Reasons why you should visit Ladakh in September

While I believe that Ladakh is a place like no other and makes for a journey of a lifetime, there is no denying the swarm of tourists that the place sees. If you have been harbouring a wish to visit Ladakh when it is in a more solitary avatar, more like the Shangri La that you have imagined it to be, September is your month. Some warm jackets and earmuffs will be good to go, for this month is when the winter chills start to settle in. But yes, it is not bitterly cold and you will have no regrets in basking in Himalayan sunset on a September morning in Ladakh. Here is more on why you should visit Ladakh in September.

Read more: A week's itinerary for Leh Ladakh
Zero crowd Come September and you will have almost no crowd in Ladakh, for this is when you have the winter comes in with its first sweep. And thankfully, the peak season for tourism is also off. Much to our delight, September is also the time when all the cafes, restaurants and places stay open sans any crowd though. On an odd September day, you will be able to go for easy, solitary strolls in Leh, have a leisurely cup of coffee, go cycling, gorge over gorgeous meals without rushing through them. This is just the time for you if you are somebody who likes to steer clear from the crowd. And yes, imagine sitting at the banks of Pangong with nobody else in sight.

Best hotel/cab/flight deals Ladakh in September is more cost effective than you would have ever imagined. This is when most of the hotels offer hefty discounts, often running as good as a 50% off! Same is the deal for taxis as well, and you can have an epic road trip around Ladakh for a fraction of the money it would cost in May-August, when the place swells with tourists. So if you are travelling on a budget in Ladakh, September is your month. As for the flights, one quick search on the internet will prove it. Also, better chances of getting that window seat.

No traffic jams
Yes, if you have been to Ladakh in May you would know that the place has its share of traffic jams; imagine Khardung La or Chang La on a summer day. Come September, and it is an easy drive to the Nubra Valley, Changthang Plateau and the always enchanting Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. The motorbikes out there should definitely plan a road trip in Ladakh for this month, for the region becomes all the more alluring then.

Festivals calling
September also sees some interesting festivals in Ladakh, especially the Ladakh Festival. This one sees a flurry of interesting activities and elaborate celebrations all through Leh and the surrounding region. Year 2018 will also see the Naropa Festival, also hailed as the Kumbha of Ladakh. This month is also when the famous Ladakh Marathon takes places; a feat considering that is one of toughest and, of course, highest marathon in the world.