting noise polluted by any drunkards playing loud music on the holy shores of such nature conservation land, I thought of completing the DoW Travel Guide of Leh Ladakh by adding the chapters on Leh Ladakh in winters. In the last article, I shared some important tips on making a winter trip to Leh Ladakh.
PS: You can help save this beautiful heaven from this filth & littering by learning, sharing, spreading and educating these key pointers about responsible travel in the Himalayas
Is Flying to Ladakh in Winters Safe?
Flying directly to a high altitude place like Leh (3500+ Mtr) can cause serious issues sometimes if proper care is not taken for Acute Mountain Sickness.
And when it is winters, there should be extra care that needs to be taken in order to help your body fight & cope with extreme cold plus high altitude together.
Hence, one must always be at least aware of the importance of Acclimatization and tips to better acclimatize to some extent before venturing to further high altitude.
7 – 8 Days Itinerary for Leh Ladakh in Winters
I would like to sketch below one of the most common itineraries or travel plans for Ladakh in winters that you can follow on your adventures of snow-white Ladakh in winters.
This itinerary covers two of the three major tourist destinations of Ladakh including Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso Lake. The plan for Tso Moriri is provided as optional.
When you fly to such high altitude places like Leh, you must give your body a chance to acclimatize a bit before actually getting started with sightseeing on distant high altitude places in Ladakh. That is the precise reason why a road journey to Ladakh from Srinagar Leh Highway is more fun because it allows your body to adapt to the increase in altitude gradually. Hence, you acclimatize to the raising altitude day by day.
But, in winters the highways to Ladakh are closed and hence, flying to Leh in harsh cold conditions is the only option one has on disposal. So, let’s take a look at how one can plan this, not so easy, adventure journey to Leh Ladakh in winters and also maximize the chances of enjoying the trip rather than just mere surviving on it.
Needless to say but you will need to carry proper heavy woolen clothing for the winter trip to Ladakh.
Day 1 | Delhi – Leh, Rest & acclimatization (By Flight)
- Check-in at Hotel. Some hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them.
- Take Ample rest as well as water or anything that keeps your body warm and hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE.
- Do not overexert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible.
- After 5-6 Hrs of rest, you can visit Leh Palace and see what is open in the Local Leh market. Little slow walk help in acclimatization too.
- If you feel exerted, go back to the hotel, have dinner at the Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion and getting hit by the cold.
- Go back to the hotel for an overnight stay at Leh.
Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing
- Arrange the inner line permits for Pangong Tso and Nubra Valley
- Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. You can call the local drivers directly to connect with them and check the more comprehensive List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali with recommendations/reviews for DoW community members.
- Take the driver’s inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suit you best.
- Ask him to be with you guys starting the first day itself if required else do it on your own.
- Again DO NOT overexert and take little steps and slow walks only.
- If feeling OK then do Local Sightseeing of Leh Town
- Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more.
- Overnight at Leh
Day 3 | Leh – Sham Valley Tour – Leh including Chilling
- Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib.
- Check my complete travel guide of Sham Valley.
- In winters, especially in November & December when there is dry cold in the absence of snow, the acclimatization of the body is a bit hard process in comparison to when things are much favorable to the body in summers. Hence, you must keep this extra day for the Sham Valley tour so that you acclimatize much better before going to Nubra Valley.
- Take the road opposite Confluence towards the Zanskar river and travel to Chilling too. In case you visit in January or February, you can walk over the Zanskar River on this route as some part of the famous Chadar Trek where people walk over the Zanskar River as it freezes in winters from Padum in Zanskar Valley to travel to Leh.
- Overnight at Leh
Day 4 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
- Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
- On the way enjoy a cup of soup, if available in winters, which I doubt, at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
- Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 5 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
- Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
- Overnight at Leh
If you have an additional day at hand, you can visit Turtuk Village in Nubra Valley as well.
Day 6 | Day trip to Pangong Tso
- Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso as it will be very very cold up there and there will not be any place to stay as well around Pangong Tso except Tangste about 34 KMs away
- Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Fly back home / Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour and fly back home on Day 8
- Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing a day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.
