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The places to visit in Ladakh in March promise a unique winter experience, as the region slowly emerges from its deep freeze. While temperatures still hover between 5°C and 7°C, roads to these places to see in Ladakh in March become more accessible by air, and snow-draped landscapes offer surreal views. March is also the tail end of the Chadar Trek season, and monastic festivals like Matho Nagrang bring cultural depth. With thinner crowds and frozen rivers, tourist attractions in Ladakh in March are for the brave-hearted explorers.
Best Places To Visit In Ladakh In March
Discover places to visit in Ladakh in March, including frozen lakes to ancient monasteries, offering snow-covered sights with fewer tourists.
1. Leh – The Capital Gateway
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
Leh is one of the top places to visit in Ladakh in March, offering ideal weather for both sightseeing and acclimatisation. With crisp air and sunny skies, visitors can explore monasteries like Thiksey and Spituk or shop for handicrafts in vibrant markets. March is also great for starting high-altitude treks or cycling expeditions. This transitional season offers a perfect balance of adventure and culture before heading deeper into Ladakh’s remote corners.
Location: Central Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (4 km)
Dishes To Try: Thukpa, Momos, Skyu, Chutagi, Butter Tea
2. Thiksey Monastery – Mini Potala Of India
Photo: Bernard Gagnon / Wikimedia Commons
Among the top places to visit in Ladakh in March is Thiksey Monastery, a 14th-century complex modelled after Lhasa’s Potala Palace. Situated on a hilltop, it offers striking views of the snow-covered Indus Valley. March skies enhance visibility, ideal for photography and peaceful walks through murals and temples, including the Maitreya Buddha statue. The monastery belongs to the Gelukpa sect and is particularly calm in early spring, offering a spiritual and scenic stop on any Ladakh itinerary.
Location: Thiksey, Ladakh 194201
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (23 km)
Timings: 7 AM – 7 PM (closed 4 – 4:15 PM for tea break)
Dishes To Try: Monastery Chai, Tsampa, Tibetan Bread
3. Hemis Monastery – Largest Monastic Institution
Photo: Shashank Mehendale / Wikimedia Commons
Hemis Monastery is one of the most peaceful places to visit in Ladakh in March. The cold begins to ease, and the absence of summer crowds allows unhurried exploration of its vast temple halls, thangkas, and relics. The monastery is known for being Ladakh’s largest and wealthiest. With bright skies and quiet courtyards, it’s perfect for photography and cultural immersion. March also serves as a good time to plan future visits for its colourful festival in June.
Location: Hemis Shukpacahan, Leh Ladakh
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (49 km)
Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
4. Pangong Tso – The Changing Colours Lake
Photo: KennyOMG / Wikimedia Commons
Pangong Tso stands out among places to visit in Ladakh in March due to its surreal transformation. As temperatures rise slightly, the frozen lake begins to crack and reveal shifting hues of blue and green. The high-altitude air is clean, and road access via Chang La improves. March’s partial thawing adds photographic interest, while day camps offer scenic rest stops. The stillness of the season lends a dreamlike quality to this dramatic natural wonder.
Location: Pangong Tso Lake, Merak, Leh Ladakh
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (154 km)
Timings: 24*7
5. Nubra Valley – Desert In The Sky
Photo: Addy6697 / Wikimedia Commons
Nubra Valley is among the most fascinating places to visit in Ladakh in March as snow begins melting along Khardung La Pass. This allows access to its rare mix of desert and snow-capped scenery. Diskit Monastery, with its towering Maitreya Buddha, looks especially serene in March sunlight. At Hunder, Bactrian camels stir to life, ready for gentle rides across cold dunes. March conditions also allow visitors to explore ancient trade routes and small villages without crowds.
