Updated: October 2026
Short answer: pack layers, not one heavy coat. Leh sits at about 3,500 m and the passes you drive over cross 5,300 m, so even a July day can swing from 25°C sun to near-freezing wind. Carry a thermal base layer, fleece, a down or synthetic puffer, a windproof shell, broken-in boots, UV400 sunglasses, SPF 50 and a small altitude first-aid kit, and plan 48 hours of rest in Leh before going higher.
Quick answer: the Ladakh packing list in 10 lines
- Layers: thermal top + bottom, fleece, puffer jacket, windproof/waterproof shell.
- Legs: 2 quick-dry trousers + thermal leggings (add insulated trousers for Nov–Mar).
- Feet: ankle-high trekking shoes or boots, 4–5 pairs of wool socks, sandals for the hotel.
- Head & hands: sun cap, warm beanie, buff/neck gaiter, liner gloves + insulated gloves.
- Sun: UV400 sunglasses, SPF 50 sunscreen, SPF lip balm — UV rises roughly 10% per 1,000 m.
- Health: personal medicines, ORS, paracetamol, a pulse oximeter; Diamox only on a doctor’s advice.
- Water: a 1-litre insulated bottle — official advisories say drink 3–4 litres a day.
- Power: 20,000 mAh power bank, spare camera batteries kept in an inner pocket.
- Papers: photo ID (several copies), printed permit receipt from lahdclehpermit.in, a postpaid SIM.
- Rest: 48 hours in Leh before Khardung La, Nubra or Pangong — it is the official advice.
How cold does Ladakh get in each season?
Ladakh is a high-altitude desert: dry air, strong sun and big day–night swings. The Ladakh Police tourist FAQ gives summer as 10–25°C with cold nights and says winter can fall to −40°C in the coldest places. Dated January readings show Leh around −13°C at night and Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri around −20 to −25°C. Use this table to choose your kit weight.
| When | What it feels like | Kit level |
|---|---|---|
| May–June | Warm days in Leh, freezing wind on Khardung La and Chang La, snow walls possible on passes | Summer kit + puffer + gloves |
| July–August | Warmest months, day highs up to about 25°C in Leh, short afternoon showers possible | Summer kit + light shell |
| September–mid-October | Crisp days, nights near or below 0°C at Pangong and Nubra | Summer kit + thermals + puffer |
| November–February | Leh below freezing at night, lakes freezing over (Pangong usually frozen Jan–Mar), many camps shut | Full winter kit (see below) |
| March–April | Thaw starts, still sub-zero nights, roads from Manali usually still shut | Winter kit, lighter by April |
What clothes should you pack for Ladakh?
Pack for three layers you can add and remove in a moving car, because you will go from a warm valley floor to a 5,300 m pass and back in one day.
- Base layer: 2 sets of thermals (merino or synthetic). Skip cotton next to the skin — it stays damp and cold.
- Mid layer: 1 fleece jacket or a thick wool sweater.
- Insulation: 1 down or synthetic puffer jacket. Synthetic keeps more warmth if it gets damp; down packs smaller.
- Shell: 1 windproof, water-resistant jacket with a hood. Wind on the passes is the real cold.
- Bottoms: 2 quick-dry trekking trousers, 1–2 thermal leggings; in winter add insulated or fleece-lined trousers.
- Day wear: 3–4 full-sleeve T-shirts — sleeves protect against sunburn, which happens fast at altitude.
- Modest wear for monasteries: covered shoulders and knees at Thiksey, Hemis, Diskit and Lamayuru.
Which shoes work best for a Ladakh trip?
For a road trip with short walks (Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Diskit, Pangong shore), ankle-high trekking shoes with a good grip are enough. For treks such as Markha Valley, or any winter trip, wear waterproof trekking boots you have already broken in for at least two weeks. Add 4–5 pairs of wool socks, 1–2 pairs of thin liner socks against blisters, and slippers or sandals for the guesthouse. Brand-new boots on day one are a common cause of blisters.
What should be in your Ladakh medical kit?
Altitude is the main risk, not cold. The UT Ladakh tourism advisory asks visitors who fly into Leh to allow at least 48 hours to acclimatise: day 1 complete rest, day 2 short walks in town only, and higher places after that. The permit portal’s health advisory says road travel does not count as acclimatisation.
- Your own prescription medicines (enough for the whole trip plus 3 days).
- Paracetamol, ORS sachets, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhoea tablets, plasters and blister pads.
- A pulse oximeter — the tourism advisory calls an SpO2 above 90% normal; tell your driver or hotel if you feel breathless at rest, confused or very drowsy.
- Diamox (acetazolamide): only if your doctor prescribes it. The three official Ladakh advisories give different doses and start times, so ask your own doctor 2–4 weeks before travel.
- SPF 50 sunscreen and SPF lip balm, moisturiser and saline nasal spray for the very dry air.
- No alcohol or smoking in the first 48 hours (tourism advisory).
Emergency numbers: 112 (all emergencies), SNM Hospital Leh 01982-252014, CMO Leh 01982-252012.
What documents, SIM and money do you need in Ladakh?
