Ladakh is a dream destination for many, a challenge for some, and for me—an adventure like no other.
While most travellers prefer the summer months, I chose April, when winter’s grip still lingers, painting the landscapes with snow-covered passes, half-frozen lakes, and barren mountains under a crisp blue sky.
Was it worth it? Absolutely. Was it easy? Well, that’s a relative term.
Instead of just talking about my trip, let me share my experience with you. So, if you’re planning a Ladakh trip in April, keep reading!
Why did I choose April?
The first thing you might be wondering is; why did I choose April?
Well, April is never considered the ideal month for Ladakh. You won’t find it in any “best time to visit” lists, and most travellers prefer the peak summer months when all roads are open and survival doesn’t involve testing your tolerance to freezing temperatures.
So, why April?
Because I wanted to see a calmer Ladakh with snow-covered landscapes, frozen lakes.
Mostly, I wanted Ladakh before tourists took over in summer. I mean, its easier to click photos with fewer tourists.
If you love adventure, enjoy pushing your limits in semi-extreme cold, and want to experience most of Ladakh without the usual crowds, then visiting in April is absolutely worth it.
Just pack extra layers, a strong will, and a backup plan for when Google Maps decides to give up on you.
We did make our arrangement by talking with the local tour company, Active Adventure India who will arrange everything for us in our Ladakh tour.
Before sharing my experience, let me tell you what I packed for the trip.
Things I Packed for My Ladakh Tip
Clothing:
- Thermal innerwear
- Fleece jackets & down jackets
- Windproof & waterproof outer layers
- Gloves, woolen socks & beanies
- UV-protection sunglasses
Footwear:
- Waterproof trekking shoes
- Extra pair of warm socks, I still needed to buy 1 extra. Make sure its woolen.
Essential Gear:
- Backpack & small daypack
- Power banks & extra camera batteries
- Water bottle to keep water warm
Medicines & Essentials:
- Diamox and Coca 30 for altitude sickness
- Personal medicines & first aid kit
- Lip balm & moisturiser (the cold is harsh on the skin)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50)
Food & Snacks:
- Dry fruits, energy bars & chocolates
Permits & Documents:
- Adhar Card & multiple photocopies of Adhar.
Miscellaneous:
- Cash (ATMs are limited)
- Maps (offline Google Maps downloaded)
Day 1 – Landing in Leh: Windier than thought
I was accompanied by my cousin’s brother on this trip. We flew from Kolkata to Delhi to Leh, as the Leh-Manali Highway was still closed.
This was one of the main reasons why there were fewer tourists in April.
Tip: Book a window seat. You will absolutely love the view.
The moment I stepped out of Leh airport, I felt it. The altitude. At 11,500 feet, even a short walk felt like a workout. I was prepared for this, but what I was not prepared for was the wind. It was too windy. The temperature was 9 degree celsius, luckily my cousin had a postpaid BSNL sim with him.
We were driven to our hotel, but altitude sickness was constantly on my mind. That was the result of watching and reading way too many Ladakh travel videos.
And then, I truly felt the altitude. Climbing the hotel stairs, a single small step felt like scaling an entire floor.
So, I did the smart thing. I relaxed, drank plenty of water, and slept a lot. Acclimatisation, after all, is the key.
Day 2 – Exploring Leh: A Blend of Culture and Surreal Landscapes
In order to travel in Ladakh you will require permit. Our permit was arranged by our travel agent, so there was nothing to worry about on that front. Ideally, it’s best to take another day to rest and acclimatise, but since our trip was short, we decided to venture out and explore Leh’s surroundings.
1. War Memorial
Unfortunately, it was closed due to some reason.
2. Indus Valley Viewpoint
The landscape here was breathtaking, with the mighty Indus River winding through the vast valley. The play of colours on the mountains made it look like a painting. Not to forget, it was 9 am, and the winds were super chilly.
3. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
A serene and peaceful place, perfect for a short break. We were offered halwa, which was absolutely delicious.
