Leh Ladakh in January

You can reach Ladakh during January only by air. The famous Manali to Leh Highway and Srinagar Leh Highways are closed in the winter months due to heavy rainfall in the region.

By Air: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh is the primary airport connecting Ladakh with the rest of India.

Direct flights:

From: New Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar, and Jammu

To:  Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh

Major airlines: Indigo, SpiceJet, Air India, and Vistara

Duration: 55 minutes from Jammu and Srinagar, 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes from Delhi, and 4 hours from Mumbai.

Frequency: Daily flights from Mumbai and Delhi and select days from Jammu and Srinagar.

Connecting Flights: There are several connecting flights from all major Indian cities like Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Kolkata. The most convenient way is to take a flight to Mumbai or New Delhi and then take another direct flight to Leh as these cities have daily flights. Airlines like AirIndia, SpiceJet, and Indigo have daily flight services. With connecting flights, you can expect to spend an average of 6  hours to reach Leh from different parts of India.

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The 434 Km Srinagar Leh Highway is renowned for being the only connecting point between Jammu and Kashmir and Leh Ladakh. The highway has the reputation of being the easiest to take on a Leh Ladakh trip in January. The highlight of the drive is invariably the Zoji La pass, and the breathtaking scenic view of snow-clad peaks touching the bright blue skies at Zoji La, as if they are whispering something to each other is an unforgettable feeling. This road remains open for most parts of the year,

although heavy snowfall at Zoji La pass is common and remains blocked much of the start of the year. However, Leh Ladakh in January by road might not be the best through this route.

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The flights to Leh from major Indian cities have been open since January. Tourists who aren’t road-trip enthusiasts can book a flight a couple of months in advance to the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh and commence their trip to explore the destination.

However, be wary of a couple of cancellations due to the weather conditions. Nevertheless, a flight is the best for a Leh Ladakh trip in January.

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January is one of the coldest months in Leh Ladakh. Perched at a daunting altitude of 11,562 ft above sea level amidst the Himalayas,  Ladakh in January experiences freezing-cold temperatures. During the daytime, the temperature ranges between -8 to 3 degrees Celsius and at night, it further drops to -14 degrees Celsius.  

These sub-zero temperatures turn the region into a frosty wonderland and you can expect heavy snowfall throughout the region. Thick blankets of snow cover even low-altitude destinations like Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

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Climate fluctuations are pretty normal at Leh Ladakh in January. So, you must carry a few woollen jackets, gloves, mufflers, a couple of thick woollen socks, monkey caps, and a couple of extra t-shirts and trousers that can give you a few layers of clothing. When it comes to t-shirts, carry only full-sleeve t-shirts to save yourself from the cold as well as the sunburn, which brings us to yet another essential being cold cream.

For bikers, a heavy windproof jacket is also a must-have for Ladakh in January. It is also advisable to carry sports shoes or riding boots as well as regular rubber sandals to protect your feet while you tour the destination. Sports shoes would help you as you trek and sandals would be your best friend when it comes to crossing streams. Carry your sunglasses as the winter sun can be harsh for your eyes. To save your lips from getting chapped, do carry a lip balm as well.

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Plan your trip to Ladakh in January only if you are physically fit to handle extremely cold weather. Manali to Leh Highway and Srinagar Leh Highway remain closed in January and you cannot access Leh Ladakh via roads. You should also keep a watch over your flight schedules as flights get postponed and cancelled frequently in January.

Take it slow to acclimatise to the high altitude before venturing to higher-altitude destinations to avoid altitude sickness. Only postpaid SIM cards of other states work in the Leh Ladakh region. You can buy local SIM cards in Leh by providing the necessary documents. Also, Pack plenty of warm clothing, including thermal layers, heavy jackets, hats, gloves, and insulated boots to protect yourself from the cold.

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A visit to Ladakh in January is truly a magical experience as pristine white snow blankets the entire region with about 23mm deep ice.  You can expect snowfall on an average of 23-24 days in this month which makes January the coldest month in Ladakh. The average daytime temperature hovers around -8°C and drops to as low as -20°C at night.

