Last updated: October 2026. Written for the 2026-27 winter season.
A Ladakh winter tour comes down to two things: the 48-hour acclimatization rule and snow on the passes. Leh stays open all winter and flights keep landing. After snowfall the Border Roads Organisation clears Khardung La and Chang La, but the road can stay shut for several hours or longer, and nobody can tell you in advance which morning that will be.
This guide covers the 5-night, 6-day Himalayan Holidays route through Leh, Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake. It says plainly where the schedule is tight. It also covers what Ladakh in winter feels like, what the trip costs to plan for, and what to settle with any operator before you pay.
Quick Answer
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Short version Himalayan Holidays runs a 5-night, 6-day Ladakh winter tour: Leh, Nubra Valley across Khardung La, and Pangong Lake across Chang La. Ladakh's tourism authorities require 48 hours in Leh, counted from landing, before you go to passes such as Khardung La or to Pangong. Plan Nubra for day 3 only if you land early and leave after those 48 hours are up. Otherwise add a night. Winter runs from about November to mid April. January is the coldest month, with an India Meteorological Department average low of minus 13.4°C in Leh. Indian citizens need no Inner Line Permit, and foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. |
Key takeaways
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Before you book
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Who a Ladakh winter tour suits
Book this trip if you can handle sub-zero mornings and a plan that sometimes changes. Skip it if you want hotel-style comfort at every stop.
The cold is real. India Meteorological Department figures for Leh (2011 to 2024) put the January average at a high of 1.9°C and a low of minus 13.4°C. The coldest January night in IMD's 2015 to 2024 listing was minus 20.7°C, on 3 January 2020. Pangong and Tso Moriri run colder.
In return the roads are empty and the monasteries are quiet. In the coldest weeks the lakes freeze.
Who this trip suits
- Travellers who can take sub-zero weather and thin air
- Photographers and snow lovers who want empty roads
- Couples, families and small groups whose return dates can move by a day
- Honeymooners who want snow and quiet
- Solo travellers who prefer a fixed private vehicle and confirmed stays
Who should think twice
- Anyone with a heart or breathing condition, unless a doctor has cleared the trip
- Travellers with a tight same-day connection out of Delhi after landing back from Leh
- People who expect hotel-style comfort at every stop
Ladakh in winter: season, temperature and what is open
Winter runs from about November to mid April. Internal roads mostly stay open, including the roads to Nubra and Pangong, but the passes on them can shut after heavy snow. The Manali to Leh and Srinagar to Leh highways close for the season. For a Ladakh winter tour, the flight into Leh is the first thing to lock down.
| Period | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| December | Cold already. Losar, the Ladakhi New Year, is usually celebrated around this time, and the dates move every year. | Local culture, fewer visitors |
| January and February | Coldest weeks. Pangong is most likely to be frozen. The Chadar Trek and snow leopard tracking seasons run in this window. | Frozen lake, deep snow |
| March | Snow leopard tracking continues into March, and winter conditions last until about mid April. | Snow scenery |
No month guarantees a frozen lake or an open pass.
Ladakh winter temperature in Leh
| Month | Average daily high | Average daily low |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1.9°C | Minus 13.4°C |
| February | 5.9°C | Minus 8.8°C |
| March | 9.7°C | Minus 3.2°C |
| April | 14.8°C | 1.7°C |
Source: India Meteorological Department, Leh climatological table, 2011 to 2024. Pangong and Tso Moriri are colder, and operators report nights near minus 20°C there.
Winter festivals in Ladakh
Three winter events come up most often. Losar is the Ladakhi New Year, celebrated around December. Dosmoche is held in Leh and Likir with ritual monk dances. Spituk Gustor is known for mask dances at Spituk Monastery.
Their dates follow the Tibetan lunar calendar and change every year. This route has no fixed festival day, so ask for the current dates before you pick dates for a winter trip to Ladakh.
