Leh Ladakh in May – A Travel Guide

Overview

May marks the beginning of summer in Leh Ladakh, making it one of the best months to plan a trip here. The place attracts a number of tourists from India and around the world this time of the year due to favourable weather conditions, clear routes etc. it is neither too hot nor too cold in ladakh in may. You get to witness vast landscapes, with drop-dead gorgeous himalayan peaks in the background. The place turns into a little paradise of its own with flowers blooming all around. The places are finally open after being frozen in winter and you get to enjoy many outdoor activities like trekking, mountain climbing, river rafting etc. Leh Ladakh is a hub of tourist spots which shows the rich heritage of the place. It contains valleys, lakes, monasteries etc. Hotels and other facilities for tourists are easily available during May. From May onwards till September tourists keep coming into Leh Ladakh in significant numbers.

In this page, we have listed each and every little detail that you need to know before planning an expedition to Ladakh in may.

Weather and temperatures in Ladakh in May

Ladakh weather in May is pleasing with good climatic conditions. Ladakh temperature in May ranges from 15°C to 20°C during daytime making the atmosphere warm and cosy. Nights are colder with temperature dipping down to minimum 3°C but they are tolerable. Weather also depends on the place in ladakh that you’re staying. High altitude passes may make you shiver but you will be fine once you start to come down. You must be carrying enough warm clothes like thermals and a thick jacket to layer yourself well. Before beginning your trip to ladakh, take a quick look at the weather conditions so you can pack accordingly.

While places at high altitude may experience snowfall, snow has stopped altogether generally. You may see some of it on both sides of roads but the roads are open and clear to navigate further.

Places To Visit In Ladakh In May

Leh Palace

LehPalace of Ladakh is a prominent tourist spot which you cannot miss. ‘Lachen Palace’ is its other name. It is built in a mix of Tibetan and Indian architecture, showing the rich heritage of the place.

It was constructed by king Sengge Nempyal. A 17th- century complex, the palace has paintings hung on the walls which were painted about 400 years ago. It is located at the top of Tsemo Hill. The statue of Buddha can be seen here in a monastery. You can visit the palace any day of week. The timing is from 8 am to 6pm.

Thiksey Monastery

This monastery is famous for a festival called ‘Gustor’ that is celebrated every year in october-november. Cham dance is performed by lamas during the ceremony. A trade fair is organised to showcase the barter system among villagers. About 17 kilometres away from leh, it is one of the largest monasteries of central ladakh.

The place is on a hill in Thiksey, ladakh. You can visit here from 7am to 7 pm throughout the week including Sundays and national holidays.

Hemis Monastery

Hemis monastery is believed to have existed before the 11th century. It is located on a tophill in Hemis on the banks of the Indus river. It lies about 45 kilometres from Leh city, taking approx an hour and half to reach here.

It is constructed in Tibetan architecture. The famous Hemis festival is celebrated in june annually and Cham dance is one of the specialities of this celebration. It is commemorated to honour Padmasambhava. He spent his whole life doing service for other human beings.

Pangong Lake

Only one-third of pangong lake is present in the Indian subcontinent, lying in the eastern ladakh. But this salt-water lake is stunning and a treat to your eyes. The lake is 134 kilometres long and 8 kilometres wide. It got featured in the climax scene of superhit movie “3 idiots”. Since then, it has been one of the popular attractions of ladakh. You do need Inner Line Permit(IPL) to visit the lake as it falls under Line of Actual Control (LOC). you can apply for it online. But all these efforts are worth it once you are in- between the breathtaking surroundings of this place. There are sky-touching peaks in the background of the landscape. Brahminy ducks are seen in the waters.

Tso Moriri Lake

This is the only high-altitude lake that lies completely in the Indian subcontinent. It falls in the Changthang region of Rupshu valley. It is a salt water lake. Tso Moriri lake is about 245 kilometres far from leh. Its length is 29 kilometres while it is about 8 kilometres in breadth. You need an Inner Line Permit(ILP) here too. Acclimatising is crucial before travelling to thislake to avoid high-altitude sickness. You might witness some types of migratory birds here. It freezes in winter so make your plans to visit the lake in july-september when it is completely melted.

Zanskar Valley

In Zanskar valley, you are at an altitude of 12154 ft. in the northern foothills of Great Himalayas. It is popular for various types of treks like Chadar trek which is a winter trek and one of the most beautiful of them. Here, You can visit monasteries like Sani monastery, Phuktal monastery, and Stongdey monastery. The valley offers various types of outdoor activities like water rafting, motorbiking, paragliding and many more. Summer is the best time to visit this gorgeous region of ladakh. The place lies about 105 kilometres from Lehcity.

