Leh Ladakh is an amazing destination for tourists looking to explore the Himalayas. It’s also home to many Buddhist monasteries and holy sites. Here are our top 10 places to visit in Leh Ladakh.
Shanti Stupa
The Shanti Stupa, located in the town of Leh, is a beautiful white stupa that was built in 1985. The stupa is said to promote world peace, and it is a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims alike. The views from the Shanti Stupa are stunning, and it’s a great place to take in the natural beauty of Leh. If you’re visiting Leh, be sure to make time to visit the Shanti Stupa.
Leh Palace
Leh Palace, located in the city of Leh in Ladakh region, is a former royal palace of the Ladakhi kings. The palace was constructed in the 17th century by King Singge Namgyal. It served as the royal residence until the Dogra invasion of Ladakh in 1842. Leh Palace was abandoned after that and fell into disrepair.
The palace was restored during the 1960s and again during the early 2000s. Leh Palace is now open to tourists and is a popular tourist attraction in Leh. The best time to visit Leh Palace is from May to September when the weather is milder.
Namgyal Tsemo
Namgyal Tsemo is an important Buddhist monastery located in the Ladakh region of India. It was founded in 1460 by the teacher and saint, Padmasambhava. The monastery is known for its large collection of rare scriptures and manuscripts, as well as its many sacred paintings and statues.
The monastery is open to visitors year-round, and offers a unique opportunity to learn about Tibetan Buddhism and traditional Himalayan culture. There are several temples located on the premises, each with its own interesting history and significance. The most popular temple is the Gold Temple, which is covered in gold leaf and decorated with beautiful carvings.
Namgyal Tsemo is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Ladakh, and it’s well worth a visit whether you’re interested in Buddhism or not.
Hall of Fame
The Hall of Fame in Leh, Ladakh is a museum that was inaugurated on July 3, 2010 by the then President of India, Pratibha Patil. The museum is dedicated to the soldiers of the Indian Army who have lost their lives in various wars and battles fought since independence. It showcases the history of the Indian Army and also contains arms and ammunition used by them. The museum is spread over an area of 4,000 square metres and has been built at a cost of Rs. 110 crore.
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
Nestled atop a hill in the Himalayas is Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, a Sikh shrine that pays homage to Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith. The shrine is said to have been built at the spot where Guru Nanak Dev Ji stopped to rest on his travels and left an imprint of his foot on the stone.
Today, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a popular tourist destination, offering stunning views of the Ladakh Valley below. Visitors can take part in religious ceremonies or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Magnetic Hill
The Magnetic Hill in Ladakh is a place where the laws of physics seem to be defied. Vehicles travelling up the hill appear to be pulled uphill by an unknown force. The Magnetic Hill is located about 35 kilometers from Leh, the capital of Ladakh. Tourists and locals visit the site to see if they can defy gravity by making their vehicles go uphill.
Sangam
The Sangam is an ancient confluence in India where the rivers Chenab, Jhelum and Indus converge. It is located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir. The name Sangam is derived from the Sanskrit word sangam, meaning confluence. The site has been a place of pilgrimage for centuries and is considered sacred by Hindus and Buddhists.
The Sangam lies at the base of the Zanskar mountain range and is surrounded by high peaks. The area is extremely remote and difficult to access, making it a relatively undiscovered gem. The confluence of the three rivers is a spectacular sight, with the turquoise waters of the Indus contrasting with the white snow-capped peaks in the background.
The Sangam is a popular tourist destination and attracts visitors from all over India.
Spituk Monastery
The Spituk Monastery is located in the Leh district of Ladakh. It was founded by Od-de, a minister in the court of King Lhachen Gyalpo, in the 11th century. The monastery is noted for its collection of thangkas and other religious art objects.
Leh Market
The Leh Market is a weekly market that takes place everyday in the town of Leh, in the Leh district of Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, India. The market is one of the oldest markets in the region and is a major center for trade in agricultural products, textiles, and handicrafts.
Tso Moriri
Tso Moriri is a high altitude lake in the Ladakh region of northern India. At an altitude of 4,522 metres (14,836 feet), it is one of the highest lakes in the world. The name Tso Moriri means “big saline lake” in Ladakhi.
The lake is about 22 kilometres (14 miles) long and 9 kilometres (5.6 miles) wide, with a surface area of about 190 square kilometres (73 square miles). It is fed by the Zanskar River and other small streams, and drained by the Lungnak River.
Tso Moriri is a popular tourist destination, with many trekkers visiting during the summer months.
Chang La-Pass
Located at an altitude of over 16,000 feet above sea level, Chang La-Pass is a high mountain pass in the Leh district of Ladakh, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. The road over the pass is open from May to October each year, and is popular with tourists travelling to or from Ladakh. The pass is also used by the Indian Army as a strategic location for patrols and operations in the region.
At 5,359 metres (17,582 ft), Chang La-Pass is one of the highest motorable passes in India. The road over the pass is narrow and steep, with sharp twists and turns. The climb to the summit can be arduous, particularly in summer when temperatures can reach up to 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).
Shey Palace
Khardung la Pass
Nubra Valley
Hunder Sand Dunes
Turtuk
Army War Memorial
Diskit Monastery
Diskit Buddha Statute
Kargil
Pangong Tso Lake
This trek takes you through some of the most beautiful scenery in the region. You will pass by lakes, rivers, and mountains as you make your way up to the highest point in the area.
Hemis Monastery
Hemis monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in India. It was founded in the 7th century AD by King Songtsen Gampo, who ruled Tibet at the time. The monastery has been rebuilt several times since then.
Thiksey Monastery
Located in the village of Thiksey, the monastery is home to more than 100 monks. It’s also known as the “Monastery of the White Parasol” because of its distinctive white umbrella-shaped roof.
The Indus Valley
The Indus Valley civilization was an ancient civilization that flourished between 3300 BC and 1800 BC in what is now Pakistan and northwestern India. It was one of the first civilizations to develop writing and agriculture.
