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Places to Visit in Leh

Pangong lake.

Pangong lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Leh and is located just 160 kilometres away from Ladakh. The drive to Pangong lake is an exciting experience offering scenic views. It is a beautiful lake with crystal blue waters blessed with pleasant weather throughout the year. Pangong Tso is also amongst the camping places in Ladakh.

Enjoy the solitude near the placid waters of this magnificent lake in Ladakh and take out your cameras to capture the picturesque view of this wonderful place. Black-necked Siberian can be spotted near the Mahe marshes, the only breeding place for these rare migratory birds and making it one of the most scenic places to visit in Leh Ladakh.

Top Experiences To Do in Pangong Lake

Khardungla Pass

Interested in motoring? Here’s what you should definitely try.

Maintained by the Border Roads Organization, this pass on the Ladakh Range in Leh is claimed to be the world’s highest motorable pass. Reaching to the top of the Khardungla Pass is a challenging journey. One might even face vomiting, tremendous headache and other symptoms along with blurry vision. The lack of oxygen at the top can hamper your brain’s activity. It is advised to drink some black tea before you start.

But once you make it to the top, the mesmerizing view is worth all the obstacles and nothing can stop you from drinking the beauty of this snow kingdom. Other than motoring, Khardungla Pass is also famous for its multi-cuisine serving Indian, Chinese, Tibetan and even Korean and making it one of the most scenic places to visit in Leh Ladakh.

For a comfortable stay check out this list of hotels in Ladakh and chose the one that will give you the utmost luxury. Checkout & Book:   Leh Ladakh Group Tour Packages

Magnetic Hill

Top Experiences To Do in Magnetic Hill

Nubra Valley

Trekking on the rocky, colossal trails of this valley is a truly exciting experience as it is situated near the banks of the pure Nubra river. Nubra Valley is also famous for its camp around, get lost in the majestic beauty of Nubra valley and it is one of the best places to see in Leh Ladakh. The valley is named as “the valley of flowers” and it has some of the most beautiful, vibrant and colourful flowers set amidst lush green landscape. This place is popular because of its serene and tranquil ambience. You can Also Checkout:  Ladakh Family Tour Packages

Top Experiences To Do in Nubra Valley

Tso Moriri Lake

Lamayuru Monastery

Famous as Tharpa Ling, the Lamayuru monastery is not only the oldest but one of the largest monasteries in Leh. The monastery is located at an altitude of 3,510 m and is amongst the most serene and tranquil Leh tourist places. Home to over 50 monks, it is a famous ancient Buddhist shrine and belongs to the Red-Hat Sect of Buddhism. Decorated with beautiful wall paintings, thangkas, ancient murals, scriptures and sculptures of Buddha and other deities, this place amuses the visitors with its beautiful architecture and spiritual charisma. A cave named Naropa’s Cave is also located nearby, which is another centre of attraction. Its annual festival "Yuru Kabgyat", "Mask Dance" and many rituals like "Burning of Effigies", also attract tourists from across the world.   Location: B.P.O Khaltse, Ladakh, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194106 Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Best Time to Visit: Between May and September Click here to Book:   Leh Ladakh Bike Trip

Diskit Gompa

Shanti Stupa

In this world, much in need of peace, the white, beautiful and serene Shanti Stupa on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh, in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir provides a fabulous, unobstructed view. This white beauty amidst the snow lets you experience a moment of breathlessness and it is one of the beautiful places to see in Leh Ladakh. Situated at a height of 4267 metres, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the Stupa is at a distance of about 5 km from the Leh City. 

It was built by the Japanese monks to promote world peace and also to celebrate the 2500 years of Buddhism. Therefore if you wish to experience peace amidst all the noise, among the places to visit in Leh, there’s no one better than Shanti Stupa. It is a combo of serenity, peacefulness and exotic views.

We have the guide of Manali to Leh road trip . Don't forget to check it out before you make a plan. Also Checkout:   Ladakh Tour Packages From Delhi

Shey Monastery

Are you interested in the historical know-how of the Kargil War, then Kargil falls among the most suitable places to visit in Leh Ladakh.

Famous for the very known Kargil War, Kargil is a city situated near the Line of Control (LOC) between Pakistan and India. It is the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh. With an elevation of 2676 metres, it is situated along the banks of Indus River. The sonder feeling that one gets after making a visit to the city of Kargil is beyond expression. 

It is an avoidable adventure that lets you pray for the families who lost their loved ones during the war and compels you to bow down to the war heroes.

Places to stay: Check out the best hotels in Kargil and book one before you arrive.

Kargil Travel Guides: 1.  Srinagar to Kargil Travel Guide                                       2. Kargil to Leh Travel Guide

Royal Leh Palace

Marking its place in one of the most striking places to visit in Leh Ladakh, The Royal Leh Palace showcases the grandeur of the era gone by. The scenic location of the structure adds up to its beauty. It stands, overlooking the Ladakhi town, Leh and was built back in the 16th century. The Palace is as high as a nine-storey building and the upper floors are occupied by the royal families while the lower ones were the storerooms and had stables for the animals. While on the top, you can enjoy the panoramic views of the rustic Zanskar valley which contrasts with the clear blue skies. Such views are a feast for the eyes, mind, and soul and rejuvenate as well. If history attracts you then this is the perfect place for you as here you can witness the Chinese paintings which are approximately 450 years old and more such beauties of the previous days. Don't forget to check out the  list of best hotels in Leh  that will make your stay wonderful.

Alchi Monastery

One of the renowned places to see in Leh Ladakh, i f you are touring Leh then you will be surprised to know that this place is dotted with a number of monasteries, and the Alchi monastery is also one of them. Famed as the Alchi Gompa this is one of the oldest parts of the monastic complex and is administered by the Likir Monastery. This place is a treasure for the ones seeking a tranquil setting as the aura is forever magnetizing and intricate carvings are a plus. The monastery comprises of three shrines in total one of the  Dukhang, the Sum Tsek and the Temple of Manjushri and each one of them has a story to tell. When here, you can see the monks perform several ceremonies and worship in the complex itself.  Also, this is one of the most lesser known places to visit in Leh. This  guide of Delhi to Leh  will help you understand the journey better and will make you fall in love with the beauty of the region.

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib

Home to plenty of beautiful and ancient monasteries, Leh also boasts of a Sikh holy shrine, the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib dating back to the 15th century. One of the most sacred Leh tourist places, it is believed to be built at the same place where Guru Nanak Singh Ji rested, meditated, and defeated a demon while returning from his Nepal trip.  When a boulder was found in the shape of Guru Nanak during excavation in 1970, this place became a divine place for Sikhs. A gurudwara was constructed here to pay homage to the almighty and seek blessings. Nestled amidst majestic Himalayan peaks, this Gurudwara is one of the highest located Sikh shrines. The shrine is managed by the Indian Army who also prepares Langar for all the visitors and makes sure to provide them with all essential facilities.   Location:  NH1, Phey, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101 Timings: 4:30 am to 8:00 pm Best Time to Visit:  May to October Planning a honeymoon trip, Checkout:  Ladakh Honeymoon Packages from Delhi

Sangam Point

Scanning for amazing places to visit in Leh? You’ll be delighted to know that places like Sangam point do exist. With the literal meaning fusion, this is the locale where the two rivers of Leh, Zanskar and Indus combine. Each one of them has variable texture while the Indus exhibits textures of green Zanskar is more of browns. When the two fuses into one another the view are truly majestic and is a feast for the eyes. Snuggled on the National Highway 1 this place falls on the route to Leh and you need not to take different roads to reach here. Enjoy rafting in Ladakh  with the fast and high rapids of the Zanskar river.

Tso Kar Lake

Unravel the paradisiacal virtue of nature or just lie down along the Tso Kar Lake which has several scenic bounties in its abode. Holding a place in of the most refreshing things to do in Leh, this lake is toured by flocks of visitors all around the year. The lake is scattered over an area of 9 km and has a rustic reflection. While the contrast of the sand with the muddy water camouflage is common. The views which you’ll be witnessing here will definitely make you fall in love the place and will make you visit again and again. You can also spot the nomadic along the lake and each one of them has an interesting tale to tell about their life. If you wish to know about the region then they are the best people to ask. You can check out the  best trekking experiences in Ladakh  to make your Ladakh trip more adventurous.

Namgyal Monastery

There is another monastery which is a must visit for you in  your Ladakh Sightseeing Tour ,  Extending the unparalleled combination of tranquility and beauty Namgyal Monastery is one of the most scenic places to visit in Leh. Locals call it the temple of Dalai Lama and peace is interwoven the aura of the place. While one segment contains the Namgyal Tantric College where the tantric practices are common the other segment contains the Buddha statue. This private monastery of Dalai Lama is named after the female lifelong deity and is one of the best spiritual centers of the region. Checkout  Leh Ladakh Bike Trip from Delhi for a adventure trip to Leh Ladakh.

Hall of Fame

You might have definitely heard about this place while on your  Leh Ladakh road trip .  Keeping alive the soldiers in the heart is one of the best things to show gratitude towards them, and staying intact to this “Hall of Fame” was built. Holding a wide array of weapons of the Indo-Pak war this place is all devoted to showcase the grandeur of the soldiers. The museum is majorly segmented into two parts the upper part consists of the variants of weapons and arms while the other part holds the apparels which were worn by the soldiers at the time of war. On the lower floor, you can spot several paintings and scenes of the Kargil war which set an exemplary of their never give up attitude. Also, there is a wall named the “Lest we forget” which has the photographs of the soldiers who gave their lives to save the country. Checkout & Book:   Premium 6 Days Leh Ladakh Sightseeing Trip

Thiksey Monastery

Explore the corners of the Thiksey Monastery which is indeed one of the best things to do in Leh. Located on the top of the hill, this Tibetian style monastery is approximately 19 km from Leh. The architecture of this monastery is similar to that of the Potala Palace of Lhasa and is also one of the largest gompas in the central Ladakh. Something which makes this place unique is its location, as it is settled at an altitude of almost 11,800 ft along the Indus valley. If you wish to take a closer look at the culture of Buddhism then place holds multitudes of stupas, artworks and more such beautiful things of the religion. Another point of interest at this place is the temple in its complex which was built to commemorate the Dalai Lama. The environs of the place are exceptional and, is one of the best places to visit in Leh if you are on a vacation with your family. Have a look at this  weather guide of Ladakh  and prepare yourself for the chilling yet soothing atmosphere.

Hemis Monastery

Love the unexplored regions? Unravel the calmness of the Hemis Monastery and add unique experience in your Leh trip. Build in the era of Dhukpas this gompa is elegantly crafted and showcases exceptional art. The key element of this place is the proximity of Leh which is it is located just 45 km away from the center of the town. This Himalayan Buddhist Monastery will undeniably win your hearts as the environs are fresh as it is established on the banks of the Indus river. If you wish to pay homage to Buddha then this is your place to be and if art attracts you then this place is a true paradise for you as it owns several variants of it. Also witnessing this serene beauty is one of the best things to do in Leh and is not victualed by masses. This guide of Mumbai to Ladakh  will help you understand the journey better and will make you fall in love with the beauty of the region.

Drass Valley

Get sunk in the wilderness, have an exhilarating experience trying to grasp a breath in Drass Valley. Popularly known as the “Gateway to Ladakh”, it tops in the list of places to visit in Leh where you cannot click a bad pic. The coldest inhabited place in the country provides you with an experience of intensely beautiful, challenging, numbing and freezing winters. 

The stark and raw beauty of the barren brown mountains leaves you overwhelmed. The craggy landscape compels you to stand a little longer and gaze at the amazing sight on the banks of Drass River. Enjoy the hot water springs, and be a part of this scenic beauty dancing upon you.

Book a homestay in Ladakh that will make you fall in love with Ladakh more.

Things to Do in Leh

Go on a jeep safari.

Motor Biking

Attend Festivals of Leh

Shopping at Leh

Visiting the local market of Leh is an excellent way of interacting with the locals and learning about their tradition and customs. Besides, a visit to the local market allows you to purchase unique items such as semi precious stones, pearls, tribal jewellery, organic products and local handicrafts and it is one of the best things to do in Leh.

1) Pashmina Shawls

Every woman would love to add the graceful, beautiful and fine pashmina shawl to her wardrobe. It is made up of cashmere wool which comes from pashmina or changthangi goat. The pashmina goat can be spotted in the high altitudes of Himalayan ranges.

2) Prayer Wheels

It is a spiritual item which consists of a cylindrical wheel mounted on a spindle made up of coarse cotton, Leather, stone, wood and metal.

It is believed that these relics that are original parts of lord Buddha’s body still exist which includes the much talked about sacred relic of his tooth.

Manali to Leh road trip : Don't forget to check it out before you make a plan.

Go on a Camel Safari

If you want to feel the essence of lush green vegetation, talk to the locals, feel the clean blue sky and tan yourself in the scorching heat then a Camel Safari or Caravan is the best thing to do in Ladakh . Hopping on for a ride on the camels and exploring the sand dunes is another must do in Ladakh. 

Not just a one-humped camel, but gush over by having a ride on the camel with two humps, popularly known as the Bactrian Camel. From kids to youngsters, a Camel Safari is something that every age group is excited about. The famous Camel Safaris in Ladakh  are Angling to Stok and the  Silk Route Caravan.

Best Ladakh Tour Packages

6 days ladakh backpacking tour.

About the destination :

A journey to the top of the world, Leh-Ladakh features most of the world’s highest motorable passes with the spectacular beauty of snow-capped mountains. Admired for its unparalleled scenic views, pristine icy lakes, and swirling roads, Ladakh is becoming the most Instagrammable place in India and is on everyone’s bucket list. It offers you a stay amidst the beautiful valley of mountains and a starlit sky in the night. The unique thing about the Ladakh terrain is that it has mountains, forests, deserts, lakes, rivers, waterfalls in one beautiful and dynamic geography.

Quick info:

Route: Leh - Sham Valley - Khardungla- Nubra Valley - Pangong - Chang-la - Leh.

Duration: 6 days & 5 nights 

Start point:  Leh Airport

Endpoint: Leh Airport

Passes covered: Khardung-la (18,000 ft) and Chang-la (17,688 ft)

Manali to Ladakh Bike Trip from Delhi | Book Now & Get 3000 Cashback

Quick Facts:

Temperature:  Day: 8°C to 15°C and Night: -5°C to 3°C

Maximum Altitude:  5,328 m (17,480 ft) at the Taglang La mountain pass.

Difficulty Level: Moderate 

Railway Station: Nearest is the Jammu Tawi Railway Station (700 km)

Airport: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh

ATM: On a bike tour to Leh Ladakh through the Manali to Leh route, you will find only one ATM at Keylong, but later there are several ATMs at Leh. Stay during your Manali to Leh Bike Trip Accommodation on double (for couples) and triple (for others) sharing basis in Guesthouse/hotel/Camp Meals during your Manali to Leh Bike Trip: Day 2: Dinner Day 3- Day 11: Breakfast Mode of transport during your Manali to Leh Bike Trip: AC Semi sleeper tickets from Delhi to Manali and return (depending on the variant selected) The bikes are provided with fuel from day 2 to day 11  350cc Royal Enfield motorbike for Single riders  500cc Royal Enfield for Double riders

Variants of the package

Cost without Bike & Fuel: INR 35300/- per person Double Rider RE 500cc with Fuel & Helmets: INR 42300/- per person  Single Rider RE 500cc with Fuel & Helmets: INR 48900/- per person

Leh Ladakh Group Tour Package with Camping I Flat 17% off

12 Days Leh Ladakh | Fuel Included

Quick Info:

Route: Delhi - Manali - Jispa - Sarchu - Leh - Nubra via Khardung La Pass - Pangong Lake - Leh - Lamayuru - Kargil - Zojila Pass - Sonamarg - Srinagar.

Duration: 12 Days & 11 Night 

Start point: Delhi

Endpoint: Srinagar

Passes covered: Khardung-la (18,000 ft), Chang-la (17,688 ft), Rohtang Pass (16,051 ft), Lachung La(16,600 ft), and Baralacha la ( 16,000 ft)

About 12 Days Manali Leh Srinagar Sightseeing Tour :  

With this incredible trip, you get the chance to visit Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh—the three most stunning regions—all at once. The route includes some of the highest motorable crossings in the world, stunning lakes, snow-capped mountains, incredible camping opportunities, and much more! Ladakh, which is on everyone's bucket list and is fast becoming India's most Instagrammable location, is admired for its unmatched picturesque views, pure frozen lakes, and winding roads.

Manali Leh Srinagar Bike Adventure

About the Tour :  

Get ready to make your dream of riding in Ladakh come true in the action-packed bike trip where one would be experiencing the fusion of thrill, serene beauty and culture of the "Land of High Passes", as the entire tour is exclusively elected by Thrillophilia's outdoor experts. This circuit features some of the world’s highest motorable passes with the spectacular beauty of snow-capped mountains, Lakes, rivers on their side while covering these breathtaking destinations, Solang valley, Gata Loops, Zojila pass, Kargil, Magnetic hill, Confluence of Indus, And Zanskar river, Dal lake and much more waiting on the way!

Start Point: Delhi

Passes Covered: Khardung-la (18,000 ft), Chang-la (17,688 ft), Rohtang Pass (16,051 ft), Lachung La(16,600 ft), and Baralacha la ( 16,000 ft)

Women Only Sightseeing Group Tour of Ladakh

Call our destination expert to book: 8619833383 

About the Destination:

The crown of India is beautified by Ladakh, the land of high passes, situated in the picturesque state of Jammu and Kashmir. Regarded as an exotic tourist destination, it is a land filled with breath-taking natural beauty and mystique.

From majestic mountain passes and tranquil monasteries to magical lakes, Ladakh trip is sure to take your breath away. During summer, this beautiful region is adorned with a plethora of vibrant colors, but come winter time it is transformed into a snowy white wonderland, often cut off from the rest of the world.

As a destination, Ladakh is replete with every sight imaginable; from sapphire blue lakes to jade green meadows and even dry and arid grasslands serve to make this land of extremes a must-go destination on every traveler's bucket list, and that is the very reason that no one should ever miss the chance of visiting this Paradise. That is why this Ladakh tour package is here to bring everyone on an equal pedestal by bringing together women of a different metal and organizing a women-only trip to Ladakh.

About the Activity:

Treat yourself to 6 nights 7 days of mystery with the women-only tour to Ladakh. Start your trip from the charming town of Leh, which will woo you with its quaint markets and charming palaces. Visit the beautiful Sham valley and the ancient monasteries.

Take a trip down to enchanting Nubra valley and visit the famous Diskit Monastery and the Hall of Fame, to experience local culture at its best.

With this one of the unique Ladakh tour packages of ours, lose yourself in the hypnotizing beauty of the colorful Pangong Tso and enjoy a memorable sunrise and sunset by the lake. A thrilling camel safari and drive through the highest motorable road in the world, seems just too good to be true!

Departure Dates:  May (19,25,31), June (6,12,18,24,30), July (6,12,18,24,30),  Aug (5, 11,17,23,29),  Sept (4,10,16,22)

Best of Ladakh

Leh Ladakh Group Adventure | With Turtuk Village

About the Tour :

Situated right on the border on the northwest edge of Ladakh is Turtuk which was once a part of Pakistan till the 1971 Indo-Pak war to be specific. With this 7 days tour to Ladakh, enjoy a journey to the top of the world featuring most of the world’s highest motorable passes with the spectacular beauty of snow-capped mountains. Admired for its unparalleled scenic views, pristine icy lakes, and swirling roads, Ladakh is becoming the most Instagrammable place in India and is on everyone’s bucket list.

Quick Info :

Route:  Leh - Sham Valley - Khardungla - Nubra Valley - Turtuk - Pangong - Chang-la - Leh

Duration: 7 days & 6 nights 

Passes Covered: Khardung-la (18,000 ft) | Chang-la (17,688 ft)

Manali To Leh Cycling Tour

Ladakh is the emergent favorite of travelers, not just from India, but from the entire world. Surrounded by snow-capped mountains on all sides, the beauty of this place is unparalleled, and you will agree to that as soon as you set foot here. And despite being so far off and on the rain shadow side of the Himalayas, Ladakh is very well connected, especially the capital city of Leh. Apart from the main airport in the capital, you can arrive in Ladakh via road too, with highways coming in from Srinagar and from Manali, the latter being one of the most beautiful highways in the country.

And this is another reason why Ladakh is a favorite of adventure junkies. You can ride a bike till here, or can even cycle up to this beautiful land of Leh, some 11,400ft above sea level.

Quick info about Manali To Leh Cycling Tour :

Route: Manali - Marhi - Sissu - Jispa - Patseo - Sarchu - Pang - Tsokar - Rumptse - Leh - Khardung-La - Leh

Duration: 13 Days & 12 Night 

Start point: Manali

Endpoint: Leh

Passes Covered: Rohtang La (3879m), Baralacha La (4892 m), Nakli La (4800m), Lachalung La (5100m), Tanglang La (5350 m), and Khardung La (5602 m)

Manali to Leh Jeep Expedition with Tso Moriri Lake

Fixed departure dates:  Multiple dates open to Join a Group departure in June, July, August and September and can be customized on request for separate group also.

About the Activity: 

• From the pleasantly hospitable town of Manali, the Manali to Leh Jeep expedition takes you on a roller coaster drive through distinct geographies portraying diverse geographies. From hill town to high altitude arid desert, this safari is one mega experience.
• The Manali to Leh by road traverses over five high altitude Himalayan passes such as Rohtang (3,978m), Keylong (3,350m), and Tanglang La (17,585ft) showcasing an ever changing dynamic landscape that alters from barren lands to lush green pastures. With our Ladakh tour packages, you can head out for an amazing vacation with your gang.
• Tsomoriri Lake is the one attraction that demands all your attention during this jeep ride which is now Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. It is the largest of the high altitude lakes entirely within India at an altitude of 4522 meters.
• Interact with the amazing landscapes beautified by the natural formations throughout the journey. You will come across the undeniable beauties of Khardung La Pass, Pangong Lake, Deskit, Hundar, the confluence of Zanskar and Indus Rivers, Nubra Valley etc. which all are covered in this Ladakh tour packages.
• These places have been occupied by multitudinous mountains, valleys, small streams, rock formations, monasteries, gompas and what not.
• By the end of the journey multi-hued prayer flags, Tibetian chortens, and friendly locals would be etched in your memories for a very long time to come.
• Number of PAX       Standard               Deluxe                 Super Deluxe
• Min 02 pax               Rs. 37470            Rs. 38090                Rs. 39660
• Min 03 Pax               Rs. 28530            Rs. 29260                Rs. 30620
• Min 04 pax               Rs. 24950             Rs. 25280                Rs. 27140
• Min 05 Pax               Rs. 22090             Rs. 22780                Rs. 24220
• Min 06 Pax               Rs. 20780              Rs. 21400                Rs. 22970
• Min 07 Pax               Rs. 22540             Rs. 23220                 Rs. 24700
• Min 08 Pax                Rs. 21500            Rs. 22130                  Rs. 23700
• Min 09 Pax                Rs. 20300            Rs. 20960                  Rs. 22460
• Min 10 Pax                Rs. 19690             Rs. 20320                  Rs. 21880
• Min 11 Pax                 Rs. 18870             Rs. 19520                 Rs. 21040
• Min 12 Pax                  Rs. 18480            Rs. 19100                 Rs. 20670
• Extra Bed Child            Rs. 8800             Rs. 9800                    Rs. 10700

People Also Ask About Leh

What is famous in leh ladakh, what are the famous things to do in leh, which are the famous places to visit in leh, is ladakh worth visiting, how many days are enough for leh ladakh, what is the best time to visit leh ladakh, what should i carry for the ladakh trip, which are the best ladakh tour packages that we can book from thrillophilia.

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Trending in Leh

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Leh Top Attractions

Chumathang Hot Spring is a natural wonder located in the Leh district of Ladakh, India. Situated at an altitude of approximately 4,000 meters (13,123 feet), it is one of the most well-known hot springs in the region. The site is renowned for its therapeutic and healing properties, attracting visitors seeking relaxation and relief from various ailments.The hot spring's mineral-rich waters are believed to have medicinal benefits, especially for joint and skin conditions. Many travelers make the journey to Chumathang to take a rejuvenating dip in the warm waters and experience its therapeutic effects amidst the stunning Himalayan landscape.Apart from its healing properties, Chumathang Hot Spring offers breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and the tranquil Indus River flowing nearby. The surrounding region is also rich in biodiversity, making it a paradise for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.Chumathang Hot Spring is a unique attraction that not only provides a calming escape but also offers an opportunity to connect with nature's soothing elements in the high-altitude beauty of Ladakh.

Tsaga La Pass is a breathtaking mountain pass located in Leh district of Ladakh, India. Situated at an elevation of around 15,000 feet above sea level, it is a significant route that connects the Indus Valley with the Nubra Valley. The journey to Tsaga La Pass is a thrilling adventure, offering travelers mesmerizing vistas of the surrounding landscapes on the Leh Ladakh tour.The drive to the pass is an exhilarating experience, taking you through rugged terrains, barren mountains, and occasional streams. The rugged beauty of the region, with snow-capped peaks contrasting against the clear blue skies, leaves a lasting impression on visitors. Tsaga La Pass also holds historical importance as it was once a part of the ancient Silk Route.Travelers often make stops at vantage points along the pass to capture the stunning scenery with their cameras. The pass is accessible from Leh, and the journey typically takes a few hours, but it is advisable to check road conditions before embarking on this adventurous trip. Tsaga La Pass is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those looking to immerse themselves in the awe-inspiring beauty of Ladakh.

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• 51 Places To Visit In Leh Ladakh For A Spell Binding Vacation In 2024

23 Mar 2023

Ladakh is a place like no other. The beauty of the place can’t be expressed in words. Visiting Leh Ladakh can be a great experience as these places have a bounty of natural beauty. here is a bundle of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh , filled with pristine beauty. Ladakh, with a unique characteristic that is a blend of Indian, Tibetan as well as Buddhism linings, is a place that is worth paying a visit to. So, scroll down to know what awaits you.

Top 51 Places To Visit In Leh Ladakh In 2024

Going on a holiday to a charming land like Ladakh is surely an experience of a lifetime. So, why would you want to miss out on anything best there? Monasteries, rivers, valleys, lakes, villages and museums – this place is a confluence of so many popular and awesome things. Here’s a list of the top places to visit in Leh Ladakh for a fantastic vacation.

1. Zanskar Valley

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Without a doubt, Zanskar valley is one of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh and the best Ladakh tourist places. It is amongst the most desolate places in the Himalayan range. The steep terrains covered with snow reflect the heavenly skies. The tributaries of the Zanskar River is one of the most famous places for river rafting in India. Thus, satisfy your adventurous souls as you embark on an exhilarating journey. 

Best Time to Visit: Zanskar is best visited between June to September when the road is clear of the snow and the Leh temperature is at moderate. It’s closed for a significant time due to extreme snowfall and winter. Location: Leh-Ladakh

Must Read: Things To Do In Ladakh

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2. Pangong Tso Lake

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Remember the breathtakingly beautiful lake from 3 Idiots where Kareena Kapoor confessed her love? It’s Pangong Tso, a lake among the popular tourist attractions in Leh Ladakh situated on the Changtang plateau in the eastern Ladakh region. In addition, the lake offers an awesome site for camping and is the current hotspot for all people making it one of the best Ladakh tourist places. To avoid the crowd, you can visit this place during the off-season. The lake totally freezes during the winter, making it one of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh in January.

Best Time to Visit: June to September is the best time to travel to Pangong Tso Lake Location: Leh district, Ladakh, India

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A trip to Leh Ladakh is incomplete without a visit to Kargil which is one of the prime tourist places in Ladakh. This is the second largest town in Ladakh, situated on the banks of the Indus River. It is a transit hub with roads leading to Leh, Padum (Zanskar) and Srinagar. Furthermore, it is a haven for adventure enthusiasts as they can enjoy sports such as trekking and mountaineering. So, make sure you pack sufficiently to enjoy these activities at one of the most visited tourist places in Leh Ladakh!

Best Time to visit: The summer season between May to July is the best time to visit Kargil as the temperature is cool with frigid nights. Location: Ladakh, India

Suggested Read: Camping In Leh

4. Khardung-la Pass

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Khardungla Pass is a gateway which leads to the Nubra and Shyok valley and is one of the best tourist places in Ladakh. While this might not be a typical tourist attraction in Leh Ladakh, it is definitely among the must-visit places to visit in and around Leh Ladakh for adventure junkies. Managed by the Border Roads Organization, Kardung-la Pass is the gateway to the north and one of the most difficult yet thrilling passes to ride on. All in all, Khardungla Pass is among the top 6 tourist places in Ladakh.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Khardung-La pass is during the summer season, between May to September. Location: Ladakh, India

5. Nubra Valley

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Certainly one of the best places to see in Ladakh, it was featured as one of the top 5 places to visit in Ladakh, Nubra valley, a tri-armed valley towards the northeast. The sand dunes of the Nubra Valley offer tourists Arabian Nights experience. Nubra valley is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Leh Ladakh for its two-humped camels.

So, be sure to check out this one while you’re out and about in the scenic land of Leh! One of the captivating places to visit in Leh Ladakh, here is the Samstanling Monastery, which should definitely be on your list. Panamik village which is famous for hot sulphur springs is another attraction in Nubra Valley.

Best time to visit: As per the climatic conditions, the best time to visit Nubra valley is during the autumn season which is between the month of July to September. Location: Ladakh, India

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6. Magnetic Hill

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One of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh is Magnetic Hill. The science behind the phenomenon is unknown but it has been observed that if you leave your vehicle at the base of the hill with the brakes unlocked, it will start moving uphill slowly on its own. Magic? Definitely not. It’s simply the superpowers you get when you reach this place. Hence, it is considered one of the top 10 places to visit in Leh Ladakh for a wholesome experience. 

Best Time To Visit: May to September Location: Ladakh, India

7. Spituk Gompa

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Ladakh is known as the land of the monks and monasteries. Spituk is one of the many tourist places to visit in Ladakh and one of the best places to see in Ladakh. This is famous for its beautifully carved location at the top of a hill. The winds at the night, however, may chill you to the bones. Make sure you pack a few extra warm clothes to be comfortably cosy to visit one of the most serene places to go in Leh Ladakh. 

Best Time To Visit: May to September Location: Leh, Jammu, and Kashmir

Suggested Read: Zanskar Valley Trek

8. Hemis National Park

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If you want to get the best of Ladakh sightseeing, visit the Hemis National Park has the distinction of being the largest national park in South Asia. The park is a protected home for endangered mammals like leopards, Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolf, the Eurasian brown bear, and the red fox.

For nature lovers and bird watchers, this has to be on your list of places to see in Ladakh. A pollution-free environment and noise-free surroundings make bird watching a joyful experience. So, if you are looking for places to visit in Leh Ladakh in May, should be definitely on your itinerary.

Best time to visit: Between May to September Location: Jammu and Kashmir

9. Shanti Stupa

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What better place to invoke some thoughts from within than this? Located on a hill in Chanspa, Leh, the Shanti Stupa is one of the most magnificent and peaceful Buddhist monuments you could possibly see in the extreme north of India for the best of Ladakh sightseeing. Take the steep slights to reach the Stupa which offers beautiful sunrise and sunset views. Also, the panoramic views of the landscape around it make the Shanti Stupa one of the best tourist places in Ladakh.

Best time to visit: Between May to September Location: Shanti Stupa Rd, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir

Suggested Read: Wildlife Experience India

10. Hemis Monastery

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Hemis Monastery is known for its annual mask festival. This is a two-day spiritual celebration taking place on Tse Chu, the tenth month in the Tibetan calendar. The festival is celebrated in the memory of Guru Padmasambhava, who is believed to be the Gautam Buddha’s reincarnation. Thus, if you are looking for the best places to visit in Leh City, Hemis Monastery is ideal for you.

Best time to visit: This is one of the best places to visit in Ladakh in summer i.e April to August Location: Leh, Jammu, and Kashmir

11. Royal Leh Palace

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Resembling the essence of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the Royal Leh Palace is situated on a cliff overlooking the charming town of Leh. A prominent symbol of the royal family’s glory living in this town in the old days, this place cannot be missed by any explorer out there! The stunning statue of Buddha at the back of this palace adds more to the charm of this place. You can add this attraction in the list places to visit in Leh Ladakh in June for immense fun. 

Best Time To Visit: It is best to visit this palace in the month of August Entry Fee: INR 20 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners Timings: 07:00 AM to 04:00 PM everyday Location: Leh, Jammu, and Kashmir

Suggested Read: Ladakh In April

12. Moonland

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Its close resemblance to Moon is the main reason why this beautiful naturally occurring land is one of the best places to visit in Ladakh is hard to miss on your way to Lamayuru. If you wish to visit one of the most stunning unseen places in Leh, this is the place to be. It is best to travel to this place during the time of a full moon since it is believed to be a unique experience altogether with the moonlight reflecting on this kind of surface. Moonland is one of those unique places to visit in Leh Ladakh in April. Moreover, if you are seeking an offbeat travel experience, you can visit Moonland. It is among the hidden places to visit in Leh Ladakh as it boasts scenic views and natural allure. 

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit this place would be around April to May Location: Village Lamayuru, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir

13. Tso Moriri Lake

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A twin to the popular Pangong Tso Lake, Tso Moriri Lake is a lesser-known lake located in the Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary. Its location contributes to the scenic beauty of this lake. Barren hills with snow-capped mountains in the backdrop make the sight simply breathtaking.

The attribute of being a “lesser-known” makes this place less crowded so you can be sure of having a place to yourself at the lake. The open sky at Tso Moriri Lake makes it a perfect place for star gazing at night. Moriri Tso, also known as a ‘Mountain Lake’ was declared as a wetland reserve.

Various kinds of species including the Brahmin duck, bare-headed goose, the brown-headed gull, and the great-crested grebe are found here, along with Himalayan Hares that are present in large numbers. The peaks that surround this lake are so high that they shut off this place from the outer world.

Best Time To Visit: May to August Location: Ladakh

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14. Chadar Trek

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How about walking on a frozen lake? Chadar Trek is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Ladakh such an unbelievable and exciting experience. ‘Chadar’ refers to a blanket, because in winter the popular Zanskar River in Leh Ladakh freezes into a blanket of ice. Come to witness the transformation of colours of this frozen river while you trek on it.

The mild blue colour changes to light yellow when the sun shines directly on it for a few hours in the day. It looks milky white on a moonlit night. The Chadar Trek journey is said to be one of the most adventurous and toughest trek journeys.

Best Time To Visit: January and February Location: Ladakh

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Alchi is a busy village located in the Himalayan region of Ladakh, in the valley of the Indus River. The model town of Alchi is home to an ancient Buddhist monastery that dates back to 900 years. The monastery proudly bears the 11th – 12th-century Indo-Tibetan paintings done in bright green, gold, ochre and azure shades.

The painted statue of Bodhisattva Maitreya is a major highlight of the monastery. You are suggested to spend a night at Alchi to discover the real Ladakhi village life. You can also enjoy river rafting at the Alchi Nyemo.

Best Time To Visit: June to September Location: Ladakh

Suggested Read: 11 Adventure Sports In Ladakh

16. Thiksey Gompa

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Resembling the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, Thiksey is one of the beautiful Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. Snuggled at an altitude of 11,800 feet, this monastery is looked after by the people of the Yellow Hat (Gelugpa) sect. It comprises a 12-story building complex and houses more than 500 monks. Thiksey has a large and precious collection of Buddhist books, journals, statues, scripts, stupas, swords, and Thangka paintings.

Best Time to Visit: October to November Location: Leh Manali Hwy, Thiksey, Jammu and Kashmir

17. Diskit Monastery

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Located in the beautiful Nubra Valley, Diskit Monastery is one of the most beautiful and the oldest Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, founded in the 14th century by Changzem Tsera Zangpo. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect (Yellow Hat) of Tibetan Buddhism and has various Buddha statues, images of other guardian gods, and a huge drum.

Owing to the breathtaking location, this one of the famous monasteries in Ladakh offers solemn serenity and inner peace. Situated close to it is Maitreya Buddha, another famous attraction here.

Best Time to Visit: July to September Location: Jammu and Kashmir

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18. Stakna Monastery

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Stakna, locally known as Tiger’s Nose, is a small and serene monastery. It was founded during the reign of King Jamyang Namgyal in 1580. It houses numerous paintings, idols, and Buddhist scriptures, and has many sister monasteries like in Zanskar-Bardan, Stakrimo, and Sani. Located on the left bank of Indus River and perched on a hill, the Stakna monastery in Leh Ladakh offers amazing views of the Indus valley.

19. Phyang Gompa

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Phyang Gompa belongs to the red hat sect of Buddhism and is perhaps the most impressive monastery in Leh Ladakh. It is located on a hilltop and thus offers stunning views of the surrounding. This white and ochre-coloured structure is one of the must-visit monasteries in Ladakh and is an important hub of Digung teachings. The wall paintings at Phyang Gompa depict Buddhist culture and heritage. Make sure to stop by here on a day tour to Ladakh.

Best Time to Visit: May to October Location: Jammu and Kashmir

Suggested Read: Ladakh Travel Tips

20. Likir Monastery

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Likir Monastery is located 53 km west of Leh in the Likir village in the Indus Valley. Along with taxis, many buses travel between Leh and Likir from 5 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon. Popularly known as Likir Gompa, it was founded by Lama Duwang Chosje in the 14th century. According to Buddhist mythology, this is the first construction by the Tibetan monks. The museum located inside the monastery showcases a wide array of Tibetan artefacts and relics.

21. Phugtal Monastery

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Phugtal Monastery is constructed around and inside a hollow cave. Its mysterious location and structure make it one of the most fascinating sites for visitors. It is located in the southeast part of the Zanskar region in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir.

It is an isolated monastery and remains tucked far away from the city. One of the unique features is that the water of the cave remains flowing at the same pace irrespective of the water running outside. The water is also believed to have medicinal powers.

Best Time To Visit: May to July Location: Jammu and Kashmir

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22. Namgyal Tsemo Gompa

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If you love to come across rugged and steep mountains replete with peaceful and spiritual folds, you must visit Namgyal Tsemo Gompa. The monastery is famous for its Buddhist principles and teachings. Travellers from all over the world come here to experience divinity. Experience the distinct mystique that surrounds the place on your visit here.

Best Time To Visit: April to September Location: Jammu and Kashmir

23. Stok Palace

Situated at a distance of only 15 km, Stok Palace is found in the Stok Village. It is famously known as the summer home to the royal family of Ladakh. Established in the year 1820 by King Tsepal Namgyal. It is a glaring example of the rich history and lifestyle of the royal family. It is also home to Stok Monastery and is equipped with beautiful gardens and a huge library. It has now been converted into a heritage hotel for visitors to come to experience the royalty here.

Best Time To Visit: June to September Location: Stok Village, Jammu and Kashmir

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24. Chemrey Monastery

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The 400-year old undiscovered Buddhist Monastery, Chemrey Monastery is located 40 km away, in the east of Leh. One of the most remarkable features of the Monastery is the high statue of Padmasambhava. On your visit, do check out the wide collections of ancient scriptures. These scriptures are emboldened in gold and silver. Capture stunning views of the surrounding areas while you are here.

