What are the best places to visit in Ladakh — this question is debatable as every inch of Ladakh is as beautiful as heaven. The pictures and videos of Ladakh leave people spellbound with its beauty. But believe us, Ladakh is more beautiful than what you have explored on the internet.
Geographically Ladakh is huge in area and it had hundreds of tourist places worth visiting. But here we shall tell you about the major tourist attractions that you should not miss to visit. From its high altitude beautiful lakes to the world’s highest mountain passes to ancient monasteries, unique Ladakhi culture and landscapes, Ladakh has everything to offer to visitors from India and abroad. Be if motorbiking or trekking enthusiasts, culture and religion lovers, admirers of beautiful landscapes, high altitude blue water lakes, snow-capped peaks, glaciers or winding roads, Ladakh has everything for everyone.
Since it takes many weeks to explore both Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh, this post is for those tourists who have a limited time period in hand and want to know about the best places to visit in Ladakh. We have covered all top tourist destinations of Ladakh in this post. We have written as much possible detail about each destination.
We shall keep updating this post with new tourist destinations of Ladakh as and when they are opened for tourists. New details about the tourist places of Ladakh will also be updated regularly.
We deal in complete Ladakh tour packages with fixed and tailor-made itineraries. Customers can select tourist places which they want to visit and can ask us to make an itinerary for them. Pangong Lake, Khardungla pass, Nubra Valley and Sham Valley are the main tourist spots. Given below are the major tourist destinations of Ladakh:
1. Pangong Lake
Pangong Lake or Pangong Tso is a high altitude lake that is famous for its beautiful blue water which seems to changing its colour three to four times a day from dawn to dusk due to golden mountains and sunrays. Pangong Lake deserves to be at the top of the places to visit in Ladakh. The Pangong lake is about 150 KM from Leh and is accessible after a 5-hour drive, traversing the 17,590 ft (5,360 m) high Changla pass (Chang-la). Pangong Lake is at an altitude of about 14,250 ft (4,350 m). The lake is 134 km… Read More
2. Khardungla Pass
Khardungla pass or KhardonglaPass is some 38km north of Leh city and is reachable after tricky road having high gradient and many hairpin bends. Khardungla pass is at an altitude of 18,380 ft from mean sea level. Leh-Khardungla pass –Nubra road is known to be amongst a few of the highest roads in the world and the highest road of India. Thousands of tourists visit Khardungla pass for its specialty of being so high and mighty… Read More
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3. Nubra Valley
Nubra valley is in the north of Leh town and the road to the valley passes through 18,380ft high Khardungla pass (Khardongla), hence known to be one of the highest motorable roads of the world and the highest motorable road in India. Nubra was earlier known as Ladorma, which means “valley of flowers”. It well deserves a place in list of best places to visit in Ladkah. Diskit, Hunder and Sumur are the main settlements of Nubra valley. Diskit is about 130km from Leh. Shyok and Nubra (or Siachen)… Read More
4. Diskit Monastery
Diskit (Disket) is the headquarters of Nubra Valley in Leh district of Ladakh, about 120km from Leh. Diskit is located by the bank of Shyok river and is famous for Diskit Monastery, the oldest and largest gompa of Nubra valley. Hunder is just 7km from Diskit. Leh – Khardungla pass – Diskit (Nubra Valley) is known as the highest motorable road of the world, passing through 18,380 ft high Khardung-la. Most of the government offices of Nubra… Read More
5. Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa (Peace temple) located in the upper corner of Leh at Changspa (Chanspa) has emerged as one of the new tourist destinations of Leh. Best places to visit in Ladakh list is incomplete without Shanti Stupa, a major landmark of the town. The stupa was built by both Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhists in 1991. Shanti Stupa has relics of Buddha at its base that were enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama. Stupa has religious significance for Buddhists and is built on a hilltop. Its construction started in 1983 and a road to the stupa was built two years later. Those who love trekking can climb up the steep stairs to reach it. Otherwise… Read More
6. Leh Palace
