Avoid
Alchi in March
Ladakh, India
March begins Ladakh's slow thaw. Alchi's apricot trees are still bare, but midday sun can push temperatures to 5ยฐC. The monastery receives almost no visitors โ you and the murals, alone, in 11th-century silence. Roads are improving but still unpredictable.
The March story
March is a gamble that occasionally pays beautifully. On good-weather days, the monastery basks in warm sunshine while the surrounding mountains stay snow-capped โ the contrast is extraordinary. The Translator Temple (Lotsawa Lhakhang) and the main Dukhang temple can be explored at your own pace with zero visitors. Local families begin spring cleaning and preparing irrigation channels. If you're coming from Leh, the drive along the Indus is spectacular in March light. But check road conditions daily โ a surprise snowfall can close the route for 48 hours. Alchi in March is for flexible travellers who understand that Ladakh doesn't guarantee anything except beauty.
Why March scores 1/5
Roads & Access
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. rescue: Indian Army, SDRF. helpline: DC Leh: 01982-252010. ambulance: 108 (limited). police station: Khalsi Police Station (20km). nearest hospital: PHC Khalsi (20km), SNM Hospital Leh (68km)
Network
JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, AIRTEL: No
Kids
Kid-friendly (3/5) โ
Elevation
3,100m โ Moderate altitude
Who should go
- โFirst-time travelers
- โSenior citizens
- โFlexible adventurers who accept Ladakh's weather unpredictability
- โEarly-season Ladakh visitors avoiding summer's tour groups
- โPhotographers chasing snow-capped mountains with spring light
Who should think twice
- โTravellers needing guaranteed road access โ snowfall can strand you
- โThose who want to see Alchi's famous apricot blossoms โ wait for April
- โVisitors expecting any tourist services โ they haven't started yet
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 | โ |
| February | 1/5 | โ |
| Marchviewing | 1/5 | โ |
| April | 2/5 | โ |
| May | 3/5 | May is Alchi's sweet spot for most travellers. |
| June | 5/5 | June brings the first wave of Ladakh tourism, but Alchi โ 70km from Leh โ stays quieter than Hemis or Thiksey. |
| July | 5/5 | July is peak Ladakh season. Tour buses visit Alchi as a day trip from Leh. |
| August | 4/5 | August continues peak season with an added wildcard: Ladakh gets occasional cloudbursts now that climate change has introduced monsoon-fringe weather. |
| September | 5/5 | September is Alchi's autumn grace period. |
| October | 3/5 | October is Alchi's last accessible month for most travellers. |
| November | 1/5 | โ |
| December | 1/5 | โ |
Practical Details
How to reach
Contact local transport
Elevation
3,100m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
budget
The Window โ every Sunday
Best score this week, the honest skip, road intel, and what changed. Free. No spam.
One email per Sunday. Unsubscribe anytime.