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Leh in Ladakh Travel Guide: Attractions, Festivals, Hotels

Richard I'Anson/Getty Images

Leh is the erstwhile capital of the Union Territory of Ladakh and the most common entry point into the area. It's also one of the highest permanently inhabited towns in the world. Bounded by two of the world's largest mountain ranges and surrounded by alpine desert, Leh's dry barren landscape is dotted with historic Buddhist monasteries making it an incredible sight to behold. This Leh travel guide will help you plan your trip.

Leh primarily functioned as an important trading hub on routes along the Indus Valley, between Tibet to the east and Kashmir  to the west. It became the capital of Ladakh in the early 17th century, during the region's golden period when trade flourished. King Senge Namgyal completed building a royal palace in Leh and relocated the capital there from Shey. Unfortunately, the royal family were forced to abandon the palace and relocate to Stok in the mid 19th century, after the Dogra invasion.

Leh is located in Ladakh, near the Indus Valley, in the furthest far flung corner of northern India. Its altitude is 3,505 meters (11,500 feet) above sea level.

How to Get There

Regular direct flights to Leh operate regularly from Delhi. There are also flights to Leh from many other cities in India. Some of them are non-stop.

Alternatively, the roads to Leh are open for a few months of the year, when the snow has melted. The Manali-Leh Highway is open from around June to October each year, and the Srinagar-Leh Highway is open from June to November. Bus, jeep, and taxi services are all available. The trip takes about two days because of the difficult nature of the terrain. If you have the time and are in good health, do travel by road as the scenery is amazing. Plus, the gradual ascent will help you acclimatize.

The best time to visit Leh is between May and September, when the weather is the warmest. Ladakh doesn't experience rain like elsewhere in India, so the monsoon season is the perfect time to travel to Leh. 

The two-day Hemis Festival takes place in June or July at the Hemis Gompa to commemorate birth of Guru Padmasambhava, who founded Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. There's traditional music, colorful masked dances, and a fair full of beautiful handicrafts.

The Ladakh Festival is held during September. It opens in Leh with a spectacular procession through the streets. Villagers dressed in traditional costumes dance and sing folk songs, backed by an orchestra. The festival also features musical concerts, dances performed by masked lamas from selected monasteries, and mock traditional marriage ceremonies.

• Read more about the best time to visit Ladakh.

What to Do There

Most tourists spend some time exploring Leh's main market area and the ancient old part of town, while acclimatizing and making onward travel plans. Visit the Central Asian Museum on Main Bazaar Road (open daily from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.) to learn about Leh's role in Silk Road trade. Drop into atmospheric Lala's Art Cafe for something to eat while wandering. It's inside an immaculately restored Ladakhi house that was once lived in by a monk. Go on this guided heritage walk so you don't miss anything.

Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa are renowned for their dramatic views over Leh.

The Hall of Fame is an interesting museum dedicated to the soldiers who helped defend India during wars with Pakistan. The museum also provides information about Ladakhi history and culture. It's operated by the Indian Army and has a collection of weapons, exhibits and souvenirs.

Those who love animals will find a visit to the Donkey Sanctuary worthwhile. It's a home for abandoned and injured donkeys.

What to Do Nearby

The Buddhist monuments around Leh are the biggest draw. Spituk is the closest monastery to Leh, and the 800 year-old Kali temple with a fascinating collection of masks is another attraction there. You can stop at a huge prayer wheel on the way. The other monasteries can also be visited on day trips from Leh. These include Hemis (the wealthiest, oldest, and most important monastery in Ladakh) and Thiksey.

• Find out more about must-see Buddhist monasteries in India.

It's possible to have a regal stay at Stok Palace , about 30 minutes south of Leh. The royal family still lives there and part of it has been turned into a private museum of the Ladakhi royal family.

The picturesque confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers can be seen from a viewpoint on the Srinagar-Leh Highway not far from Nimmu.

Outdoor enthusiasts will find appealing hiking opportunities in the area. There are also many longer trekking trails to choose from, such as the popular four-day Sham Trek from Likir to Temisgam (for beginners), and Markha Valley from Spituk.

•   Take a look at these 6 best treks to take in Ladakh.

Mountain climbing trips can be booked to peaks such as Stok (20,177 feet), Goleb (19,356 feet), Kangyatse (20,997 feet) and Matho West (19,520) in the Zanskar mountains.

White water rafting is one of the top adventure activities in Ladakh. It takes place in July and August along the Indus and Zanskar rivers, with various grade rapids for all levels. Spash Ladakh is one of the best rafting operators that offers day rafting excursions from Leh.

Dreamland Trek and Tours is an eco-friendly adventure company that organizes a wide range of trips in Ladakh, Zanskar and Changthang. Other reputable companies include Overland Escape , Rimo Expeditions (costly but high quality), and Yama Adventures. It's recommended that you compare many companies to see what's on offer.

TripSavvy / Alicia Erikson

Side Trips from Leh

Most people who visit Leh also visit Pangong Lake, which featured in the Bollywood move The 3 Idiots . It's one of the world's highest saltwater lakes and looks really surreal.

• Use this complete guide to Pangong Lake to plan your trip.

The Nubra Valley is another must-visit destination. Khardung La connects Leh to the Nubra Valley and is one of the world’s highest motorable roads. Camel safaris, on hairy double-humped Bactrian camels, are an iconic thing to do in the Nubra Valley. The Balti village of Turtuk, near the Pakistan border, is fascinating as well.

• Use this complete guide to the Nubra Valley plan your trip.

Permits are not required for local sightseeing around Leh, Zanskar, or the Suru Valley.

Read more about the top things to do in Ladakh.

