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When to go to Ladakh (Leh)

High-altitude desert, Buddhist monasteries and the world's highest passes.

Ladakh is Himalayan desert at 3,500 metres and up — Tibetan Buddhist monasteries clinging to cliffs, glacial lakes that shift color through the day, and mountain passes among the highest roads on earth. It's remote, seasonal and unlike anywhere else in India; acclimatization is not optional.

Month by month

Best: June, July, August, September
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Avoid Poor OK Good Excellent Peak

Worth avoiding: January, February, March, April, November, December.

How long to stay

6–9 days is the sweet spot.

Flight time

About 17h from the US East Coast, 10h from Europe, 2h from South Asia.

Good to know

  • Spend at least two full days resting in Leh before any activity above 3,500m — altitude sickness is common and serious.
  • Inner Line Permits are required for Pangong Tso and Nubra Valley; arrange them through your hotel or a local agent.
  • Roads close completely from December to May; June–September is the only reliable window for the high passes.
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