Leh-Ladakh is a Union Territory of India located in the northern part of the country. This part of the country is considered one of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world. You might have guessed from the name that Ladakh is a land of high-altitude mountain passes.
This is the must-visit place where you can indulge yourself in the beauty of nature and the aesthetic scenery is just a delight to the eye. With its breathtaking view, Buddhist Monasteries, and serene lakes, Leh-Ladakh is famous around the world. There are many places to visit in Ladakh and we have listed 10 famous things to do there.
Summer is considered the best time to visit Leh-Ladakh because of the pleasant atmosphere. The winter is harsh and brutal there and hence tourists avoid visiting at that time. There is only one transport medium to reach Leh-Ladakh and that is Airplane. The nearest railway station to Ladakh is the Jammu Tawi Station which is around 700 km away.
The main airport to Leh-Ladakh is KushokBakulaRimpochee airport in the city of Leh. You can easily take a flight to Leh-Ladakh from major cities in India. People visit here for an adventurous bike trip in Leh-Ladakh.
Now you have an idea about the trip to Leh-Ladakh, let's straightaway go to the topic of things to do in Leh-Ladakh. We have listed the 10 best things that you can do in Leh-Ladakh.
Things to do in Leh-Ladakh
Pangong Lake: Visit the serenity
Pangong Lake is located in the eastern part of Ladakh and is about 160 km long saltwater Lake at a height of 14,000 ft. The lake is divided between two countries which are China and India. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world and the road connectivity here is the best. You could take a motorbike and ride along the beautiful lake. The famous Bollywood movie ‘Three Idiots’ was shot here.
Location: Leh district, Ladakh, India
Best time to visit: May to September
Entry fees: 420 INR
Royal Palace of Leh
This place is perfect for the history lover who wants to learn the history, culture, and traditions of Leh-Ladakh. The beautiful and historic Royal Leh Palace was constructed by SenggeNamgyal in the 17th century. The mesmerising nine-storied palace architecture is similar to that of the Tibetan architecture of the famous Potala Palace in Lhasa.
There is good road connectivity to reach this palace and the best part is that it is just 2 km away from the main city of Leh. Unfortunately, taking pictures within the palace is not permitted, thus visitors are not permitted to do so. It is one of the best places to visit in Leh.
Location: Leh city, Ladakh, India
Best time to visit: June to October
Entry fees: INR 15 (Indians), INR 100 (Foreigners)
Khardung La Pass
Khardung La Pass and motorbike go hand in hand becuase of the aesthetic scenery and high altitude mountain. For nerve-wracking bike adventure Khardung La Pass is the perfect location to get an adrenal rush in your body. Khardung La Pass is the world’s most adventurous and famous road which is located at 18000 ft above the sea level. A Leh bike trip is possible here.
Khardung La Pass is considered one of the best Ladakh tourist places and tourists who are planning their trip here must visit Khardung La Pass. The moment when you reach the top of the mountain and see the sign board “Khardungla Top- highest motorable road in the world” is surreal.
Location: Ladakh, India
Best time to visit: April to June and September and October
Entry fees: INR 20
Chadar Trek
If you are still not satisfied with the list of things to do in Leh, then this might excite you. Chadar Trek is one of the best places in this area where you must visit. The picturesque beauty will hypnotise you completely and immerse you in its picturesque scenery.
This is the only place in Ladakh where you will see tourists during winters. The main reason is the whole area gets covered with snow and the snowy mountain looks mesmerising. It is not an easy trek to climb and a pre-preparation is required. The mountain here is unpredictable and the difficulty level is high and hence we are already mentioning this that you need to take care of before visiting this place.
Location: Ladakh, India
Best time to visit: January and February
Entry fees: No entry fee
Magic of Magnetic Hill
Visiting this amazing Magnetic Hill would be one of the most fascinating things to do in Ladakh for you if the thought of seeing magic intrigues you. The distance from the city of Leh to this hill is 30 kilometres.
It is thought that this route possesses unique magnetic anti-gravitational properties. The car begins to ascend the incline on its own at a speed of roughly 20 km/h when it is parked in neutral on this road.