Best Time To Visit: June to October Location: Jammu and Kashmir

25. Tso Kar

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The oscillating salt lake in Ladakh valley, Tso Kar is one of the most popular destinations in Ladakh. It is more often known as the white lake, and the Tso Kar Lake is a serene retreat for many travellers. Surrounding areas of the lake include a couple of nomadic families, a few yak sheds, and a monastery. It is suggested to camp overnight in Tso Kar for a completely different experience. It is also an amazing place for birdwatching.

Best Time To Visit: June and July. Location: Jammu and Kashmir

Suggested Read: 9 Ladakh Lakes

26. Lamayuru Town

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During your trip to Leh, take out a day to travel to Lamayuru. The small town is famous for its Lamayuru Monastery. It is believed that a stretch of land is borrowed from the moon. Take a look at the aesthetic fresco paintings which are also found in the houses of the locals.

Best Time To Visit: May to September Location: Jammu and Kashmir

27. Sankar Gompa

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Sankar Gompa (Sankar Monastery) is located 6 km from Leh. It is a beautiful monastery located in the main city of Ladakh. It is believed to be a branch of the traditional Spituk Monastery. The presiding head or Lama is the same while there are 20 other monks who reside here to learn the culture of Buddhism. The Sankar Gompa is also the residence of the Abbot of Spituk, adding to its religious importance. Visit Sankar Gompa to get a view of Namgyal Tsemo Hills from the monastery.

Best Time To Visit: March to October. Location: Jammu and Kashmir

Suggested Read: 19 Monasteries In Ladakh

28. Dha Hanu

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Dha Hanu is otherwise the name of two villages – Dha and Hanu. They are a few among those villages which are home to the people of the Drokpa tribe. If you are really keen to discover the cultural life of the tribe here, it is a wonderful place to visit. The Drokpa tribes are known for using distinct head gears and ornaments in their attire.

Best Time To Visit: The best time to visit is between June to October. Location: Jammu and Kashmir

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A quaint town, Nyoma is located in the district of Leh, 370 km from Srinagar. The most striking attribute of Nyoma is that it is located on the Indus banks. If you have a permit for the inner line, you can also visit the small Buddhist monastery in the town which is known as Gompa.

Best Time To Visit: September to May. Location: Jammu and Kashmir

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30. Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary

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Located at a height of about 4000-9000 feet, Changtang wildlife sanctuary is an isolated wildlife sanctuary that offers impressive views from the top. There is a wide range of flowers, plants and animals here. It also constitutes of the highest lakes – Tso Moriri, Pangong Tso, and Tso Kar. The Korzok Monastery is also another main feature here.

Suggested Read: 60 Best Hill Stations In India

31. Hall Of Fame – Salute The Martyrs

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Hall of Fame is a museum dedicated to all those soldiers who fought in the Indo-Pakistan war and sacrificed their lives for the country. The brave act has been inculcated in the photo frames that are hanging on the walls of the museum and will tell you the story of their bravery. Apart from that, there are arms and amenities used by the soldiers. It is one of the best places to visit in Ladakh.

Entry Fee : INR 10 Timings: 9 am – 1 pm, 3 pm – 7 pm Location: Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101 Best Time To Visit: May to September

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32. Rohtang Pass

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Rohtang Pass is one of the most famous avalanches in Ladakh that is often visited by tourists to catch mind-blowing views and comes at the top of the Ladakh travel tips list and go through narrow roads under severe climatic conditions. Adventure seekers often travel through this route to experience the chills and for thrill-seeking adventures. It acts as a link between Kullu Valley and Lahaul and Spiti Valley.

Location : The pass is located about 51 km away from Manali and you can reach the pass if you take Leh- Manali Highway. Best Time To Visit: May to September

33. Lachulung La

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Lachulung La is a pass that is situated at an elevation of 5059 m above sea level. It is considered to be extremely dangerous with that much height and is on the border of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. It also separates the valleys of Tsarap Chu and Tozay.

Location : Take the Leh-Manali highway, from Sarchu 54 km and from Pang, 24 km Best Time To Visit: May to September

Suggested Read: Trekking In Ladakh

34. Tanglang La – For Thrill-Seeking Adventure

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Again, it’s a high mountain pass that is a favourite haunt for many tourists who come to visit for the breathtaking views and the thrill-seeking adventure. It is situated 5328 m above sea level and poses as a thrill-seeking adventure for those who are interested in making the climb.

Location : The pass is close to Leh-Manali highway and can be reached via 21 Gata loops Best Time To Visit: May to September

35. Mulbekh Monastery

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Consisting of two gompas, it is located at a pristine location which is about 260 km from Leh town. The two gompas, namely, Drukpa and one Gelugpa Buddhist monastery are architectural marvels.

Location : Thang, Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir 194103 Best Time To Visit: May to September

Suggested Read: 9 Places To Visit In Nubra Valley

36. Gol Market

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Gol Market is a market in Ladakh where one can buy woollen clothes and other general items required for camping. It is one of the best places to visit in Ladakh for buying souvenirs too as one can find embroidered Ladakhi work and antiques here.

Location : Jammu and Kashmir Best Time To Visit: May to September

37. Central Asian Museum

The Central Asian Museum is one of the top places to visit in Ladakh. It is a tapered four-storey stone tower inspired by the Lhasa architecture and located close to the Main Bazaar. The museum showcases trade done using the  Silk route – Ladakh, Yarkand, Turkestan, Baltistan, Tibet and China. The museum is located in a courtyard along with a traditional Ladakhi show kitchen and the oldest mosque, Masjid Sharif in Leh. The complex is also famous for the 500-year old sacred tree also known as the Datun Sahib.

Location : Main Bazaar Road, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101 Entry fee : INR 50 Best Time To Visit: May to September

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38. Leh Donkey Sanctuary

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The sanctuary supports a huge population of stray donkeys. As the population rose, houses were built in Ladakh, and animals such as donkeys became strays on a regular basis. In 2007, the sanctuary was started with the idea of not leaving a single donkey astray and taking care of food, medicines and a proper habitat for donkeys. It is considered one of the best Ladakh tourist places for animal lovers and researchers.

Location : Korean Temple Road, Khakshal, Leh-Ladakh  194101 Entry fee : INR 10 for Indians, INR 50 for foreigners Best Time To Visit: May to September

39. Panamik Village

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Where the grasses are green, the mountains are white and the waters are clear, is a heavenly place, also called the Panamik village, one of the most beautiful places to visit in Ladakh. Set by the side of the Nubra river, Panamik is most popular for its therapeutic hot springs. The village also acts as a base for the trek to Ensa Gompa, which is almost a 250-year-old trek. 

Location : Leh-Ladakh Best time to visit : June to September

40. Zorawar Fort

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The Zorawar Fort marks the victory for General Zorawar Singh, who conquered Ladakh. To commemorate his victory, he built this fort in 1930 overlooking the hills and the mountain city of Leh. If you want to explore amazing architecture, then the Zorawar fort is one of the best places to visit in Ladakh. The fort’s  structure is made from local clay, some sun-dried bricks, stones and wooden frames hinged around the edges. 

Location: Leh-Ladakh  Best time to visit : March to September

41. Tiger Hill

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Tiger Hill is one of the highest places to see in Ladakh located in the Kargil sector. The hill holds immense importance to the Indo-Pak war of 1999. The sight from the top of the hill is just magnificent with a view of the valley, the colossal mountain and marks a cold climate throughout the year. This place is perfect for enjoying some of the most popular adventure sports in Ladakh. 

Location : Leh-Ladakh Best time to visit : March to September

Suggested Read: Mountaineering In Ladakh

42. Lachung Templet

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Lachung Temple is one of the most visited places in Ladakh situated in Nubra Valley. You will get to view exclusive colourful and narrative paintings. If you are an art lover then this place will surely captivate you as this is one of the oldest holy sites in Ladakh.

Best time to visit: October to June Location: Nubra Valley, Ladakh

43. Ladakh Market

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If you love shopping then you must explore the markets in Ladakh which sells exclusive souvenirs, beautiful Tibetan jewellery, woollen clothes, and decorated items like carpets and motifs. You can buy all the stuff for yourself as well as for your friends and family for beautiful memories. It is also one of the best places to visit during a Leh Ladakh bike trip with your family and friends.

Best time to visit: April to June Location: Ladakh

Suggested Read: Honeymoon In Ladakh

44. Markha Valley Trek

For all the adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers, trekking in Leh and Ladakh is one of the most thrilling experiences that you must surely witness. Some of the famous trekking routes are Markha Valley trekking, Ladakh Zanskar, Nubra Valley Trek and trek from Spiti to Ladakh. It is also one of the best Ladakh tourist places to visit with your friends.

Best time to visit: June to October Location: Ladakh

45. Hundur Monastery

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If you are travelling to Nubra Valley then you must visit Hundur Monastery as it is situated there. It is regarded as one of the ancient Buddhist sites where religious people come to gain knowledge on Buddhist lineage. It is also known as Hundur Gompa. So, on your next trip, do not forget to add this captivating attraction to your itinerary. 

Best time to visit: June to August Location: Nubra Valley, Ladakh

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46. Sindhu Darshan Festival

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Every year on the full moon day, Sindhu Darshan Festival is celebrated with great vigour and energy by the people of Ladakh for three days. The festival is celebrated for River Sindhu as a symbol of communal harmony in India. One of the interesting facts about the festival is that the movie Dil Se was shot when the first Sindhu Darshan Festival was celebrated.

B est time to visit: March to September Location: Ladakh

47. Moonland Lamayuru

In Lamayuru, there is a beautiful landscape on the Leh- Kargil road which is known as Moonland. It is known as Moonland because the landscapes are in the shape of a moon. It is indeed one of the most beautiful sights to watch and if you go on full moon night then it is the most extraordinary sight to witness.

Best time to visit: May to September Location: Village Lamayuru, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir 194106

Suggested Read: Leh To Nubra Valley

48. Umling La Pass

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Umling La Pass is one of the most popular roads in Ladakh which owns the title of being the highest motorable road in India. Biking enthusiasts often take a journey to this region that is beyond the general attractions of Ladakh to enjoy the endless vistas and serenity this pass has to offer. So, what awaits you? Feel the adrenaline rush as you ride your bikes and satisfy your soul. 

Best time to visit: April to August Location: Umlingla Pass, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir 194106

49. Shang Gompa

It is located in the snow-crested mountains alongside the majestic landscapes of Leh and Ladakh. The Shang Gompa represents harmony, levelheadedness, and quietness. The reciting of the monks is pretty much a mesmerizing and soul-touching experience here. Additionally, it is also one of the most popular tourist places in Leh Ladakh.

Best time to visit: All around the year Location: Hemis, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir 194106

Suggested Read: Hemis Festival

50. Wanla Monastery

This gompa is connected with Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo, and is a contemporary of Alchi, dating longer than a century old, and may likewise be crafted by Kashmiri craftsmen from Ladakh’s pre-Tibetan time. It is considered by local people to be the most remarkable structures that people from all over India come to visit.

Best time to visit: May – September Location: Hemis, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir 194106

51. Shyok River

Image Credit: Eatcha for Wikipedia Commons

Another one of the most famous Leh Ladakh tourist places is the Shyok River. A tributary of the Indus river, this river rises in the Rimo Glacier which is one of the branches of the Siachen Glacier in the Karakorams. It is also known as the ‘The River of Death’ as many men and animals were swept away while crossing this river. Furthermore, the views of the river are breathtaking and it is definitely one of the best places you will witness in the Leh Ladakh region.

Best time to visit: May – September Location: Leh Ladakh

Best Time To Visit Leh Ladakh

If you’re planning to visit Leh Ladakh, then make your plans during the months of April-May as it is the best time to visit. During this time the temperature in Leh remains moderate and Srinagar is clear to commute. Moreover, travellers can explore most of the places to visit in Leh Ladakh during this time.

Further Read: >101 Places To Visit In India Before You Turn 30

Did this get you excited already? Well, we wouldn’t blame you! The places to visit in Leh Ladakh have that kind of appeal. Planning a holiday well in advance has its own perks. While you decide which of these places should be on your itinerary, we say booking a trip to Ladakh isn’t wouldn’t require much time! So, get your bags packed and get going! So, it’s time to treat the traveller in you!

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Frequently Asked Questions About Places To Visit In Leh Ladakh

Which are the best shopping markets in Ladakh?

The best shopping markets in Ladakh where you can head for a shopping spree are: 1. Moti Bazaar 2. Tibetan Market 3. Shar Market

What is the best time to visit Ladakh?

Ladakh is a beautiful place to visit which offers interesting tourist attractions. The best time to visit Ladakh is from May to July. During these months, the weather is perfect and the highway from Srinagar to Leh opens up.

What should I carry for the Ladakh trip?

Some of the travel essentials that you should definitely carry while traveling to Ladakh are listed below: 1. Warm clothes, including pullovers, jackets, and mufflers 2. Medical Kit 3. Sunscreen and moisturizer 4. Toiletries 5. Cash 6. ID proofs

What are the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh in January?

Most of Ladakh stay inaccessible during this time of the year, owing to heavy snowfall. The region is very cold, with the temperature dropping till -50. However, this is a much-awaited time for trekkers wishing to go for Chadar Trek. This trek is recommended if you’re an experienced trekker.

What was Article 370?

At the time of independence, Jammu & Kashmir was given a special provision. Article 370 was added to the Indian constitution that allowed the state to have a separate flag and be a separate Union Territory with no legislature. However, with the scrapping of Article 370 and following the new bill, Ladakh will now be a separate union territory with no legislature while Kashmir will have an Assembly.

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A trip to Leh-Ladakh, has over the years become a popular bucket list item for anyone and everyone who likes to travel. And this comes as no surprise at all. Be it the more popular places like the Pangong Lake, Khardung La or the less popular but enriched with culture the Hemis or the Thiksey monastries of Leh, there is no end to the amazing places to visit in Leh Ladakh. And here is your detailed guide with complete information to make this dream vacation a memorable one.

If you like watching a video to get all the information, then this video is for you!!

HOW TO REACH LEH

Srinagar to Leh highway : There are both government and private buses on this route, though not as frequent as on the Manali highway.

Suggested Read: Follow this step by step itinerary to make the most of your Manali Leh cycling expedition .

WHERE TO STAY IN LEH

Leh has some wonderful stays. It has both hotels and hostels to serve all kinds of travellers visiting Leh, both the luxury travellers as well budget travellers. Depending on your inclination, feel free to book from the following options:

Luxury Hotels

Leh boasts of some of the hotels with world class amenities and picture-perfect views. When you are looking for the perfect stay with no hassles, you can be rest assured that the following hotels will live up to your expectations:

The Grand Dragon Ladakh

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tripti Dahiya (@traveldustblog) on Aug 11, 2020 at 5:01am PDT

Ladakh Sarai Resort

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ladakh Sarai (Luxury Resorts) (@ladakhsarai) on Jun 25, 2018 at 11:59pm PDT

TIH The Zen Ladakh

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vineet Alexander (@vinalexus) on Oct 26, 2018 at 5:50am PDT

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Abduz (@theabduz) on Feb 2, 2020 at 6:32am PST

Budget Hostels

Leh is a host to all demographics of tourists. None more so than the students and working professionals who visit this place to escape the fast paced lives that they are leading and want to soak in the best of what nature has to offer. If you are travelling on a shoe-string budget or want to meet the like minded free spirited travellers make sure that you try these hostels below.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jigar🇮🇳 (@jigzz_shah) on Apr 27, 2019 at 3:15am PDT

Raybo Hostel

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Raybo Hostels (@raybohostels) on Feb 4, 2018 at 5:59am PST

Hearth Stays

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hearth Hostel (@thehearthstays) on Mar 15, 2019 at 2:46am PDT

Woosah Hostel

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Woosah Hostel Leh (@woosahhostel_) on Sep 20, 2020 at 5:50am PDT

• If, during your trip you do plan on sleeping in Nubra Valley , Himalayan Bunker in Hunder village is a good option.
• Otherwise homestays in Turtuk village is another good option.
• At Pangong lake , there are a lot of dhabas and motels to choose from.
• Be it Nubra Valley, Pangong or other places in these areas they are definitely worth it when it comes to the night view of the sky.
• While visiting Tso Moriri , you will find a few motels relatively nearby.

BEST PLACES TO EAT IN LEH

Leh boasts about some very good places to eat. When in Leh you could very well try the multicuisine restaurants Il Forno (Leh Main Market) and Bonfire (Old Fort Road). Both these restaurants offer some quality food and ambience. You should definitely try the Italian cuisine at Il Forno and fried momos at the Bonfire.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yogesh Sarkar (@yogeshsarkar) on Sep 22, 2019 at 2:55am PDT

For quality vegan food, Bodhi Greens is a really good option. The host is quite welcoming as well.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bodhi Greens | Chef Varun (@bodhigreens) on May 31, 2019 at 1:01am PDT

• When you are on the road, Hunder as well as Diskit have quite a few joints to eat. However, do not expect out of the world places to eat here.
• When you are in Turtuk , you will find a few cafes to choose from. However, I would recommend trying out the Balti Kitchen . Raheem (who is the chef) is a one man show here serving some amazing food.
• Pangong lake has multiple dhabas for you to choose from.

HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND LEH

Given how beautiful Leh Ladakh is, you will be mesmerised with its charms irrespective of what option you choose to travel.

Option 1 – Bus

You can take a bus to the various places to visit in Leh. However, these buses do not visit all the spots on a daily basis. Some spots may not have any bus service at all. Others maybe as low as once or twice a week as well. Therefore, it is recommended that you check before hand for when are the buses available for the places you choose to visit. You can get this information from the JKSRTC Bus Stand .

Option 2 – Taxi

Hiring a taxi for the duration of your visit is a much better option. it will prove to be expensive yes, but this will be the most convenient as well. You can either ask the place where you are staying to help you hire a taxi or hire one from the Leh taxi stand . Beyond that feel free to contact one of the most friendly taxi driver, Stup-gyes (Number: +91 9469660648) . To understand the rates, refer to taxi union rate list for 2020-2021 season . To give you an idea, we paid 20k for 2.5 days for Mahindra Xylo. We covered Nubra Valley, Turtuk and Pangong Lake!

Option 3 – Bike

One of the most popular option, especially when it comes to a group of friends or among a relatively younger group of travellers in general, is the motorbike. This place is literally heaven for the bikers! Traversing Leh and all those places around on a bike, is the perfect mix of adventure and breathtaking views at your own speed. You can hire a bike from the many shops on the Fort Road . You can get the rate list for the 2020-2021 season here .

Option 4 – Bicycle

This is no doubt the toughest option out there but also with the most sense of accomplishment. Bicycle has gained quite a bit of popularity to reach Leh from Manali and then to also conquer Khardung La on it. However, bicycle in not popular when it comes to other places a little far way from Leh, like the Pangong lake or Nubra Valley. Still, for the local Leh sightseeing a bicycle is a fun option. You can rent a cycle from the many shops on Fort Road . Another adventure activity is to drive with your cycle to Khardung La top, and cycle back down. Getting all the thrills of a downhill ride without having to bear the physical pain to get your cycle to the top. A lot of these cycle shops offer this activity!

PLACES TO VISIT IN LEH – LADAKH

There is no disputing the fact that Leh-Ladakh region is most popular for its monastries, lakes and the landscape in general. And to make the most of your time here, read the following places that you can visit depending on your inclination and the time that you may have on your hands.

In case you want to experience all the places to visit through a video, and at the same time get all the information on places that are worth visiting in Ladakh, then do watch this video!!

Section 1 – Local Sightseeing in Leh

Out of the innumerable places to visit in Leh Ladakh, lets start with the places that are perfect for local sightseeing in Leh and other nearby places . I would recommend that you take 2 days to cover the good part of what I am about to mention in this section:

1. Leh Palace

Built in 16th century by Sengge Namgyal, Leh Palace is a testament to the pride of Namgyal dynasty. Leh Palace has become quite the popular tourist place in Leh for the splendid views it offers and how majestically it overlooks the charismatic Ladakhi village of Leh. The palace now houses a small exhibition detailing about the history of the palace and Leh in general. It is a short hike up from the Leh Main Market if you are on foot.

2. Namgyal Tsemo Gompa

Built in 15th century by the king Tashi Namgyal is a place famous for its Buddhist principals and teachings. Idols in Namgyal monastery are still worshipped and monks lights the lamps on a daily basis. It is at a walking distance from Leh Place and offer some splendid views for photography.

3. Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa is one of the more popular monastries in Leh-Ladakh. Every monastery offer peaceful and positive vibes and in that regard Shanti stupa is no different. Built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu, Gyomyo Nakamura, it is a white-domed stupa on a hilltop in Chanspa. Make sure you head here for some peace of mind and the perfect sun-sets!

4. Hall of Fame

Hall of fame was built to memorialize the bravery and names of all those soldiers who fought and were martyred in the Indo-Pakistan war. It is to honor the Indian soldiers and serves as the reminder of the fact that their service to the nation will never be forgotten. Run by the Indian Army, the Hall of Fame houses, weapons, history exhibits & a souvenir shop as well.

5. Leh Main Market

Leh Main Market or Leh Main Bazaar is one of the liveliest places to visit in Leh. It is always brimming with people and is popular for shopping, eating meals in the cafes, the delicious street food, buying souvenirs, pashmina shawls, Buddhist relics or jamming with strangers to perfect tunes, this market has it all. One of the best places to spend an evening in Leh.

6. Thiksey Monastery

Thiksey Monastery is a thing of beauty. This 12 storeyed gompa is a home to more than 500 monks. This monastery is one of the largest in central Ladakh and you should definitely visit, if you want to know more about the Buddhism culture in general and more specifically see all the beautiful artwork and stupas up close.

7. Hemis Monastery

Just like Leh Palace, Hemis Monastery is another important place in the Ladakhi history, that can be attributed to the king Sengge Namgyal. For any traveller, Hemis almost always makes the list of places to visit in Leh-ladakh. With all its murals, paintings and stupas it is a paradise for someone who can appreciate art or wants to learn more about the Buddhism culture. Hemis sees a huge influx of people during the annual two day festival which just makes the monastery absolutely vibrant.

8. Spituk Monastery

Spituk Gompa has as old a history as any other monastery out there. Having stood tall through the test of time, this beautifully carved monastery is home to more than 100 monks. Spituk Gompa (also known as Pethup Gompa) is about 8km from Leh. This serene monastery observes Gustor Festival from 27-29th of the 11th month of Tibetan calendar every year and it is a sight worth witnessing first hand.

Without a doubt, these are some of the must visit places in Leh. If you still end up with more time on your hand you can visit the following places – Zorawar Fort, Datun Sahib, Sindhu Ghat, Sankar Gompa and Phyang Monastery.

Section 2 – A Day in Sham Valley near Leh

It is important to note that all the places that I mention in this section are in between Sham Valley and Leh. A day trip on this Leh Srinagar highway till Sham valley and back can easily be done in a day. Read along to learn all that you can do in one day:

1. Gurdwara Pather Sahib

Amongst the many beautiful monastries and in the land of monks stand a Gurdwara to pay homage to Gura Nanak Dev Ji. According to the legend , Guru Nanak conquered a demon at this very same place and forgave him for his sins. The Gurdwara is about 23km from Leh, on the Leh-Kargil highway and is maintained by the Indian Army. Did you know – this place is equally respected by Sikhs as well as Ladakhis. Make sure you visit the place to soak in its peaceful vibes!

2. Magnetic Hill

Magnetic Hill is one of those places that you wouldn’t believe exists until you actually visit it it on your own. At about 27 km from Leh, there appears a yellow signboard after which the magic happens. You park your vehicle inside the marked box, switch the gear to neutral and voila, you appear to defy all laws of gravity. Two possible explanations are prominent: First, that it is just an optical illusion given the whole landscape and that you aren’t actually going uphill but rather downhill. Second theory, which is still unproven is that due to magnetic pull of the earth cars tend to move uphill on their own. Well, in any case you can only find out once you visit this intriguing place!

3. Sangam – Zanskar and Indus River Confluence

At Nimmu, a simple yet a soothing view awaits you. This is where Indus river and Zanskar River meet. This place of confluence of these two rivers has also popularly came to be known as Sangam. Given the various factors, the rivers change their color as well as force of their flow throughout the year. When the Zanskar river freezes in winters, the ever so popular Chadar trek takes place wherein the experience of walking on frozen lake and seeing waterfalls that have frozen mid-air is quite a sight.

4. Basgo Palace and Monastery

Basgo is quite popular for its ruins. At about 40km from Leh, Basgo Palace is stands tall atop a cliff. It houses three splendid temples that date back between 15th and 17th century. These temples are namely – Chamba Lhakhang, Serzang and Chamchung. Palace and monastery, given their position above the Basgo town, they offer some breathtaking views. This place has also been named in the world’s 100 most endangered heritage sites by the World Monuments Fund.

5. Likir Monastery

Likir monastery or Likir Gompa is quite deeply routed in the history of Buddhism. Built in 11th century, the monastery is believed to be protected by the serpent spirits. Some of the models are made of butter and yet they do not melt, how cool is that? The monastery is about 56km from Leh and one that you should not skip. Especially so, if you want to learn more about the Buddhist culture as there is a public library on the premises.

6. Alchi Monastery

Located at about 66km from Leh, Alchi monastery or Alchi gompa is no more an active monastery and is maintained by the monks of Likir monastery. This monastery is one of the oldest ones in Leh. With such historic murals, sculptures and paintings, this monastery is a testament to an era gone by. There are camps as well in the Alchi village should you wish to spend the night here in absolute peace and away from hustle bustle of Leh.

Visiting all these places is sure to uplift your spirits, bring you quite a bit of joy and relieve the tensions of your daily lives. You can either choose to stay at Alchi or come back to Leh. Generally people travel back to Leh the same day. Should you end up with a lot more time on your hand feel free to visit Rizong Monastery and if you go further on the highway still you can visit the Hemis Shukpachan village for some photograph worthy views.

Section 3 – Rest of Amazing Ladakh

Now that we are done with places to visit in Leh and nearby areas, let’s move a little further. Even though the places in this section maybe a little distant from Leh they still are the ones that are most popular and on every ttraveller’s bucket list. If you plan on visiting all of them on this list it might take you about 3 days or so.

1. Khardung La

Khardung La is one of the highest motorable roads around. At 17,852ft, this mountain pass offers the perfect challenge to ride to the top. This ride is the holy grail for bikers. Also, A few of the operators and cycle shop owners (on Leh fort road) are offering to drive you to the top and then you can come back down on a cycle for an exhilarating adventure. At such a height Khardung La offers some splendid views that are second to none. When you set out on the tour for rest of Ladakh this mountain pass will serve as the gateway to Shyok and Nubra valley.

2. Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley is one of the most beautiful places in all of Ladakh. About 160km from Leh, Nubra has it all, be it monasteries, lakes, cold desert, sand dunes or absolutely peaceful villages. Any soul that has stepped foot here has left with nothing less than pure bliss and a peace of mind. That figures, given the profound natural beauty of the valley. However, given the sensitivity of the region and its proximity to Siachen, essential permits need to be taken to visit Nubra valley. Read along for the various places that you can visit in Nubra Valley:

a. Diskit Monastery

One of the oldest surviving monasteries in the Nubra Valley, the Diskit Monastery (Gompa) has become quite popular amongst tourists. It also features the statue of Maitreya Buddha, standing tall with an impressive height of 106ft. The monastery oversees the beautiful village of Diskit. The ministry also runs a school in association with the NGO, “Tibet Support Group”.

b. Hunder Sand Dunes

Ladakh is a cold desert and its terrain and beautiful landscapes are a testament to that. To add to that you can actually find sand dunes in Hunder village of Nubra Valley. And if that wasn’t enough to convince you, how about the fact that you can find the Bactrian two humped camels here. Also, you can take a ride. Now, how cool is that!

c. Panamik Village

Panamik is a small village by the Nubra river and offers some splendid panoramic vistas to soak in. It is popular for its hot sulfur springs which is believed to have medicinal properties. Also, should you visit Panamik make sure you shop from here for their Pashmina shawls and other Kashmiri and Tibetan artefacts.

d. Turt uk Village

Turtuk is one of the northernmost villages in Ladakh. If you ever thought of having a place of your own amongst the mountains in a small beautiful village, well Turtuk is it. This village is surrounded by some of the most beautiful views you are ever likely to see. This untouched gem has now been open to tourists for some while. Locals are more than happy to share their stories and the cafes here serve good food. Do try Balti Kicthen, if you do choose to visit this place.

Other than these places Nubra Valley is also home to the Yarab tso Lake and Samstanling Gompa. Should you have more time on your hand and want to explore you can definitely try out these places.

3. Pangong Tso

Pangong Lake or Pangong Tso situated at a height of 14,270ft, it is the definition of calm. You could spend an entire day and still not get enough of it. 60% of the lake is in China while the rest remains within the borders of India and much lesser part of it is still accessible to public. And yet when you will look at it, you will only be able to see the lake till the horizon. Interestingly, given the time of day and year, you can see the water in the lake have different colors. The lake shot to fame after the movie “3 idiots” and has been on everyone’s bucket list when it comes to places to visit in Leh-Ladakh.

4. Tso Moriri

Surrounded by towering peaks, Tso Moriri (or Moriri lake) remains quite secluded from the outside world. It is a lesser known/visited alternative to Pangong Lake. Like Pangong lake, Tso Moriri is frozen during the winters too. And owing to the landscape around it, this is quite the place for photography. Given that the lake is situated in the Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary, you may also be able to spot the likes of bare-headed goose, the Brahmin duck, the great-crested grebe and the brown-headed gull. Himalayan hares are popular as well around the lake.

With this comes the end to this section that talks about some of the most popular places to visit in Leh-Ladakh. If after visiting all this you still seem to have time on your hand for your dream trip to Leh-Ladakh, I would recommend that you rent a bike from Leh and traverse the Manali-Leh highway. You will see sceneries that you didn’t know exist and you will have an experience to cherish forever. I along with two of my best friends cycled from Manali to Leh on the same highway and those are the days that are etched in my memory as some of my best on this beautiful planet!

Suggested Read: Should you feel like reading about the highway or our experiences from the trip feel free to give these articles a read .

HOW TO GET PERMITS TO VISIT PLACES IN LEH-LADAKH?

Ladakh being close to the border, some of these areas that lie under the Inner Line, require that in order to visit, Indian tourists get Ladakh Inner Line Permit (“ILP”) and foreigners get Protected Area Permit (“PAP”). Places to visit in Leh-Ladakh that fall under Inner Line and require permits are Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Dah-Hanu villages, Man, Merak, Nyoma, Loma Bend, Tyakshi, Chan La, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Chusul, Hanle, Digger La, Tangyar (for trekking only). Both ILP and PAP permits can be obtained online through the www.lahdclehpermit.in website. Please note however that permits for Hanle and Pangaon lake to Tso Moriri direct route can only be obtained by going in person to the Leh DC office . Alternatively, you can get the permit online but will still have to go to the Leh DC office to get the permits stamped. Please note that places like Leh, Tso Kar, or Zanskar Valley do not require any permits.

SOME HELPFUL TIPS FOR THE TRIP

• It takes 6-7 days or so to enjoy most of the places to visit in Leh-Ladakh. If you have lesser time, then you will have to pick which places interest you the most.
• While renting a bike, make sure that it is in a proper condition for a hassle free ride.
• Some parts of this tour can cause you high altitude sickness or mountain sickness. Best is to spend a couple days in and aroud Leh so as to acclimatize to the altitude.
• If at any point you feel breathless, you could return to the car and stay put for a while and/or use camphor (kapur). You should also keep doctor prescribed medicine.
• Travelling in hills can always cause motion sickness. Please only keep doctor prescribed medicine.
• Tourists while visiting Nubra valley, generally sleep at either Hunder or Diskit village. Though, my personal recommendation is to spend one night in Turtuk, at one of their homestays and get to know more about the people and wake up to a peaceful morning with stunning views.
• Should you decide to stay the night at Pangong, there are camps available. Though, be ready for strong winds at night.
• Only BSNL and Airtel post-paid sim or a locally bought pre-paid sim card are the only ones that work in Leh.
• Generally speaking the temperatures are always low in the region and especially so at night, make sure that you pack enough warm clothes for the trip.
• Make sure that you do not litter at all. It is your responsibility to keep such a pristine place clean.

Have you made a list of places to visit in Leh-Ladakh yet? Let us know some of your favourite ones in comments below!

ENJOYED READING ABOUT PLACES TO VISIT IN LEH-LADAKH?

Read more articles related Manali and Leh: Manali to Leh cycling – Complete guide Photo Blog – Ditch your Enfield and take a CYCLE from Manali to Leh! 7 day solo trip to Manali Trek to Beas Kund, Solang in Manali

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Few places in India are at once so traveler friendly and enchanting as mountain-framed Leh. Dotted with stupas and whitewashed houses, the Old Town is dominated by a dagger of steep rocky ridge topped by an imposing Tibetan-style palace and fort. Beneath, the bustling bazaar area is draped in a thick veneer of tour agencies, souvenir shops and tandoori-pizza restaurants, but a web of lanes quickly fans out into a green suburban patchwork of irrigated barley fields. Here, gushing streams and narrow footpaths link traditionally styled Ladakhi garden homes that double as charming, inexpensive guesthouses. Leh’s a place that’s all too easy to fall in love with – but take things very easy on arrival as the altitude requires a few days' acclimatization before you can safely start enjoying the area's gamut of adventure activities.

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Bearing a passing similarity to the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet), this nine-storey dun-coloured edifice is Leh's dominant structure and architectural…

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Founded in the late 14th century as See-Thub (Exemplary) Monastery, impressive Spituk Gompa surveys the Sengye Tsangpo (Indus) Valley, with surreal views…

Shanti Stupa

Dominating Leh from a high, rocky ridge, this gigantic white spired pudding of a stupa was built between 1983 and 1991 by Japanese monks to promote world…

This arts-media trust occupies an adjoining pair of 17th-century Ladakhi mansions, one of which was the home of the munshi (king's secretary) and thus one…

Visible from virtually everywhere in Leh, 16th-century Tsemo (Victory) Fort is a defining landmark that crowns the top of Palace Ridge, though there's…

Central Asian Museum

One of Leh's most remarkable buildings, this tapered four-storey stone tower is a modern construction based on a historic Lhasa mansion and built on the…

For a charming wander, follow canal streams in the captivating yet relatively accessible area around little Sankar Gompa and the one-room geological…

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Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days: Ultimate Itinerary (+ Guide)

Discover the stunning beauty of Ladakh in this short Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days.

Undoubtedly, Ladakh is one of the most beautiful places in the world. Located in the northern-most portion of India, Leh Ladakh is a place ripe with unique experiences, must-do activities, incredible sights & astonishing scenery.

Ladakh is a hot summer destination in India . The place gets maximum attention during April and June, with families, teenagers, and road-trippers all making their way to experience one of the best trips in India. Its dramatic landscape is its single biggest draw, with snow-clad mountains and glistening lakes boasting their charm. Likewise, Ladakh’s diverse topography makes your entire trip worthwhile. No matter where you go or which place you visit, you ought to come across valleys, rustic villages, and peaceful Gompas.

Along with Leh Ladakh’s landscape, its tourist destinations such as Tso Moriri , Nubra Valley , Leh City , Siachen Glacier , and Pangong Lake cultivate a lively sense of tourism. The culture, the traditions, and the local customs create a beautiful blend of harmony to enrich your overall Ladakh tour experience .

With so much to see and do around, we thought of creating the best itinerary for Leh Ladakh that can help you nail your first-ever trip. In this guide, we created a schedule that includes terrific places, top experiences, and must-do tours/activities .

So, without further ado, let’s get started with our Leh Ladakh tour itinerary.

Overview of Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

The itinerary designed for this Ladakh trip is curated for 5 days. The tour will start and end in Leh .

While not many people visit Leh Ladakh on such a short break, there’s a significant portion of travellers who prefer 5-6 days duration. To cater to these tourists, we created a perfect Ladakh itinerary consisting of all the niche experiences & activities .

Although a 5 Day Leh Ladakh itinerary sounds short, it is still packed with good sightseeing spots , road trip journeys, and must-do activities. Even if you’re a first-time traveller, this 5 day itinerary for Ladakh will come in handy to plan your first ever trip!

The trip can be customized entirely according to your style and preference. Thus, you can include or exclude any destination from the journey as you’d like.

Schedule of Leh Ladakh Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrive in Leh – Sightseeing Tours Day 2 : Leh – Nubra Valley (Khardung La Pass – Diskit – Hunder) Day 3 : Nubra Valley – Pangong Lake (Sumur – Shayok – Tangtse) Day 4 : Pangong Lake – Leh (Chang La – Chemrey – Hemis) Day 3 : Depart from Leh

Essential Planning Tips for 5 Days in Ladakh

These are some vital planning tips one should consider before planning their 5 days trip to Ladakh.

Take a Flight

Since our Leh Ladakh trip is only for 5 days, it makes sense to travel via flight. We won’t recommend a road trip journey to & fro Ladakh , as this is not a feasible option for a shorter travel plan. A minimum of 7-9 days is required to plan a full-fledged road journey to Leh Ladakh. Also, ensure that you arrive in Leh a day before your actual trip. This way, you can also take care of getting acclimated to the altitude of Ladakh.

Pre-Plan your Ladakh Tour

We recommend planning your Leh Ladakh trip at least six months before your actual departure . Considering the summer season in India (April to June), most travellers often book their Ladakh tour to avoid hiked hotel prices & airfare tickets.

Secondly, you’ll need to get your Inner Line Permit arranged. This is only applicable to foreigners (non-Indian residents). An Inner Line Permit is basically a ticket that grants you access to enter the protected areas of Ladakh. These places include visiting Nubra Valley , Pangong Lake , Turtuk , Khardung La , and Tso Moriri . One can get their permits sorted by directly  visiting this website .

The charges for these permits are as follows  –

Environmental Fee : INR 300 Inner Line Permit : INR 20 per day per person Red Cross Fund : INR 100

Note : The above prices can change. Please  visit the website  to stay updated on the latest pricing.

Travel Q – Do you need an Inner Line Permit in Ladakh? No. Inner Line Permit is no longer required for Indian citizens. Earlier, you had to compulsory book the pass to visit the protected zones of Ladakh. However, now the government has scrapped the idea of improving logistical tourist routes.

Book Your Transport

The second most important thing for your Leh Ladakh itinerary is to book internal transpor t . For this 5 day tour, we recommend booking a private vehicle for your entire Ladakh trip. Riding a motorcycle can be difficult, especially when you’re just getting acclimatized.

You can directly book a taxi from the airport to the hotel journey from the airport itself. To explore Leh Ladakh’s sightseeing, you’ll need to arrange transport in advance. We recommend Expedia for the rental car service, as they tend to provide affordable rates for their private vehicles.

Altitude Sickness  in Ladakh

Many people ignore the altitude sickness problem in Ladakh and then often waste their sightseeing schedule. The best precaution against AMS (acute mountain sickness) is ample rest. At the same time, it may sound like a ridiculous thing to do, especially when you’re travelling to a beautiful region – getting rest is crucial before you start your sightseeing in Leh Ladakh.