Location: Nubra Valley, Ladakh 194401
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (150 km)
Dishes To Try: Apricot Jam, Seabuckthorn Tea, Yak Cheese, Ladakhi Pulao
6. Tso Moriri – The Pristine High-Altitude Lake
Photo: Tanay Kibe / Wikimedia Commons
Tso Moriri ranks high among captivating places to visit in Ladakh in March for its tranquil beauty and rare wildlife. This Ramsar site begins welcoming migratory birds such as bar-headed geese and black-necked cranes. The frozen lake slowly thaws, reflecting sharp blue skies and rugged mountains. March also allows a peaceful visit to Korzok Monastery on the lake’s edge. Though travel remains challenging, it rewards visitors with dramatic landscapes and a sense of remoteness that defines the Ladakh experience.
Location: Tsomoriri Lake Korzok village, Ladakh
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (240 km)
Dishes To Try: Yak Butter Tea, Dried Yak Meat, Barley Bread
7. Kargil – The Historical Gateway
Photo: Shyam. Akirala / Wikimedia Commons
Kargil is one of the most historically significant places to visit in Ladakh in March. The cold begins to ease, revealing Suru Valley’s green patches and clear views of the towering Nun Kun peaks. March visitors can explore the Kargil War Memorial in nearby Dras without extreme conditions. Mulbekh Monastery, with its carved Maitreya Buddha, becomes accessible. This month is ideal for cultural explorations and planning treks, as the town transitions from snow-covered quiet to spring energy.
Location: Batalik B.O, 194103, Kargil, Ladakh
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (204 km)
Timings: War Memorial 9 AM – 6 PM
Dishes To Try: Mutton Korma, Kashmiri Pulao, Kahwa, Bakarkhani
8. Dras – Gateway To Ladakh
Photo: Bikram.3458 / Wikimedia Commons
Dras deserves a place among the must-see places to visit in Ladakh in March as the extreme cold finally starts to soften. This small town, known as the second coldest inhabited place on Earth, offers access to the Kargil War Memorial, glacier views, and treks towards Mushkoh Valley. Wildflowers begin to emerge late in the month. Clear skies offer sweeping views of the Himalayan ranges, while March’s moderation allows visitors to explore the region’s history and dramatic landscapes safely.
Location: Dras, Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (260 km)
Timings: War Memorial 9 AM – 5 PM
Dishes To Try: Harissa, Rogan Josh, Noon Chai, Sheermal
9. Chang La Pass – World’s Third Highest Motorable Pass
Photo: Narender9 / Wikimedia Commons
Among adventurous places to visit in Ladakh in March, Chang La Pass offers an unforgettable experience. This high-altitude route to Pangong Tso becomes passable during clearer March days. The journey offers breathtaking views of snow-covered peaks and valleys. At 17,586 feet, the thin air and cold demand acclimatisation, but the views are rewarding. Visitors can stop at Chang La Baba Temple and capture unique photographs of dramatic skies and terrain—an exhilarating moment for those braving early spring.
Location: Chang La Pass, Ladakh
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (134 km)
Dishes To Try: Hot tea, coffee, Maggi noodles
10. Gurudwara Shri Pathar Sahib – Sacred Sikh Shrine
Photo: Goutam1962 / Wikimedia Commons
Gurudwara Shri Pathar Sahib is one of the spiritually rich places to visit in Ladakh in March. This peaceful site near Leh becomes more welcoming as the roads clear and the cold subsides. According to legend, Guru Nanak softened a boulder here during meditation. Surrounded by quiet mountains, the Gurudwara offers a serene break during your journey. March’s calm weather invites visitors to reflect, enjoy langar, and photograph the shrine under clear blue skies and glowing snow-dusted ridges.
Location: 25 km from Leh on Leh-Kargil Highway
Nearest Railway Station: Jammu Tawi (459 km)
Nearest Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh (29 km)
Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
Dishes To Try: Langar Dal, Chapati, Kheer, Chai
These places to visit in Ladakh in March reveal a quieter, colder side of the Himalayas. The snow-covered landscapes create a stark, breathtaking beauty, while the crisp air adds clarity to every view. From silent monasteries perched on hills to frozen rivers and remote high-altitude lakes, these attractions feel like a hidden world reserved for true explorers. Explore more such packages offered by TripXL for an extraordinary experience in far-off places.
Cover Photo: sushmita balasubramani / Wikimedia Commons
