It may not be the best time, but, in my opinion, most tourism in Ladakh happens in the month of July. Without a doubt, this is the month when tourist activities are at their best; and the whole land is vibrant, with colorful visitors from all over the world. People also continue to visit in August and September; or in the previous months of May or June; but the kind of enthusiasm you see in July is hard to find in any other month. I have been to Ladakh several times in 7 different months of the year, but July is by far my favorite month to be there. If you were also thinking of visiting Ladakh in July; below, in this article, you’ll find some tips on how to plan your journey for the best.

Your final trip will depend, of course, on factors like your trip; and how many days you have on hand; but the information below can help you write your itinerary. I will include some tips on what you can expect while traveling to Ladakh in July; followed by a suggested itinerary at the end. If, after reading the article, you have other questions, ask in the comments at the bottom of this page.

Is it safe to travel to Leh Ladakh in July?

Yes, it is safe to plan a trip to Ladakh in June, but there are some suggestions that you should keep in mind, which I will discuss in the article below.

How to plan a trip to Ladakh in July

Until some time ago, a trip to Ladakh was made mainly by motorcycle enthusiasts. That was how the term “biker paradise” was coined. Much has now changed, however. Now, other modes of transport are also used in the same way. While most people still travel by car, many others arrive in Ladakh by air; or by public transport; or in a rented vehicle. If you were also planning to board a flight to the city of Leh, acute mountain sickness, also known as AMS, will become your first concern. You will definitely suffer from this on the first day of arrival and possibly even on the 2nd.

Acute mountain disease in Ladakh

The slow gain in altitude and a lot of rest is the best prevention against altitude sickness, which doesn’t really happen in the case of a flight. You are at your home and then at the airport on the plains; and after about an hour, you lift your body to an astonishing 3,500 meters in the city of Leh. This altitude gain is sudden and faster than your body can handle.

So, when you arrive in the city of Leh and until your body gets used to the new time when you brought it; you will be suffering from altitude sickness. In many ways, it would look the same as when you had a high fever. There is very little you can do about it and you will have to rest and make time. Day 1 would have to be spent completely at the hotel; and you can’t afford to run and get tired. For more details on what AMS is, its symptoms; and prevention, read How to deal with acute mountain sickness in Ladakh.

Bike ride in Ladakh in July

If you were coming to Ladakh by motorcycle or rental car; your biggest concern will be that vehicles rented outside Ladakh are not allowed for sightseeing here. And yes, this also applies to the city of Leh. The locals put barriers on these routes and, if they catch you, you will be sent back to the city of Leh. There have also been incidents of vehicles rented off-site being attacked, vandalized and taken by force.

Mobile network in Ladakh

When it comes to mobile and data connectivity in Ladakh, it is practically limited only to the city of Leh. BSNL here has the broadest coverage; but it is only in Leh that you get a stable connection with good voice clarity. All other networks will be dead by the time you leave Leh; but you will also have an intermittent BSNL connection in Nubra and Pangong. The clarity of the voice will be extremely poor, but you can at least send text messages, if necessary. Airtel and Jio are the best thing after BSNL in Ladakh. For more information on this topic, read Mobile services in Leh and other areas of Ladakh.

Is Ladakh open in July?

The answer to this question is a definite yes. Ladakh is completely open in July, including the Manali – Leh and Srinagar – Leh highways. All inland roads leading to areas such as Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are also accessible. As is the peak tourist season, all hotels, inns and activities related to tourism are also operational. You can arrive in Ladakh in July and you will have no trouble finding a place to stay; or a place to eat; or other service, such as renting motorbikes, taxis or public transportation.

Ladakh in monsoon July

Yes, July is the time when the monsoon reaches the Himalayas. The valleys around Manali, Lahaul and Kashmir are beginning to suffer rains at this time, which can vary from moderate to so intense that they can even cause landslides. However, most chances of rain are on their way to Ladakh, Manali to Leh and Srinagar to Leh. Ladakh is in a rain shadow area, so it shouldn’t rain here or rain much less. There may be occasional rain at the top of the passages, which can even block the road for a few hours or even a day, but the Army restores connectivity as soon as possible. If possible, I recommend that you plan your trip in the first half of July, because as the month progresses, the intensity of the monsoon season will also increase.

Ladakh water crossing

Let me put it this way. It’s been a while since summer came. All roads have opened and the sun is shining. The snow has started to melt and is feeding its water with countless streams of water, also called “nallahs”. Now since July, Monsoon has also joined the party and is contributing in the form of all the rain. Got the idea? Yes, you will have to be prepared for many of these water passages that you have heard of. Some of them will be easy, but others will be deep enough to swallow an entire bus.