Ladakh winter tour itinerary at a glance
| Day | Plan | Overnight | Highest point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Land in Leh, rest. The 48-hour clock starts | Leh | About 3,500 m |
| 2 | Hall of Fame, Kali Mata Temple, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill, Sangam | Leh | About 3,500 m |
| 3 | Leh to Nubra Valley across Khardung La, Diskit and Hunder, once 48 hours have passed | Nubra | Khardung La, 5,359 m or higher by some sources |
| 4 | Nubra back to Leh across Khardung La, free afternoon | Leh | Khardung La again |
| 5 | Pangong Lake day trip from Leh across Chang La | Leh | Chang La, about 5,360 m |
| 6 | Airport transfer and departure | None | Not applicable |
Day by day: your 5-night Ladakh winter tour plan
Day 1: Land, check in and rest
Your representative meets you at Leh airport and takes you to the hotel. The 48-hour clock starts when you land. The official advice for day one is complete rest, and nothing strenuous on day two.
If you feel fine in the evening, Shanti Stupa and a slow walk through the market are reasonable. Shanti Stupa is in Chanspa, about 5 km from the centre, and entry is free. Dinner is at the hotel.
Day 2: An easy day on the Sham Valley road
Everything today sits at or below Leh's own height. You drive west on the Leh to Srinagar highway to the Hall of Fame, an Indian Army museum, the Kali Mata Temple, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill and the Sangam, where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet near Nimmo.
Magnetic Hill is an optical illusion created by the slope of the land, which makes cars seem to roll uphill. It takes five minutes. Return to Leh for dinner.
Day 3: Leh to Nubra Valley across Khardung La
Check the clock before you leave. Forty-eight hours must have passed since you landed. A morning arrival makes day 3 workable, and an afternoon arrival pushes Nubra to day 4.
The road climbs to Khardung La and drops into Nubra Valley, roughly 120 to 130 km from Leh depending on where you stop. The pass height depends on whose number you trust. 5,359 m (17,582 ft) is widely quoted, while the signboard at the top and some official pages say 5,602 m. Stay 10 to 15 minutes, because the air is thin.
In Nubra you visit Diskit Monastery and the dunes near Hunder. Rides on double humped Bactrian camels cost extra and run when conditions allow. Dinner and overnight stay in Nubra.
Day 4: Nubra Valley back to Leh
After breakfast, see anything you missed at Hunder or Diskit, then cross Khardung La again to Leh. The afternoon is free for the market or an early night. You need it before the Pangong day.
Day 5: Pangong Lake day trip
Pangong is the longest day of the Ladakh winter tour. The drive is 4 to 5 hours each way across Chang La, about 5,360 m, and with stops you should plan for 10 hours or more. The lake sits at about 4,350 m (14,270 ft). Stay with your guide on where it is safe to stand on the ice. You return to Leh for dinner.
Day 6: Departure
Breakfast, then a transfer to the airport. Flights out of Leh can be delayed by weather, so avoid a tight onward connection on the same day.
Khardung La, Chang La and snow days
Say it snows overnight before day 3 and the Border Roads Organisation is still clearing Khardung La. Closures can last several hours or longer, and no one can promise a reopening time. This is a scenario, not a field report, but it is the kind of disruption every Ladakh winter tour has to absorb.
Operators usually swap Pangong and Nubra, or hold the group in Leh until the road opens. Book a spare day. Without one, a single snow day costs you Nubra or Pangong.
Questions to ask any winter tour operator about snow days
- Who decides when the plan changes, and how fast do you get told?
- Is an extra night in Leh charged, and at what rate?
- Which property is booked in Nubra, and how is it heated?
- What happens to the quote if a flight is cancelled?
Frozen Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley in winter
Pangong Lake in winter
The Leh district website says the lake freezes completely in winter. About one third of it lies in India and the rest in China, so you only see the Indian side. The area is a notified wildlife sanctuary. Keep to the marked road and carry your rubbish out.
Facilities are basic. Hot water may arrive by the bucket.
Nubra Valley in winter
Nubra is the milder half of the Ladakh winter tour. It sits at about 3,000 m, far below the passes, and it is milder than Pangong but still well below freezing at night. Diskit Monastery and the Hunder dunes are the main stops, and the dunes form a cold desert strip of about 7 km that snow can cover.
