Ladakh is one of the most beautiful places in the world and yet; it’s harsh, cold and unforgiving landscape ensures that it remains land locked for several months each year due to the road getting buried under several feet of snow during winter. Little wonder then, people and vehicles line up each year in May and June to be amongst the first visitors to visit this land locked beauty, as soon as the roads open up.
However as the season wears on, tourist traffic begins to wane and by end of September, all but a few tourists can be found exploring Ladakh on wheels. In October, numbers drop even further as the temperature inches towards subzero level, announcing the impending arrival of harsh winter. And yet, Ladakh holds in bosom a gift so beautiful for those lucky few who dare to visit in October; the beautiful autumn colours of Ladakh.
These colours alone are enticing enough to lure you to Ladakh in autumn, even if you set aside the unique experience of exploring Ladakh at a time when few tourists are around, giving you ample opportunity to enjoy solitude of this beautiful landscape, even at places like Khardung La. So much so, that I visited Ladakh twice in October.
Of course traveling to Ladakh during October is not without its unique set of challenges, which I will explain below. And if you too are planning to visit Ladakh in October, my recommendation would be to go through these points and then decide whether or not, Ladakh in October is for you.
Road Connectivity
October is the time when high altitude passes start receiving snowfall on somewhat regular interval, at times closing the passes for a few days. While majority of the roads remain open, few are impacted by this regular snowfall and either become risky to navigate at time or close down completely. These are:
Manali – Leh Highway: It is kept open officially till middle of October by BRO, at times even longer. While Manali – Leh Highway remains open for vehicles far beyond October, dhabas and camps start packing up around first week of October and by middle, only a handful of dhaba tents remain. Once the BRO officially declares Manali – Leh highway closed for the season, pretty much all the dhaba tents wrap up their operations and bus service between Manali and Leh is stopped for the season. Add to that, if you get stuck somewhere due to snowfall, accident or vehicle breakdown, chance of getting timely help is minimal, especially considering relatively few number of vehicles plying on the road and lack of mobile phone connectivity. Essentially, if you travel after middle of October on the Manali – Leh Highway, you at so on your own risk.
Wari La: It is a non-essential pass for the army and BRO and thus minimal effort is spent to keep it open. Its closing date is determined by heavy snowfall, since if it receives heavy snowfall in October, it is unlikely to be reopened by authorities again.
Zanskar Valley: Pensi La is another pass which closes during October. And since there is only one operational road in and out of Zanskar Valley at the moment, it leads to complete severance of road connectivity between Zanskar and rest of India.
Food and accommodation
Thanks to dwindling tourist numbers, lack of workers and high operational cost, vast majority of hotels, guest houses and restaurants in Ladakh close down during winter and process for this, begins from the first week of October. First to go are the numerous camps and dhabas at Pangong Tso and on Manali – Leh Highway and then hotels and restaurants in Leh and other places shut down by middle of October, leaving only a handful open for rest of the year. While it isn’t like you won’t find shelter or food, choices are fewer than in season and finding accommodation at Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri extremely difficult, barring a handful of home stays.
Climate
Even though October is autumn season in Ladakh, temperature is far less than what is witnessed in Northern Indian plains. Hence it is best to pack enough warm cloths and dress in layers, in order to keep warm.
In the end, traveling to Ladakh in October can be a joyful experience, provided you keep the above points in mind and prepare accordingly for an unforgettable trip to the golden hues of Ladakh.
15 Comments
How is the scenary in Ladakh and kashmir in October?
Monica, it is absolutely beautiful. A little barren and cold, but with beautiful autumn colors of yellow and orange.
Ok. thanks. but would the Leh Srinagar road be open or closed? Are there chances of road closure due to snowfall?
Road would be open, there is always a chance of snowfall in October.
Also, can you share the scenic photographs of the Leh-Ladakh and Leh Srinagar route… How it looks in October?
You can see the photographs here https://www.bcmtouring.com/forums/threads/blessed-is-the-fool-who-returns-from-ladakh.62017/
Hi Yogesh,
I have been following your blogs in bcmTouring and other blogs.
Wanted to run by you by plan for Ladakh. Me and my wife would be travelling from 28-Oct to 6 November. So, would need your inputs on weather, safety , accomodation and a nice ride for the trip.
1 Arrive Leh Shanti Stupa or Leh Palace. Dinner at Neha Sweets in Main Market
2 Local Leh Magnetic Hill and Indus and Zanskar Confluence
3 Khardungla – Nubra Valley – Dikshit – Hunder
4 Tangste Nubra – Tangste – Spangmik
5 Spangmik – Pangong-Pangong Leh
6 BackUp Leh
7 Delhi
Thanks
On the first day, avoid traveling to Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace, since both require you to walk a lot uphill and you can end up overexerting yourself. Stick to Leh main market on the first day and avoid Neha Swwets for now, it isn’t as good as it was earlier. Rest of your plan looks fine.
I am not able to good accommodation around Spangmik / Pangong. Can you pls guide
If you’re traveling late in October, then most of the places would have wind up operation. In all likelihood, just the home stay and guest houses in Tangste will be available.
Hi Yogesh,
Your photography and writing skills are just amazing. Your travelogue (blessed-is-the-fool-who-returns-from-ladakh) inspired me and wife to plan a trip to Ladakh from 19th October to 29th October. We are planning to fly to Leh on 18th night from Hyderabad and reach Leh by 8am on 19th October and our departure would be on 29th October, 10am. We are planning to visit places in and around Leh, Nubra valley, Pangong and Tso Moriri (We have no plans to visit monasteries).
We haven’t still decided on the itinerary but want to visit some off beat places around the above mentioned places, could you please suggest some? Also, is it a good idea to travel to Pangong from Nubra valley at this time of the year?
I spoke to Rigzin about our plan and he quoted 31k for the entire trip including airport pickup and drop. Do you this is a reasonable price or should I negotiate? Looking forward for your hep to finalize our trip.
Many thanks,
Mani
Hi Yogesh,
Amazing article. I am a passionate photographer planning for a visit Ladakh next year. I would like to capture some of the autumn colours there. Can you please tell me when the autumn colour start coming! Does it already happen mid September or only in October?
I know it varies a bit year by year; but knowing a general timing will be useful.
Thank you in advance for the information.
Cheers & Regards,
Avi
Autumn colors start appearing in September. However, it isn’t till October, in particular, late October that they really show in their full glory.
Leh manali in 22oct possible??
Yes. Though everything depends on the weather. It would be quite cold, passes can have snow or black ice and majority of the accommodation at Sarchu and Pang would be gone.