Where to Stay

If you're looking for inexpensive homestay or guesthouse accommodations, you'll find many a short distance from town in the agricultural and backpacker hamlet of Changspa. Clean and comfortable rooms are available from around 1,000 rupees per night. Popular places include Lhachik Guest House, Raku Guesthouse and Gangba Homestay, and Shaolin Ladakh. In the same area, family run Oriental Hotel is charismatic with both a hotel and cheaper guesthouse on the same premises surrounded by garden. Rooms on the upper floors have stunning views. You’ll also love the home-cooked, organic, freshly prepared food.

Several hostels have recently opened up around Leh to cater to backpackers who like to socialize and meet people. Zostel is the top one, with a wide range of dorms (mixed and female-only) and private rooms. HosteLaVie and GoSTOPS are other great options. In town, Hearth hostel is a restored community space suited to arty travelers.

Padma Guesthouse and Hotel , on Fort Road, has rooms for all budgets and a fabulous rooftop restaurant. Sia-La Guest House is popular on the same road too. The modern rooms at the Spic n Span Hotel on Old Leh Road, close to the market, are priced from 6,7000 rupees per night.  The Hotel City Palace is recommended as well. Rates also start from 5,000 rupees per night for a double.

If your budget extends further, try these luxury camps and hotels in and around Leh.

Homestays with Trekking and Expeditions in Ladakh

An appealing alternative to camping out while trekking around Ladakh is to stay in local homes in remote villages, which you reach along the way. This will give you a fascinating insight into the life of Ladakhi farmers. You'll even be fed traditional home cooked meals, prepared by the farmer families. Local Ladakhi trekking expert Thinlas Chorol organizes such trips, as well as many other custom trekking itineraries to places off the beaten path. She's the founder of the notable Ladakhi Women's Travel Company -- the first female owned and operated travel company in Ladakh, which uses only female guides.

Also, consider the expeditions to remote villages offered by Mountain Homestays . You'll get to stay in people's homes and take part in initiatives that enhance the livelihoods of the villagers. This includes documenting the traditional handcrafting and organic farming techniques of Ladakh.

Travel Tips

Make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to acclimatize after arriving in Leh (ideally three days if you've flown in) because of altitude sickness. Medication called Diamox (acetazolamide) can help speed up acclimatization process. A doctor's prescription is required. Anyone who has a pre-existing condition such as heart or lung disease, or diabetes should also consult a doctor before traveling.

Laptops also don’t appreciate the high altitude and hard drives are known to crash.

Nights still get chilly during the summer so do bring warm clothes to layer.

Leaving Leh by flight can be a lot more challenging than arriving. Demand for flights is high in peak season, so book well in advance. In addition, flights are sometimes canceled because of weather conditions, so it’s advisable not to book the last flight of the day. Hand luggage used to pose a problem but one bag per passenger is now allowed.

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A trip to Leh-Ladakh, has over the years become a popular bucket list item for anyone and everyone who likes to travel. And this comes as no surprise at all. Be it the more popular places like the Pangong Lake, Khardung La or the less popular but enriched with culture the Hemis or the Thiksey monastries of Leh, there is no end to the amazing places to visit in Leh Ladakh. And here is your detailed guide with complete information to make this dream vacation a memorable one.

If you like watching a video to get all the information, then this video is for you!!

HOW TO REACH LEH

Srinagar to Leh highway : There are both government and private buses on this route, though not as frequent as on the Manali highway.

Suggested Read: Follow this step by step itinerary to make the most of your Manali Leh cycling expedition .

WHERE TO STAY IN LEH

Leh has some wonderful stays. It has both hotels and hostels to serve all kinds of travellers visiting Leh, both the luxury travellers as well budget travellers. Depending on your inclination, feel free to book from the following options:

Luxury Hotels

Leh boasts of some of the hotels with world class amenities and picture-perfect views. When you are looking for the perfect stay with no hassles, you can be rest assured that the following hotels will live up to your expectations:

The Grand Dragon Ladakh

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tripti Dahiya (@traveldustblog) on Aug 11, 2020 at 5:01am PDT

Ladakh Sarai Resort

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ladakh Sarai (Luxury Resorts) (@ladakhsarai) on Jun 25, 2018 at 11:59pm PDT

TIH The Zen Ladakh

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vineet Alexander (@vinalexus) on Oct 26, 2018 at 5:50am PDT

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Abduz (@theabduz) on Feb 2, 2020 at 6:32am PST

Budget Hostels

Leh is a host to all demographics of tourists. None more so than the students and working professionals who visit this place to escape the fast paced lives that they are leading and want to soak in the best of what nature has to offer. If you are travelling on a shoe-string budget or want to meet the like minded free spirited travellers make sure that you try these hostels below.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jigar🇮🇳 (@jigzz_shah) on Apr 27, 2019 at 3:15am PDT

Raybo Hostel

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Raybo Hostels (@raybohostels) on Feb 4, 2018 at 5:59am PST

Hearth Stays

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hearth Hostel (@thehearthstays) on Mar 15, 2019 at 2:46am PDT

Woosah Hostel

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Woosah Hostel Leh (@woosahhostel_) on Sep 20, 2020 at 5:50am PDT

• If, during your trip you do plan on sleeping in Nubra Valley , Himalayan Bunker in Hunder village is a good option.
• Otherwise homestays in Turtuk village is another good option.
• At Pangong lake , there are a lot of dhabas and motels to choose from.
• Be it Nubra Valley, Pangong or other places in these areas they are definitely worth it when it comes to the night view of the sky.
• While visiting Tso Moriri , you will find a few motels relatively nearby.

