Last Updated on July 21, 2023 by admin
Wondering about all the Leh Ladakh tourist places that are accessible to visit? Check out this guide about the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh.
Road Tripping from Leh is probably on the bucket list of every traveler in India. For some it is an adrenaline rush by biking from Manali – Leh, for others it is to enjoy the local festivals by flying directly into Leh.
No matter what, Leh remains the number one destination to visit as it the epitome of scenic beauty in India.
Leh is covered with three parallel ranges of the Himalayas – Zanskar, Ladakh and Karakoram with the presence of three rivers – Shyok, Indus and Zanskar that flow between these ranges giving life to the rugged and barren mountains.
As adventurous as the trip to Leh is, there are some amazing tourist places in Leh city worth visiting. Let’s check them out.
Table of Contents
BEST PLACES TO VISIT IN LEH LADAKH
Pangong Tso
Situated on the Changtang pleauteu, Pangong Tso is one of the world’s highest saltwater lake at the height of 14,270 feet.
The lake extends from India to the Tibetan Autonomous Region, China. More than 50% of the lake lies within the Tibetan Autonomous Region. The lake offers stunning views against the barren mountains and shades of crystal blue water which change with intensity and positioning of the sun.
Pangong Lake is one of the most popular places in Leh and is located at 160kms from Leh town. The lake completely freezes in winter. In order to enjoy the picturesque views, it is best to visit Pangong Tso in Summer.
The lake is also popular for camping. However in the last few years, due to uncontrolled mass tourism and unethical camps, there was complete ignorance for waste management and effluent generation/treatment. The Jammu & Kashmir state government in April 2019 has banned camping and night stay at Pangong Tso.
Khardungla Pass
Khardungla Pass is popular as one of the highest motorable pass at the height 18,380 feet and is the gateway to Nubra and Shyok valley. Very recently Uming La pass in Eastern Ladakh is known as the highest motorable pass in the world.
Biking to the Khardungla is one of the most sought after adventures and which is why it one of the best places to visit Leh Ladakh.
Managed by the Border Roads Organization, reaching and crossing Khardungla Pass is a challenging journey. Due to the height at which it is located, one might face Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) due to lack of oxygen. Staying here for a long time can hamper the brain’s activity by causing headache, nausea, blurry vision amongst others.
In order to enjoy the mesmerizing views from the top, it is advisable to be acclimatized to heights (stay in Leh for atleast 2 days), be well hydrated before the start of the journey and not stay at the top for more than 20 minutes.
Nubra Valley
Nubra valleys is popular for two things – the golden sand dunes and riding the two-humped Bactrian camel.
Nubra is a typical tourist destination with less bikers or adventure thrillers here and more of families having a good time.
Situated on the bank of Nubra river, there are many camps and resorts around the sand dunes where you can spend a night. Since it is far from Leh – approximately 160 kms it is best to plan a night stay. Photo by Sonam Shah
Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa is located on the Chanspa hill within Leh city. It is one of the most magnificent and peaceful Buddhist monuments that was built by Japanese monks to promote world peace.
The peace at the stupa will engulf your aura and you will want to close your eyes and meditate to the distant chimes.
One can also enjoy the unobstructed, panoramic views of the city landscape and beyond which makes it one of the best tourist places to visit in Leh and around.
Hemis Monastery
Hemis is one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in India. It is popular for its annual mask festival called Hemis Festival, celebrated in the memory of Guru Padmasambhava. Hemis is the largest Gompa in Ladakh district and is the most accessible – approximately 45kms from Leh city. It permanently houses around 500 monks. Check the schedule of Hemis Festival here.
Leh Palace
Wherever you are in Leh, you cannot miss the sand coloured grandeur overlooking from a nearby cliff. A prominent symbol of the royal family since the 16th century, The Royal Leh Palace is nothing short of a scenic beauty. The Palace is over nine-storey high overlooking the panoramic views of the rustic Zanskar valley.