Overlooking Leh town, the nine-storey Leh Palace was built in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal and its design is similar to Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet. Tsewang Namgyal, founder of the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh, started the construction of Leh Palace in 1553 and the construction was completed by his nephew Sengge Namgyal. The upper storeys of the palace housed royal family while lower storeys were used as storerooms and stables. Historians say that the time when Dogra Forces took control of Ladakh in… Read More
7. Hall of Fame
Located close to Leh Airport, on Leh-Spituk Gompa road, Hall of Fame is a military war museum maintained by Indian Army, showcasing the arms, clothing, pictures, and pictorial histories of many wars that India fought in last many decades. Hall of Fame is worth visiting for all to know how Indian soldiers fought various tough wars. It has housed the memories of the brave soldiers who lost their lives during the Indo-Pakistan wars. This war heroes memorial has a souvenir shop and artifacts of various wars. Hall of Fame has many old weapons… Read More
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8. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, a beautiful Gurudwara constructed in the memory of Guru Nanak ji, founder guru of the Sikh faith, is about 25km from Leh on Leh-Kargil road, just before Magnetic Hill point. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib was built in 1517 to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanak Dev ji to Ladakh. A large number of tourists visit this religious and historic shrine while travelling to Magnetic Hill Point, Sangam Point, Alchi or Kargil. During his lifetime Guru Nanak travelled to many distant places and one such… Read More
9. Magnetic Hill
The Magnetic Hill area is located just between Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and Sangam, on the Leh-Srinagar national highway, about 27km from Leh. Tourists throng here to check the truth behind the gravitational pull defying theory. Magnetic Hill or Gravity Hill is nothing but an optical illusion as the geography of the area and surrounding slopes create such an illusion that the uphill road looks like a downhill road. Tourists, mostly those coming from plains become prey to this illusion and are surprised to see their vehicles moving upwards on the road if kept in neutral gear. Border Roads Organization (BRO), which takes care… Read More
10. Sangam (Confluene of Indus and Zanskar Rivers)
Sangam (confluence), located at Nimmu on Leh-Srinagar highway, is the confluence of Indus (Sindhu) and Zanskar rivers. Zanskar river coming from Zanskar valley of Union Territory of Ladakh meets the Indus river at Nimmu and offers a spectacular view to the visitors. Indus is the lifeline of Ladakh which irrigates the dry land of the valley. A large number of tourists visit Sangam point to enjoy the beauty of nature. Also, this is a river rafting point where adventure enthusiasts come to experience the thrill of river rafting. The muddy water of a river meets… Read More
11. Spituk Monastery and Kali Mata Temple
Spituk Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Western end of Leh in Ladakh on Leh-Kargil-Srinagar highway, about 6 km from the main town. Above the monastery, on the hilltop, is Kali Mata Temple where Goddess Kali is enshrined. The Spituk monastery is close to the Leh airfield and west to Hall of Fame. It offers panoramic view of entire Leh town and deserves to be on the list of places to visit in Ladakh. One can also see Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo Monastery from here. The site of Spituk was blessed by the Arhat Nyimagung. It was founded by Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama… Read More
12. Hunder (Sand Dunes in Nubra Valley)
Hunder (or Hundar) is the second largest village in Nubra valley of Leh district in Ladakh, about 127 km from Leh and 7 km from Diskit village. The village is settled by the bank of Shyok river. Hunder has hundreds of old chhortans, ruined buildings and also has a small Hunder Monastery and ruined palace of the King of Nubra. Hunder is well known for its vast sand dunes that are between the village and Diskit. Bactrian camels (double humped camels) are found here and tourists throng sand dunes to experience camel safari. Hunder also deserves a place in your itinerary having places to visit in Ladakh. Villagers have reared… Read More
13. Tso Moriri Lake
At an altitude of about 14,835 ft from sea level and 240 km from Leh, Tso Moriri Lake is located in Changthang plateau of Ladakh in India, having a maximum length of 19km and a maximum width of 3km. The lake is very deep with maximum depth at a point up to 350 ft (106m). Tsomoriri lake is said to be the largest of the high altitude lakes in India in the trans-Himalayan biogeographic region. Officially the lake is now known as Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve. If you have enough time to explore Ladakh, Tso Moriri lake definitely deserves to be in list of places to visit in Ladakh. The bluish crystal clear water of Tsomoriri lake mesmerizes the visitors… Read More