BEST PLACES TO EAT IN LEH

Leh boasts about some very good places to eat. When in Leh you could very well try the multicuisine restaurants Il Forno (Leh Main Market) and Bonfire (Old Fort Road). Both these restaurants offer some quality food and ambience. You should definitely try the Italian cuisine at Il Forno and fried momos at the Bonfire.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Yogesh Sarkar (@yogeshsarkar) on Sep 22, 2019 at 2:55am PDT

For quality vegan food, Bodhi Greens is a really good option. The host is quite welcoming as well.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bodhi Greens | Chef Varun (@bodhigreens) on May 31, 2019 at 1:01am PDT

• When you are on the road, Hunder as well as Diskit have quite a few joints to eat. However, do not expect out of the world places to eat here.
• When you are in Turtuk , you will find a few cafes to choose from. However, I would recommend trying out the Balti Kitchen . Raheem (who is the chef) is a one man show here serving some amazing food.
• Pangong lake has multiple dhabas for you to choose from.

HOW TO TRAVEL AROUND LEH

Given how beautiful Leh Ladakh is, you will be mesmerised with its charms irrespective of what option you choose to travel.

Option 1 – Bus

You can take a bus to the various places to visit in Leh. However, these buses do not visit all the spots on a daily basis. Some spots may not have any bus service at all. Others maybe as low as once or twice a week as well. Therefore, it is recommended that you check before hand for when are the buses available for the places you choose to visit. You can get this information from the JKSRTC Bus Stand .

Option 2 – Taxi

Hiring a taxi for the duration of your visit is a much better option. it will prove to be expensive yes, but this will be the most convenient as well. You can either ask the place where you are staying to help you hire a taxi or hire one from the Leh taxi stand . Beyond that feel free to contact one of the most friendly taxi driver, Stup-gyes (Number: +91 9469660648) . To understand the rates, refer to taxi union rate list for 2020-2021 season . To give you an idea, we paid 20k for 2.5 days for Mahindra Xylo. We covered Nubra Valley, Turtuk and Pangong Lake!

Option 3 – Bike

One of the most popular option, especially when it comes to a group of friends or among a relatively younger group of travellers in general, is the motorbike. This place is literally heaven for the bikers! Traversing Leh and all those places around on a bike, is the perfect mix of adventure and breathtaking views at your own speed. You can hire a bike from the many shops on the Fort Road . You can get the rate list for the 2020-2021 season here .

Option 4 – Bicycle

This is no doubt the toughest option out there but also with the most sense of accomplishment. Bicycle has gained quite a bit of popularity to reach Leh from Manali and then to also conquer Khardung La on it. However, bicycle in not popular when it comes to other places a little far way from Leh, like the Pangong lake or Nubra Valley. Still, for the local Leh sightseeing a bicycle is a fun option. You can rent a cycle from the many shops on Fort Road . Another adventure activity is to drive with your cycle to Khardung La top, and cycle back down. Getting all the thrills of a downhill ride without having to bear the physical pain to get your cycle to the top. A lot of these cycle shops offer this activity!

PLACES TO VISIT IN LEH – LADAKH

There is no disputing the fact that Leh-Ladakh region is most popular for its monastries, lakes and the landscape in general. And to make the most of your time here, read the following places that you can visit depending on your inclination and the time that you may have on your hands.

In case you want to experience all the places to visit through a video, and at the same time get all the information on places that are worth visiting in Ladakh, then do watch this video!!

Section 1 – Local Sightseeing in Leh

Out of the innumerable places to visit in Leh Ladakh, lets start with the places that are perfect for local sightseeing in Leh and other nearby places . I would recommend that you take 2 days to cover the good part of what I am about to mention in this section:

1. Leh Palace

Built in 16th century by Sengge Namgyal, Leh Palace is a testament to the pride of Namgyal dynasty. Leh Palace has become quite the popular tourist place in Leh for the splendid views it offers and how majestically it overlooks the charismatic Ladakhi village of Leh. The palace now houses a small exhibition detailing about the history of the palace and Leh in general. It is a short hike up from the Leh Main Market if you are on foot.

2. Namgyal Tsemo Gompa

Built in 15th century by the king Tashi Namgyal is a place famous for its Buddhist principals and teachings. Idols in Namgyal monastery are still worshipped and monks lights the lamps on a daily basis. It is at a walking distance from Leh Place and offer some splendid views for photography.

3. Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa is one of the more popular monastries in Leh-Ladakh. Every monastery offer peaceful and positive vibes and in that regard Shanti stupa is no different. Built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu, Gyomyo Nakamura, it is a white-domed stupa on a hilltop in Chanspa. Make sure you head here for some peace of mind and the perfect sun-sets!

4. Hall of Fame

Hall of fame was built to memorialize the bravery and names of all those soldiers who fought and were martyred in the Indo-Pakistan war. It is to honor the Indian soldiers and serves as the reminder of the fact that their service to the nation will never be forgotten. Run by the Indian Army, the Hall of Fame houses, weapons, history exhibits & a souvenir shop as well.

5. Leh Main Market

Leh Main Market or Leh Main Bazaar is one of the liveliest places to visit in Leh. It is always brimming with people and is popular for shopping, eating meals in the cafes, the delicious street food, buying souvenirs, pashmina shawls, Buddhist relics or jamming with strangers to perfect tunes, this market has it all. One of the best places to spend an evening in Leh.

6. Thiksey Monastery

Thiksey Monastery is a thing of beauty. This 12 storeyed gompa is a home to more than 500 monks. This monastery is one of the largest in central Ladakh and you should definitely visit, if you want to know more about the Buddhism culture in general and more specifically see all the beautiful artwork and stupas up close.

7. Hemis Monastery

Just like Leh Palace, Hemis Monastery is another important place in the Ladakhi history, that can be attributed to the king Sengge Namgyal. For any traveller, Hemis almost always makes the list of places to visit in Leh-ladakh. With all its murals, paintings and stupas it is a paradise for someone who can appreciate art or wants to learn more about the Buddhism culture. Hemis sees a huge influx of people during the annual two day festival which just makes the monastery absolutely vibrant.

