Leh Ladakh in June – How to Plan a Trip and What to See?

Can you visit Leh Ladakh in June? The answer is a definite yes. The month of June actually in my opinion is one of the best times to be visiting Ladakh. This is the month when all the hotels, guest houses, and tourism-related activities get completely operational.  Roads get all open including both the Manali Leh and Srinagar Leh highways.

The weather turns warm, snow starts to melt, the small rivulets and waterfalls come back to life, lakes change their color from white to blue again, and the entire region becomes one grand celebration of vibrant colors and life itself. In short, it is a perfect time to be in Ladakh.

How can you plan your trip to Leh Ladakh in June is what I will be talking about in this post below. If you have any questions,  you can contact me on Instagram and I will be happy to answer. You can also consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and asking a question there.

To organize your trip to Ladakh, book a taxi, rent a bike, or get the best hotel rates, you can contact Kunal @ 9910402252. From luxurious hotels to budget stays, he can help get you the best rates possible.

How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh in June

I will summarize how things will be in Ladakh in June and suggest a few tips for a hassle-free journey. I will also suggest a few itineraries that you can follow.

For planning a trip in any other month of the year, you can take a look at How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh – A Complete Travel Guide.

How to reach Leh Ladakh in June

Let us first talk about how you can reach Ladakh in the month of June. There are two aspects to it depending on whether you were planning to travel in early June or toward the end of the month.

Srinagar to Leh Highway in June

Srinagar Leh highway usually gets declared open in the month of April. Sometimes it can be delayed to early May due to the weather conditions but it will definitely be all open in June. To track the latest updates on this route, please take a look at Srinagar Leh Highway Status and Road Conditions.

So depending on your itinerary, you can reach Srinagar first and then travel to Leh by road. It is also the preferred way to reach Leh in order to ensure that you do not suffer from altitude sickness.

Traveling from the Srinagar side ensures that the gain in altitude is gradual, allowing your body sufficient time to acclimatize. It becomes even more important if you are traveling to Ladakh with family. For more information, please read Srinagar Leh Highway Route Guide & Road Map.

The traffic regulation at Zojila however may still remain in effect so please ensure that you check the traffic timings before starting your journey, or else you may be asked to wait by the road for several hours.

Chances of finding snow on the road however will only be limited at Zojila. Snow from the rest of the places would already have melted by June. Road condition however would be a mix of good and average. The worst section will mostly be limited around Zojila due to all the slush caused by melting snow.

Manali Leh Highway in June

Manali Leh highway usually opens by the end of May or early June. Sometimes it does get open earlier, like towards the end of April or early May but that happens very rarely. To track the latest updates on this route, please take a look at Manali Leh Highway Status and Latest Updates.

So if you were planning a trip in early June, please ensure that you inquire and get a confirmation that the road is open for tourists. If you were traveling after 15th June, you can rest assured that it will definitely be open. For more information on the route, please read Manali to Leh Route Guide and Road Map.

Be advised though that since the road would just have opened, it will not really be in a good condition. BRO will continue to work on the highway to stabilize it which may result in temporary roadblocks. In early June, the road can sometimes get closed even for a day or two depending on the damage.

A better way of the journey to Ladakh in June would be to go via Srinagar and return via Manali, thus allowing more time for the route to get stable. Chances of finding snow will be at several places but highest at either Rohtang La or Baralacha La.

By Air

The only catch, if you are traveling by air, is that the ticket prices at this time are usually very high. On the positive side, chances of a flight getting canceled are next to none in June and you will definitely be able to reach there by flight.

Your biggest challenge, however, in reaching by flight will be AMS in Ladakh. Because the gain in altitude is sudden, it does not allow our body enough time to acclimatize and you will definitely feel the symptoms of altitude sickness.

By Public Transport

Yes, you can also reach Leh Ladakh in June by public transport. The bus from Srinagar to Leh would already have started in May itself. The HRTC bus from Manali to Leh starts in the first week of June. The HPTDC Bus only starts in the second half of June.