Not doing so will only cause you more problems throughout the trip. If you have any medical conditions, please consult a doctor before this trip. It’s best to clarify your fitness levels before you travel to Leh Ladakh.

Moreover, to help you avoid AMS in Ladakh,  read this guide  as an additional resource. It details some steps to handle altitude sickness in Ladakh.

Cost of Leh Ladakh Tour Itinerary

Ladakh is an expensive region to travel to. Significantly, after COVID-19, many hotels and tour operators have hiked their rates to match their daily expenses. On average, a 5-day trip to Ladakh can cost anywhere between INR 12000 – INR 15000 , which excludes to & fro flights and sightseeing entrance fees. Considering flights, expect the price to increase to INR 28000 – INR 32000.

Note – The above prices are an indicative number based on the history of previous tours/packages. You can explore the below packages to find your perfect Leh Ladakh tour –

5D/4N Leh Ladakh – Explore this tour to book a similar version of this itinerary. 7D/6N Ladakh Sightseeing – Book an all inclusive tour for Ladakh via Delhi.

Detailed Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

Day 1: arrive in leh.

Leh, the city of adventures, is a bustling cold desert town filled with glorious tourist attractions. It isn’t a developed city boasting great amenities and accessibility; it still marks a vital destination to promote adventure tourism.

The rugged roads, dramatic landscapes, snowcapped peaks, bells of the monasteries, and the deserted cold wind makes you feel alive when you’re in the city of Leh. It isn’t only the attractions that drive most tourism, but its unique blend of Indian and Tibetian culture tends to bring out energetic vibes.

Once you reach Leh, the first thing you need to do – is get acclimatized.

Due to Leh Ladakh’s altitude, oxygen levels are minimum – causing you breathing and exertion problems. To avoid any health-related issues, it’s best to recommend giving yourself the time to get acclimatized to Leh’s atmosphere.

Note : You can spend more than a day in Leh to cover most of the city’s major sightseeing. If you take a day off to get acclimatized to the surroundings, it’s recommended to add an extra day to your Leh Ladakh itinerary to visit its important landmarks.

On this day, you can opt to visit Leh Ladakh’s top most attractions including – Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, Magnetic Hill, and Hall of Fame. To add more sightseeing excursions to your Ladakh trip, you can book a full-day guided tour of the Leh City. This way you can maximize your travel for inner region travel.

Apart from the attractions listed above, there’s plenty to see and do in Leh Ladakh. You can add these places to your Leh Ladakh itinerary – Shey Palace ,  Shey Monastery ,  Gurudwara Patthar Sahib ,  Stok Palace ,  Likir Monastery , and  Thikse Monastery .

Day 2: Leh to Nubra Valley (Drive)

Approx Distance from Leh to Nubra Valley  – 4hr 40mins (160km)

If there’s anything that a traveller might dream of on their Leh Ladakh road trip, it is this journey –  Leh to Nubra Valley . It’s one of the bucket-list activities many adventurers plan for a good reason!

The scenic drive from Leh to Nubra is packed with astonishing scenery, barren landscapes, mighty Himalayas, and the beautiful Zanskar and Karakoram range . These natural settings make the road trip quite memorable!

Visiting Nubra Valley is a must on a Leh Ladakh tour . Every biker dreams of seeing the place and traversing the region to explore its stunning beauty. The valley houses many attractions such as Diskit , Turtuk , Panamik , and many other unspoiled areas. The locals who live here showcase their lively traditions to fascinate tourists from all over the world.

To reach Nubra Valley, you’ll need to start early in the morning. You’ll travel via the Khardung La, which is approximately 38kms from Leh and will take you around an hour to reach. There’s a canteen around the place to stop by and get some refreshments.

Continue your journey from Khardung La to reach Diskit for some sightseeing tours. The town is famous for its landmark – the  Diskit monastery , which is considered the largest gompa ( Tibetian temple) in  Nubra Valley. Nearby the hill lies another milestone of Diskit –  the statue of Maitreya Buddha . Bactrian camel rides and Hunder dunes also remain popular sightseeing tours of Nubra Valley.

You can spend the night at Hunder Village, located 10kms from Diskit. For more hotel recommendations around Nubra Valley, explore this page .

Day 3: Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake (Drive)

Approx Distance from Nubra Valley   to   Pangong Lake  – 6hr 20mins (140km)

Like the other road trips in Leh, the journey from Nubra Valley to Pangong is one of the scenic drives in the country. Every year, many tourists flock to the region of Ladakh to experience the road trip vibes of the Nubra and Pangong. Especially if this is your first-time exploring Leh Ladakh, you shouldn’t miss out on a trip to these places.

Pangong Lake is one of the gorgeous, most beautiful lakes in India. The expansive views of the contrasting blue lake make the waters look adorning to the backdrop of the rugged mountains. During the winters, the temperatures in the area fall below -20°C causing the lake to get frozen completely. Moreover, the lake’s elevation makes the surrounding scenes truly captivating, making you fall in love with Pangong Lake’s beauty.

Travel Q :  Is camping at Pangong Lake allowed? Considering the imbalance in the ecological fragility of the lake, the Government of India has decided to stop overnight camping around Pangong Lake. The sustainability issues made the authorities declare a ban, thus preserving the beauty of the lake. For alternatives around Pangong, check this page.

There are multiple ways to reach Pangong Lake from Nubra Valley. One is via Shyok , where the roads are comprehensive and extensive, and the other via Wari La , which is more of an off-beat experience. Nowadays, most travellers opt to take the Wari La route to explore the mountainous region, and it isn’t the easiest path to drive on and will require profound driving experience to complete the stretch.

Distance from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via Shyok route : 140kms (6hr 20mins) Distance from Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake via Wari La route : 375kms (9hrs)

Looking for accommodation near Pangong Lake? Find out the resources below –

Hotels near Pangong Lake : Explore this page to find best hotel stays & deals near Pangong Lake. Campsites near Pangong Lake : The Nature’s Nest Camp near Pangong is the closest you can get to Pangong Lake.

Day 4: Pangong Lake to Leh (Drive)

Approx Distance from Pangong Lake to Leh  – 5hr 30mins (222.9km)

Before returning to Leh, stroll around Pangong Lake to admire the scenic sunrise. You’ll even spot many bird species around the lake, as Pangong is a popular breeding site for migratory birds.

On your way back, you’ll be taking the  Chang La pass . You can visit several attractions here, such as  Chemrey monastery  and  Hemis monastery . The Hemis Gompa is Leh Ladakh’s largest monastery, boasting beautiful shrines and an 8-meter Padmasambhava statue. Before reaching Leh, you’ll also find the famous monastery of  Thiksey . It’s known for its impressive architecture and decorated interior work.

The rest of the day is free for you to explore Leh’s surroundings. Furthermore, if you had spent day one getting acclimatized to Leh’s climate – this is the perfect day to enjoy the serene beauty of Ladakh’s amazing sightseeing spots.

Day 5: Departure

This marks the end of your Leh Ladakh Itinerary for 5 days. You can extend this itinerary to 7 or 9 days, depending on your schedule, and visit places like  Zanskar Valley ,  Kargil ,  Hemis National Park ,  Moonland , and  Tso Moriri Lake .

Accommodation for Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

When planning your Leh Ladakh tour, accommodation becomes a crucial factor. Firstly, it’s essential to understand that Leh Ladakh isn’t a developed region compared to other metropolitan cities. It boasts many luxury hotel stays, guesthouses, and hostels – but you shouldn’t expect great amenities in places like Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

Most of the inner sub-regions feature rustic accommodation with basic amenities & facilities – which is still considered a favorable option amongst travellers who enjoy rustic stays.

For our Leh Ladakh itinerary trip itinerary, we categorized hotels into several price ranges. This will help you select the right hotel for the right price during your stay in Ladakh.

Please find the below resources for the hotel stays in Leh Ladakh  –

Budget Hotels in Ladakh  – Explore this page to find budgeted stays & rental apartments in Leh Ladakh. Mid-range Hotels in Ladakh  – Looking for good amenities? Check this page to find mid-range hotels across Leh. Luxury Hotels in Ladakh  – Fancy a luxurious stay in Ladakh? Check this page to find more.

Recommended : Read this guide to find out the top 5 luxury stays in Ladakh .

FAQs for Leh Ladakh Itinerary 5 Days

How many days are enough for Leh Ladakh? You’ll at least need 10-12 days to cover major sightseeing spots of Leh Ladakh. Considering the distance between Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Leh, you should give yourself the time to soak in Ladakh’s serene beauty.

Are 5 Days enough for the Leh Ladakh tour? Factually, a 5 day trip to Ladakh isn’t a sufficient period to admire Leh Ladakh’s scenery. With so many attractions & experiences, a tour of a minimum of 7-9 days is required. However, if you’re short on time and need a quick breakthrough to fizz past Ladakh’s sightseeing, a 5-day tour is worthwhile.

How much does a Leh Ladakh trip cost? Many tour operators across India will charge different prices for their services & sightseeing add-ons. It ultimately comes to the duration you choose, places you visit, and some off-beat experiences. However, an average 5D/4N Leh Ladakh package costs INR 13,000 (excluding flights). You can check these tours here.

What is the best time to visit Leh Ladakh? Indian summers are the best period to enjoy Leh Ladakh’s mild temperatures. The region   attracts most of the crowd between April and July and is the busiest period to travel within Leh. You can expect temperatures ranging between 15°C – 30°C during this season.

Are Ladakh roads safe? The roads in Leh Ladakh are pretty rugged, featuring  steep cliffs , unpaved lanes, traffic jams, and rocky terrains. The highways in Ladakh aren’t the most drivable paths but certainly, boast incredible scenery and amazing landscape.

Further Readings & Resources

Coorg, India – 15 Absolutely Best Things to Do in Coorg, India Ooty, India – 15 Stunning Places to Visit in Ooty in 2 Days Iceland – 12 Stunning Things to Do in Iceland in October

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Top 10 Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh

Leh and Ladakh is a place of incomparable panoramas and a dream destination where every traveler wants to visit once in a lifetime. With ancient palaces, gompa, and monasteries rising above the stiff landscape, Ladakh is a Buddhist kingdom. Every year in summers, Leh Ladakh visiting places receives a lot of tourists traveling to explore Tibetan culture, adventure, take a breath of fresh air, and endure the joy that can only be found in Ladakh. We have curated a list of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh, which includes the best tourist spots and landmark attractions that you must visit on a Leh Ladakh trip .

Leh Ladakh visiting places

Pangong Lake

Pangong Tso lake is one of the best Leh Ladakh visiting places, which is 160 km far from Ladakh. The road to Pangong lake offers you panoramic views and makes your journey exciting and worth remembering for a lifetime.

Have you watched the Bollywood movie, 3 Idiots? Yes, that is Pangong Lake in Leh Ladakh . The turquoise-colored water and the surrounding landscape make Pangong Tso Lake a picture-perfect background for photographers.

Magnetic Hill

Magnetic Hill or the Gravity Hill is located near Leh provides you once in a lifetime experience. In Physics, have you learned Newton’s law of universal gravitation? Well, you may feel something different here that contradicts the theory.

When you reach Magnetic Hill, a white box is marked on the road, where you can park your vehicle in neutral. You will see that your vehicle is moving uphill by itself, defying the law of gravity.

Khardung La Pass

Connecting Nubra Valley to Leh city, situated at a height of 18,380 feet, Khardung La Pass is popularly known as the world’s highest motorable road .

Every year thousands of bikers drive to Leh via Khardung La Pass to experience the joy and adventure of riding through the rough terrains.

Thiksey Monastery

Built-in 1430 AD, located at a distance of less than 20 Km from Leh city , Thiksey Monastery belongs to the Gelukpa Order of Buddhism. There is a temple named Lakhang Nyerma inside the Thiksey Monastery, which is dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo.

Markha Valley

Famous among the trekkers, the Markha Valley trek offers you the best views of Ladakh. The Markha Valley trek is also known as the tea house trek because of the parachute tents for accommodation you will find at most places along the trek.

Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley, which was previously named Ldumra (the valley of flowers). As the name suggests, the Nubra Valley is famous for orchards, picturesque views, Bactrian camels, and monasteries. Nubra Valley is located around 150 Km away from Leh city and is the orchard of Ladakh.

Nubra Valley is situated between Tibet and Kashmir and is surrounded by the snowcapped Himalayan mountains. The panorama of the valley makes it striking and attracts photographers from around the globe.

Tso Moriri lake

Scenically situated in the isolated and gorgeous Rupshu Valley, the Tso Moriri Lake is about 250 km away from Leh city . At a height of around 4000 meters above sea level, surrounded by lofty mountains, the high-altitude lake is considered the largest high-altitude lake in India.

The Lake attracts a wide range of wildlife animals, including migratory birds, marmots, and seldom the Tibetan wolves.

Hemis National Park

Hemis National Park is situated in the eastern part of Ladakh and is the largest national park in South Asia. Spread over 4400 sq km, it is home to 73 species of birds and 16 species of mammals.

The park is a dream destination for bird watchers as you can spot the golden eagle, Lammergeier vulture, and the Himalayan griffon vulture.

Diskit Monastery

One of the major Leh Ladakh visiting places is the 106 feet Maitreya Buddha statue, below the Diskit Monastery in Nubra Valley . The Diskit Monastery is located at a height of 10,308 ft and stands at the top of the hill at the end of the road.

Shanti Stupa

Built-in 1991, the Shanti Stupa in Leh and Ladakh is one of the seven Stupas in the world that promotes peace and prosperity.

The pure white dome-shaped structure and the beautiful mountains in the background make it worth a visit.

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5 Spectacular Days in Leh: Itinerary, Travel Tips & Offbeat Day Trips from Leh

About this blog: If you are looking for recommendation on things to do in Leh or searching for offbeat day trips from Leh, this travel guide will help you plan a trip to Leh. Read all travel articles on Ladakh by Madhurima.

Blessed are those who visit Ladakh for a couple of weeks and more. They explore every inch of ethereal landscape of Ladakh, rightly known to be the barren roof of the Himalayas! Then there are the less fortunate mortals. We are either short of time or physical capabilities. Have I told you before? Traveling in Ladakh could be intimidating. It is a cold desert and the weather Gods exercise their wrath without mercy! In Ladakh, you will have a riot of adventure for the first few days, gliding through the high passes on the roads built by BRO until one fine morning when you wake up with AMS and would not dare cross Khar Dung La pass (also termed as the world’s highest motorable road) to witness what is there on the other side.

It is possible. It happens. It is wise to know your physical capabilities and agreeable boundaries with the body and aspirations when you travel. Ladakh is known to be the world of high passes. But there are many more places to visit and things to do in Leh, the capital city of Ladakh if you are shy of crossing those high passes. Tourist attractions in Leh ranges from markets, museums, ancient monasteries, Indus river valley which would mesmerize a cultural traveler to no extent!

In this blog, I shall write about the things to do in Leh. These are day trips conducted from Leh. You can come back to the comfort of your hotel room by night and tuck inside the warm blanket as icy gust of wind reigns the world outside. These tourist attractions around Leh are more suited for a cultural traveler who would not want to put too much strain on physical capabilities. Leh is a relatively new capital city of Ladakh with a decent amount of modern amenities, improved healthcare facilities, thriving marketplace, quaint homestays and beautiful cafes thanks to the influx of inquisitive tourists.

I liked staying in Leh. It is a wannabe urban set up amidst the vast rudeness of arid barren mountain land that remains bereft of rainfalls for almost 12 months a year. By the virtue of being army headquarter of IAF, Leh boasts of highly developed highways and a few industrial areas. People of Leh are usually a bit overwhelmed with the influx of tourists which is dangerously balancing vices of over-tourism on high seasons of summer. However, they remain kind, jovial, hospitable and proud people. Land of predominantly Buddhists and a sizable amount of Shia Muslims, Ladakh is a peaceful and safe tourist destination in North India .

Also read: Practical travel tips for traveling to Egypt for the first timer!

Staying in Leh and Exploring Ladakh

In the previous couple of trips to Ladakh, I stayed in Leh for the entire week and made multiple day trips from Leh to the glacial lakes, ancient monasteries and obscure Himalayan hamlets . It is possible to make Leh the primary base of the trip and experience Ladakh at its best since the region is well connected with paved highways. Leh is situated at a high altitude. Based on the time of your travel, you can experience many faces of the mountains in Leh! In bitter winter, Leh is white and scarily stunning. The city will make you sweat profusely at the peak of the summer. A drop of rain in Leh is swallowed readily by the scorched Earth. 

In short, Leh is a little manmade oasis amidst the stark arid high mountains of Ladakhi Himalaya!

Pros & Cons of Leh as a base of your Ladakh Travel

Traveling in Ladakh and making a base in Leh? That is a delightful decision. For full disclosure, I would like to add in the pros and cons of choosing Leh as the base of your much awaited Ladakh travel!

• Since Leh is the capital city of Ladakh, you get easy access to medical facilities and shared taxi and occasional public transport.
• Leh has some of the best hotels of the region and that is an important factor given you would be spending a large part of your day in the nature. You would ideally like to make your way back to the comfort and relaxation of a cozy inn!
• Leh has a thriving market place and exciting cafe-culture at the heart of the market. This makes Leh city itself a very interesting tourist destination in the evening if you are traveling solo and are keen on meeting new people in the trip. Apart from Leh city, I am afraid there is hardly much to do at night in Ladakh. Unless you are a keen astro-photographer! Kargil town is different though.
• Leh has the single most operational airstrip that is used for commercial passengers in entire Ladakh.
• Since Leh has experienced a steady influx of tourists in recent years, the travel infrastructure is pretty well developed and centrally controlled by the unions. For example. Leh Taxi Union has a rate chart beyond which the drivers would not charge you. Part of it is due to the innate honesty of the people being raised in the generosity of the mountains.

Now coming to the cons of making Leh your travel base for 5 days, my honest observations are written henceforth.

• Thanks to increasing number of tourist footfall, Leh becomes extremely crowded at the peak of the season. So much so, getting accommodation at a decent hotel could be a problem. Many friends of mine had been to Leh in summer and ended up sleeping on borrowed mattress at the spare room of a guest house.
• Leh has witnessed a rise of unplanned real estate market. From the many hotels and guest houses around the town and I have stayed at 4 different hotels in Leh, your view of rolling hills and towering poplars would invariably get hindered by hotels and guest houses on the make. The skeletons of these “let’s quickly make a hotel” flash a bitter smile.
• Leh looks clumsy and haphazardly done, even a bit untidy compared to other parts of Ladakh from a distance. However make a trip to the Spituk Gompha which shares its wall with a Kali temple and the sweeping view of the air strip and Khardungla pass renders Leh a beaming smile. If you happen to make it to Leh during autumn, your eyes will greet the valley decked up in bedazzling yellow-orange foliage of fall colours!
• The further you go off Leh, you shall come across offbeat and unknown destinations of Ladakh. You can witness some of the charming anecdotes of yester years when Ladakh played a pivotal part in the Old Silk Road. The Gandhara arts, the mystique gomphas, the Buddhas inscribed on the mountains (like what you saw in Bamiyan), legends of many monasteries, the quaint villages that have been long subjected to border skirmish.
• The further you move from the city of Leh, the closer you will come to the astounding nature of Ladakh. The river Indus, the frozen valleys, the mountains folds claimed by the elusive snow leopards, the border villages. All the elements that make Ladakh and her communities cash poor but happy people with abundant access to nature’s blessing.

Weighing the pros and cons, I suggest you can design your trip mostly based on Leh but make a few days detour to the distant Turtuk village beyond Nubra Valley. Make a pitstop at Kargil and Suru valley . Head out to the ancient monasteries and the villages of Aryan community. This way, you get to experience the best of the both world. For this to happen, you should ideally plan a couple of weeks vacation in Ladakh!

Also read: Complete guide to exploring Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh!

Best things to do in Leh

I intentionally made this a bullet pointed “glance at me once” kind of list with the most prominent things to do in Leh . Will delve deeper in each Tourist attractions as I add details in the 5 days in Leh itinerary section (which you may customize for a week in Leh or more)!

• Make a Day Trip to Pangong Tso from Leh
• Trip to Khar Dung La, one of the highest passes in the whole world! Khar Dung La is always accessible due to its military importance for the battle troops commuting to Siachen from Leh! On a good day, you can cross the pass and proceed towards Nubra valley and further to Turtuk. But in that case, you need to stay in Nubra Valley!
• Explore the Indus valley area and its numerous ancient Buddhist monasteries! Hemis monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Shey Monastery, Stakna Monastery, Spituk Gompa and more!
• Explore Leh City: the museums, Leh market, marshlands by Indus river, Central Asian museum, Old Leh City Tour, Shanti Stupa etc.
• Make a day trip to the Aryan Valley at Darchik and Garkon and Dan, Hanu.
• Explore the ancient Lamayuru Monastery and the moonland located right opposite.
• Visit Basgo Monastery, where Sat Rangi Re song was shot from the movie Dil Se .
• Visit Alchi, one of the oldest monastery in Ladakh with intriguing arcitecture.
• Visit Chiling Village after Crossing Nimoo River Confluence. It is Sangam of Zanskar and Indus two large rivers of Ladakh. During winter, Zanskar river is usually frozen and you can even plan a picnic on the frozen river with a mindful guide (we did all thanks to the Grand Dragon Hotel, Ladakh )! The copper village of Chiling is home to many coppersmiths who practice generational knowhow of making copperware. I loved this tiny village named Chiling! More story on that coming soon!
• If you are feeling adventurous enough, you may even make a day trip to Tso Moriri from Leh city. You start as early as 5 am in the morning and return Leh by 10 pm.

Also read: 50+ offbeat things to do in Goa, beyond sun and sand!

How to spend 5 days in Leh (a suggested week long Itinerary for Leh)

You have to have at least five days to experience Leh at her best. I am considering one day as rest as you need to acclimatize with Leh’s soaring heights. Leh is situated at an altitude of 11,500+ feet.

This Leh Itinerary spans over 5 days. I will give you a rough idea on the best things to do in Leh and a few offbeat day trips from Leh beyond Pangong Tso. You can easily extend your stay in Leh by a couple of more days and indulge in many activities. If you can manage, consider spending at least a week in Leh. To see Ladakh at leisure and experience the best of it, plan a trip for at least a couple of weeks!

Day 1: Day trip to Chiling Village from Leh

Indus & Zanskar river Confluence (Sangam), Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Chiling Village, Magnetic Hills

Time taken 4 to 5 hours. Leh to Nimoo: 34 km. Leh to Chiling: 60 km.

On a clear sky day we started from Leh after breakfast. The car made a smooth glide on the long stretched pitched roads. At a distance, tiny army barracks kept vigilance. Soldiers marched past our vehicle against the backdrop of a barren land, reminding us of the grim reality of Ladakh. Despite being excruciatingly beautiful, Ladakh also happens to witness passive aggression in the politics of South Asia. 

A new University of Ladakh is being built at a distance. Acres of land and not a person to live. This, I am talking about within a 10 minutes drive from downtown Leh. This felt unreal for the urban heart of yours truly. 

We headed for Chilling, a tiny hamlet inhabited by the coppersmith. Where the village ends, you have the iconic Zanskar trekking point. 

In a twisted tale of universal conspiracy, we happen to visit Ladakh in end-February. Climate change is a real concern, you know after a hearty conversation with the Ladakhi people. It used to snow in Leh. Winter used to be more bitter. This is nothing. All the conversation eventually points to the fact the Earth is warming up, unbearably.

I was traveling with the Grand Dragon Hotel in Ladakh. The kind hotel staff had packed us a picnic breakfast. Our driver was observing Lent, the Buddhist month of fast and devotion. He pointed out an ice sheet, jumped on top of it, made a keen observation around the area and assured us we could take steps on the sheet of the ice.

I have seen a number of rivers in my life. However, this particularly felt surreal. We were walking atop a river covered with a sheet of ice. We could listen to the mighty Zanskar running with a volume of water under the ice sheet. The ice sheet was thicker than a few meters and was slowly melting under the sunlight. By noon, the ice sheet changed its color of ivory white to a tint of aqua marine. Sensing danger, we jumped back to the river bank.

Chiling village was a sleepy habitat of a small community who would make a monthly visit to the Leh market with their commodities. They deploy age-old know-how to their generational art and bring shape to the copper ore. The ornate samovars that pour in steaming Kahwa are made by these skilled hands. So are the trumpets used by the Buddhist monasteries. 

The man showed me a Buddhist trumpet and said an Englishman had ordered this piece some 5 years back and paid partly for the make. He never returned but the man had finished making the instrument and had kept it safely, hoping his customer would find his way back to the village someday. This story made my heart mellow. 

On the way back from Chiling, we stopped at Sangam of Indus and Zanskar. The guide cum driver had turned a friend and seeing my unbridled happiness as we closed into the bank of Indus, he said Indus brings in a lot of life forms with the volume of water whereas Zanskar remains barren. Indus rears various water plants, trout and more and thus directly contributes to natural resources of the villages situated on its bank. Sangam is the place where a number of water activities, rafting take place during summer.

On the way back, make a pit stop at the Magnetic hill. They say the car automatically drives in reverse gear at the Magnetic hill. Honestly, I did not find much of a difference. However, do jump out of the car and take a few pictures of the mountains. I found the colour of the mountains to be an interesting mix of maroon and green!

Also read: Travel Guide to Old Silk Route in Zuluk, East Sikkim

Closer to the city of Leh, an old Sikh Shrine stands atop a small hill. It is known as Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. An interesting mythical story is associated with the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib where a demon pushed a massive stone on Guru Nanak but in vain. As with the case of every Gurudwara of the world, Paththar sahib allows visitors of all cast and creed to join the Langar. I felt calm inside the cold shrine where military convoys make frequent stops on the way in or out. It is indeed one of the most profound touristy things to do in Leh.

I suggest visit Chiling first so that you get to spend the most of the time in the beautiful countryside. Make pitstops on the other tourist attractions as you head back to Leh town.

Also read: A week spent in the romance of clouds at Shillong, Meghalaya!

Day 2: Explore Leh City Tourist Attractions

Exploring Old Town of Leh, Gufuk, Leh Market, Museum for a balmy afternoon

Leh market is a tapestry of interesting age-old cultural finds of the region. I found a number of beautiful Ladakhi cafes near Leh market that served delectable local cuisine. Visit the Thabtsang cafe for an authentic Ladakhi meal prepared in Tandoor. The steamed dumplings and lamb stews are exactly what you need to add fuel to your otherwise uneventful evening. Walk to the market with a couple of hours in hand. You will find all sorts of commodities.

Candy packets branded with Chinese letters remind you people love to eat similar stuff across the disputed borderline. Dried herbs and potatoes reigned the market by the end of winter. The last lot of apples gracefully stayed still by the street side vendors’ stalls. I found the jewelry shops to be the most interesting. There were yaks made of apricot wood, camels with double hump made of topaz and other colorful stones, lockets made of wild cats’ teeth. I gasped, is it legal even?

Prices are reasonable. You may bargain if you think the price sounds ridiculous. Leh market is situated at the foothill of Leh palace. Often compared with the Potala palace of Lhasa, Tibet, Leh Palace has an intriguing history. The cobbled pathway is steep and demands a certain level of physical fitness to climb atop. The Palace is now abandoned and partly open for tourists. Leh palace lets you take a beautiful view of the high craggy mountains at a distance, the allure of which is incomparable. The lesser mortals live in the city, constantly wondering what is there beyond the mountains.

On the other hand of the Leh palace, you have the old neighbourhood of Ladakhi people. Centuries have passed but lifestyle reminds us of nature’s yield. Leh palace has a museum adjacent where the remnants of the heydays of Silk Route and regal Namgyal dynasties are safely stored. It is known as the Central Asian Museum. 

Ornaments, hand painted Tibetan Thangkas, Silver cookware and elaborate dress dresses are to name a few. Headgears studded with jewel stones, feathers and pricey metals are distinct features of Ladakhi communities. Earlier, sheepskins were dried and used to keep the human body warm. 

I suggest visiting the Leh Palace by the end of the day during golden hour to get the best view of the town. You may alternatively choose to spend your evening at the Shanti Stupa. Both are located at a high point and lets visitors take a sweeping view of the city. 

Sunset in Leh brings in cold gushing wind directly from the height of the mountains. Before you even know, it is freezing outside. Wind blows vicariously. Take proper woolens to protect yourself.

I happened to make a friend in Leh by serendipity. An army doctor. He was kind enough to take us to some of the unknown yet favourite spots near the city. One such place near Leh is Gufuk. Gufuk is a waterbody which often freezes in the cold winter and doubles as a winter hockey ground. Winter hockey is a cultural thing in the whole of Ladakh. 

The Indus river took a horseshoe bend and left behind the water body a few millennia before. We meandered through dense grass, stepped on sharp branches and reached the bank of river indus. The ice cold water made my toe nails wrinkle but the joy of meeting Indus at a forlorn point was incredible! In summer, a number of migratory birds, especially ducks, call Gufuk their home. You do not need to seek any permission as Gufuk is mostly frequented by the locals keen on smoking a joint. Visiting Gufuk and birding is one thing to do in Leh if you are keen on spending some lone time with nature. You also get to meet mighty Indus from close. I think that is extremely special thing to do in Leh!

Day 3: Visit to Pangong Tso Lake from Leh Town

Day trip to Pangong Tso Lake: Crown Jewel of Ladakh . You need an entire day!

Famed as the three idiots Lake of Ladakh, Pangong Tso is the sole reason a number of people visit leh.

If visiting Pangong Tso is one of your highest priorities for the Ladakh trip, I suggest planning your trip in summer. In winters, due to snowfall and dicey weather conditions, the road to Pangong may remain closed. 

Three idiots was just the beginning. Pangong Tso saw a surge in tourist influx with the release of movies like Jab tak hain jan and rumored shooting of GOT prequel. The locale and otherworldly scenic beauty of the place does justice to Pangong Tso! 

We started at the wee hour of the day for the day trip to Pangong tso. Many tourists stay back by the makeshift tent accommodation by the beach to witness an ethereal starry sky lit with milky way and far away galaxies. The mornings at Pangong Tso are rewarded with stunning sunrises. 

We headed back to Leh during sunset due to uncertain accommodation by the lake. To safeguard the fragile ecosystem, the Ladakh government sometimes shuts down tourist business by the lake. A lot like what Thai tourism has done to Phi Phi island. Make a day trip but allow the night to restore balance somewhat. 

It took us 5 hours to reach Pangong Tso from Leh town. Enroute, we crossed the mighty Hemis monastery. The Indus river danced throughout the course of the journey until we started our ascent to Chang La. Another high pass of Ladakhi Himalayas, Chang la pass often remains closed due to heavy snowfall in winter. Even in the summer, the wind was gutsy. At the highest point on the road, a temple, a memorial in memory of the martyrs of 70’s war and a DRDO office caught our attention. 

The road towards Pangong Tso is arid. Dried up white barren river beds frequent the route. It evokes mellow memories of an apocalyptic world. Sometimes, you stop by the lush green meadows that found a way by the marshland. The fat rats of Himalayas, Marmots live here. Please refrain from feeding Ladakhi wildlife. Nature has provided them enough. The least they need is a piece of merry biscuit under the garb for your photo op!

Situated at a height of 4000+feet Pangong Tso resembles an ink pot flowing in youth from a distance. It dazzles your eyes as you approach the narrow course of road through white mountain scape, bereft of any sign of life. 

I filled my lungs with mountain air and breathed in just to let my mind slowly savor and indulge in the stunning views of Pangong Tso. Once a part of the Indian ocean, and I am talking about eons ago, Pangong Tso is shared between India and Tibet (now under the rule of China). In recent history, Pangong tso has staged a number of political discourse in the subcontinent and unnecessary bloodshed took place. However, permits to Pangong tso are given since Indian armed forces are stationed and often patrol the waterbody with boats and helicopters. 

Light refreshments are available by the shore of the lake. Swimming is prohibited. Please do not open your shirt and pose by the water. Like most of the glacial lakes of Himalayas ( Bum La and Madhuri lake is an example), Pangong Tso is a sacred waterbody for the locals as well. Watch the waterbody change its colour with the gradual movement of the Sun. The glass-like water perfectly reflects cotton clouds and craggy mountain peaks in yellow ochre hues!

To return safely to Leh Town, start by 4 pm. It is a good idea to cross Chang La pass as early as possible. If you get stuck on these roads, your only rescue option is the army. Only a handful of nomadic shepherds live in this terrain who help their yaks feed or herd on the sparse vegetation. Electric, grocery supply, running water are essentially considered luxury beyond Chang la. Visiting Pangong Tso, one of the most important tourist attractions in Leh, and entire Ladakh is an essential thing to do while traveling Leh!

Day 4: Visiting Indus Valley and Exploring the Monasteries from Leh

Day trip to Indus River valley & exploring the ancient Buddhist Monasteries

On the way to Pangong Tso, we stopped at Hemis Monastery first for a while. The first time I was traveling in Leh, I was actually invited to the Naropa Festival . Hemis is one of the most prominent day trips from leh city as well. If you are spending 5 days in Leh, allow a day to explore the ancient monasteries of Indus valley.

Hemis monastery is known to be the richest among all the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the region. A lot of old world artifacts, thangkas, gold jewelry, and antique products found a place on display at the adjacent museum. Hemis has been attacked quite a number of times. To save the priceless and timeless historical anecdotes, Hemis monastery was rebuilt at the fold of the mountains. 

Sometimes, it snows if the wind blows strong. A few villages are located nearby. Population is sparse. 

On the way to Hemis, two more prominent monasteries come on the way. 

Stop at Shey monastery. The view from Shey is astounding. Lush green patch of meadow reminds you of the alpine terrains. Right next to Shey monastery, you shall also find a stupa dedicated to Tara, the female form of Buddha. Tantric Mahayana Buddhism is practiced in the region. 

Close to Shey monastery, another beautiful gompha stands, known as Thikshey monastery. Thikshey monastery is famed to be a mirror image of Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet (now under Chinese occupation). Thikshey houses the most beautiful statue of Maitreya Buddha. However, I found the sanctum of Mahakal to be the most intriguing part of the monastery. 

Head to Thikshey monastery at the start of the day. If you reach there as early as 7 am you can witness the serene morning prayer at Thikshey. 

Chanting and various religious ceremonies are practiced here on a daily basis. The air at the gomphas are usually filled with the aroma of yak butter. Topaz and precious stones are used to adorn the statues.

You may also stop at the Stakna monastery. Stakna is located at the bend of the Indus river. Ask the locals and visit the animal rescue center on the way. A number of Bactrian camels used for various Government projects (fair, exhibition and likes) are kept as an enclosed area. Their numbers are drastically coming down since locals in Nubra often hunt them down for meat.

Another beautiful destination on the way is Stock palace. It will take a couple of hour’s detour if you want to experience the erstwhile Ladakhi king’s new palace. Closer to Leh, visit Spituk Gompha which shares its wall with a Kali Mandir. Although, the Kali statue differs to a great extent from the usual Kali idols of Kolkata!

Also read: Bonedi barir Durgapuja of Kolkata, a forgotten world!

Day 5 : Lamayuru Monastery and moonland from Leh

Lamayuru Monastery, Moonland, Aryan Valley . An entire day is needed for this .

For a cultural traveler, Leh would never run out of tourist attractions. By the virtue of being one of the most prominent trade routes to central Asia in line with the ancient Silk Route, Leh had been a sprawling ground where Buddhist ideology and practices spread among the locals. As a result various monasteries are found in the valley.

Lamayuru is one of the ancient monasteries of Leh. Its history dates back to 11th century. Originally a cave, Lamayuru monastery has now grown and how! Close to Lamayuru, you may also come across another high pass named Fotu La. Today, Lamayuru monastery houses at least 300 monks of various age groups from surrounding villages. many abandon the regular life in search of spiritual fulfilment. many go back to their village after their education has been completed. Lamayuru hosts two annual mask dances, also known as Yuru Kabgyat.

From Lamayuru, you can view moonland. It is an intriguing terrain of bright yellow colours made of river or lake deposits (many geologists argue there was a waterbody in the area at least 40000 years ago). It is known to be the “Moonland” of Ladakh.

On the way to Kargil, appears Lamayuru monastery. If you are traveling to Leh with a pit stop at Kargil , you must allocate at least three days in the second largest city of Ladakh!

Kargil is the second largest district of leh. While most of the tourists use Kargil as a one day stop over on the way to Leh from Manali or Srinagar, I urge you to consider traveling in and around Kargil at least for three nights. Its beauty can be compared to that of Kashmir excpt the people are happier with Indian governance. 

However, half way on the way to Kargil, you shall come across the Aryan villages. Known to be descendants from the Alexander’s army, Aryans are a tribe who adhere to age-old norms and traditions in the society. They believe in Buddhist or Islam alongside worshipping nature as their forefathers did. A performance at an Aryan village is a treat to the eyes!

Also read: A travel guide to exploring the ancient Aryan tribes of Ladakh: Offbeat gems of India!

Also read: A photo blog on Kargil, the offbeat gem of Ladakh!

More offbeat Day trip options from Leh

With careful planning, you can very well extend you stay in Leh for a week or even more! There is never a dearth of thigs to do in Leh! Day trips, museums, markets, cafes, trips to the high passes: Leh offers endless tourist attractions. In case you have to extend you stay, and it happens due to sudden change in weather.

Khardungla: Day trip from Leh

You need to cross Khar Dung la to visit Nubra valley and Turtuk in Ladakh. That can not be a part of a day trip. However, visiting Khar Dungla from Leh city takes only a couple of hours.

One of the highest passes of India, Khar Dung La holds immense importance in India’s strategic position in the region. through Khar Dung la, supplies to Siachen and border areas are sourced.

Even during the peak of winter,  the road to KharDung la remains open, even for civilians. Army is at work all the while to take care of the road and to clean it. If you are keen to see snow and white ladakh but have planned your trip during summer, trust KharDung la to astound you! 

Also read: A trip to the Dras War memorial in Kargil, an emotional day in my life!

Alchi Monastery: Offbeat tourist attractions near Leh city

Located closer to Leh, you may visit Alchi monastery for a day trip. Alchi Monastic complex was built at least 1000 years from today and showcase a distinct architectural style. River Indus remains constant by her side. Hindu and Buddhist artistic features are prominent as well as the influence of Kahsmiri and Himachali kings in the complex. Of all the existing temples, Manjushree temple is the finest in terms of art and cultural value.

Also read: 20+ photos of Traveling in Zanzibar

Basgo Monastery

The movie Dil Se was filmed here. To be specific, a specific song of the movie Dil Se, Sat Rangi re was filed here. It is a dilapidated monastery with few ruins and an operational mosque which shares its boundary with a long standing Buddhist Gompha. Not a single living being was seen anywhere close by except for a monk. I could sense Ladakh’s vast wildness for the first time standing at the feet of Basgo Monastery. I recommend a visit to Basgo if you appreciate pristine place all to yourself!

Should you visit Tso Moriri from Leh as a day trip?

