Snowfall on Leh-Srinagar Highway in May 2026: 12 Places to See Snow in India This June
On 25 May 2026, the Mina Marg and Zojila stretch of the Leh-Srinagar highway turned white with fresh snow. The same week, Delhi crossed 44°C with the IMD running an orange heatwave alert through 27 May (NewsX, 2026), and most of north India sat inside a brutal pre-monsoon stretch. If you saw the headlines and wondered whether anyone in India could still feel snow underfoot this summer, the answer is yes — and not just in one place.
This guide covers 12 destinations across Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh where snow is genuinely on the ground through early-to-mid June 2026. Every entry includes the practical details that actually matter: how to get there, what it costs, when to go, and what’s accessible right now after the late-May weather system. We’ll start with what just happened on the highway, why it happened in the middle of a heatwave, and then move into the destinations you can plan around.
Fresh snowfall blanketed Mina Marg and Zojila Pass on the Leh-Srinagar highway on 25-26 May 2026 — a rare late-May event triggered by a Mediterranean western disturbance, even as Delhi baked in a 44°C heatwave under an IMD orange alert (NewsX, 2026). The highway briefly slowed at Zojila but stayed largely open. Twelve destinations across Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand and Arunachal still hold snow on the ground for June trips.
In this Blog
What Just Happened on the Leh-Srinagar Highway?
Fresh snowfall hit Mina Marg, Zojila Pass, and the upper Sonmarg sector of the Leh-Srinagar highway on 25-26 May 2026, with traffic at Zojila briefly placed under one-way monitoring before resuming normally (NewsX, 2026). The Border Roads Organisation kept the route open, but advised travellers to expect slippery sections and pre-check status before climbing past Sonmarg.
Zojila sits at roughly 3,528 metres and is the second-highest pass on the entire Srinagar-Leh route. Under normal years, the highway opens between late March and mid-April after winter closure, so a fresh dump in late May is the kind of event locals remember. The earlier April 2026 closure at Zojila — confirmed by Kashmir Media Service — already pushed road clearance later than usual, and this fresh round added a second layer.
For drivers and bikers planning the Srinagar-Leh run in early June, the practical implication is simple. Snow walls along Mina Marg and the descent into Drass will be taller and longer than in a typical June. Sonmarg base camp will feel cooler than expected. And the photo opportunities — fresh snow against a green meadow backdrop — are the kind that don’t come every summer. For a deeper look at how this route opens each year, see our full Ladakh roads opening guide.
Why Is It Snowing in Kashmir During India’s Heatwave?
The short answer is meteorology, not climate weirdness. A Mediterranean western disturbance — a low-pressure system born over the Caspian and Mediterranean seas — moved across north India in late May, carrying moisture into the upper Himalayas. When that moisture hit the cold high-altitude air sitting over Kashmir’s peaks, it fell as snow above roughly 3,000 metres. Down in the plains, the same system delivered thunderstorms and brief rain, not flakes.
What’s worth noticing is the pattern. Western disturbances in May are not unprecedented, but their frequency in late May and early June has been edging up. Travellers planning Kashmir or Ladakh trips for June 2026 should treat fresh snow as a possibility, not a freak event. Pack layers even if you’re going in peak summer. Check the IMD bulletin the morning you drive Zojila. The “summer snow paradox” is becoming part of the planning, not a footnote.
Where Is Snow Accessible in India Right Now? (Quick Reference)
If you only have 30 seconds, here’s the at-a-glance view of the 12 destinations covered in this guide, ranked roughly by how reliably snow will be on the ground through June 2026.
| Destination | State | Elevation | Snow status (June 2026) | Nearest airport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sonmarg & Zojila | J&K | 2,800-3,528 m | Fresh snow (25-26 May) | Srinagar (87 km) |
| Gulmarg | J&K | 2,650 m | Patches at Apharwat | Srinagar (56 km) |
| Pahalgam | J&K | 2,200 m | Snow on higher trails | Srinagar (95 km) |
| Drass | Ladakh | 3,280 m | Cold, snow on slopes | Srinagar (160 km) |
| Khardung La | Ladakh | 5,359 m | Snow-lined road | Leh (39 km) |
| Chang La | Ladakh | 5,360 m | Snow walls intact | Leh (134 km) |
| Tanglang La (Leh-Manali) | Ladakh | 5,328 m | Open with snow patches | Leh (108 km) |
| Rohtang Pass | Himachal | 3,978 m | Snow walls, accessible | Bhuntar (90 km) |
| Kunzum La / Atal Tunnel | Himachal | 4,551 m / 3,100 m | Snow on Kunzum approach | Bhuntar (110 km) |
| Auli | Uttarakhand | 2,800 m | Patches above tree-line | Dehradun (286 km) |
| Chopta-Tungnath | Uttarakhand | 2,680-3,680 m | Snow on Tungnath trek | Dehradun (208 km) |
| Munsiyari | Uttarakhand | 2,200 m | Snow on Khaliya Top | Pantnagar (294 km) |
| Tawang | Arunachal | 3,048 m | Snow on Sela Pass | Tezpur (320 km) |
That’s 13 entries because Sonmarg and Zojila travel as a pair on the same highway corridor.