Jokes aside, but a trip to Ladakh in July means that you will have to cross several of these streams on the way; and must be properly prepared. These small streams will be present not only on the Srinagar – Leh and Manali – Leh highways; but also on the internal roads of Ladakh. If you were on a motorcycle trip, remember this while packing and decide which shoes to take. Rubber sandals that can cover your entire foot can be a good substitute to make sure you don’t get your shoes wet with every water pass. When crossing, take off your shoes, put on your rubber sandals, cross them and put them back on. That way, you don’t get your shoes wet and keep your feet covered when crossing a stream.

If you were traveling by car, be sure to take the one with good ground clearance. Crossing these streams of water and muddy areas would be difficult if your car didn’t have a good GC.

Motorcycle trip to Ladakh in July

If you are traveling on a motorcycle, it would be prudent to take clothes and all your belongings in waterproof bags and still wrap these bags in plastic sheets or canvas before tying them on the motorcycle. Always carry plastic bags and extra tarps in case you tear. Keep your electronics, wallet and important documents wrapped in plastic wrap at all times. Take a good quality rain suit, because you definitely don’t want to keep walking in such a cold temperature while it’s wet.

Changing clothes every time you get wet is also practically not possible. Your shoes must also be waterproof. Pack light clothing that dries fast enough. If you can, take an umbrella too. Before starting your trip, service the motorcycle and check all the wiring to ensure that there is no wear that could cause a short circuit in the rain.

Traveling to Ladakh in July by car

If you are traveling by car, avoid putting any luggage on the roof as far as possible, but if necessary, put things that are not at risk of being ruined by rain. For example, your camping gear, if you’re carrying cans of Jerry, if you haven’t filled them yet. If you are tying a bag up there, make sure everything is wrapped tightly in plastic and that there is a thick canvas covering the roof. Remove all electronic items, papers, wallets, etc. before mounting the bags on the roof.

Protect your camera

An electronic device that gets more used to trips like this and is in danger of being ruined is your camera. Buy a raincoat for your camera, if you can. Otherwise, keep it protected not only from rain, but also from moisture. Do not carry your regular DSLR bag; Instead, buy a waterproof bag for your camera and accessories.

Driving tips for going to Ladakh in July

One thing you need to be prepared for is driving through mud and water crossings in July. There are several areas on the highways where rain wreaks havoc, creating a lot of mud, like Rohtang on the Manali Leh road and Zoji La on the Srinagar Leh road. Heavy rains can wash parts of narrow roads, leaving vehicles struggling on slippery curves. Passing the car through these stretches can be challenging and you need to be extra careful when doing so.

When crossing a nallah in a car, stop for a minute, get out, inspect the passage and then drive your car very carefully. If you’re still not sure, wait a little longer for another car to arrive and follow your lead. Stay in first gear, do not clutch half and cross at once, maintaining the moment. If mud is out there, ask your fellow travelers to get out of the car so they can help push the vehicle if you get stuck.

Accelerate slowly to ensure your car doesn’t skid. You really need to accelerate the accelerator to prevent the wheel from turning. Avoid sudden movements on the steering wheel, accelerator or brake, as this can make your car spin. If you doubt your driving skills very much and are not very comfortable with the idea of driving on such roads, I suggest you hire a driver who is a resident of Manali.

Keep buffer days on your itinerary

The next concern is landslides caused by rain and, to combat this, you must keep a few days in buffer. There is a great possibility that a certain part of the road may close for a few hours or even a few days because of the landslide; in that case, you will have no choice but to go to the nearest city and wait. You also need to be careful when driving through the areas you see being affected by rain or a lot of dirt or mud around, because it is not always a big landslide, but also the smallest ones. Some rocks can slide off the top, damaging the vehicle and injuring you. Much of it, however, is that the BRO has posted notices in areas where this can happen. If you see a board that says “throwing rocks”, be alert.

Accommodation in Ladakh in july

Until now, I have always advised people not to book their accommodation anywhere in advance. That would just mean paying more money than it actually does now. The situation now is that tourism in Ladakh is always high. The number of people visiting here increases with each passing year, which limits accommodation options in the tourist season.

In June 2018, it got so crowded and crowded that tourists had to return from Lake Pangong; because there was simply no place available to stay. People went there in the morning; took a day trip and returned to the city of Leh the same day. Even in other parts of Ladakh, including Leh, a similar type of situation has occurred; where people found it difficult to find a hotel by preference. What I am trying to say is that now, if you are going to Ladakh in July, August or September; it would be advisable to book your stay in advance.