8. Spituk Monastery

Spituk Gompa has as old a history as any other monastery out there. Having stood tall through the test of time, this beautifully carved monastery is home to more than 100 monks. Spituk Gompa (also known as Pethup Gompa) is about 8km from Leh. This serene monastery observes Gustor Festival from 27-29th of the 11th month of Tibetan calendar every year and it is a sight worth witnessing first hand.

Without a doubt, these are some of the must visit places in Leh. If you still end up with more time on your hand you can visit the following places – Zorawar Fort, Datun Sahib, Sindhu Ghat, Sankar Gompa and Phyang Monastery.

Section 2 – A Day in Sham Valley near Leh

It is important to note that all the places that I mention in this section are in between Sham Valley and Leh. A day trip on this Leh Srinagar highway till Sham valley and back can easily be done in a day. Read along to learn all that you can do in one day:

1. Gurdwara Pather Sahib

Amongst the many beautiful monastries and in the land of monks stand a Gurdwara to pay homage to Gura Nanak Dev Ji. According to the legend , Guru Nanak conquered a demon at this very same place and forgave him for his sins. The Gurdwara is about 23km from Leh, on the Leh-Kargil highway and is maintained by the Indian Army. Did you know – this place is equally respected by Sikhs as well as Ladakhis. Make sure you visit the place to soak in its peaceful vibes!

2. Magnetic Hill

Magnetic Hill is one of those places that you wouldn’t believe exists until you actually visit it it on your own. At about 27 km from Leh, there appears a yellow signboard after which the magic happens. You park your vehicle inside the marked box, switch the gear to neutral and voila, you appear to defy all laws of gravity. Two possible explanations are prominent: First, that it is just an optical illusion given the whole landscape and that you aren’t actually going uphill but rather downhill. Second theory, which is still unproven is that due to magnetic pull of the earth cars tend to move uphill on their own. Well, in any case you can only find out once you visit this intriguing place!

3. Sangam – Zanskar and Indus River Confluence

At Nimmu, a simple yet a soothing view awaits you. This is where Indus river and Zanskar River meet. This place of confluence of these two rivers has also popularly came to be known as Sangam. Given the various factors, the rivers change their color as well as force of their flow throughout the year. When the Zanskar river freezes in winters, the ever so popular Chadar trek takes place wherein the experience of walking on frozen lake and seeing waterfalls that have frozen mid-air is quite a sight.

4. Basgo Palace and Monastery

Basgo is quite popular for its ruins. At about 40km from Leh, Basgo Palace is stands tall atop a cliff. It houses three splendid temples that date back between 15th and 17th century. These temples are namely – Chamba Lhakhang, Serzang and Chamchung. Palace and monastery, given their position above the Basgo town, they offer some breathtaking views. This place has also been named in the world’s 100 most endangered heritage sites by the World Monuments Fund.

5. Likir Monastery

Likir monastery or Likir Gompa is quite deeply routed in the history of Buddhism. Built in 11th century, the monastery is believed to be protected by the serpent spirits. Some of the models are made of butter and yet they do not melt, how cool is that? The monastery is about 56km from Leh and one that you should not skip. Especially so, if you want to learn more about the Buddhist culture as there is a public library on the premises.

6. Alchi Monastery

Located at about 66km from Leh, Alchi monastery or Alchi gompa is no more an active monastery and is maintained by the monks of Likir monastery. This monastery is one of the oldest ones in Leh. With such historic murals, sculptures and paintings, this monastery is a testament to an era gone by. There are camps as well in the Alchi village should you wish to spend the night here in absolute peace and away from hustle bustle of Leh.

Visiting all these places is sure to uplift your spirits, bring you quite a bit of joy and relieve the tensions of your daily lives. You can either choose to stay at Alchi or come back to Leh. Generally people travel back to Leh the same day. Should you end up with a lot more time on your hand feel free to visit Rizong Monastery and if you go further on the highway still you can visit the Hemis Shukpachan village for some photograph worthy views.

Section 3 – Rest of Amazing Ladakh

Now that we are done with places to visit in Leh and nearby areas, let’s move a little further. Even though the places in this section maybe a little distant from Leh they still are the ones that are most popular and on every ttraveller’s bucket list. If you plan on visiting all of them on this list it might take you about 3 days or so.

1. Khardung La

Khardung La is one of the highest motorable roads around. At 17,852ft, this mountain pass offers the perfect challenge to ride to the top. This ride is the holy grail for bikers. Also, A few of the operators and cycle shop owners (on Leh fort road) are offering to drive you to the top and then you can come back down on a cycle for an exhilarating adventure. At such a height Khardung La offers some splendid views that are second to none. When you set out on the tour for rest of Ladakh this mountain pass will serve as the gateway to Shyok and Nubra valley.

2. Nubra Valley

Nubra Valley is one of the most beautiful places in all of Ladakh. About 160km from Leh, Nubra has it all, be it monasteries, lakes, cold desert, sand dunes or absolutely peaceful villages. Any soul that has stepped foot here has left with nothing less than pure bliss and a peace of mind. That figures, given the profound natural beauty of the valley. However, given the sensitivity of the region and its proximity to Siachen, essential permits need to be taken to visit Nubra valley. Read along for the various places that you can visit in Nubra Valley:

a. Diskit Monastery

One of the oldest surviving monasteries in the Nubra Valley, the Diskit Monastery (Gompa) has become quite popular amongst tourists. It also features the statue of Maitreya Buddha, standing tall with an impressive height of 106ft. The monastery oversees the beautiful village of Diskit. The ministry also runs a school in association with the NGO, “Tibet Support Group”.

b. Hunder Sand Dunes

Ladakh is a cold desert and its terrain and beautiful landscapes are a testament to that. To add to that you can actually find sand dunes in Hunder village of Nubra Valley. And if that wasn’t enough to convince you, how about the fact that you can find the Bactrian two humped camels here. Also, you can take a ride. Now, how cool is that!

c. Panamik Village

Panamik is a small village by the Nubra river and offers some splendid panoramic vistas to soak in. It is popular for its hot sulfur springs which is believed to have medicinal properties. Also, should you visit Panamik make sure you shop from here for their Pashmina shawls and other Kashmiri and Tibetan artefacts.

d. Turt uk Village

Turtuk is one of the northernmost villages in Ladakh. If you ever thought of having a place of your own amongst the mountains in a small beautiful village, well Turtuk is it. This village is surrounded by some of the most beautiful views you are ever likely to see. This untouched gem has now been open to tourists for some while. Locals are more than happy to share their stories and the cafes here serve good food. Do try Balti Kicthen, if you do choose to visit this place.