The HRTC Bus could start earlier as well but the chances of that happening are very rare. These are ordinary buses that ply between Manali to Keylong and Keylong to Leh.

On the other hand, the HPTDC Bus is a luxury one but it only starts after 15th June or 1st July if the road was opened late. For more information on the topic, please read Manali to Leh Bus Service.

The Delhi to Leh Bus service also starts in the latter part of June. Depending on the weather, the Srinagar Leh Bus starts in May, toward the end of the month.

Shared cabs start as soon as civilian traffic is allowed, way sooner than the bus. So if you were lucky and the road was open at your time of travel, you can travel by a shared taxi as well.

Local Commute

In Ladakh, buses on all routes like Nubra, Pangong, and Moriri will be available in June. From the bus stand itself, you can also find shared cabs for these destinations if a bus wasn’t available.

Just reach there in the morning and if you can’t find a bus for your destination, look for a shared taxi which is mostly a Sumo or Bolero. Fare per person will be a little higher than the bus but these are more frequent and easily available.

Also read: How to Plan a Solo Trip to Ladakh

Leh Ladakh Bike Trip in June

June is definitely a great time to go on a bike trip to Leh Ladakh. The weather will be great, all roads will remain open, there won’t be many people around and not a lot of water streams to cross.

If you were going by Manali Leh highway in early June, it will actually be better to do so by motorcycle. A temporary closure in the early part of the month is not that uncommon. If that happened, taking a bike across sometimes becomes a lot easier than going by car.

June is actually one of the recommended months for a bike trip to Ladakh. Why? Because after June comes July and then August, which are the months of Monsoon. If you were planning to ride your bike to Ladakh, then you can remove the risk of rain by either planning in June or then in September.

Where to Stay

You will have no problem finding a place to stay. All hotels and guest houses at this time are completely operational and you will easily find accommodation per your taste and budget.

Whether or not to book in advance is completely your decision. If you asked me though, I will highly recommend booking your stay. Due to the vacations in schools, May and June have now become the peak tourist season in Ladakh.

You will find a lot of families in Ladakh at this time and finding a hotel on the spot may become a challenge. So it is better to book a hotel in advance to avoid any hassles. And yes, the accommodation this month will definitely be expensive due to the tourist rush.

Places to Visit in Ladakh in June

All of Ladakh remains open in the month of June. Depending on the total duration of your trip and your mode of travel, you will be able to visit all major and remote tourist attractions in Ladakh. Let me run down the list one by one to give a better understanding.

Leh in June

Leh will be completely open for tourists in the month of June. All hotels and other tourism-related activities will be up and running.

Nubra Valley in June

Nubra Valley is open in the month of June and accessible to tourists. You can reach here via Khardung La and travel as far as Turtuk or Siachen Base Camp. Activities like camel safari too will be available.

If you weren’t traveling by your own vehicle, you can either catch a Bus or shared taxi for Nubra Valley; both of which will be available from Leh Bus stand in the morning.

Diskit and Hunder are the most preferred places to stay in Nubra Valley but you can easily find hotels in other towns like Hunder and Panamik as well.

Pangong Tso In June

Pangong Tso too will be open for tourism in June. You can get here either via Chang La, or first travel to Nubra and then arrive at Pangong via Shyok Road.

Campsites will be all operational in June and you will have no problem finding a place to stay. Spangmik is the preferred place to stay at Pangong but you can find guest houses and homestays at the villages of Man and Merak as well.

If you were not traveling by your own vehicle, you can find a bus or shared cab for Pangong from the Leh Bus stand. For the return journey as well, you can find buses and shared cabs from Spangmik.

Tso Moriri in June

To get to Tso Moriri, you can either travel directly via Chumathang, or via Tso Kar or take the Chushul route from Pangong. All the roads will be completely open.

