Best Time to Travel from Srinagar to Leh by Road

by Vargis.Khan

Best Time to Travel from Srinagar to Leh by Road

The best time to travel from Srinagar to Leh by road will depend majorly on three factors. The first will be the time you have in hand. The second will be your mode of travel and the third being the current situation in Kashmir Valley. If you were thinking of visiting Ladakh, below is some important information on the best time to visit Leh Ladakh via Srinagar.

Srinagar Leh highway is often considered as the easier way to reach Ladakh and in my opinion quite rightly so. This is a road that has its own set of challenges but does not quite get as treacherous as Manali to Leh.

Some of the basic amenities like cell phone reception, gas stations, accommodation are better on this route though. High altitude acclimatization is also better when you reach Ladakh via Srinagar Leh road.

With that being said, it still runs through quite a few stretches that can be considered dangerous, has three high altitude passes on the way, receives ample amount of snow each year but has several challenges of its own.

For complete information on Srinagar Leh road including public transport, sightseeing, and accommodation choices, please take a look at How to Plan a Journey on Srinagar Leh Highway.

Srinagar to Leh by Road

As compared to the Manali Leh highway, the route from Srinagar to Leh remains open for a longer duration due to several reasons. The first is that it is used by the Indian Army as the primary road connecting the region of Ladakh with the rest of the country.

Then there is also the fact that this road runs right next to the LOC at several places. In terms of population as well, there are several major towns on the Srinagar Leh highway out of which Drass and Kargil are considered to be very sensitive areas.

Due to these facts, BRO tries to keep this road operational for as long as it can. It is only in the months of peak winter that Srinagar Leh highways remain closed.

Best Time to Travel from Srinagar to Leh by Road

Best Time to Travel from Srinagar to Leh by Road

Srinagar Leh highway remains open for about 6 months a year. It is sometime by late November or early December that BRO closes the road for vehicular traffic after snowfall at Zoji La pass.

Please note here that even though I mentioned early December here but it is safe to assume that this road becomes unsafe for tourists around early November after it starts to snow in the valley.

After November, the road remains closed for the entire winter and usually opens around Mid-May (or early June if there has been heavy snowfall in the region). This entire time civilian traffic is not allowed to move on the road.

Below is a month-by-month breakdown of the Srinagar to Leh Highway status and road conditions.

Srinagar Leh Highway in January

There is absolutely no way to travel from Srinagar to Leh by road in January. Zojila Pass remains completely blocked due to the high amount of snow at the top. The entire region receives heavy snowfall in January and no vehicles are allowed to approach the pass.

As a matter of fact, in January, you cannot even reach Sonamarg. The farthest you will be able to go from Srinagar is the village of Gagangir but not beyond that.

Srinagar to Leh in February

Much like January, traveling on Srinagar Leh Highway in February is also not a possibility. The snow accumulation in this month is even higher after all the snowfall in December and January. Sonamarg remains closed as well and you can only travel as far as Gagangir.

Srinagar Leh Highway in March

BRO starts clearing snow from the pass in early March. The work starts from both the Sonamarg and the Kargil sides. By the end of March, Sonamarg is declared open for tourists but Zojila Pass still remains closed.

There have been times when the snow in the winter season was comparatively less and Zojila Pass was cleared in March as well. But this is very rare and it also resulted in the road getting closed again in a few months.

This is because the pass and the valley both continue to receive snow in March as well as April. If you are planning a trip from the Srinagar side and were told that the pass is open, please be very sure about your news. You can track the road status at Srinagar Leh Highway Status and Road Conditions where I regularly post updates.

Best Time to Travel from Srinagar to Leh by Road

Srinagar to Leh in April

The opening of the road in April really depends on the weather and how fast BRO is able to clear the snow. Usually, by the mid of the month, the road is open though unless it snows again in April. It is still not a safe month to go as the road conditions will be bad.

But if you must go in April, I will recommend planning towards the end of the month. Before you do that, however, please get a confirmation that the road is indeed open and the traffic is allowed. You can follow and get the confirmation on the thread I provided the link above.

Also, in Apil, the traffic at Zojila Pass is regulated. Vehicles from Kargil are allowed in the first half of the day and the traffic from Srinagar in the second half of the day. Sometimes, it is the other way around. So it will also be better to find out about the timings before planning your journey.

Also Read: How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh – A Complete Travel Guide

Srinagar to Leh by Road in May

The route from the Srinagar side is open in May. Sometimes the road may get closed temporarily early in the month if it snows or because of landslides. But even if this happens, it usually is for a day or at most two.

The road at this time would be challenging with a lot of local traffic, returning to their home towns and villages, which they left in winter to seek employment opportunities elsewhere. Snow would have just started to melt. Around Zojila, expect to find slush at a lot of places.