Diskit Monastery

Dikshit monastery is one of the prime attractions of ladakh. It is 115 kilometres from the city of leh. The spot is located in Nubra valley, facing the Shyok river. Lachung temple, one of the oldest temples known, is present above the monastery while a large statue of Maitreya Buddha is below it. The hall also has a status of buddha. You can visit Hunder monastery near it. Paintings are hung to demonstrate its significance. ‘Festival of scapegoat’ or ‘Dosmoche’ is a festival of dikshit monastery celebrated in february every year. Lamas here perform Cham dance.

Nubra Valley

Nubra valley is the northernmost region of Kashmir. It was originally called Ldumna, loosely translating to ‘valley of flowers’. It is also called “Orchards of ladakh” due to distinct types of flowers found here. Khardungla, the highest motorable pass, needs to be crossed to reach here. It is approximately 105 kilometres from leh. Some nearby monasteries in Nubra valley are Ensa, Samstealing, Dikshit, Hunder monastery etc. sand dunes in winter deserts are a highlight. To experience the best of Nubra valley, make your plans from June to august.

Turtuk Valley

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.

Magnetic Hill

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.

Hall Of Fame

Hall of fame is a tourist spot in ladakh where everything related to martyred soldiers of Indo-Pak Wars is kept. Their images, their names are there. Letters they wrote, poems they curated, arms used etc are there to remember the braves. Visiting there makes you feel proud of our army. It is at a small distance of 4 kilometres from leh. The place is all about the history of Indian soldiers; bravery and patriotism. It is available for tourists from 9am-1pm and after an hour break from 2pm-7pm. The parade at 7pm is unmissable. make a visit here while on your way to magnetic hills.

Shanti Stupa

In 1991, the white stupa was built by a japanese buddhist named Bhikshu. It is situated on the top of a hill in Chanspa, leh. It has relics of buddha at its base. The main deity of Golden Buddha is here too. Just 2-3 kilometres from Leh city, it was built to celebrate the 2500 years of lord Buddha. The aim of shanti stupa is to spread peace and happiness as the name suggests. It remains open from 5 am to 9 pm. Visit at sunset or sunrise to see the whitish glow of the stupa.

Things to Do in Ladakh in May

Go on Trekking

Ladakh has a number of treks like Sham Valley trek, Chadar trek etc. Chadar trek is a winter trek when the Zanskar river freezes completely. Sham valley trek is suitable for beginners as well as experienced. Even children can enjoy this trek. It is an easy one. It is best to undertake it in summer like in may. Throughout your trek in ladakh, whichever you choose, you will witness vast landscapes, stunning lakes, lofty mountains etc. all these aspects of nature makes trekking one of the most preferred adventurous activities of ladakh.

Engage in Photography

Every place in Ladakh looks like scenes from a movie. Yes, it is that beautiful. If you are someone who is into nature-photography, a trip to ladakh in may should be the next thing you check off your bucket list. Bring your camera and click not just pictures but memories of a lifetime. You may have to pay a negligible amount at some places to click pictures but they would not regret it. Best places for photography in Ladakh are Nubra valley, pangong lake, Tso Moriri region etc. the place is home to varied kinds of flora and fauna hence, it is an ideal place for wildlife photography as well.

Visit Monasteries

Buddhist monasteries like Thiksey Monastery, Elsa Monastery, Dikshit monastery Hemis Monastery are one of the top attractions of ladakh. They are rich in culture, traditions, festivals and presents a great opportunity to explore the culture of leh-ladakh. It will take your maximum 1-2 hours to travel over them. They show you the history, learnings of Buddhism religion, its importance, local Cham dance etc. these places gives you perfect view of nearby villages and river flowing at the side.

Try Local Cuisine

Trying local cuisine of Ladakh is something that you can do everyday as long as you are there. One thing, it is absolutely flavourful and it also helps in gaining a deeper understanding of the place like vegetation etc. Momos, Khambir, Thukpa, Chhurpe, Skyu, Tingmo etc are some of the popular dishes here. Beverages that you can relish are Cholak, Tangdur, Butter tea etc. soup made from stinging nettles is one of the specialties. Wild garlic used for flavour is another one. Apricot jam is unmissable. It is very delicious and nutritious.

