Overview

Ladakh, also known as the “Land of High Passes,” is a region located in the northernmost part of India, a Union Territory, which was previously a part of Jammu and Kashmir. Ladakh is famous for its rugged terrain, stunning natural landscapes, and unique cultural heritage. The region is surrounded by some of the world’s highest mountain ranges, including the Himalayas, Karakoram, and the Ladakh range. It’s a land of the coldest deserts in the world; it is a land to be lost in the beauty of rugged terrains and click awesome pictures; seeking solace in numerous Gompas and satisfy your adventures soul by indulging in various adventure activities like trekking, rafting, paragliding, mountain climbing, biking etc.

There are numerous tourist places to visit in Leh Ladakh, considered to be amongst the most beautiful, serene and blissful destinations in the world. With rivers like the Indus, Zanskar and Shyok cascading here, and the Himalayas acting as its backdrop, Leh is a treasure trove of mesmerising landscapes, dramatic natural views and vibrancy.

Amongst the countless Leh tourist attractions is the famous Khardung La Pass, a magnetic hill that defies gravity. If you are seeking some peace and solace, visit the Shanti Stupa here, or head over to Kargil to pay your respects to the brave soldiers of the country. Or visit the Pangong Lake and soak in stunning views of the mountains and cloudy skies in the crystal-clear brackish waters of the lake.

Pangong Tso Lake

Nestled at an elevation of 4,225 m above sea level, Pangong Tso Lake is situated on the India-China border. This pristine and endorheic lake is 134 km long, which extends from India to China. The prime attraction of the lake is its changing color over the duration of the day and this crystal blue lake offers glimpses of the mighty surrounding peaks in the lake, which is a unique experience.
It is home to some of the exotic migratory species of birds, which you can spot on the bank of the Pangong Tso. Owing to the harsh winters, the lake freezes down during this time. Camping on the bank of the lake is a sheer delight for adventure enthusiasts.
Things to do at Pangong Lake : Camping, bird watching, and nature walk.
Best time to visit Pangong Lake : May to September.
How to reach Pangong Lake : Leh Airport is the nearest airport, which is 225 km away. The lake is well-connected from Leh via Chang La Pass.

Thiksey Monastery

Renowned for its resemblance with the Potala Palace in Tibet, Thiksey Monastery is among the most revered sites in Ladakh among Buddhists. The monastic complex was built in the 15th century by Palden Zangpo. It is the largest gompa in central Ladakh and the major attraction of Thiksey Monastery is Maitreya Temple, which was built in 1970 to commemorate the visit of the Dalai Lama in the 14th century.
The monastery houses the 15 m tall Maitreya Buddha statue in the monastery, which is the largest statue in Ladakh covering two stories of the building. Gustor Festival is the major event organized here, which offers glimpses of the rich cultural heritage of the region.
Things to do at Thiksey Monastery : Sightseeing and meditation.
Best time to visit Thiksey Monastery : May to September.
How to reach Thiksey Monastery : Leh Airport is the nearest airport, which is 20 km away and is easily accessible from Leh city.

Zanskar Rivers: Sangam Point

Popularly known as Sangam in the Leh region, the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers is a famous tourist attraction in Leh. Amidst the barren mountains, two of the major rivers of Ladakh merge at a place and offer heavenly views. Nimmu Valley is a place where these two water bodies meet. These two rivers can be easily distinguished owing to their different colors.
The shiny blue Zanskar river that has its source in Zanskar Valley merges with the green-tinged Indus that originates from the Indus Valley near the Mansarovar range in the mighty Himalayas. From March to May, the colors of these rivers can be best witnessed.
Things to do at Sangam Point : Sightseeing and river rafting.
Best time to visit Sangam Point : March to May.
How to reach Sangam Point : Leh Airport is the primary airport that serves the region, which is 10 km away and is easily accessible from Leh city.