While Pangong Tso has hit the limelight thanks to Bollywood, Tso Moriri or Tso Kar remains obscure from the mainstream tourist gaze so far. To reach Tso Moriri and return to Leh on the same day, you need at least 18 hours a day. You start as early as 5 am and you will return by 10 pm. It is an undue risk and takes extreme toll on your health thanks to Ladakh’s extreme terrain. it is better to slow down and explore at peace. however, if you are too keen to see Tso Moriri, I would say it is not exactly impossible to visit Tso Moriri lake!

Staying Healthy in Leh

Numerous articles and social media posts suggest Leh is dangerous due to oxygen scarcity. Nothing could be further from the truth. Let me explain. 

Leh is located at an astounding altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level. High mountains and stark sunlight flourish the region. It is a drastic change from the natural habitat of most of the tourists. 

It is possible you will find your oxygen level dropping in Leh in the first few days. Breathing could be a bit of a challenge when you find yourself climbing the staircases. With a mask as the new normal demands, it is possible that you will pant occasionally.  

Please note, this is normal. In fact, I was speaking to this doctor from the Indian army posted in Leh. I had measured my Oxygen level because I can and I found it to be 87. I was alarmed and informed the doc and he suggested waiting till it drops to 70 when he would send me Oxygen cylinder! So, there you go! 

Usually, your oxygen level would hover between 90 to 95. On occasions and extreme physical activities like trekking and all, you may experience oxygen level coming down. Many doctors recommend carrying small oxygen cans to provide extra support in such cases. 

Acute Mountain Sickness

More than Oxygen scarcity, what really is troubling for Leh-Ladakh trip is AMS or acute Mountain Sickness or HAPE. The only way to safeguard yourself from AMS is to acclimatise and allow your body to adapt as you climb the soaring heights. ALways listen to your body, allow it to rest enough times before you start a new journey, and never rush. AMS leads to terrible headache, nausea and insomnia in mild cases and can be fatal if the condition remains untreated. 

I was recommended to carry and eat a diamox and a paracetamol. I remember popping a diamox everyday at the breakfast table as we geared up to travel for that day!

For Covid and related precautions, please remember to mask up and carry a negative RTPCR report, especially if you are headed towards the remote parts of Ladakh! A mask can do wonder for you and for the world outside.

Also read: Traveling to Phang Nga Bay in Thailand!

Souvenir to buy from Leh

To buy the best souvenirs from Leh, I recommend heading for the Leh market. It is a thriving market place with plenty of products on display. The sellers journey from far off places and carry along homegrown or handmade organic food and herbs and artworks. 

If you are keen on buying gourmet items as souvenirs please pick almonds and walnuts and the creme de la creme of Ladakh’s organic produce, apricot! Apricot bloom in Ladakh is one of the best seasons to witness nature’s colours in the mountains! Sea buckthorn juice and tea are some of the clever finds in Leh which helps one fight the tolling altitude gains. 

I look out for antique masks in Leh. I often pick Topaz studded silver jewelry from the tiny shops. Many shops are inundated with produce from Kashmir. Leh relies on  Srinagar for an unhindered supply chain, especially during the harsh and prolonged white winter months. Many Kashmiri families have moved to Leh and started with business in the city.

If you are keen on buying woolen products, Leh has plenty of options. The one I prefer the most is thrift shopping from the army barracks. These are products specifically designed and made for the army guys. Sold at throw away prices, these products are the best protective gear against the pressing cold you will face during a trip to Leh. prices for a good quality of socks starts from INR 50. Not even Decathlon can compete with the price point. I also particularly love the wooden yaks sold at antique markets. These walnut wood yaks are worshipped as totems in old villages of Leh!

Where to eat in Leh

Lei grows and abundance number and variants of berries protein rich nuts and fruits are available at the Indus valley villages as well apart from that thanks to high altitude and Ladakh primary being a cold desert a hardly sees fertile agricultural lands. Whatever is produced in le is organic and fruit of hard soil.

Usually gets its own share of supply from the plane lands through Manali Srinagar and Chandigarh. What the this cross gets transported through the high passes and reaches the furthest of secure rural corner of Ladakh.

However Le has a long-standing culture of tandoor where daily bread is baked at the local bakeries and then the household gets their share of weekly supply. The cafes in Leh market are carefully e desktop to remind you of the olden days when Leh was thriving place melting flower pot of many cultures and thread traders. Do try the seasonal fruits apples, dried mint, overwhelmingly flavourful lamb to cooked with yam and rich in fragrant organic spices. Short grained red rices is a specialty of Ladakhi cuisine. To cater to the tourist influx however Leh has trained hospitality partners with various types of food. I was pleasantly surprised to see a big spread of Burmese khao suey at The Grand Dragon Ladakh.

Try the following cafes at Leh market:

• Lehvenda Cafe: Local and continental food are available. Great wifi speed to work from.
• Amdo Cafe: Try momo and thentuks. Mostly Tibetan food
• Ja Khang : Run by an NGO group, serves coffee and great place to read a book and spend an afternoon
• Namja Dining: Great Local Ladakhi food and a very kind owner
• Metta cafe: Funky vibes and best coffee in nLeh city
• My Cafe: Great Location and great View. Try coffee with homemade desserts

Where to stay in Leh

During my second time traveling in Leh during winter months of February, I stayed at the Grand Dragon Ladakh! It is one of the few Luxury properties Leh has in the city. 

It is extremely important to choose a comfortable stay in Leh as you explore the city and the rest of ladakh.  

Comfort might be a good thing to have at various other destinations but in the case of Leh, comfort is an essential thing. I say this after traveling to Leh more than once. The first time, I stayed at a homestay. While it was a very decent and cosy experience, nights were excruciatingly painful. 

In the evenings we used to sit by the bonfire and munch on onion fritters. Apart from those few hours nights where task to deal with. I remember eating with spoon and gulping down a glass of warm water being mindful of not in taking too much water lest I need to get up in the middle of the night.

You need a place in Leh which is centrally heated. Specially when travel fatik gets the better of you you need a comfortable space to to spend the night. The Grand Dragon hotel Ladakh perfectly fits the bill it racist experience a few notches above with a touch of luxury and thoughtful editions and a minute is like high speed Wi-Fi and a lavish buffet.

Indulge for a few nights of luxury stays in in a because as you leave the city and venture into the hinterlands of rural Ladakh chances are you will have to spend your nights at makeshift tent where electric supply is limited only for 3 to 4 hours each day.

What to pack for Leh trip

While packing for Leh, you must consider it is a cold desert. While the mornings are long and sunny, nights are bitter cold and chilly! Winds will sway you when you stand at the edge of the craggy hills. 

You would ideally be visiting Leh during summer. The adventurous souls would venture into Leh during winter. If you ask me, I choose to visit Leh and the rest of Ladakh during October, at the start of fall colours or in Mid March, when the spring makes apricot blooms adorn the mountains. 

Either way, you should pack enough woollens for the prolonged cold nights of Leh.  Let me list down for your convenience:

• Sweater (at least 2)
• Cap that cover your ears
• Enough sun block
• Socks at least a couple of pairs (in case one gets wet when you dip your feet in lakes)
• Long boots protecting against snow and helping you to trek in hilly terrains
• Jackets ideally waterproof in case it snows
• Necessary medicines
• Snacks that will come handy on the road journey
• Your favourite playlist for the road (prepare beforehand)

Things to remember while traveling in Leh

I have given you all the tips I have gathered while traveling in Leh. These are practical travel experiences that I learn from many trips to the beautiful mountains. I have added a lot from my personal research as well. To reiterate, and make your 5 days trip to Leh a grand success, I will highlight the things you need to remember while traveling in Leh-Ladakh!

• Ladakh is the state (Union Territory to be specific). Leh is the capital.
• You may visit Leh, stay for 5 to 7 days and conduct many day trips to the nearby attractions if you are not keen on traveling to further distant land with less amenities.
• Ladakh is a beautiful place however due to low air pressure, traveling is mostly reserved for physically fit and younger travel groups.
• Acclimatize, acclimatize, acclimatize.
• Visit Leh market.
• To travel around tourist attraction from Leh city, you should ideally go with the taxi union in the city. The drivers are mostly courteous and honest. Tourist rip-off in Ladakh is not heard of much however the destination is indeed expensive!
• Carry medicine, the essential ones, Diamox, paracetamols and if possible, small Oxygen cans.
• If road to Pangong Tso or Nubra is closed due to heavy snow fall, head towards the villages of Kargil from Leh. Do not forget to explore the ancient monasteries. Plan your trip to a monastery where annual Cham dance practice takes place to experience beautiful culture of Ladakh!
• While Leh may not be as beautiful as many other parts of Ladakh thanks to increased human presence, do not let that take away anything from experiencing this destination. Just a few kilometers drive from Leh city you can experience wild vast nature at her best!
• It snows in Leh in peak winter season. It can be scorching hot in Leh in the summer months. Either way, the nights are ice cold.

Also read: Travel Guide to Chitwan National Park in Nepal!

Being a Responsible Traveler in Leh!

It is imperative to travel responsibly in Ladakh, not just Leh specifically. It is an extremely fragile region of Himalaya with ecology vulnerable to various changes. Global causes and the raging issue of climate change have imprinted their demonic presence on the mountains that guard the land of Ladakh. You would see that as you alight at the Leh airport from a flights. Locals lament of the non existence of cold weather. They say Leh used to be different twenty years back.

While tourism has been one of the predominant ways to make money and grow business for the locals of Leh, it has brought in its own vices as well. For example, there is rampant plastic pollution. Even at the height of Pangong Tso I saw plastics encroaching the pristine marshland which was once owned by the migratory birds. Increased risk of geopolitics have exposed the region to an ugly face of diplomacy. Bunkers and army strongholds are present everywhere. These construction sites are essential for the nation’s safety yet they pose a danger for the world!

I am just a girl who loves to travel. I try to put forward my best efforts to conserve nature and set off my carbon footprint as I plan my travels. For Ladakh too, I was mindful and tried my best. 

To begin with I cut down on consuming water from plastic. I do not drink tea. But if I would, I would only trust paper cups. I eat mostly vegetarian meals on long travels, not because I like it but because I feel my body rejects meat cooked outside after a couple of days in a row. I love my dal and rice. I eat fish though, if available. In Ladakh, fish is a rarity. 

Being a responsible traveler also means knowing one’s limitations and taking Covid scare seriously. If you feel you are going to be sick, and you shall bring the curse of infection on other people, albeit unknowingly, stay away from visiting distant places. Medication and hospitalization are luxury in certain parts of the world, including Leh. 

Ask permission before taking pictures. Do not pluck fruits and flowers from orchards unless you are allowed permission (I can not believe I am to write this but yeah).

Please please please do not pee at the mountain streams while traveling in and around Leh. They are essential source of water for many locals and small villages. Your litters and biological waste could be lethal for the locals of Ladakh.

Buddhist lent is observed with reverence in Leh. Many devout men would not utter a single word and eat only vegetarian meals during this times. Leh town also sees elaborate procession during Muharram. Please be respectful to the local customs and rituals.

While Leh enjoys mostly unhindered supply of electric, many homestays relies on solar power. Please be mindful how and when you decide to consume electric in Leh.

Traveling in Leh brings in deluge of mellow memories in my mind. I always come back with a promise to return to this vast obscure landmass, full of possibilities. Sparse populace, risk of geo-political shift, ancient monasteries, cultural and trade routes and many more layers of hidden chapters of history- Leh safeguards all of these and more! Plan your trip to Leh during fall colors or in spring, by mid march when the nature is beaming with apricot bloom, quite a phenomena!

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2 Responses

To whosoever it may concern, you should respect the monastery rules. In most of the monasteries they prohibit clicking photographs in order to protect the sacredness of place. You should respect the rule. This is the least one can do. Or if you are clicking the pictures have enough respect to not post it on your blog. I hope you will understand my point.

Hi Vanshikha, if you have been to these monasteries, you would know there are certain monasteries who allow clicking pictures, and some who do not. I was actually invited by Hemis monastery and I was allowed to click, post and publish these pictures. I clicked them right in front of the guards. If you have watched my vlogs (they are in Bengali) you will see me talking about one particular monastery where they asked me not to click one particular statue which I did not. So yeah, I know what I am doing. I hope you will educate yourself on the rules prevalent in the monasteries before making a generic comment.

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• Group Tours Calendar
• Planning, Sightseeing & Routes
• Preparing for Ladakh Trip
• Stay, Eat, Permits & Others
• Taxis, Self-Drives & Bike Rentals
• Public Transport & Budget Travel
• Preparing for Spiti Valley Trip

Leh Local Sightseeing – A Complete Travel Guide

Leh local sightseeing was the pending topic in my series of articles on completing the comprehensive travel guide for Leh Ladakh. Today, I will introduce you to the places to see around that comes under Leh local sightseeing.

It is almost inevitable (at least for people flying directly to Leh) to skip the local sightseeing of Leh town, so it becomes essential to know what all places are there, either in Leh or nearby Leh town so that you can spend a day or two easily without getting bored and utilize them effectively.

As you reach in Leh, you will be spending some part of the day getting the permits for places in Ladakh that you will be visiting as a part of your Ladakh trip itinerary. However, still, you will have about a day and an evening to spend in Leh. So, the question becomes what shall you visit near Leh in a day and how?

Let's quickly dive into the details:

Leh Local Sightseeing Guide

I have mentioned briefly about places to see in Leh town in my most recommended Ladakh trip itinerary already. However, in this article, let’s deep dive into the places that you see around Leh town and spend your time relishing them as a part of the day dedicated to Leh local sightseeing.

The Khar – Leh Palace, Tsemo Castle, Namgyal Gompa

The Khar is the so-called landmark of Leh almost since the 17th century. Being in Leh and the missing sight of this mega structure (almost and comparatively), seems something has horribly gone wrong with your planning, or you were somewhere else in Ladakh but not in Leh 😉 …

It houses the Leh Palace, Tsemo Castle and Namgyal Gompa on the same hills which houses this complex. The museum houses collection of ornaments, jewelry, thangkas and paintings about 450-year-old but still looks as new as it can.

Shanti Stupa

Built on a hilltop in Changspa region of Leh at an altitude of about 14K feet (4267 Mtrs), Shanti Stupa was built in 1999. It is one of the most favorite tourist destinations among other places in Leh local sightseeing plan. The visit to Shanti Stupa would greet you with a wide panoramic view of entire Leh town in the foreground and with breath-taking landscapes in the background.

You can reach it using a drivable road all the way almost to top, or you can choose to ascend about 500-600 stairs. I will not advise stairs if you just landed a day or two back. After 7-8 days, you may give a try to fatigue using those stairs otherwise avoid them to let your body acclimatize properly.

Dheeraj Sharma

Hall of Fame

Worth a visit for every Indian to get a feeling of undue respect and salute the spirit of heroes of the Kargil War, especially if you have not been to Kargil War Memorial on Srinagar Leh Highway . In the other section, you can see and get an idea of various things that form the rough life of our brave soldiers at Siachen viz. the shoes used by soldiers, the food they eat and how they heat them using Hexamycin tablets, etc.

You will walk out of with a different feeling if you respect those brave souls, a feeling that can help you co-relate their rough life with yours, which we keep cribbing over either some official matters or daily homely issues. Next time you do that think of these soldiers posted here for us, to protect our motherland and think how they get the strength to keep going in their lives 🙂 …

My heart was full of emotions when I walked out first ever from Kargil War Memorial…

Leh Main Bazaar / Leh Main Market

The most attractive place of Leh is Leh main bazaar where you can have finest of cuisines and even shop for a variety of accessories for your mother/sister/wife/girlfriend or woolens for yourself and family or contact some travel agents for money exchange or planning your tours/treks, etc.

In fact, this is the only place where you will find most of the hustle-bustle along with Changspa road of life in Leh Ladakh and maybe the busiest part of Ladakh 🙂 …

Sankar Gompa / Monastery

It is about an easy half-hour walk from Leh towards the road leading to Khardung La pass . They light it up in the evening, and because visiting hours are only limited to morning and evening, I will say going in there for a short walk in the evening is not at all a bad idea 🙂 …

Zorawar Fort

If you happen to have some interest in history and ancient culture, then you can visit Zorawar fort, which is about 30-40 mins walk/hike from Leh main market and jeepable too if you are not interested in hiking. General Zorawar Singh owned this fort and is remembered here for the struggle with Chinese. Europeans even termed him little Napolean of India.

Datun Sahib

Datun Sahib is a Meswak tree that is located close to Leh Palace or just behind the Jama Masjid in the Leh Main Baazar and holds quite religious significance for the whole Leh Ladakh region. It is said to be the first-ever tree planted by Guru Nanak Ji, who blessed the town by planting it.

Sindhu Ghat

A peaceful place where you can enjoy the river banks of Indus and relax amidst beautiful surroundings. The music of the river relaxes all the nerves you get after reaching this place. If you want to spend a lazing afternoon, go and be there at Sindhu Ghaat and relax 🙂

Spituk Monastery

About 8 km from Leh, at an altitude of 3300 Mtrs was built way back in the 11th century and can be a good addition to your Leh local sightseeing tour. The monastery houses about 100 monks and a giant statue of Kali which is unveiled at the annual Gustor festival held from the 27th to 29th day in the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar.

Phyang Monastery

About 16 km west of Leh towards Srinagar was built back in the 15th century. It houses a 900-year-old museum that has an extensive collection of idols including several fine Kashmiri bronzes probably dating to the 14th century, thangkas, Chinese, Tibetan, and Mongolian firearms and weapons.

The Gang-Sngon Tsedup Festival is held annually from the 17th day to the 19th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar . On the 2nd and 3rd day of the 6th month of the Tibetan calendar, Phyang serves as a venue for sacred dances.

Sham Valley Tour

Not exactly a part of Leh local sightseeing but west of Leh towards Srinagar on Srinagar Leh Highway, Sham Valley tour includes a day trip to Sham Valley that consists of (in order from Leh) Gurdwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Zanskar, and Indus River Confluence at Nimmu , Ruins of Basgo Palace and Basgo Plains , Alchi Monastery and Likir Monastery I will say it is a must-do trip for anyone visiting Leh – Ladakh.

Of course, if you are interested in detail you can refer my detailed travel guide of Sham Valley .

Monastery Tour

When you travel east of Leh towards  the most adventurous Manali – Leh Highway , you should be able to cover some of the popular monasteries in Ladakh, viz.  Shey Palace , Thicksey Monastery , Hemis Monastery , and Stakna Monastery.

Depending upon the time at hand and your interest, you can also choose to visit Matho Monastery and Stok Palace a bit ahead of Stakna Monastery and complete the circuit while exiting towards Leh from Stok.

I hope you find the above information useful for planning your day for Leh local sightseeing on the Ladakh trip. If you have any questions or doubts, please feel free to post them under the comments section of this article.

Have a travel question?? You can subscribe to my YouTube channel and leave a comment to ask your travel questions on traveling to the Himalayas.

If you like this article, do not forget to share it with your family and friends who are interested to know about the places nearby Leh town in Ladakh. In the end, in case you know about a place near Leh that you think I have missed, please do share it with fellow travelers.

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I am Dheeraj Sharma - a traveler, techie, and Himalayan lover. Since 2009, I have been helping thousands of travelers every year plan memorable & budget-friendly trips to the Himalayas - Smartly, Safely, and responsibly.

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Hi dheeraj….i have flight for leh on 22oct nd my return is on 29 oct….we have 6 complete days in leh district….cud u plz advice me to make my trip better…..what all to do 6 days and where to visit….so far i have read many comments of urs bit still cud u plan according to my schedule…..and also i want to do bornfire type sumthing if possible nd stay in a hut for atleast a night if possible…!!! Waiting for the reply

You can follow the below itinerary

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization — Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. — Bargain with taxi driver and you can refer the thread for a comprehensive list of drivers: List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali — Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best. — Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own. — Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only. — If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more. — Overnight at Leh   Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari   Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Shyok Village or Wari La – Pangong Tso — Take direct route to Pangong Tso via Shyok Village (shorter) or Wari La (longer) whichever is open — Overnight at Pangong Tso

Day 5 | Pangong Tso – Leh, covering Hemis, Thicksey and shey monasteries — Cover Hemis, Thicksey and Shey — Overnight at Leh

Day 6 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour or Fly out — Overnight at Leh

Hi Dheeraj, I’m Vy, from Vietnam. Firstly I want to say thank you to you and your team. The information on DOW is beyond of helpful. It gives us the inspiration to go on the road, to discover.

I’ll in Ladakh in Sep. I’m a solo female. And I travel on a budget. Below is my itinerary. I built it based on the suggestions on DOW. Could you give me advice for my itinerary? I have some worries, especially about transport. 1. Trekking to Padum – Phugtal: Could I do this trek without the guide. I just worry about the chance of getting lost. 2. From Leh – TurTuk – Spangmil – TsoMori – Leh: Could I find the shared cabs or public transport for those routes? If the shared cab is available, how much I should pay for each part. 3. Any changing advice is welcome. Only Phugtal is the have-to destination.

1: Srinagar – Karmil 2. Karmil – Padum 3. Padum – Phugtal 4. Phugtal – Padum 5. Padum – Kargil 6. Kargil – Leh 7. Leh: sightseeing and permits 8. Leh – Turtuk 9. Turtuk – Spangmil (via Shyok village) 10. Spangmik – Tso Mori 11. Tso Mori – Leh *1 preventive day for rest or any emergency case.

Again, appreciate for all your work.

Nice to connect to you here. Thank you for warm words.

1. I will not suggest doing Phugtal as you do not have sufficient time for it. You will not be acclimatized to do the trek so fast to be completed in a day time. So, better skip it. Also, the journey is too tiring from Kargil to Padum directly without night stop and then going on such long trek in a day is not recommended. Instead use the day for Ladakh itself at ease.

2. Regarding Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri, you will not be allowed to take that route being foreigner. Hence, you should do it at easy pace skipping the part of Zanskar Valley.

hi Dheeraj, 2. does it mean from Pangong Tso, I have to come back Leh and then take the route from Leh – Tso Mori?

also, I want to ask about permit. I read articles but have a bit confused so I want to make it clear: As a foreigner, 1. I only need to apply for Inner Line Permit (ILP). It cost 400 + 20 INR? 2. as a solo traveler, I can’t get the permit by myself, have to run through an agency?

thank you very much.

Yes, you will have to come back to Leh from Pangong Tso and then can go to Tso Moriri from Chumathang route.

As a foreigner, you need to apply for Protected Area Permits , the rule was changed I believe recently and a single person can also apply for permit as foreigner but through an agent. You can use the Online application to apply online and pay fee for Protect Area Permit.

Hi Vy I am going to Leh 8Sep, solo, you can join me some days if ok for you RG Hung

oh, nice to hear from you. so please contact via email: [email protected]

Really Article is well informative, I am fan of Discover With Dheeraj, wonderfully executed every thing, I always preferred this site for Leh Ladakh information. many times I got answer from your forum section. users participating on it sharing their knowledge about Leh Ladakh region and your contribution is unbelievable.

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article with us, If possible please use more images in the post which can attraction more users and engagement. I have a wonderful experience in Leh Ladakh, and try to explain in the writeups. travelingtoworld.com/leh-ladakh-travel-guide/

Thank you Sunil !!

Thanks a lot Dheeraj, keep updating us, Good job.

Sir, Thanks for your helpful replies. Cheers.

Good luck for your trip, please share the updates or reviews with us too from the trip so that it help others.

1. You have suggested clearly in many posts that it is best to travel from Srinagar to kargil and then onwards to Leh. Is it OK to get the body acclimatized by staying in kargil? I had planned to stay in kargil and see the local places by getting permit: stay there for three days. Then travel to Leh. Is it OK for the human body to get acclimatized that way? Request advices on this.

2. You had also posted that one group had travelled by the Srinagar route in May or thereabouts. However, in reply to another person in 2016, there was a suggestion to avoid travel through Srinagar route. I am really really confused here: from what I see on the 24/7 news channels: the situation in the Srinagar side is BAD. Alternatively, I am contemplating taking the Manali Leh route.

3. Will the Manali Leh road route be open by the second week of July 2017?

4. Should I get permit for crossing Rohtang pass? Where can I get the same?

5. Also, acclimitization wise: is this ok? Chandigarh to Solang valley (stay); onwards to keylong (stay); onwards to jispa (stay); onwards to sarchu (stay); onwards to leh. Is this plan ok acclimatization wise? This will allow me to acclimatize, I hope, to enable me to see in and around Leh.

Also, I plan to fly back from Leh to Delhi and then to Chennai.

1. Not necessarily I will say but yes does help staying in KArgil and then moving to Leh. It depends from Kargil where exactly are you moving. Best way if one has days is to do Kargil, Alchi night stays before reaching Leh.

2. Well, it depends upon person to person. The situation changes every day in Kashmir and you should ignore whatever is posted in 2016. Please go through the thread of Srinagar – Leh Status in DwD Community to read about people experiences traveling there in this year.

3. Yes Manali – Leh Highway is about to open any day now.

4. If you go from Manali – Leh side, you will have to take Rohtang Pass permit to go beyond Rohtang PAss.

5. It is not OK but well, it is the way to travel to Leh if you choose Manali – Leh Highway. Also, PLEASE do not stay over night at Sarchu. It should be Solang, Jispa and then directly Leh.

Please suggest three day itinary for local Leh tour.I will reach to Leh on 24 June and leave on 26 june

You can rest for the first day, explore market and trolls in the streets, visit Shanti Stupa. Next day you can visit Sham Valley and then you can visit monasteries (Hemis, Thicksey, Shey, Stakna)

Thank you for reply.Whether two days are sufficient for local sightseeing or more days are required?.Which place I should visit in Leh to see snow in June?

I hope you mean two days for above places? Yeah, that should be fine for Leh Local sightseeing and sham Valley. June, you can find snow only at Khardung La Pass and Chang La pass on the way to Nubra and Pangong Tso respectively.

I plan to visit Leh Ladakh in September mostly from from 11th for a period of 16 days, so that would be from 11th to 26th September

Wish to thank You for Your blog which is really very helpful 🙂

It will either be Me or I might have two other people joining me

I have read your articles, well most of them but still just want to know a few things … As I am a photographer this would be a completely photography based trip

1. Will a laptop work in Leh ? I mean do You know anyone who has used it in Leh

Being a photographer I would need to download/take backup on my laptop and if possible on an external HDD, Will that be possible in Leh as it is at a altitude of around 3000 mts.

2. Do You know of any good/reliable travel agency in Leh ? I would be hiring a vehicle and a driver/guide so …

I have noted down the names of drivers/guide that You have recommended but what about a reliable local travel agency

Especially those who have worked with photographers or are used to taking/handling photographers

3. The places that I have planned to visit/stay are Hunder, Pangong, Tso Morriri, Tso Kar, Hanle and Rangdum … I want to ask about the availability of Electricity in these places or guesthouses/homestays because I will need to charge the camera batteries at least once every two to three days

4. Will accommodation ( Guesthouses/Homestays ) be available for the above places in this period from 11th to 26th September ? Will the tented camps be open especially in Pangong

5. I want to make it as cheap as possible the whole trip that is … especially if I will be going alone so if there are any good guesthouses or homestays which offer good food and have electricity sometimes during the evening then please do let me know so that I can plan the trip accordingly

As of now the probable itinerary is –

1st day – Rest

2nd day – nearby places

3rd day – Leave for Hunder

4th day – In and around Hunder

5th day – Back to Leh

6th day – Leave for Pangong

7th day – In and around Pangong

8th day – If possible ( Depends on the availability of electricity ( Battery charge ) and Driver/Guide )), travel to Tso Morriri

9th day – In and around Tso Morriri

10th day – Back to Leh

11th day – Leave for Hanle

12th day – In and around Hanle

13th day – Back to Leh, Visiting Tso Kar on the way back

14th day – Leave for Rangdum

15th day – Back to Leh

Please let me know what You think and it would be really nice if You could clarify my queries 🙂

Would welcome any suggestions or ideas that You might have regarding the above itinerary which would be helpful for me in one way or the other 🙂

Thank you 🙂 Warm Regards, Salil Sahani

Thank you Salil. 1. Yes, it should be OK to use it but please do read: Carrying Laptop to Ladakh or High Altitudes 2. Most of these drivers are very reliable as you might have read their feedback in the thread too. IF you really want to get authentic stays and feeling of Ladakh trip, better exclude the middle men. 3. Rangdum is too far and needs more days at least 2 days ex. Kargil. So, ;eave Zanskar and Suru for some other time. 4. Yes, stay options will be available. 5. You should be able to find guest houses or home stays at almost all the places. 6. Day 8 should be Hanle, In around Hanle and then move to Tso Moriri. Pangong tso to Tso Moriri have mid point as Hanle though a bit diversion

Thank you very much Sir for getting back so quickly 🙂

1. Yes I have read that article Sir 🙂

2. Yes, will keep that in mind :), Can the driver take care of the accommodation, I mean if I decide whom to go with then will He take care of the rest, especially the accommodations at all the places to be visited ?

4. Oh good 🙂

6. Yes that would be a better idea 🙂

Sir, Which of the above places have electricity, apart from Leh that is ? Hunder, Pangong, Hanle, Tso Morriri

Yes, drivers take care of their accommodation. All the places will have electricity but the supply will be limited at Pangong tso and Tso Moriri.

Hi deeraj” would you please give me information, if I tour all the way from Leh to {Pangong TSO by JKSTC bus from leh on saturday & stay at Pangong TSO at Night and again return to leh. May kindly provide me a detailed staying option at night where the JKSTC bus halts at night and the distance of Pangong TSO lake from bus stand. I will be very helpful if your valuable suggestion are accorded for me for chalking out a programe for visit to Leh

Dinesh, AFAIK, the bus goes to Lukung and Spangmik villages which are near the shores of the Pangong Tso lake only, about 300-500 Mtr form the lake

Hi Dheeraj,

Me and My wife are planning to travel from to Leh from 16th June to 25th June. Our initial plan was to reach Manali by Bus and then either bus or taxi from Manali to Leh. However, I read online that there’s a possibility that the Manali-Leh Highway may not open till late June, so we have planned to fly to Srinagar instead and then travel to Leh via Bus and end the trip by traveling from Leh to Manali by road by 25th Afternoon. Can you suggest an itinerary based on the above dates and do you think we can accommodate road trip from Srinagar to Leh and Leh to Manali within 16th and 25th June?

We are planning to travel to Leh from Delhi. Sorry, forgot to mention that.

Just replied to your other comment.

Hey Sundar,

You can follow the below plan:

Day 1 | Delhi – Srinagar — Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well — If you have time then check out, floating market, Shalimar Garden. — Overnight at Srinagar

Day 2 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil — Enjoy the vistas enroute — Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil — Overnight at Kargil

Day 3 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh — Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes — On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu — Overnight at Leh

Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization — To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — Overnight at Leh

Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari

Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh — Day trip to Pangong Tso — Overnight at Leh

Day 8 | Leh – Taglang La – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu — Stay overnight at Sarchu

Day 9 | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali — On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only — Overnight at Manali

Day 10 | Manali – Delhi — Return home

Day 11 | Buffer day to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.

Thanks a lot Dheeraj. In your opinion, would the Leh-Manali Highway open by the 25th of June considering the record snowfall experienced this year.

Yes Sundar, Leh – Manali Highway will open by 25th June.

Thanks Dheeraj. Just one more question. I was planning to cover the journey from Srinagar to Leh in JKSRTC bus. Do these buses stop at Sonamarg, Zozi-la, Drass, Lamayuru which I should be covering during the trip or do I choose an alternate mode of transport? Private taxi’s do seem expensive.

Sundar, these buses do not stop unless it is a stop for them for meals and tea/snacks. Some of them you mentioned may be actual stops for them. However, it is not a tourist bus that will stop for scenic places. There is no cheaper alternate mode unless you get a shared taxi with tourists who are willing to share the taxi or find online travel partners to share the cab.

Hi Dheeraj, We are from Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru. We (about 12 of us) are planning to visit Leh-Ladakh by April end-first week of May and leave by May 6-7. We will be flying to Leh from Delhi and will be travelling with 2 kids aged 5-6 and one aged 13. A couple of us are on the heavier side too. Is it too risky for us? Will be grateful if you can help us decide the itinerary in a way that we don’t miss anything.

Hello Rekha,

If you guys can take precautions and go prepared (it will still be cold in April end), it shall be OK to travel. Considering you have about 7-8 days, I will suggest following:

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization — Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. — Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan. — Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best. — Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own. — Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only. — If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more. — Overnight at Leh

Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari

Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh — Do not plan to stay overnight at Pangong Tso as you will not be acclimatized and may fall sick. So, make a day trip only. — Overnight at Leh

Day 6 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR Sham Valley tour OR Fly back home — Overnight at Leh — Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only. — Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib

In case you have about 1-2 days more, you can add Turtuk day trip from Deskit/Hunder in Nubra Valley.

greetings from the philippines…i would like to travel to your wonderful country this month of sept…ill arrive in amritsar on sept 13 at night and begin exploring on the 14th…ill leave india from delhi on the 28th……i have around 15days….ill be visiting leh ladakh and beyond and probably taj mahal….from amritsar i would like to go to srinagar and go to leh but some said its not safe to travel somewhere in JK since there is ongoing tension…is it true.?????..so i guess ill just go to manali and enter leh that way…..i would like to enter leh/ or leave leh from delhi thru a flight but its very expensive….however the flight from srinagar going to delhi is way cheaper and considering leaving leh f going to srinagar to catch a flight, but im still concerned about secuirty issues is srinagar….and also i really wanted to go to phuktal monastery in sanzkar…the photo of the place i saw on the internet seems really awesome…can i do it all with the time i have in india??????

Hello Celden,

Very warm welcome to India and Himalayas 🙂 🙂

Julian, well, I will not recommend at all to travel from Srinagar side. Please avoid it completely at the moment. Go from Manali side and come back from the same route. You have 15 days, I can recommend you the flow and you can take it as per availability of public transport or shared taxis:

1. You should make two day trip to Leh from Manali as body will not be acclimatized. Fist night halt will be Keylong if you will go by bus else Jispa if you take tourist shared taxi. DO NOT take a taxi or tempo traveller which halts at Sarchu, you will not be acclimatized to sleep at it. 2. Rest and acclimatize in Leh, get the protected area permits. 3. Move to Nubra valley and explore Hunder, Deskit, Turtuk villages before coming back to Leh 4. Move to Pangong Tso and come back the next day 5. Move to Tso moriri and come back the next day 6. In between (3-5) you can opt to visit Alchi, Likir, Lamayuru as well as two day trip. 7. Finally take the bus back to Manali from Leh which will take halt at Keylong.

This will be around 14-15 days not leaving anything else to cover.

Reading these articles are great! A huge help before I fly from the UK to India and directly to Leh on the 5th Sept for approx. 5 nights. I haven’t really committed to booking guest hostels yet, as I wanted to confirm the itinerary (similar to what you recommended to RISHABH) with a friend that I will be travelling with. Wanted to get your input on this and suggestions of what to do?

Day 1 & 2: Will stay in Leh to acclimatise and try and cover what you have suggested to others. Day 3: Pangong Tso day trip and on the way back, will try and stay in Thiksey Monastery for the night? Day 4: I wanted to visit Nubra Valley, wasn’t sure whether we could do a day trip there or would it be better to stay there for the night? Any suggestions of where to stay? Day 5: Nubra Valley/Leh

Day 6 and onwards will include the bus ride to Manali however we would like to stay over another place for a night or 2 to break up the long journey, however not sure where?

Final query is regarding the drinking water in Leh, is it recommended that we should take purification water tablets?

You should visit Nubra Valley first on Day3,4 and then on Day 5 you should go over to day trip of Pangong Tso. You can stay at Hunder in Nubra Valley which is more close to nature and has many hose stays or small guest houses with local touch. Day 6 when you take the bus to Manali it will halt at Keylong where you will be staying for the night. Then next day you can move over to Manali from Keylong.

Well, you can carry them for precautions but most of the time I never found any filth or impurities in the water

Thanks for getting back, will go ahead with that then.

Would you know how long the bus journey is to Keylong, and whether taxis will be available for this journey as an alternative?

Dan, Leh – Keylong is around 13 Hrs and Keylong – Manali is around 7 Hrs. Yes, taxis are there always and can be booked on the spot as well in case you decide not to go by bus.

Hello Sir, I am planning trip to leh from 16th august to 20 aug. I’ll reach leh airport by 6:40 in the morning on 16 and I hav a flight back from srinagar on 21st noon. So can u please suggest me the best itinerary for the trip.. Thank you in advance.

ishabh, you can follow the below plan for a 5 day trip to Ladakh

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization — Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. — Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan. — Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best. — Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own. — Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only. — If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more. — Overnight at Leh   Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari

Hope you are doing good …Man!!

Your comments and updates are really Appreciable.

Planning a trip for he first time from Delhi on rented bikes and 10Days in Hand Let me know about the permit/permission process and formalities

Places to be covered: Pangong lake, Khardungla, Nubra valley

It will take 4 days to reach Leh from Srinagar side starting from Delhi with stop overs at Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil and 3 days to come back from Leh from Manali side to Delhi with stopovers at Sarchu, Manali. This makes it 7 days. 1 Day is required in Leh for acclimatization. You have about 10 days. 1 Day can be used as Day trip to Pangong Tso and other day can be used as day trip to Nubra Valley or just Khardung La pass.

Opt to go via Manali – Leh Highway and I will suggest that you refer the thread for more details on the route and night halts though it is of 9 days: Manali – Leh – Ladakh – Manali | Itinerary for 9 Days . You can fit in plan I suggested in above para in this plan

You will need permit to cross Rohtang Pass which is issued from SDM office in Manali.

hello, i am going to spend a week in ladakh, but i only have 1 day in leh, and i am travelling alone and i want to do a bike journey for a day, can you please suggest me where shal i go and come back by the evening?

Not sure how your itinerary is planned so cannot really comment. Still, in case it is after the acclimatization is done, you can make a day trip to Sham Valley on bike.

thank you so much. 🙂 and also please update me, what is the distance between leh and sham valley?

Bhavya here you go: Sham Valley Ladakh | Sightseeing and Travel Guide

Farthest point Alchi is about couple of hrs drive from Leh.

Hello Dheeraj sir We are travelling from haryana to leh in our own suv. Do we require any permit for local site seeing like nubra valley,pangong lake,kargil etc etc. Can we visit these sites in our private car or we require to hire a taxi there.

Yes Aarti, you can visit all these places on your own car without any issues at all. You need permit for Rohtang Pass in case you are going from Manali to Rohtang Pass

Thanks for writing so detail about Leh, it helps in giving a perspective to someone who have never been to Leh.

I am in a dilemma whether should I go with a tour agent for the entire trip, or should I just take local tours from Leh itself (Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Leh local sight seeing, Tsomoriri etc.)

I am planning to go either on 14th Sept that week or 21 Sept that week and I heard from many that end of September onward are off-season, which means I will be able to get good price/bargain for hotels, taxi and local tours during that time. However, I would not want to risk going in to Leh and later on screw up the whole trip. What do you suggest?

Is it easy to get taxi/local tour in Leh itself? Do you know the price for the above-mentioned places tour if taken from Leh plus taxi? Below is my draft itinerary, can you please suggest if they are fine?

