Leh Ladakh in March
Overview
Ladakh, located in the Himalayas, is one of the most sought after holiday destinations to visit with your loved ones.
March Marks the end of winter in Ladakh and the onset of spring season. As the season starts, the valleys are alive again. While mostly uncertain, the weather is overall pleasant and comfortable. With lush vistas, different local attractions are accessible now to explore.
Lakes, monasteries and valleys welcomes tourists from all over the world. Indulge in recreational activities like trekking and hiking.
The valleys and vistas are dotted with an array of vibrant wildflowers, creating a perfect natural scenery. It enhances the entire experience. In March, it is not very crowded as well.
The tourism has just resumed and it is still time for the peak season. And hence it is the perfect time to plan a budget-friendly trip to Ladakh.
You can afford a fun tour to Ladakh in March with under budget hotels and taxis.
Plan your Ladakh trip with Cliffhangers India, this March, and you will have the best time. Take a look at this monthly guide of visiting Ladakh during March.
Ladakh Weather and Temperature in March
The temperature in March remains around 2°C to 5°C during the day and goes down to -2°C at night. Weather is quite unpredictable in March with clear skies and daylight to cold nights.
The Ladakh weather in March is pleasing with temperature beginning to rise. At daytime, the sun is out, creating warmth and comfort. However as we approach the evenings, it starts getting cold again. The cold season ends as we approach the last days of March, it still feels chilly, especially at night. Chilly winds can still be experienced on some days of the month.
Before planning a trip to Leh Ladakh in March, you need to take a look at the weather and temperature conditions as they are unpredictable. Having kept them in mind, you can pack accordingly.
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Does Leh Ladakh Receive Snow in March?
The snowfall has stopped by now and as the temperature rises, snow begins to melt. If you visit Ladakh in the March end then the snow has almost melted clearing the trails.
The frozen lakes and rivers start to melt off as well. You won’t experience heavy snowfall but you’ll still see snow around. In the start of the month, it may snow in the high altitudes. Visit places like Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley for the snow flakes that can still be received in case the temperature goes below freezing level.
If you are looking to witness the beauty of live snowfall and the slopes it creates, plan a trip to Ladakh in Winter, from December to February, when the temperature is always sub zero and it is snowing on most days. You can enjoy activities like skiing and snowboarding at the snow season.
Clothes to Wear in March
- Pack cotton clothes for the day when it is warm and not chilly and waollen ones for the evenings and early mornings.
- During days, you can put on a cotton shirt or shirt that is full sleeved and then a light sweater or cardigan for extra warmth. At night, since it’s chilly, overalls or jackets are needed.
- Wear fleece, jeans, long skirt on the bottom along with boots to walk easily on the ice if remains available. You can also pack a casual sleeper and a pair of walking shoes for the city outings and when you are going for dinners.
- Wear warm accessories like caps, gloves and socks when you feel cold.
- Carry few full length dresses for special occasions.
- Goncha is a traditional dress of Ladakh and locals are often seen wearing it. It is a long rob that people usually wear in winters. You can get one of those from local markets. Even bok, a long skirt, made of wool is available to buy and local women wear it as well.
- Carry shawls and scarfs to cover your head in case you visit a religiously significant place.
How is Ladakh in March End?
Ladakh in March end can be a wonderful experience whether you are looking for a solo travel or a big family vacations. Here’s why you should definitely visit in March:-
- Adventurous activities: Adventure enthusiasts can have a fantastic time in March. Trekking, river rafting, sledging, snowboarding are some of the activities that visitors can enjoy in.
- Natural Beauty: It is no hidden fact that Ladakh exposes immense natural beauty. Valleys, lakes, waterfalls, fields, grasslands, mountains are found in abundance here.
- Accessible roads: Due to snow starting to melt, the roads are more accessible than winters and you can visit some of the highest motorable passes of Ladakh. Khardung La Pass is one of them.
- Local attractions: Ladakh is known for its older than time monasteries and the overlooking villages as well as rivers flowing nearby. While some of them are closed due to heavy snowfall in winter, in spring, they can be visited by tourists.
Best Things to do in Leh Ladakh in March
Visit Monasteries
Dikshit Monastery, Hemis Monastery, Elsa monastery, Thiksey Monasteries, Spituk Monasteries, Lamayuru Monastery, are some of the monasteries that hold great religious significance and are architectural masterpieces.