Which Kashmir Destinations Still Have Snow in June 2026?
The Kashmir valley sits at the centre of this story for one reason — it’s where the fresh snow actually landed in May 2026, and it’s the most accessible cluster of snow destinations for travellers from Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore. According to the NewsX bulletin from 26 May 2026, the snowfall extended from Mina Marg through Zojila and dusted parts of the upper Sonmarg basin. Below are four destinations within a one-day drive of Srinagar airport, ranked from most-snow to most-accessible.
1. Sonmarg & Zojila Pass
- Entry fee: No entry fee for Sonmarg town; Zojila Pass is on a public highway (no ticket)
- Timings: Open 24/7 weather permitting; Zojila monitored 6 AM-6 PM during snow events
- Best time in 2026: Last week of May through early July for the post-snow window
- How to reach: 87 km from Srinagar (NH-1D), 2.5-3 hours by taxi or self-drive
- Time required: Day trip from Srinagar; overnight if continuing to Kargil/Leh
- Ideal for: Couples, solo travellers, photographers, road trippers
- Pro tip: Check the BRO Twitter handle (@BROindia) the morning you drive. Carry chains if self-driving in early June 2026 — the late-May snow event left residual ice patches on the climb to Zojila.
2. Gulmarg
Gulmarg’s Apharwat ridge (4,200 m) holds patchy snow into June, and the Gulmarg Gondola phase 2 deposits you right onto it. Down at meadow level (2,650 m), expect green grass with wildflowers — not snow. Search volume for gulmarg in summer runs at 6,600 per month for a reason: people want both.
- Entry fee: ₹500 (Phase 1 Gondola), ₹950 (Phase 2 to Apharwat) — combined ticket ₹1,400
- Timings: 10 AM-5 PM (Gondola); meadows open all hours
- Best time in 2026: Mid-May to mid-September for green meadows + Apharwat snow
- How to reach: 56 km from Srinagar, 1.5-2 hours by taxi
- Time required: Minimum 2 days; 3 days if including pony rides to Khilanmarg
- Ideal for: Families, first-time snow seekers, couples
- Pro tip: Buy Phase 2 Gondola tickets the night before through the official app — queues from 8 AM in peak season. For the snowfall season specifically, our best time to visit Gulmarg for snow guide breaks it down month by month.
3. Pahalgam
Pahalgam itself doesn’t hold snow in June — but Chandanwari (16 km up valley, 2,895 m) does, and the Aru and Betaab valleys above town stay cool and patchy with old snow. This is the gentler pick for families.
- Entry fee: Free (Pahalgam town); ₹400 for Aru Valley vehicle entry
- Timings: All day; Chandanwari taxis run 7 AM-5 PM
- Best time in 2026: May-June for snow patches; July-September for greenery
- How to reach: 95 km from Srinagar, 2.5-3 hours
- Time required: 2-3 days
- Ideal for: Families with kids, slower trips
- Pro tip: Skip the union taxi to Chandanwari if you can — local guides on horseback know quieter pockets where snow lingers past June.
4. Drass
Drass is the second-coldest inhabited place in the world after Oymyakon in Siberia, with a recorded low of -60°C in January 1995 (Skymet Weather). Even in June, the surrounding slopes hold snow and the air bites at 5 AM.
- Entry fee: None
- Timings: Open as part of the NH-1D highway route
- Best time in 2026: June through September
- How to reach: 160 km from Srinagar via Zojila, 5-6 hours
- Time required: Halt of 2-4 hours; overnight in Kargil (60 km onward)
- Ideal for: Road trippers, history travellers (Kargil War Memorial is 5 km away)
- Pro tip: Stop at the Kargil War Memorial just before Drass town — entry is free, and the briefing covers Tiger Hill which holds visible snow well into July.
Where in Ladakh Can You See Snow in June 2026?