Regards, Noel

Day 1: Reach Srinagar – Kargil Stay @ Kargil

Day 2: Kargil – Leh Stay @ Leh

Day 3: Leh Local Visit: Shey, Thicksey, Hemis, Stok Monastries Stay @ Leh

Day 4: Leh – Nubra Valley Stay @ Nubra Valley

Day 5: Nubra Valley – Leh Stay @ Leh

Day 6: Leh –Pangong Tso Lake Stay @ Pangong Tso

Day 7: Pangong Tso Lake – Leh Stay @ Leh at 11,562 ft

Day 8: Leh – Tsomoriri Stay @ Tsomoriri

Day 9: Tsomoriri – Leh Stay @ Leh

Day 10: Depart from Leh Airport

Your plan seems good to me, you can plan the entire tour on your own. DoW has enough sources which you can use to plan the trip yourself and save money.

You can check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate (cheap budget hotels as well) in the series of articles starting on the link here

For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2015 – 16 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here . You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.

For the list of good restaurants in Leh – Ladakh or eateries or food joints where food is enjoyed by many travellers including me, you can check the link here: List of Good Restaurants in Leh – Ladakh | Restaurant Reviews

I am leaving from Kargil to Leh as I write this. Unfortunately I twisted my ankle while leaving from Srinagar and it is swollen since then. I took the painkillers and am feeling better. I am planning to show it to a doctor in Leh. Can you please let me know any known doctors and their address? I will be reaching Leh by 3:30 PM.

Thanks, Suhas

Suhas, you can visit the hospital in Leh and they will be able to help you out there. Do take care brother !!

Thanks a lot Dheeraj. I visited the hospital, fortunately there was no fracture and I could carry on with the trip. I returned yesterday and once again would like to Thank you for all the information you provided, without which the trip would probably not happened. You are touching lives of people in a special way, keep it going!!

That’s really good to know that Suhas and glad you had a wonderful trip to Ladakh. If you have time and possible for you, do share the experience or reviews or just a photo tale in DwD Community 🙂

Your articles are a gem pit for those who wanna travel to Leh. We too are planning to visit from 27 Aug till 04 Sep and the itinerary goes as follows:

27 Aug – Leave Delhi and arrive at Manali early morning. Travel to Solang Valley and spend the night there. 28 Aug – Travel to Jispa and spend the night there. 29 Aug – Travel to Sachu and the night there. 30 Aug – Travel to Leh. 31 Aug – Wandering around Leh – Local Sightseeing. 1-3 Sep – ??? 4 Sep – Leaving Leh

The next three days (1-3 Sep) are really tricky coz I can’t put my finger on how best to go about. Any suggestions would be lovely.

Thanks in advance.

You should follow below:

Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley — Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization — If going by own car, get the permit made in advance to drive on Manali – Rohtang Pass road through hotel/travel agent in Manali — Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley

Day 2 | Manali/Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa — It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you do not feel sick or hit by AMS. — Avoid sleeping at Sarchu at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there. — I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa. — Overnight at Keylong/Jispa

Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Leh — Leave Keylong/Jispa early next morning, say by 4/5 AM types, so that you reach Leh in the evening. — Overnight at Leh

Day 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh — Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso — Overnight at Leh

Day 8 | Leaving Leh

Thanks heaps Dheeraj…

Will share this among my friends and adjust accordingly…

By the way, one more thing. I’ve drawn up this plan skip Manali-Leh journey altogether and spend all 8 days in Leh by flying from Delhi to Leh again thanks to your articles…

Day 1 (27 Aug) | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits  To know the about the places to visit in/around Leh.  Overnight at Leh Day 2 (28 Aug) | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping or you can do tour to Sham Valley (60km)  Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib  Overnight at Leh Day 3 (29 Aug) | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder (126km)  Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit  On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass Khardung La  Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha Statue and Hunder has sand dunes and Bactrian Camel Safari  About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between and at Khardung La Day 4 (30 Aug) | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh (66km + 141km)  Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs  Overnight at Leh  About 7-9 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between Day 5 (31 Aug) | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake – Spangmik (156km)  Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso  Pangong Tso Lake  Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)  About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between Day 6 (01 Sep) | Spangmik – Man – Merak – Kakstet – Chusul – Tsaga La – Tsaga Village – Loma – Nyoma – Mahe – Sumdo – Tso Moriri (235km)  Tso Moriri Lake  Overnight at Tso Moriri Day 7 (02 Sep) | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Chumathang – Upshi – Hemis – Leh (220km) or via Tso Kar-Debring-Rumste-Upshi (241km)  Cover Karzok Monastery  About 7-8 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between Day 8 (03 Sep) | Leh  Hemis National Park  In and around Leh

I can actually bring the Day 8 after Day 1 for more acclimatization…

Just take a look and offer your suggestions. I’m feeling so stingy to let go of the things in Leh in favor of Manali-Leh… Your thoughts on this will be invaluable

Keep it the way it is, just make sure that you have all the required permits to take the route from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri. In case army send you back, you can use Day 8 as buffer day.

Sorry have to bother you again. The itinerary is fixed based on your opinions. However, I wonder if you could give a couple of reliable travel agents to arrange our accommodation in Leh and other places plus the transportation.

Your recommendation will be invaluable as you’ve first-hand experience.

Thanks again Sri

you can connect with [email protected] as most of the readers in the past couple of years have had very good feedback about them and especially their transparent policies along with being there with you all the time in need. So, we trust them the most. You can refer my name or DoW to Gaurav, the guy who runs it. He knows us very well and should be able to offer some special rates being a DoW Member. You can just refer him the DwD Community Member Username in such a case or screenshot of this reply here.

Just wanted to let you know that we finished our journey very successfully from 26 Aug to 04 Sep. Your reports on Ladakh were invaluable and we managed to complete the whole journey with very little High Altitude Sickness such as giddiness and lose motion.

If one takes a dose of Diamox at least 2 days prior to the start of the journey it should help. Further we stayed at a place called Shanthi Guest House and they were simply out of this world. Extremely good, humble, friendly and helpful people and they’re Ladakhi folks. Very cheap too. So if anyone who reads these for helpful tips, do give them a try and you can go wrong.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297625-d1203760-r417108830-Shanti_Guest_House-Leh_Ladakh_Jammu_and_Kashmir.html

Thanks once again and good luck for your future articles…

We are 2 px travelling on 1st July wanted to know how easy it is to get shared taxi, can you share contact no of taxi drivers for the same.

Dont have contact of shared taxi.

I have one question… As suggested by you if i start the journey via Srinagar and come back via leh manali highway, then from where we can take the bike on rent? Also with that rented bike can we travel in and around leh.. and all the places which comes in between.. also what & all places need any special permit.. because i don’t want to skip even a single place on both the routes..

You should take the rented bike from Leh and drop it back in Leh. you should do Srinagar – Leh and Manali – Leh by other means of transport. This will keep budgets under control.

I am travelling solo to ladakh from 16 July.

Below is my planned itinerary; July 16: Mumbai to Leh (by flight) Evening; Local city sightseeing, acclimatization July 17; Leh to Nubra.( what is the prefered village to stay here? Hundur?) July 18: Nubra to Leh July 19: Leh to pangong tso ( preferred village to stay? Is setting up camp possible?) July 20: Pangong tso to Leh July 21: 1 day trip to alchi or shyam valley (Please suggest which is better) July 22: Travel to Jammu and spend fees days there and move back to Mumbai on 27 July

The plan can be extended by a day also if needed. Anything that should be done which I missed in itinerary?

Questions: 1. How easy is to get local shared taxis to get to these locations? How much by average would it cost? 2. I like camping and is it possible to setup own camps in any of the locations like pangong or Nubra? 3. For where all places do I need inner line permit in the above plan? 4. July being heavy travel season will it be necessary to pre book any homestays or will find something on walk-in also?

Thanks for the blog which is helpful for all.

We are looking for your help. We are 2 members planning for the trip and we have completed booking (Hotel and Bus) until 21st July trip Journey and below is our plan details, What type of transport we can get arranged in cheap for the few days 24th – 29th

July 16th – Bangalore to Delhi (Flight) – Manali Same day (Bus) July 17th – Manali Local Signt seeing July 18th – Manali Local Signt seeing July 19th – Manali to Leh (Bus by 9AM) Reaches by Nextday July 20th – Leh Local Signt seeing and monasteries (Stay in Leh) July 21th – Leh – Pangong Lake – Leh (Stay in Leh) – Bike Ride July 22th – Leh – Nubra Valley (Stay – Nubra Valley Camp) – Bike Ride July 23th – Nubra Valley – Khardungla Pass – Leh – Bike Ride July 24th – Leh – Tso Moriri — Looking for transport how to cover? July 25th – Tso Moriri – Leh — Looking for transport how to cover? July 26th – Leh – Kargil — Looking for transport how to cover? July 27th – Kargil- Sonmarg – Srinagar — Looking for transport how to cover? July 28th – Srinagar – Gulmarg – Srinagar July 29th – Any Place i can cover? July 30th – Srinagar – Bangalore

Please suggest whether any thing needs to changed or we are missing any good place?

Thanks Saravana

Saravan, are all the hotels on above dates booked? If yes, it looks a bit screwed up.

No, We have only booked until 21st stay… If something needs to be changes no issues we will cancel it.

Thanks saravana

I will suggest following changes:

July 16th – Bangalore to Delhi (Flight) – Manali Same day (Bus) July 17th – Manali Local Signt seeing July 18th – Manali to Leh (Bus by 9AM) Reaches by Nextday July 19th – Reaches Leh ad take rest July 20th – Leh Local Signt seeing and monasteries (Stay in Leh) July 21th – Leh – Nubra Valley (Stay – Nubra Valley Camp) – Bike Ride July 22th – Nubra Valley – Khardungla Pass – Leh – Bike Ride July 23th – Leh – Pangong Lake – Bike Ride July 24th – Pangong tso – Hemis – Thicksey – Leh – Bike Ride July 25th – Leh – Tso Moriri – Why not Bike Ride? July 26th – Tso Moriri – Leh – Bike Ride July 27th – Leh – Kargil — Shared taxis or private taxis or JKSRTC buses July 28th – Kargil- Sonmarg — Shared taxis or private taxis or JKSRTC buses July 29th – Srinagar – Gulmarg – Srinagar July 30th – Srinagar – Bangalore

Thanks for the detailed plan there is a problem on 18th there are no bus service by HPTDC that is the reason we extended the trip by a day in manali.

You can adjust it accordingly

Thanks for the details and few more things.

What about the bike for rents in Leh? Whether we need to book the hotels now only for the trip? I have gone through the page for the cheap hotels but there will be no guarantee we will get a place.

You can get bikes on rent in Leh, fort road is the place. You can go there and if OK with searching few places, you will get something to stay

As part of your plan is there something we need to take any permission or pass for going to these places.

Can we ride in a single bike 2 members for these places? Reason I dont have driving licence.

July 16th – Bangalore to Delhi (Flight) – Manali Same day (Bus) July 17th – Manali Local Signt seeing July 18th – Manali to Leh (Bus by 9AM) Reaches by Nextday July 19th – Reaches Leh ad take rest July 20th – Leh Local Signt seeing and monasteries (Stay in Leh) July 21th – Leh – Nubra Valley (Stay – Nubra Valley Camp) – Bike Ride July 22th – Nubra Valley – Khardungla Pass – Leh – Bike Ride July 23th – Leh – Pangong Lake – Bike Ride July 24th – Pangong tso – Hemis – Thicksey – Leh – Bike Ride July 25th – Leh – Tso Moriri – Why not Bike Ride? July 26th – Tso Moriri – Leh – Bike Ride July 27th – Leh – Kargil — Shared taxis or private taxis or JKSRTC buses July 28th – Kargil- Sonmarg — Shared taxis or private taxis or JKSRTC buses July 29th – Srinagar – Gulmarg – Srinagar July 30th – Srinagar – Bangalore

1. You need a permit to travel from Manali to Leh for a car or bike. But, you are traveling on bus for which you do no need any permit. Once you reach Leh, you need to have copies of a self declaration form Ladakh Self Declaration Form for Indians to be submitted at various checkposts on the way to sightseeing places in Ladakh

2. Regarding two people on one bike, read: 5 Tips to Rent Bike in Leh – Ladakh and Ride with Pillion

Can we plan to include Amarnath Yatra in this trip, Please provide your suggestion.

Well, you need at least 4 days for Marnath Yatra from Sonamarg.

Hi I want to visit Leh from 4-7th August for a 3 night stay with main focus on photography , Please suggest an itinerary , thanks in advance

With just 3 night stay, you can go around Leh only.

Please suggest important spots that I can cover in Leh for 3 days , main focus on photography, is Pangong Lake possible Thanks

In just three days, you have to be in Leh for acclimatization for at least 2 days. One day you can you can make a day trip to Khardung La

Again, I had drafted out my itenaries and would love to have your comment regarding it, below will be the plan.

15 June – reach delhi by night 16 June – fly to srinagar early morning, from srinagar take a taxi to kargil 17 June – kargil to leh 18 June – sight seeing in leh, 19 June – leh to nubra valley 20 June – nubra valley to leh 21 June – leh to tao pangong and back 22 June – leh to tso morari 23 June – tao morari to sarchu 24 June – sarchu to manali 25 June – visit around manali 26 June – manali to delhi 27 June – delhi day trip to taj mahal night flight back at 11pm night

questions 1. wil the check in process takes time in delhi airport? izzit sufficient to arrive 2 hours before flight time to check in? for domestic as well as international. 2. will my journey along leh-manali being too rush? will it be too tired to do so? 3. sorry for out of topic but will it be alrite to do a day trip to taj mahal? will it be too rush?

thank you in advance..

Hi Mr Dheeraj, me and my friends (Total 4) are planning to travel to Laddakh in Aug from Delhi, we are planing as below, we are planning for 14th Aug to 20th Aug for both Srinagar and Laddakh put together. we will fly on 14th from Delhi to Srinagar and then Srinagar to Laddhakh by road (Taxi) and then Laddakh to Delhi by air on 20th. pl suggest the suitable Itinerary. Thanks in Advance..

Dear Dhiraj Sharma Thanks for all your experiences and sharing, Me 57 & my wife 55 wanna visit Leh for Ten days as she do not want to travel by road i want to know how to make our itinerary. Also suggest some hotel within budget of 1-1;5K with at least room heater n sufficient bedding…is it very cold in sept first half. plz reply me in detail thanking you in advance.

You can follow: Leh – Ladakh | Most Common Itinerary by Air

I am planning to visit leh in July..can u plan an itenary for 10 days which includes rafting n paragliding..we will be going by road n coming by flight.

So, you want to travel from Srinagar to Leh by road and then from Leh you want to fly back?

No we r going via manali..

So, Manali to Leh and then fly from Leh?

Yes Delhi to leh via manali by road n den flight from leh to Delhi. While trip is for 10 days.

Dheeraj Sir, I want a guide who can help me locally there with markha valley trek and rafting(L3).

Mandar, you can check with Lobazang Zopta at

+919718066771, +91 94-19-216587

But is he economic? Cause we are a group of 5 and our budget is not much.

Bhai you can have a word with him. He should help.

Hi guys…me n my husband are planning to visit leh by June end dis year. We are looking for a company of oder married couples…anyone interested??

You can post a travel calendar entry

Hi Dheeraj , I am planing to do ladakh trip in first week of June.I will be doing solo on my bike (pulsar 150cc).Here the itinerary.

Day 1:Jammu to Srinagar Day 2:Srinagar to Drass Day 3 :Drass to Leh Day 4: Leh to Khardung La (stay at diskit) (Any ILP required to stay at diskit??) Day 5: Leh (rest,local sight seeing ) Day 6:Leh to Pangong Tso( stay near lake side) Day 7:Pangong Tso to Leh Day 7 :Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang Day 8 :Tso Moriri -Sarchu Via Debring Day 9 :Sarchu to Jispa Day 10: Jispa to Manali (Is any Permit required to cross rohtang pass?) Day 11:Buffer

If there is improvement needed in the itinerary then please Guide. Also I want to know that personal bike is allowed in leh and around ?And how good will be Pulsar 150cc? Thank You For this wonderful site

1. Make Srinagar to Kargil 2. Add one rest day after reaching to Leh and before going to Khardung La. 3. Then make two day trip to Nubra Valley, then to Panogng Tso two day trip and then finall the way you have mentioned exit to Manali – Leh from Tso Moriri.

You do not need any permit for Rohtang Pass in this direction

As suggested by you I will rest in Leh before going to Khardung La. Is Pulsar 150cc good enough to cross Khardung La and all high passes?? I will be travelling alone! Thank you

Yes Rounak, Pulsar shall do fine in Ladakh

Visiting Ladakh (Leh) on 20th of this month – April. It will be a short visit to the place. The main objective is to visit one of the valleys and do local sightseeing there at Leh.

Apr 19th – Flying Raipur to Delhi Apr 20th – Flying Delhi to Leh (will rest a day and start our tour from the other day) Apr 26th – Fly Leh to Delhi Apr 27th – Fly Delhi to Raipur

We will be having 5 days in hand. 2 days will be for valley and 3 days for the local sightseeing.

Can you let me know which valley would be best to visit? And a budget stay, if you can name any guest house? A best way to reach to the valley and do the sightseeing in Leh?

Thanks in advance! You are doing a great job, love your blog.

Hello Irfan,

You can follow like below:

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Acclimatization — Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. — Bargain with taxi driver and you can refer the thread for a comprehensive list of drivers: List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali — Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best. — Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own. — Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only. — If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more. — Overnight at Leh   Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari   Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh — Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso — Overnight at Leh

Day 6 – Rest day in Leh

Hello Dheeraj,

What a great itinerary suggested by you, thanks! 🙂

Have few questions:

1. Local sightseeing mentioned on this page are on walking distance?

2. You suggested about hotel for advance booking but didn’t mentioned how, from where I can get a best hotel/guest house to book under a good budget?

3. And, regarding AMS, incase someone get ill what are the best medicines to control so that the short trip shouldn’t get ruin. I have had a talk with my doctor and he had no clue for any such option only way he suggest is to reach their by road so the body get used to that condition slowly. But in our case we are directly flying to the place.

Thanks in advance,

1. No they are not walking, only few are 2. You can check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate (cheap budget hotels as well) in the series of articles starting on the link here 3. No medicine is there for curing AMS, only acclimatization is he key. To know about AMS and acclimatization including the tips to combat AMS, please DO READ: Acute Mountain Sickness and Importance of Acclimatization

Hi Dheeraj, Very informative website you have here. I am determined this year to visit Leh Laddakh and have a plan as follows. Please let me know if you see any fundamental faults here. For two people package, I am being asked Rs 56000 for hotel/camp + car rental (excluding Air travel). Is it too much?

3-Jun FRI Fly PUNE to DELHI 4-Jun SAT Fly DELHI to LEH 5-Jun SUN LEH to NUBRA Valley and Stay at Camp 6-Jun MON Back to LEH 7-Jun TUE LEH to PANGONG Lake and Stay at Camp 8-Jun WED Back to LEH 9-Jun THU Fly LEH to DELHI 10-Jun FRI DELHI to Pune (Flight or Train – Depending on budget 🙂 )

Appreciate the inputs.

Shavej, the itinerary to me lacks the number of minimum days required that is 2 within Leh when you fly to Leh for acclimatization. So, you need to add a day of rest in Leh before moving to Nubra Valley. Rest should be OK else plan one day trip to Pangong Tso. You will need to shell out around 25K for taxi and rest around 15K at max for hotels for 5 days you have in hand.

I will advice you can connect with [email protected] as most of the readers in the past three years have had very good feedback about them and especially their transparent policies along with being there with you all the time in need. So, we trust them the most (please note that DoW except reliable reference has nothing to do with them)… You can refer my name or DoW to Gaurav, the guy who runs it. He knows us very well and should be able to offer some special rates being a DoW Member. You can just refer him the DwD Community Member Username in such a case or screenshot of this reply here.

I am planning to visit Leh in March 16 around 16-22. Kindly provide me the details about taxi (share or Private). And how should I plan the trip.

hi, I am planning to visit Leh in July. my main objective is to attend the Hemis festival. I am an avid Tibetan Buddhism follower/enthusiastic/devotee, whatever you may call it. Could you suggest approximately how many days it should take if I wish to cover all the monasteries you mentioned above in your post? I can skip shanti stupa and hall of fame, not my first priority. Eagerly waiting for your response. Thank you.

Kuheli, it depends upon how much time you would like to spend in these monasteries. If you want to see all of them, may be 2-3 days would be good enough time as all are nearby. So, how much time you want to spend?

Nothing has been finalised yet, but 7-9 days max. I think any duration less than that wouldn’t be wise owing to the acclimatization issue and all. And I will also be flying to Leh directly from Calcutta. I read that there are museums in the monasteries as well, I would like to explore them too. Preferably if I could have conversations with the monks (hope they are cooperative and friendly enough), regarding the history and the different sects each monastery follows. I guess you get the picture. And well, I do not mean to sound too ambitious (since I have limited time in hand), but I would not like to skip Pangong. It’s breathtaking. Thank you for responding. 🙂

In that case it is fine and you will get enough time. You can make a couple of day trip in the last leg of your trip to Pangong Tso rest you can focus on these monasteries.

Hi Dheeraj:

Can you suggest some budgeted local guide contact detail in Leh for winter Chadar trek.

I will check and share back.

Dheeraj Sir, Can u suggest some good local guide who can help with trek and local sightseeing?

Mandar, which local guide for what you need?

Dheeraj sir…. me and my friends ar planning for a 20 day bike trip in june-16 from delhi to leh , but v are confused abt the better route….. delhi-jammu-srinagar-kargil-leh-manali-delhi or delhi-manali-leh-kargil-srinagar-jammu-delhi… plz guide us….

First of all hats off to the very important information you are sharing with us through this site. I m coming to leh on 9th september by flight and will return back on 15th september. Can you give me a 7 day trip schedule so that i cover major spots of leh ladakh like Pangong lake, nubra valley etc. and main local sites of leh..Also please tell which sites which we can cover via travelling to Nubra valley and Pengong lake.. We will hire a bike for 6 days.

Thanks, Anshuman.

I would like to thank you such a wonderful effort. I had no clue about Leh but this website has given relevant, detailed information on various topics.

I am reaching Leh on 18 Sept 2015 from Delhi by flight and return on 28 Sept 2015. I have seen the “most common itinerary for Leh” and would like to cover that. I am traveling alone and looking for people to share taxi cost. I have contacted some tour operators to plan a budget trip but they have given me quotes like Rs 100,000. Can you suggest me homestays which are safe for a single female to stay and how to go about searching for taxis. SInce my flight tickets are booked, the dates are not flexible. I am just wondering whether to come or just cancel my ticket.

Regards connectingsouls

Thank you 🙂 … You are alone and private taxis are very costly in Leh but you will be able to find the shared taxi without much fuss at all. There are lots of flyers which people put at cafes, dine-ins, restaurants, travel agent desks/shops/whiteboards wanting to share the taxis for different trips within Ladakh. Even travel agent organize such shared taxis trip as well but charge a little higher about Rs 200-300 more than it would ideally cost. So, in worst case you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself. Gelling up with people in Ladakh is more or less easy because many people travel solo and look forward to meet new people and share cultural thoughts and values over the trip. No where else in the world you will find more smiling and helpful people as Ladakhis are 🙂

I am planning to visit Leh Ladakh in first 2 weeks of October. q.1. Is the road for Manali Leh open in first week of October.If not, which road is better to self drive Manali-Leh or Srinagar-Leh as we have a Maruti Esteem car to drive till Leh? Which is a highway road with stoppages and hotels in between to stay and a non -SUV can be driven ? q.2 What is the suggested itineray that covers all places around Leh and Ladakh in 14-15 days?

Looking forward to your reply.

Kind Regards, Anjalee Agarwal

Hello Anjalle,

1. Manali Leh road will be open during that time BUT please read: 5 Reasons to Avoid Manali – Leh Highway in October 2. You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh . Add the rest days in between if you have more time on hand or may be a day to Turtuk when in Nubra Valley

Hey Dheeraj.. Did a lil blunder.. Forgot the camera memory card at home :(.. And realised after reaching Leh. Is there any place I can purchase it here at Leh? (Just praying answer is not a no.. ) Thx Rahul

Rahul, you will get the memory card in Leh, Manali and Srinagar easily.

I am Tanmoy Roy from Kolkata, I have gone through your website a couple of times and have concluded, that such a precious website is not available over the internet. The website is simply priceless and the information that you have have shared are the best. I have gone through many websites like Yatra, HolidayIQ etc but your website is amazing.

I am planning for my Honeymoon in the month of May 2016 to Leh-Ladakh. There are few concerns which I would like to discuss with an expert like you. First, I would like to ask you (as I do not have any idea), if the place is safe for couples going there all alone ? (I do not want to seek the guidance of any travel agencies or any package tour).

I have planned to spend there for 8 days and 7 nights. I have looked for the best itinerary that I could get from various website and have found a few of them, However, it would be best if you kindly tell me which one would be the best for us or if you can sketch out an itinerary.

I have already taken the phone numbers of the drivers that you have uploaded, also the taxi charges.

I am planning to go in the month of May, the only reason is for the summer vacation as, my wife is a school teacher.

Would be grateful, if you kindly answer my quarries.

Tanmoy, safety wise Ladakh is totally safe, one of the most safest place i have ever been too. You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh by Air followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 9 days: Leh – Ladakh | Most Common Itinerary by Air .

If you just follow what is up there, talk to drivers, you will have wonderful time up there in ladakh, no need to book any package

Thanks for the reply. I also have another question, will a budget of 60,000-70,000 INR enough for the itinerary you recommended. Or we need more ? Also, can we get snow in Leh in the month of May ?

That should be more than enough of budget. There will be plenty of snow in Ladakh in May.

I am planning to spend one day for Leh sight seeing when I reach there next week. What are the must see places that I should plan that can be covered in a day?

Thanks, Ranjith

Ranjith, I will say Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Tsemo Castle and stroll in the market should be good enough for for a day.

Hi, We are planning to go to Leh by our own vehicle.From manali to delhi we will be driving. From manali to leh we need driver who is well aware of the road and terrain. Kindly guide us for hiring good driver.

Thanks & Regards Aditya

Aditya, you can get connected with the drivers listed under the article: here

May be someone can help you.

Hello Dhiraj,

We are planing to visit Ladakh from 4th April,2016 to 8th April,2016. We will reach Leh by flight.

Please guide me the entire places of interest for very short trip and arrange best itinerary

Another query is there any good tour operator? Please inform me.

If you don’t mind please email me your contact number.

You can follow below as 5 day trip:

Thank you for reply. I wanted to know is there any tour operator which have above itinerary or i need to set up above itinerary by myself.

Kindly inform me

If you looking for tour operator, you can connect with [email protected] as most of the readers in the past couple of years have had very good feedback about them and their transparent policies.

Can you please tell me is Khardungla pass accessible in April 1st week?

Yes it is accessible all round the year barring few days of heavy snowfall.

Are taxis/buses available if I want to travel in and around Nubra valley, i.e Panamik, Sunmur, Turtuk village and then to Pangong lake directly from Diskit?

Abhinav, please refer: Rates & Time table of Bus Services in Leh – Ladakh

Hi .. thanks for such a great wonderful blog. Me & 4 friends planning a trip to leh in september.we r starting from delhi to srinagar via flight. from there , plans to hire taxi to cargil.then to leh.our primary aim is to visit panong lake, nubra valley n hunder , magnetic hills.planning return directly from leh to delhi via flight. Is it possible in 5 days?? If yes , then can u pls tell a good itinerary for us.

Sobin, it will take two days to reach Leh from Srinagar. Then one day of rest in Leh is mandatory for acclimatization. Then you can make a day trip to Khardung La or if body allows to Nubra Valley and then next last day make a day trip to Pangong Tso.

Hello Dhiraj, I’m a student and planning on travelling alone to leh for only 2 days (27th-29th may) with a budget of 5-6K, i’d like your advise on what places to visit and about the accomadation n transport service. Is it possoble for me to visit Pangong Lake as well as Nubra Vally? Thanks.

I’ll be taking a bus from manali on 26th may and need to reach back to Seobagh on 31st morning for Chanderkani pass trekking expedition. Can you help me with a plan? Reply ASAP!

Bus will not be in service by that time as even Manali – Leh Highway would not have been opened.

Hello Dhiraj Thanks for the information about the manali-leh highway, but i still need a little help from you

I’m going on a trip as follows : 17th-20th May – Rishkesh 21st-23nd May – Dehradun , Massurie 24th-25th May – Kasol 26th May -Manali

After which my friends will return back to Jaipur and I have to report to the Seobagh base camp for Chanderkhanni Himalaya Trekking Expedition on 31st May, earlier i was planning a trip from 27th-30th May to Leh but now as you mentioned the Manali-Leh hihgway is closed. Can you suggest any nearby places i can visit from 27th-30th May, i’d love to explore new places. Help me out here brother.

Kanishk, you can explore Tirthan valley and great Himalayan National Park around Manali or you can go towards Mandi region then go over to Prashar Lake and Barot Valley to explore these two places in 3 days you have in hand.

I am not sure what you mean by only two days? How you intend to reach there.

I was thinking to take the bus to reach leh, so are there any other alternates to reach leh? N Was hoping to reach on 27th & will depart on 29th which gives me 2days

Bus service will not start by that time. Also, Manali – Leh Road as per latest update from today from BRO is expected to open by mid June.

Dear Dheeraj Ji & Dow Community,

I am very sorry for posting my views In capital(BOLD) letters. I apologies with my heart.

No worries Mukesh ji, we all learn on this path of life 🙂 🙂

DEAR DHEERAJ JI, NAMASKAR,

I AM VERY MUCH THANKFUL FOR REPLYING. YOU SAID THAT THE TAXI SERVICE IS AT VERY HIGH RATE. BUT I HAD TOLD THAT WE WILL GO BY OUR OWN CAR. TELL ME THAT IF OWN CARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN LEH. IF OWN CARS NOT ALLOWED THAN I HAVE TO THINK AGAIN. I SHALL BE VERY THANKFUL FOR GIVING GOOD ADVICE. SIR I AM FOLLOWING YOUR ARTICLES FOR THE LAST 20-25 DAYS THEN I SEARCHED FROM YOUR BLOGS & DECIDED TO GO LEH. LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN TO KASHMIR & VISITED PAHALGAM-SRINAGAR-GULMARG, BY RAIL & ROAD. BUT NOW I HAVE DECIDED TO GO BY ROAD ALL THE WAY. PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT SAME AT THE EARLIEST. IF WE WILL GO BY OUR CAR EVERYWHERE THAN I THINK THE BUDGET IS POSSIBLE ONE.

Sorry, may be I overlooked and thought you are taking taxi. Private cars are allowed in Ladakh, so no worries on that front private car will be allowed everywhere in Ladakh. Please read the article: 7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh

I HAVE MADE A ROUTE PLAN. IT IS A 15 TO 16 DAYS PLAN. STARTS FROM DELHI-PATNITOP-VERINAG-MARTAND TEMPLE-PAHALGAM-GULMARG-BARAMULLAH-SRINAGAR-KARGIL-CAVE-LAMAYURU-ALCHI-LIKIR-PATHAR SAHIB-SPITUK-LEH-NUBRA VALLEY-DISKIT-HUNDER-SUMUR-PANAMIK-TURTUK-LEH-PANGONG-TSOMORIRI-MANALI-DELHI.IF THIS IS OK OR SOMETHING TO BE ADDED IN THIS TOUR.

I WISH SOMEONE OR ANY GROUP WILL JOIN ME IN THIS T OUR. I ESTIMATED THE COST OF THIS TOUR. IN A CAR-IN BUDGET HOTELS AND SIMPLE DHABAS, IT MAY COST RS.18-20 THOUSAND PER PERSON. IF INETERSED CAN CONTACT ME VIA E-MAIL OR PHONE-8010715545.

Mukesh ji, plan looks OK though I am not sure how many days where you staying. You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh .

Regarding cost I am little doubtful as taxis are quite costly, so not sure if that price tag is good.

First of all I would like to thank you for such an effort to help making travel plans.

We will be visiting Ladakh in june ,2015. We are going in a group of 9-10 people(all college friends). Our trip details is – arriving Srinagar on 4th June. Return flight from Leh to Delhi on 14th June. Can you please help to give a plan for this trip? We would like to do rafting in Zanskar. Is that possible during this time? We would like to inclide Pangong,Tso Moriri,Nubra valley. Is it better to have 2 SUV’s or a 14 seater traveller? Should I book hotels in advance for Leh?Can you please point to some budget homestays?

Thanks in advance 🙂

In case you guys are OK to travel in groups, it is always comfortable to have two cars but that is more or less about 60% of taxi cost more when compared to having a tempo traveller. Regarding the plan, you can follow something like below:

4: Rest in Srinagar 5: Srinagar – Kargil 6: Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh 7: Leh Rest day and acclimatization 8: Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley (Hunder/deskit) 9: Nubra Valley – Leh, start early from Nubra Valley and do rafting after coming back to Leh in Zanskar River 10: Leh – Pangong Tso covering Hemis 11: Pangong Tso – Leh covering Shey, Thickey 12: Leh – Tso Moriri via Mahe bridge 13: Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Leh over Taglang La Pass 14: Fly out

Can you please point me some contacts of drivers running tempo traveler? Also the rate chart of traveler?

Thanks, Arghya

Arghya, you can refer: List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali

And Leh – Ladakh Taxi Rates 2015 – 16

Is there any budget homestay option in Leh? Or some budget hotel options in leh would suffice.Should I book hotels in Leh early?

What are the staying options in other places where we are going to stay overnight?

I want to visit Turtuk during Nubra valley visit. Is it possible within 2 days?My plan is like– Leh- Khardung La- Diskit-Hunder-turtuk (stay at Hunder/Diskit) ( Back to Hunder/Diskit) Is it possible in 1 day?Also where should we stay in Nubra valley if we want to cover these places?

Turtuk is possible in 2 days but will be quite long journey both days. For coverving Turtuk, you need to go directly and stay at Turtuk. Then come next day and by starting early morning, cover Hunder and Deskit on the way back to Leh.

Should we book hotels for Kargil,Turtuk,Pangong,Tso Moriri before or on spot booking should be available in June 1st week?

Arghya, if you do not have anything particular in mind and can search a bit here and there after reaching the place, you will get some or the other place to stay for sure. Only very unlucky day, you may run out of options 🙂 … If you are particular about stay options and need a well organized trip then only go ahead with prior bookings.

Could you forward me few local guide numbers in LEH, for trekking purpose? Thanks

Anindya, where exactly are you looking forward to trek in Ladakh?

Hi Dheeraj, You have such a wealth of knowledge on this region. Thanks for sharing it widely and help folks like myself in planning our vacations. Me and my husband are planning a trip to Leh next weekend (18th to 26th). We plan to arrive by flight. Please advise 1) Would is the weather like at this time of the year? Is it too cold to enjoy the place 2) What would be suitable 9 day itinerary that we can get through at a relaxed but not slow pace that also ensures we dont miss out on what Leh has to truly offer. Thanks for all your advise and guidance.

Hi…Just saw one of your olders post with the 8 day itinerary so you dont need to respond to this query. Please let us know if the weather will be conducive or not at this time. Thanks!

Thank you Meghna for all the good words and sorry for the delay in replying was burdened in all directions 🙂

As long as you can beat the cold up there in October, it should be fine to travel during this time window. Avoid Manali – Leh Highway at any cost.

Mr Dheeraj sharma,

we r planning to visit ladakh from 31/08 to 06/09. We want to reach manali by 06/09 by bike from leh.

Please suggest me suitable tour plan. Further, whether the biking route is okay for couple during this season.

How are you reaching Leh? By flight?

Dear Mr.Dheeraj we r a group of six adults reaching leh on 8th sep 2014 and will be there till 16th. pls help me out which will the best vehicle for us to travel in ladakh, I called one driver named zakhir he told me that a Innova or a xylo might be uncomfortable for the persons sitting at the back seat. pls suggest. Regards Pritam Pattnaik

Pritam in that case which car is he suggesting? I think apart from Innova and Xylo, any other car will help you 6 accommodate together unless you get Tempo Traveler 🙂

ok.. if we book two innova can will it be easy to find two other fellow travellers from outside to travel to nubra valley

Did you get this reply?

Due to some last moment schedule changes, we will be reaching directly to Leh instead of travelling from Srinagar, we will have to spend 3 complete days in Leh only and wait for our friends to join us for onwards journey(Numbra, Pangong, etc). We (me and my partner) wish to utilize this time as much as we can. Though, I have gone through most of the pages from DOW, could you please suggest some rare places in surrounding to Leh, kind of untouched or merely visited that you know? So that we can hire a bike there and visit those places(except regular sightseeing places) to make our long stay in Leh a most memorable? 🙂

Since, you will be flying directly to Leh, first two days will be spent only in acclimatization. Hence, first two days are gone from three. In one spare day, you can actually travel to any of the above places or cover monasteries such as Matho, Stok, Stakna which are covered by less people and also a ride to Chilling from Nimmu is quite enchanting as well.

Hi Dheeraj, Thanks a lot for the suggestions. As you suggested we will try to cover as many monasteries as we can. We searched a lot on Chilling but couldn’t find much of the information. The way you mentioned, it seems it’s quite a fascinating place. 🙂 Could you please give some more details about this place? Thanks in advance.

MAulik, Chilling is about 20 odd KMs drive from Nimmu along the river Zanskar. It is a lonely ride through beautiful scenes. You can read some part here and see pictures of the route too: Leh – Magnetic Hill – Chilling – Nimmu – Basgo – Leh

Well Dheeraj, I read a lot about what you gave on here…brilliant info. Me and my Would be wife actually decided to go through with a Leh Trip for our Honeymoon. We are thinking of by-passing the usual Travel packages and such and make our own roads. We were interested in Biking from Manali to Leh but it seems that the road may get a bit treacherous. So what we are planning basically in a nutshell is Fly to Leh, Get into a hotel, Hire a Bike and go visit Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri and have an overnight stay there. Is that achievable? Is in-line Permit an easy thing to obtain or is it hard? Any other places you would like to suggest? We would like to stay at Leh for around 5-6 days. So we would love to hear from you.

Hi Koustav,

First of all, frankly speaking, Leh is not a honeymoon destination, so please be very aware of it. It is harsh and sometime unforgiving too. So, take a calculative risk before finalizing it as honeymoon and make sure your better half understands it so that you are not blamed for whole life 😀 😀

If you both are Indians, you do not need Inner Line Permits now for visiting Nubra, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri by normal routes. First two days when you fly, you need to be at complete rest for acclimatization and no exertion with plenty of fluids intake. Then, visit Nubra for couple of days, then pangong tso and if you have time then couple of days to Tso Moriri.