Tso Moriri Lake
Known as the twin to the popular Pangong Tso Lake, Tso Moriri is slowly rising to stardom for its tranquil yet stunning views. Located 220 km from Leh city, a day trip is possible to this picturesque lake.
Located in the Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary, Tso Moriri is a wetland reserve and home to many migratory birds. The lake paints a beautiful picture against the barren snow-capped mountains, deep blue skies and pasteur green grasslands.
Diskit Monastery
Founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, in the 14th century, the monastery has a statue of Cho Crowned Buddha and is one of the most beautiful and oldest monasteries in Ladakh district. Standing on the top of a hill right above the floodplains of the Shyok River and in Nubra valley, the monastery enthrals you with its enchanting beauty.
Shey Monastery
Shey monastery is famous because of the magnificent metal statue of Buddha and one of the places to visit in Leh , the second largest statue in the city of Ladakh. It is located 15 kilometres south of Leh.
Hall of Fame Museum, Leh
Hall of Fame Museum was built to show gratitude towards the soldiers of Kargil war. The museum is divided into two parts : 1) paintings and scenes from the Kargil war with detailed description of the encounters and 2) weaponry and arms while the other part holds the apparels which were worn by the soldiers at the time of war. There are also photographs of the soldiers who gave their lives to save the country.
Leh Market
Shopping is synonymous to any vacation and no trip can be complete without taking back some souvenirs to remember the amazing time spent here.
Leh Market has some amazing options to shop for handicrafts, silver jewelry, woolen items and paintings. Some of the most common souvenirs from Ladakh include colourful prayer flags, beaded bands, keychains and refrigerator magnets. The Leh market reminded me of the beautiful and very similar Mcleodganj market.
Some offbeat things Leh souvenirs include Apricot jam and Sea buckthorn juice.
BEST TIME TO VISIT LEH LADAKH
According to me the best time to visit Ladakh is in monsoon. While the rest of the country reels under monsoon, it is summer in Ladakh because the entire region falls in rain shadow region. The best months are June to August. The weather is not too hot or cold for treks. There is still snow on mountain peaks and the nip in the air is perfect for walking around without wrapping too many layers.
However, areas like Pangong Tso and Khardungla are extremely cold even in summers with the possibility of hail storm or even snow event in both places. It is best to be prepared before going here.
If you want to witness the snow, then winter is ideal. Storms are not quite common here as the region receives heavy snow annually. It is best to avoid January and February due to the heavy rainfall.
Chadar Trek, popular for trekking on frozen river takes place in January.
HOW TO REACH LEH LADAKH
By air
The nearest airport to is Leh Airport. There are direct flights from Delhi and Srinagar to Leh everyday with good frequency. From the airport, local cabs can be hired to reach anywhere in Leh.
By Train
Pathankot, Chandigarh and Kalka are the closest railway stations to Leh. Important trains from various Indian cities serve these stations. One can board a train till either of these stations and then hire a cab to reach till Leh.
By Road
Manali-Leh road has been serving as the second best road to Ladakh. Himachal Pradesh Tourism (HRTC) and Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) operate daily deluxe and ordinary buses between Manali and Leh. Government buses, both deluxe and ordinary, run from Kargil and between Leh and Srinagar on regular and frequent intervals. Cars and jeeps are also available for Leh-Srinagar and Leh-Manali route.
Bike rent in Leh
It is possible to rent bikes in Leh if you have not already got one from Srinagar or Manali. Small adventure seekers can drive bokes to places to visit in Leh and around on bike.
There are many local shops in the main market which offer these services. Depending on the bike, the rent range is between INR 2000-3500 per day.
WHERE TO STAY IN LEH
In order to tick off the places to visit in Leh Ladakh, one must start from Leh city. It is possible to cover all the places mentioned above by doing day trips from Leh. For the same reason, Leh offers many accommodation options to suit every budget.
Homestay: Hotel Naro, Nathula Homestay, Ladakh view homestay
Mid-budget: Hotel Dolma Residency, Hotel Chube, Cho Palace
Luxury: Hotel City Palace, Gomang Boutique Hotel
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL TIPS FOR PLACES TO VISIT IN LEH
- Though the city hotels have flush toilets, the places around may not. There is facility for pit toilets (water-less). Live like a local and use them.
