Good month · Ladakh
Ladakh in May
The season opens. Hotels in Leh reopen, Pangong begins to thaw, and Nubra's orchards are in leaf. The Manali–Leh highway usually opens late May or in June after snow clearance on Baralacha La and Tanglang La, so most arrivals are still by air or from Srinagar. Crowds are light and rates sensible, but some high passes can close after fresh snow.
Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · CommonsWhere to go
Our picks for May
Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Leh
Old caravan town at 3,500 m, and where every Ladakh trip begins
Photo: Addy6697 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Nubra Valley
The old caravan valley over Khardung La, with dunes and orchards
Photo: KennyOMG · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Pangong Tso
A 134 km brackish lake at about 4,250 m, best at first light
Trips
Trips at their best in May
No published trip peaks in May
We still plan Ladakh in May where the roads allow. Send your dates and budget and we suggest a route that works this month.
Plan Ladakh in MayElsewhere in May
Other hives this month
Questions
Ladakh in May, answered
Is May a good time to visit Ladakh?
The season opens. Hotels in Leh reopen, Pangong begins to thaw, and Nubra's orchards are in leaf. The Manali–Leh highway usually opens late May or in June after snow clearance on Baralacha La and Tanglang La, so most arrivals are still by air or from Srinagar. Crowds are light and rates sensible, but some high passes can close after fresh snow.
What is the weather like in Ladakh in May?
Leh 5 to 20 °C, dry; passes still snowy. Conditions differ by altitude and coast, so check the forecast for each stop a week before you travel.
Where should we go in Ladakh in May?
We suggest Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso. Keep one spare day in your plan for a pass closure after late-May snowfall.