I am planning to travel from Srinagar to Leh on 17th August and My Return flight from Srinagar is on 24th Morning. Can u please suggest effective tour plan in leh

Vikas, you can follow something like below:

1: Srinagar – Sonamarg – Drass – Kargil 2: Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh 3: Leh Local Sightseeing and Rest 4: Day trip to Khardung La 5: Day trip to Pangong Tso 6: Leh – Kargil 7: Kargil – Srinagar 8: Take flight back

Hi Dheeraj, Could you please help me with planning my Leh trip. Arrival date: 18/08/2014 De4p date: 25/08/2014 Places planning to cover: Local Leh, Nubra, Panamik village, sumur village, diskit, hunder, uley, alchi, layamuru, Pangong etc. If you think any other giid places i have missed please mention that as well. We are 2 person (couple) would it be safe to travel alone in bike or should we take any package? Please suggest. We are very confused and we dont want ruin this trip. Thanks a lot in advance 🙂

Lovely, I see you have just 8 days in hand? It will take 3 days to reach Leh from Delhi via Manali side and 4 days to come back to Delhi from Leh via Srinagar side. This makes it 7 days. 1 Day is required in Leh for acclimatization. You have about 8 days. 1 Day can be used as Day trip to Pangong Tso OR as day trip to Nubra Valley or just Khardung La pass.

I will say, opt to go via Manali – Leh Highway and I will suggest that you refer the thread: Manali – Leh – Ladakh – Manali | Itinerary for 9 Days in DoW – Himalayan Travel Community and try to cut short it by 1 day in Ladakh as you have 8 days in hand.

Hi dheeraj plz give me some details about hiring bike in ladakh i want to see sites on bike we are 2 persons so is that possible plzzz help me. plz give me contact no. if u hav any. Thankx in advnc 🙂

For renting bikes in Leh – Ladakh along with current Bike Union Prices, you can check the DwD Community thread: Leh – Ladakh Bike Rental Rates 2014 – 15 & Reliable Shops

We are group of 5 people travelling to Srinagar on Aug. 16th afternoon around 2 pm. From there we are planning a road trip to Leh..could you please suggest the options for travelling to Leh and also the sight seeing plan for us.We have our return tickets booked from Srinagar as well on 24th Aug afternoon.So 16th-24th is our day span. Thanks

Ankit, effectively you have just 7 days in hand. Out of these, you need 2 days to reach Leh from Srinagar and 2 days to reach back Srinagar. 1 Day of acclimatization and rest is a must in Leh. Hence, just two days remain to you where you can make a day trip to first Khardung La or Nubra Valley and then one day trip to Pangong Tso lake before starting the return back to Srinagar with overnight halt at Kargil.

Hi Dheeraj, Could you please say how to book tickets for bus from ladakh/leh to srinagar. How much time would it take? Can we do the journey in 1 day?

Regards Vinay

Vinay, you need to be there at the bus stand of Leh a day before of your departure to book tickets of bus from Leh to Srinagar. Single day journey in bus is not possible AFAIK. You can take shared jeeps/taxis that run between Leh to Srinagar in a single day. They take about 16+ Hrs to do this trip, so be mentally prepared.

Hello Dheeraj, Excellent presentation. Pl. enlighten whether it is feasible to visit the site seeing places by bus or local siteseeing coducted tours or any other means. Taxi fare is very high and I am travelling alone. Guide me how I can loally travel mon leh without spending much amount. Send me email : abr13539gmail.com

Aniruddha Roy

AB, you can hire a private taxi for local sightseeing for the day else check for flyers up there in restaurants/dine ins or other places who can arrange local sightseeing in groups for you.

Can you suggest a rafting route (intermediate level – 3/3+) and a rafting organizer?

Sorry no idea about operator but there are routes like Nimmu to Chilling, Nimmu to Phey which are quite popular.

Planning to visit leh from 15 th to 19 th july self driving ..kindly confirm the climate situations..

Weather in general in Leh is pleasant in July. Lower hills might have rains but once you reach Ladakh region, it is more or less rain shadow.

Hi, Dheeraj thnks for quick reply….Kindly tell me the main places which i can see in 4 days….and confirm me whether can i do self driving for those places..and the road condition.. I am bringing my scoripio..

Leh Rest Day, then 2 day trip to Nubra Valley covering Khardung La, Diskit, Sumur, Hunder, Panamik and finally a day trip to Pangong Tso Lake.

Thank you once again…..Dheeraj i would like to donate some school items to the local students is theree any phone no or association to contact..

Thank you for coming up and taking up these noble causes. I will request that you read: How can I carry out DoW Causes

hi . dheeraj ! i m plannning to travel in month of sept. . should i be able to feel snow . . and it sounds strange but can i travel with my activa , like mumbai to jammu on train will transfer my bike to jammu and from there on activa, is it possible . .if not what difficulties we will face and what documents we need for the bike . . and we are 3 people travelling on 2 activa is it possible .. pls help . . .

No, September is mostly devoid of snow unless it snows during that time only as in late September snow starts to fall on high mountain passes in Ladakh.

Well, few people have done it on Activa but mind you it will be very strenuous and tough. You will need to drag it at few places. Also, going through physical exercise on high altitude is not that straight forward task. So, take a wise decision and calculated risk.

Dear Dheeraj, I would be arriving in Leh by air most probably on 9th July 14 with my wife two kids(6 and 8yrs). I have two options either of staying for 4 days or 7 days. Kindly design an itinerary which would be suitable to me and let know where should I stay, which routes to prefer, what to avoid and what would it cost? Thanks a lot

Satnam, You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh by Air followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 8 days: Leh – Ladakh | Most Common Itinerary by Air .

Instead of doing 2 day trip to Tso MOriri, you can do drop it from the above plan and do two day trip to Pangong Tso lake for your 7 day trip. Also, make sure to book all your hotels in advance because at that time it is Kaalchakra festival and you will not get bookings of stay on the spot.

Hey Dheeraj hi again…. In your trip you have not mentioned about Druk White Lotus School (the 3 Idiot school) isn’t it worth a visit.

Vivek, any school is like that only bro in remote areas of Ladakh !! They have polished it after the film and if you are interested to see the scenes or points where the movie was shot you can visit it. I did not feel any reason to put it here. Better visit other schools and donate some stationary and books which do not get such attention. You will feel much better and connected seeing those smiles around you.

You can check more details about Dow Causes: [url=https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/india/responsible-travel-f38/dow-causes-step-towards-responsible-travel-t358.html]DoW – Causes | A Step Towards Responsible Travel[/url]

Hello Dheeraj, we are planning for a trip to ladakh in the month of june . Can you please email you contac5 number so we can talk about it in details. thanks

Ershad, please use Email Me button in sidebar to mail me, I will share the contact details there.

Some time backbi had stumbled onto a page on dow where dheeraj had put up the scanned copies of the official taxi fares in leh and contact info of some reliable drivers in leh. Im not able to find that page. Could somebody please post the link to that page and guide me to it. Thanks

Dear Shrikant,

You can check this below link:

https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/leh-ladakh-taxi-rates-2013-14/

On our latest trip to Ladakh (July 2013) we have hired a Xylo from Mr Tsering Dorjey. His driver’s name is Nima Tundup. You can contact Mr Dorjey at 9906979935 / 9419177830. His e-mail id is [email protected] . The car is in an excellent condition and the driver is also equally good.

Do let me know if you need any further assistance.

Thank you Jags for sharing the feedback and article back here with Shrikant 🙂

hey can you tell me how much you were charged?? And did you take the taxi for the entire trip??

Akanksha, for the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2014 – 15 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here . You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.

Shrikant, I hope you get the link shared by Jags. You can also use the Search feature of the website in the right hand side section.

I am travelling to Leh ON 22 OCTOBER 2013 VIA AIR. MY RETURN IS ON 27 EARLY MORNING. Kindly suggest the itinerary and advice for the trip.

Ashish, first, you should understand that it will be very cold. Secondly, you are going there for a very short period and you need atleast two days to acclimatize. Then you can make a two day trip to Nubra Valley and finally a day trip to Pangong Tso. Most of the restaurants started getting close and even hotels too.

If you can really adjust to cold, OK with basic food & stays then I feel you can make the trip to Ladakh at this time of the year.

Regards Dheeraj

Hi Dheeraj plz help me regarding contacts to make local sightseeing in laddakh i am ariving on 10th of August 2014.

What contacts do you need? Looking for taxi drivers? If yes, check the thread: here . You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.

Hi All, Could you please answer the following questions, if you can?

I am flying to Srinagar on 24 Aug 2013 & planning to hire a taxi from Srinagar to Leh (2 days travel, Aug25-26). How/where can I hire a taxi? I have the following options, as for as I know. Which is the best option?

1. Contact the hotel guys in Srinagar to arrange a taxi (as I don’t have much time to explore Srinagar, I have only half a day.

2. Going to the taxi stand on 24th Aug & arranging a taxi ( I will be staying within 3km of taxi stand in Srinagar)

3. Contact a Ladakh hotel owner/driver to arrange a Ladakh taxi. In this case the driver has to come from Leh to Srinagar on 24th Aug & pick me next morning. I guess I will be having advantages if I hire a Ladakh taxi a) I can visit places like Likhir/ Alchi on the way, if possible b) I can hire the same taxi for my Nubra valley/ Pangkong lake trip.

Vinyasa, are you still looking for the reply? Sorry for being late 🙁

hi! dheeraj gone thrugh ur blogs very thoroughly,remove the prints outs of sringr-leh-manali itnery, hotels at leh,nubra,pongong lake,tsomiriri etc, just need sme stay option fr leh- manali highway. leaving tomorrow fr delhi by air & then connecting flight to sringar, ny journe w ll start on 19th morning thanks a lot dheeraj, grt job frm ur side.if in ny case need ny assistance while travelling hw to cotact u?

Deepak please check: List of Accommodation Options on Manali Leh Highway

I will mail you my contact number.

Hi Dheeraj, thanx for your suggestion. we all are adult ( TWO FAMILIES OF 4 EACH )ranging from 18 yrs to 56 years & travelled Shela pass in Arunachal @ 14000ft on 25th Dec amid snow fall & Gurudongmar @ 18000 FT during 1st week of October TOGETHER . Of course this is different terrain altogether.As we shall meet at MANALI like to start our LEH trip together from there on road & return by AIR from LEH for Delhi. now please suggest your preferred itenerary to suit our dates.

Deb, in that case for 8 days that you have in hand, you can follow the below itinerary:

Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits — To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link  here — Overnight at Leh

Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari   Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 8 | FLy Back OR Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour — Overnight at Leh — Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.

Regards Dheeraj Sharma

Hi Dheeraj ,

Only 2 ques…

1) Sia la or Kidar….? 2) Mobile operators in Leh, Prepaid or Postpaid…?

Thanks in Advance

Regards Nagesh Shenoy.

1. Both are good, still will say go with Kidar 🙂 2. Only PostPaid. BSNL has widest coverage followed by Airtel. Then, all are similar like Idea, Vodafone, Aircel who share network by Aircel only AFAIK and are limited to vicinity of Leh only.

Hi Dheeraj .Felt great of U when I read your answers to queries.Thanks for your advise put on Net.We(2+1)are starting from bombay on 25MAY-2013 BY TRAIN AND PLAN TO REACH LEH FROM SRINAGAR AND WANT TO END THE TOUR AT MANALI ON 9-JUN-2013.OUR DOUBTS ARE REGARDING OPENING OF THE ROAD FROM LEH-MANALI ON 7JUN-2013.PLEASE CONVEY YOUR OPINION AND ADVISE HOW TO TOUR LEH. WHETHER SHARING IN VEHICLE POSSIBLE ?

Hello Ketna,

Manali – Leh Highway might get open by first or second week of June if weather holds good. You will be able to find the shared taxi without much fuss at all. There are lots of flyers which people put at cafes, dine-ins, restaurants, travel agent desks/shops/whiteboards wanting to share the taxis for different trips within Ladakh. Even travel agent organize such shared taxis trip as well but charge a little higher about Rs 200-300 more than it would ideally cost. So, in worst case you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself. Gelling up with people in Ladakh is more or less easy because many people travel solo and look forward to meet new people and share cultural thoughts and values over the trip. No where else in the world you will find more smiling and helpful people as Ladakhis are 🙂

I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.

PS: Sorry for the delayed response, I was traveling to Spiti Valley for past 10 days.

Hi, Mr. Dheeraj

1st of all u r doing a great job…

Now Please go through my schedule n i need some editing and help from ur side.

Route 1: 19th July to 29th July 19-7 : Mumbai to Chandigarh (Train) 20-7 : Chandigarh to Manali (Bus) 21-7 : Manali to Leh (Bus) (Overnight stay at Keylong) 22-7 : Rest day at leh (As reaching late) 23-7 : Local sightseeing & Permit work 24-7 : Leh to Pangong lake (Back to leh same day) 25-7 : Leh to Nubra Valley (Back to leh same day) 26-7 : Leh to Moriri lake 27-7 : Moriri lake to Leh 28-7 : Leh to Srinagar (Bus) (Overnight stay at Kargil) 29-7 : Srinagar to Mumbai (Flight)

Route 2: 19th July to 29th July 19-7 : Mumbai to Srinagar (Flight) 20-7 : Srinagar to Leh (Bus) (Overnight stay at Kargil) 21-7 : Rest day at leh (As reaching late) 22-7 : Local sightseeing & Permit work 23-7 : Leh to Pangong lake (Back to leh same day) 24-7 : Leh to Nubra Valley (Back to leh same day) 25-7 : Leh to Moriri lake 26-7 : Moriri lake to Leh 27-7 : Leh to Manali (Bus) (Overnight stay at Keylong) 28-7 : Manali to Chandigarh 29-7 : Chandigarh to Mumbai (Train)

Now the things I would like to know from you are: If taking ROUTE 1: Is it true that bus ply from manali to leh are only on even days ? Can we book the seats in advance (Manali leh route)? Is it advisable to hire a bike from manali to leh, If yes then do u know any1 in manali who has the bike shop with good condition of the bike n also he must not ask a deposit. If manali leh route is not advisable then anyhow we thought of hiring a bike on leh for the remaining 5 days we spent. Any idea what a per day rent cost of bike. We are completing PANGONG & NUBRA VALLEY on same day, Is it ok? Also can MORIRI lake be covered in a single day and back to leh. Also as manali leh route bus ply on every even day from manali, Is it the same with Leh Srinagar route, if yes then on which days?

If taking ROUTE 2: Bus timing from Srinagar to leh n also is there any specific day the bus ply (Odd/Even) Is KARGIL is advisable for night out ? Same hiring bike from Srinagar to leh. Other then these 2 routes I would also like to know which route u prefer for us. Also which bike u recommended for the 5 days we will be there at LEH, Also can we covered all these places in a day considered as local sightseeing, Places are Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Sankar Gompa, Zorawar Fort, Datun Sahib, Sindhu Ghaat, Spituk Monastery, Phyang Monastery, Sham Valley, Monastery Tour. All these places along with the time spend for the WORK PERMIT. If not then the most advisable places in the above list.

Also the last things along with white sand camel safari, Is there any time adventurous to offer like RIVER RAFTING, TREKKING, Etc… I hope I am not missing anything, If so please advice.

Please help me out

Please find my answers below:

If taking ROUTE 1: Is it true that bus ply from manali to leh are only on even days ? — Yes Can we book the seats in advance (Manali leh route)? — Yes, check HPTDC website. Is it advisable to hire a bike from manali to leh, If yes then do u know any1 in manali who has the bike shop with good condition of the bike n also he must not ask a deposit. — Better go with bus if you are on budget trip If manali leh route is not advisable then anyhow we thought of hiring a bike on leh for the remaining 5 days we spent. — Yes, Fort road is full of bike rentals. Hire bike when you reach Leh Any idea what a per day rent cost of bike. — They are available from 800-1200 depending upon make and condition of the bike We are completing PANGONG & NUBRA VALLEY on same day, Is it ok? — It is OK to do so, but better spend atleast one night at each of them. Also can MORIRI lake be covered in a single day and back to leh. — No, you need two days for Tso Moriri lake Also as manali leh route bus ply on every even day from manali, Is it the same with Leh Srinagar route, if yes then on which days? — No, there is ply everyday AFAIK, though not 100% sure.

If taking ROUTE 2: Bus timing from Srinagar to leh n also is there any specific day the bus ply (Odd/Even) — Not sure about time, sorry. Is KARGIL is advisable for night out ? — Yes, very much advisable. Same hiring bike from Srinagar to leh. — You do not have any bike rentals in Srinagar

Other then these 2 routes I would also like to know which route u prefer for us. Also which bike u recommended for the 5 days we will be there at LEH, Also can we covered all these places in a day considered as local sightseeing, Places are Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Sankar Gompa, Zorawar Fort, Datun Sahib, Sindhu Ghaat, Spituk Monastery, Phyang Monastery, Sham Valley, Monastery Tour. All these places along with the time spend for the WORK PERMIT. If not then the most advisable places in the above list. — I will prefer Srinagar – Leh over Manali – Leh due to acclimatization but since you going with HPTDC then it shall be fine enough.

Hi Dheeraj..

Congrats on such a wonderful Blog..

I will be travelling alone to Leh in the second half of June. My query is 1) Is it easy to get a share taxi to explore various places in and around Leh – Ladakh.I plan to stay for atleast 10 days. 2) When it comes to AMS while travelling to Leh how different it is from travelling to CHAR DHAM.I have travelled to Char Dham twice before, i wanted to know any particular precautions i need to take as i am travelling alone. 3)Also please mention important places in Leh – Ladakh region one should not miss so that i can plan in that direction.

Hello Nagesh,

Thanks alot. There are lots of flyers which people put at cafes, dine-ins, restaurants, travel agent desks/shops/whiteboards wanting to share the taxis for different trips within Ladakh. Even travel agent organize such shared taxis trip as well but charge a little higher about Rs 200-300 more than it would ideally cost. So, in worst case you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself. Gelling up with people in Ladakh is more or less easy because many people travel solo and look forward to meet new people and share cultural thoughts and values over the trip. No where else in the world you will find more smiling and helpful people as Ladakhis are :).

It is all together a different ball game of AMS in Ladakh as compared to Leh. Are you planning a trip by road or flying directly? To know more about the places that should not be missed on the first visit, you can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh .

For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here

Leh-Ladakh The very next day I came back from Churdhar, while I was surfing the internet I came across a link “Spectacular Ladakh”.I started having a look at the photos and the decision was taken. I called on “The Gang” and told them what I had planned, as always everybody had their own thoughts and suggestions. There were a lot of obstacles, but after a long fight and clearing all the obstacles I came out victorious.

Day1: Chandigarh: Bilaspur: Manali The day was 11th Aug 2012 and we (Brad, Bawa and I) started for Bilaspur where we usually meet “The Gang”. It was around 12 that we met them. I parked my car and started off the journey together with “The Gang” and our all- time favorite driver “Pankaj Bhai”. We never plan instead just take an insight of the place and the whereabouts. The reason of not planning is “If we would have been organized, we would have been dangerous” and I do not want us to be dangerous. Then started what we call as “shots”, though not tequilla shots but the hangovers of these shots are life long and no one can escape them. As we crossed kullu the excitement started to increase and finally we had realized that we were going to experience a lifetime in those 6-7 days. As we approached Manali we were all hungry and decided to stop somewhere, Bawa as always wanted the best place and he calls it as “chuss jageh”. Pankaj convinced us that he knows such a place and we decided to stop there. It was really a “chuss” place with river flowing between the mountains and we seated next to it. The beauty of the place was hard to sink in but with time we realized that and we stopped clicking photographs and thought to order food. Drinks were on and food was served. Though the food was all eaten up drinks were still on. That was when we decided to leave that place else we would have emptied the “theka” next to the dhaba. Reached manali at night and got rooms in Chandan Hotel courtesy Pankaj Bhai. Had a stroll on the famous Mall Road and took the feel of being in manali. Only Bhagra and Aman had been to Manali before. I bought glares and a head band. Interestingly guruG bought the same head band from the same shop that I had bought from but we both did it separately. One thing was sure that we all have very similar taste. After all we are friends. At night a small dinner party and mind one thing in our parties it’s only us and no one else. No one matches the frequency of our thoughts. (Details of the party are classified.) Day2: Manali: Rohtang-La: Keylong We had decided to leave early but as always we got late and that too because of nothing. Bawa went to get the gas burner repaired, and by that time Brad, gruruG, bhagra and I went to a Buddhist temple nearby. It had a prolific statue of Buddha and few photos of Dalai Lama. A large prayer wheel was in a separate room. Buddhists have a belief that by rotating that wheel they reduce or cut short the sins of life. One after another we started rotating it and reciting the mantra ”Om mane padme hun”.By the time we got free from there all was set to have breakfast and then head to Hadimba temple. As soon as we reached the temple parking an old lady came towards us with a rabbit in her hand. The rabbit was no ordinary it was a model rabbit and a single flick with it would cost us 10Rs .This was the second day of the trip and we were rich so we all got photos clicked and obliged the old lady. Seeing this, a yak owner came towards us but none of us were interested to get photos clicked with a yak so we went to the temple. The temple had a large walk way towards the shrine and it was all wooden. Photography was not allowed inside the temple, it had a small “pindi” kind as we call it in local language. There was nothing much of our interest there so we left the temple early. As soon as we got out of the gate we saw roadside vendors with the traditional kullu dresses. We hired them and got few flicks clicked. It was now that we realized we were already late for Rohtang, so we left immediately but after a few minutes realized that tough we had got the burner repaired we didn’t had any utensils and grocery so an another stop was required to buy those things. Aman did all the shopping, screwed the shop keeper and got us a huge discount of Rs 50. After this we finally left for Rohtang-La. The road was good till “marhi” and then started to get bad and then worst. There was a stretch of around a kilometer that was as a swamp. We all got down of the cab and started to walk as we could see two overloaded trucks stuck. After a lot of effort people got that truck out of that swamp. As soon as we crossed the Rohtang-La it was altogether a new world. I had realized then and there that we were going to have a rocking trip. After traveling for around 2 hours or so we stopped for food because after that we would have got food only in Keylong. It was a small dhaba run by an elderly couple. Momo’s, noodles, maggi, soup and kari chawal exclusively for brad was our order. Drinks were compulsory. Aunty and Uncle prepared an awesome diet for us with the “homely touch”. Re fuelling ourselves we left the dhaba on a high and continued our journey towards Keylong. Travelling for another 2-3 hrs made us to reach ”tandi” the place which had the last fuel station before leh and leh was still 365 kms away so we got the cab’s tank full. After another half hour drive and we reached Keylong. A small and sleepy town, sleepy I would say because it was only 8 and it was as black as soot. Bhagra arranged for the rooms and we were all set for the stay. I as always had started feeling uneasy and had to find a doctor. We enquired and got to know that the place had a government hospital and which surprisingly has a doctor available 24 hrs. I had to visit the hospital, met the doctor he prescribed me nebulization with asthalin. Got that done and went back, had food in the hotel and slept. The day ended for me then and there but not for the people in the other room. Aman, guruG and bhagra got high and let keylong know that we guys were here, singing and dancing until the owner came and requested them to sleep. The day ended for all of us then.

Day3: Keylong: Sarchu: Pang: Rumtse A quick knock at the door woke us up. We had to get ready and head towards sarchu as per our initial plan, but the owner of the hotel/dhaba convinced us that if we hurry up we can make up to leh the same day. The plan looked good as we would save one day which could be utilized later for site seeing. We all had a quick breakfast and bid adieu to Keylong and started our journey to Sarchu. The vegetation started to die slowly as we climbed up and in turn was replaced with red sand kind lowlands. We were driving on the pass between the mountains with a never ending road in front of us. Road was good and we drove well. By the time we reached Sarchu half of the day had already passed and with the fuel reserve we had we all were in speculation that if we fall short of fuel then we would be badly stuck with no help available. We stopped at Sarchu camps to have lunch. In these kinds of journeys the traveler has no options but to have food where ever available. We choose a nepali dhaba to have our meals. An elderly couple with the help of their daughter (mere guess) ran that place. The food was served on diet basis, which meant, we could take as many serving as we want in 75Rs.The food was awesome according to the place it was served at. As we had refueled ourselves we were worried about refueling our car, and then just out of the blue one of us asked the nepali owner if he had some diesel or could arrange it for us. The head shook in acceptance, which led us to breathe a sigh of relief. By the time our car was being refueled I decided to take a quick stroll in the mountains and started walking on the main road towards Pang. As we left Sarchu we were unsure of making to leh because we had already surpassed the time to reach sarchu from keylong that people told us at keylong. These thoughts were not bothering us as off now because we were approaching “The Gata Loops” these were 21 hair pin curves which took us from 4150m to 4667m.We all had the feeling of being on the top of the world as this was the highest point of the journey till now. Once we left sarchu the red sand lowlands slowly started changing to first light brown and then to dark brown. The scenic beauty just cannot be jotted down you have to be there to experience it. We continued to Pang with the hope of making it to leh and by the time we reached Pang it was 6 in the evening. Then all brains started to exercise, no one was of the opinion to stay there as it would increase the chances to suffer from AMS. People at Pang also bucked us up and told us that we would easily make up to leh by 11-11:30. We had decided before starting the journey that we would not travel at night at any cost but locals told us that the road was in good condition except 10-12 km and that there was no problem traveling at night. With god’s blessings and courage of locals we started towards leh. It was I who was driving now. Everyone in the group had travelled with me a lot but I don’t know why everyone was afraid. Even I was driving very cautiously. After driving for around half an hour I was bit relaxed. We were travelling on the best road of the trip, an open, lonely never ending road with mountain and barren muddy lands on both the sides. With the night approaching it was just being in heaven and driving. As the pucca road ended I got bit lost as there was no specific road I was just driving on the tracks of cars which would have drove through it. Gradually everyone else realized that I should hand over the car to the driver as I seemed to be a bit lost and they assumed I was just not on the right way. I did that but that hardly helped even the driver seemed to be lost but bit less than I was and finally we could identify the road which would have lead us to leh. It was the “Tanglang la” we were driving at a height above 17000 feet. We were quite late and decided to stay at were ever we would find a habitat and not travel to leh. We drove for around 20 odd kms and got accommodation at Rumtse for 100Rs per person. Nobody had called at home and we all wanted to make that call as it would ease our parents who would have been under great stress by now. Requested a shop owner to open his shop as he had already closed it by offering him to charge any amount for the call but just let us call home. He did that and then we all called home some were scolded some were not but all were stress relived. We had our food in form of maggi and dal rice and without any further delay ended our third day at Rumtse with a sound sleep. {No Party at Rumtse as we suffered from AMS and we got to know that the next morning.} Day4: Rumtse: Upshi: Leh We had planned to get up and start early for Leh so that we could save some time and complete the local sight-seeing at least. As always we got up leisurely, took a nice feel of Rumste. Everyone started talking about the head ache we experienced the previous night but none of us could figure out the exact reason, just then I took out the map to have a look at the places which would come in our way to Leh and suddenly read “Tanglang La- 17550 feet” we had crossed this pass last night and we all suffered from AMS(Acute Mountain Sickness) It was then I told everyone that it was AMS that had caught our head and this would be fine once we start approaching Leh. Bawa gifted the smirnoff bottle to “lambu”- at whose place we stayed. He just took the bottle and tried quenching his thirst with vodka unaware of the fact that he needs to dilute it with juice or something else. He had it un diluted and innocently said”bhaiya yeh to juice hai na”. His mother was preparing “Rakshi”- local liquor and even offered us but we didn’t had it. By now we all were ready and left Rumtse for Leh. The only stop we had towards Leh was at Upshi- A small town ship were you could see lot of toll taxes barriers and small market with road side dhabas. We were very hungry and the mere sight of momo’s made us more. We stopped there for a quick brunch. The dhaba was commanded by a lady, it was good to see her independent and working at a small place like upshi. We shared our table with some foreigners; though we didn’t talked but I could make out they were talking about us and were quite happy to see us. We left Upshi and started the journey of last 41 kms. As we approached Leh random thoughts started coming to my mind. I was quite nervous. Then finally we made it and reached Leh. We decided to book the room and then book the cab for today and rest of the days. As we stopped at the market and were looking around randomly so that we could find an economical place to stay, an elderly man came in and asked us if we were looking for rooms. We said yes and then he took us to his cottage. It was quite nice and after rigorous bargaining we managed him at 1200Rs for two rooms and a dining hall. So now we had got a place to stay, we went to the market so that we can get the best deal for the cab and I was interested to hire a bike. I came across a shop which looked descent so I went in to enquire about the cab, the guy said that could be done later do you guys have permits from the D.C office. I had no clue of this, why would we need permit in our own land. Instead of arguing I asked him if he could get those permit for us. He said yes but while looking at his wrist watch he said ”I can only help if you all can give me your Id’s in 10 mins as the office will close at 4 and tomorrow is Sunday and then Independence day so the office would be closed”. I looked at the clock behind him it was 3:50 pm. I was just “shun”, haphazardly called everyone to get there Id’s and ask them to reach this shop. Everyone got on time and somehow that guy helped us to get those permits for 400Rs per head. The prices of this guy seemed a bit high to us so we decided to go to the main market and inquire there if we could get a better deal. We all went for the hunt but could not get either cab or bike as everyone said they could only confirm the availability and price by 8 pm, once the cars and bikes return. So we thought that why to waste time loitering around and why not go and visit the “Sanchi Stupa”. Sanchi Stupa was right at the top of a hill. A pure white tomb with beautiful carving from the life cycle, on which the Buddhism is based, enriched the structure. A panoramic view awaited us from the top; the city which appeared as if guarded by the strong mountains was visible. The cool breeze with bit of sunlight just added to all this. After clicking few photographs we took the stairs and went back to the city as we had not booked the cab or bike yet. I went straight to the bikes shop and easily got a “Royal Enfield-Machismo” had a test ride. It seemed ok and I hired it for one grand per day. That very moment got a call from others that they had booked an Eeco van too. So the work for the day was done. Now, we were short of liquor as bawa had gifted the last bottle of smirnoff to lambu in Rumtse. To add to our worries it was 14th August, one day before the Independence Day supposedly a dry day with all the liquor stored shut down. But as it is said where there is will there is a way. The owner of the cab which we hired helped us getting a bottle of army rum. Got our food packed and rushed to our cottage for the celebrations. {Details of the party our classified.}

Day5: Leh: Pangong Lake: Leh After the party last night we had a sound sleep and we were all fresh in the morning. Though most of us had set their alarms, we woke up when the cab driver came. He came in and started talking in bit high pitched voice,”Bhaji abhi tak utha nai” “Utho” “Late ho jaiga ” this guy was everywhere in the room, kind of yelling. Every time he said “der ho rha hai” I was getting pissed off. He was so casual that while we were getting ready he lied down on the bed and started smoking, I asked bawa to tell him not to smoke, and then the dialogue of the tour came, “Quick Quick Quick”. That guy was making me go crazy but anyhow we all got ready, five of us went with him in the cab and brad and I took our royal Enfield and started the journey. On our way was the world third highest motor able road the “Chang La”. We started off well and he being a local cab driver was difficult to catch and soon disappeared. Brad and I continued our journey bit slowly as we took our own sweet time to get acquainted with the road and the bike. It was a lovely straight road, but curvaceous at times with open ground on both the sides and then the mountains. The dark brown colored mountains. I don’t know about others but I was mesmerized with the beauty. As soon as the straight road ended we had to start climbing the hill. It was a single lane road with no side pits. A single mistake would take us down the shortest cut and then go high up again. We prayed and started our journey. As soon as we started going up I could feel that the bike was not comfortable, the chain set had some issues. We never bothered much and just thought that these hired bikes runs a lot so there might be some knocking noise, that’s it. We continued and the view from above was just stunning. The clouds were just above us, felt like we can jump and touch them. The open valley which we had crossed few hours back and the blue sky behind the mountains was just stunning, we stopped there for a while and then started again. Now the bends were getting more curved and then the hair pin bends came I don’t know how many but a lot of them. While we were going uphill suddenly the chain set broke and bike refused to move ahead. We were stuck in between. Without wasting much time we decided to go back 12 km as there was an Army post “Zigraal” and thought of asking them if they could allow us to keep our bike there and then we would take lift and go to Pangong Lake. We moved back and talked with the CO, he allowed us to keep our bike there. Now the bike was safe so we thought of taking lift. No cars were coming this way as it was around 12 noon. We tried stopping every car that came this way and in the end managed to get lift by a monk. That guy was kind enough to take us through the “Chang La”. We stopped at the “Chang la” and clicked few photos and then continued our journey. We stopped for tea at a nomad’s, had yak cheese and tea made up of yak milk. The taste was different but it was ok. After having that we continued to Pangong and after travelling for another 2 hrs we reached the majestic lake. The lake is 1/3rd in India and 2/3rd in China. It was very beautiful. The color of the water changed from green to light blue and then to dark blue. We took a stroll by the side of the lake and clicked lot of photos. Bawa and Pankaj went crazy and started clicking every inch of the place. A quick and short shower brought down the temperature tremendously. We had a cup of coffee as that “Quick” “Quick” “Quick” was in a hurry. Bhagra even lost his temper and argued with him but bawa measured and brought the situation to normal. On our way back we saw a rainbow. We stopped quickly and captured it. We reached Zigral, brad was in no mood to accompany me on the bike back to Leh so Bawa came in. We took the bike and rode it very cautiously and finally it broke down just 4 km behind the Leh city. I had to call the bike owner and tell him about the situation. That guy was kind enough to come in soon and take us to Leh city. We didn’t want the bike for next 2 days. The amount was paid in advance but there was no hassle and he gave us back the remaining amount. Neither the cab was required nor the bike. The owner of our hotel helped us get a new cab for Nubra Valley. We all were very tired so just had a quick party and slept.{Details of the party are classified}

Day:6 : Leh: Nubra Valley: Leh Just like the previous day we had to get up early and leave for Nubra Valley. We got up and left on time. As soon as we left leh the road leading to “Khardung La”, the highest motor able road was in a bad condition and full of hair pin bends. It took us around 2 hrs to cover 32km, so it is well imaginable that how the road was. When we reached K-Top as it is said, my head was heavy with MS. Then I saw a Lord Shiva temple, went there and asked for strength. It was a very beautiful site and more wonderful a feeling. It just felt like to be on the top of the world. Clicked few photos and then started for Nubra Valley. The road to Nubra was metaled and quite, without any traffic. As we started approaching the valley the view started to change. One of the most beautiful sites I have ever been to. There was nothing much of monumental to see except a 17th century temple. There was a large Buddha statue right in the middle of the valley and just opposite to the monastery. We went to the statue. It didn’t have any historic significance and was just build for tourist attraction. The statue was around 100 feet tall and painted with typical Buddhist style of painting. After clicking few photos there we went to the main temple. A series of flight of stairs took us to the main shrine. It was all wooden with photos of Dalai Lama and Karmappa all along the place with statue of Buddha. In another room they had idols of many gods and goddess which were covered and veiled. The lama there told us that they uncover these idols only once a year for a week’s time. Photography was not allowed in this room. After a quick visit to the temple we started for hunder village. This village had double humped camels and white sand dunes which are found in only two places across the globe, in ladakh and in morocco. When we reached hunder we could not see any camels, so we enquired and were told that it was lunch time and they had gone to graze. We all were hungry too so we went to the army canteen just next to the safari. After spending around an hour eating dosa’s and uttapams, we went back for the safari. The camels were really strange looking with two humps. It was 150Rs for 15 mins ride per camel. Though it was expensive we all went for the ride. As we started our safari on the white sand dunes, it looked like we all were “kabile wale”. It was sand all over the place surrounded by mountains and blue sky above. The best site till now, it was just awesome. After the 15 min safari we had nothing more to see, so we just clicked few photos and started our journey back. Though it was a quite journey it was very tiring. We reached leh, as it was our last night there so we planned to have our dinner out. We looked for quite a few places and finally settled at a place called “Chop Sticks”. As always, the details of the party are classified.

The condition of the cab was not good and nor was that of the road through which we had traveled. So after a lot of brainstorming we decided to go back via Kashmir. Now we would tread back through Kargil-Drass-Sonmarg-Srinagar-Udhampur-Bilaspur.

Day:7 : Leh: Kargil It was a good sunny day and no one was in a hurry as there was no obligation on the time we would have to get up in the morning. We all got up leisurely and got ready at our own sweet pace. We thought of having our breakfast at the hotel itself as it would save us some time. So we ordered bread jam, bread butter and bread omelet. One thing for sure, the best bread I had ever had was there at that dining table. After stuffing ourselves we left leh with lot of sweet memories. We took the highway for kargil, though the distance to be covered was around 200km more, the road was in good condition. We had hardly travelled for 20-25km, there it was the “Pathar Sahib” gurudwara. The legend says that a demon envious of Guru Nanak Dev ji wanted to kill him. In order to do that he rolled a big rock/boulder downhill to hit the guru who was sitting there and meditating. But, something unusual happened, the rock turned into a wax kind substance and took the shape of guru’s back and did not hurt him. In anger the demon came down to confirm if the guru was dead but to his surprise the guru was still unhurt and meditating. The demon then realized that Guru Nanak was a saint and asked for forgiveness. The great guru forgave the demon and asked him to live a civilized life after this. The gurudwara was being managed by the Indian Army. After visiting the shrine and having guru ka langar, (rajmah and chawal) we continued our journey to kargil. After travelling for not more than 20 mins we were at the “Magnetic Hill”. It is said that a car pulls off itself at a certain point with the engine being switched off. Though we experienced that, few of us were convinced with this and few were not. We took few stoppages but continued our journey to kargil. Though we had thought of reaching Sonmarg but because of time constraints we decided to stay at Kargil. While on our way to kargil we saw a huge rock carved, full body statue of Lord Buddha. It was not a monastery nor a temple but something very delightful to see. By the time we reached Kargil it was quite late, we tried to get some accommodation but it was too expensive for what was being offered. It was looking like we were in “lahore” all eyes popped out and gazing us in the car. Honestly I started feeling something unusual and asked everyone to leave. We just bought some eatable stuff and left the place without wasting any more time. All petrified by the place and the response sat quietly in the car. While travelling towards drass we saw a small dhaba with calendar of lord shiva and mata durga and immediately decided to stop for food and esquire about the safety if we traveled to drass. To our relief the owner greeted us well and asked us not to be afraid. Satisfied with the place we had food and decided that whoever wanted to take a nap can sleep coz the road from drass would only open by 4 am and it was only 12 am so there was no point travelling. Few slept early and few slept late but in the end we all slept and that was a big relief. It was all travel for the next day as we did not stopped anywhere and just continued to “Srinagar” and then stayed at “Udhampur”. It was raining cats and dogs in Udhampur and we were all very tired. No one was much interested in dinner so slept without it. Next day we started from Udhampur and traveled all the way to Bilaspur. The condition of road was not good as it had rained all night. At many places the hill had slide down and came on road. We continued our way back and stopped at Jawalamukhi. Some to pay obeisance and I to get steroid injected. We traveled to Bilaspur and from there bawa, brad and I traveled to Chandigarh and rest of the team to Shimla.

Awesome experience. Thanks for sharing with us. I know what the feeling might be at DC office when you got to know about permits process and just 10 minutes in hand 😀

We are planning to enter from Srinagar side and exit form Manali side. We will reach Jammu on 2-Jun-13 6 AM and proceed to Srinagar. Next Kargil and following night Leh.

While exiting, we have kept one full day at Manali as a reserve/rest.