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14. Alchi Monastery
Alchi Monastery is situated in Alchi village near Leh. Alchi is a beautiful village in Leh district of Ladakh, about 65 km from Leh and is situated close to the bank of Indus river in Khalsi tehsil. Alchi village is famous for Alchi monastery (gompa), which is the oldest monastery of the Ladakh. Alchi is known as monastic complex of temples. The village has four separate settlements with monuments which are dated to different periods. Alchi monastery is administered by Likir Monastery… Read More
15. Likir Monastery
Likir monastery (gompa) is a Buddhist monastery belonging to Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, about 50 km west of Leh town of Ladakh in India. It deserves to be among the best places to visit in Ladakh. The monastery was established in 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje under the command of Lhachen Gyalpo, the fifth King of Ladakh. The name Likir means “The Naga – Encircled”, representing the bodies of the two great serpent spirits, the Naga-rajas — Nanda and Taksako. Likir gompa is situated on a hilltop alongside Indus river valley. Likir is an isolated but picturesque place, about 6km extreme right… Read More
16. Hemis Monastery
Hemis monastery (gompa) is a Buddhist monastery of Drukpa lineage of Buddhism and is located in Hemis village of Ladakh, about 45 km from Leh. The monastery was built before 11th century but it was re-established in 1672 by the king of Ladakh Sengge Namgyal. An annual Hemis Festival, in honour of Padmasambhava, is observed here in the month of June. Naropa, pupil of yogi Tilopa and teacher of translator Marpa is connected with this monastery. A translation was made by A Grunwedel of Naropa’s biography which was found in Hemis… Read More
17. Thiksey Monastery
Thiksey Monastery (Or Thikse or Thiksay monastery) is located on a hilltop in Thiksey village and the monastery is affiliated with the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Thiksey is about 20km east of Leh town of Ladakh on Leh-Manali National Highway. The structure and architecture of Thiksey Gompa resemble with Potala Palace of Lhasa, Tibet. The monastery houses Buddhist art items like thangka paintings, arms like swords, stupas, and statues. It also deserves to be in the list of best places to visit in Ladakh. The monastery has about 50ft high statue of Maitreya. This gompa has become a major attraction in… Read More
18. Basgo Monastery
Basgo Monastery or Bazgo Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Basgo village in Leh district of Ladakh, about 40 km west of Leh town. Basgo is located right to the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar highway before Saspol and Alchi and after Sangam and Nimmoo. Although the monastery was built for the Namgyal rulers in 1680, Basgo itself was embedded in the early days of Ladakh and is frequently mentioned in the Ladakhi Chronicles when it was a political and cultural center. The monastery is situated on top of the hill towering… Read More
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19. Stok Palace and Monastery
Stok Palace and Stok Monastery (gompa) are just 15 km from main Leh town and is a Buddhist monastery that also houses a museum. The Stok Palace was founded by Lama Lhawang Lotus in 14th century and it belongs to Yellow Hat sect of Buddhism. The Stok Palace has maintained a library having all the 108 volumes of the Buddhist teachings. Stok Palace was used as a residence by Royal Namgyal Family (King of Ladakh) in mid 19th century when Dogra Forces took control of Ladakh. Mask-dance is organized in the monastery every year in 9th… Read More
20. Shey Palace and Monastery
Shey Palace and Shey Monastery are about 15 km from the main Leh town on Leh-Manali highway, located on a hilltop in Shey village, the erstwhile summer capital of Ladakh. Built in 1655, historians say that Shey palace was used as the summer retreat of the Namgyal Royal Family of Ladakh. The Shey Monastery was built within the complex by Deldon Namgyal in the memory of his departed father in 1655. The monastery houses a huge statue of Shakyamuni Buddha which is about 40 ft high and occupies three storeys of the monastery. Shey is at… Read More
21. Lamayuru Monastery
Located at an altitude of about 11,500 ft, close to Fotu-la (pass), on Srinagar-Leh highway, Lamayuru (Yuru gompa) is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Lamayuru village in Leh district of Ladakh. Lamayuru is 115 km from Leh and is host to two annual masked dance festivals in the second and fifth months of the Tibetan lunar calendar when all the monks from these surrounding gompas gather together to pray. Lamayuru is one of the largest and oldest gompas in Ladakh… Read More