Private taxi in Ladakh

It is very similar to the accommodation. So many people are flying to Ladakh with families that taxi drivers are all fully booked for the season. Is correct. It is now difficult to get a private taxi in Ladakh. There was a time when these taxi drivers were fighting among themselves for customers; but the situation is the opposite now. So yes, if you are visiting Ladakh in July this year; and have plans to rent a private taxi, it would be better to book one in advance.

You can contact Nasir at Leh @ 9906229203. He drives his own taxi and is a reliable contact. Give my reference and, if it is available, reserve it. Otherwise, it can at least direct you to another trusted driver.

Bike rental in Ladakh

However, when it comes to renting a motorcycle; I still wouldn’t recommend booking one in advance; unless you have a trusted contact there. I would still suggest that you reach Leh first; take a motorcycle test ride; decide between some; and then make a final decision on which to rent.

Srinagar to Leh in july

The Srinagar Leh highway is usually declared open sometime between April and July, the road is completely stable. You will still find the BRO working on several stretches of the road, but in July, it is almost always smooth. The worst stretch of the road will be around Zojilla. In addition, there will be some other bad patches, but nothing too problematic. There will also be some water passages along the way; and your chance of finding rain will be greater between Srinagar and Drass.

In summary, the Srinagar Leh highway in July will remain open and accessible. The only risk, however, will be rain. When you travel through the Kashmir valley, you are in a rain-prone area as far as Drass. So traveling from Srinagar to Leh by road in July means that you will have to keep an eye on the weather and, if there is news of landslides or any kind of weather related problem, postpone your trip until things calm down.

Manali to Leh in july

In terms of difficulty, the Manali Leh highway in July is a clear winner with all its bad roads; 5 passages and numerous water courses. If you are traveling from Manali to Leh by road in July; then you will find the whole section open; but there is no guarantee of what the road conditions will be like. This road is declared open in June and is generally at its best only in September. There was a cloud storm on the Manali Leh Highway in July 2017; due to which thousands of tourists remained stuck on the road for more than 24 hours. So yes, there is a chance that you will have to face the rain; which increases even more if you are traveling in the middle of the month. So, be prepared for any such situation.

In 2019, people were trapped in Baralacha La in a freezing cold on the road for over 18 hours, with nowhere to go and nothing to eat. So it would be better to bring something to chew on, like chips, Buiscuits or chocolates. If you were traveling by car, it shouldn’t be a problem. But even if you were on a motorcycle, find some space to pack some snacks to handle a situation like this.

Clothes to wear in Leh Ladakh in July

As you can probably already guess from what you read above, you will definitely need to carry a raincoat; or at least a waterproof jacket that you can wear if it starts to rain. Also, just bring your regular cotton, some light wool and a heavy windproof jacket and you’ll be fine. Don’t forget to take your gloves and, if possible, buy a waterproof pair. When packing your jacket, make sure you have one that can also protect your face and neck.

Road conditions in Ladakh in July

I explained the road conditions of Manali and Srinagar above. In addition, the internal roads of Ladakh in July will mainly be a mixture of good, bad and ugly things. The roads to Nubra and Pangong are good, except for some bad stretches at the top of Khardung La and Chang La. The path to Tso Moriri will be good and bad, depending on the route you take. The Changthang valley (Hanle, Chushul) is a mixture of super smooth, smooth, bad and ugly stretches. Mud and water flows will be limited mainly to the top of passages on internal roads.

Places to visit in Leh Ladakh in July

All major and minor tourist attractions in Ladakh can be visited in the month of July. The main sights such as the city of Leh, the Nubra valley, Lake Pangong and Tso Moriri are definitely open; and it should be on everyone’s list to visit. In addition, other places like Hanle and Sham Valley etc. they are also open to tourism, as long as you have the proper permissions to visit here. Let me give you a breakdown for different tourist locations in Ladakh.

Nubra valley in july

The Nubra valley remains accessible throughout the month of July. You can easily reach Nubra from Leh directly via Khardung La; or from Pangong via the Shyok road. All internal areas of the Nubra valley, including Diskit, Hunder, Turtuk and Panamik, will also open in July. As this is the peak tourist season, all business related to tourism, including hotels, inns and guides, will be open for business. Depending on your budget, you will also have no trouble finding a place to stay. The decision to make an advance reservation or not is entirely up to you, but even if you arrived without previous reservations, you can still find a hotel for the night.

Diskit has the largest number of hotels and inns and Turtuk as of now has the lowest. So if you were unable to find accommodation in Turtuk in July, you will need to return to Diskit or Hunder and look for a place there.