Q1) I found that the Chusul permit is not being given. Is there any other option we can reach from Pangong to Tso Moriri in a day? Note that we are a group of 14 adults (7 couples) and 8 kids (4yr-14yr).

Q2) For a group like us, we are thinking of 2 x 12-seater Force Travellers. Do we need to pre-book such cars? Or we can book them once we are at Leh?

Q3) We are so far thinking that we will only book Leh accommodations for 1st 2 nights. Rest of it, we will keep it open, as we are not sure how our team members will react. Do you think for June week1 & week2, it is okay or you recommend prior booking during that time?

Hi Indranil,

1. It is a blessing in disguise brother. Those are some of the too too remotest of remote places and may be I may not recommend any family with kids going on that route. It is too long and full of fatigue for such cases. I will suggest you to take it easy and go via traditional routes. Also, if you really want then do day trip to pangong tso and then to Tso Moriri from Leh and finaly exit to Manali – Leh Highway.

2. Better do it on spot itself, you will get better deals.

3. Seems to be a nice option and would suggest to go with it. Not necessarily required for any pre-bookings unless you really want to stay at some specific property.

Thank you Dheeraj. We were thinking of pre-booking only to ensure that we get 7-8 rooms in the same property, we do not have any specific property in mind.

Could you please have a look at the itinerary below and suggest if it can be tweaked in a different way?

We like to keep the reserve/rest at Manali, and don’t want to rush through Nubra valley, hence 2 nights at Hunder. If the Wari La route is open (Jun wk 2), what time it could take to drive from Hunder to Pangong via Wari La? This could give us one extra day which we can then spend at Tso Moriri.

Our plans are as below: 0. Fri – Start from Howrah 1. Sat – Change Train at Delhi 2. Sun – reach Srinagar from Jammu (JAT arrival 5:40) 3. Mon – Srinagar – Drass – Kargil 4. Tue – Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh 5. Wed – Permits/sightseeing at Leh 6. Thu – Leh – Diskit-Hunder 7. Fri – Turtuk-Hunder 8. Sat – Hunder – Leh 9. Sun – Leh-Pangong 10. Mon – Pangong – Leh 11. Tue – Leh – Sarchu 12. Wed – Sarchu – Manali 13. Thu – Manali rest/reserve 14. Fri – Manali – Chandigarh (board late night train) 16. Sun – Reach Howrah

Instead of choosing Wari La route, again with so many people including kids, better do it like below:

9. Sun – Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh — Can be done easily without much fatigue and you get to witness both sunrise and sunset at Tso Moriri 10. Mon – Leh – Tso Moriri — Stay at Tso Moriri 11. Tue – Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Sarchu 12. Wed – Sarchu – Manali

Hi Dheeraj, We are planning trip to Leh from 8th June to 19th June. We are flying form Mumbai to Srinagar on 8th & return flight is on 19th from Leh. We are travelling with our 7yrs old daughter, hope this trip will be fine for her Pls guide me the entire places of interest and we would love to complete all. Kindly guide us with good hotels as well for family.

Sorry Ketal, I missed your comment in between and just saw it. You have about 12 days and you can follow the below itinerary in such a case:

Day 1 | Srinagar, rest and do some local sightseeing or dal lake shikara rides Day 2 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil– Enjoy the vistas enroute — Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil — Overnight at Kargil

Day 4 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits — Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening –For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link  here — Overnight at Leh

Day 7 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake — Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso — Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)

Day 8 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh — Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh — Overnight at Leh

Day 9 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang — Cover Karzok Monastery — Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri

Day 10 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Taglang La – Upshi – Leh– Come back via Tso Kar and Manali – Leh Highway to Leh — Overnight at Leh

Day 11 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR you can do tour to Sham Valley — Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only. — Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, , Gurudwara Pather Sahib — Overnight at Leh

Day 12 | Fly back

I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you need any further info. or have any doubt.

Regards Dheeraj sharma

We are 4 friends in our mid 20s from odisha, planning to visit Kasmir in June’ 2013. Which is a better option between the following two…We we can mannage maximum 15 days for the entire trip…So practically 10 days for Kashmir.

1)Odisha-Delhi-Vaishno Devi-Srinagar including Gulmarg,Pahalgam, sonamarg-Delhi-Odisha

2)Odisha-Delhi-Srinagar-Leh-Manali-Delhi-Odisha

Well, any day if you ask me I will vote for Ladakh ahead of Kashmir but yes it depends upon individual tastes too. Check some pictures of both Kashmir and Ladakh and vote for it. I will vote for the Ladakh (2nd one) 🙂

Thanks a lot bro…

Hi Dheeraj, I am planning to visit thiksey monastery and shey palace while going to Pangong Tso will be staying at pangong and while coming back to Leh next day would be visiting Hemis. Can you tell me by what time I have to leave hotel in Leh to do so and also time may require to visit these places from photography point of view?

It takes about 6-7 Hrs for Leh to Pangong Tso and vice-versa with decent amount of breaks in between for photography. Now, time you spend at Hemis and Thicksey shall be included too. So, better start early say by 7 AM in the morning to cover them as well as sunset at Pangong Tso well before so that you can choose your spot to take pictures too at the time of golden hour.

You are doing a wonderful job in educating travellers like me on Ladakh. It is after I have gone through your posts that I am dying to visit the place.

Hope I will get back to you soon about my Leh-Ladakh tour plans and ask for your valuable suggestions and/or recommendations.

Keep smiling 🙂

Sure brother, let me know whenever you need my inputs.

Thanks for your assurance.

I have drafted an initial sketch of travel itinerary to Leh in July 2013. However, I do feel it requires some corrections and/or additional inputs.

If it is possible can you please provide me your Gmail id so that I can share the doc with you?

Keep smiling brother 🙂

Jags, you must be getting email from my ID when I am replying. We can converse on that ID. Otherwise, you can get in touch at dheeraj at discoverwithdheeraj.com

Regards dheeraj sharma

Hey Dheeraj,

Planning to visit Leh in first week of June. We are a group of 4 and we plan to visit Leh in from 2nd June to 7th June, 2013. And we will be starting from mumbai & doing a flight directly either Mumbai- Delhi-Leh or Leh-Del-Mum. Please suggest a)if its a good time to be there b) Is Rohtang and Khardunga pass open during that time? c) Is the time enough? d) we hope to come to srinagar then srinagar-kargil-leh… is it a good choice? e)What should the iternary be ?

Cheers, Priyesh

Hi Priyesh,

Yes, June is a good time to visit Leh. You have about 5 days in Leh and I will advice the following itinerary for you:

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits — For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link  here — Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. — Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan. — Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best. — Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own. — Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only. — If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening — Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more. — Overnight at Leh   Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari   Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh — Overnight at Leh

Day 6 | Fly back

I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any query or doubt.

We had drafted the following plan for 1st to 7th June. Do let us know if this works out.

Day 1: We will take a Morning flight from Mumbai to Srinagar. We will reach Srinagar by around 1:30 p.m. Visit local places of Srinagar/Dal Lake and overnight stay on Houseboats – Srinagar.

Day 2: Start early morning for Leh via Srinagar – Kargil- Leh highway. Visit Sonamarg and reach zojila before 4.00 pm Overnight stay at Kargil

Day 3: Start early morning for Leh. Visit local areas in Leh including Leh palace, shanti stupa, etc. Overnight stay at Leh

Day 4: Leave early morning for Pangong Lake and travel back to Leh.

Day 5: Start early morning for Nubra valley & we take the following route Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder. Stay overnight at Nubra Valley.

Day 6: Return back to Leh. Visit Market area etc.

Day 7: Fly back.

Also, we have few queries regarding the same as well. Please advice:

1)We would also like to cover Zanskar valley let us know if it is possible to accomadate it. 2)Is Chadar worth visiting in June? 3)Also is there any daily passing restriction at Zojila pass? 4)Is kargil worth a stay? Or can we do shimla-Leh directly at one stretch?

Regards, Priyesh

Priyesh, You will not be able to do Leh Local on Day 3. On day 4 you have to arange permits and not recommended to visit Pangong Tso first. First visit Nubra Valley and then Pangong Tso on Day 6.

1. You cannot cover Zanskar Valley in these days. 2. There is no Chadar in summers because Chadar is called frozen Zanskar river. You will be seeing the confluence of Zanskar Indus on the way to Leh from Kargil 3. Not really for light vehicles but earlier in season there could be, not certain though. 4. Yes, you will have to stay to equally divide the distance of travel. Very nice views ahead of Zozi La once the minamarg starts. Guess, you mean Srinagar here not Shimla. Better do it in 2 days with night halt at Kargil. You will enjoy more in this way.

Sorry to bother you again and again.

We are planning trip to Leh from 1st May to 12th May.

Kindly arrange best itinerary.

Want to see and feel lots of snow.

Pls guide me the entire places of interest and we would love to complete all.

Also provide your contact details if you dont mind.

No issues!! Well, I hope you are planning to take a flight? Roads might be closed by that time. May be Srinagar – Leh highway might open but 50:50 chances. Let me know if you plan to fly-in and fly out of Leh and I will advice the itinerary accordingly. I will email you my contact number.

Please complete the “Datun Saahib” text and let me know if youw ant a “Hall of Fame” from the outside and Sindhu Ghat pic; I have a very recent one 🙂 or post yours – I am sure you would have these in your repertoire!

It is always great to represent such cult places with Pics 🙂

And I think that Thiksey Monastery also deserves a separate paragraph!

Cheers, Che

Hey Nishant,

Thank you so much. Yes, please provide the pics, will upload them, for these two places (Hall of Fame and Sindhu Ghat) as I did not get a chance to take them as I visited them always when I was stuck there due to some or the other issue 😉 …

For thicksey, hemis, stakna, shey, matho, stok a separate post is dedicated not just paragraph 😉 and similarly a separate one for whole sham valley. Will be completed in coming weeks 🙂

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Leh in Ladakh Travel Guide: Attractions, Festivals, Hotels

Richard I'Anson/Getty Images

Leh is the erstwhile capital of the Union Territory of Ladakh and the most common entry point into the area. It's also one of the highest permanently inhabited towns in the world. Bounded by two of the world's largest mountain ranges and surrounded by alpine desert, Leh's dry barren landscape is dotted with historic Buddhist monasteries making it an incredible sight to behold. This Leh travel guide will help you plan your trip.

Leh primarily functioned as an important trading hub on routes along the Indus Valley, between Tibet to the east and Kashmir  to the west. It became the capital of Ladakh in the early 17th century, during the region's golden period when trade flourished. King Senge Namgyal completed building a royal palace in Leh and relocated the capital there from Shey. Unfortunately, the royal family were forced to abandon the palace and relocate to Stok in the mid 19th century, after the Dogra invasion.

Leh is located in Ladakh, near the Indus Valley, in the furthest far flung corner of northern India. Its altitude is 3,505 meters (11,500 feet) above sea level.

How to Get There

Regular direct flights to Leh operate regularly from Delhi. There are also flights to Leh from many other cities in India. Some of them are non-stop.

Alternatively, the roads to Leh are open for a few months of the year, when the snow has melted. The Manali-Leh Highway is open from around June to October each year, and the Srinagar-Leh Highway is open from June to November. Bus, jeep, and taxi services are all available. The trip takes about two days because of the difficult nature of the terrain. If you have the time and are in good health, do travel by road as the scenery is amazing. Plus, the gradual ascent will help you acclimatize.

The best time to visit Leh is between May and September, when the weather is the warmest. Ladakh doesn't experience rain like elsewhere in India, so the monsoon season is the perfect time to travel to Leh. 

The two-day Hemis Festival takes place in June or July at the Hemis Gompa to commemorate birth of Guru Padmasambhava, who founded Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. There's traditional music, colorful masked dances, and a fair full of beautiful handicrafts.

The Ladakh Festival is held during September. It opens in Leh with a spectacular procession through the streets. Villagers dressed in traditional costumes dance and sing folk songs, backed by an orchestra. The festival also features musical concerts, dances performed by masked lamas from selected monasteries, and mock traditional marriage ceremonies.

• Read more about the best time to visit Ladakh.

What to Do There

Most tourists spend some time exploring Leh's main market area and the ancient old part of town, while acclimatizing and making onward travel plans. Visit the Central Asian Museum on Main Bazaar Road (open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.) to learn about Leh's role in Silk Road trade. Drop into atmospheric Lala's Art Cafe for something to eat while wandering. It's inside an immaculately restored Ladakhi house that was once lived in by a monk. Go on this guided heritage walk so you don't miss anything.

Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa are renowned for their dramatic views over Leh.

The Hall of Fame is an interesting museum dedicated to the soldiers who helped defend India during wars with Pakistan. The museum also provides information about Ladakhi history and culture. It's operated by the Indian Army and has a collection of weapons, exhibits and souvenirs.

Those who love animals will find a visit to the Donkey Sanctuary worthwhile. It's a home for abandoned and injured donkeys.

What to Do Nearby

The Buddhist monuments around Leh are the biggest draw. Spituk is the closest monastery to Leh, and the 800 year-old Kali temple with a fascinating collection of masks is another attraction there. You can stop at a huge prayer wheel on the way. The other monasteries can also be visited on day trips from Leh. These include Hemis (the wealthiest, oldest, and most important monastery in Ladakh) and Thiksey.

• Find out more about must-see Buddhist monasteries in India.

It's possible to have a regal stay at Stok Palace , about 30 minutes south of Leh. The royal family still lives there and part of it has been turned into a private museum of the Ladakhi royal family.

The picturesque confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers can be seen from a viewpoint on the Srinagar-Leh Highway not far from Nimmu.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find appealing hiking opportunities in the area. There are also many longer trekking trails to choose from, such as the popular four-day Sham Trek from Likir to Temisgam (for beginners), and Markha Valley from Spituk.

•   Take a look at these 6 best treks to take in Ladakh.

Mountain climbing trips can be booked to peaks such as Stok (20,177 feet), Goleb (19,356 feet), Kangyatse (20,997 feet) and Matho West (19,520) in the Zanskar mountains.

White water rafting is one of the top adventure activities in Ladakh. It takes place in July and August along the Indus and Zanskar rivers, with various grade rapids for all levels. Spash Ladakh is one of the best rafting operators that offers day rafting excursions from Leh.

Dreamland Trek and Tours is an eco-friendly adventure company that organizes a wide range of trips in Ladakh, Zanskar and Changthang. Other reputable companies include Overland Escape , Rimo Expeditions (costly but high quality), and Yama Adventures. It's recommended that you compare many companies to see what's on offer.

TripSavvy / Alicia Erikson

Side Trips from Leh

Most people who visit Leh also visit Pangong Lake, which featured in the Bollywood move The 3 Idiots . It's one of the world's highest saltwater lakes and looks really surreal.

• Use this complete guide to Pangong Lake to plan your trip.

The Nubra Valley is another must-visit destination. Khardung La connects Leh to the Nubra Valley and is one of the world’s highest motorable roads. Camel safaris, on hairy double-humped Bactrian camels, are an iconic thing to do in the Nubra Valley. The Balti village of Turtuk, near the Pakistan border, is fascinating as well.

• Use this complete guide to the Nubra Valley plan your trip.

Permits are not required for local sightseeing around Leh, Zanskar, or the Suru Valley.

Read more about the top things to do in Ladakh.

Where to Stay

If you're looking for inexpensive homestay or guesthouse accommodations, you'll find many a short distance from town in the agricultural and backpacker hamlet of Changspa. Clean and comfortable rooms are available from around 1,000 rupees per night. Popular places include Lhachik Guest House, Raku Guesthouse and Gangba Homestay, and Shaolin Ladakh. In the same area, family run Oriental Hotel is charismatic with both a hotel and cheaper guesthouse on the same premises surrounded by garden. Rooms on the upper floors have stunning views. You’ll also love the home-cooked, organic, freshly prepared food.

Several hostels have recently opened up around Leh to cater to backpackers who like to socialize and meet people. Zostel is the top one, with a wide range of dorms (mixed and female-only) and private rooms. HosteLaVie and GoSTOPS are other great options. In town, Hearth hostel is a restored community space suited to arty travelers.

Padma Guesthouse and Hotel , on Fort Road, has rooms for all budgets and a fabulous rooftop restaurant. Sia-La Guest House is popular on the same road too. The modern rooms at the Spic n Span Hotel on Old Leh Road, close to the market, are priced from 6,7000 rupees per night.  The Hotel City Palace is recommended as well. Rates also start from 5,000 rupees per night for a double.

If your budget extends further, try these luxury camps and hotels in and around Leh.

Homestays with Trekking and Expeditions in Ladakh

An appealing alternative to camping out while trekking around Ladakh is to stay in local homes in remote villages, which you reach along the way. This will give you a fascinating insight into the life of Ladakhi farmers. You'll even be fed traditional home cooked meals, prepared by the farmer families. Local Ladakhi trekking expert Thinlas Chorol organizes such trips, as well as many other custom trekking itineraries to places off the beaten path. She's the founder of the notable Ladakhi Women's Travel Company -- the first female owned and operated travel company in Ladakh, which uses only female guides.

Also, consider the expeditions to remote villages offered by Mountain Homestays . You'll get to stay in people's homes and take part in initiatives that enhance the livelihoods of the villagers. This includes documenting the traditional handcrafting and organic farming techniques of Ladakh.

Travel Tips

Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to acclimatize after arriving in Leh (ideally three days if you've flown in) because of altitude sickness. Medication called Diamox (acetazolamide) can help speed up acclimatization process. A doctor's prescription is required. Anyone who has a pre-existing condition such as heart or lung disease, or diabetes should also consult a doctor before traveling.

Laptops also don’t appreciate the high altitude and hard drives are known to crash.

Nights still get chilly during the summer so do bring warm clothes to layer.

Leaving Leh by flight can be a lot more challenging than arriving. Demand for flights is high in peak season, so book well in advance. In addition, flights are sometimes canceled because of weather conditions, so it’s advisable not to book the last flight of the day. Hand luggage used to pose a problem but one bag per passenger is now allowed.

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Places To Visit In Leh Ladakh

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Places To Visit In Ladakh

• Filter (68)
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1. Pangong Lake

88 km from city center 1 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Located in : Hemis

The most popular tourist attraction in Ladakh, Pangong lake is an endorheic (landlocked) lake situated at 4350 meters. The lake does not remain blue throughout the year or even the day, rather it changes colours from azure to light blue to green and grey too! It is famous amongst tourists as Ladakh lake, the spot where the Bollywood movie "3 Idiots" was shot.

2. Khardung La

14 km from city center 2 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Located in : Leh

Khardung La, also known as Khardzong La, is one of the highest motorable roads in India at an elevation of 5602 metres. It serves as the gateway to Shyok and Nubra Valley. An inner line permit is required to visit. It remains closed from October to May.

3. Magnetic Hill

21 km from city center 3 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Nesting pretty at an altitude of 14000 feet above sea level, you have to take the Leh-Kargil-Baltic National Highway to reach the destination. Found at a distance of 30 km from the scenic town of Leh the magnetic hill is girdled by the Sindhu river on its eastern side and cradled in a picturesque backdrop of the Himalayan Range.

4. Zanskar Valley

86 km from city center 4 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Located in : Zanskar

Located in the Kargil district to the east of Ladakh (around 105 km) lies the bewitching Zanskar Valley. The semi-desert region is flanked by snow-capped mountains and sparkling clean rivers along with distinct flora and fauna. The easiest way of reaching Zanskar is from Kargil through Suru Valley.

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Ladakh tour with overnight camping in nubra & pangong, himalayan caravan deluxe tour package, 5. nubra valley.

71 km from city center 5 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Located in : Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley lies in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, at a distance of around 140 Km from Leh. With arid mountains in the backdrop, it is famous for the Bactrian camel rides, orchards and monasteries. Surrounded by snow-dusted Himalayan mountains, it can be reached via Khardung La.

6. Shanti Stupa

2 km from city center 6 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

The Shanti Stupa is a white-domed Buddhist monument. It is a religious place for Buddhists as it holds the relics of Buddha, consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama. It looks exceptionally beautiful during the full moon night.

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7. Stok Palace

9 km from city center 7 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Located around 15km from Leh, the Stok Palace is the summer home to the royal family of Ladakh and descendants of King Sengge Namgyal. It was established in 1820 by King Tsepal Namgyal and was opened to the public in 1980 by the Dalai Lama. The Stok Palace has been converted into a heritage hotel and houses the Stok Palace Museum and Temple.

8. Tso Moriri

8 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Tso Moriri Lake is the largest high altitude lakes in India situated at an altitude of 4,595m. Located between Ladakh and Tibet in the Changtang region, it is a twin to the Pangong Lake. This lake offers a scenic place of peace and tranquillity flanked by mountains, measuring about 28 km in length from north to south, and 8 km wide. An inner line permit is required for visiting Tso Moriri.

9. Hall of Fame Leh

4 km from city center 9 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Located at approximately 4 km from the main city, this glorified museum was built in memory of the brave soldiers who lost their lives fighting for India at the Indo-Pakistan war. Maintained by the Indian Army, the Hall of Fame showcases seized arms and amenities of Pakistani Army, pictures and biographies of brave soldiers.

10. Thiksey Monastery

13 km from city center 10 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Thiksey Monastery is a Tibetan-style monastery located 20km south of Leh. The main highlight is the Maitreya Temple which houses a 15-metre high Maitreya Buddha statue. It is the largest such statue in Ladakh.

99 km from city center 11 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Sangam is the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers in Ladakh. The two rivers can be separately seen meeting at this point. While the Indus River appears as shiny blue, Zanskar River appears muddy green.

12. Shey Monastery and Palace

10 km from city center 12 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Shey Monastery or the Shey Palace is an ancient monastery. It once served as the summer capital of Ladakh but is mostly in ruins now. Located on top of a hillock, it offers stunning panoramic views. The highlight of the monastery is 39ft tall Shakyamuni Buddha statue. A special permission needs to be taken to visit the monastery.

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Sightseeing

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13. Hemis Monastery

29 km from city center 13 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Hemis is a Buddhist monastery ranked as one of the wealthiest monasteries in India. It is most visited during the annual Hemis Festival, held every year in early June. The monastery is well-connected with motorable roads.

14. Rafting in Ladakh

23 km from city center 14 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Rafting expedition is done on Zanskar River, called the Grand Canyon of India, with high cliff like gorges at certain places. The Zanskar Rafting expedition is one of The best river trips in The world.

15. Pathar Sahib Gurudwara

19 km from city center 15 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a beautiful gurudwara, dedicated to Guru Nanak Dev. It is highly revered as it houses a rock which resembles Guru Nanak's back. It is built at the site where he is believed to have vanquished a demon.

146 km from city center 16 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Located in : Kargil

Kargil lies near the Line of Control facing Pakistan-administered Kashmir's Baltistan to the west, and Kashmir valley to the south. Zanskar is part of Kargil district along with Suru, Wakha and Dras valleys. Kargil was at the center of a conflict between India and Pakistan in 1999.

17. Likir Monastery

37 km from city center 17 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

The Likir Monastery is the oldest monastery in Ladakh, located around 52 km from Leh in the scenic Likir village. Belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the main attraction here is a 75 feet large seated statue of Maitreya Buddha gilded in gold. There are also various paintings of guardian divinities, murals and thangkas that adorn the walls of assembly halls.

18. Alchi Monastery

38 km from city center 18 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Located in : Lamayuru

Located in the Alchi Village of Ladakh, Alchi Monastery is a complex of Buddist temples of which Alchi Monastery is the oldest and most famous. Cemented on a flat ground unlike other monasteries in Ladakh, the traditional architecture of the monastery is a monastic complex which has 3 separate temples, known as Dukhang, Sumstek and the Temple of Manjushri.

19. Spituk Monastery

6 km from city center 19 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Spituk Monastery also called Spituk Gompa, is a Buddhist monastery located about 8 kms from Leh. One of the most dazzling monasteries in India, it houses 100 monks and a giant statue of Kali. It is famous for its collection of Buddhist objects of antique arms, icon, ancient masks and numerous Thangka paintings.

20. Diskit Monastery

44 km from city center 20 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Also known as Deskit/ Diskit Gompa, this is the oldest and largest monastery in Nubra valley, belonging to Gelugpa (yellow hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

21. Bactrian Camel Ride

71 km from city center 21 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Nubra Valley is famous for the Bactrian Camel Safari. These camels are not even the usual ones that you must have seen in Rajasthan or in pictures. These camels having two humps were the major mode of transport to travel to silk route. These are now used for the safari in the region is hugely popular among the tourists.

22. Leh Palace

2 km from city center 22 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

The Leh Palace is a 17th-century former royal palace that is converted into a museum. The highlight is the sweeping view of Leh and the surrounding Zanskar mountain from the rooftop.

23. Tso Kar

101 km from city center 23 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Tso Kar is a fluctuating salt lake located in the Rupshu Plateau of scenic Ladakh Valley. It is popularly known as the White Lake owing to the white salt deposits it leaves on the shores. Tso Kar Lake is the most peaceful and calm of the three high-altitude lakes (Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri) and also the smallest of the three. It is popular for bird-watching.

24. Hemis National Park

46 km from city center 24 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

At an altitude ranging from 3,300 m to 6,000 m above sea level, this sanctuary is known to be the highest in the world as well as the largest park of South Asia. It is also a habitat to the rare Snow Leopards.

25. Chadar Trek

37 km from city center 25 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

The Chadar Trek or The Frozen River Expedition is one of the most unique and challenging treks in India. The 6-day chadar trek across the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh takes place during the latter part of January till the end of February or sometimes even in the first week of March, depending on the weather.

26. Hunder Village

49 km from city center 26 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Hunder is a remote village located in the Nubra Valley region, 7km from Diksit Monastery. It is known for its sand dunes, cold desert and bactrian camel rides. It is also home to forests of sea-buckthorn, which is a medicinal plant. Hunder is popular amongst trekkers.

27. Taglang La

1 km from city center 27 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

The Tanglang La is a high mountain road located on the Leh-Manali highway just a few kilometers from Leh. It is at a height of 5,358 metres, is the second-highest mountain pass after Khardung-La Pass, and is also the 12th highest motorable pass. This popular spot in Ladakh is known for being the second highest mountain located in Zanskar range. The pass summit is breathtaking and is adorned by a number of prayer flags.

105 km from city center 28 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Turtuk is a small village located in Nubra Valley region of Ladakh, on the banks of Shyok River. It is an unexplored and offbeat place, opened to tourists only in 2010. The picturesque village with its tiny houses and fields is surreal. It remains cut off from Ladakh for 6 months during winter.

29. Hundur Monastery

48 km from city center 29 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Hundur Monastery is a hilltop temple located in the Nubra Valley, quite close to the Diskit monastery and Lachung temple. This ancient Buddhist religious site is also known as the Hundur Gompa, which is basically a small Buddhist fortification, enclosing years of Buddhist learnings and lineage. However, this part in Hundur marks the extent to which tourists are allowed into the village.

30. Phugtal Monastery

105 km from city center 30 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

The Phugtal (Phuktal) Monastery is a Buddhist monastery situated in the south-east part of Zanskar region in Ladakh. Situated at the mouth of natural cave on a cliff, it is one of the most isolated monasteries in the region, built around 2500 years ago. The Phugtal Monastery looks like a honeycomb from a distance. It is popular amongst trekking enthusiasts.

31. Lamayuru

76 km from city center 31 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Lamayuru is a tiny village that's popularly known as the Moonland of Ladakh. It is immensely popular for housing the Lamayuru Monastery, the oldest and largest monasteries in Ladakh. It is an ideal stopover between the Kargil-Leh route.

32. Stargazing

32 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Leh-Ladakh, as already mentioned earlier, is a must visit place for all photography lovers – especially, Astro-photographers! The Major reason why Ladakh is a favourite among astrophotographers is because it provides clear night skies to complement the scenic beauty. Cities don’t generally have such pellucid skies owing to the pollution around.

33. Chang La Pass

34 km from city center 33 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Chang La Pass is a high mountain pass and one of the highest motorable roads in the world. The 15km long pass is especially popular amongst bikers. The roads are mostly paved and are driveable by any vehicle. Changla is open for tourists from Mid May to October.

34. Chemrey Monastery

29 km from city center 34 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Chemrey Monastery is a 400-year-old yet unexplored Buddhist monastery located approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) east of Leh in northern India. It is known for housing a staggering statue of Padmasambhava (almost a storey-high)and a collection of ancient scriptures with the text emboldened in gold letters with the titles in silver.

35. Namgyal Tsemo Monastery

2 km from city center 35 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Traveling to the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa makes you encounter the steep mountains and submerges you in its serene and spiritual folds. The monastery has long lured travelers seeking Buddhist experience but surprises them with something unexpected- the moon like, quiet and mystic expanse of Ladakh's landscape.

36. Trekking in Ladakh

36 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Know for its majestic and moon like terrains, Leh is attracted by many natural lovers and adventurous tourist. Some popular trekking routes include Spiti to Ladakh, Markha Valley trekking, Ladakh Zanskar trekking and the Nubra Valley trekking.

37. Sankar Gompa

2 km from city center 37 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Sankar Gompa is a beautiful Buddhist monastery located 6 km from Leh. A subsidiary of Spituk Monastery, it serves as the residence of the Abbot of Spituk, the senior incarnate lama of Ladakh, making it an important religious site. The main attraction is the statue of Avalokitesvara with 1000 arms and heads.

38. Druk White Lotus School

11 km from city center 38 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

The Druk White Lotus School, also known as Druk Padma Karpo School, is a Buddhist cultural school located in the Shey valley, close to Shey Monastery and Palace. It is popular as the Rancho School from the famed Bollywood movie 3-idiots. It has become a popular tourist attraction, even though it is a not public tourist spot.

39. Shopping in Ladakh

39 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

For all those who like to fill their bags with souvenirs and local produce, the markets in Ladakh offers beautiful Tibetan jewellery, motifs, decorated carpets and woolen clothes. 

40. Sindhu Darshan Festival

40 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

The Sindhu Darshan festival is celebrated Leh Ladakh region, every year on the full moon day. Celebrated over three days, this is a celebration of River Sindhu, the former Indus Valley Civilisation, with the motive of endorsing the river as an icon of communal harmony in India. The Bollywood movie "Dil Se" was shot at the first Sindhu Darshan Festival.

41. Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary

111 km from city center 41 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is located at an altitude of about 4000-9000 feet in the Ladakhi Changthang Plateau. The vast range of exotic flora and fauna attribute the sanctuary to be the second-largest nature reserve. It houses the three popular high altitude lakes - Tso Moriri, Pangong Lake and Tso Kar.

145 km from city center 42 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Nyoma is a quaint village located 150 km from Leh on the banks of the Indus River. The main attraction of this unexplored village is a Buddhist monastery and the long walks in the peaceful lanes. Nyoma is best visited as a stopover when travelling to Chumathang from Leh. An inner line permit is required to visit Nyoma and its monastery.

43. Mountain Biking in Ladakh

24 km from city center 43 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Often termed the paradise of mountain bikers, Leh has thousands of tourists coming in every year to experience the thrill of driving on its steep slopes and adrenaline gushing paths.

44. Chumathang Hot Spring

111 km from city center 44 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

The Chumathang Hot Spring is a hot sulphur spring situated in a small hamlet along the Indus River called Chumathang about 138 km from Leh, Ladakh. The spring originates quite close to the river itself and is believed to have medicinal properties. Many believe that the mineral-rich water can cure one of skin diseases.

45. Panamik Hot Springs

71 km from city center 45 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Located at a distance of about 140 Km from Leh, Panamik Village is the northernmost part of India. It lies on the bank of Nubra river and is well known for its hot water spring, Pashmina goats and the bactarian camels. 

46. Yarab Tso Lake

1 km from city center 46 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Popular as the hidden lake, Yarab Tso is located in the Nubra Valley region. It is an uninhabited lake with crystal clear water. Being located in a remote location, the only way to reach it is through an uphill hike.

47. MoonLand, Lamayuru

76 km from city center 47 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

A peculiar landscape near Lamayuru on Leh-Kargil Road is the MoonLand. It is called so fondly, because the landscapes here are said to be like that of the moon.

48. Darcha Padum Trek

100 km from city center 48 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Located on river Bhaga, Darcha is a small Lahaul region in the Himachal district of Spiti. Whereas Padum is among the two primary capital cities of the Zanskar society. There are plenty of camping sites en route, spread across a variety of nomadic sites travellers would pass by. 

49. Maitreya Buddha

43 km from city center 49 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Near the Diskit monastery in Nubra Valley stands a 32 meter tall statue of Maitreya Buddha facing towards the Shyok river. This statue is built with 8 Kg gold which was donated by the head of Gompa and was sanctified by the Dalai Lama. 

50. Shyok Valley

50 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Shyok Village is a hidden gem located in the Nubra Valley region, between Leh and Pangong Lake. Located on the banks of the Shyok River, this tiny hamlet is an offbeat location with only a few houses and families. It is the perfect place to slow down, breathe in nature and get away from the daily routine.

51. Samstanling Monastery

45 km from city center 51 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Samstanling Monastery in Sumlur village is an important Buddhist shrine in Nubra Valley. Founded 140 years ago, the monastery houses 50 monks who look after its daily functioning. The main attraction is the spectacular murals and paintings of Buddha.

52. Lamayuru Monastery, Lamayuru

75 km from city center 52 out of 68 Places To Visit in Leh Ladakh

Lamayuru is one of the largest and oldest monasteries in India. It is known for its rich wall paintings, thangkas and murals. The best time to visit is during the two annual Mask Dance Festivals.

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Tourist Attractions in Leh City – Leh Local Sightseeing

In this article, I will provide a complete list of tourist attractions in Leh city and its vicinity.  Most people traveling to Ladakh tend to focus more on what they can see around Leh, like Nubra Valley or Pangong Tso. But make no mistake, even the small Leh city has plenty to offer to tourists.

It is not just a place where you stop or make base while traveling to other nearby areas. There are several tourist places in Leh that are well worth a visit. Some are located within the town itself and for others, you may have to drive out a few kilometers.

Please note that this article only includes places that are either within the town or in its close vicinity, not areas like Nubra valley, Changtang valley, etc. For a complete travel guide on all of Ladakh, I will recommend taking a look at How to Plan a Trip to Leh Ladakh .

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Often called Mecca of adventure enthusiasts, the city of Leh has its own charm. It is a town like no other, anywhere. When you are in Leh, it is like being in the middle of nowhere with every basic amenity that a city can offer you.

The cold winds, harsh sun, patches of green in a cold desert, snowcapped peaks all around, amazing views of sunrise and sunset, the ringing of the bells in Monasteries, sound of Azaan from the loudspeakers of mosques, delicious food, lovely people, a unique mix of Tibetan and Indian culture; trust me, it is a town like no other.

Leh, once the capital of Ladakh and now its headquarters, is truly a dream destination. Below is a comprehensive list of places to visit in Leh and things to do.

The first entry in the list of tourist attractions in Leh City has to be the Leh Palace. Overlooking the town of Leh, this palace was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century.

It continued to be the King’s residence until mid 19 th century. After the Dogra forces took control of Ladakh, Leh Palace was vacated and the Royal family was moved to Stok Palace.

The palace is nine stories high. You can get an amazing panoramic view of Leh and surrounding areas from its roof. You can also view the mountain of Stok Kangri towards the South from here while the Ladakh mountain range rises ride behind the palace towards the North.

The palace also holds quite a collection of ancient jewelry, ornaments, ceremonial dresses, and crowns. If you are someone interested in photography, this is the perfect spot to get some great captures.

The night view of the palace is quite charming too though you will not be allowed inside after sunset.

Sankar Monastery

It is located 9 km from Leh on the way towards Khardung La. You can either drive or take a walk but the visiting hours are limited to early morning and evening.

The place is well lit so an evening walk is advised. The walls of the monastery are richly painted with Tibetan calendar, mandalas, and rules for the monks.

An impressive figure here of Avalokiteśvara with 1,000 arms (all holding weapons) and 1,000 heads is placed in the monastery which is definitely worth seeing.

General Zorawar Fort

Further up from Leh palace and Namgyal Gompa is the fort built by General Zorawar Singh. Also known as the Riasi Fort, this was once the base of the Dogra rulers.

It houses a mosque, a natural spring, and a Hindu temple within its premises. A collection of coins, stamps, and other artifacts from the treasure of the ruler are also on display.

There is a road leading to the fort so you can choose to either drive or take a walk from Leh city bazaar which will take you approximately half an hour to reach the fort. Archa

Tsemo Castle

It is another ancient structure a little further up from Leh Palace. It was built by King King Tashi Namgyal in the 15th Century. A 20 minutes trek on a dusty zigzag trek will take you to the top of the cliff that houses Tsemo Castle.

The castle itself is not much of an attraction, to be honest. But the trek and the panoramic views you can get from the top are even better than what you will see from Leh palace. It is another great place to get some lovely captures of Leh and the surrounding mountain ranges.

Namgyal Tsemo Monastery

Also known just as Namgyal Gompa, it is an ancient monastery located on the same hill as Leh Palace and Tsemo Castle. This small part that houses the Leh palace, Tsemo Castle, Namgyal Monastery on the same hills, and Shanti Stupa a little further on another hilltop, is locally known as the Khar.

Hall of Fame

It is another must-visit place while you are in Leh. Hall of fame is a museum constructed and maintained by the Indian Army, honoring the Indian soldiers who lost their lives during the Indo-Pak wars and also commemorating the Army’s role in cloudburst relief in 2010.

In the Siachen Glacier section, You can find a lot of information related to how our brave soldiers survive in such extreme conditions. Some artifacts related to the Kargil war too are on display. A 30-minute film features various aspects related to the Kargil war.

Jama Masjid

A historical mosque, it was built in 1666-67 and has been rebuilt several times since then. The mosque was a symbol of agreement between the then king of Ladakh Deldan Namgyal and Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb wherein Mughals were to provide protection to Ladakhi King in return for a small fee.

It is considered to be the biggest mosque in Ladakh and is also noted for Shahi Hamdan Memorial, built to honor Mir Syed Ali Hamdani, a Muslim Sufi Saint.

Shanti Stupa

Built on a hilltop in the Changspa region, it is a white-domed stupa built by a Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu, Gyomyo Nakamura.

There is a road leading from Leh to Shanti Stupa so you can either chose to drive or first walk from Leh and then climb up some 500 odd stairs to the top.

It is another great vantage point offering mesmerizing views of Leh town with mountain landscapes in the backdrop and also a great spot to capture some amazing sunset shots.

Shey Palace

Once used as a summer retreat by kings of Ladakh, this palace is mostly in ruins now. It was built in 1655 and is located in Shey Village, 15 kilometers from Leh on Manali Leh highway .

Shey Monastery

This monastery is located within the premises of Shey Palace and was also built in 1655. It is noted for a giant copper statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha gilded with gold.

Basgo Palace / Monastery

Located around 40 km from Leh is the small village of Basgo which in ancient times was considered a political and cultural center of Ladakh. The ancient Basgo Palace which also houses the Basgo Monastery is located here. It was built in the 15 th century but the Monastery is believed to be even older than that.

Gurudwara Patthar Sahib

25 km from Leh on the Srinagar Leh highway is Gurudwara Patthar Sahib. It was built in 1517 to commemorate Guru Nanak Dev’s visit to Ladakh.