Enjoy Bike Trip

One of the most thrilling things for a rider is a bike trip to ladakh. Although, if you want to experience it just in Ladakh, then you can rent a bike to explore places. Roads are fully cleared out in may hence it is the best possible month to do it. It is very rewarding but you must be a good rider as roads there are not buttery smooth. You have to ride on rugged terrains, steep inclines . Knowing your bike is the first step to a bike trip to ladakh. It takes you almost 15 days with 2 days as buffer to conclude it.

Experience River Rafting

Some of the river rafting spots of ladakh are Zanskar and Indus river. Rafting in these water bodies is safe and adventurous. These rivers are not frozen in May, hence, perfect for it. The activity ranges from I-V so that even beginners can experience it. Listen to your instructor and always wear a safety jacket to avoid any risk. Wear comfortable clothes prior to it. Sights of villages and peaks in the background take the whole adventure to another level.

Take a Yak Safari

A ride on the biggest yet very friendly animal of Ladakh is next level. Being a ladakh-specific adventure, yak safari is something you can’t miss here. Explore valleys, streams with sparkling water, snow peaks, sitting on the bulky body of yak.

Just remember to not upset the yak, as it may cause risks of injuries if it gets furious. Do not feed the animal without taking the owner’s permission.

Attend Hemis Festival

Hemis festival at Hemis Monastery or Gompa is celebrated to honour Padmasambhava. He dedicated his whole life to the service of others. It is celebrated in the month of june, so if you are visiting ladakh in may-end, you can attend it. The ceremony is accompanied by a Cham dance by lamas. Locals of the nearby villages make visits along with tourists. Hemis monastery is open throughout the week so it is a must visit place of ladakh.

Shopping in Leh

Carry some memories in the form of souvenirs back to your home to cherish the good days spent in ladakh. You can shop in Moti Market, one of the oldest markets of leh. Hand-woven warm clothes, jewelleries, handicrafts are some of the things that you found here. A shopping place called, Women’s Alliance of Ladakh Shopping Hub is fully run by women only. Pashmina shawls are a speciality here along with caps, sweaters, mittens etc. Some other places for a shopping spree are Main Market, Zanskar Valley Market etc. Buy apricot jams from these markets.

Explore Wildlife

Ladakh contains a huge biodiversity with different species of animals found here. Few of them are Himalayan brown bears, himalayan wolves, snow leopards etc. you can see them in national parks, sanctuaries where they are protected. Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for having Tibetan antelope there. You can visit here. Hemis National Park is the largest national park of India , located in Ladakh.

Exploring wildlife is some of the things to do in Leh ladakh.

Leh Ladakh Bike Trip In May

May is a terrific time for a bike trip to ladakh. Considering Delhi as your starting point, it would take you a maximum 15 days to complete it. The weather is just ideal for it with very mild temperatures and it is not freezing out there. Roads are totally cleaned out and there’s not much snow. You might see some on the sides and in high passes. It is suggested to check road conditions before taking off. Wear warm clothes to be comfortable while riding as cold breeze can be experienced. It is crucial to acclimatise properly to avoid high-altitude sickness in your journey.

Your bike would be your partner and saviour throughout your trip to ladakh and back hence knowing it is important. You should be able to fix minor problems like puncture tyres. Carry a puncture-repair kit. Have spare tubes too and fuel in a container as petrol pumps are sparse there. ID proof along with your driving licence is mandatory to carry.

Payment options in Leh Ladakh in May

All the luxury hotels, government guest houses, homestays are open by may and they can be easily booked either through online websites or in-person. Online booking makes you get rooms in advance and you do not have to search there much in peak time while in-person you can negotiate a good deal for yourself.

Hotels range from in-budget rooms to luxury ones. They offer great hospitality and delicious food, they have all the services available like clean bathrooms, Wi-Fi etc.

Homestays in Ladakh give you an opportunity to stay with a local family and relish home-cooked meals. Their affordability makes them a popular choice among tourists.

Government guest houses are state-owned properties and they are cosy and comfortable to stay in.

Challenges in Leh Ladakh in May

High-altitude: one of the prime challenges of a ladakh trip in may to going up to high-altitude valleys, passes. It is lesser oxygen there and can cause troubles if you have not acclimated well,

Limited accommodations: hotels and other accommodations are fully packed in the peak month of may and you may face difficulties getting rooms there. Advance booking is suggested in such cases,

Road conditions: roads of high-altitude passes still have snow on them and they are slippery too. Remain cautious throughout your road trips to be safe.