- Overnight at Leh
Or those who have 8 days in hand, can make a Day trip to Pangong Tso as below but that makes it a bit rushed / hectic.
Day 6 | Leh – Hemis – Karu – Chang La – Tangste, 34 KMs before Pangong Tso
- Checkout Hemis Monastery on the way to Pangong Tso
- Since at Pangong Tso it will be very very cold almost unsurvivable and there will not be any place to stay as well around Pangong Tso except homestay, it is better to stay at Tangste about 34 KMs before Pangong Tso.
- If you have time in the day left, you can go towards Harong Wetlands from Tangste on Erath – Nama – Chusul route from Tangste to explore some nice landscapes around there.
- If you are not interested in exploring Harong Wetlands then you can spend some time at Chemmery Monastery near Shakti and one more monastery near Tangste as Sasakul Monastery
- Overnight at Leh
Day 7 | Tangste – Pangong Tso – Tangste – Thicksey – Shey – Leh
- Cover Thicksey Monastery and Shey Palace while coming back from Pangong Tso
- Overnight at Leh
Day 8 | Fly back home / Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping and fly back home on Day 9
- Overnight at Leh
Can I visit Tso Moriri in winters, too??
If you have a couple of more days at hand or in case Chang La Pass is snowed, you got yourself a couple of days then you can visit Tso Moriri as well. Please remember the order of visit must be like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and then Tso Moriri, in any case, to best acclimatize yourself.
Since there is no high mountain pass on the way to Tso Moriri from Leh, this is far more approachable but being much remote and lacking basic facilities especially in winters nearby Tso Moriri, it is best avoided unless you are a serious hardcore traveler and enjoy such harsh cold conditions as an adventure 🙂 🙂 …
Day 1 | Leh – Karu – Upshi – Chumathang
- Chumathang, about 83 KMs from Tso Moriri is the place where you will need to stay as Korzok village will only have homestays to stay, but at 4500 Mtrs, the cold will be too much to survive easily with basic homestays, I believe. Though you may be lucky with Bukhari enabled room, if you are acclimatized well.
- Chumathang has hot water spring, low in altitude, and provides better resistance to cold even though the stay here as well is quite basic. There is a Chumathang Hot Springs Resort for a stay in winters near Tso Moriri.
- You can cover any of Hemis, Thicksey, Shey or Stakna on the way to Chumathang in case you missed in previous days
- Overnight at Chumathang
Day 2 | Chumathang – Tso Moriri – Chumathang – Leh
- It will be quite a long drive but once you reach Chumathang after visiting Tso Moriri, the road is well paved all the way to Leh. So, this day is doable enough.
- In any case, the visit to Tso Moriri will be short and quick, owing to long day travel.
- Overnight at Leh
Video – Tips Ladakh In Winters
You may check this less than 3-minute video on DevilOnWheels YouTube Channel to know more on the 6 Special Tips for a Winter Trip to Ladakh. If you like my video, please do not forget to SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube channel.
LAST UPDATED: Dec 2019
This article has been updated with the latest information about making a winter trip to Ladakh. It is kept up to date every season to reflect the current status. Feel free to suggest any further updates you deem fit that I may have missed.
Conclusion
I hope this travel plan or itinerary for traveling to Ladakh in winters will be useful for you in planning your adventure trip. I will look forward to any questions or doubts in the comments section of this article.
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In case you have made a winter Ladakh trip and have any suggestions that can help other fellow travelers. Please feel free to share them with me, and I will be happy to put in the article. Do not forget to share this article with your friends and family who are planning their upcoming trip to Ladakh in winters.
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213 Comments
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Hello Dheeraj,
me and my wife are bit travellers, we are planning to visit leh in the month of feb 2019, can I see pangong tso, nubra, khardhungla and all at that time? can I get taxi and accommodation at that time in leh and tansgte ? and will it too much costly all the homestay and resorts?
please help me
Hi Dheeraj,
REALLY helpful blog/guide! Planning on making the most of the above in my trip to Leh in Late October/Early November this year. Just a quick question, is the Srinagar – Leh highway open late October for us to drive into Leh or is it likely to be closed?
