Planning a Trip to Leh Ladakh in September?
Generally Ladakh by road opens for road trip to Ladakh in the month of May from Srinagar to Leh. And Manali to Leh road opens in the month of June. June and July are the months when Leh Ladakh is in full swing for tourist to visits either by road or by air. And further it remain open till Mid October. Mostly, all the camp sites and other facilities en-route start wrapping up in Mid October and fully closed by November. And here comes the wait to start again for next season (next year), when the winters are over and road reopen by May. So, the best time to visit Leh Ladakh by road either in the month of May and June or in the month of September.
Benefit of visiting Leh Ladakh in the Month of September considered to be a good time. In fact lesser risk and more of ease. Easy in terms of the condition of roads, as the September is the right time in whole season when roads are in good shape to drive. The repairing work in entire Ladakh by this time is almost complete and roads consider to be in good condition. And later on after September month, one should avoid going to Ladakh by road is extreme cold weather. Anytime snowfall begin further to close down the roads for the season.
If you have ever been to Leh Ladakh in May or June, you must have seen the condition of roads are not that good. Because of the recent opening of the season. On the other hand these are the months when BRO also works on restoration work of roads. Furthermore, this is the only time when snow start to melt and you have to cross frequent water crossing en-route.
July and August, both of these months when the real problem comes in. If you have ever been to Leh Ladakh in July or August, you must have seen lots of water crossing with massive rains. By this time, Monsoon comes in Ladakh Region and no one can predict when and where it may rain. Frequent Landslides and Cloud burst in this region is common in these two months. You must have heard about the 2010 cloud burst of Leh-Ladakh which killed so many people. That also happened in August month. Other add on is the water level also increase in water crossings or so called Nallah. Due to rain and melting snow these nallah become monster and becomes a hard time to cross the same.
So considering safety and lesser risks, Leh Ladakh in September seems to be best time to visit Leh Ladakh. In Fact this is the best for some better Landscape and eye catching greenery. Even this is the time when Landscape Photographers prefer Leh Ladakh to visit. Perfect blend of weather and lush green hills you see in Kashmir and Lahaul valleys. Spellbound views in entire Ladakh region as this is going to start the autumn season.
Another benefit visiting Leh Ladakh in September month is the less crowd. Ladakh from past few years started getting massive crowd in May and June. Even sometime tourist get no accommodations in places like Nubra and Pangong. So, that have to come all the way back to Leh city. Leh Ladakh in September even considered as the end of tourist season. However, there will be tourist but as much as like May and June. So, basically fairly easy to find accommodation and less crowd in this season.
How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh in September?
Basis above, Leh Ladakh in September is perfect time in comparison with other months. Furthermore, we are going to detail you out How to plan your visit to Leh Ladakh. What are the most important things you should be aware of before planning for a trip to Leh Ladakh.
Is the road to Leh Ladakh open in September? And easily accessible?
Answer to above questions are Yes. Road Trip to Leh Ladakh in September is complete open. Well we can even say that this is the best time to visit because of weather and less crowded. Moreover, all accommodations, restaurants and hotels are very much open till October. In addition to this all tourist related activities are also operational in September like bike rentals, rafting and taxis. Entire region of Ladakh and all tourist places like Pangong, Turtuk, Nubra, Tso Kar, Tso Moriri, Hanle are also accessible by road by this time.
Total Number of Water Crossing en route Leh Ladakh in September?
Lots of water crossing would be there, however, the best part is, the flow and intensity of water will depends at the time you cross those water crossings. First half of the September is the time when you might have to cross lot many Water Crossing. Later on, in this month as the weather start getting colder, that reduce the snow melting process slower. And the benefit is less water in those Nallah’s. So basically, while travelling to Leh Ladakh by road in end of the Sept, mostly water crossings would have vanished. Few of the large water crossing you might have to cross. In fact if you cross those Nallah’s early morning, not much of the water you will see.
If there any Black Ice en-route Leh Ladakh in September?
More or less this point depends on the above water crossing details. Later in September as the water decreases in these Nallah’s, these monster water stream become small ponds. Or some of the water might be flowing on the road coming out of these water streams. Here the comes the real problem, due to extreme cold in night, this water start freezing over the road. Which converts it into black ice on the road. This problem occurs in the second half of the month than start of the month. To overcome this issue if you are travelling Leh Ladakh in second half of the September, it’s better to wait and let sun come. Let the Sun come up and then start your journey further. By that time the black ice would have melted and the roads are in a shape to drive safely.