Winter experiences you can add to this trip
The 5-night Ladakh winter package covers the classic circuit. Winter adds a few extras that are easier to arrange with notice, and some of them are separate trips.
| Experience | What to know | How it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Thiksey, Shey and Hemis monasteries | Thiksey is about 19 km from Leh and holds an early morning prayer, so confirm the time with the monastery. Shey Palace is about 15 km south. Hemis is about 45 km away. | A half day on the free Leh afternoon, or a full day for all three |
| Leh Palace and the Old Town | The palace dates from around 1630 and looks over the town. Allow one to two hours. | Easy to add on day 4 |
| Sham Valley and Alchi | Alchi, about 65 km west of Leh, is known for murals from the 11th and 12th centuries. The Sham Valley winter trek takes 2 to 3 days and is easy. | Extra day or more |
| Ice hockey in Leh | Local matches are played on frozen rinks such as the NDS ground in winter. Dates vary by year. | Ask before booking |
| Stargazing and Hanle | Hanle has a Dark Sky Reserve, set up in 2022 according to the Ladakh tourism portal. Some operators run winter routes there. | Longer trip, check road and stay status |
| Turtuk | A Balti village in the far north of Nubra, reached from Hunder. It opened to visitors in 2010. | Adds at least one night in Nubra |
Separate winter trips
The Chadar Trek on the frozen Zanskar River takes 7 to 9 days and is rated difficult, with January and February as the season. Snow leopard tracking in Hemis National Park runs 7 to 12 days, mostly from January to March, at moderate to difficult level. Some operators also sell photography tours of up to 13 nights. None of these fit inside a 6-day sightseeing plan.
Which winter tour length fits you
Operators sell a Leh Ladakh winter tour package in lengths from 4 to 9 days. A Ladakh tour in winter works best when the length matches how much delay you can absorb. First-timers should pick the 6 to 7 night version, because the extra night covers both the 48-hour rule and one snow day.
| Length | Typical route | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 nights, 4 days | Leh and nearby sites, sometimes a Pangong day trip | A first short winter break | No Nubra and little weather buffer |
| 5 nights, 6 days | Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake | Early arrivals with flexible return dates | Tight on the 48-hour rule, and one snow day can cost a destination |
| 6 to 7 nights | The same circuit with a spare day or Turtuk | Most first-time winter visitors | Higher cost |
| 8 to 9 nights | Adds Kargil, Sham Valley or Hanle | Repeat visitors | More days of cold and uncertain roads |
Himalayan Holidays can adjust the length on request. Ask for the version that fits your dates.
Hotels, heating and food on a winter trip to Ladakh
Hotels and homestays that stay open in winter heat their rooms in different ways: oil heaters, bukhari wood stoves or central heating. Ask what each night's property uses. At remote stays you may get hot water by the bucket, because pipes freeze.
Breakfast and dinner are part of the Himalayan Holidays plan. Lunch is bought on the road and choices thin out away from Leh, so carry snacks. A bowl of thukpa or skyu is the easiest way to warm up.
How to reach Leh in winter
Fly. Leh's Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport is the practical way in, with flights from Delhi that most winter visitors use. The Manali to Leh and Srinagar to Leh roads close for the season, so every winter tour in Leh Ladakh starts and ends at the airport.
Weather can delay or cancel flights. Choose flexible fares, keep a spare day before any onward connection, and carry medicines and warm layers in hand luggage.
Permits, documents and fees for Ladakh in winter
- Indian citizens: no separate Inner Line Permit is needed. Ladakh's tourism portal lists the ILP requirement as removed in 2021. Environment, Red Cross and wildlife fees still apply.
- Foreign nationals: a Protected Area Permit is needed for restricted areas, and some nationalities face extra restrictions. Send passport details when you book.
- Everyone: carry original photo ID plus copies.
- Himalayan Holidays handles the permit formalities and fee payments for this package.
One live change to watch. On 24 August 2026 the Ladakh administration reviewed the PAP and RAP framework for foreign tourists and agreed to explore a single PAP for the whole Union Territory, with restricted areas listed on the permit. That is a proposal. Current rules apply until a change is notified, so confirm before you book.