Shanti Stupa

Perched atop a steep hilltop, Shanti Stupa is a stunning white-domed Buddhist monument. It is one of the most religious sites for Buddhists that holds the relics of Buddha that was consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama. From the Shanti Stupa complex, you can enjoy the bird’s eye view of Leh city and soak in the tranquil aura of the surroundings.
It is the perfect tourist place in Ladakh for peace-seekers and shutterbugs. Nestled in the Changspa Village, Shanti Stupa was constructed in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist, Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. It was built to mark the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote world peace. It is a part of the peace pagoda mission, which aims to spread harmony through the preaching of Buddha.
Things to do at Shanti Stupa : Seek blessings and meditation.
Best time to visit Shanti Stupa : May to September.
How to reach the Shanti Stupa : Leh Airport is situated 6 km away from Shanti Stupa, which can be reached easily by taxi.

Hemis National Park

Home to some of the rare and endangered species of wildlife, Hemis National Park is located in the eastern region of Ladakh. Spread over 4,400 m sq. km, this is one of the largest national parks in South Asia. It is the largest contiguous protected region after Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Several gompas and villages are a part of the Hemis National Park.
This is a protected home to some endangered species including leopard, Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolf, the Eurasian brown bear, and the red fox. It is famous for Snow Leopard treks during which you can spot Snow Leopard along with other wildlife species. This is among the famous places to visit in Ladakh for adventure enthusiasts. Camping and trekking are popular activities here.
Things to do at Hemis National Park : Trekking, hiking, and camping.
Best time to visit Hemis National Park : May to October.
How to reach the Hemis National Park : Leh Airport is the nearest airport, which is situated 47 km away from the national park. It can be reached easily by taxi.

Nubra Valley

Popular for its unique landscape and jaw-dropping locales, Nubra Valley is among the top attractions in Ladakh. It is connected with the Leh by Khardung La Pass and offers innumerable experiences. Nubra Valley is known for its cold desert and Bactrian double-humped camels. You can enjoy a camel ride amidst the barren mountains in the sand dunes of the valley.
With the backdrop of Diskit Monastery, the camel ride offers an amazing experience. During the sunset, the surroundings look mesmerizing and offer a memorable experience during the Ladakh trip. There are numerous eco-friendly camps, where you can enjoy camping. Hunder Village, Diskit Monastery, Turtuk, and Panamik are the major attractions of the Nubra Valley.
Things to do at Nubra Valley : Bike ride, camel ride, photography, and camping.
Best time to visit Nubra Valley : May to September.
How to reach Nubra Valley : Leh Airport is the nearest airport from Nubra Valley, which is situated 127 km away from Nubra. It can be reached easily by taxi, bike, and bus that are available in Leh city.

Tso Moriri Lake

Located in one of the most beautiful and scenic regions of Ladakh is the Changthang Plateau region, Tso Moriri Lake is an alpine lake nestled at an altitude of 4,522 m above sea level. This ‘Mountain Lake’ is the highest brackish water lake in India lies in the breathtakingly beautiful Rupshu Valley. Tso Moriri is an emerald blue-colored lake, which attracts a range of migratory birds, marmots, and rarely spotted Tibetan wolves.
Being part of the wetland reserve under the Ramsar site, it is actually known as Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve and no one can pitch a tent or construct anything near the banks of the lake. The snowy peaks of the Changthang Plateau feed the lake and it is one of the sacred lakes among the locals in Ladakh. There are camps near the lake where you can stay and enjoy the trip.
Things to do at Tso Moriri Lake : Camping, nature walk, and hiking.
Best time to visit Tso Moriri Lake : May to September.
How to reach Tso Moriri Lake : Leh Airport is the nearest airport from Tso Moriri Lake, which is situated 224 km away. You can board a bus and share a taxi from Leh. Also, hire a bike or private taxi to reach the lake.