There are several hotels, guest houses, and campsites that you can stay at for the night in Karzok. Like Pangong Tso, shared taxis are available for Tso Moriri as well from the Leh Bus stand.

Chushul Route & Hanle

The direct route from Pangong to Tso Moriri via Chushul too is open for tourists at this time It is ideally a 2 days journey with a night halt at Hanle but if you wanted to, you can make it directly to Karzok as well. Reaching Hanle in June will also not be a problem. For more details, please read How to Travel directly from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri.

Sham Valley

The road between Leh and Kargil actually remains open all year long so you will definitely be able to visit places like Gurudwara Patthar Sahib, Indus Zanskar Confluence, Magnetic Hill, Lamayuru Monastery, Mulbekh Maitreya, Moonland, etc.

If you were traveling on the Srinagar Leh Highway, then all these places will fall on the way and you can cover them all by taking short sightseeing breaks.

Sham Valley is actually the area around the villages of Likir, Suspool, and Hemis Shukpachan. It is best known for its trek routes and is among the least visited places in Ladakh. It will be open in June and you can definitely visit here. To know more, please read How to Plan a Trip to Sham Valley.

Zanskar Valley in June

Like all other areas, Zanskar Valley is open in the month of June. It will take you at least two days to get to Zanskar from Leh via Kargil and then another two days to return.

Public Transport from Leh to Padum too is rare and you will have to completely rely on shared cabs. Ideally, a trip to Zanskar Valley is best when incorporated with a return journey to Srinagar from Leh.

Umling La

Umling La remains accessible in the month of June and you can include it in your itinerary. You will first have to reach Pangong, then Hanle via Chushul, and then plan a day trip to Umling La pass from there.

Snow in Ladakh in June

There are two ways to look at it really. If you are asking about snow on the ground then you will find it at the top of the passes. If you went in early June then chances are that you may even witness the famed snow walls on both sides of the road.

However, if by snow, you mean a live snowfall in Ladakh in June then the chances of that happening are rare. It does not snow in Ladakh at this time but if you were in luck, you may encounter a light spell of snow at Khardung La and Chang La.

Things to do in Ladakh in June

June is among the months of peak tourist season. Entire Ladakh at this time is brimming with activities that you can enjoy depending upon your choice, budget, and time in hand.

Biking, Motorcycling, attending local festivals, shopping, trekking, camping, Camel Safari, rafting, stargazing, and photography are some of the most common activities to do.

June is a great time for a camping trip as well. All the campsites will be operational and up for business. The weather will be pleasant but nights will still get cold.

Campsites in Ladakh are in the form of both luxury ones and simple chadar tens. You can choose depending on your budget and liking. If you are bringing personal gear, then you can pitch your own tent as well.

Pangong and Tso Moriri are the best places to go camping. There are several spots on the Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh routes too where camping can be a lot of fun.

Ladakh Weather in June

The weather in Ladakh in June will be pleasant enough actually. Summer would have arrived and days will be warm but nights will definitely still get cold.

The temperature will hover between a pleasant 15°C to 20°C during the day but will drop close to 5°C at night. However, even during the day, the breeze will still carry the winter chill and one may feel the bite if sitting in the shade for too long.

Clothes to Wear in Leh Ladakh in June

Your regular cotton clothes, some light woolens, gloves, and a thick heavy windproof jacket are what you will need while visiting Ladakh in June. The trick is to bring clothes that you can wear in layers.

There will be a major difference in the temperature during the day and at night. Sun will be quite harsh while the wind will carry a chill so your clothing will also change accordingly. One moment you will be feeling warm and the next moment you will be cold as you step in the shade.

So you need to bring clothes that can be worn or removed one by one in layers per your comfort. Do not bring all your thick woolen clothes because then either you will be feeling hot, or feeling cold if you remove them.