Limited connectivity: network coverage is not very well-developed in ladakh. Most of the SIMs have their own coverage but their speed is not very much appreciable compared to cities.

Essential Information

How to Reach Leh Ladakh in May

By flight: You can book flights from your city to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. Scheduled flights on most of the airlines are available from all the major cities of India like Delhi, Pune Chandigarh etc. Try to plan 3=4 months prior to the trip to get cheaper tickets. travelling via flights avoids cancellations.

By road: The first route would be Manali-Leh Highway (NH 3) but it may or may not be declared open in may due to snowfall. You can check its accessibility although chances remain by may-end. Manali is the starting point of this road trip is Manali which is approximately 479 kilometres from leh. It takes around 3 days to complete the journey with overnight stop included. The other famous route is Kashmir-Manali Highway (NH 1D) which is open by May and taken by most people.

BRO clears the snow as soon as possible.

Ladakh from Srinagar : Distance between Srinagar and Leh is 434 kilometres taking 2 days to conclude via NH 1D.

Ladakh from Gulmarg: From Gulmarg, first take a road trip to srinagar. The distance between these two points is 40 kilometres and then you have Kashmir-Leh Highway for srinagar to leh.

Tips to visit Leh Ladakh in May

Acclimatise well: keep some extra days to acclimatise and get ready to travel high-altitudes. Acclimatisation helps you in avoiding headaches, stomach aches caused due to possible high-altitude sickness.

Pack essentials: clothes according to the weather, water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, moisturiser etc.

Plan an ideal itinerary: having an itinerary which suits your plans and every place you want to explore is important. Also share your itinerary with a trusted person in case you get lost and help can reach you.

Permits: there are some places in ladakh where you need permits like Inner Line Permit (ILP) to make an entry. Be informed about such permits and keep them in advance.

Documents: ID-proofs including Driving licence is mandatory for identity checkup at different places.

Respect local cultures and traditions: it is not advisable to intervene into anything people of ladakh or a particular place believe in. they have their full right. Do not disrespect it in any way.

Road conditions of Leh Ladakh in May

Both external and internal roads of ladakh are very well-connected and start to open by may end. Snow has started to melt by May, it may still snow in high passes. Manali-Leh Highway is not declared accessible in May so Kashmir-Leh Highway is the only option. It becomes ready to travel via it. It does face some temporary closure due to weather conditions, landslides hence being informed prior to the start of the journey is important and saves you from unnecessary troubles.

Just keep in mind that roads of ladakh are not similar to that of city-roads. You have to travel through rough stony terrains, uneven paths, steep gradients etc. Exercise caution and keep a communicating device to be connected and updated. Having a satellite phone or a GPS is a blessing in disguise.

Transportation Options in to explore Leh Ladakh in May

Local taxis and private vehicles: You can hire a taxi to travel through different places of ladakh. It is quite a convenient way to do it. Renting cars is another option out there for longer trips in ladakh.
Motorbikes: Exploring ladakh at your own pace on a motorcycle is thrilling and really fun. You can rent a bike there. Ladakh tour organiser can organise it for you. It is a very popular way nowadays.

Shared taxis and buses: Local buses and shared taxis are a common way to navigate through ladakh. Negotiate rates to have an affordable journey.

Stay Options In Kashmir in July

Houseboats: houseboats are a popular option chosen by tourists in Kashmir because of the view they offer. You can stay in a houseboat on Dal lake, Nigeen Lake etc. their categories range from deluxe to grade D. You can pick according to your budget. They have bedrooms, washrooms, and sometimes a balcony too. Waking up to beautiful sights is mesmerising.

Luxury hotels: luxury hotels in srinagar welcome you with open arms. They are fully functional by July with every service you need. They are a bit costly but they are worth it. The stays are comfortable and hotels offer delicious food of various cuisines including kashmiri too. Booking them prior to your vacation through online websites is preferred due to July month being the peak month.

Homestays: staying with a local family is enthralling as well as affordable. They cost much less than hotels. Their affordability makes them one of the most chosen options. You will find plenty of them. They are cosy and comfortable. You can find many homestays in srinagar city.

Camps: it can be of two types. One is you camping out near lakes and in valleys by yourself while you are trekking. The second would be camps by different types of resorts. Lying there under the starry sky during night time is a unique experience. They are quite under your budget. Aru valley, Pahalgam, Gulmarg Chandanwari are some of the best places for camping.

Government tourist stays: there are various hotels in kashmir that come under the government. They offer good food and they are cheaper too. Located at good locations makes them a popular choice by people visiting kashmir.