Other than these places Nubra Valley is also home to the Yarab tso Lake and Samstanling Gompa. Should you have more time on your hand and want to explore you can definitely try out these places.

3. Pangong Tso

Pangong Lake or Pangong Tso situated at a height of 14,270ft, it is the definition of calm. You could spend an entire day and still not get enough of it. 60% of the lake is in China while the rest remains within the borders of India and much lesser part of it is still accessible to public. And yet when you will look at it, you will only be able to see the lake till the horizon. Interestingly, given the time of day and year, you can see the water in the lake have different colors. The lake shot to fame after the movie “3 idiots” and has been on everyone’s bucket list when it comes to places to visit in Leh-Ladakh.

4. Tso Moriri

Surrounded by towering peaks, Tso Moriri (or Moriri lake) remains quite secluded from the outside world. It is a lesser known/visited alternative to Pangong Lake. Like Pangong lake, Tso Moriri is frozen during the winters too. And owing to the landscape around it, this is quite the place for photography. Given that the lake is situated in the Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary, you may also be able to spot the likes of bare-headed goose, the Brahmin duck, the great-crested grebe and the brown-headed gull. Himalayan hares are popular as well around the lake.

With this comes the end to this section that talks about some of the most popular places to visit in Leh-Ladakh. If after visiting all this you still seem to have time on your hand for your dream trip to Leh-Ladakh, I would recommend that you rent a bike from Leh and traverse the Manali-Leh highway. You will see sceneries that you didn’t know exist and you will have an experience to cherish forever. I along with two of my best friends cycled from Manali to Leh on the same highway and those are the days that are etched in my memory as some of my best on this beautiful planet!

Suggested Read: Should you feel like reading about the highway or our experiences from the trip feel free to give these articles a read .

HOW TO GET PERMITS TO VISIT PLACES IN LEH-LADAKH?

Ladakh being close to the border, some of these areas that lie under the Inner Line, require that in order to visit, Indian tourists get Ladakh Inner Line Permit (“ILP”) and foreigners get Protected Area Permit (“PAP”). Places to visit in Leh-Ladakh that fall under Inner Line and require permits are Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Turtuk, Dah-Hanu villages, Man, Merak, Nyoma, Loma Bend, Tyakshi, Chan La, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Chusul, Hanle, Digger La, Tangyar (for trekking only). Both ILP and PAP permits can be obtained online through the www.lahdclehpermit.in website. Please note however that permits for Hanle and Pangaon lake to Tso Moriri direct route can only be obtained by going in person to the Leh DC office . Alternatively, you can get the permit online but will still have to go to the Leh DC office to get the permits stamped. Please note that places like Leh, Tso Kar, or Zanskar Valley do not require any permits.

SOME HELPFUL TIPS FOR THE TRIP

• It takes 6-7 days or so to enjoy most of the places to visit in Leh-Ladakh. If you have lesser time, then you will have to pick which places interest you the most.
• While renting a bike, make sure that it is in a proper condition for a hassle free ride.
• Some parts of this tour can cause you high altitude sickness or mountain sickness. Best is to spend a couple days in and aroud Leh so as to acclimatize to the altitude.
• If at any point you feel breathless, you could return to the car and stay put for a while and/or use camphor (kapur). You should also keep doctor prescribed medicine.
• Travelling in hills can always cause motion sickness. Please only keep doctor prescribed medicine.
• Tourists while visiting Nubra valley, generally sleep at either Hunder or Diskit village. Though, my personal recommendation is to spend one night in Turtuk, at one of their homestays and get to know more about the people and wake up to a peaceful morning with stunning views.
• Should you decide to stay the night at Pangong, there are camps available. Though, be ready for strong winds at night.
• Only BSNL and Airtel post-paid sim or a locally bought pre-paid sim card are the only ones that work in Leh.
• Generally speaking the temperatures are always low in the region and especially so at night, make sure that you pack enough warm clothes for the trip.
• Make sure that you do not litter at all. It is your responsibility to keep such a pristine place clean.

Have you made a list of places to visit in Leh-Ladakh yet? Let us know some of your favourite ones in comments below!

ENJOYED READING ABOUT PLACES TO VISIT IN LEH-LADAKH?

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Leh Tourism

Leh Tourism: Nestled in the heart of Ladakh, Leh is also known as the Land of Lamas or Little Tibet. Surrounded by mesmerizing beauty, this place is home to many Buddhist temples, gompas, prayer flags, ridges and small settlements. To top it off, the Indus River gives Leh a unique charm.

When it comes to Leh tourism, travellers can explore high-altitude treks in the Ladakh range, river rafting in the Indus and Zanskar River, Buddhist temples and monasteries, Tibetan handicrafts, jewellery and more.

Leh Travel Guide

With our authentic Leh travel guide, get all the information you need to know about your trip to Leh. Get insights on best places to visit in Leh and best places to stay along with an ideal way to reach along with best Leh sightseeing tour packages .

Best Places to Visit in Leh

Shanti Stupa A white dome – Stupa located on the Changspa hill is a magnificent shine in Leh. From the height of 4267 meters where Shanti Stupa is present, you can enjoy the panoramic view of surrounding snow-capped mountains as well as the city of Leh. After climbing 500 steps, you will be welcomed by a Dharmachakra with two deer on each side on the first level. While, on the second level, the birth of Buddha, defeating of devils in meditation and the death of Buddha is presented. (Tip: Witness the sunrise and sunset on the beautiful Leh Palace which is located opposite this Stupa.)