The upside of going at this time would be a lot of snow if that is what you are after. You will definitely see the famed snow walls at the Zojila Pass. If you have the time, you can also take a detour and visit Sonamarg on the way.

thajiwas glacier

Srinagar Leh Highway in June

June here can be broken down in two parts, early June and late June. BRO starts restoration work as soon as they open the road and by late June, the road conditions are improved to a much better condition. This will be an ideal time to visit.

If you went in the early part of the month, the road may be a little bad. Traveling in Late June however will present you with much better road conditions. The journey would not be as challenging as it would have been a few weeks ago. However chances of finding snow at this time would be severely limited.

Another factor to consider will be the monsoon season. It arrives in the valley in July but the entire region can start to receive pre-monsoon showers by late June itself.

Also Read: Clothes for Leh Ladakh – What to Pack

Srinagar to Leh in July

Like June, July too can be broken down into two parts, early July and Late July; or just call it July before Monsoon and July after Monsoon starts. Early July is a great time to be taking this journey.

Road conditions would have improved a lot, and the number of water streams will be a lot less. The chances of the road getting closed due to natural reasons will almost be next to none.

However, once the monsoon arrives in the Kashmir valley in late July, rain would start to present a whole new set of problems. There will be landslides at several places and driving/riding would become a nightmare.

Amarnath Yatra also begins in July so there will be a lot of rush on the roads. You will find a lot of pilgrims (Yatris), especially between Jammu, Srinagar, and Sonamarg. Army presence too will increase for Amarnath Yatra security.

Take a look at the picture below taken by a friend of mine, time was the first week of July and we were returning from Ladakh. The guy on the motorcycle in this picture is me.

Down in the valley on the left, right next to the river are Amarnath Yatra camps. You can imagine what would happen at this stretch of the road when it gets crowded with Yatris in late July and August. Also, imagine what monsoon and landslides would do here.

amarnath yatra

Srinagar Leh Highway in August

August is the worst month to be traveling on the Srinagar Leh highway. Monsoon would be in full swing. Rain would already have done a lot of damage in July and would continue the same in August as well. Amarnath Yatra would be at its peak so there is going to be traffic and people all around.

The biggest factor however is Independence Day. We all know how things get in Kashmir at the time of 15th August so there will be a lot of tension in the air. Owing to that, there is going to be a heavy Army presence and a lot of security measures in place.

Plan your journey in a way that you are not crossing Srinagar on 15th August. Sometimes, for security reasons, parts of the road may get closed by the Indian Army.

Also Read: How to Handle Acute Mountain Sickness in Ladakh

Srinagar Leh Highway in September

September is the best time to travel from Srinagar to Leh by road. Monsoon would be gone, Amarnath Yatra would have finished and road conditions would be as best as they can ever be.

Though it won’t be as green as it was in July and August, the valleys of Kashmir would still be blossoming enough to inspire the awe out of you. There will not be any slush, no water crossings, and no nightmarish landslides anywhere.

Your destination, Ladakh, too would be covered under a sheet of colors at this time. The only downside of traveling in September is that you won’t come across any snow at all.

srinagar to kargil

Srinagar to Leh in October

Winter has arrived in the valley and the tourist season would start to approach its end. If you are going in early October, conditions would be pretty much the same as September making it an ideal time to travel.

The later part of October will present you with terribly cold weather. The road remains open throughout the month but in the second half, it is just mostly the locals traveling.

Autumn arrives in the valley in the month of October. So if you want to see that golden color in the trees giving a magical touch to Kashmir, October is the time to go. If you were lucky, you may catch a light shower of snow at Zojila Pass.

Srinagar Leh Highway in November

It is not an ideal time to travel at all. There will be a high chance of the road getting closed anytime this month. Usually, by 15th November, civilian traffic from both Kargil and Srinagar sides is discontinued for the year.

Also, the month of November will present you with almost nothing. Vistas will not be green enough, the weather will be terribly cold but no snow and limited accommodation choices.

The only upside is that since the tourist season is over, there will be very few people around if some time alone is what you seek.  But you must plan your trip in the first 10 days of the month and no later than that.

Srinagar to Leh in December

Srinagar Leh highway remains closed in December. Sonamarg gets closed as well and you will not be able to approach Zojila Pass. The farthest you can go is the town of Gagangir.

