Ladakh is a place with amazing scenery and lots of exciting things to do. Today, it’s becoming known as one of the best places to go on vacation because it offers unique experiences and sightseeing opportunities. It is in the beautiful Himalayas, and its strange landscape of empty mountains, deep valleys, and bright lakes makes it very interesting to visit.
Ladakh offers many interesting activities. You can camp under the stars in Nubra Valley, ride a motorbike through cool breezes, trek on the frozen Zanskar River, or look around the beautiful Leh Palace.
Read this blog to learn more about Leh Ladakh’s best places to visit and what to do in Leh Ladakh.
Top Places To Visit In Leh Ladakh
Here, we’ll unveil 10 of the top attractions in Leh Ladakh that you simply cannot miss:
1. Leh Palace
Start your trip to Ladakh by seeing the well-known Leh Palace, which is also known as the Lachen Palkar Palace. It is one of the most famous places to visit in Leh, Ladakh. This nine-story Tibetan architecture was built around 1600 as a royal home with a sandy tint that adds to its unusual appearance.
You can see stunning views of Leh from the top of the house. The palace has a lot of old paintings and items that you can look at to learn about Ladakh’s royal past.
- Entry fee: INR 15.
- Timings: 7 AM to 4 PM
- The trip duration is 1-2 hours.
2. Camp by Pangong Tso Lake
You can’t leave Ladakh without seeing the beautiful Pangong Tso Lake. This beautiful lake is known for how its colors change constantly. It covers a third of India and two-thirds of Tibet. It is one of the world’s largest saltwater lakes, 4,225 meters above sea level.
The white, snow-covered mountains in the background look stunning next to the lake’s blue water. You can camp in fancy tents near the lake with your family and friends and enjoy the beauty of the lake and the land around it. It is one of the top tourist attractions in Ladakh for casual photography.
- Entry Fee: Free (environmental fee, INR 400)
- Timing: Throughout the day.
3. Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa is another popular destination in Leh Ladakh. It is atop a hill in Changspa, more than 4000 meters above Leh. You have to go up 500 steps to get to the white-domed tower. Not only is it famous for its religious importance, but also its beautiful scenery.
Some people also call Shanti Stupa Chantis Stupa. It is famous for having stunning city views at sunrise and sunset, with the snow-capped Himalayas in the background adding to its beauty. It’s visible from everywhere in Leh. The lights stay on at night, making a beautiful sight that’s hard to miss.
- Entry Fee: Free.
- Timings: 5 AM to 9 PM
- The trip duration is 1-2 hours.
4. Zanskar Valley
Looking for exciting activities in Ladakh?? Get ready for the tough hike through Zanskar Valley. It’s far away, beautiful, and gives you a look at Ladakh’s wild nature.
Trekking through this undiscovered valley is truly thrilling, with difficult trails and stunning views of the Trans-Himalayan range. You might see monasteries, campgrounds, grasslands, towns, and lots of wildlife and wildflowers along the way. You’ll always remember your trip through this unusual trail.
- The best time for trekking is May to September.
- Trek duration: 7 to 10 days.
- Difficulty level: Difficult.
5. Zanskar River
The Zanskar River is in the Zanskar area and flows along the Leh-Kargil route. It is a branch of the Indus River and one of the highest rafting rivers in the world. If you like exciting things to do, you should try white-water kayaking here.
The river flows through incredible gorges and rough terrain, making the trip very exciting. There are also a lot of waterfalls and a whirlpool to get your heart rate up. Before going on this ice-cold water adventure, make sure you follow your guide’s directions.
- The cost of Zanskar River rafting is between INR 1500 and 3000.
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 AM
- The trip duration is 2-3 hours.
6. Chadar Frozen Trek
For a great journey, go on the Chadar Frozen Trek in the winter, when the whole Zanskar River freezes. On this unique adventure, you’ll walk along a frozen river on a thick layer of ice, with beautiful snow-covered hills all around you.