Famous as one of the top tourist places in Ladakh, Leh Palace is a must-visit place in Leh. Once a palace for the royal family, Leh Palace today is one fine example of medieval Tibetan architecture. This nine-story palace built in the 17th Century was one of its kind in those days. You can also cherish the panoramic views of Leh city as well as the majestic Stok Kangri Mountains.

Hemis Monastery Situated on the western banks of the Indus River, Hemis Monastery is the biggest and richest monasteries of Ladakh. Built in 1630, this monastery is dedicated to Lord Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) as he was able to mark the victory of good over evil. Apart from the architecture, the library here has several Tibetan books and an impressive collection of Thangkas, gold statues and Stupas embedded with precious stones.

Hall of fame The most popular tourist place near Leh airport is the Hall of Fame which displays the supreme sacrifice made by the Indian soldiers during the India Pakistan war. In this museum, many seized arms and weapons of the Pakistan army are showcased. The Indian Army has kept the photos, as well as the, belongs of the soldiers here. In addition, there are items that showcase the history and culture of Ladakh, the wildlife and the vegetation.

Fairs and Festivals in Leh

Dosmoche Festival Also known as the “Festival of Scapegoat,” the Dosmoche festival is celebrated to eradicate evil. Dosmoche festival, which is the most popular festival of Ladakh is celebrated just below the Leh Palace. Monks from different regions gather here and perform the masked dances known as Chhams. This festival is celebrated for two days every year in the month of February.

Losar Festival Losar is one of the important festivals celebrated in Ladakh. This festival that originated in the 7th century signifies the arrival of the new year in Tibetan Buddhism. During this 15 days festival, the ancestors, gods & animals are fed while there is a staged fight between the forces of good and evil. You can also participate and enjoy the Ibex Deer Dance which is the highlight of the festival. You can also check out other festivals like Hemis Tsechu, Sindhu Darshan, Saka Dawa and more. Plan a trip to Leh during the festival season to explore the ancient culture of the local and connect with them better.

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Where To Go In Ladakh?

Leh tourism has made the task of finding the best places to visit easier. With Leh tourism information available everywhere, visitors can plan their itineraries without any hassle. You only need to know what kind of experience you are looking for, and Leh tourism will have it!

Shanti Stupa

Located in Leh, Shanti Stupa is one of the first places that tourists visit. Perched on a hill, this grand Tibetan stupa is breathtaking. Overlooking the vibrant city, it offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, grassy fields and Tibetan houses. Constructed to mark the completion of 2,500 years of Buddhism and to further the faith’s message of peace, the stupa preserves ancient relics of Buddhist culture. What is striking about the Shanti Stupa is the mesmerising idol of Buddha which is the centre of attraction. Perched on a steep slope, it’s best to take a bike or taxi here. Owing to the growth of Leh tourism, you will find a number of Leh tourism local guides ready to take you through the history of Shanti Stupa.  

An important place to visit in Leh, the Leh Palace is the erstwhile residence of the king and queen. Also known as Lhachen Palkhar, the palace is a huge attraction primarily for its picturesque location. Situated on a hill, the palace offers breathtaking views of the Ladakh mountain range and Leh city. While Leh tourism and ASI has made considerable efforts to maintain the palace, some parts of the palace is in ruins owing to its size and damage through the years. It’s best to head here on your first or second day as you will be in the process of acclimatization.

Pangong Tso

Pangong Tso's beauty is incomparable. The majestic blue waters surrounded by rugged mountains is a sight one cannot forget.  The journey from Leh to Pangong is equally mesmerising. The road takes you from Leh through beautiful hamlets and passes through Chang La, claimed to be the second highest motorable road in the world. The drive on serpentine roads that lead up to Chang La, though unnerving, is an amazing experience.  

Once at Pangong, there are multiple options to have a nice lunch. There are a number of dhabas where one can get good Indian food. The area along these dhabas is usually very crowded and Leh tourism has made efforts to clean and protect the area. If you would like to spend a night near Pangong Tso, you can head to Durbuk or Tangste which are 40km away. It’s highly recommended to spend a night in either of the villages after the long, bumpy journey.

Although Pangong is better known among travellers, thanks to the efforts by Leh tourism, Tso Moriri lake is gradually witnessing an increase in visitors. Situated in the Changthang area of Ladakh, this lake is the largest high altitude lake in India that is entirely in the Indian territory. Fed by fresh water springs and snow from nearby mountains, the lake is among the most sacred for Ladakhis. The breadth of the lake is 7km at its widest point, and it is 19km long. The majestic blue waters of the lake are a treat for the eyes a huge attraction for Leh tourism. The 400-year-old Korzok Monastery, on the west bank of the lake, is another attraction near the lake.   Pitching of tents or construction of any hotels/homestays near the banks of the lake is strictly prohibited to preserve Leh tourism. Also, as it is close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), an Inner Line Permit (ILP) is required to visit the lake. You can get a permit from the DC office or the Leh tourism office in the city.

Khardung La and Nubra Valley

Said to be the highest motorable road in the world and a huge draw for Leh tourism, a drive to Khardung La is thrilling, to say the least. Full of unexpected turns, the maze of fully constructed roads end at South Pullu. From South Pullu till the pass, it's a whirlwind of turns and stone-stacked roads. But despite the back-breaking ride, the views throughout the journey more than make up for it.Offering you panoramic views of the valley and the mountains above, you realise the vastness of nature. Once at the top, you may feel a little bit of a headache so treat yourself to a piping hot cup of tea and the world famous maggi. It's recommended not to spend more than 15 to 20 minutes at the top, lest nausea hits you.