Once you cross Zojila and drop into Ladakh proper, the snow story changes. Down in Leh town (3,500 m), there’s no snow in June — just cold mornings and bright dry afternoons. The snow is up on the passes you drive across to reach Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Tso Moriri. June 2026 should be a generous year for that snow because of the residual May-end deposit.
5. Khardung La
Khardung La sits at 5,359 metres on the road from Leh to Nubra Valley — and despite popular myth, it’s not actually the world’s highest motorable pass, but it’s still one of the most accessible high-altitude snow experiences in India (Holidify). In June, the road has snow walls on either side and patches that locals call “fresh dust” lingering on side slopes.
- Entry fee: None; Inner Line Permit (ILP) required — ₹500 + ₹400/day for Indian nationals
- Timings: Pass open daylight hours only; check at the Leh tourist office
- Best time in 2026: June to September for the snow-walled road; May for deeper snow but riskier
- How to reach: 39 km from Leh by taxi or rented bike (3-4 hours round trip)
- Time required: Half-day from Leh; full-day if continuing to Nubra
- Ideal for: Bikers, road trippers, anyone who’s never seen snow above 5,000 m
- Pro tip: Spend at least 2 nights in Leh before driving Khardung La — altitude sickness above 5,000 m hits faster than at most Himalayan passes.
6. Chang La
Chang La (5,360 m) is the gateway to Pangong Lake and holds even more snow in June than Khardung La because the road climbs up from the cooler Indus side. Snow walls here often stay 2-3 metres tall through mid-June.
- Entry fee: None; ILP required
- Timings: Daylight crossing only
- Best time in 2026: Late May to early September
- How to reach: 134 km from Leh (5-6 hours one way to Pangong)
- Time required: Plan as part of a 2-day Pangong trip
- Ideal for: Pangong-bound travellers
- Pro tip: Don’t linger more than 15-20 minutes at the top — oxygen at 5,360 m is roughly half of sea level and even a quick photo stop can leave you dizzy.
7. Tanglang La (on the Leh-Manali Highway)
If you’re driving down to Manali instead of crossing into Nubra, Tanglang La (5,328 m) is the snow-heavy climb between Leh and Sarchu. The Manali-Leh highway opens between 15 and 25 May in a normal year, so by June it’s busy with bikers and shared SUVs (StayVista Ladakh roads guide).
- Entry fee: None
- Timings: Daylight only
- Best time in 2026: Mid-June to mid-September for safest conditions
- How to reach: 108 km from Leh on the way to Manali
- Time required: 30-45 minute halt
- Ideal for: Bikers on the Manali-Leh circuit
- Pro tip: Carry a thermos of hot chai — there are no permanent dhabas on the Tanglang La climb itself, and the wind chill at the top can drop 10-15°C below valley temperatures.
Which Himachal Passes Still Have Snow in Early Summer?
8. Rohtang Pass
Rohtang (3,978 m) is the closest “real snow” experience for a Manali-based trip. Snow walls along the road persist through June, and locals run snow gear rentals at the base — boots, jackets, sleds — for ₹300-500.
- Entry fee: ₹50 environmental fee per person + ₹500 vehicle permit (online via rohtangpermits.nic.in)
- Timings: 5 AM-3 PM; pass closed Tuesdays for ecological recovery
- Best time in 2026: Mid-May to October
- How to reach: 51 km from Manali (2-2.5 hours); permits must be booked at least 1 day in advance
- Time required: Half-day from Manali
- Ideal for: Manali holidaymakers, families with kids who’ve never seen snow
- Pro tip: Permits are capped at 1,200 vehicles per day and sell out for weekends 4-5 days ahead. Book Monday for the following weekend.
9. Kunzum La and the Atal Tunnel Approach
Since the Atal Tunnel opened in 2020, Spiti has become a 2-day trip from Manali instead of a 4-day one. Kunzum La (4,551 m), the pass between Lahaul and Spiti, holds snow into late June. For the full route conditions in June 2026, see our Spiti June 2026 routes guide.
- Entry fee: None
- Timings: Daylight; Kunzum opens by early June in a normal year
- Best time in 2026: Mid-June to September
- How to reach: 110 km from Manali via Atal Tunnel
- Time required: 1-2 days as part of a Spiti loop
- Ideal for: Spiti circuit travellers, photographers
- Pro tip: The Atal Tunnel exit drops you at 3,100 m — drive slow and hydrate, even if you’ve felt fine in Manali at 2,050 m.
Where in Uttarakhand Can You Find Snow in June?
Uttarakhand’s snow window in June is narrower than Kashmir’s or Ladakh’s, but three high-altitude spots still deliver. None of these will give you a fresh blanket like Sonmarg, but old snow lingers in shaded pockets above the tree line.