In recent times, there have been some cases where rains have caused landslides near Khardung La, blocking the road between the Leh and Nubra valley. However, this is only a temporary closure and the authorities clean and open the road as soon as possible, which usually occurs on the same day.

Pangong Lake in July

Pangong Tso remains open and accessible in the month of July. A trip to the lake is ideally a 2 day journey. You travel from Leh to Pangong on day 1, stay there at night and return to the city on day 2.

There are numerous campsites on the banks of Pangong, where you can find accommodations. If you want to stay inside cemented walls, you can stay as a paying guest at Spangmik or at any of the inns in Man or Merak. You can also visit from Leh to Pangong Lake in one day, but that just means that you spent most of your time on the road. However, it can still be done. You just need to ensure that you start early from Leh, possibly at 6am, so that you have some time to spend in Pangong before returning.

Tso Moriri in july

After the Nubra valley and Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri is definitely the third most visited place in Ladakh. This freshwater lake may be smaller in size than Pangong, but it is not smaller in beauty. Like Nubra and Pangong, Tso Moriri also remains open in July. You can visit here via the Chumathang route from Leh; or take the Chushul route to reach Moriri directly from Pangong Tso without having to return to Leh. Both roads will remain open in July and which one will depend entirely on you.

Zanskar valley in July

The Zanskar valley will be accessible in July. The most common way to include it in your travel plan would be to reach Ladakh from Manali and then return to Srinagar while traveling Zanskar on the way. The entire route from Kargil to Padum is open in July and you can also find public transport. If you want to deviate from Kargil to Zanskar, make sure you have at least 2 days off on your itinerary. One day to reach Padum and then the next day to return. If you have time, stay a day in Zanskar and explore other places while making Padum your home base.

Other tourist Places

Shyok Road in July – Open
Hanle in July – Open
Chushul Route – Open
Sham Valley – Open
Tso Kar – Open
Batalik Route – Open

Snow on Leh Ladakh in July

The snow in Ladakh practically disappeared in July. You will definitely find some at the top of the passes, like Rohtang, Baralacha La, Khardung La, but most will be limited to just there. You will definitely not witness a live snowfall unless you are in good luck and have caught one at the top of the passages on the way. Someone asked me if they could see a blizzard in Leh in July and the answer to that is no definite. There will be no snowfall in Leh in July and nowhere else in Ladakh.

Ladakh in late July

The end of July isn’t really the best time to visit Ladakh and Monsoon again is the reason. All global warming has changed things a lot and, although Ladakh is an area of rain shadow, even here, the 2010 cloud killed so many people. If you can, plan for early July or make your trip in September. If you can’t, at least be prepared for monsoons.

Public transport in Ladakh in July

There was a time not too long ago, when public transport in Ladakh was scarce. The bus service was not so frequent and finding shared taxis was a challenge. This, however, is no longer the case. The authorities have taken steps to ensure better connectivity; and now even a local bus service in the city of Leh is operational. Public transport will be available in Ladakh in July; and even if you can’t find a bus, you can always take a shared taxi at the Leh bus stop every morning. These taxis run in all directions; so no matter what your destination is, you can easily get there and back.

Camp in Ladakh in July

If you also want to experience some fun camping during your trip, you can do so. Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are the best places to camp, but camping sites are available elsewhere, such as the Nubra valley and the Manali Leh highway. If you had your own equipment, you can set up your tent, but don’t do it in the middle of anywhere. Also, beware of dogs in Ladakh. They are dangerous and there have been cases of dogs here killing and eating people.

Festival in Ladakh in June

Yuru Kabgyat, Hemis Tsechu, Sachukul Gustor, Ladakh Polo Festival, Stongday Gustor, Karsha Gustor, Phyang Tsesdup, Karzok Gustor, Dakthok Tseschu and Sani Nasjal are some of the festivals celebrated in July in Ladakh. Of all this, the Ladakh Polo Festival is probably the one in which you can easily participate, as it is held only in the city of Leh. For more information, read Ladakh Festivals: a colorful celebration of life

Ladakh Weather in july

The climate in Ladakh in july is pleasant. The days will be moderately warm, but the nights will still get cold. The temperature of the day will be above 25 degrees Celsius and will drop to 10 to 15 degrees Celsius overnight. This can fall even further in places like Lake Pangong. The monsoon arrives in late July and, if it rains a lot, it can cause flash floods.

Travel to Leh Ladakh in July

Yes, a road trip is still the best way to travel to Ladakh. The minimum or recommended time for a trip will be at least 12 days, if you really want to enjoy the trip. You can reach the city of Leh via Srinagar, spend a day in Leh to get passes and local tours; go to the Nubra valley; reach Pangong via the Shyok road; go back to Leh and then leave for Manali. You can also cover Tso Moriri via Chushul or Chumathang. I suggested an itinerary for the trip below.