Magnetic Hill

Also known as ‘Cyclops Hill’, Magnetic Hill is renowned for the phenomenon that defies the law of gravitation. The hill road is downhill and when you park your vehicle in a box there, it seems like the vehicle rolling uphill in the defiance of gravity. Located on Srinagar Leh Highway, Magnetic Hill is the best place to visit in Ladakh and to get captivated by this phenomenon.
However, it is proved that this is an optical illusion and the vehicle rolling downhill but owing to the illusion phenomenon it seems like it is going uphill. This is a must-visit place in Ladakh and has a memorable experience.
Things to do at Magnetic Hill : Sightseeing.
Best time to visit Magnetic Hill : May to September.
How to reach Magnetic Hill : Leh Airport is the nearest airport from Magnetic Hill, which is situated 24 km away. You can hire a bike or private taxi to reach Magnetic Hill.

Spituk Gompa

Boasts about religious scriptures, frescos, wall painting, and numerous shrines, Spituk Monastery is also known as Pethup Gompa. This is a perfect place to visit for history buffs and peace-seekers. Here you can meditate and spend some time amidst the tranquil aura of the monastery. It is home to 100 monks who live here, meditate, and learn about Buddhism.
There is a giant Kali statue in the monastery, which they reveal at the annual celebration of the Gustor Festival when a large number of people visit the monastery to attend the festivities. There is a big throne inside the monastery for the Dalai Lama and there are shrines dedicated to the Vajrabhairava deity. The major attraction of Spituk Monastery is the Cham Dance performed by the Lamas during the Gustor Festival, which is worth watching.
Things to do at Spituk Monastery : Seek blessings and meditation.
Best time to visit Spituk Monastery : May to September & November (for Gustor Festival).
How to reach Spituk Monastery : Leh Airport is the primary airport that serves the region. From Spituk Monastery is situated 4 km away. You can hire a private taxi to reach the monastery.

Hemis Monastery

Belongs to the Drukpa lineage, Hemis Monasteries is among the largest monastic institutions in Ladakh. It houses the Mahayoga Tantra School where monks learn about Buddhism. The monastery boasts of vast collections of prehistoric artifacts and relics.
Some of the popular things housed in the monastery are the statue of Buddha made of copper, stupas made of gold, and silver, thangkas, and murals. From the top of the monastery, you can enjoy a great view of the Chomoling which is home to several nuns, and soak in the scenic vistas of the serene surroundings. Hemis Festival is the major event celebrated here, which is attended by a large number of tourists every year.
Things to do at Hemis Monastery : Sightseeing and attend Hemis Festival
Best time to visit Hemis Monastery : May to September.
How to reach Hemis Monastery : Leh Airport is the nearest airport from Hemis Monastery, which is situated 38 km away. You can hire a private taxi or bike from Leh to reach the monastery. Also, government buses ply regularly for Hemis.

Kargil

One of the two major districts of Ladakh and the joint capital of the region, Kargil is home to numerous lakes, valleys, mountain passes, and villages. Suru Valley, Pensi La, and Drass are the famous places to visit in Kargil. The major attractions of Kargil are Kargil War Memorial, Mulbekh Monastery, Rangdum Monastery, Drang Drung Glacier, and Hundermand Village where a large number of tourists visit.
To enjoy the thrill of mountaineering, adventure lovers can go for a trek to Nun Kun massif. Mulberry, apple, and apricot trees enhance the breathtaking beauty of the landscape of Kargil. In 1999, Kargil was the place where the war between India and Pak took place owing to which it is famous and people visit the War Memorial to witness the courage and valor of the Indian Army.
Things to do at Kargil : Sightseeing and attend Hemis Festival.
Best time to visit Kargil : May to September.
How to reach Kargil : Leh Airport is the nearest airport from Kargil which is situated 214 km away. Srinagar Airport is another primary airport that serves Kargil, which is 222 km away. You can hire a private taxi or bike from Leh and Srinagar to reach the monastery. Also, government buses ply regularly from these two cities for Kargil.