About Zanskar River, is it going to be frozen by then or will it still be flowing? Would you recommend visiting it then?
Srinagar Leh Highway is mostly likely be open in later October and early November. As there will be ice on roads, please drive with caution and care.
No, Zanskar river starts to freeze in February
Hi,
I am Planning to go Leh in the month of October 17-21.From Leh we will visit Pangong and Nubra ,what is your opinion and any piece of advice.
You can surely plan to visit Leh in October by air and also you should be able to Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso. First two days you can rest in Leh after flying and then you can do a 3 day trip to Nubra Valley and PAngong Tso
Dear Dheeraj
I have visited Ladakh in Summers long back and I always wanted to be there in winters. I am flying to Leh with my wife on 25th Jan on a 4 days trip. Here is my itinerary:
Day 1: Land in Leh and take rest for whole day.
Day 2: Local sightseeing. Magnetic Hill, Zansakar Indus confluence, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, etc
Day 3: A day trip to pangong. Get back to Leh by sunset.
Day 4: Visit Khardungla and nearby monasteries.
Have few questions:
1. Is it safe for a couple to travel alone to Pangong and nearby areas?
2. Do you recommend any change in the itinerary?
Thanks in advance.
-Himanshu
Sorry Himanshu, for missing out on it. It has been quite number of things going on in life, so could not reply to all questions
It’s okay Dheeraj. I had figured out things there. Booked a cab from Chamba on your recommendation and am not totally satisfied. No doubt he is very friendly and accommodating but we couldn’t visit Pangong as the cab he provided was not good enough to drive even on a micrometer of ice. The driver was not experienced driving in winters. He didn’t know how to put a chain on tires. We had to return from few kms from Chang La while all other vehicles easily crossed a small stretch of bad road where we were stuck for an hour while the driver was trying out useless stuff. My whole trip was ruined as the one of the big reasons to visit Ladakh in winters was to witness frozen Pangong.
That’s really sad to know Himanshu, you should write this review in the DoW Community too so that others learn from it and take caution or check for the tires before confirming the taxi. I will keep in mind to suggest people about taxi too. In case the driver is untrained, well, it all goes by the feedbacks one had with them.
Dear Dheeraj,
Planning another Leh trip in this February. (knew the weather condition :D,
this is the first winter visit and unfortunately short.)
February 3: Reaching Leh Airport and local sightseeing (just random walks, nothing much)
February 4: Leh – Pangong
February 5: Pangong – Leh
February 6: flying back
Is it possible to get any staying option there in Pangong?
What about the availability of drivers during these periods?
I knew that you might have answered these questions multiple times. But still.
regards
Jishnu
I will not recommend going to Pangong Tso directly on the second-day bhai and also it wont be possible to sleep at Pangong Tso in the month of February. Drivers will be available, that’s of no issue. It is a bit impractical and risky to attempt such a trip.
thanks for the reply Dheeraj.
What will be your suggestion then?
Leh-Chumthang-Tso Moriri-Chumthang-Leh? or something else
Jishnu, maximum I can suggest you is Lamayuru trip and sham Valley. Both Tso Moriri and Pangong Tso should not be attempted on second day of the trip and that too in winters when there will not be any facilities.
Hi I’m sahil from mathura in uttar Pradesh
Me and my family wants to go to the road trip to Shri Nagar to ladakh in December
Sahil, the roads to Ladakh are closed now and it is not recommended to travel to Ladakh by road now. The roads will again open in month of May and June.
Hi Dheeraj, I will be in Leh from 4th Feb to 10th Feb after completing Chadar trek. Just want to know if bikes will be available during this period? If not can I hire taxi ? And is it recommended to book hotels beforehand?
Hi Alok,
Some bikes are available at times but not 100%. It will be quite cold for the bike ride though and you may only be able to use them for local sightseeing. Hotels you should be searching upon reaching there as over phone you may get high prices. Check basic home stays if you are OK with basic facilities.
Hi. You have mentioned about Chadar Trek in your post. I am planning to do this trek this winter. I am thinking of booking with Bikat Adventures . Any other good trek operator you might recommend?
