Ladakh, India - Adventure Travel Trekking

When to go to Ladakh, Northern India

Surrounded by high mountain passes, Ladakh was cut off from the rest of the world for seven months of the year before the airport was built in Leh. The capital of Ladakh, Leh is nestled between the Stok Mountains to the south and the Ladakh Range to the north. It is a small town of 25,000 that comes alive during the brief tourist season. Although flights are available into Leh year round, the trekking season in Ladakh is from mid-May until mid-September. Rainfall is almost nonexistent in Ladakh making it one of the only Himalayan regions in which it is possible to trek without the summer monsoons.

Winter in Ladakh is long and cold separated by a short but hot summer and a brief spring and fall. Mid-May is still early for trekking season, but if you want to experience the high country without seeing any other trekkers, this is the time to visit. The beginning of spring is evident as green appears with the blossoming of vegetation and high mountain fields.

The peak trekking season is the beginning of July to the end of August when the Manali to Leh road is opened for travel. Days are hot and nights are cool in the dry mountain air. Although the temperature rarely exceeds 70F, the summer sun can be intense. Trekking season begins to wind down towards the beginning of September. Locals prepare for winter after the busy tourist season. It is the perfect time to visit with the local culture as they enjoy the fruits of their labor generated during the bustle of the summer season.

How Long Should I Plan to Stay in India?

Ladakh is easily accessed through Delhi with daily flights into Leh. Ideally, you should plan on 3 weeks in length.

A typical itinerary looks like:

Day 1: fly to Delhi;
Day 2: fly to Leh;
Day 3 to 4: acclimatizing and sightseeing;
Day 5-14: trekking;
Day 15: relax in Leh;
Day 16: fly to Delhi;
Day 17-18: sightseeing in Delhi;
Day 19: fly home.

There are many options for trekking, so if time is an issue, it is possible to shorten the itinerary. It is important to acclimatize in Leh prior to trekking. Leh sits at 11,500 ft with mountain passes reaching 17,000 ft. With proper time to acclimatize, plenty of rest and lots of water, altitude should not be an issue.