Best Time to Visit Leh Ladakh via Srinagar

Best Time to Visit Leh Ladakh via Srinagar

The months of late June, early July, the entire month of September, and early October are the best time to visit Leh Ladakh via Srinagar. But again, all this depends on what your preference is and when can you afford to be out on vacation. If you can, plan your journey at this time and you will definitely enjoy your trip.

kargil war memorial

Best Time to Travel from Srinagar to Leh by Road – Conclusion

In the end, I must say that you can travel in any month and you will feel that this entire 430 odd kilometers stretch is a road from one heaven to another. When do you want to travel on this beautiful piece of heaven pretty much depends on when it is convenient for you and what interests you the most.

Travel as early as May and you will get ample amounts of snow at several places. Travel in late July, August, or September and you will have lush green valleys all around you.

October will have you witness the color of Autumn all around the valley. Go in November and you will feel the cold chill run down your spine with also a possibility of snowfall at Zojila Pass.

I hope this information on the best time to travel from Srinagar to Leh by road was of help. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below, or at our Community Forum, and I will be happy to answer.

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40 comments

Jayashankar S June 17, 2022 - 7:10 am

Very Nice Information and whether Govt Bus journey from Srinagar to Leh and Leh to Manali in Oct 1st Week?

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Pitabas Bai August 4, 2021 - 8:48 am

We want to visit Ladakh between 16th August to 1st September via Shrinagar or manali. Any suggestion would you have to quote.

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Navaneeth Aithal April 5, 2020 - 12:25 pm

Sir, I am planning to travel to Leh from Srinagar towards end of October (during Dussehra), my queries are as follows:
1. Will I be able to board a local bus from Srinagar bus stop to travel to Leh?
2. Will I be able to board a bus from Leh to Srinagar a few days later (about 3 days in Leh)
3. Will hotels, eateries and guest houses remain open at that time?
4. Kindly suggest heritage places that I can visit in Leh at that time.

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Rakesh Kumar Sharma December 5, 2019 - 5:57 am

sir i want to go Leh in first week of June with 5 to 7 friends , Is public bus available on these days with hotel and all tourist placess . i am from varanasi 7905344809
Thanks.

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Vargis.Khan December 5, 2019 - 3:59 pm

Yes it will be available by June 1st week.

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sandeep April 17, 2019 - 10:38 am

is it good to travel from Jammu -srinagar -leh -manali in august last week i.e 25th august to september 3rd. ??

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Vargis.Khan April 17, 2019 - 11:52 am

Yes it is a good time but will also depend on how the monsoon will trend this year.

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Samantha March 26, 2019 - 2:58 am

I would like to go to Srinagar from Leh, is this possible via public bus?

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Vargis.Khan March 26, 2019 - 5:20 pm Reply
Aashil Patel February 4, 2019 - 8:36 am

Hi Mr. Khan,
I m planning to go to leh by road from ahmedabad in 1st week of May 2019. Which route is open for self driving?? Give Instructions and details the route history me pls.

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Suprotim Roy January 12, 2019 - 10:28 am

Hello Vargis,

I have been following your blog since last year and I must say, each and every part of your blog is so detailed and lucid that undoubtedly you have written the best blog on leh ladakh till date.

We planned last year but couldn’t come. This year we are planning to come from mumbai to Srinagar by flight and then to leh via srinagar leh highway in the last week of MAY Do you recommend this time as we won’t be able to extend/change our plans.

Looking forward to your valuable suggestions.

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Jyoti Singh September 21, 2018 - 1:16 pm

Hello Mr. khan.
Thanks for the insights that you have put forward here. These are great information for people planning a trip to Leh specially via road.
We group of 7 (all men around 40) plan for a Srinagar – leh trip in late November. i understand that it will be a question… why Late Nov?? But thats common time when we all can actually meet. Now my questions to you Sir:

1. Would the roads be open? it seems that the road every year closes around December 1st or 2nd week
2. Would we be able to experience any snowfall?
3. Any option for tenting at any places between Srinagar – leh?
4. Or should be postpone our travel to Early december if we are only interested in live snowfall and lot of snow around?

Thx for your opinion in advance.

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Vargis.Khan September 21, 2018 - 1:54 pm

Hello Mr. Singh,

1. It depends on the weather. It may not remain open by late November if it snowed early at Zojila. A road trip that late in the season is anyways not considered safe.
2. Yes you may
3. Not that late
4. Better would be to catch a flight to Leh and spend time there.

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Sharbani Dasgupta August 19, 2018 - 5:41 am

There are a few things i wanted to ask
– i intend to travel with my 9yr old and 4yrs old children…any suggestions from ur side

– to acclimatize my children gradually towards lower oxygen level i am thinking of road trip…or u suggest air travel

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CHUNGWEI WU August 18, 2018 - 10:11 am

it’s really useful imformation for me, I plan start from Lek to Lamaruyu and stay 1 night and go srinagar next day, so all bus go srinagar or kargil stop at Lamaruyu ?