- Get your own refillable bottle and fill it at hotels. The plastic bottle menace is too much for a high altitude city.
- Do not dispose food or plastic waste anywhere in the region.
- Support the local community by choosing a home stay.
Byline on Ladakh in Namaste AI (Air India’s in-flight magazine), July 2023
I hope this Leh Ladakh travel guide on Best places to visit in Leh Ladakh will help you to plan your trip. Did I miss out on any things to do in Leh Ladakh? Let me know in the comments below.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.
PIN THIS POST!
18 comments
Wow leh is in my bucket list from so long.dint knew you an visit so many places. Thanks for sharing.saving for future
Glad to know this post will help you Madhu 🙂
Thats true. Leh is on every bucket lost. Loved how you described it. Saved 😍
Thanks for sharing ! Now I have to add Leh in my bucket list ! I want to visit the Leh Palace, and Tso Moriri lake !
This is such a fascinating post! I’ve always wanted to travel to Leh but unfortunately haven’t made it there yet… Hopefully I’ll be able to see all these places when I eventually visit!
I hope you are able to make it to India and Leh, soon. Please do not hesitate to reach out for any queries regarding this place 🙂
I am hearing more and more about Leh and it is appealing to me everytime I read about the place and hopefully I will add this to my list of places ot visit when I hit the area. I might be hitting you up for some more advice if that is ok. 🙂
It’s sad that they had to ban camping a couple of months ago because of over tourism and people not taking care of this beautiful place. I know you said the best time to visit is in summer and that’s true, but I would love to see it in winter as well. Is it accessible then? Can you drive the Khardungla Pass then or is it closed? I love the “highest, biggest, oldest, etc” things in the world. And very true, you can’t stay at the top long. I was at the top of Rainbow Mountain in Peru at 16,400 feet and we couldn’t stay longer than 30-45 minutes so I can only imagine at 18K feet! I would also like to see all the monasteries!
What a fabulous road trip! Wonderful scenery, lakes,mountains, cultural and historical places of interest…….and I would have no trouble persuading my husband: one mention of the highest motorable road in the world and I would not be able to hold him back!
Wow, the color contrasts in Pangong Tso Lake are amazing. I love how vibrant the greens are. Motoring above 18,000′ seems like quite the adventure. I wonder if you could acclimatize in Leh for other high mountain treks by driving up to the pass regularly of the course of several weeks and spending progressively longer up top. It seems easier than hiking to a high camp, closer to help if anything goes wrong, and you get to return to town for a hot meal and soft bed.
It is such a shame that people so disrespected the sanctity of Pangong Tso that the government had to ban camping to preserve it. I can imagine the views there are simply jaw dropping! Tso Moriri Lake also looks simply amazing! I must plan a visit to the region when I do, eventually, make it to India.
The lakes are so vibrant and the mountains are so dry. The contrast is a prefect representation of the diversity of our fabulous country. How long was your trip?
What an incredible experience you have described. The photos of Pangong Tso Lake and Tso Moriri Lake are stunning. Such a beautiful country you live in. It is interesting the decision to ban camping as a way to preserve it, and perhaps in future generations they will come up with a sustainable solution.
What a great trip you had, Photos are amazing.
I am keen to visit Tso Moriri Lake. Thanks for sharing this info on Lah. It’s really helpful with ideas for our itinerary.
India is high on my bucket list! Tso Moriri is beautiful. I’d definitely want to go there and then to see the caravan just as its pictured in your Nubra Valley mention. Awesome architecture, too. Thanks for introducing me to these new places. Hope the conditions get easier.
Hi Ketki,
Thanks for sharing awesome article with us. I had plan of visiting leh few years back but couldn’t succeed. But i had visited manali. Will bookmark your article
You should do the road trip from manali to leh to get the best of both worlds! For me, it has been the best trip of my life so far 🙂