It is noted for a huge stone that is believed to have Guru Nanak Dev’s imprint on it and another stone that is believed to have the imprint of a demon he encountered here. Both these stones are on display here. For more details, please take a look at Gurudwara Patthar Sahib in Ladakh .

Matho Monastery

This monastery is located approximately 26 kilometers from Leh town, directly opposite Thikse Monastery. It is noted for a collection of thangkas dating back to the 14th century.

Stok Palace

It is the current residence of the former royal family of Ladakh. There is a museum within the palace that holds the shrine, crown, ceremonial dress, and jewelry of the Ladakhi king. The palace is located at a distance of 17 kilometers from Leh.

Likir Monastery

It is an ancient monastery built in the year 1065 AD and is famous for a 25 feet gold-covered Buddha Statue. There are also some artifacts here that are believed to have been created with butter but never melt.

The location of both the villages and the monastery is quite scenic and it is well worth a visit. This village is located about 9.5 kilometers from Srinagar Leh highway and to get here, you will have to take the diversion just about 10 kilometers before Saspul.

For more details, you can read  Likir Monastery in Ladakh Travel Guide .

Alchi Monastery

Once you have visited Likir Monastery, return to  Srinagar Leh highway  and continue towards Saspul once again. Upon reaching Saspul, you will once again leave the highway, turn on the Alchi Bridge and continue for another 7 kilometers until the small village of Alchi.

This is another ancient Monastery in Ladakh, built sometime in the 10 th  century. There is a path from the monastery that leads down to the shores of river Indus if you want to take a walk.

This is a good place to stay as well in case you want to break the journey. There is a campsite here known by the name of Sumtseg Camps that is run by the monastery itself.

Stok Monastery

Around 2 kilometers from Stok palace is the 14 th century Stok Monastery, noted for a library including all 108 volumes of the Kangyur, a 71 feet (22 m) high seated Gautama Buddha statue, and an annual ritual dance-mask festival.

Magnetic Hill of Ladakh

This is probably the most well-known place among all of the tourist attractions in Leh. The common belief about the place is that the hills here have magnetic properties. The magnetic pull will get any vehicle moving uphill even with the engine turned off.

There is a lot of folklore about the place as well which terms the entire phenomenon as supernatural. The fact however is entirely different. In brief, the placement of hills and the inability to see the horizon from this place create an optical illusion. The illusion makes a descending road look ascending.

So when you stop at this spot and turn off your engine, your car will itself start rolling down slowly but since the road appears going up, it will lead you to believe that the car is going uphill. For more details on this, you can take a look at The Truth Behind the Mysterious Magnetic Hill of Ladakh .

Nonetheless, optical illusion or not, it is still an experience to experience. Magnetic hill is located about 35 km from Leh on the Srinagar Leh highway. The road on this part is mostly excellent so you can go to Magnetic Hill and return to Leh in a matter of a couple of hours.

Indus and Zanskar Rivers Confluence

A little further from Magnetic Hill and slightly before the small village of Nimmu, you can see the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. This spot is locally known as Sangam Point and is among the top tourist attractions in Leh.

The two rivers merging into each other to form one, one with muddy waters and the other one with crystal clear waters, is quite a sight. It is a good spot for photography as well. For more details, please take a look at Sangam Point in Ladakh .

Thikse Monastery

This monastery is located on top of a hill in Thiksey village. It is approximately 19 kilometers from Leh town, at an altitude of 3,600 meters (11,800 ft).

Thiksey Monastery is the largest gompa in central Ladakh noted for many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings, swords. It also houses a 15 meters (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya, the largest such statue in Ladakh, covering two stories of the building. For more details, please take a look at Thiksey Monastery in Leh Ladakh .

Phyang Monastery

Established in 1515, this monastery is located at a distance of 15 kilometers from Leh in the Fiang Village. It is noted for several sacred shrines and frescoes dating from the royal period.

The monastery is also home to a 900-year-old museum that has an extensive collection of idols including a number of fine Kashmiri bronzes probably dating to the 14th century, thangkas, Chinese, Tibetan, and Mongolian firearms and weapons.

Spituk Monastery

Also known as Spituk Gompa or Pethup Gompa, Spituk Monastery is located 8 kilometers from the town of Leh. It is noted for a giant statue of Kali that only gets unveiled during the annual Spitok festival.

Hemis Monastery

Established in 1672 AD by king Senge Nampar Gyalva, this monastery is located in the small village of Hemis, at a distance of 40 km from Leh town.

A good time to visit this monastery would be in the month of July when a colorful festival is held in the village. The monastery and village as well are close to Hemis National Park, home to the endangered snow leopard. For details, please read Hemis Monastery near Leh .

Sindhu Ghat

Sindhu Ghat is located 10 kilometers from Leh near Shey village. It is a peaceful river bank where you can spend some alone time and also get good sunset views. A 3-day annual festival known as the Sindhu Darshan festival is organized here.

Daatun Sahib

Located right behind the Leh Jama Masjid in Main Bazaar, Datun Sahib is a Meswak tree. It is believed to have been planted by Guru Nanak himself during his visit to Leh in 1516.

Leh Main Market

The main market of Leh is a great place to have a walk and do a little shopping. There are several items here that are native to either Ladakh or can only be found in Jammu Kashmir.

Just near Nimmu village, you can see half a kilometer long Mani Wall, considered to be the longest in the world.

Sham Valley

If you have some time in hand, then a day trip to Sham valley is highly recommended. You can visit places like Magnetic Hill, Zanskar and Indus River confluence, Basgo Palace, Alchi Monastery, Likhir Monastery, and Gurudwara Patthar Sahib. I have written a separate article on How to Plan a journey to Sham Valley from Leh that you can read.

Stakna Monastery

The last entry in the list of tourist attractions in Leh City is the beautiful Stakna Monastery. The word “Stakna” literally means ‘tiger’s nose’. The monastery is named such because it is built on a hill shaped like a tiger’s nose.

Located at a distance of 21 km from Leh town, it was built in the 16 th century and is noted for a sacred Arya Avalokitesvara statue from Kamrup, Assam. For more details, please read Stakna Monastery in Ladakh .

Tourist Attractions in Leh City – Conclusion

I hope this information above on tourist attractions in Leh and thins to do was of help. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section below, or at our Community Forum , and I will be happy to answer.

Vargis.Khan

Not much to write about me really except for that I love to travel around whenever I can and to wherever I can. This blog is just a small attempt to share my travel experiences with the world. Hope you like it !!!

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How to plan a trip to leh ladakh, srinagar leh highway status 2024 – 2025, zojila pass road status and condition 2024 –..., 16 comments.

I am planning for 5 days trip to Leh. Day 1- Arrival & get acclimatized to the weather. Day 2 – Nubra Valley via Khardungla Pass. Stay overnight Day 3 – Nubra Valley to Pangong Lake & back to Leh Day 4 – Local sightseeing in Leh Day 5 – Take flight back

Please advise if this is a feasible option. Thank you.

Yes, it is a good plan

Have found your articles very useful, thank you.

If cycle ride possible in ladakh town

How is the night life of leh?

There is no night life in Leh.

Information in the above article is helpful to me for planning out my tour to Leh……

Thank you Sunil

Hi we are from the defence and is planning to go by bike from Srinagar to leh..any leads on that plz?

Hi – I am not sure I understand the question. Leads in what aspect?

Your blogs are the best,thank you

Thank you so much for taking the time to drop a note Amar Bhai. I appreciate it.

Can you suggest a safe and good homestay at Leh? upto cost of 1000.

Please take a look at this article. I have suggested a few here.

https://vargiskhan.com/log/good-budget-hotels-in-leh-with-tariff/

can we get homestay in kargil if so let me knw pl

Homestay at Kargil could be a problem. You are better off looking for hotels or guest houses

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Leh Tourism

Leh Tourism: Nestled in the heart of Ladakh, Leh is also known as the Land of Lamas or Little Tibet. Surrounded by mesmerizing beauty, this place is home to many Buddhist temples, gompas, prayer flags, ridges and small settlements. To top it off, the Indus River gives Leh a unique charm.

When it comes to Leh tourism, travellers can explore high-altitude treks in the Ladakh range, river rafting in the Indus and Zanskar River, Buddhist temples and monasteries, Tibetan handicrafts, jewellery and more.

Leh Travel Guide

With our authentic Leh travel guide, get all the information you need to know about your trip to Leh. Get insights on best places to visit in Leh and best places to stay along with an ideal way to reach along with best Leh sightseeing tour packages .

Best Places to Visit in Leh

Shanti Stupa A white dome – Stupa located on the Changspa hill is a magnificent shine in Leh. From the height of 4267 meters where Shanti Stupa is present, you can enjoy the panoramic view of surrounding snow-capped mountains as well as the city of Leh. After climbing 500 steps, you will be welcomed by a Dharmachakra with two deer on each side on the first level. While, on the second level, the birth of Buddha, defeating of devils in meditation and the death of Buddha is presented. (Tip: Witness the sunrise and sunset on the beautiful Leh Palace which is located opposite this Stupa.)

Famous as one of the top tourist places in Ladakh, Leh Palace is a must-visit place in Leh. Once a palace for the royal family, Leh Palace today is one fine example of medieval Tibetan architecture. This nine-story palace built in the 17th Century was one of its kind in those days. You can also cherish the panoramic views of Leh city as well as the majestic Stok Kangri Mountains.

Hemis Monastery Situated on the western banks of the Indus River, Hemis Monastery is the biggest and richest monasteries of Ladakh. Built in 1630, this monastery is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) as he was able to mark the victory of good over evil. Apart from the architecture, the library here has several Tibetan books and an impressive collection of Thangkas, gold statues and Stupas embedded with precious stones.

Hall of fame The most popular tourist place near Leh airport is the Hall of Fame which displays the supreme sacrifice made by the Indian soldiers during the India Pakistan war. In this museum, many seized arms and weapons of the Pakistan army are showcased. The Indian Army has kept the photos, as well as the, belongs of the soldiers here. In addition, there are items that showcase the history and culture of Ladakh, the wildlife and the vegetation.

Fairs and Festivals in Leh

Dosmoche Festival Also known as the “Festival of Scapegoat,” the Dosmoche festival is celebrated to eradicate evil. Dosmoche festival, which is the most popular festival of Ladakh is celebrated just below the Leh Palace. Monks from different regions gather here and perform the masked dances known as Chhams. This festival is celebrated for two days every year in the month of February.

Losar Festival Losar is one of the important festivals celebrated in Ladakh. This festival that originated in the 7th century signifies the arrival of the new year in Tibetan Buddhism. During this 15 days festival, the ancestors, gods & animals are fed while there is a staged fight between the forces of good and evil. You can also participate and enjoy the Ibex Deer Dance which is the highlight of the festival. You can also check out other festivals like Hemis Tsechu, Sindhu Darshan, Saka Dawa and more. Plan a trip to Leh during the festival season to explore the ancient culture of the local and connect with them better.

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• Discover The Top Must See Tourist Spots In Leh Ladakh

Discover The Top 9 Must See Tourist Spots In Leh Ladakh

Kumar Utkarsh Updated: Apr 10, 2024 9:38 AM IST

Top 9 Must-See Attractions for Visitors in Leh, India

Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is as picturesque as it gets. Nestled high up in the Himalayas, this gateway to the Great Himalayas offers a unique experience unlike any other. Its spirituality runs deep and its festivals are a testament to that. It's also home to some of nature's greatest gifts. If you're visiting Leh anytime soon, make sure to check out these 9 must-see attractions:

1.Leh Palace

• Captivating 17th century palace perched atop rocky outcrop overlooking Old Leh
• Offers unmatched views of town and soaring Stok Kangri peak in Zanskar Range
• 9-story architectural wonder mixing Tibetan, Chinese and Indian influences
• Houses small museum of royal artifacts like ceremonial armor, paintings

2.Shanti Stupa

• Iconic bright white Buddhist stupa built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist organization
• Soaring dome structure promoting world peace also honors Buddha's 2,500th death anniversary
• Panoramas of Leh town with backdrop of spectacular snow-capped mountains
• Best appreciated at sunrise or sunset

3.Thiksey Monastery

• Impressive yellow-walled gompa (monastery) from 1500s perched on hill overlooking Indus
• Resembling Potala Palace in Lhasa with highlights like 15-meter gilded future Buddha statue
• Houses sacred artifacts, statues, colorful murals by Ladakhi artists
• Immerse in spiritual atmosphere with monks' hypnotic chanting

4.Hall of Fame War Memorial

• Somber museum near Leh airport commemorating Indo-Pakistan war heroes/heroines
• Insightful exhibits on Ladakh's culture alongside artifacts from India's military history
• Accounts of courageous tales defending Siachen Glacier "world's highest battleground"
• Interact with retired soldiers and heroes

5.Pangong Tso Lake

• Azure blue lake straddling Ladakh and Tibet at 14,000 ft known for vivid color changes
• Rare high-altitude saltwater ecosystem that freezes completely in winter
• Backdropped by stark brown hills appearing as surreal maze-like patterns
• Camp overnight in traditional tent resorts to fully soak in atmosphere

6.Magnetic Hill

• Gravity-defying stretch of road about 30 km from Leh obscuring laws of physics
• Create optical illusion of vehicles drifting uphill, no cables or magnets involved
• Theories include surrounding landscape obscuring downhill slope playing tricks on perception
• Test yourself by firmly putting car in neutral and drifting backwards uphill

7.Spituk Monastery

• Prominent 11th century monastery sitting among purple hills just 8 km from Leh
• Showcases Ladakhi architecture with hundred monks still actively using giant prayer wheels
• Houses exceptional collection of ancient masks, arms and icons
• Time visit during lively Gustor Festival with sacred Cham masked dances

8.Tso Moriri Lake

• Stunning deep blue lake in Ladakhi Changthang countryside at 15,000 ft altitude
• Surrounded by barren rolling hills and snow-capped peaks in humble village of Korzok
• Breeding ground for migratory birds like bar-headed geese, brown-headed gulls
• Road trip or trek required to reach isolated site near China border

9.Hemis Monastery

• Largest monastery in Ladakh founded in 1630 belongs to Drukpa order of Buddhism
• Impressive stone exterior gives way to temples adorned with gold statues and richly-colored murals
• Come during annual Hemis Festival celebrating the birth of founder St. Padmasambhava with vibrant costumed dances

In Leh, you can get lost in its stunning mountain views. Stunning enough to bring you to a screeching halt. It is full of vibrant Buddhist spiritual enclaves that are sure to shake your core. It has a charming local culture that was built around sustainable values and principles passed down from generation to generation in harmony with nature. This place will give you the profound perspective the modern world often lacks. Follow this essential list for an unforgettable experience in this Himalayan haven.

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Leh Ladakh Tourism and Travel Guide

All You Need to Know About Travelling to Leh Ladakh

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Where To Go In Ladakh?

Leh tourism has made the task of finding the best places to visit easier. With Leh tourism information available everywhere, visitors can plan their itineraries without any hassle. You only need to know what kind of experience you are looking for, and Leh tourism will have it!

Shanti Stupa

Located in Leh, Shanti Stupa is one of the first places that tourists visit. Perched on a hill, this grand Tibetan stupa is breathtaking. Overlooking the vibrant city, it offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, grassy fields and Tibetan houses. Constructed to mark the completion of 2,500 years of Buddhism and to further the faith’s message of peace, the stupa preserves ancient relics of Buddhist culture. What is striking about the Shanti Stupa is the mesmerising idol of Buddha which is the centre of attraction. Perched on a steep slope, it’s best to take a bike or taxi here. Owing to the growth of Leh tourism, you will find a number of Leh tourism local guides ready to take you through the history of Shanti Stupa.  

An important place to visit in Leh, the Leh Palace is the erstwhile residence of the king and queen. Also known as Lhachen Palkhar, the palace is a huge attraction primarily for its picturesque location. Situated on a hill, the palace offers breathtaking views of the Ladakh mountain range and Leh city. While Leh tourism and ASI has made considerable efforts to maintain the palace, some parts of the palace is in ruins owing to its size and damage through the years. It’s best to head here on your first or second day as you will be in the process of acclimatization.

Pangong Tso

Pangong Tso's beauty is incomparable. The majestic blue waters surrounded by rugged mountains is a sight one cannot forget.  The journey from Leh to Pangong is equally mesmerising. The road takes you from Leh through beautiful hamlets and passes through Chang La, claimed to be the second highest motorable road in the world. The drive on serpentine roads that lead up to Chang La, though unnerving, is an amazing experience.  

Once at Pangong, there are multiple options to have a nice lunch. There are a number of dhabas where one can get good Indian food. The area along these dhabas is usually very crowded and Leh tourism has made efforts to clean and protect the area. If you would like to spend a night near Pangong Tso, you can head to Durbuk or Tangste which are 40km away. It’s highly recommended to spend a night in either of the villages after the long, bumpy journey.

Although Pangong is better known among travellers, thanks to the efforts by Leh tourism, Tso Moriri lake is gradually witnessing an increase in visitors. Situated in the Changthang area of Ladakh, this lake is the largest high altitude lake in India that is entirely in the Indian territory. Fed by fresh water springs and snow from nearby mountains, the lake is among the most sacred for Ladakhis. The breadth of the lake is 7km at its widest point, and it is 19km long. The majestic blue waters of the lake are a treat for the eyes a huge attraction for Leh tourism. The 400-year-old Korzok Monastery, on the west bank of the lake, is another attraction near the lake.   Pitching of tents or construction of any hotels/homestays near the banks of the lake is strictly prohibited to preserve Leh tourism. Also, as it is close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), an Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required to visit the lake. You can get a permit from the DC office or the Leh tourism office in the city.

Khardung La and Nubra Valley

Said to be the highest motorable road in the world and a huge draw for Leh tourism, a drive to Khardung La is thrilling, to say the least. Full of unexpected turns, the maze of fully constructed roads end at South Pullu. From South Pullu till the pass, it's a whirlwind of turns and stone-stacked roads. But despite the back-breaking ride, the views throughout the journey more than make up for it.Offering you panoramic views of the valley and the mountains above, you realise the vastness of nature. Once at the top, you may feel a little bit of a headache so treat yourself to a piping hot cup of tea and the world famous maggi. It's recommended not to spend more than 15 to 20 minutes at the top, lest nausea hits you.

From Khardung La, you can take the road leading to Nubra Valley. Verdant, vibrant beauty under the blue skies welcome you, and you will not fail to  notice the difference in the landscape. You must stay at least a couple of nights in Nubra to recover from the journey and to take in the beauty of this lovely valley. Do see the double-humped camels, they are one of a kind in the world and a big part of Leh tourism. Also, the popular Leh berry owes its origin to the beautiful valley of Nubra – a huge contributor in making Leh tourism known world-wide.

Hemis Monastery

One of the most wealthy monasteries in the country, the stunning Hemis Monastery should certainly be part of your Leh Ladakh itinerary. Built by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal, it is located 45km away from Leh. Home to an awe-inspiring Buddha statue in copper, the monastery also has a number of thangka paintings and other relics. The Red sect or the Dugpa Kargyupta order of Buddhism take care of all matters relating to the monastery. If you head here during the months of July when the Hemis festival is in full swing, you’ll witness Leh tourism and the vibrant culture.

Alchi Monastery

A trip to Leh Ladakh to explore Leh tourism definitely calls for a visit to the oldest monastery in the region. Located in Alchi village, the monastery supports a traditional form of architecture and has three separate temples – Dukhang, Sumstek and the Temple of Manjushri. With an intriguing mix of Tibetan and Hinduism, the monastery’s temple is built in typical Kashmiri style. A few kilometres from Zanskar River, the monastery is enveloped by surreal beauty. Due to the increased awareness owing to Leh tourism, a few restaurants serving great food have sprung up along the premises. You can definitely plan your day in a manner which allows you to have lunch amidst towering mountains and under the open blue skies.

Activities and Things to Do in Leh Ladakh

Leh Ladakh has gradually become one of the most popular destinations for experienced and new trekkers contributing to Leh tourism. With its craggy mountains, hidden trails and awe-inspiring, it's not surprising that Leh tourism has made considerable efforts to promote trekking. From easy treks to extremely difficult routes – there is something for everyone. If you’d like to go trekking in Leh, do ensure you have enough time to cover the trek and see this beautiful region. The most popular trek for beginners is the Sham Valley trek. Nicknamed the ‘baby trek’, it is a four-day trek which is far easier than most others. Let’s take a look at some of the other popular trekking routes part of Leh tourism:

• Markha Valley
• Lamayuru to Alchi
• Chadar trek
• Ripchar Valley trek
• Tso Moriri lake trek
• Padum to Darcha trek

Rafting on Zanskar River and Sangam

Imagine a small raft, four to five people, the gushing Zanskar River and you. Rafting in Leh Ladakh is an experience that can’t be described in words. A mix of exhilaration, adventure and peace – every traveller should experience it once. For rafting in Leh, you can get in touch with any of the Leh tourism operators in the city who will arrange it for you. Rafting will take up most of your day, so it’s recommended not to plan too many things. A Leh tourism taxi from Leh will take you to Chilling, which is about 2 hours away from the city. The tip of the road is where you’ll begin your descent to the confluence of Zanskar and Indus - known as Sangam. You will be required to change into wetsuits (provided by the rafting operators). They will take you through a short verbal training which will help you understand the rowing technique. It’s fairly simple, but as is with all adventure sports, it’s extremely important to be careful.

Once in the water, you will forget about everything else but the mesmerising beauty surrounding you. The ride will start with quite a few rapids, but the route becomes calmer as you approach the Sangam point. Typically, post rafting, you will be treated to a hot, simple, delicious lunch arranged by Leh tourism operators.

Cost: Rs. 2000 to Rs. 3000 per person (depending on the season)

Shopping in Leh

Silver jewellery, antique Tibetan jewellery, home decor and postcards! Leh is a great place if you are looking to take back some souvenirs for friends and family. The popularity of Leh tourism has helped locals with their bread and butter. Lined with shops selling everything from kemp bags, pashmina shawls, semi-precious stones to homedecor, shopping in Leh tourism offers a good break if you have been on the road for the last few days. It is suggested to leave the last day for shopping in the city since you can’t plan a long trip anyway. Do remember to bargain, especially in the flea market which is on the main road.

Monastery Tour

The land of monasteries, Leh Ladakh is home to some of the oldest, biggest and most beautiful religious and spiritual structures in the world. If you are interested to learn more about these beautiful spiritual centres or simply admire the architectural marvels, you can plan a small tour of monasteries in Leh and around the city. Let’s take a look at this detailed list of monasteries which are part of Leh tourism.

• Spituk Monastery - 11km from Leh
• Stakna Monastery - 25km from Leh
• Thiksey Monastery - 19km from Leh
• Hemis Monastery - 40km from Leh
• Likir Monastery - 53km from Leh  

Where To Stay In Ladakh

The increasing number of tourists has largely contributed to the growth of Leh tourism and has given the local economy a boost. From homestays to shops to tour operators by Leh tourism - locals in Leh have welcomed tourists from across the world with open arms. From luxury homestays to budget stays, you can explore a plethora of accommodation options in Leh.

Luxury hotels in Leh

Luxury Leh Ladakh hotels are designed to give travellers the best facilities and ensure a comfortable and pleasant stay. Let’s take a look at some of the Leh tourism hotels which stand out.

• The Grand Dragon
• Gomang Boutique Hotel
• Ladakh Sarai Resort
• Ladakh Himalayan Retreat

Mid-range hotels

If you want to experience the beautiful city of Leh as well as bask in the warm hospitality the locals offer, it’s best to go for mid-range accommodation. Giving you the best of both worlds, you can save some cash as well as enjoy a comfortable stay. Let’s take a look at some of the popular ones:

• Himalayan Residency Ladakh
• Hotel Ladakh Palace
• Hotel Singge Palace
• Hotel Lasermo

Hostels and Homestays

It’s said that the best way to discover a city is to befriend a local. Staying in a homestay or hostel gives you the opportunity to live the way locals live. With fresh vegetables straight from their kitchen gardens to tons of information on surrounding areas, homestays truly become your home in the mountains. And Leh tourism has made this accommodation option even more popular. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones:

• Dawa Guesthouse
• Tukchu Homestay
• Osel Premium Homestay
• Tsetan Guesthouse

Best Time To Visit Leh Ladakh

The cold desert of Leh Ladakh is accessible only for a few months in the year. While you can travel here during winter via air travel, it’s best to restrict your trip to the summer months.

The season begins in April when Leh tourism is at its busiest and when the Srinagar route is open. It’s also during summer when the frozen lakes of the region begin to melt giving way to a kaleidoscope of colours.

From April till mid-October, the region is home to visitors from across the world and it’s the best time to visit. All maintenance work for the two major highways is almost complete and visitors can have a safe journey.

Planning For Ladakh

Planning for Leh Ladakh entails a number of things such as planning thorough itineraries, extensive packing lists and preparing for the unexpected climatic conditions. Awareness by Leh tourism board has helped travellers to a large extent, however, let’s take a look at permits, AMS and what you need to pack for your trip to Leh Ladakh.

Leh tourism has made it simple and convenient for both domestic and international tourists to travel to Leh Ladakh. However, it’s important to remember that the region is a critical zone owing to its shared borders with China and the presence of the Indian Army. For all tourists, it’s important to get in-line permits for a few places in Leh Ladakh.

Inner line permits

If you are an Indian tourist, according to Leh tourism board, you will need to have Inner Line Permits to travel to some regions of Leh Ladakh such as

• Nubra Valley
• Khardung La
• Pangong Tso Lake
• Tso Moriri Lake

Where can I get the permit from?

You can get the inner line permits from the DC office or Tourist Information Center (TRC) at Leh. Alternatively, you can also get these permits online on www.lahdclehpermit.in .

What do I need to submit?

You will have to submit a valid photo ID, nationality proof and pay the required fee of Rs 400 + Rs 20 per day that you will stay in Ladakh to visit these places .

Acute Mountain Sickness

One of the most important things to remember when visiting Leh Ladakh is the need to acclimatize. Since most places in the region are above an altitude of 10,000 feet, travellers may be unable to manage the sudden change in terrain and temperature. It is strongly recommended to keep the first two days of your trip to Leh Ladakh for acclimatization. It is preferred that you stay in your hotel or explore only the city. This becomes more important if you are planning a trekking tour around the region.

What are the symptoms? How can I prevent the onset of AMS?

The typical symptoms of AMS are nausea, headache, dizziness, breathing trouble. The best way to avoid AMS is to increase the altitude gradually as well as to rest the body completely before setting out to explore the region. As per guidelines by Leh tourism, you can also sleep well, avoid alcohol and smoking as well as carry AMS preventive medicines with you at all times.

Packing for Leh Ladakh

The thought of planning for Ladakh can be daunting. Even though the increasing Leh tourism has ensured that travellers find everything they may need, it’s important to be prepared. We have a list of things in our  travel guide that will make this task easier.

Travel essentials

• Photo IDs for all members
• Bag locks with multiple keys
• Lenses or extra spectacles
• Match boxes
• Cloth bags (for garbage)
• Personal water bottle
• Hand sanitizer
• Lip guard/ Vaseline
• Basic medicines/ first aid
• Two jackets

Biking in Ladakh

Bikers travelling to Leh Ladakh have largely benefitted from Leh tourism. From solo bikers to big biker groups - the months of May, June and July witness a huge number of enthusiastic riders making their way from all parts of the country. The most preferred route is via the adventurous and tricky Manali highway. With multiple stops for rest, it typically takes three to four days to reach the city of Leh from Manali. Dangerous yet captivating, a biking trip to Ladakh is on the list of almost every biking enthusiast.

However, if you don’t want to ride all the way from Delhi or Manali, you can always hire a bike in Leh. With multiple transport operators, there are a lot of options available on per day rate which allow you to explore the neighbouring areas. The rising popularity of Leh tourism has enabled access to the best bikes. From Avengers to KTM Duke to Royal Enfield, you can get a bike of your choice easily.

What should I remember?

In a lesser-known territory, it’s always advised to travel in groups. If you are going to be riding solo, try and ride alongside fellow riders. So in case of an emergency, you have someone to help you out. While owing to Leh tourism, the locals in Leh Ladakh are extremely helpful, there are long stretches of barren lands where there are no villages or human population.

Cuisine and Where to Eat In Leh Ladakh

The food in Ladakh will surprise you! With strong influences of Kashmiri, Nepali, Tibetan and Pahadi cuisine, the local cuisine in Leh is dependent on the food that grows there. Owing to this you will find a lot of leafy, green vegetables on your Ladakh trip - a fact made popular by Leh tourism information. Light and easy on the stomach, the cuisine comprises mostly of broth, soup and brew.

Here is a list of dishes that you must try during your Leh Ladakh trip:

Spinach cooked with red chilli and cloves in mustard oil. Best enjoyed with rice or roti.

A Ladakhi favourite, it’s made from roasted grain, saltwater and barley.

The best of Kashmiri and Ladakhi cuisines come together in Tabak Maaz. Marinated ribs which are kept overnight and sprinkled with milk and saffron. Cooked with Indian spices, this one is a big favourite.

The yummier variant of Thukpa, Thenktuk is a mix of noodles, flour dough, onions, tomatoes and ginger-garlic relish. It’s light and a great dish to keep yourself warm when the temperature drops.

Best Places to Eat in Ladakh

Small dhabas at the foothills of the mountains or brick cafes on a mountain - the rise of Leh tourism has ensured a varied range of restaurants in Leh Ladakh which keep food lovers very happy. With quite a few places to explore, let the locals and your instincts guide you. To begin with, we have a short list of places which are a must try.

• Summer Harvest
• Bob’s Restaurant
• World Garden Cafe
• Lamayuru Restaurant
• Gesmo Restaurant
• Wonderland Restaurant and Coffee House

Typical Costs In Leh Ladakh

Typically accommodation in Leh can cost anywhere between Rs.10,500 to Rs. 56,000 for a 7-day trip. If one were to include the transport cost within the city and outside, this number would double - depending on the kind of transport you choose. Shared taxis under Leh tourism are the most reasonable, however, they follow a strict schedule and you have to coordinate with fellow travellers.

Food in Leh is quite reasonable. The most expensive meal will cost you Rs. 1500 for two and the most reasonable can be as low as Rs. 200 for two. So eat to your heart’s delight in Leh. For neighbouring areas, Leh tourism has encouraged locals to set up tea and maggi stalls, which also serve a complete, delicious Indian meal for as low as Rs. 120.

Transport In Leh Ladakh

The best way to travel in Leh is on a bike! It’s fast, convenient and quite reasonable. However, if you are not an experienced driver, riding a bike in Leh Ladakh can be very dangerous. Leh tourism has made efforts to spread awareness about Ladakh’s unfamiliar and rugged terrain, as well as the absence of roads in some areas. Off-roading, as fun as it may sound, is completely prohibited in Leh Ladakh, especially around the area surrounding Magnetic Hill.

Where can I rent a bike in Leh?

On the main Leh Fort Road, you will find numerous Leh tourism shops offering bikes on rent. To rent a bike, you must have a valid license, an identity proof and the skills! The per day price for renting a bike starts at Rs. 1000 and goes up according to the model, make and year of the bike.

Where can I rent a taxi?

On the main Leh road, you will see a number of Leh tourism transport operators who rent out taxis for trips in and near Leh. It is also a great place to find shared taxis for Tso Moriri, Pangong Tso and Nubra Valley. You can also try your luck bargaining for reduced rates - but only if it’s the low season.

Public Transport

The city of Leh is well-connected by Leh tourism government run buses. However, the erratic schedules of these buses makes it difficult to plan a trip, especially if you are heading towards Pangong or Tso Moriri. If you’d like to cut costs, it’s recommended to do so by using shared taxis.

Written by  Kirat Sodhi , an in-house Tripoto writer.  Kirat is a proud mom of three cats and lives for lemon tea, a good book and spontaneous travel plans. Follow her to ignite your wanderlust.

Frequently Asked Questions

The weather in Leh Ladakh during the summer months of April to July is sunny during the day and chilly at night - the best time to explore Leh tourism. However, it’s always cold in Leh Ladakh so keep a jacket with you at all times.

Leh is a city in Ladakh, implying that it is part of the Ladakh region. Ladakh is divided into two parts – Kargil and Leh.

Leh tourism has made it convenient for travellers from across the world to visit Leh Ladakh. The best route for a Leh Ladakh bike trip is via the Manali highway. You can also choose to travel via the Srinagar highway which is a safer but much longer route.

The most  popular tourist places in Ladakh  to grow Leh tourism are Zanskar Valley, Leh, Hunder, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Lamayuru, Kargil and Tso Moriri.

The Leh Ladakh airport is approximately 9km from the city and is accessible by bus and taxi.

You can find a map of Leh and Ladakh in the City Centre Market. You can also find a number of books on Leh tourism to help you during your Leh Ladakh trip.

There is no option to rent a self-drive car in Leh Ladakh. You can only rent a bike to ride yourself or use the shared taxi service from one of the Leh tourism transport operators.

The mobile connectivity in Leh Ladakh is very erratic. The efforts of Leh tourism has increased network towers in the area. However, due to security reasons, some places don’t receive any network - including most trekking routes, Khardung La and Pangong Tso.

Yes, there are five to six ATMs in Leh city. However, beyond the main city, you will not find an ATM. Leh tourism has ensured the maintenance of these ATMs however during winter, one may face difficulty.

10 Best tourist places to visit in Ladakh in 2024

L adakh is often called the "Land of High Passes" because it's full of tall mountains and stunning scenery. People come here from all over the world to see the amazing views, visit old monasteries, and experience the unique culture. If you're thinking of visiting Ladakh in 2024, we've made a list of the top 10 places you just can't miss! Also, besides sightseeing, there are lots of fun things to do in Ladakh , like stargazing, trekking, and river rafting.

Pangong Lake - Azure Oasis

Pangong Lake is one of the most popular tourist attractions of Ladakh, Pangong Lake is a shimmering oasis of crystal-clear blue waters nestled between rugged mountains. Located at an altitude of 4,350 meters, this breathtaking lake stretches across the border into Tibet. The lake is located on the Changtang plateau in eastern Ladakh, this lake is a fantastic spot for camping. It's really popular with tourists right now, making it one of the best places to visit in Ladakh. If you want to avoid the crowds, it's a good idea to visit during the off-season.

Best Time to Visit: June to September

Nubra Valley - Valley of Flowers

The valley is accessible via the world's highest motorable pass, Khardung La, and offers a unique blend of adventure and tranquillity. The sandy hills in Nubra Valley give visitors a feeling like they're in the Arabian Nights story. Another cool place to check out in Nubra Valley is Panamik village, known for its hot springs that smell like sulfur.

Best time to visit: During the autumn season between the months of July to September.

Leh Palace - Ancient Royal Residence

Leh Palace represents Ladakh's rich history and culture. It was built in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal and has nine floors. From here, you can see beautiful views of the mountains and valleys around. Inside, you can walk through its maze-like halls, admire old paintings and objects, and learn about Ladakh's royal family. Plus, there's a lovely Buddha statue at the back, making it even more special.

Best time to visit: The ideal time to visit Leh Palace is in the evening. The weather is pleasant, and you'll be treated to a stunning view of the city as the sun sets.

Tso Moriri Lake - Jewel of Changthang

Tso Moriri Lake is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pristine meadows, this high-altitude lake is a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. Visitors can spot rare species such as the black-necked crane and bar-headed goose, while soaking in the serenity of the landscape.

Best Time To Visit: From May to early September

Diskit Monastery - Serene Himalayan Sanctuary

Diskit Monastery sits atop a hill, looking out over Nubra Valley. It's one of the oldest and biggest monasteries in Ladakh, dating back to the 14th century. Inside, you'll find a huge statue of Maitreya Buddha and many old books and items. You can join the monks for their prayers in the morning, wander around the beautiful halls and rooms, and take in the amazing views of the area.

Best time to visit: July to September

Hemis Monastery - Spiritual Oasis

This monastery is renowned for its annual Hemis Festival, which attracts devotees and tourists from far and wide. Visitors can explore the monastery's museum, which houses a priceless collection of thangkas, statues, and religious relics, and witness the colourful masked dances performed during the festival.

Best time to visit: April to August

Alchi Monastery - Hidden Artistic Gem

Alchi Monastery, also called Alchi Gompa, is found along the banks of the Indus River. It's like finding a hidden treasure chest full of really old art and buildings. It was built way back in the 10th century! People love it for its beautiful paintings, fancy wood carvings, and ancient books. When you visit, you can spend time admiring the detailed art on the walls of the temples and other buildings. It's a peaceful place where you can feel a special kind of calm.

Best time to visit: May to October

Magnetic Hill - Gravity-Defying Wonder

Magnetic Hill is definitely one of the coolest spots in Ladakh. It's a hill that seems to break the rules of gravity, making cars and bikes look like they're rolling uphill! Scientists and tourists have been scratching their heads over it for ages. You can find it on the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar highway. Visitors can park their vehicles at a specific spot and see this strange phenomenon up close. After that, you can take in the beautiful views of the Indus Valley from the area around the hill.

Lamayuru Monastery - Enigmatic Landscape

If you're looking to explore one of the most breathtaking hidden gems in Leh, Lamayuru Monastery is one of the oldest and most beautiful monasteries in Ladakh. Founded in the 11th century, this monastery is renowned for its stunning architecture, ancient murals, and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can explore the monastery's prayer halls and chapels, participate in meditation sessions led by resident monks, and hike to the nearby Moonland, a surreal landscape of eroded rock formations.

Best time to visit: June to September

Shanti Stupa - Beacon of Peace

Shanti Stupa is a symbol of peace and harmony in the Himalayas. Built by Japanese Buddhist monks in the 1980s, this white-domed stupa offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, making it the perfect spot for meditation and reflection. Visitors can climb the steps to the top of the stupa, spin the prayer wheels, and soak in the serene ambience of this sacred site.

Best time to visit: May to September

Whether you're an adventure seeker, a history buff, or a spiritual seeker, Ladakh offers a wealth of experiences that will leave you spellbound. So pack your bags, embark on an unforgettable journey, and discover the timeless beauty of this Himalayan paradise in 2024.

Frequently asked questions

1. When is the best time to visit Ladakh?

Ladakh is best visited during the summer months, from May to September, when the weather is pleasant and most of the mountain passes are open. However, some adventurous travellers also visit during the winter months to experience the snow-covered landscapes and frozen lakes.

2. What are the accommodation options available in Ladakh?

Ladakh offers a range of accommodation options, including hotels, guesthouses, homestays, and campsites. In Leh, you'll find a variety of hotels and guesthouses catering to different budgets. In more remote areas like Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake, accommodation options may be more limited.

3. What are the transportation options available?

The main mode of transportation in Ladakh is by road. You can either hire a taxi or rent a motorcycle to explore the region. Public buses also operate between Leh and some of the major towns and tourist destinations.

4. Is altitude sickness a concern in Ladakh?

Yes, altitude sickness, also known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), can be a concern due to Ladakh's high altitude. It's important to acclimatize properly by spending a few days in Leh before venturing to higher altitudes and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.

List of famous things to buy in Ladakh

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10 Best tourist places to visit in Ladakh in 2024

Pangong Lake - Azure Oasis

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