Check this out too: https://devilonwheels.com/question/chadar-trek-2018/
Dear Dheeraj,
Your guidance is commendable. Your website and articles have been the main source for research for me and after reading everything, I have decided to write a comment asking for some help.
I am 37 and am planning a solo trip to Leh on the 28th November to 7th November. In the past I have experienced Winters and Snow in UK and Europe but nothing close to -20 degrees as this number keeps coming up. I have also done the Deoriatal Chandrashila 5 day Trek last year. I will be flying in and out of Leh.
1. If I am a single person, what would be the best option to follow your 8-day itinerary without breaking the bank? I am aware it will be extremely cold, is there a possibility, I can take the gear and try riding a bike to visit places or will this be outright foolish?
2. If the bike is not possible, what could be the next possible option to get around and see places that are listed on your itinerary?
3. I can hardly find any accommodation around Rs. 1000-1500 mark, even the accommodation you listed as 1000-1500 come up as 4000+ online. Will they offer such difference if I call them? I will be doing that right after this comment.
4. Should I book all my accommodation in Leh itself? I have read that booking can be done on the spot, how does that work? Do I take a cab from the Airport and ask him to take me to the best accommodation? Isn’t that how we used to get ripped off in the good olden days?
5. For your suggested 7 – 8 Days Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh in Winters, how much would it cost approximate apart from the air tickets, if possible and if you know it instantly, please give a figure, else, please don’t take the trouble of taking out time for this point. It would be nice to know approximately how much I will need to spend.
I have a million other questions but I will stop here. I have to thank you for the time you put into this website to inform travelers. You can only do this out of passion and not for monetary gains.
Thank you,
Jeewan
For better tracking, I posted it under Q&A section and replied as well: https://devilonwheels.com/question/solo-ladakh-trip-in-winters/
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning for a 5 day trip in the first week of November. The plan is to land in Leh on 4 November at 10 am. and depart on 9 November at 10.am. Please suggest itinerary for the same including pangong lake and magnetic fields.
Will all routes be open for this? And will we find any place to stay during that time at those places?
Thanks.
Hi Shanu,
I will suggest you refer: How to make trip to Ladakh in 5 Days?
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning for a 5 day trip in the first week of November. The plan is to land in Leh on 4 november at 10 a.m. and depart on 9 nov at 10 a.m. What can be the suggested itinerary including pangong lake and magnetic hills ?
Will all routes be open for this? And will we find any place to stay during that time at those places?
Thanks.
Replied to your other comment.
Thanks Dheeraj for the itinerary, it’s really helpful. I still have one more question unsolved ” are all routes open for travel during this period ?” And “whether it is suitable time to visit Leh ? “
All the routes within Ladakh remains open all round the year barring few days of heavy snowfall. In case it is snowing on passes that very day, the route will be closed else open. It will be quite cold and dry, so go prepared. Do go through: Tips for Carrying Clothes for Ladakh Trip
Hi Dheeraj,
Your article is really helpful.
I am planning a solo trip to leh around 10 of December .from where can I get a complete package so that I don’t have to worry too much about the planning part .
Tejas, are you planning to fly to Leh? Because roads are closed. if you want to get in touch with tour operator, better connect with [email protected] than going ahead with some copy cats who may dupe people by copying names similar to other established brand names like ours.
Sir I want to experience extreme cold conditions in January
Which place should I visit spiti valley or ladakh
I had visited Russia in December in -25 degree
Both will be able to provide you extreme cold conditions Ladakh as well as Spiti valley.
It is the best post I have read about Leh-Ladakh itinerary. Thank you!
Thank you.
Hi dheeraj….
We are visiting ladakh in december 2nd week…and we want to have a bike ride there….will we be able to hire a bike there in december???? We have planned a 8 days trip
I really doubt any bike rental will be open in the month of December, peak winters. Even if they are open, are you really sure to ride a bike in sub zero conditions?
Yes ..we really want to drive in bike there..
Well, then you may have read the plan above and the tips for making a winter trip to Ladakh. Let me know inc ase there are any other specific questions.
Hi Dheeraj; would Turtuk be open in mid/end of October and would accommodation be available there for a night stay. Thanks..
