Best Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh

The first thing one could imagine when thinking about Ladakh is its beautiful and unique district, Leh. Leh is the heart of Ladakh and its lаndsсарes аre fоrbidding by аny meаsure. There are far more incredible places in Leh Ladakh. And I am sure, one can’t resist the feeling of visiting there once they see a picture of Leh Ladakh.

About Leh, Ladakh, India

Leh is the capital and the largest district of Ladakh in terms of land size. The district is bounded on the west by Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, on the north and east by China, and on the southeast by Himachal Pradesh’s Lahul and Spiti.

It is 434 Km from Srinagar and 474 Km from Manali. Leh comprises New Town and Old Town. And the Old Town is on the World Monuments Fund’s list of 100 most endangered sites.

Leh is well-known for its breathtaking scenery, Buddhist monasteries, and pristine wildlife. Because of the Tibetan Buddhist influence, Leh is also known as Little Tibet or the Land of the Lamas. Moreover, it is also a significant trading center. And it provides an excellent shopping experience with its outstanding Tibetan handicrafts, jewelry, woolen clothing, and gorgeous carpets.

How To Reach Leh?

By Air: India’s Leh has its own airport. The airport has flights to Delhi at least daily, twice-weekly services to Jammu city, and a weekly flight to Srinagar.

By Train: There is no rail network in Ladakh. The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi. And is 700 km from Leh, Ladakh.

By Road: Two ways to reach by road in Leh is by Manali-Leh highway and Srinagar-Leh highway. Government buses, jeeps, and taxis go there. Bikers love riding in the passes of Leh, so I would recommend you to go with your buddy bike 😉

Best Time To Visit Leh

Summer (April-July): The best time to Visit Leh is during summer. The air temperature will be suitable and between 15-30 degrees Celsius. You will be able to explore it wholeheartedly.

NOTE: Due to barren land, sunlight will be falling directly on your skin so sunscreen is a must. Pack some warm clothes as it gets cold during the night.

Monsoon (July-September): The city doesn’t receive rain for a long time but whenever it does it’s quite heavy. Landslides and other rain-related problems are very common here. My advice would be to avoid the monsoon.

Winter (October-March): Heavy snowfall and very low temperature are common in Leh. You should avoid its due to roadblocks, harsh weather, and poor resources.

Best Places in Leh Ladakh

The most famous and best places in Leh Ladakh are breathtaking scenery, Buddhist monasteries, and pristine wildlife. The Best Places In Leh Ladakh mentioned in the travellingortraveling blog are Leh Palace, Pangong Tso, Spituk Monastery, Magnetic Hill, Lamayuru Gompa, Jama Masjid, Shanti Stupa, Thikse Monastery, Namgyal Tsemo Monastery, Shey Palace, Hemi Monastery, Drokpa Circuit, Diskit, Korzok, Panamik, Sumur, and Tso Moriri.

#1 Leh Palace

The Leh palace, built in the 17th century, is a notable landmark and historical structure. Sengge Namgyal, the renowned king of Ladakh, erected the nine-story mansion. It rises from the crest of a hill overlooking the town and extends out into the indigo sky.

Above the palace, is the Victory Tower at the top of the Namgyal hill. It was erected to celebrate Ladakh’s victory over the Balti Kashmir forces in the early 16th century.

#2 Pangong Tso

Pangong Tso is 143 kilometers from Leh. It is a massive, blackish-colored lake whose colors vary with the passage of the sun. The lake is in both India and China and one can explore it in a single day. The second alternative is to spend the night on the lake’s shores in Spangmik, the last village where locals are permitted.

#3 Spituk Monastery

The gompa is conspicuously located on top of a hilltop 8 kilometers from Leh and provides a panoramic view of the Indus Valley for miles. This 15th-century monastery included several Buddha images as well as five thankas. Additionally, there is an old mask collection, antique weaponry, and an awe-inspiring picture of Mahakali.

#4 Magnetic Hill

It is a stretch of road that despises gravity. Actually, the vehicles move up by themselves in this area. Magnetic Hill is one of the best places in Leh Ladakh. And is a good place for tired riders on the highway.