If it was me, I will pack my regular cotton clothes, some light woolens, a heavy windproof jacket, thermals (that I can wear under my trousers) and a pair of gloves.

I will ensure that my jacket has a hood to it and if it doesn’t, I will also pack a cap to protect my head and neck. For more details on this topic, please read What Clothes to Pack for Leh Ladakh Trip.

Your packing will also vary if you were traveling to Ladakh with family. If you had kids in the group, please make sure that you plan on keeping them completely covered at all times.

There are no special shoes needed for Ladakh. Your normal sports shoes will do just fine. Just check the sole and make sure it has enough grip left on it.

Other Things to Carry for Leh-Ladakh Trip in June

Some other things to carry while traveling to Leh Ladakh in June are as mentioned below.

• A pair of sunglasses
• Some basic medicines for flu, cold, headache, upset stomach
• A sunblock lotion of the highest SPF that you can find
• Cold cream
• Lip balm
• Moisturizer
• A pain relief spray or balm
• Other toiletries based on your needs

For more information, please read Ladakh Checklist: Things to Carry for Leh Ladakh Trip.

Festival in Ladakh in June

Saka Dawa, Yuru Kabgyat, Hemis Tsechu, Sachukul Gustor, Sindhu Darshan Festival, and Silk Route Festival are some of the festivals celebrated in the month of June. Of all these, Sindhu Darshan is probably the biggest one for you as a tourist and is celebrated in Leh City itself.

Mobile Network & Data Connectivity

BSNL has the largest network in Ladakh and works even in the remotest areas. The problem however is that the voice clarity may or may not be that good. The network is intermittent and will come and go as it pleases. Data connectivity would either be slow or not available at all.

Airtel and Jio work very well in Leh and Nubra Valley with 4G data speed. You will get reception even on Leh Kargil Road with these networks.

All other networks including Vodafone and Idea only work in Leh City. You will not get any service on these networks anywhere else in Ladakh.

The most important thing to remember is that only a postpaid phone works in Ladakh. If you have a prepaid connection, it will stop working the moment you land in Leh. For more details, please take a look at Mobile Network & Data Connectivity in Ladakh.

Acute Mountain Sickness

The chances of suffering from altitude sickness are greatest if you were catching a flight to Ladakh. In order to handle it better, I will highly recommend that you rest in Leh City for an entire day after landing there.

Do not travel anywhere and stay at your hotel only. If you feel better by evening, then you can step out to see the market and local places like Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa, etc.

Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are where most people suffer from AMS. You must keep these places towards the end of your itinerary. On the Manali Leh route, Sarchu and Pang are at the highest altitude and you will definitely feel some symptoms of AMS here.

For a very detailed version of the information on AMS and tips on how can you tackle it better, please read How to Handle Acute Mountain Sickness in Ladakh.

Medical Assistance

Leh has a large hospital that is capable of handling any sort of medical emergencies. I believe there is a small dispensary in Nubra Valley as well. Other than these two places, there are no hospitals or clinics anywhere else in Ladakh.

Hence, it becomes of extreme importance that you keep a close watch on how you were feeling. If you start to feel unwell, it will be in your best interest to get back to Leh and wait it out there. If your condition worsens, seek medical help immediately.

You should also carry a medical kit of your own. Include medicines for ailments like fever, cough, cold, body ache, headache, and upset stomach.

Carry a pain relief spray, an antiseptic lotion, lip balm, cold cream, moisturizer, sunblock lotion, and a few Band-Aids. In case of an emergency, you can also seek medical assistance at the nearest Army post.

Ladakh Inner Line Permits

No matter how you arrived in Ladakh, everyone is required to obtain Inner Line Permit in order to visit areas of Ladakh. This permit is a mandate and without it, you will not be allowed to travel any further than Leh City.

After COVID, the process to obtain an inner line permit is all online now. For more details, please read How to Obtain Inner Line Permit for Ladakh.