From Khardung La, you can take the road leading to Nubra Valley. Verdant, vibrant beauty under the blue skies welcome you, and you will not fail to  notice the difference in the landscape. You must stay at least a couple of nights in Nubra to recover from the journey and to take in the beauty of this lovely valley. Do see the double-humped camels, they are one of a kind in the world and a big part of Leh tourism. Also, the popular Leh berry owes its origin to the beautiful valley of Nubra – a huge contributor in making Leh tourism known world-wide.

Hemis Monastery

One of the most wealthy monasteries in the country, the stunning Hemis Monastery should certainly be part of your Leh Ladakh itinerary. Built by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal, it is located 45km away from Leh. Home to an awe-inspiring Buddha statue in copper, the monastery also has a number of thangka paintings and other relics. The Red sect or the Dugpa Kargyupta order of Buddhism take care of all matters relating to the monastery. If you head here during the months of July when the Hemis festival is in full swing, you’ll witness Leh tourism and the vibrant culture.

Alchi Monastery

A trip to Leh Ladakh to explore Leh tourism definitely calls for a visit to the oldest monastery in the region. Located in Alchi village, the monastery supports a traditional form of architecture and has three separate temples – Dukhang, Sumstek and the Temple of Manjushri. With an intriguing mix of Tibetan and Hinduism, the monastery’s temple is built in typical Kashmiri style. A few kilometres from Zanskar River, the monastery is enveloped by surreal beauty. Due to the increased awareness owing to Leh tourism, a few restaurants serving great food have sprung up along the premises. You can definitely plan your day in a manner which allows you to have lunch amidst towering mountains and under the open blue skies.

Activities and Things to Do in Leh Ladakh

Leh Ladakh has gradually become one of the most popular destinations for experienced and new trekkers contributing to Leh tourism. With its craggy mountains, hidden trails and awe-inspiring, it's not surprising that Leh tourism has made considerable efforts to promote trekking. From easy treks to extremely difficult routes – there is something for everyone. If you’d like to go trekking in Leh, do ensure you have enough time to cover the trek and see this beautiful region. The most popular trek for beginners is the Sham Valley trek. Nicknamed the ‘baby trek’, it is a four-day trek which is far easier than most others. Let’s take a look at some of the other popular trekking routes part of Leh tourism:

• Markha Valley
• Lamayuru to Alchi
• Chadar trek
• Ripchar Valley trek
• Tso Moriri lake trek
• Padum to Darcha trek

Rafting on Zanskar River and Sangam

Imagine a small raft, four to five people, the gushing Zanskar River and you. Rafting in Leh Ladakh is an experience that can’t be described in words. A mix of exhilaration, adventure and peace – every traveller should experience it once. For rafting in Leh, you can get in touch with any of the Leh tourism operators in the city who will arrange it for you. Rafting will take up most of your day, so it’s recommended not to plan too many things. A Leh tourism taxi from Leh will take you to Chilling, which is about 2 hours away from the city. The tip of the road is where you’ll begin your descent to the confluence of Zanskar and Indus - known as Sangam. You will be required to change into wetsuits (provided by the rafting operators). They will take you through a short verbal training which will help you understand the rowing technique. It’s fairly simple, but as is with all adventure sports, it’s extremely important to be careful.

Once in the water, you will forget about everything else but the mesmerising beauty surrounding you. The ride will start with quite a few rapids, but the route becomes calmer as you approach the Sangam point. Typically, post rafting, you will be treated to a hot, simple, delicious lunch arranged by Leh tourism operators.

Cost: Rs. 2000 to Rs. 3000 per person (depending on the season)

Shopping in Leh

Silver jewellery, antique Tibetan jewellery, home decor and postcards! Leh is a great place if you are looking to take back some souvenirs for friends and family. The popularity of Leh tourism has helped locals with their bread and butter. Lined with shops selling everything from kemp bags, pashmina shawls, semi-precious stones to homedecor, shopping in Leh tourism offers a good break if you have been on the road for the last few days. It is suggested to leave the last day for shopping in the city since you can’t plan a long trip anyway. Do remember to bargain, especially in the flea market which is on the main road.

Monastery Tour

The land of monasteries, Leh Ladakh is home to some of the oldest, biggest and most beautiful religious and spiritual structures in the world. If you are interested to learn more about these beautiful spiritual centres or simply admire the architectural marvels, you can plan a small tour of monasteries in Leh and around the city. Let’s take a look at this detailed list of monasteries which are part of Leh tourism.

• Spituk Monastery - 11km from Leh
• Stakna Monastery - 25km from Leh
• Thiksey Monastery - 19km from Leh
• Hemis Monastery - 40km from Leh
• Likir Monastery - 53km from Leh  

Where To Stay In Ladakh

The increasing number of tourists has largely contributed to the growth of Leh tourism and has given the local economy a boost. From homestays to shops to tour operators by Leh tourism - locals in Leh have welcomed tourists from across the world with open arms. From luxury homestays to budget stays, you can explore a plethora of accommodation options in Leh.

Luxury hotels in Leh

Luxury Leh Ladakh hotels are designed to give travellers the best facilities and ensure a comfortable and pleasant stay. Let’s take a look at some of the Leh tourism hotels which stand out.

• The Grand Dragon
• Gomang Boutique Hotel
• Ladakh Sarai Resort
• Ladakh Himalayan Retreat

Mid-range hotels

If you want to experience the beautiful city of Leh as well as bask in the warm hospitality the locals offer, it’s best to go for mid-range accommodation. Giving you the best of both worlds, you can save some cash as well as enjoy a comfortable stay. Let’s take a look at some of the popular ones:

• Himalayan Residency Ladakh
• Hotel Ladakh Palace
• Hotel Singge Palace
• Hotel Lasermo

Hostels and Homestays

It’s said that the best way to discover a city is to befriend a local. Staying in a homestay or hostel gives you the opportunity to live the way locals live. With fresh vegetables straight from their kitchen gardens to tons of information on surrounding areas, homestays truly become your home in the mountains. And Leh tourism has made this accommodation option even more popular. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular ones:

• Dawa Guesthouse
• Tukchu Homestay
• Osel Premium Homestay
• Tsetan Guesthouse

Best Time To Visit Leh Ladakh

The cold desert of Leh Ladakh is accessible only for a few months in the year. While you can travel here during winter via air travel, it’s best to restrict your trip to the summer months.