Many tourists visit this hill every year to see and document this mysterious event. Whether the hill has magnetic properties or it's just an optical illusion is still up for debate.
Location: Leh city, Ladakh, India
Best time to visit: May to October
Entry fees: No entry fee
Explore local markets
Wandering in the street and getting to know the people, it is the best way to interact with people and know them. Tibetan bed cover, blankets, and sweaters are famous all over India and you will get authentic clothes, bed cover, and blankets. They are warm and soft and the best thing is that all these things are affordable.
Tibetans handicrafts are famous in India and people from Ladakh and Northeast set up their markets across India displaying the Tibetan handicrafts. The "Moti Bazaar" is the location to go if you want to shop exclusively for Tibetan clothing, antiquities, and handicrafts. Despite being a little outside of the major city, the goods available here are of quite high quality.
Location: Leh city, Ladakh, India
Best time to visit: May to September
Entry fees: No entry fee
Diskit Gompa Monastery
One of the most important things to do on a Ladakh trip is to visit the Diskit monastery if you want to feel the peace of being in a Buddhist temple. One of the most well-known monasteries in Ladakh is Diskit. The majority of LehLadakh sightseeing tours include a visit to this monastery on their schedule.
Around the 14th century, this monastery was constructed. The largest and oldest Buddhist monastery may be found in Ladakh's Nubra Valley. The enormous 108-foot Maitreya Buddha statue perched atop this monastery is a major factor in its popularity. The Maitreya Buddha statue took six years to build and was dedicated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This statue is seen as a representation of safety and harmony.
Location: Nubra Valley, Leh district, Ladakh, India
Best time to visit: May to September
Entry fees: INR 50
Yak Safari
One of the best things you could do in Ladakh is Yak Safari and trust us you could spend one of your best moments of this trip. Talking about Yaks, they are gigantic animals and are found in the cold deserts. For thousands of years, the indigenous have domesticated them. Yak Safari is a unique experience that is only offered in a few locations, including Ladakh.
Sitting atop a yak and touring the Ladakh valley can be an interesting experience. A local travel agency makes it simple to arrange a Yak Safari in Leh. You may see some of the most beautiful vistas and take in the local flora and fauna during the Safari, which lasts for around four hours. There is no doubt that Leh tourist places are best when you take a ride on Yak.
Location: Leh city, Ladakh, India
Best time to visit: June to September
Entry fees: Cost between INR 150 and INR 400
Magnificent sunset in Shanti Stupa
Visit if you're seeking for a spiritual encounter that will leave you feeling peaceful and upbeat. One of the most wonderful things to do in Ladakh is to visit Shanti Stupa. It was erected in 1991 by Japanese Buddhists on the Chanspa hilltop in Leh. One of the seven Shanti Stupas constructed by Buddhists as a peace symbol.
Due to its religious significance, Shanti Stupa is also well-known. The Stupa is a two-story building with a meditation hall for anyone interested in engaging in the spiritual practise of meditation.
Location: Shanti Stupa Rd, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir
Best time to visit: July to September
Entry fees: No entry fee
Night camping
Night camping is one of the nicest things to do in Ladakh if you're travelling with a partner. In Ladakh, camping at night may be a fantastic experience. On the outskirts of Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri, in the Nubra Valley, is the most well-known camping area in Ladakh.
There are no words to adequately express the magnificence of the Ladakh night sky. There are numerous stars in the sky, and you can make out the Milky Way's belt.
Location: Pangong Lake, Leh, ladakh, India
Best time to visit: May to September
Entry fees: INR 420
Final Thoughts
Leh-Ladakh remains the preferred destination for adventure lovers. Leh-Ladakh allows you to ride motorbikes at 14000 ft above sea level in the mountains which is nothing less than heaven. There are many other places where you can travel in the mountain hills and camp beside the cleanest and most beautiful lakes in the world with your friends and family. The aforementioned list of Leh-Ladakh tourist places will give you an idea of what to expect in the Himalayan mountain.