Yes Nikunj, Turtuk remain open all round the year and yes, stay options will also be available. Most places in Ladakh, home stays are open almost all round the year including peak winter months.
Hi Dheeraj,
FIrstly, let me tell you that you are doing a commendable job helping people out with your fantastic advice (especially, for first timers like me). I am getting married in February next year and would love to visit (by flight) Leh-Ladakh with my better half for our honeymoon between 8th to 16th February next year. I read all your posts above with regards to the schedule and transportation in winter. Just wanted to ask you if you would recommend this trip in Feb. I love the snow and have thoroughly enjoyed my bouts with it in various parts of Sikkim, Himachal and Uttaranchal. But, I have concerns regarding the good sightseeing places in and around Leh becoming inaccessible due to snow, the colours of Leh not being there, most of the decent hotels and eateries being closed and the scarce resources in terms of food etc. Also, the chances of flight cancellations are there as well. That’s a concern since it’s our honeymoon and cannot be rescheduled. Please throw some light on these constraints. Also, all in all, what would I be missing or gaining (in terms of the pros and cons) apart from the colours in Leh if I choose to visit the place in mid-Feb rather than in the tourist season (not very fond of loud and noisy crowds littering their way to hell and spoiling the sanctity of these mesmerizing places). Would love it if you could advise me on the same so that I can take a well-informed decision.
Hi Akash,
I will not recommend at all planning a honeymoon trip to a harsh and unforgiving place in winters. There could be 100 things that can go wrong on a winter trip to Ladakh and I am sure honeymoon trip is not the one you would like to associate and then crib the whole life after. Honeymoon trip only happens one you know 😉 … I will recommend planning this adventure trip to Ladakh some other time and make a trip to more accessible place in mid-Feb which either offers comfort or comfort mixed with little adventure in case you are really interested in the adventure part of it.
hi ,
I visited leh on 17th may this year for first time. Had a breath taking experience i landed in leh visited nubra and pangong via agham and then to leh via changla. and leh to srinagar via road. Now I feel i wanna visit leh again during winter. Leh srinagar is closed at that tym. I plan to visit only leh if nubra and pangong are open will give a visit. My questions are
1. Is hotel accomodation available at that time ?
2. Shoudl I plan early december or last week of december ( i am free whole december)
3. If nubra pangong open hw can i visit , by hiring taxi or two wheeler ? will those be available
4. Is the cost of bike rent hotel same as summer or higher ?
I plan to stay for 10 days
Hi Srini,
1. Yes, hotels are available and Nubra only home stays and small guest houses run including the Habib Guest House. At Pangong Tso, it is recommended that you stay at Tangtse where accommodation will be available.
2. Late december will mean chances of snow, I will prefer on it. Coldwise it does not make much difference.
3. You need to hire taxi. Please read the article above
4. Cost of hotel is a bit more in winters or more or less same. More due to heating charges.
Hi,
I’m planning to visit Leh in the month of February with my family & 7 year old son. Can you please suggest me the Itinerary & feasibility for the same.
Hi Tarak,
Itinerary is already suggested in the article above along with the tips for traveling in winters to Ladakh.
Hi,
Sorry but I still dont understand the reference to winters in ladakh because there is no reference to when it starts.
I am planning a leh trip on December 23 to december tp 28 th. Would it be possible. Also would there be snow at the end of september or first week of October
Thanks
Hello Priyank,
Winters in Leh – Ladakh starts as soon as the season ends in late – September to mid October. Once, you cross mid – October mark, all hotels in Ladakh in remote places close and people either go to lower hills, cities or go to Leh or go back to their villages. Spending nights at Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri becomes very harsh and unforgiving. Late December is a time when dry winter is present in Ladakh. There will be no snow in end of September unless it snows a day or two around your trip only.
Hi Dheeraj Ji,
I wanna some information about timing of leh shri Nagar road. After this I wanaa go to Murgo & daulat beg Oldi(DBO). Is it impossible ? If it is possible then please mention the idea.
Ashutosh, those places are not possible to visit unless you have some army connections and they allow you to permit your visit. What do you mean by timing of Srinagar – Leh Highway? If Zojila pass one way traffic, it is decided every season when road opens.
