Overview
Ladakh in winter is a different place: snow on the monastery roofs, frozen rivers, clear blue skies and almost no other visitors. This six-day package keeps things simple and safe in the cold. You fly into Leh, the only way in once the highways close, and spend two days resting and adjusting to the altitude in a heated hotel. Then you see Leh's monasteries and the Sham valley, and make a day trip over Chang La to Pangong lake, which usually freezes solid from about January to March. You stay in Leh throughout, in hotels that stay open and heated in winter, with a Leh-registered car and driver and permits arranged. Days are bright, but nights fall well below freezing, so come prepared.
Best for: Travellers who want Ladakh in snow and silence, without the summer crowds
- Two full days to acclimatise in a heated Leh hotel
- Leh's monasteries under snow
- A day trip to frozen Pangong lake (about January–March)
- The Sham valley and the frozen Indus–Zanskar confluence
- No crowds and clear winter skies
- All stays in Leh, so no cold camps
Day by day
- Day1
Arrive in Leh and rest
Airport transferOvernight: Leh
Your driver meets you at Leh airport. Rest in your heated room for the day; acclimatisation matters even more in the cold.
- Day2
Rest and a short walk
No drivingOvernight: Leh
A second quiet day, with an easy afternoon walk in the old town if you feel well. Drink plenty of warm fluids and keep warm.
- Day3
Leh, Shey, Thiksey and Hemis
Local sightseeing, about 5–6 hoursOvernight: Leh
Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace, then the monasteries of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis, beautiful under snow and almost empty in winter.
- Day4
Day trip to frozen Pangong
A long day, about 10–11 hours round tripOvernight: Leh
An early start over Chang La to Pangong lake, which usually freezes solid from about January to March. Back to Leh in the evening; Pangong's camps are closed in winter. If Chang La is shut after snow, we'll swap this day with the Sham valley or another day near Leh.
- Day5
The Sham valley
Local sightseeing, about 5–6 hoursOvernight: Leh
West along the Indus to the Hall of Fame, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill and the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar, partly frozen in mid-winter. Short stops only, with time to warm up in between.
- Day6
Fly out from Leh
Airport transfer
Transfer to Leh airport for your flight home. Winter flights can be delayed or cancelled by weather, so keep a buffer of a day before any onward connection.
What winter in Ladakh is like
From December to March, Ladakh is quiet. Most visitors are gone, many shops and hotels close, and the landscape turns white. Days are often brilliantly sunny and comfortable in the sun, but temperatures drop sharply after sunset. Heated rooms, warm food and a good down jacket make all the difference. The light is extraordinary for photography, and the monasteries, without summer crowds, feel as they must have for centuries.
Why we stay in Leh throughout
In winter, the camps at Nubra and Pangong close and nights there are dangerously cold. Staying in a heated hotel in Leh and making day trips is safer and more comfortable. If you'd like to add a night in a heated homestay in a village, ask us; options are limited and depend on the weather.
What to pack for Ladakh in winter
Pack for temperatures well below freezing, especially at night and at Pangong. Thermal base layers, a fleece, a proper down jacket, a windproof outer layer, warm gloves, a woollen hat and insulated, waterproof boots are essential. Sunglasses and sunscreen matter too: the winter sun is strong at this altitude, and snow reflects it. A small thermos is useful for warm drinks on the Pangong day.
Bring any regular medicines, with spares in case flights are delayed, and some cash, since ATMs and card machines in winter can be unreliable. Mobile networks work in Leh but are patchy on the Pangong road.
- Thermals, fleece and a down jacket
- Insulated waterproof boots, gloves and a hat
- Sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
- Spare medicines and some cash
Winter Ladakh: Frozen Pangong price
Per person, by hotel tier and group size. Prices last calculated 21 October 2026 from current rate cards and hotel listings.