#5 Lamayuru Gompa

Lamayuru features several interesting caverns cut into the rock. Its festival takes place in the summer. And it is Ladakh’s oldest sacred place. Before the arrival of Buddhism, it was a Bon shrine. It is on a high point overlooking the village and valley and has another name; Yung Drung (Swastika). No other gompa can compete with Lamayuru in terms of pure spectacle value.

#6 Jama Masjid

It is an ancient mosque in the center of Leh. It was constructed between 1666 and 1667 A.D. as a result of an agreement reached between Mughal emperor Aurangzeb and the then ruler of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal.

#7 Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa is a white-domed Buddhist stupa (chorten) atop a mountaintop in Chanspa, Leh-Ladakh. It was created in 1991 as part of the Peace Pagoda project by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. There are the Buddha’s relics in the Shanti Stupa’s base too.

The stupa has become a tourist destination not just because of its religious significance. But also because of its location, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

#8 Thikse Monastery

Thikse monastery, 19 kilometers from Leh, is one of the largest and most magnificent gompas in Leh. It includes beautiful pictures, stupas, and wall murals of the Buddha.

#9 Namgyal Tsemo Monastery

The Namgyal Tsemo Monastery, also known as the Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, is a Buddhist monastery. The three-story high gold statue of Maitreya Buddha, as well as antique texts and paintings, were erected in 1430 by King Tashi Namgyal of Ladakh. It is close to Tsemo Castle.

 #10 Shey Palace

Shey palace is thought to have been the pre-Tibetan monarchs’ seat of authority. The largest of its type, a seven and a half meter high gold-plated copper statue of the Buddha, is situated in the palace.

#11 Hemi Monastery

Hemi, located 40 kilometers from Leh, is Ladakh’s wealthiest, most well-known, and largest gompa. The gompa’s yearly celebration takes place in the summer to honor Guru Padma Sambhav’s birth anniversary. In fact, it also boasts Ladakh’s largest thanka (scroll painting on silk or brocade), which is unfolded every 12 years.

#12 Drokpa Circuit

The Drokpa Circuit is at a distance of 200 kilometers from Leh. The Drokhpa, a pure Aryan people, reside on the banks of the Indus near Khaltse. These 2000 strong race occupy five villages, two of which, Dah and Biama, are on the circuit and are ethnically, linguistically, and religiously distinct from the rest of Ladakh and those in the neighboring villages.

#13 Diskit

Diskit is a tiny Nubra Valley hamlet. It is home to the valley’s largest gompa which is about 350 years old and home to approximately 70 monks. Furthermore, it is the Nubra Valley’s oldest gompa.

#14 Korzok

Korzok is a small delightful village, inhabited by friendly people, close to Tso Moriri. The gompa here is quite unusual because there are about 30 women, who often spend their days making beautiful dresses for themselves.

#15 Panamik

Panamik or Panamic is a small village famous, for centuries, for its hot springs and as the first or last stop along the ancient trade route between Ladakh and Central Asia. The water is rumored to cure rheumatism and other ailments and is pumped in by pipe from the Nubra river, about 2 km from the village. The 250-year-old Ensa Gompa is near the village.

#16 Sumur

Sumur is a major village along the Nubra riverside of the valley. And it is a beautiful place with a very colorful gompa. The Samstemling gompa at Sumur, over 150 years old, is a large complex with seven temples. It has an impressive collection of thankas and excellently restored frescoes.

#7 Tso Moriri Lake

Tso Moriri is located in the Rupsu valley, about 140 km from Leh. It is a small village with a few huts on the shore of Tso Moriri Lake. And is famous with the name, mountain lake. The Lake is surrounded by barren hills and backed by snow-covered mountains.

This is the best place for wildlife in Ladakh. Animals commonly seen in this region are wild asses, foxes, and cuddly marmots. On the lake, you may see large flocks of black-necked geese.

Without a doubt, there are many more best places in Leh Ladakh namely, Phyang Monastery, Likir Gompa, and Khardung La (the highest motorable pass), etc. Phyang Monastery is 17 kilometers from Leh on the Leh-Kargil route and Khardung La is on its way to Nubra valley.

Traveling to Ladakh? Check the Best Ladakh Visiting Places for more information!

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