Ladakh, India: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2018]
Traveling to Ladakh, India? If you're planning to go to Ladakh, here is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack:
When to go to Ladakh, India
Based on the climate and weather in Ladakh, the best time to go is July. See below for details.
What to wear/what to pack for Ladakh, India by month
January
Traveling to Ladakh in January, you will notice that it can be extremely cold. Daytime temperatures are in the high 20s F (single digits below 0 C). There is frost almost every day of the month.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Thick pajamas
- Thermal undergarments
- Waterproof boots
- Insulated boots
- Neck gaiter
- High performance gloves
- Coveralls
- Umbrella
- Waterproof coat
- Fleece for under jacket
- Multiple layer jacket shell
- Goggles for eye protection
- Extreme cold weather gear
February
Traveling to Ladakh in February, you will notice that it can be extremely cold. Daytime temperatures are in the low 30s F (single digits C). There is frost most days.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Insulated boots
- Waterproof boots
- Umbrella
- Pajamas, such as sweats
- Sweaters
- Multiple layer jacket shell
- Thermal undergarments
- Very heavy socks
- Waterproof coat
- Scarf
- Fleeces
- Gloves
March
March in Ladakh is pretty cool. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 20s F (single digits below 0 C). There is frost almost every day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Waterproof boots
- Warm pants or jeans
- Heavy socks
- Heavy jacket
- Umbrella
- Sweaters
- Waterproof coat
- Gloves or mittens
- Cold weather footwear
April
If you visit Ladakh during April, you are likely to find that it is cold. Temperatures tend to hover around the 50s F (low 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 30s F (single digits below 0 C).
There is frost about two thirds of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Light gloves or mittens
- Umbrella
- Standard footwear
- Socks
- Waterproof boots
- Jacket or coat
- Fleeces
- Waterproof coat
- Warm pants or jeans
May
May in Ladakh is crisp. Temperatures average in the 60s F (high 10s C) during the day. There is frost about half of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Umbrella
- Rain coat
- Jacket or coat
- Socks
- Standard footwear
- Warm pants or jeans
- Waterproof footwear
- Waterproof luggage
- Fleeces
- Light gloves or mittens
June
If you visit Ladakh during June, you are likely to find that it is mild and very dry with almost no rain. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 70s F (low 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the 40s F (single digits C).
There is frost once in a while.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Rain coat
- Dresses
- Sunscreen lotion
- Sandals
- Shorts or short pants
- Waterproof luggage
- Waterproof footwear
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Skirts
- Umbrella
- Light footwear
July
July in Ladakh is warm and very dry with almost no rain. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 50s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Skirts
- Rain coat
- Shorts or short pants
- Sandals
- Waterproof footwear
- Dresses
- Sunscreen lotion
- Umbrella
- Light footwear
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Waterproof luggage
August
August in Ladakh is a perfect temperature and very dry with almost no rain. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 50s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunscreen lotion
- Dresses
- Waterproof footwear
- Sandals
- Rain coat
- Light footwear
- Skirts
- Shorts or short pants
- Waterproof luggage
- Umbrella
- Long and short sleeve shirts
September
September in Ladakh is balmy and very dry with almost no rain. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the low 40s F (single digits C), with a few days below 32 F (single digits C).
There is frost 5-10 days this month.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Socks
- Light jacket or fleece
- Standard footwear
- Rain coat
- Waterproof luggage
- Long sleeve shirts or blouses
- Umbrella
- Waterproof footwear
- Dresses
- Long skirts
- Pants or jeans
October
If you vacation in Ladakh during October, you are likely to find that it can be chilly. Temperatures tend to hover around the high 50s F (mid 10s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 30s F (single digits below 0 C).
There is frost about two thirds of the time.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Standard footwear
- Waterproof coat
- Fleeces
- Socks
- Light gloves or mittens
- Waterproof boots
- Umbrella
- Warm pants or jeans
- Jacket or coat
November
November for Ladakh is cold. Temperatures average in the high 40s F (single digits C) during the day. There is frost almost every day of the month.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Warm pants or jeans
- Cold weather footwear
- Sweaters
- Heavy jacket
- Gloves or mittens
- Waterproof boots
- Umbrella
- Heavy socks
- Waterproof coat
December
If you are traveling to Ladakh in December, you will notice that it is frigid. Daytime temperatures are in the 30s F (single digits C). There is frost almost every day of the month.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Waterproof coat
- Waterproof boots
- Thermal undergarments
- Insulated boots
- Very heavy socks
- Multiple layer jacket shell
- Pajamas, such as sweats
- Sweaters
- Fleeces
- Scarf
- Umbrella
- Gloves
Year-round what to wear/what to pack for Ladakh, India
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Ladakh, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there. Ladakh is at a very high altitude, and may result in altitude sickness.
For that reason, you will want to pack strong altitude sickness prevention products and treatments.
- Consider asking your doctor about Diamox
- Oximeter to check blood oxygen
- Ibuprofen
- Ginko biloba or other supplements (ask your doctor)
- A plug adadpter that supports outlet types C, D and M
- A SIM card that works in Ladakh
- If you are visiting a temple, pack respectful clothing
- Theft can be a problem, so pack theft protection, including locks for luggage and a money belt or pouch
- Bicycle friendly attire, if you plan on biking anywhere
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