Hi Dheeraj,
We are planning for a 5 day trip in the first week of May. The plan is to land in Leh on Day 1, head to Pangong on Day 2 and spend the night at Spangmik, head to Hanle and spend the night somewhere around there on Day 3 and back to Leh on Day 4. Return flight on Day 5.
Will all routes be open for this? And will we find any place to stay during that time at those places?
Thanks.
Sriram, please DO NOT undertake such a trip to Ladakh as you may end up in the hospital. Your body will not be able to cope up with such ahigh altitude. You have to take complete rest in the first two days after landing in Leh by flight. Post that you should make a two day trip to Nubra Valley and one day trip to Pangong Tso.
Sure, point noted. We felt the same too. Plans changed. 🙂
Good, best wishes for the trip. Feel free to share any further questions you may have for this trip.
Dear Dheeraj ,
I have been following your posts for 3 days now. Have read from a-z by far I found your articles to be the most helpful than any other glittery articles on internet.
I am 26 years male traveling solo to leh in March 14-25 by flight. Kindly suggest me a travel itinerary (would love to include turtuk as well apart from usuals) also please give some valuable advice as this is my first solo trip. Your valuable advice is awaited.
Thank you Syed !! 🙂 🙂 .. You made my day 😉
March is pretty harsh in Ladakh and I am sure you might have gone through the above article for winters trip to Ladakh. You can add days for Turtuk in the plan presented in the article above when you are in Nubra Valley. Being solo the challenge will be to find transport to these places as in March only few option will be available.
Hi Dheeraj,
Great job. The way you help the fellow travellers to plan their Himlayan trips is really amazing.
My wife and I want to visit Leh-Ladakh in the month of April (14th to 23rd). I’ve been to Leh once, but my wife is a first timer. We have about 10 days and we start from Bangalore. Could you please advise if it would be very cold in April? Also would it be possible for us to follow the itinerary in the article above and be able to vist – Leh, Pangong Tso/Tso Kar, Khardung la – Nubra valley, Sham valley, the monasteries? Is it possible/advisible to stay overnight at Pangong in April? We plan to fly to Leh and hire a cab to go around. Your advice would be of immense help. Thanks in advance.
– Jagadish.
Hi Jagdish,
Yes it will definitely be cold up there in April so go preaprely. Pangong Tso night stay will not be possible and better stay at Tangtse at that time of the year. You can follow the itinerary in the article above as it is meant for winter trip only which April mor or less is.
Can u lease guide,when does the lakes start melting.
Lakes start melting by end of April, first week of May. By mid of May to third week, they are melted almost fully.
Hi Dheeraj
Me 50 and my wife 46 have been twice to Leh with your guidance in June and August by road. Now we have booked our tickets from 26 to 31 Jan 2017. Please suggest the necessary preparations and clothing required
Harish
Sir, breif itinerary has been suggested in the article above. You can take it as two days complete rest in around Leh, followed by a trip to Nubra Valley and then finally if weather permits, a day trip to PAngong Tso. Rest please read: 6 Special Tips for a Winter Trip to Ladakh
Dear friend Dheeraj,
I have done a kishtwar Khillar, sach, keylong on a bike during October in snow and found it mesmirising. Have been dreaming of a bike trip in feb end to Khardungla, Nubra, sasoma, ODB, Pangang tso and tso mori. Am physiclally fit and feel confident of doing the trip. Are the army guys very insistent and strict about the permision for a bike trip through khardungla. Have heard from a friend that some army friends of his have done it on bike in FEB last year through the mentioned places.
Kumar, they do not allow biking over Khardungla and Changla when it is snowed. There had been numerous incidences and mishaps and hence, AFAIK they have completely stopped it. They don’t even allow in April-mid type too unless the roads are less slippery. There is a difference between riding in snow in October and riding the snow in Feb. You get hard ice snow in Feb which does not provide you any grip. Also, the places you ae talking about does not stand fatal as compared to the places you gonna attempt the bike ride now. Sach Pass cannot be compared to the altitude of these places. If you have to drag a bike for few feet on Khardung La, you will be gasping for breath in the lack of oxygen zone, which makes conditions worse.