Leh Ladakh Bike Ride in September
Every year we take more than 200+ batches from Second half of May to Mid October. As per our experience, September month is the favourite month for Ladakh Bike Ride. Best part is roads will be in perfect shape, No rains and the mesmerizing landscape en-route. As we were discussing September is a good month for Landscape Photographers. Certainly, on every curve you are going to stop and take a photo of the nature. The only fight is harsh cold weather, and frequent snow fall on high passes like Khardung-La and Chang-La. Even the passes like Zoji-La, Tanglang-La and Baralach-La are some of the passes where you might encounter light snowfall. Such light shower of snowfall overnight also result in Black Ice as detailed above.
So, when you are planning your trip to Leh Ladakh in September, make sure you keep proper riding gear. Three layer riding jacket with rain protection and liner for cold protection. With Winter Gloves, Riding Pants and helmet with anti-fog on visor. Not to forget wait for the sun to come, so you can drive safely from Black Ice.
Plan your Leh Ladakh Itinerary with some Buffer Days
Well, not just in the month of September, but this applies anytime you are visiting to Leh Ladakh by Road. Not a good idea to keep yourself restricted with timelines while travelling to Ladakh. Always keep at least a day as a buffer day in your Leh Ladakh Itinerary. Ladakh is a place which is unpredictable at any point of time, massive snowfall or landslides might block your way. So, in case if you get stuck somewhere, you can use these days. Otherwise, this extra day you can use to relax on places like Manali, Srinagar or Chandigarh.
Leh Ladakh Weather in September
Weather in Leh Ladakh in September is cold, but it doesn’t mean it’s going to be unbearably cold weather. On the other hand first half of the month is good time to visit, pleasant and nice weather. Bit of warm weather in a daytime but drastically the temperature goes down at nights. Frequent snowfall at passes like Khardung-La and Chang-La sends more cold wind in areas like Nubra, Pangong and Leh city. Moreover, when there is a snowfall on top then most of the times rain also occurs in lower areas. However, the second half is bit more cold and higher top experience more snowfall as well.
What type of clothes are good enough for Leh Ladakh in September?
In continuation to above details, a road trip to Leh Ladakh in September, means you have to keep layer of warm clothing while on bike trip to Ladakh. No matter be it a bike road trip or coming by car or flight; you should plan for harsh cold. Some of the layers are like thermal inner, woolens, winter gloves, warm socks and most important heavy windproof jacket. Jacket should be with a warm hood to protect your head, neck and ears. In any case, not to forget that your ears and head should be covered all the time.
Does it Snow in Leh Ladakh in September?
No doubt about snowfall in Leh Ladakh in September. As we discussed above frequent snowfall occurs on the top of the passes. Way much lesser chances of snowfall in other part of Khardung-La like Diskit, Hunder and turtuk. However, there would no chance at all for snowfall in Leh city in the month of September and in October as well. Generally, the snowfall starts in Leh city in the month of November or December.
Accommodation Facilities in Leh Ladakh in September?
September considered to be a tourist season, so all hotels, guest house and home stays are operational in Leh. In the month of October when locals start winding up the setup for the season. From start of the season May to August are the months when Leh Ladakh is packed with crowd and sometime it become difficult to figure out the stay. But this is not the case in September. Leh Ladakh in September is the time when there will be less crowded and tourists. So it’s fairly easy to find out accommodation facilities in Leh Ladakh in September. However, it’s better to book in advance even in September, because most of the tourist comes to Leh Ladakh in September with proper planning. So most of the tourist also keeps their booking in hand as well.
Here you can Read about “Leh Ladakh Tour – A Traveler’s Guide“
Road Trip from Manali to Leh Ladakh in September
Certainly best time for a bike ride on Manali to Leh Ladakh in September. This terrain is bit risky in start of October and hard for travellers to drive vehicle due to black ice. However, Manali to Leh Ladakh kept open by mid of October and sometime in second half of the month also. It’s all about when Baralach-La start getting fresh snowfall of the season and the road gets closed. So riding on Manali to Leh Ladakh in September is considered to be safe time to travel. But not to forget as much as you delay, the weather gets colder. Basically best and safest time to travel Leh Ladakh in September is in start of the month. Most probably, no rains, not much snowfall and no water streams to cross. Which makes your journey full of joyful and you will see much better landscape.