3-star hotels, standard camps and homestays
| Travellers | Per person | Group total | Vehicle |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | ₹31,000 ≈ US$365 | ₹62,000 | Innova |
| 4 | ₹25,500 ≈ US$300 | ₹1,02,000 | Innova |
| 6 | ₹25,000 ≈ US$295 | ₹1,50,000 | Tempo Traveller |
Per person, twin sharing, all-inclusive of the items listed below. Dollar prices are approximate (₹85 = US$1). Your exact price is confirmed in writing before you book; it depends on dates, hotel availability and group size.
Where the money goes: 2 travellers, standard hotels
- Hotels and camps (breakfast and dinner)₹32,500
- Leh-registered taxis in Ladakh₹18,340
- Permits (2 Indian nationals)₹1,180
- Our service fee (15% on hotels and transport)₹7,626
- Total for both₹59,646
Included
- Heated hotel in Leh for all five nights, twin sharing, with breakfast and dinner
- Leh-registered Innova (or Tempo Traveller for 6) for all sightseeing and transfers
- Airport pickup and drop in Leh
- Permits for Pangong (environment and wildlife fees, or Protected Area Permit for foreign nationals)
- Driver allowances, fuel and parking
Not included
- ×Flights to and from Leh (Delhi–Leh is about ₹7,000–18,000 one way, depending on season)
- ×Lunches, drinks and snacks
- ×Monastery, palace and museum entry fees
- ×GST on the package, travel insurance and tips
- ×Oxygen cylinders, medical costs or extra nights caused by road closures or illness
Permits, altitude and safety
- Winter nights in Leh often fall well below freezing, and colder still at Pangong. Bring thermal layers, a down jacket, warm gloves, a hat and insulated boots.
- Leh is at about 3,500 m. Ladakh's tourism department advises at least 48 hours of rest on arrival before any sightseeing; every plan here starts with a full rest day.
- Indian nationals pay the Ladakh environment fee and a daily wildlife fee for Nubra, Pangong and similar areas, arranged online or in Leh. Foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit, arranged through a registered Leh agent and usually requiring at least two foreign travellers in the group.
- Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol for the first days, and tell your driver at once about a severe headache, breathlessness at rest or confusion. Descending is the treatment. Talk to a doctor before travelling if you have heart or lung conditions.
- Ladakh is generally safe for visitors. The main risks are altitude, cold and road closures from weather, not crime. Carry warm layers, cash (ATMs are limited outside Leh) and offline maps.
When to go
Leh: Best: Jun–Sep; Snow: Jan–Apr, Nov–Dec
- Best time
- Snow likely, roads can close
- Monsoon, landslide risk
- Fine, check weather
- • December to March: winter; Pangong usually freezes from about January to March.
- • Leh is reached only by air in winter, and flights can be delayed by weather.
- • Many hotels close in winter; we book from those that stay open and heated.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Ladakh in December?+
Yes. Leh is reached by air, and hotels that stay open in winter are heated. It's cold but clear, and very quiet.
Is Pangong frozen in winter?+
It usually freezes solid from about January to March. In December it may be only partly frozen.
How much does the winter package cost?+
From about ₹24,000 per person for six travellers on standard hotels, and about ₹30,000 per person for a couple. See the price table.
Is it safe to travel to Ladakh in winter?+
Yes, with preparation. The main risks are cold, altitude and road closures after snow, which is why the plan stays in Leh and keeps flexible days.
Can we see snow leopards?+
Snow-leopard tracking is a specialist trip with expert guides, usually from Ulley or Hemis. We can suggest operators; it isn't part of this package.
Do the highways open in winter?+
No. The Manali–Leh and Srinagar–Leh highways are closed by snow; fly in and out.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Snow in Manali and Shimla
- Altitude sickness in Spiti and Ladakh
- Taxis in Ladakh: the rules for outside taxis
- Ladakh Essentials: 7 days
Price and route sources: Discover with Dheeraj: Leh Ladakh taxi union rates · Go360: Leh Ladakh taxi union rates 2026 · Holidify: 3-star hotels in Ladakh · Discover with Dheeraj: Ladakh permits for Indians 2026 · Discover with Dheeraj: Protected Area Permit for foreigners · Ladakh Tourism: travel advisory · Air India: Delhi to Leh flights
