Fair
Alchi in October
Ladakh, India
October is Alchi's last accessible month for most travellers. The village harvests apricots and buckwheat, the monastery sits in low-angle autumn light that makes the ancient murals glow, and the drive from Leh along the Indus is at its most photogenic.
The October story
October visitors catch Alchi's farewell performance. The apricot trees turn gold and copper, the barley fields are stubble, and the mountains begin their winter sharpening — snow on high peaks, crystal-clear visibility, shadows that stretch across the valley by 3pm. The monastery is almost empty of visitors. You can sit in the Sumtsek temple and contemplate 11th-century art for an hour without interruption. The caretaker monk may share butter tea. Guesthouses are closing for winter but a few remain open. This is the month for travellers who've seen Ladakh in summer and want to understand why people fall in love with the place — it's not the festivals or the passes. It's this quality of light and silence.
Why October scores 3/5
Weather
October is Alchi's last accessible month for most travellers.
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) —
Elevation
3,100m — Moderate altitude
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Photographers wanting dramatic autumn light and empty monasteries
- ✓Repeat Ladakh visitors seeking the quiet, contemplative experience
- ✓Travellers comfortable with cold nights and limited facilities
Who should think twice
- ✗Those needing guaranteed guesthouse availability — call ahead
- ✗Travellers uncomfortable with cold (nights approach 0°C)
- ✗Anyone planning to combine with Manali — the highway may close
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 | — |
| February | 1/5 | — |
| March | 1/5 | — |
| April | 2/5 | — |
| 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 — 70km from Leh — 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. |
| Octoberviewing | 3/5 | October is Alchi's last accessible month for most travellers. |
| November | 1/5 | — |
| December | 1/5 | — |
Practical Details
How to reach
Contact local transport
Elevation
3,100m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
budget
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