The Gurudwara also serves free langar, so if you visit during lunch hours, this is the best place to be.
4. Magnetic Hill
We tried the famous optical illusion where cars supposedly roll uphill on their own. Did it work?
Well, let’s just say the line between science and magic is thin here!
The most common sight? Groups of people sitting in the middle of the road to take pictures. I can’t deny, the location is awesome.
5. Sangam (Indus-Zanskar Confluence)
This is where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet, each retaining its distinct colour. We did spend some time enjoying the view.
The contrast was striking—one deep blue, the other muddy brown. The rivers were partly frozen, so there wasn’t much current, meaning no river rafting.
Yes, this place usually offers river rafting.
6. Basgo Gompa
An ancient monastery nestled among rugged mountains. It had a calming aura and offered stunning views of the valley below.
The view from the top was breathtaking, but the climb was steep. We had to catch our breath after every few steps—maybe our bodies hadn’t fully adjusted to the altitude yet.
After visiting Basgo, we headed back to Leh, but not before stopping for lunch at Nimmoo, where we tried Thukpa.
7. Shanti Stupa:
Sitting atop a hill, this white-domed structure overlooked Leh town. The view from here was simply mesmerising, especially as the sun began to set.
So, what was the best part?
Most of these places were less crowded, making it a peaceful and immersive experience. The Indus Valley viewpoint was particularly stunning, offering a panoramic view of Ladakh’s raw beauty.
8. Exploring Leh Market
Since we reached our hotel early, I decided to go for a walk and explore Leh Market. The streets were lined with shops selling Pashmina, Tibetan handicrafts, prayer flags, and traditional Ladakhi jewellery.
If you are visiting Leh, there’s no need to worry about food. Restaurants and cafés here serve all kinds of cuisine—South Indian dosa, Chinese noodles, North Indian curries, and even biryani. The smell of hot momos and butter tea filled the air, making it impossible to resist.
I stopped at a shop and bought a few prayer wheels and fridge magnets as souvenirs. Unfortunately, the Tibetan Refugee Market was closed, which was a bit disappointing. I had heard they sell some of the best handmade crafts, but maybe next time!
Leh Market is more than just a shopping destination. It is a blend of culture, food, and warm hospitality. After spending some time soaking in the atmosphere, I headed back to my hotel, feeling happy and full—both in my heart and my stomach!
Day 3 Leh to Nubra Valley: Crossing the Mighty Khardung La
After a hearty buffet breakfast and some last-minute packing, we stepped into the crisp mountain air, ready for the day’s adventure.
Reaching Khardung La
Leaving Leh, the barren landscape soon turned into a winter wonderland.
We stopped at North Pulu for photos before reaching Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads in the world.
On reaching Khardung La, we found several tourists even in April. Maybe we were a bit late.
Amidst the snow and excitement, I forgot my gloves! Clicked some photos but couldn’t take one in front of the signboard that says Khardung La… However, we managed to find another sign a bit away from the main spot. We also found SBI’s ATM here, but it was closed.
Then we went into the café for a pahado wali Maggi and kawa.
Then we continued our journey to Nubra.
Our next stop was Khalsar, where we took a break. This is the location where a scene from Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was shot.
Exploring Diskit’s Maitreya Buddha Statue
Our next stop was Diskit. On the way, I started feeling slightly unwell—probably due to the altitude and spending too much time at Khardung La.
However, upon reaching Diskit, I recovered a bit and was able to enjoy the majestic view of the valley and the towering Maitreya Buddha statue.
As we traveled a bit further, we were greeted by a sudden sandstorm. To our right, we saw a desert-like landscape—it was the Hunder Sand Dunes.
Hunder Sand Dunes & Camel Safari
Before heading to Hunder, we stopped at our camp for a short break. Then, we set out to explore the Hunder Sand Dunes.
The cold April air made for stunning photos before we hopped onto the double-humped Bactrian camels for a unique ride.
A warm meal and shared stories wrapped up a day filled with snow, sand, and adventure.