Ladakh winter tour cost: what changes the price
Himalayan Holidays prices this Ladakh winter package by date, group size and hotel category. Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp and ask for the figure in writing, with GST and any card charges stated.
| Factor | Why it moves the price |
|---|---|
| Hotel category | Fewer properties run in winter, and heated 4 and 5 star rooms cost more than basic stays. |
| Group size | The vehicle cost is shared, so larger groups pay less per person. |
| Travel dates | Holiday weeks and long weekends are often priced separately. |
| Extra nights | A spare day in Leh adds a hotel night but protects the Nubra and Pangong days. |
| Add-ons | Camel rides, entry tickets and private guides are usually extra. |
Costs that surprise people
- Flights to and from Leh, which sit outside the land package
- Lunches, snacks and hot drinks on the road
- Camel rides, monastery tickets and tips
- Extra hotel nights if weather delays you
- GST and card charges, if they are not already in the quote
Cancellation and refund terms for a winter tour
- Refund slabs by days before check-in, and any processing fee deducted
- Whether hotel and flight costs become non-refundable once booked
- What happens if a pass closes or a flight is cancelled: reschedule, credit or refund
- Who pays for extra nights caused by weather
- The advance amount and the balance due date
Get these terms in writing before you pay any operator.
What the Ladakh winter tour package includes and leaves out
Included
- Stay in hotels and homestays as per the itinerary
- Breakfast and dinner
- Airport pickup and drop
- A comfortable SUV or MUV such as a Scorpio or Innova for the sightseeing in the plan
- Permit formalities, wildlife, environment and Red Cross fees
- Experienced guides and drivers
Not included
- Air or rail tickets
- Lunches and drinks
- Camel rides, entry tickets and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Extra nights caused by weather, unless your quote says otherwise
What to pack for Ladakh in winter
For Ladakh in winter, layers beat outfits. January's average low in Leh is minus 13.4°C, and Pangong is colder. The old advice to pack light does not hold.
- Thermal inner layers, top and bottom
- A down or insulated jacket with a windproof outer shell
- Fleece or wool mid layers
- Insulated, waterproof boots with good grip, not sports shoes
- Wool socks, with a spare pair for each day
- Warm cap or balaclava, neck gaiter, inner and outer gloves
- UV sunglasses for snow glare, sunscreen, lip balm with SPF and moisturiser
- An insulated water bottle, since plain bottles freeze
- A power bank, because cold drains phone batteries quickly
- Prescription medicines and a basic first aid kit
- Photo ID originals and copies, plus enough cash for lunches and tips
- A postpaid SIM, since only postpaid connections work in Ladakh
Altitude and health: the 48-hour rule
On this Ladakh winter tour the rule is not a suggestion. The Leh district administration says all tourists must spend at least 48 hours acclimatizing before they head to higher areas such as Khardung La and Pangong. Road travel does not help, because it builds up the altitude effect progressively.
Drink water, skip alcohol and smoking for the first 48 hours, and see your doctor before you fly. The official advisory mentions Diamox, which is a doctor's call and not yours. A headache that will not ease, vomiting, breathlessness or confusion means you stop and go down. Oxygen cylinders are sold at select Leh hotels and pharmacies, and SNM Hospital in Leh gives emergency oxygen.
How to plan and book your winter trip to Ladakh, step by step
- Pick a window for your winter trip to Ladakh. January and February give the deepest winter, while December and March are less extreme.
- Check flights into Leh. Aim to land in the morning and keep a spare day before any onward connection.
- Send your group size, dates and nationality, along with ID or passport details.
- Choose a hotel category and ask how each property is heated.
- Request a written quote that lists inclusions, exclusions, GST and card charges.
- Ask for the cancellation and weather-disruption terms in writing.
- Pay the advance only after the plan and terms are confirmed.
- Pack from the list above and keep ID, medicines and one warm layer in hand luggage.
Common mistakes on a winter trip to Ladakh
- Planning Khardung La or Pangong before the 48 hours are up
- Booking a same-day onward flight right after landing back from Leh
- Skipping the first-day rest to fit in more sightseeing
- Wearing sports shoes on snow and ice
- Assuming a prepaid SIM or a card machine will work outside Leh
- Expecting every hotel in Nubra and Pangong to be open and heated
- Walking onto frozen Pangong without asking your guide
- Packing for Delhi's winter instead of Ladakh's
Pro tips for a smoother winter tour
- Leave early on the Nubra and Pangong days of any winter trip to Ladakh. Roads are clearest in the morning.
- Carry a hot flask and dry snacks for the road.
- Ask for the order of days to be swapped before you cancel anything.
- Book the Ladakh winter package early, since fewer hotels run in winter.