10. Auli
Auli’s ski slopes (2,800 m at the base, 3,050 m at the top) keep patchy snow through mid-June (Thrillophilia). You won’t ski, but you can walk on snow patches just off the main viewpoint.
- Entry fee: ₹500 (cable car from Joshimath); ₹150 (chair lift)
- Timings: Cable car 9 AM-5 PM
- Best time in 2026: May-early June for snow remnants; October-February for full snow
- How to reach: 286 km from Dehradun; 16 km from Joshimath by cable car or road
- Time required: 1-2 days
- Ideal for: Families combining with the Char Dham circuit
- Pro tip: If snow’s the priority, take the chair lift to the top viewpoint at 3,050 m where shaded slopes still hold white into June.
11. Chopta and Tungnath
Chopta itself (2,680 m) is snow-free in June, but the 4 km Tungnath trek climbs to 3,680 m and the upper third still holds snow in early-to-mid June. Tungnath is the highest Shiva temple in the world and a popular short trek for beginners.
- Entry fee: None
- Timings: Tungnath trek best started by 7 AM to summit Chandrashila by 10 AM
- Best time in 2026: May-June for snow; September-November for clear views
- How to reach: 208 km from Dehradun, 7-8 hours
- Time required: 2 days minimum; full-day Tungnath trek
- Ideal for: First-time trekkers, weekend visitors from Delhi-NCR
- Pro tip: Hire a local guide for ₹500-800 if you’re doing the trek in early June — old snow on the final pitch to Chandrashila can hide ankle-twisting rocks.
12. Munsiyari
Munsiyari (2,200 m) doesn’t have snow in town in June, but the Khaliya Top trek (3,500 m) and Panchachuli base camp routes do. This is the quietest of the three Uttarakhand picks — far fewer crowds than Auli.
- Entry fee: None for Munsiyari; trekking permits via the local SDM office for Khaliya
- Timings: All day; treks start 6-7 AM
- Best time in 2026: May-June for snow trekking; September-November for clearest mountain views
- How to reach: 294 km from Pantnagar airport (8-9 hours); 565 km from Delhi
- Time required: 3-4 days including travel
- Ideal for: Slow travellers, trekkers who want quiet
- Pro tip: Stay at a Munsiyari homestay rather than a hotel — the family-run kitchens here serve some of the best Kumaoni food in the state.
Arunachal Pradesh: Tawang
13. Tawang and Sela Pass
Tawang (3,048 m) is the only destination on this list from the Northeast — and it earns its place because Sela Pass (4,170 m) on the approach road from Tezpur holds snow well into June. The pass and Sela Lake (which freezes in winter and partially thaws by May-June) make the drive in unlike any other in India.
- Entry fee: None; Inner Line Permit required for non-residents (₹100, online via the Arunachal Pradesh government portal)
- Timings: Sela Pass is on the public highway — passable in daylight only during monsoon and snow
- Best time in 2026: April-October; late May and June for thawing-snow combination
- How to reach: 320 km from Tezpur airport, 10-12 hours by road (overnight halt at Dirang recommended)
- Time required: 4-5 days minimum from Guwahati
- Ideal for: Slow travellers, monastery and Buddhist culture interest, photographers
- Pro tip: The new Sela Tunnel (opened March 2024) bypasses the toughest stretch of the pass road — but driving over the top of Sela Pass instead is still the more dramatic option in good weather.
How Do You Plan a June 2026 Snow Trip in India? Three Sample Itineraries
Our team has run these three trip shapes with travellers booking through StayVista over the last three Junes. Each is built around the snow window, not against it.
5-day Kashmir snow loop — Day 1: Fly into Srinagar, transfer to Sonmarg (87 km). Day 2: Day trip to Zojila Pass and back; afternoon at Thajiwas glacier. Day 3: Drive to Gulmarg (160 km via Srinagar). Day 4: Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2 to Apharwat; lunch at the top. Day 5: Drive to Pahalgam or back to Srinagar for flight. Rough cost band: ₹35,000-55,000 per person including stays, taxi, and meals.
7-day Ladakh circuit (via Srinagar) — Day 1: Srinagar arrival. Day 2: Srinagar to Kargil (210 km via Sonmarg + Zojila + Drass). Day 3: Kargil to Leh (220 km). Days 4-5: Leh acclimatisation, monasteries, Khardung La. Day 6: Pangong Lake via Chang La. Day 7: Fly out from Leh. Rough cost band: ₹50,000-80,000 per person.