Itinerary for visiting Leh Ladakh in June

Let me also share a few examples of itineraries that can be followed for this trip. For the sake of the itinerary, I will assume Delhi as the starting point. If you were coming from a different city, only the journey for the first and last day will be different. The rest of the details will still apply.

Itinerary for Ladakh Air Trip

If you caught a flight directly to Ladakh, your journey can be as mentioned below.

• Arrive in Ladakh. Take rest and arrange permits – Day 1
• Ladakh to Lamayuru to Ladakh (Sham Valley Tour) – Day 2
• Leh to Diskit – Day 3
• Diskit to Pangong via Shyok – Day 4
• Pangong to Leh – Day 5
• Leh to Tso Moriri via Changthang – Day 6
• Tso Moriri to Leh via Tso Kar – Day 7
• Buffer Day – Day 8
• Fly Out – Day 9

Manali to Leh by Road in June

If you started from Delhi and reach Ladakh via Manali, your plan can be like the one below.

• Delhi to Manali – Day 1
• Manali to Jispa / Sarchu – Day 2
• Jispa / Sarchu to Leh – Day 3
• Leh – Day 4
• Leh to Diskit – Day 5
• Diskit to Pangong via Shyok – Day 6
• Pangong to Hanle – Day 7
• Hanle to Tso Moriri – Day 8
• Tso Moriri to Leh via Tso Kar – Day 9
• Leh to Kargil – Day 10
• Kargil to Srinagar – Day 11
• Srinagar to Jammu – Day 12
• Jammu to Delhi – Day 13

Srinagar to Ladakh in June

If you went to Ladakh via Srinagar and came back via Manali, then the journey will be the other way around.

• Delhi to Jammu – Day 1
• Jammu to Srinagar – Day 2
• Srinagar to Kargil – Day 3
• Kargil to Leh – Day 4
• Leh – Day 5
• Leh to Diskit – Day 6
• Diskit to Pangong via Shyok – Day 7
• Pangong to Hanle – Day 8
• Hanle to Tso Moriri – Day 9
• Tso Moriri to Pang / Sarchu – Day 10
• Pang / Sarchu to Manali – Day 11
• Manali to Delhi – Day 12

A trip to Ladakh will always have an angle of uncertainty to it. You cannot travel to a region like this without keeping your dates slightly flexible.

What I mean by this is that you do not bind yourself to strict timelines. If for some reason you had to stay back for a day or two, then you should be able to afford to do so.

Visiting Ladakh for your Honeymoon

Can you plan your honeymoon in Ladakh? The answer is yes you can and a lot of people have recently started doing so. June would be an ideal month for it. The weather will be pleasant, hotels all available, and routes all accessible.

There are plenty of luxurious hotels in Leh City these days suitable for a honeymoon. I would strongly recommend that you book a private cab for the entire trip at least a few weeks before your honeymoon in Ladakh in June. With all the tourist rush, finding a cab during tourist season, which this month is, can prove to be a difficult task.

Also read: A Complete and Comprehensive List of Places to See in Ladakh

Rented Motorcycles and Non-Local Taxis in Ladakh

If you were coming to Ladakh by rented motorcycle or car, then your biggest concern will be that vehicles rented outside Ladakh are not allowed for sightseeing here. And yes, this also applies to Leh City.

For example, if you rented a bike from Manali or Srinagar, you can only use it to arrive in Leh City. Once you check into a hotel, you will then have to leave it parked at the hotel.

For local sightseeing and visiting areas like Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, and Tso Moriri, you will have to rent a local bike from Leh. This is a serious concern and please do not take this lightly.

Locals put up barriers on these routes and if they catch you, you will be sent back on your way to the hotel. There also have been incidents of non-local rented vehicles being attacked, vandalized, and forcibly taken.

Conclusion

I believe that covers most if not all that you should know about visiting Ladakh in June. If you have any questions, you can contact me on Instagram and I will be happy to answer. You can also consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and asking a question there.