Remember there are five high altitude mountain passes in this terrain. Rohtang-La, Baralach-La, Lachung-La, Nakee-La and Tanglang-La are the five passes. You might have to cross these passes with full of snow sometime. Other than this, you even see light snowfall all the time on any of these passes in this month.
Road Trip from Srinagar to Leh Ladakh in September
In comparison to Manali to Leh terrain, Srinagar to Leh Ladakh in September remains open for bit longer. This road was open till December in 2017, therefore fairly assuming that travelling on this road in the month of September is very much possible. But not to forget there is one of the major high altitude pass just in start of the journey from Sonamarg. Definitely possible that you may see light snowfall at the top of Zoji-La while crossing.
Read about “Point of Attraction in Leh Ladakh“
Important places to visit in Leh Ladakh in September
To be honest, you should not leave any of the place in Ladakh region if time allows you to. The entire region of Ladakh remain open for tourist to visit in Leh Ladakh in September. You might fall short of days but there are many places to visit in Ladakh. Furthermore, we have here suggested a common itinerary for a trip to Leh Ladakh in September. Or you can click here for Leh Ladakh Trip with all type of options which we offer to our customers. And you can select the one on the basis of number of days, places to visit and by package.
Leh Ladakh in September
In order to give you a close information about this month, here is a complete breakdown. So that you can make yourself aware about how Leh Ladakh looks like in each part of the September month.
Leh Ladakh in September First Week
This is considered to be the best time to visit Leh Ladakh in September. Full of greenery en-route on both of the terrain either by Srinagar to Leh or Manali to Leh. Landscape Photographers generally prefer this slot for their photography. So if you are a Landscape photography enthusiast, you should consider your trip to ladakh in September first week only.
Leh Ladakh in September Mid Month
Well this is the time when weather starts getting change. Bit of cold in day time and extreme cold at nights due to fresh snowfall on higher top in Ladakh region. On the other hand, the number of visitors start getting down and Ladakh become less crowded in Mid of September. In fact, the benefit of Mid September is, you will get better deals for Hotel, bike rentals and taxis.
Leh Ladakh in September End
If your plan is to visit Leh Ladakh in September end then make sure you should carry lots of woollen stuff. Thermal layers, winter gloves and if you riding on bike then good quality bike riding gear. As this is time when all high passes experiences fresh snowfall of the season, the temperature at nights go below freezing levels.
Leh Ladakh in September – October
Are you planning your trip in last days of September and ending in start of October? Better to plan your trip from Manali to Leh Ladakh in September and come back from Leh Ladakh in October via Leh to Srinagar road. To avoid any road block due to heavy snowfall on Leh Manali highway in the start of the October month. Lesser chances of heavy snowfall on Leh to Srinagar Highway in start of October. So it’s advisable you plan your itinerary from Manali to Leh and come back from Leh to Srinagar.
Suggested Itinerary for Leh Ladakh in September
To cover as much as much as places in Ladakh region, below is the itinerary for Leh Ladakh in September. We assume you are planning your trip to leh ladakh from Delhi to Delhi. Otherwise you can modify the same according to your plan.
- New Delhi – Ludhiana (324 km) – Day 1
- Ludhiana to Patnitop (347 km) – Day 2
- Patnitop to Srinagar– (188 KM) – Day 3
- Srinagar – Kargil – (202 KM) – Day 4
- Kargil to Leh (217 km) – Day 5
- LEH – Local Sightseeing – Day 6
- Leh to Khardung-La to Nubra Valley (Hunder) (126 KM) – Day 7
- Nubra valley to Turtuk & Back to Nubra valley (82 KM) – Day 8
- Nubra Valley to Pangong Tso-(172 KM) – Day 9
- Pangong -Tso to Leh (158 km) – Day 10
- Leh to Tso-Moriri (221 km) – Day 11
- Tso-Moriri to Sarchu (228 km) – Day 12
- Sarchu to Manali (230 km) – Day 13
- Manali – Ropar – (265 KM) – Day 14
- Ropar to Delhi (278 KM) – Day 15
For more itinerary like Delhi-Spiti-Manali-Leh-Srinagar-Delhi or some different flavors visit our Leh Ladakh Packages Details for more information.
Can we travel to Leh Ladakh in September?
No doubt at all you can visit to Leh Ladakh in September. Just go through with the details provided above for better trip and safety. If you have further questions or need some more help related to trip, please do post your questions in comments section. We will answer your queries as much as we can.
