Peak Season
Lahaul Valley in June
Himachal Pradesh, India
June is Lahaul in full glory. The Chandra river runs turquoise through meadows carpeted in wildflowers, Chandratal Lake thaws into its impossible blue, and the road from Darcha toward Baralacha La opens the corridor to Ladakh.
The June story
Every road, every pass, every campsite is open. The weather is clear, the valley is green, and you can raft the Chandra, camp at Jispa, and detour to Chandratal all in one trip. This is the month.
Why June scores 5/5
Weather
Best month overall. All roads open including Chandratal detour. Keylong, Jispa, and Darcha fully operational. Wildflowers in meadows. Clear skies, 10-20°C. Rafting on the Chandra river.
Roads & Access
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 3/5. rescue: SDRF HP (1070), BRO rescue. helpline: DC Lahaul-Spiti: 01900-222201. ambulance: 108 (limited coverage). police station: Keylong Police Station. nearest hospital: Civil Hospital Keylong
Network
JIO: No, BSNL: Yes, AIRTEL: No
Kids
Kid-friendly (2/5) —
Elevation
3,200m — Moderate altitude
Who should go
- ✓Travelers with basic fitness
- ✓first-time Lahaul visitors
- ✓Chandratal seekers
- ✓rafting enthusiasts
- ✓motorcycle tourers on Manali-Leh route
- ✓families with older children
Who should think twice
- ✗Those with mobility issues
- ✗those seeking solitude (peak tourist traffic on highway)
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 | Valley under deep snow with temperatures between -15 and -5°C. Atal Tunnel remains open but roads beyond Keylong are blocked. Most facilities shut for winter. |
| February | 1/5 | Deep winter continues with -15 to -5°C temperatures. Atal Tunnel open but the valley beyond Keylong remains snowbound. Zero tourist infrastructure operating. |
| March | 1/5 | Still locked in winter though temperatures start easing to -10 to 0°C. Snow begins softening at lower elevations but roads beyond Keylong remain impassable. No tourist services. |
| April | 2/5 | Snow melting gradually with temperatures at 0-10°C. Atal Tunnel makes Keylong accessible year-round. Jispa and beyond still snowed in. Limited services reopening in Keylong town. |
| May | 4/5 | Valley waking up with temperatures at 5-15°C. Jispa accessible, Darcha opening. Snow still blocks higher passes. Chandratal Lake remains frozen. First tourists arriving as camps set up. |
| Juneviewing | 5/5 | Best month overall. All roads open including Chandratal detour. Keylong, Jispa, and Darcha fully operational. Wildflowers in meadows. Clear skies, 10-20°C. Rafting on the Chandra river. |
| July | 4/5 | Monsoon barely touches Lahaul due to rain shadow effect. Good weather continues with 12-22°C. Manali-Leh highway fully open. Some rain spillover from Kullu side possible but valley stays mostly clear. |
| August | 3/5 | Some monsoon moisture crosses from Kullu side bringing occasional cloud and light rain. Road blocks possible on Atal Tunnel approach from Manali. Valley itself stays mostly clear at 10-20°C. |
| September | 5/5 | Post-monsoon golden light returns. Chandratal Lake at its bluest. Valley turning golden-brown. Best photography month. 5-18°C. All passes still open. |
| October | 4/5 | Autumn gold fading as first snow dusts higher passes. Baralacha La may close late October. Chandratal closing for season. Temperatures at 0-12°C. Last month for most activities and camping. |
| November | 2/5 | Winter arriving fast with temperatures at -5 to 5°C. All high passes closed. Keylong accessible via Atal Tunnel but valley emptying rapidly. Most camps and guesthouses shut for season. |
| December | 1/5 | Deep winter with -15 to -2°C. Only Keylong barely accessible via Atal Tunnel. Entire valley beyond under heavy snow. No tourist infrastructure operating. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Contact local transport
Elevation
3,200m
Difficulty
moderate
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Himachal Pradesh scoring high in June
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