You can visit attractions like The Thiksey Monastery,  Leh Palace, Nubra Valley and Zanskar Valley to witness breathtaking views of the snow-covered landscapes of Ladakh in January. The Pangong Lake usually freezes solid in the second or third week of the month, and the sight of the frozen lake reflecting the clear blue sky is a sight to behold. Adventure enthusiasts can also embark on a challenging journey across the frozen Zanskar River by undertaking the famous Chadar Trek.

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In terms of mobile connectivity at Leh, the trusted network is BSNL which can be relied on in remote areas as well. However, Airtel and Jio are also suggested to work in some prominent spots at Leh. Meanwhile, be warned that there are only postpaid phones in Ladakh,

 so if you are carrying a prepaid connection, do not forget to change it before you set off on your adventure. Concerning data connectivity, 3G is the most you can get.

Leh being a politically sensitive location due to the virtue of being close to international borders, you must secure an Inner line permit (ILP) from the Magistrate. ILP is an official travel document that is issued by the Indian authorities and is valid for 3 weeks for Indian citizens and 15 days if you are a foreign national.

This will permit you to enter and tour even the restricted areas in Leh, and it will only take a day to secure the permit.

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Nubra is derived from its Tibetan namesake “Dumra'' meaning “valley of flowers’. As magical as the name feels, Nubra is known for its scenic vistas, monasteries that exude tranquillity, orchids that add colour and life to the valley.

It is immersed in greenery in the summer with its mighty mountains that will urge you to hold your breath. To reach the valley, you have to pass the highest motorable pass in the world, Khardung La. When you visit the valley, make it a point to stay with the locals to soak in the culture.

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The journey to Leh in January is never complete without the Chadar trek .The trek over the Zanskar river where the water has frozen to a stable state will leave you in wonderment. The trekkers can choose to camp along the way inside its little ice caves on their way to the top.

 Chadar must be explored in January and the fierce nature of the trek will bring you to a saturation point of fear. Chadar is one of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh in January.

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Pangong Lake is love at first sight! As the lake freezes during January, it is a moment of magic. Clear blue skies kissing the snow capped mountains only add to the already stunning picture. The lake also changes colours which makes it one of the most popular attractions of Ladakh in January.

The Chang La Pass on the way to the lake might be a challenging journey, especially in the winters. While tourists aren’t allowed to camp during winters, there are villages nearby which makes for a good stay.

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While Tso Kar is the smallest of the high-altitude lakes, do not undermine it, for you will be fascinated at its scenic beauty elevated by the lofty mountains, rich wildlife, and vegetation.

It is also home to snow leopards. Apart from sitting back and enjoying the sheer beauty of the lake, it is also famous among bird watchers who spot a variety of migratory birds. Tso Kar however is ideally not recommended for a visit to Ladakh in January.

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Built in the 17th century by King Namgyal, the Leh Palace is replete with history. It is an essential part of Leh’s heritage and boasts of Tibetan architecture. The long corridors, spacious rooms with large walls, wooden balconies that treat us with a stunning view of Namgyal Hill,

 the valley of Leh, and the stunning murals will leave us enamoured at the royalty and magnificence of the palace. Over the years, it has also been considered a critical part of the Buddhist religion.

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Shanti means peace! And rightly as the name suggests, the stupa was built to encourage and promote peace and prosperity among people. It was inspired by Buddhism and its tenets and is one of the most popular attractions of Leh. Situated atop a mountain,

the place is fantastic for nature lovers who wish to enjoy the magic of the sunrise and sunset. The ideal time to visit the Shanti Stupa is during the summer when it’s warm and ideal for meditation.

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Leh is replete with restaurants and street food that take us to a food paradise with its scenic restaurants overlooking the Himalayas. Tibetan food especially is primal to the culture of Leh and tourists flock in here to savour some of the most popular Tibetan dishes. One among them is undoubtedly,

the momo, a dumpling filled with vegetables or meat. Yet another is Thukpa, which happens to be the staple food at Leh. Some of the other dishes you mustn’t miss are Skyu, Tingmo, Chhutagi, and Chhang. If you wish to warm yourself in the cold of Leh in January, take a sip of the butter tea as you envy the fascinating Leh!