Thank u Dheeraj for the prompt and correct advice. I will take the advice and postpone my trip to end of Nov as the beauty of seeing the valley cover in all white through a bike trip is unique and a fantastic feeling i believe.
November wont be having tons of snow. In case you want to see snow plan in March / April
Hi Dheeraj, great blog. I am wondering if it possible for to go to Leh-Ladakh in February, and what is the estimated cost (backpacking style) per person to travel there? Im a solo traveler with limited budget.
Sha, you should refer 6 Special Tips for a Winter Trip to Ladakh. If time is not a constraint, well, yeah in that case the trip can be managed mostly by shared transport as now a days you get to see tourist footprints in good number in Ladakh in winters. And since if time is not a constraint you can shift/adjust your schedule based upon public transport available during those days.
Hello Dheeraj, Is it recommended to rent bikes in mid February? I have planned Chadar trek from 2nd Feb to 9th and I have booked my flight from Leh on 12th, so was thinking of renting a bike there!
Well, bike may be available on rent but riding a bike in such cold conditions may not be practically feasible. Plus BRO will not allow you to travel over passes with snow on the roads as conditions are dangerous and slipper to ride a bike.
Thank you!
Best wishes for your trip 🙂
Hi Dheeraj,
With your help i have already done LEH Twice 🙂 🙂
Need your help again.
We are planning again for LEH in March End or April Start. Is it a proper time to visit considering many of the guys with me are first timer and want to see the beauty of leh ?
Are Bikes available in Month of April or we compulsory need to hire cab ?
and last but not the least, are all the places like Hunder, Pangong, Tso Morriri , Khardungla Open at this time of Year?
Please help me on this
–Vikram Sharma
Vikram, if most of the are first timers, then I will not suggest as it wil be extremely cold in March and all the lakes will be frozen, hence they will miss the colorful beauty in Ladakh. Bikes are available but you wil mostly be limited to take them for a ride around Leh only because with snowy/skiddy roads BRO will not allo you to cross passes or even go towards passes on bikes.
Hi Dheeraj,
You are doing a tremendous job updating this site with so valuable information. I was planning to land at LEH on 13th Dec 2016 and return by 17th. My aim is not to explore entire LEH in 4 days but to experience snow, extreme cold (I have been in srinagar at -6 degree) and specially witness the frozen lakes 😀
Also, I would be interested in admiring as many landscapes as possible with my 4 day journey. Should I miss exotic places (which I may for sure, considering I ll be there for just 4 days), I ll plan to visit LEH again in april 2017 by road (preferably SRI Nagar-LEH highway).
Would you advice me to gear up for this mid december? Considering the fact I just want to BE there and experience winters, frozen lakes and landscapes.
~Mohammed Obaid
Hi Obaid,
Lakes freeze in January – Feb period only, extreme cold will surely be there in mid December and passes will have tons of snow. 4 days is too less to explore much in Ladakh as you will be fighting with AMS for first 2 days and cold does not help the cause with AMS as body needs more time to do so.
Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight)
— Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them.
— Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home.
— Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible.
— After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa .
— If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and,
— Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road.
— Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.
Day 2 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Acclimatization
— Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you.
— Bargain with taxi driver and you can refer the thread for a comprehensive list of drivers: List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali
— Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best.
— Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own.
— Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only.
— If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso
— Overnight at Leh
Thanks a tonne for your kind attention and detailed response. Without which, I would have been in assumption that lakes freeze during December and probably be disappointed. After reading your reply, I have postpone my trip to mid Jan’ 2017 and also make it a 5 day trip and not 3. Thanks once again for this detailed response.
BTW, is it possible to rent self driving Bikes OR Cars in LEH? If so, can you please help me with relative information if you have any. 😉
No Obaid, bikes are not at all recommended during that time of the year and self drive cars are not avaulable. For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2016 – 17 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here. You can get about 12-15% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.
Hello Dheeraj, Is it recommended to rent bikes in mid February? I have planned Chadar trek from 2nd Feb to 9th and I have booked my flight from Leh on 12th, so was thinking of renting a bike there!