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, licence) + 4–5 photocopies | Checkposts on the Nubra, Pangong and Hanle routes record IDs |
| Inner Line Permit / protected-area receipt printed | For Indians, booked at lahdclehpermit.in: environment fee ₹400 + Red Cross ₹50 + wildlife fee ₹20 per day (2025–26 rates); foreigners need a PAP through a Leh travel agent |
| Postpaid mobile SIM | The Ladakh Police FAQ says only postpaid connections work reliably; prepaid SIMs from other states often do not |
| Cash in small notes | ATMs are in Leh and Diskit only; camps and dhabas on the Pangong road may not take cards or UPI when the network is down |
| Hotel and cab confirmations (offline copies) | Mobile data drops for hours between Leh and the lakes |
The full permit and route detail is in our Leh to Pangong Lake guide.
What electronics should you carry to Ladakh?
- A 20,000 mAh power bank — camps at Pangong and Nubra may run power only for a few evening hours.
- Spare camera and drone batteries, kept in an inner pocket: cold drains them fast. (Drone flying needs prior permission in much of Ladakh — check before you pack one.)
- Indian sockets are 230 V, Type C/D/M — overseas visitors need an adapter.
- Offline maps downloaded before you leave Leh, and a small head torch.
How should you pack for Ladakh in winter (November to March)?
Winter Ladakh is a different trip. Add an expedition-grade down jacket, insulated trousers, thermal socks plus woollen socks, insulated waterproof boots, a balaclava, insulated mittens over liner gloves and a hot-water bottle. Hotels in Leh that stay open in winter use room heaters, but water lines can freeze — ask before booking.
Roads matter too. The Manali–Leh highway shut for winter at the Darcha–Sarchu stretch on 15 October 2026, so a winter trip means flying into Leh. The Srinagar–Leh road via Zoji La was still open in late October 2026, with night closures (4 pm to 8 am) for road work on 28–30 October; it usually closes after heavy snow, so check its status before planning a road entry. Most Pangong camps close by mid-October; staying near the frozen lake in Jan–Mar means a basic homestay in Spangmik or Man–Merak.
What do most Ladakh packing lists get wrong?
- Over-packing heavy jackets, under-packing wind protection. A light puffer under a windproof shell beats one bulky coat.
- Forgetting the sun. Clouds are rare; burnt lips and snow-glare eyes are common by day 2.
- A hard suitcase on the Nubra–Pangong loop. A soft duffel fits the SUV boot better; keep a daypack with layers, water, sunscreen and medicines with you in the car.
- No plastic plan. Ladakh is ecologically fragile — carry a refillable bottle and bring your waste back to Leh.
Plan your Ladakh trip with Suzu Travels
Our Ladakh itineraries build the Leh rest day in from the start. Glimpses of Ladakh (5 Days / 4 Nights) covers Leh, Khardung La and Pangong by private SUV; the Kashmir Ladakh Tour (8N/9D) enters by road from Srinagar for a gentler climb; riders can look at the Leh Ladakh Bike Tour (5N/6D). Prices depend on dates and hotel category, so we quote per trip. Before you go, read our high-altitude preparation guide, the Ladakh road trip planner and what to wear on a Himalayan climb.
Want a Ladakh itinerary with the rest days built in? Tell us your dates and group size and we will send a written quote with hotels, cab and permits listed.
Get a free quote · Call +91 70874 88961
Suzu Travels · HP Tourism registered travel agent, Reg. No. DTO-MND-11-243/2022 (certificates)
Ladakh packing list: frequently asked questions
Is a heavy jacket enough for Ladakh in summer?
No — layers work better. In June to August Leh can reach about 25°C by day, but Khardung La and Chang La are above 5,300 m and windy. A thermal top, a fleece, a light puffer and a windproof shell let you dress up and down in the car. One heavy coat is too hot in Leh and still lets wind through on the passes.
Do I need trekking boots for a Ladakh road trip?
Not for a standard road trip. Ankle-high trekking shoes with a grippy sole are enough for monasteries, Leh town and the Pangong shore. Choose waterproof, broken-in boots if you are trekking (Markha Valley, Chadar) or travelling between November and March, when paths are icy and snow is likely.
Should I carry Diamox for Ladakh?
Only if your doctor prescribes it. The Ladakh tourism, permit and police advisories all mention acetazolamide (Diamox) but give different doses and start times, which is why a personal medical opinion matters. Whatever you take, the official advice is the same: rest 48 hours in Leh after flying in and drink 3–4 litres of water a day.
Will my prepaid SIM work in Ladakh?
Often not. The Ladakh Police tourist FAQ says only postpaid connections work reliably and prepaid SIMs from other states are unreliable. Carry a postpaid number or buy a temporary postpaid SIM in Leh. Expect no signal for long stretches between Leh, Nubra and Pangong, so download maps and bookings before leaving Leh.
What extra do I need for Ladakh in winter?
An expedition-grade down jacket, insulated trousers, insulated waterproof boots, thermal and woollen socks, a balaclava, mittens over liner gloves and a hot-water bottle. Nights in Leh fall well below freezing and Pangong can reach −20 to −25°C in January. From mid-October 2026 the Manali–Leh road is shut, so winter trips start with a flight to Leh.
How much luggage should I bring for a Ladakh tour?
One soft duffel or medium backpack per person plus a daypack is ideal. SUV boot space is shared, and on the Nubra–Pangong loop you change hotels most nights. Domestic flights into Leh usually allow 15 kg checked bags on economy fares — check your airline — so heavy winter kit is easier to wear on the plane than to pack.