It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to walk on the clear ice in the peaceful Ladakh scenery. The freezing surroundings make you feel more brave and strong, even though it’s -30 degrees Celsius outside. There are cold winds, personal obstacles, and the peaceful beauty of nature in its purest form. This is one of the best things to do in Ladakh.
- The best time to visit is December to January.
- Trek duration: 8 days.
- Difficulty level: Difficult.
7. Hemis Monastery
Check out Hemis temple, which is on the banks of the Indus River and is the biggest and best Buddhist temple in Ladakh. This monastery has many old artifacts, such as Buddha figurines and gold and silver stupas. There is also a museum here with a large collection of thangkas and other items.
If you go to the abbey during the Hemis Festival, you will see the whole area come to life with dances and bright colors. A gathering in honor of Guru Rinpoche’s birthday takes place over three days in July, the fifth lunar month. The best parts of this event are the choreographed dances with masks and the cultural shows.
- The entry fee is INR 50 per adult.
- Schedule: 6 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 6 PM
- The trip duration is 1-2 hours.
8. Tso Moriri Lake
Another magnificent tourist destination in Ladakh is the lesser-known Tso Moriri Lake, which is located within the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. It is the biggest high-altitude lake in India and has a peaceful, untouched nature setting.
The hypnotic blues of the lake and the white and brown mountains in the background make for an incredibly beautiful scene. Watch out for the many kinds of wildlife that live here, like the hard-to-find Tibetan wolves and many migrant birds.
- Entry Fee: Free.
- Timing: Throughout the day.
- Trip duration: one hour
9. Alchi Monastery
One of the oldest and most important Buddhist temples in Ladakh is Alchi. This holy place, which is by the Indus River, is a peaceful place to get away from the rest of the world.
The beautiful murals and wood carvings inside date back to the 10th century and tell stories about spiritual teachings and old customs. The wall paintings inside the temple are one of its best features. They are a mix of Buddhist style and Kashmiri art.
- Entry Fee: INR 25.
- Timings: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 6 PM
- Trip duration: one hour.
10. Thiksey Monastery
Take some time out of your trip to Ladakh to see Thiksey Monastery. It is a beautiful example of Ladakhi building and spirituality and looks like Lhasa’s Potala Palace. This 12-story building with red, yellow, and white accents is one of Ladakh’s most beautiful places to visit.
There are a lot of beautiful figures, stupas, and thangkas in this monastery’s collection of Buddhist art. The Thiksey Monastery is on top of a small hill with a view of the Indus Valley below.
- Entry Fee: INR 20.
- Timings: 7 AM to 7 PM
- Trip duration: one hour.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, Leh Ladakh is more than just a collection of tourist destinations. There, you can learn about a different culture, be amazed by stunning natural beauty, and find peace within yourself. Take advantage of the Ladakhi people’s friendly welcome, try their tasty food, and see their lively festivals.
Read also: Treks To Do In North India
So, get your bags ready, use this help to plan your trip, and start your unforgettable journey to the “Crown of India.” There is a lot of history and beauty in Ladakh, and you can look forward to an experience that you will never forget.
No matter what time of year you go, the weather in Ladakh will be harsh. For your comfort, always bring heavy woolen clothes, nice shoes, thermals, gloves, socks, and coats. You can wear light cotton T-shirts and coats in the summer. Bring a jacket, shoes, and light clothes if you’re going on a trip during the rainy season.
ATMs are present in the Leh market but can be difficult to find in other areas. Please bring enough cash, as local businesses will not accept cards.
If you’re coming from Mumbai to Ladakh, then Go Air and SpiceJet service planes will be coming to Leh from Mumbai. It’s a very handy choice. You can also get to Ladakh by flying with Indigo and Go Air from Delhi. Flight prices will increase or decrease depending on when you want to go.
Postpaid connections function successfully in Ladakh. An Airtel connection will operate in a few places, but BSNL will not. You must obtain a BSNL or MTNL postpaid connection. Your internet will work properly in large cities, but you will only have access to 3G speeds. Some locations need more connectivity.
Yes, special permissions will be required to visit Nubra and Pangong.
