When to Visit Ladakh
Although Ladakh is a remote region of the world, it is accessible by air (New Delhi to Leh, the capital of Ladakh) and thus conducive to touring almost year-round. The main trekking season in Ladakh is during the North American summer, from the beginning of June to the end of September. Although July and August bring the warmest temperatures in Ladakh as in North America, this is the period of rainfall in Ladakh. Being in the so-called 'rain shadow' of the Himalayas, Ladakh sees very little precipitation, particularly compared to the Himalayas further south, however, the rivers do rise, making many areas inaccessible, trails and bridges get swept away, and landslides tumble down. Above all, rain brings snow to the highest elevations resulting in difficulties crossing the passes. From late September to late October the days stay pleasantly warm but get shorter and nights become progressively colder; on the other hand, the rivers at this time are low and easier to ford, and the crowds of tourists are gone. By the end of October, the climate starts turning to winter, with the lowest temperatures arriving in January. Although Ladakh stays frozen until March and it’s completely cut off by overland routes from Manali and Kashmir south of the towering ranges of the Himalayas, this is the time we run our winter treks on the frozen Zanskar River and some of our Ladakh festival tours. During April and May Ladakh starts to warm up again, the ground thaws and the color returns. The villages begin slowly to turn from its winter brown to summer green, a striking contrast to the arid earth tones of the surroundings, and our summer season of Ladakh treks and jeep tours begins.