The short answer
When to go to Leh
June to September is the practical season, when the high-altitude passes are open; July and August are warmest but busiest, while late April to May and September to October offer milder crowds with cooler days. From November to March the Manali and Srinagar highways close, hotels and restaurants scale back, and only flights connect Leh to the rest of India. Altitude, not season, is the main hazard for seniors: rest fully on arrival at 3,500 metres, avoid stairs and exertion on day one, and keep to short outings with plenty of water throughout.
Month by month
Leh weather by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2°C | -13°C | 10 mm | Bitterly cold; road links closed, most hotels shut | |
| February | 4°C | -9°C | 8 mm | Still deep winter; road access remains closed | |
| March | 10°C | -4°C | 11 mm | Very cold; the Manali and Srinagar highways are still shut | |
| April | 15°C | 2°C | 9 mm | Cold with road links reopening only gradually | |
| May | 20°C | 6°C | 9 mm | Milder days but nights still cold; roads reopening | |
| June | 24°C | 11°C | 4 mm | Warm days, cold nights; passes open, fewer crowds | |
| July | 29°C | 16°C | 15 mm | Warm and busy; peak season for monasteries and lakes | |
| August | 28°C | 15°C | 15 mm | Similar to July, warm days and heavy tourist traffic | |
| September | 23°C | 9°C | 9 mm | Cooling but still pleasant; a good shoulder month | |
| October | 17°C | 0°C | 8 mm | Cold nights return; road links start closing again | |
| November | 11°C | -7°C | 4 mm | Very cold; overland routes are closing for winter | |
| December | 5°C | -12°C | 5 mm | Deep winter cold; only air access remains reliable |
Temperatures and rainfall are long-term monthly averages. Check the forecast a few days before you travel.
Seasons at a glance
Leh seasons for families and seniors
The easiest months: June, July and August
- June: Warm days, cold nights; passes open, fewer crowds
- July: Warm and busy; peak season for monasteries and lakes
- August: Similar to July, warm days and heavy tourist traffic
Good, with small trade-offs: September
- September: Cooling but still pleasant; a good shoulder month
Possible, with planning: May and October
- May: Milder days but nights still cold; roads reopening
- October: Cold nights return; road links start closing again
Best avoided with parents or children: March and April
- March: Very cold; the Manali and Srinagar highways are still shut
- April: Cold with road links reopening only gradually
Closed or largely inaccessible: January, February, November and December
- January: Bitterly cold; road links closed, most hotels shut
- February: Still deep winter; road access remains closed
- November: Very cold; overland routes are closing for winter
- December: Deep winter cold; only air access remains reliable
Useful answers
Best time to visit Leh: FAQs
What is the best month to visit Leh?
June, July and August are the best months to visit Leh, with September also good. June to September is the practical season, when the high-altitude passes are open; July and August are warmest but busiest, while late April to May and September to October offer milder crowds with cooler days. From November to March the Manali and Srinagar highways close, hotels and restaurants scale back, and only flights connect Leh to the rest of India. Altitude, not season, is the main hazard for seniors: rest fully on arrival at 3,500 metres, avoid stairs and exertion on day one, and keep to short outings with plenty of water throughout.
Which months should I avoid in Leh with elderly parents?
March, April, January, February, November and December are the months to avoid with older travellers. Bitterly cold; road links closed, most hotels shut Still deep winter; road access remains closed
When does it rain most in Leh?
July is the wettest month, with about 15 mm of rain on average. The hottest month is July, with average highs around 29°C.