Day 4: Pangong via Shyok: The Road Less Taken
Instead of going back to Leh and reaching Pangong via Chang La Pass, we chose the Shyok route. This road is unpredictable, sometimes even closed due to landslides, but April was kind to us.
On our way we did the ATV ride at Khalsar and reached the Bhag Milkha Bhag shooting spot and then we continued our journey.
The journey was absolutely amazing, we got down at several spots by the Shyok river.
We had a quick stop for lunch at Durbuk.
And then, we continued.
On our way, we passed through the Jab Tak Hai Jaan shooting spot.
And then, Pangong Lake.
I had seen it in movies and pictures, but nothing comes close to the real thing.
We kept our bags at the camp and went to the lake. It was much windier. Many people had come here from Leh for a day visit, but we were in no hurry since we would be spending the night.
It felt like sitting by an ocean, with small gentle waves touching the shore.
The lake was partially frozen, shimmering in shades of blue and turquoise. The silence, the biting cold, the endless expanse of water against rugged mountains—it was pure magic.
Spending a night at Pangong in April isn’t easy. The temperature dropped well below freezing, and without proper heating, survival was all about layers of clothing and courage. However, we had no issues as the cottage was cozy, and the dinner was delicious.
Day 5: Tso Moriri: The Untamed Beauty
While most people head back to Leh from Pangong, as Tso Moriri is not a top visited place in Ladakh by tourist, but we have a different plan. We took a different path, our next destination was Tso Moriri. So we took the road by the Pangong Tso towards Tso Moriri via Chushul, Nyoma, and Mahe.
This was the wildest stretch of my journey.
Miles of barren land, barely any vehicles in sight, and a sense of isolation that was both thrilling and eerie. The landscape kept changing, from rocky mountains to plains with wild horses running free.
After hours of driving through the crowdless roads and passing by many beautiful frozen lakes, we reached Tso Moriri. It was more frozen than that of Pangong Tso.
Fewer tourists, a serene blue lake, and absolute silence except for the cold wind whispering through the valley. If Pangong was grand, Tso Moriri was mystical.
We got freshened up in our homestay and went out to explore Tso Moriri.
The best part was the view, and the worst part was walking about a kilometre to get there. Believe me, walking a kilometre even on a flat surface at 4,400 metres high is not easy. The lake was windier than expected.
The reason behind the long walk was that our SUV had a tyre puncture.
After the tiring walk, we returned to our homestay and had a delicious dinner.
Day 6: Back to Leh
The next morning, we woke up early and started our journey to Leh. The return journey took us through Sumdo and Puga (famous for its hot springs), where we found golden dry wetlands as the grasses had not yet grown.
After a quick stop at TsoKar, we finally reached the Leh-Manali highway, which was almost empty.
On our way to Tanglang La, we were greeted with heavy snowfall.
We were too tired to explore any more monasteries or palaces, so we had to skip Hemis Monastery.
On our way, we stopped at Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace but didn’t go in.
Maybe adding one more day to our trip would have made things better. But hey, you always need a reason to return, right?
Reaching Leh felt like coming back home, yet I knew a part of me would stay behind in those vast, unspoiled landscapes.
We reached Leh at noon and finally went out to explore the market, where we got to visit the Tibetan Refugee Market and the local shops.
And then, we headed back to spend our last night in Leh.
Day 7: Back To Home
We checked out of our hotel early in the morning and reached the airport, thanking our travel guide cum driver.
Final Thoughts: Should You Visit Ladakh in April?
Ladakh cannot be explored fully in just a few days. There are plenty of places to see, but if you’re planning a short trip and love adventure, raw beauty, and don’t mind the cold, April is perfect.
- Snow-covered landscapes without the summer crowds
- Frozen lakes, dramatic skies, and surreal views
- Challenging routes that test your endurance
But if you seek comfort, mild weather, and fully open routes, wait till May or June.
For me, Ladakh in April was an experience, not just a trip—a journey that tested me, humbled me, and left me longing for more.
Would I do it again? Of course! There are so many places left to explore.