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sagar June 28, 2018 - 5:59 am

very informative. very good

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Vargis.Khan June 28, 2018 - 2:55 pm

Thanks Sagar

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jasim vu June 12, 2018 - 2:03 am

thanks for the very helpfull information

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Vargis.Khan June 12, 2018 - 1:38 pm

You are welcome

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Tahmina Tandra June 11, 2018 - 9:12 am

Thanks for the very helpful information. Hopefully we’ll visit Leh via Srinagar on late Jun 2018. We are planning to stay at Sonmarg for 1 night and another at Lamayuru. Can you please suggest a good time to start from Sonmarg to avoid high traffic at road specially Zojila pass.
Thanks a lot in advance.

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Vargis.Khan June 11, 2018 - 6:13 pm

Sonamarg and Lamayuru is only about 5-6 hours of travel. Your departure will depend on the time when traffic is allowed. Vehicles here are released at a set time from both times to avoid traffic jams.

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Avinandan Ghosh January 24, 2023 - 2:39 am

Thanks for the information. It is very useful. I am planning to take the trip end of May 2023. I am planning to travel via self driven car with my wife and my three year old daughter. My question is do you have any knowledge whether I would be require two wheel drive or four wheel drive?

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Vargis.Khan January 24, 2023 - 9:44 am

Which car do you have?

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chetan kumar May 29, 2018 - 7:40 pm

Vargis Bhai!! I’m amused by the detailed information you have provided. It’s really really helpful.
I’m planning to do a 11 day circuit in scorpio from sept 7 from Srinagar to leh and will be visiting pangong,
Sarchu and nubra valley.

Please advice if the iternary is doable in 11 days and if September will be problem in terms of road infrastructure.

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chetan kumar May 29, 2018 - 7:34 pm

By far the best info I have ever got about

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Veerakumar May 21, 2018 - 1:11 am

Dear sir, I am planning to visit leh from jammu by road 27 th may 2018. which to better. Jammu- keylong-leh or Jammu – Srinagar-Leh. i am moving on a private taxi with a family of 6. please guide me

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Vargis.Khan May 21, 2018 - 3:46 pm

Hello Veerakumar – Jammmu Srinagar Leh will be better.

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Atit May 29, 2019 - 4:04 am

Hello Mr. Vargis

Could you pls let me know current conditions of roads for Srinagar Airport to Leh ? I am planning travel in 3rd week of June

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Jayanta Kumar Kundu May 19, 2018 - 11:36 am

Planning to visit leh in mid September with senior citizen, will it be terribly cold in Pangong and tsomoriri night stay?

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Vargis.Khan May 20, 2018 - 7:07 pm

Not really. September is probably the best time to visit Ladakh. It will be cold but unbearable.

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Jayanta Kumar Kundu May 21, 2018 - 1:52 am

Thank you. Can you refer some good stay in pangong and somoriri for senior citizen?

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bankim March 14, 2018 - 6:53 am

Respected Sir,
I am bankim thakkar from ahmedabad and i booked ticket in month of May 8 may 2018. this year. possible to bike ride or car ride with family befor 8 may shrinagar To leh.
Kindly Given Guidence to me. How To plan.

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Vargis.Khan March 14, 2018 - 2:40 pm

Hello – Yes you should be able to from Srinagar to Leh in early May. Road should be open by then.

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Rajiv Rao March 12, 2018 - 11:28 am

Thanks a lot for the detailed summary. I had a question in mind. We face monsoon till mid-September in the lower latitudes.Is it possible that these mountainous roads might get some rain in early September which might make the road conditions bad? Or the heavy rain during July and August might deteriorate the road conditions for early September?

Once again, high fives for sharing valuable information. It’s because of such efforts that we can make informed decisions. Cheers.

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Vargis.Khan March 12, 2018 - 8:11 pm

Thank your for your kind words Rajiv Bhai. I really appreciate it. Heavy rains are mostly limited to the months of July and August. Chances of rain in September are very less. Srinagar Leh highway mostly remains in OK condition with only a few bad patches in between. These patches will remain bad anytime you go, rain or no rain.

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Pankaj Ghosh February 21, 2018 - 2:53 pm

if we want to travel Srinagar to leh in the end of October which public transport we should get??And during end time of October can we cover Pangong and Nubra.

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Vargis.Khan February 21, 2018 - 5:24 pm

You will have to opt for shared taxis towards October end. And yes, Pangong and Nubra will be open as well.

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Rajkumar. R February 11, 2018 - 2:42 pm

Very nice and detailed information. Thankyou

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Vargis.Khan February 12, 2018 - 6:15 pm

Thank you Mr. Rajkumar. I am glad that the information was of help.

Reply

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