Honeymoon in Leh Ladakh in July

Yes, if you plan your honeymoon in Ladakh in July, you can do it. All hotels will be open at the moment and you can book according to your budget and preference. There are some luxury and luxury hotels as well that cater for a honeymoon couple. Whether you want to buy a package or plan it, it will be entirely your choice. My advice is that you rent a taxi for the trip, but manage everything yourself. Your taxi driver can also be your guide and will be happy to help you.

Minimum travel time to Ladakh

There are many factors that will decide the final answer to this question, such as your budget, mode of travel and preference, etc. But, to give a direct answer, at least 7 days if you are flying directly to Leh; 10 to 11 days for a trip and 14 days for a public transport trip.

Keeping in mind the schedules above, I will suggest some examples of itineraries that you can consult for your trip to Ladakh. I’m keeping the plan as comprehensive as possible, but if you’re short of time, you can remove either place and skip days. If you want help on how to do this, you can ask in the comments section at the bottom of this page.

Suggested Itinerary

So, if you had a total of 14 days, see below how you can travel. For the sake of this article, I will assume that you are traveling from Delhi. If your starting point was different, only the first and last day’s journey will be changed; the rest of the details will still be applied.

Delhi to Jammu – Day 1
Jammu to Srinagar – Day 2
Srinagar to Kargil – Day 3
Kargil to Leh – Day 4
Leh – Day 5
Leh to Diskit – Day 6
Diskit to Turtuk to Panamik – Day 7
Panamik to Pangong via Shyok – Day 8
Pangong to Hanle – Day 9
Hanle to Karzok – Day 10
Karzok to Pang – Day 11
Pang to Jispa – Day 12
Jispa to Manali – Day 13
Manali to Delhi – Day 14

For more itineraries for a different number of days, please take a look at the Itinerary Section for Leh Ladakh.

Let me also share a few alternate versions of this journey. I will suggest three different itineraries. First if you started from Srinagar (which I did above), second if you started from Manali and third if you flew into Leh directly.

Itinerary for Ladakh Air Trip

If you caught a flight directly to Ladakh, your journey can be as mentioned below.

Arrive in Ladakh. Take rest and arrange permits – Day 1
Ladakh to Lamayuru to Ladakh (Sham Valley Tour) – Day 2
Leh to Diskit – Day 3
Diskit to Pangong via Shyok – Day 4
Pangong to Leh – Day 5
Leh to Tso Moriri via Changthang – Day 6
Tso Moriri to Leh via Tso Kar – Day 7
Buffer Day – Day 8
Fly Out – Day 9

Manali to Leh by Road in July

If you started from Delhi and reach Ladakh via Manali, your plan can be like the one below.

Delhi to Manali – Day 1
Manali to Jispa / Sarchu – Day 2
Jispa / Sarchu to Leh – Day 3
Leh – Day 4
Leh to Diskit – Day 5
Diskit to Pangong via Shyok – Day 6
Pangong to Hanle – Day 7
Hanle to Tso Moriri – Day 8
Tso Moriri to Leh via Tso Kar – Day 9
Leh to Kargil – Day 10
Kargil to Srinagar – Day 11
Srinagar to Jammu – Day 12
Jammu to Delhi – Day 13

Important FAQs about visiting Leh Ladakh in July

Last but not least, let me answer some of the most common questions asked by people planning a trip to Ladakh in July.

1. Is there snow in Ladakh in July?

Yes, you will find snow at the top of the passages, like Khardung La and Chang La. As you approach Ladakh by road, you will also see a lot of snow on passages like Baralacha La and Zoji La. However, if your question is whether it snows in Ladakh in July, the answer would be no. Even if you are very lucky, the snowfall would be very small and limited only to the top of the passages.

2. What to see in Ladakh in July?

All tourist areas remain open in Ladakh in July. Leh City, Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley and Tso Moriri will be the best places to visit.

3. What to do in Ladakh in July?

Sights, photography, trekking, camping, star gazing, shopping, staying in monasteries and motorcycling will be some of the main things to do in Ladakh in July.

4. Is the Manali Leh highway open in July?

Yes, the road from Manali to Leh will be open in July, unless it has been blocked by landslides caused by rain.

5. Is there a bus from Manali to Leh in July?

Yes, you can board a bus from Manali or Delhi to Ladakh. These buses are operated by HRTC and HPTDC.

6. Is there a bus from Srinagar to Leh in July?

Yes, the JKSRTC bus remains operational from Srinagar to Leh in July.

Ladakh in July