You see the finest craftsmanship here with paintings on the wall that are 400+ years old.
They are built in the blend of Indian and Tibetan style. March is a good month to come to Ladakh and visit these monasteries as different local festivities start during this time of the year.
Explore Leh Town
Leh, the capital city, is the first one to explore on the trip. Accommodating the International Airport, the place is highly developed with five stars hotels available to book for accommodation.
As you are reach Leh Town from the Airport, you can spend a day or two here and discover it. Start it by the Leh Palace, It is located on a hill called Tsemo.
There are a total of 9 stores and a statue of Buddha is here too. There are Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill, located at short distance. The vibrant local markets are must visit.
Savour Ladakhi Cuisine
You can’t gain the complete experience without relishing the Ladakhi Cuisine. There are many affordable restaurants as well as luxury ones offering fine dining.
The local cuisine is just mouthwatering and flavourful. You get both veg and non-options in your meals.
The diversity of local cuisine is unparalleled. Thukpa, Momoa, Skyu, Chutgi, Khambir are some of the popular choices here. Butter tea is one of the delicacies here.
Ladakh is known globally for its Apricots and you should buy apricot jam from here to take back home and relish it.
Camel Safari
Ladakh is known for Bactrian camels, double humped camels, that are only found here. Camel safari in Nubra Valley and Hunder Sand dunes is an unusual yet exciting experience.
For beginners, shot rides are available for almost 2 hours. Even long rides for the entire day can be enjoyed. The charges are according to the duration of the ride.
While shorter ones cost INR 500-1000. Approximately INR 4000-5000 is for the entire day. March is a suitable time for camel safaris in Ladakh.
You’ll be accompanied by the owner cum guide, and this activity is one of the best things to do in Leh Ladakh in March
Attend the Matho Nagrang Festival
When you are in Ladakh, make sure to participate in the Matho Nagrang Festival, celebrated by locals. The festival starts by the predictions made by two oracles.
These oracles meditate for 2 months before the festival and prediction announcement. The significance of the festival is that it is celebrated by locals as they get advises from the oracles about their problems and consequent solutions.
Cham dance is performed by the Lamas at monasteries. Plan your trip according to the exact date of the festival if you want to attend.
Birdwatching at Tso-moriri lake
Birdwatching at Tso Moriri Lake is a popular activity to do by visitors. The lake is home to migratory birds and local ones as well.
It is another high-altitude lake, located in the Changthang region of Rupshu Valley, at a distance of about 245 kilometres from Leh city and it will require you a road trip of about 6-7 hours to cover the distance.
It is the only alpine lake that is completely under the Indian Subcontinent. This is another tourist attraction where you have to have Inner Line Permit(ILP) to make a visit.
Before making your plans to visit this surreal lake, make sure you acclimatise well to avoid high-altitude symptoms.
Stargazing
Lie under the star studded and clear skies of March snd experience the serenity. The skies of Ladakh are just different.
The Nubra valley, sparked in kilometers, is one of the ideal ways for the same.
As you go on trekking expeditions such as Markha Valley Trek, you can spend some time outside the camps and capture the colorful skies with twinkling stars.
Even lakes like Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri are excellent spots for stargazing in Ladakh. You can even carry binoculars or telescope for better and closer views.
Shop for Souvenirs
Take back home memories in the form of souvenirs. Go on a shopping spree to buy the popular Tibetan Handicrafts and other things like dry fruits, walnut jams and many specialities of Ladakh.
Some of the popular places to visit are the Main Bazaar where you can purchase souvenirs, woollens and jewelleries.
Explore the Cottage Industries Exposition to get carpets, shawls, garments which are locally manufactured.
One of the ancient markets of Leh is the Moti Market famous for selling gems, pearls and precious stones.
Always choose to bargain as the stuff there is mostly over priced, especially for tourists.
Photography
March presenting some of the scenic sights in front of the travellers is the perfect time to go on a photographic tour to Ladakh.
Starting from the routes that lead you to this state, you will get opportunities to capture stunning shots of those monasteries, pristine lakes and snow-laden mountains nestling the entire region.
People often visit just for the sake of getting those postcard perfect pictures because there is no place like this where even raw and natural photos seem like a painting on a canvas.