4-day Uttarakhand snow weekend — Day 1: Drive from Delhi to Joshimath (10-11 hours) or Dehradun + Joshimath. Day 2: Auli cable car and ski slope walk. Day 3: Drive to Chopta (110 km), Tungnath trek the next morning. Day 4: Return to Delhi. Rough cost band: ₹18,000-28,000 per person.
For any of these, see our best places to visit in India in June 2026 for non-snow alternatives if you want to combine snow with a beach or backwaters leg.
Where to Stay: Snow-Adjacent StayVista Properties
For Sonmarg, our cottage properties in the Gotli Bagh area — including StayVista at Gaash Cottage and Khwab Villa — sit within easy reach of the meadow base and the Zojila approach road. The best of these book out 3-4 weeks ahead in June, especially after a snowfall news cycle like the one we’re in now.
For Gulmarg, StayVista at Suroor in Tangmarg comes with central heating built in — which matters when you’re trying to catch the 9 AM first Gondola ride without the morning chill. Browse our full Gulmarg inventory for larger group bookings.
For Pahalgam, our Lidder-river facing properties suit light sleepers and heat-stressed travellers alike. In Leh and the wider Ladakh region, our Ladakh stays include traditional homestay-style properties within 10 minutes of the central market — useful as Khardung La and Chang La base camps.
For Manali-based snow trips to Rohtang and Atal Tunnel, Tulip Terraces sits at 7,000 ft with panoramic Pir Panjal views, and Stonehurst Cottage is surrounded by apple orchards in the Kullu valley. Both are within 90 minutes of the Rohtang permit gate. Other options worth a look: The WaterWillow, The Imperial Estate, and Retreat Cottages — all in or around Manali with mountain views.
To check live availability across these snow-window cities, browse our Sonmarg villas, Gulmarg villas, Pahalgam villas, Ladakh villas, or Manali villas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Leh-Srinagar highway was briefly placed under one-way monitoring at Zojila Pass on 25-26 May 2026 due to fresh snow at Mina Marg and Zojila but stayed largely operational (NewsX, 2026). Check Border Roads Organisation advisories the morning you drive, and carry chains if self-driving in early June.
The most reliable June 2026 snow destinations are Khardung La and Chang La (Ladakh, both above 5,300 m), Sonmarg-Zojila on the Leh-Srinagar highway, Rohtang Pass (Himachal), and Sela Pass on the way to Tawang. Auli and Tungnath in Uttarakhand hold patchier snow through mid-June.
A western disturbance — a low-pressure system from the Mediterranean — moved across north India in late May 2026, carrying moisture into the upper Himalayas. Above roughly 3,000 metres in J&K, that moisture fell as snow. In the plains, the same system produced thunderstorms and brief rain (NewsX, 2026).
For experienced mountain drivers, yes — but pre-check BRO road status, carry tyre chains, and plan to cross Zojila before 1 PM when conditions are most stable. Less experienced drivers should hire a local taxi from Srinagar with a driver who knows the Zojila stretch under snow.
Gulmarg is the strongest family pick — the Gondola makes snow access easy without needing to drive a high pass, there are gentler activities for children at meadow level, and Srinagar airport is only 56 km away. Rohtang Pass (with permits booked in advance) is the second-best option for families travelling via Manali.
Fresh snow from the 25-26 May 2026 event sits primarily above 3,000 metres in the Mina Marg, Zojila, and upper Sonmarg basin areas. Sonmarg town itself (2,800 m) likely received a dusting that will melt within 7-10 days, but the higher slopes and Zojila approach should hold visible snow through mid-June (NewsX, 2026).
The Bottom Line
If you booked your flight to Srinagar last week wondering whether you’d see any actual snow, the answer just got more interesting. The late-May western disturbance dropped fresh snow exactly where June trip-planners hoped — on Zojila, Mina Marg, and the upper Sonmarg slopes — and pushed the snow line lower for the next two-to-three weeks.
Three quick takeaways for your planning:
- The strongest June 2026 snow window is the Srinagar-Sonmarg-Zojila corridor. Fly into Srinagar by mid-June at the latest to catch what’s left.
- Ladakh’s high passes (Khardung La, Chang La) are reliable through all of June — book Leh acclimatisation stays ahead because hotels fill fast.
- Uttarakhand’s snow is patchier but cheaper to access from Delhi — Auli + Tungnath is the long-weekend option.
To plan stays around any of these destinations, browse our Sonmarg villas, Gulmarg villas, Ladakh villas, or Manali villas. We’ll refresh this guide weekly through the June snow window — last updated 26 May 2026.
