The beautiful mountainous landscape of Ladakh remains snow-capped through most of the year, with frozen rivers, lakes, and land. Ladakh has a pristine environment that comes to life during the local festivals. There is a lot to do in Ladakh, with its weather changing with seasons. And since most activities are seasonal, you need to know when to visit. Read on for a detailed guide for the best time to visit Ladakh.

The temperature ranges from a minimum of 7 degrees to a maximum of 25 degree Celsius through the season. This is the most pleasant time to visit Ladakh. The snow starts melting by mid-May and the roads clear up by June. This is the holy season for bikers who get rolling across some of India's most precarious routes to make their way to the breathtakingly beautiful valley. Quite a few festivals are held during this season and the weather conditions are good to go sightseeing and visit the monasteries.

The temperature during autumn can range between a minimum of -1 degree to a maximum of 22 degree Celsius. The temperatures start dropping gradually by the end of September and sometimes it even begins to snow early. By this time hotels, roads and other services start closing down in preparation for the winters. However, the temperatures are still bearable and with most of the tourists gone, this is a good time to interact with the locals and understand the culture.

The temperatures are very low and range from a minimum of - 28 degree to a maximum of 2 degree Celsius, with January being the coldest month. Ladakh experiences a long harsh winter. The snow starts covering up the roads by the end of October, leaving Airways as the only way to access the region. During winters it is hard to find water or electricity. Nevertheless, this is a truly beautiful time to visit Ladakh, when the rivers have frozen up and you can follow the trail of the mighty Zanskar river.

The temperatures rise during spring ranging from a minimum of -15 degrees to a maximum of 16 degrees. The cold gradually decreases through March, but it is still cold. By April the snowfall stops and tourist season begins again. During the spring months, the roads remain covered by thick layers of snow and flying remains the only option in and out of Ladakh. The good news is the hotels and local traders open up in preparation for the upcoming tourist season. This is a good time to visit as the temperatures are not extreme while most of Ladakh still remains covered in ice.