Carry a high-quality camera and other equipment that you might need like a tripod etc.
Top Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh
Nubra Valley
Nubra valley, originally called Ldumbna (valley of flowers) is the northernmost part of jammu & kashmir. It is about 105 kilometres from Leh.
The valley is popularly known as Orchards of Ladakh. To reach Nubra valley, tourists need to cross Khardungla which is the highest motorable pass of the world.
When in Nubra valley, you can visit nearby monasteries like Ensa, Samsteling, Dikshit, Hunder monastery etc. You can see sand dunes in the cold deserts of the valley.
Bactrian camels are double-humped camels, found only in Ladakh and camel rides are popular here too.
Khardung La
Temporarily closed in winter, the pass opens from March onwards. Located at a height of about 17, 582 feet above sea level, Khardung La Pass is a prime attraction.
Recognized as one of the highest motorable passes of India, it is a thrilling route for bike trip in Ladakh. From the Pass, the gorgeous views of Karakoram range, Nubra Valley are in sight.
You need Inner Line Permit( ILP) to visit the pass.
Make sure to obtain current road condition of the pass before getting behind the wheels. Acclimatise before you visit here to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness( AMS).
Magnetic Hill
Visit Magnetic Hill on your Leh Ladakh trip in March. Magnetic hill defies gravity, a fundamental phenomenon of the universe.
The whole place is a mystery in itself. It is said that it was a gateway to heaven and people who were worthy were pulled in towards it.
It is situated on Leh-Kargil Highway and there is a yellow spot there where you can park your vehicle in neutral to feel the pulling.
The Sindh river flows right by it. Some of the nearby places to visit would be the Hall of Fame, Pathar Sahib, Alchi Monastery etc. it is at a distance of 30 kilometres from leh.
Shanti Stupa
The white engendering marvel is one of the best places to spend some peaceful time alone. The ambience of the Shanti Stupa lives to its name.
The dome was built in 1991 by Bhikshu, a Japanese Buddhist. It is situated on the zenith of a hill in Chanspa, Leh.
Shanti Stupa has relics of Buddha and the golden Buddha is the supreme deity here. It is located at a walking distance of 3-4 kms from Leh and remains open from 5 am to 9 pm.
It was constructed to celebrate 2500 years of Lord Buddha and the main motive is peace and prosperity for everyone.
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
When Guru Nanak visited Ladakh in medieval India, the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib was built to commemorate his visit. It was constructed in 1517.
The place holds immense religious significance especially in the Sikhism. The scared boulder found in the main complex is believed to be foot imprints of Nanak Shahib.
It is located on the Leh-Kargil Highway. About 25 kilometers away from Leh, the Gurudwara lies.
As you visit Ladakh during March, make sure to add the holy place in your itinerary.
Hunder San Dunes
Sand dunes in Hunder, Nubra Valley are a fascinating surprise. Staretched in about 10 kilometers in length and 2 kilometers wide, the place is one of those place you can’t miss.
With snow still seen here in March, don’t miss camel safari here. The Bactrian Camels are the speciality here.
It is still surprising how a dessert can be present at such alpine regions, the double jumped bactrian camels are an added attraction.
You can book the safaris in advance via online websites or tour operators.
Turtuk Village
Turtuk village lies in the Karakoram range of ladakh. Apart from being a tourist place, it is strategically important too.
It is one of the gateways of Siachen Glacier. The village was part of Pakistan before 1971 and came under India only after that.
It is the last outpost of india. Talk to locals here who are of Balti origin, and they will tell you the life on the other side of the border.
The place is completely inhabited by Balti people.
There’s only greenery and refreshness all around. Some of the activities to do here are sightseeing, trekking, visiting waterfalls etc. it lies about 205 kilometres from leh.
Tso Kar Lake
Located in the Rupshu Valley, Tso kar Lake is often visited by nature lovers for picnics and nature walks.
known as the “White Lake”, due to the presence of white salt on the margins, it is a popular tourist attraction similar to Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri Lake.
It is located at an altitude of 14,860 feet, the lake is frozen in winters. In March, it has started to melt off, creating a stunning ambience for the visitors.
Stargazing is another exhilarating activity to do here. Acclimatisation is crucial before going to Tso Kar Lake.