Why book your Ladakh winter tour with Himalayan Holidays
Himalayan Holidays is run by Shikhar Travels India Pvt. Ltd. from an office in Lajpat Nagar-2, New Delhi. It is recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India as an Inbound Tour Operator and Adventure Tour Operator, and it is registered with the Indian Mountaineering Foundation.
- Airport pickup and drop in Leh
- Permit formalities and fee payments handled for you
- Experienced guides and drivers on the road
- Phone and WhatsApp contact before and during the trip
- Custom plans, such as an added night in Leh, on request
FAQs about a winter trip to Ladakh
1. Is Ladakh open for tourists in winter?
Yes. Leh airport operates and local roads are mostly open. Nubra and Pangong are reachable when Khardung La and Chang La are clear. The Manali and Srinagar highways stay closed for the season.
2. What is the best month for a Ladakh winter tour?
January and February give the deepest winter and the best chance of a frozen Pangong Lake. December suits Losar and fewer visitors. Choose by what you want to see.
3. How cold does Ladakh get in winter?
In Leh the IMD January average is a high of 1.9°C and a low of minus 13.4°C. February averages 5.9°C and minus 8.8°C. Pangong and Tso Moriri are colder.
4. Is Pangong Lake frozen in winter?
The Leh district website says it freezes completely in winter. Ice conditions still change, so ask your guide before stepping onto it.
5. Can I visit Nubra Valley in winter, and is Khardung La open?
Yes. The Border Roads Organisation clears snow from Khardung La, so the road is usually open. Heavy snow can close it for several hours or longer, and Nubra waits until it reopens.
6. How long must I stay in Leh before Khardung La or Pangong?
At least 48 hours from landing, according to the Leh district administration and the Ladakh tourism advisory. Short, easy outings around Leh are fine in that time.
7. Do Indian tourists need an Inner Line Permit for Ladakh?
No separate ILP has been needed since 2021. You still pay environment, Red Cross and wildlife fees and carry photo ID.
8. What permit do foreigners need for Ladakh?
A Protected Area Permit for restricted areas such as Nubra and Pangong. The administration is reviewing the framework, so confirm current rules and nationality restrictions when you book.
9. How many days are enough for a Ladakh winter tour?
Five nights and six days cover Leh, Nubra and Pangong on a morning arrival. Six or seven nights are safer, because they absorb the 48-hour rule and a snow day.
10. How do I reach Ladakh in winter?
Fly to Leh, usually from Delhi. The road routes from Manali and Srinagar are closed in winter.
11. Are hotels open in winter in Ladakh?
Some are. Many close for the season, so confirm that every night's property is open and ask how it is heated.
12. Will my mobile phone work in Ladakh?
Only postpaid connections work, according to Ladakh Police. Pangong has little or no signal.
13. Is a winter trip to Ladakh safe for seniors or children?
That depends on health and tolerance for cold and altitude. Get a doctor's opinion first and ask for a spare day in the schedule.
14. Can I do the Chadar Trek on this tour?
No. The Chadar Trek is a separate 7 to 9 day winter trek on the frozen Zanskar River, usually in January and February, and it needs strong fitness. Ask Himalayan Holidays about it separately.
15. How much does a winter trip to Ladakh cost?
It depends on dates, group size and hotel category. Himalayan Holidays quotes in writing, so send your dates and group size and ask for GST and card charges to be included.
Plan your winter trip to Ladakh
Plan the first 48 hours, plan one spare day, and carry enough cash. The rest is packing.
A Ladakh winter tour rewards travellers who prepare for the cold and the thin air, and who accept that one snow day can reshuffle the plan. Send your dates, group size and nationality. Himalayan Holidays will reply with a day-wise plan and a quote.
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Talk to Himalayan Holidays WhatsApp: +91 98210 88817 Phone: +91 97178 91151 Email: tours@shikhar.com Office: M-66 Ground Floor, Lajpat Nagar-2, New Delhi 110024 |
Related Pages
- Ladakh tour package: himalayan-holidays.in/package/ladakh-tour
- Amazing Ladakh packages: himalayan-holidays.in/package/amazing-ladakh-packages
- Pangong Lake travel guide: himalayan-holidays.in/blog/general/pangong-lake-travel-guide
- Offbeat things to do in Ladakh: himalayan-holidays.in/blog/trekking/offbeat-things-to-do-in-ladakh
