The regions such as Ladakh & Zanskar that lie to the North of the main Himalayan range and escape the full impact of the monsoon. Humidity is always low in these regions, and receives only a few centimeters of rainfall a year. These regions also experience some of the coldest temperatures anywhere in the world, and it doesn’t get any warmer till the spring season in late April or early May.

In June, daytime temperatures frequently rise to the mid 200Cs, the snow on the passes melts and most of the treks can be undertaken from then on until the middle of October. Heavy rainstorms can occasionally be experienced in July and August, and River crossing should be undertaken with great care at this time. By September the conditions are ideal, and they normally remain so until late October even though nigh-time temperatures may fall below freezing. By November, the early winter snows fall on the passes closest to the Himalayas. In winter the villagers still travel, enduring the intense cold, to follow the valley floors where River crossings are no longer a problem.

After October the daytime temperatures drop, but the weather is generally settled until the middle of November when the first of the heavy winter snows fall on the high mountain passes. Winter months from December to March are often bleak. April and May are characterised by heavy precipitation, which falls as snow in the mountains, precluding trekking over the passes until the spring snows melt in June.

Temperatures in Ladakh, range from -3 to 30 degrees Celsius in the summer and from -20 to 15 degrees Celsius in the winter.

Essentials that you should carry with you to cope with the climate in Ladakh are windcheaters, woolen clothing, thick socks, gloves, scarves, a hat or woolen cap, sturdy boots or walking shoes, sunscreen, lip balm and goggles.