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One of the richest monasteries in Leh, Hemis is simply a marvel! Located 45 Km away from the main city of Leh Ladakh, this might be the most serene place you will come across in your life. The monastery is significantly popular for the 2-day Hemis festival which has a ritual of spreading out a massive thangka which is a religious painting, in front of a large crowd.

There is also a museum inside the monastery which equips you with the history and legends of the place.

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Thiksey is the largest gompa, located in central Ladakh. It was built in the 15th century and is perched over a hilltop to the north of the Indus River. One of the most prominent attractions at the monastery is the Maitreya temple which consists of a life-size statue of Maitreya Buddha which covers almost two levels of the building.

However, people flock to Thiksey to attend the annual Gustor festival which takes place in October or November. The trade fair at the festival is the most popular among tourists.

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Shop, so you can relive the trip and walk down memory lane long after the trip is done!

Handicrafts at Leh are one of the favourites among shoppers. Beautiful and rustic Buddha statues, trinkets, prayer bells, thangka paintings are some of the things you can spend on. However, you cannot leave Leh without a beautiful Pashmina shawl made of original wool, worn by the local folks.

Rugs and carpet weaving are an important vocation among the locals and are considered to be the best in Leh. Some of the prominent shopping spots are Leh Main Bazaar, Tibetan Market, Zanskar Arts, Dalai Lama Charitable Trust Handicraft Emporium, etc.

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The Hall of Fame is nothing but pride! It walks us down the memory lane of valiant Indian soldiers who defended us by sacrificing their lives in Indo-Pak wars. It is constructed by the Indian army and is located at the Leh-Kargil road.

The OP Vijay Gallery takes us through some of the weapons and equipment used during the war and elaborates the gory details of the war. Outside is a museum where you can shop for souvenirs.

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Diskit is a monastery built in the 14th century and has a reputation of being the oldest and the largest monasteries in Nubra valley. Tourists visit the gompa to see the tall statue of Maitreya Buddha, the river below the monastery, and to see the scenic brilliance of the Nubra valley from atop the Gompa.

One of the renowned festivals at the monastery is called Dosmoche which translates to “the festival of the scapegoat” takes place in January. If Diskit is in your itinerary, your trip to Leh Ladakh in January is complete.

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The Leh to Pangong route is well connected by road and passes through the Paagal Naala and the famous Chang La pass. The entire route is about 223 km. Due to the weather in January, the trip that can be completed in 5 hours may take 2 to 3 hours extra because of thick snow.

One of the main challenges of this route in January was to get past the Chang La Pass.

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Buried in snow, the Leh to Nubra Valley route is treacherous upon reaching the Khardung La Pass. The route is about 160 km and can be covered in 5 hours, however there may be a delay by a couple of hours due to harsh weather conditions in January.

However, the Khardung La is one of the highest motorable roads making the journey a rather thrilling one. Be warned that you will have to depend on private vehicles as the bus services may be disconnected across this route in January.

Leh to the amazing Tso Moriri is about 220 km and requires about 5 to 6 hours of drive. Tourists can rely on local transport as well. There are, however, a variety of routes you can take to reach the lake ranging from directly travelling from Leh to Moriri, or via Pangong Lake,

or via Tso Kar whichever is more convenient after considering the weather. The first route is the shortest, and the second is ideal because it crosses the Tanglang La and the amazing Tso Kar. The third is a rather long route which is seldom recommended.

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Nubra to Pangong is a prominent route taken by travellers to save some time and space in their travel log. Ideally, the route is divided into two, one that passes through the Agham-Shyok village, and the other is the Agham-Wari La route. The former is shorter however sometimes the road might be blocked due to the overflow of the river with water submerging the roads.

 The latter is generally closed during winter however the route significantly covers two of the popular high-altitude passes Wari La and Chang La and is not a rough one.

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The route is replete with attractions and therefore for tourists on a quick trip to Leh, this route moves along the Tsanga La Pass, Loma-Nyoma, and the Mahe Bridge.

These are historical sites where the Indian army battled Chinese forces, and it is around 365 Km and takes up to 9 hours. However, be warned that although the route is popular, the drive is rough as most of the routes won't even have a road.