Khardung La in January
Ladakh, India
Snow closure makes passage impossible for most vehicles and people in January
January at Khardung La is one of the most hostile points on the Indian road network. The pass at 5,359m sits under 8-12 feet of accumulated snow, the road from South Pulu (the army post on the Leh side) to North Pulu (Nubra side) is closed to civilian traffic, and daytime temperatures at the top peak at -22C with night drops to -32C. The Indian Army maintains a year-round logistics line for Siachen Glacier sustainment, and BRO crews keep skeleton clearance going on the worst storm days, but tourist access is nil. Leh itself remains accessible by air (daily flights from Delhi when weather permits) but the Leh-Khardung La-Nubra circuit does not run. The first viable visitor window each year is approximately May 25 — when BRO completes summer-season clearance and the LAHDC (Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council) issues the Inner Line Permit notification.
Why January scores 2.0/10
Weather
Closed. Pass under deep snow. -30C nights. Civilian access nil. Skip.
Who should go
- ✓Experienced trekkers / adventurers
Who should think twice
- ✗First-time travelers
- ✗Anyone with health conditions
- ✗Families with young children
- ✗All casual visitors
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Januaryviewing | 2.0/10 | Closed. Pass under deep snow. -30C nights. Civilian access nil. Skip. |
| February | 2.0/10 | Closed. Year's coldest. -33C nights. No civilian access. Skip. |
| March | 2.0/10 | BRO starting clearance. -25C nights. Pass still closed to civilian traffic. Skip. |
| April | 2.0/10 | BRO clearance underway. -18C nights. Apricot blossoms in lower Nubra. Pass still closed. Skip. |
| May | 8.0/10 | Pass opens late month. -10 to 5C. ILP-required. Acclimatise 48 hours in Leh first. Apricot blossom tail. |
| June | 10.0/10 | Peak season. -5 to 10C. ILP fast-tracked. Nubra circuit at full operation. Apricot fruit on trees. |
| July | 10.0/10 | Peak. -3 to 12C. Apricot harvest in lower Nubra. ILP processing fast. Nubra hotels tight. |
| August | 10.0/10 | Peak continues. -3 to 12C. Independence Day weekend tightens beds. Apricot harvest tail. |
| September | 10.0/10 | Year-best. -7 to 10C, dry, clean. Ladakh Festival early Sep. Last solid month before October cold. |
| October | 6.0/10 | Late season. -15 to 5C. Pass closes mid-late month. Manali-Leh highway shuts. Nubra circuit narrows. |
| November | 2.0/10 | Closed for winter. -20C nights. Pass under deep snow. Civilian access nil. Skip. |
| December | 2.0/10 | Closed. -28C nights. Deep winter. No civilian access. Skip. |
Nearby in Ladakh scoring high in January
ठहरने की बुकिंग के लिए तैयार हैं?
हम बुकिंग से पहले आते हैं, उसके साथ नहीं — नीचे दिए प्लेटफ़ॉर्म पर दाम की तुलना करें।
किसी भी जगह, ठहरने या ऑपरेटर को दिखाने के लिए हम पैसे नहीं लेते। यहाँ दिए किसी लिंक से बुकिंग करने पर हमें थोड़ा कमीशन मिल सकता है, आप पर कोई अतिरिक्त खर्च नहीं। इससे हमारे स्कोर या सुझावों पर कभी असर नहीं पड़ता। संपादकीय नीति
अगले Khardung La के लिए तैयार रहें
रविवार को एक ईमेल — कौन सी जगह अगले हफ़्ते जाने लायक है। साथ ही जो जगहें आप सहेजें, उनके पीक से तीन हफ़्ते पहले हेड्स-अप। बिना स्पैम।
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