The Nature of Ladakh

Surrounded by snow-capped mountains, pristine rivers, and lush green valleys, the picturesque Suru Valley is a must-visit during your trip to Ladakh. Located in the Kargil district, it has a blend of Turkish and Tibetan architecture reflected in the few picturesque houses here. A popular attraction is Kartse Khar, where a 7th-century statue of Buddha stands at a height of about 1.80 meters. Tourists can also visit Rangdum, which houses a monastery and two hamlets. Panikhar is a popular base for those who want to go on mountain tours. Zangla Monastery is also located nearby and is a must-visit. The hills of Suru Valley are cultivated more than any other region of Ladakh and for adventure seekers, the Nun Kun peak presents geographical variations of glacial structures, alpine slopes, and majestic peaks.

The Zanskar Valley is a semi-arid region located on the northern flank of the Great Himalayas. What attracts tourists to this region are the beautiful snow-capped mountains, the pleasant climate, the sparkling water bodies of Zanskar, and a lush landscape. The valley is 105 km from Leh and is a mecca for adventure sports such as trekking, paragliding, rafting, and many others. You can also do popular treks here like Lamayuru to Darcha, Lamayuru, Padum. One can even camp at the picturesque Penzila Pass which separates Zanskar from Suru Valley. In winter the temperature can drop to -30 degrees Celsius. One can only go to Zanskar between the months of June and September, otherwise, all the roads in the valley are heavily snowed in, which blocks access.

It is located about 50 km from Tso Moriri, the smallest of the three high-altitude lakes in Ladakh, the remote Tso Kar Lake. Located at an elevation of 15,280 feet, it is bordered by high mountains that are home to the elusive snow leopard. Also called the White Lake because of the white salt content of the water deposits on its shores, it leaves visitors in awe of its beauty. The area surrounding the lake is rich in flora and fauna, and is also an important point for birdwatchers, especially during the migration season when several species come to lay their eggs, including black-necked cranes. The nomadic villages of Thugje and Gursan are the guardians of the lake and its surroundings. The best time to visit this lake is between May and August.

Ladakh, unlike many destinations in India, is not a year-round destination. It is a beautiful place in the Himalayan range. It lies on the banks of the Indus River. It offers amazing landscapes and many adventure routes for motorcycle enthusiasts. To summarize, the best time to visit Leh Ladakh is in the summer, between late March and mid-August. The most popular tourist period is between June and August.

From April onwards, the summer in Ladakh begins. The weather can reach 30 degrees Celsius. At nights, the temperature reaches a minimum of 16 to 20 degrees C. The summer here is neither cold nor hot. It is pleasant all day long. The summer ends in September. The season ends in September. Many people say that the best time to visit this place is between June and August. The peak of summer is here and the snow has melted, which makes the place look green. You will find a lot of tourists in this place during this period.

There is one more reason why tourists flock during this period. The festival of Hermis dance is organized during this period and it is a very lively and colorful event to watch. Starting from camping to trekking, you can enjoy many adventure activities during this period. All passes, mountain roads, trekking routes, and others are open during this period. Great lakes are clear and it is easy to camp near the river.
The major activities to enjoy in summer are the Stok festival and Matho festival in March and May, Hemis festival, and Phyang festival from June to August. Meanwhile, the Nubra Valley is a must-visit for tourists in summer. The road trips to Manali and Sri Nagar will be of great beauty. To sum up, the best time to visit Leh Ladakh is in summer, between late March and mid-August. The most popular tourist period is between June and August.

Rains start in June and end in September. As you might have guessed, this place gets a lot of rain. The weather is not very cold, but the place is not very beautiful. Most motorcycle and trekking routes will be blocked because of the rain. A lot of attractions would be inaccessible during this season. It would be very pleasant temperature and unless you want to be soaked in rain every day, it is better to avoid the monsoon season. If you intend to visit Ladakh during the monsoon season, make sure you attend the Diskit and Thiksey festivals. You will be able to find a considerable number of tourists during this season, as the passes of the motorcycle tours are of great beauty during this season. Hiking routes are closed for safety reasons.

In Ladakh, winter starts from the second week of October and ends in February. The temperatures can go down to -20 degrees C and reach 2 degrees C. Lots of lakes are frozen, motorcycle passes are closed and trekking routes are blocked. Nearly all adventure activities become either dangerous or blocked. Nevertheless, you can find many tourists here during the winter. People who come to Ladakh for the wildlife attraction choose winter. It is during this time that many snow leopards can be seen. In addition, the festivals of Spituk and Losar are held in winter. Last but not least, the place is very beautiful, like a fairy tale snow country. A lot of people consider winter as the best time to visit Ladakh because of the beauty of the landscape.