Replied you on the other comment.
Hi There 😀
I take pleasure to let you know that with your guidance, I along with 7 friends have booked flight to LEH, scheduled to land at IXL by 7:15 am of 16th JAN and will be there for a week.
I have no idea how this is going to turn out 😀 😛 as I have been hearing news related to heavy snow fall up in North (manali, simla and places).
I am feeling ashamed to seek your help again and again but I have no other option through which I can get relevant and useful information (other than Dheeraj the devil 😀 )
Do you have any of your friends or blog users who are currently in LEH and can let us know weather status. Is it like snowing HEAVY there blocking internal (local) routes OR are they good for Car transport (hope they are good for car travel)
Also, I have been through the drivers phone numbers and names and would like to know is there anyone in specific whom I can reach first to help us pick from Airport OR are all equally good? Also, can you help me with contacts were I can stay as paying guest (as I heard that the hotels will mostly be closed during winters) 🙁
It would be of GREAT help to me, if you can, with your experience, provide advice/guidance with respect to hotels/car drivers/current weather updates/car travel availability/clothes to be carried/boots and misc information that I am not even asking (due to lack of experience and relatively less knowledge about LEH)…
** Because, I hope we will not be sitting ducks in hotels / guest house due to harsh weather conditions and instead Enjoy our Trip to admire LEH freezing lakes/ freezing winters. 😀 😀
Wish me luck… and, special thanks in advance for your work ‘KUDOS’
hi Obaid,
That’s totally fine. We are here to help only 🙂
Right now 3 core team members of DoW are in Leh since last week and there isn’t much pouring in up there as snow but yeah snow is around places. They went to all the places within Leh and Tso Moriri is totally frozen as the pictures they sent in morning. They have been roaming in Leh.
Ringzin, Chamba, Sonam are all good drivers. Get in touch with Laksdup Guest House at Nawang: 09906806066, 9419988807.
Clothing: Tips for Carrying Clothes for Ladakh Trip
Hello , I’m planning for Ladakh in mid november for about 10 days , I want your detail suggestions on this trip and please give some details about good but bit cheaper hotels .
The above article explains alot about plannign a trip to Ladakh in winters. Let me know what more details do you need?
Hi Dheeraj,
I was just going through the internet and could not found another update better than yours on leh and Ladakh, seems you are the true enthusiast for Himalayas.
Kindly help us so that we could also enjoy our planed trip.
We are a group of 4 people all aged 24 from Delhi.
We are planning to visit Leh – Ladakh on 25nov 2016(start) – 29 nov 2016(return) Via Flight.
We have never been to this place before.
We have wish to visit Khardung La and pangyong So during this trip. Could you please suggest us the itenary for this trip and also the Do’s and Dont’s so that we can plan accordingly.
Also we have no idea of any good Hotel (cheaper option welcomed), kindly suggest the same and how would we travel there inside the leh(Khardung la and pangyong so) city to visit various places.
What would be the approx expenditure combined for 4 of us.
Will it be good to visit to this place on the mentioned days.
Kindly Help us and suggest the best option available.
Thanks and Regards,
Himanshu Dahiya
Himanshu, you just have 5 days in hand and in winters it will be too less to combat the cold and acclimatize yourself to easily visit places in Ladakh.
Still, you can try to follow below plan:
Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight)
— Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them.
— Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home.
— Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible.
— After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa .
— If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and,
— Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road.
— Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.
Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization
— Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you.
— Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan.
— Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best.
— Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own.
— Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only.
— If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh
— Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more.
— Overnight at Leh
Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder
— Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit
— On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La
— Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari
Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh
— Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs
— Overnight at Leh
Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh
— Do not plan to stay overnight at Pangong Tso as you will not be acclimatized and may fall sick. So, make a day trip only.
— Overnight at Leh
In case you flying out on Day 5, then make just day trip to Khardung La on Day 3 and Day 4 make day trip to Pangong Tso. Please note that going over to Pangong Tso requires traveling over Chang La pass which in winters can close due to snowfall for a day or two. You might have to miss the flight in such a case. So, check weather forecast before leaving from Leh to Panogng Tso.