22. Tsemo Castle and Monastery
Namgyal Tsemo Monastery (gompa) is a Buddhist monastery in Leh town of Ladakh in India and is located at the highest point of the town on a hilltop. Tsemo Castle (Fort) is on a hilltop while Tsemo Monastery is just below it. Tsemo Castle is located just above the Leh Palace. Tsemo Castle (Fort) and Tsemo monastery is visible from all parts of Leh town. Tsemo can be seen from old bazaar, new market, main market, Shanti Stupa, airport, Changspa, Spituk and everywhere. Tsemo is reachable by road, taking… Read More
23. Tso Kar Lake
Tso Kar Lake (Tsokar lake) is a lake in Rupshu valley of Ladakh, close to More (Morre) Plains, east of the Manali-Leh highway just before Taglang-la. It is 150km from Leh and 360km from Manali. Tso Kar is salt water lake which is about 7 km in length and little more than 2 km in width. The lake is at an elevation of about 14,850 ft. Tso Kar Lake is surrounded by two towering peaks – 6,370 m high Gursan peak and 6,050 m high Thugie peak. Tsokar lake, according to historians, was far larger than the existing lake and it is regularly… Read More
24. Dah Hanu Valley
Dah Hanu or Dha and Hanu, popularly known as Aryan villages of Ladakh, are located in Dhahanu valley in North-East of Ladakh, about 160km from Leh town. The visitors are required to obtain an inner line permit to visit these Brokpa villages. The villages have both Buddhist and Muslim population and also have their own animist pantheon of Gods. Residents of Dah Hanu are best known as Indo-Aryan breed. Dard people of Dah and Hanu have an Indo-European appearance with high cheek bones… Read More
25. Panamik
Settled amid high mountain peaks, close to Siachen glacier, the highest and coldest battlefield of the world, Panamik village is famous for its natural hot water springs — Panamik Hot Water Springs. The small but beautiful village is about 140km from Leh, little beyond Sumur village towards Siachen glacier base camp. Panamik is beyond Sumur village and Samstanling monastery. Hot water springs of Panamik are rich in sulphur which is good for health. People from surrounding villages come to Panamik to take dip in hot springs as sulphur is… Read More
26. Rancho School
Rancho’s School (Druk Padma Karpo School or Druk White Lotus School), which is also known as 3 Idiots School, is a Buddhist cultural school located in Shey village, close to Shey palace and monastery, on Leh-Manali highway, in Ladakh, India. The school rose to prominence after the climax scenes of 3 Idiots Bollywood movie were shot in the school. Now a famous tourist spot, the school came into limelight after the shooting of Bollywood super hit film 3 Idiots was held here in September 2008. The movie was released in December 2009… Read More
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27. Turtuk
Turtuk is the northernmost gram panchayat of India in Nubra valley of Leh district of Ladakh, about 205km from Leh town and is on the bank of Shyok River. Turtuk opened for tourists in 2009 and it was under control of Pakistan since Independence till 1971. India took control over Turtuk during Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. India and Pakistan had again a war around Turtuk during Kargil War of 1999. A few memorials built in the memory of soldiers can be seen on the road leading to zero point of India-Pakistan Line of Control (LoC). Many tourists… Read More
28. Kargil
Kargil is one of the two districts of and a major town of the Union Territory of Ladakh in India, located on Leh-Srinagar highway, 220 km from Leh and 210 km from Srinagar. Kargil is the second largest town of Ladakh after Leh. Ladakh has two districts — one is Leh and another is Kargil. The main town of Kargil is about 695 km from Manali and 1,050 km from Delhi (via Srinagar) and it is about 1,265 km from Delhi via Manali. The average elevation of Kargil is about 8,700 ft from sea level. The town is settled by the bank of the Suru… Read More
29. Umling La
Umling La or Umlingla pass or उमलिंग ला (in Hindi) is a high mountain pass located in the Himalayan mountain range of India in eastern Ladah near Demchok village close to Indo-Tibetan border. It is situated at an elevation of 5,798 m (19,024 feet) above sea level. Umling La has earned the distinction of being the highest motorable pass in the world. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) received applause for building the world’s highest road in difficult terrains with low oxygen level and extreme weather with very few water sources… Read More
Best Places to visit in Leh Ladakh | Top places to visit in Leh Ladakh | Places to visit in Leh Ladakh | Best places to visit in Ladakh
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