Leh Palace is an imposing nine-storey building overlooking the old town. It was built during the first half of the seventeenth century by the king Sengge Namgyal. The palace was inhabited by the royal family until 1836 when it was besieged by the Droga forces and the royal family relocated to Stok Palace, 20 kilometres south of Leh. The Archaeological Survey of India has been working on the restoration, a few rooms have furniture, and the palace museum comprises a good collection of objects including jewelers and paintings. The palace’s roof offers a good viewpoint of the town below.
Distance : 1.7 kms (approximately 7 mins)
A flamboyant marketplace located at the center of Leh, serves as a perfect destination for tourists to get their hands on well crafted woolen clothes and Kashmiri rugs & carpets along with multiple other things. You will get to explore the culture of Leh, which is just as vibrant as the marketplace itself, at Leh market from a local’s perspective.
Distance : 1.4 kms (approximately 5 mins)
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IATA: IXL, ICAO: VILH) is a domestic airport serving Leh, the capital of Ladakh, India. It is the 23rd highest commercial airport in the world at 3,256 m (10,682 ft) above mean sea level. The airport is named after 19th Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, an Indian statesman and monk, whose Spituk Monastery is in direct vicinity to the airfield.
Distance : 2 kms (approximately 8 mins)
Magnetic Hill famously known as the “Gravity Hill”, located near Leh in Ladakh gives you an experience of a lifetime. The hill discombobulates with its optical illusion, hence making you question the very existence of gravity.
Distance : 20 kms (approximately 30 mins)
One of the renowned holy places to visit in Leh Ladakh, the Shey Monastery is an integral part of the Palace Complex. Built in the 17th century under the reign of Ladakh's king Deldan Namgyal, it attracts Buddhism followers from across the world. However, the monastery carries a huge religious significance; it is also famous for being one of the most beautiful places in Leh.
In this world, much in need of peace, the white, beautiful and serene Shanti Stupa on a hilltop in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh, in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir provides a fabulous, unobstructed view. This white beauty amidst the snow lets you experience a moment of breathlessness and it is one of the beautiful places to see in Leh Ladakh. Situated at a height of 4267 metres, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, the Stupa is at a distance of about 5 km from the Leh City.
Distance : 1.9 kms (approximately 8 mins)
Pangong lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Leh and is located just 160 kilometres away from Ladakh. The drive to Pangong lake is an exciting experience offering scenic views. It is a beautiful lake with crystal blue waters blessed with pleasant weather throughout the year.
Trekking on the rocky, colossal trails of this valley is a truly exciting experience as it is situated near the banks of the pure Nubra river. Nubra Valley is also famous for its camp around, get lost in the majestic beauty of Nubra valley and it is one of the best places to see in Leh Ladakh.
Amongst the most serene places to visit in Leh Ladakh, Tso Moriri is no less than a heaven. Nestled amidst picturesque and secluded Rupshu Valley, the Tso Moriri Lake is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and amazingly beautiful landscapes. The lake is approx. 4,000 m above sea level, about 29 km long and 8 km wide and is a great destination to enjoy the extraordinary natural elegance.
Famous as Tharpa Ling, the Lamayuru monastery is not only the oldest but one of the largest monasteries in Leh. The monastery is located at an altitude of 3,510 m and is amongst the most serene and tranquil Leh tourist places. Home to over 50 monks, it is a famous ancient Buddhist shrine and belongs to the Red-Hat Sect of Buddhism.
Perched at an altitude of 3,144 m, the Diskit Gompa is the largest surviving monastery in the Nubra Valley in Leh. Belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, this monastery is settled along the slope of a mountain. It overlooks the pristine snow-capped Himalayan peaks and the stunning flood plains of the Shyok River that present a remarkable sight to behold.
Famous for the very known Kargil War, Kargil is a city situated near the Line of Control (LOC) between Pakistan and India. It is the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh. With an elevation of 2676 metres, it is situated along the banks of Indus River. The sonder feeling that one gets after making a visit to the city of Kargil is beyond expression.
Marking its place in one of the most striking places to visit in Leh, The Royal Leh Palace showcases the grandeur of the era gone by. The scenic location of the structure adds up to its beauty. It stands, overlooking the Ladakhi town, Leh and was built back in the 16th century. The Palace is as high as a nine-storey building and the upper floors are occupied by the royal families while the lower ones were the storerooms and had stables for the animals.
If you are touring Leh then you will be surprised to know that this place is dotted with a number of monasteries, and the Alchi monastery is also one of them. Famed as the Alchi Gompa this is one of the oldest parts of the monastic complex and is administered by the Likir Monastery. This place is a treasure for the ones seeking a tranquil setting as the aura is forever magnetizing and intricate carvings are a plus.
Each one of them has variable texture while the Indus exhibits textures of green Zanskar is more of browns. When the two fuses into one another the view are truly majestic and is a feast for the eyes. Snuggled on the National Highway 1 this place falls on the route to Leh and you need not to take different roads to reach here.
Unravel the paradisiacal virtue of nature or just lie down along the Tso Kar Lake which has several scenic bounties in its abode. Holding a place in of the most refreshing things to do in Leh, this lake is toured by flocks of visitors all around the year. The lake is scattered over an area of 9 km and has a rustic reflection.
Namgyal Tantric College where the tantric practices are common the other segment contains the Buddha statue. This private monastery of Dalai Lama is named after the female lifelong deity and is one of the best spiritual centers of the region.
Maintained by the Border Roads Organization, this pass on the Ladakh Range in Leh is claimed to be the world’s highest motorable pass. Reaching to the top of the Khardungla Pass is a challenging journey. One might even face vomiting, tremendous headache and other symptoms along with blurry vision. The lack of oxygen at the top can hamper your brain’s activity. It is advised to drink some black tea before you start.