The season begins in April when Leh tourism is at its busiest and when the Srinagar route is open. It’s also during summer when the frozen lakes of the region begin to melt giving way to a kaleidoscope of colours.

From April till mid-October, the region is home to visitors from across the world and it’s the best time to visit. All maintenance work for the two major highways is almost complete and visitors can have a safe journey.

Planning For Ladakh

Planning for Leh Ladakh entails a number of things such as planning thorough itineraries, extensive packing lists and preparing for the unexpected climatic conditions. Awareness by Leh tourism board has helped travellers to a large extent, however, let’s take a look at permits, AMS and what you need to pack for your trip to Leh Ladakh.

Leh tourism has made it simple and convenient for both domestic and international tourists to travel to Leh Ladakh. However, it’s important to remember that the region is a critical zone owing to its shared borders with China and the presence of the Indian Army. For all tourists, it’s important to get in-line permits for a few places in Leh Ladakh.

Inner line permits

If you are an Indian tourist, according to Leh tourism board, you will need to have Inner Line Permits to travel to some regions of Leh Ladakh such as

• Nubra Valley
• Khardung La
• Pangong Tso Lake
• Tso Moriri Lake

Where can I get the permit from?

You can get the inner line permits from the DC office or Tourist Information Center (TRC) at Leh. Alternatively, you can also get these permits online on www.lahdclehpermit.in .

What do I need to submit?

You will have to submit a valid photo ID, nationality proof and pay the required fee of Rs 400 + Rs 20 per day that you will stay in Ladakh to visit these places .

Acute Mountain Sickness

One of the most important things to remember when visiting Leh Ladakh is the need to acclimatize. Since most places in the region are above an altitude of 10,000 feet, travellers may be unable to manage the sudden change in terrain and temperature. It is strongly recommended to keep the first two days of your trip to Leh Ladakh for acclimatization. It is preferred that you stay in your hotel or explore only the city. This becomes more important if you are planning a trekking tour around the region.

What are the symptoms? How can I prevent the onset of AMS?

The typical symptoms of AMS are nausea, headache, dizziness, breathing trouble. The best way to avoid AMS is to increase the altitude gradually as well as to rest the body completely before setting out to explore the region. As per guidelines by Leh tourism, you can also sleep well, avoid alcohol and smoking as well as carry AMS preventive medicines with you at all times.

Packing for Leh Ladakh

The thought of planning for Ladakh can be daunting. Even though the increasing Leh tourism has ensured that travellers find everything they may need, it’s important to be prepared. We have a list of things in our  travel guide that will make this task easier.

Travel essentials

• Photo IDs for all members
• Bag locks with multiple keys
• Lenses or extra spectacles
• Match boxes
• Cloth bags (for garbage)
• Personal water bottle
• Hand sanitizer
• Lip guard/ Vaseline
• Basic medicines/ first aid
• Two jackets

Biking in Ladakh

Bikers travelling to Leh Ladakh have largely benefitted from Leh tourism. From solo bikers to big biker groups - the months of May, June and July witness a huge number of enthusiastic riders making their way from all parts of the country. The most preferred route is via the adventurous and tricky Manali highway. With multiple stops for rest, it typically takes three to four days to reach the city of Leh from Manali. Dangerous yet captivating, a biking trip to Ladakh is on the list of almost every biking enthusiast.

However, if you don’t want to ride all the way from Delhi or Manali, you can always hire a bike in Leh. With multiple transport operators, there are a lot of options available on per day rate which allow you to explore the neighbouring areas. The rising popularity of Leh tourism has enabled access to the best bikes. From Avengers to KTM Duke to Royal Enfield, you can get a bike of your choice easily.

What should I remember?

In a lesser-known territory, it’s always advised to travel in groups. If you are going to be riding solo, try and ride alongside fellow riders. So in case of an emergency, you have someone to help you out. While owing to Leh tourism, the locals in Leh Ladakh are extremely helpful, there are long stretches of barren lands where there are no villages or human population.

Cuisine and Where to Eat In Leh Ladakh

The food in Ladakh will surprise you! With strong influences of Kashmiri, Nepali, Tibetan and Pahadi cuisine, the local cuisine in Leh is dependent on the food that grows there. Owing to this you will find a lot of leafy, green vegetables on your Ladakh trip - a fact made popular by Leh tourism information. Light and easy on the stomach, the cuisine comprises mostly of broth, soup and brew.

Here is a list of dishes that you must try during your Leh Ladakh trip:

Spinach cooked with red chilli and cloves in mustard oil. Best enjoyed with rice or roti.

A Ladakhi favourite, it’s made from roasted grain, saltwater and barley.

The best of Kashmiri and Ladakhi cuisines come together in Tabak Maaz. Marinated ribs which are kept overnight and sprinkled with milk and saffron. Cooked with Indian spices, this one is a big favourite.

The yummier variant of Thukpa, Thenktuk is a mix of noodles, flour dough, onions, tomatoes and ginger-garlic relish. It’s light and a great dish to keep yourself warm when the temperature drops.

Best Places to Eat in Ladakh

Small dhabas at the foothills of the mountains or brick cafes on a mountain - the rise of Leh tourism has ensured a varied range of restaurants in Leh Ladakh which keep food lovers very happy. With quite a few places to explore, let the locals and your instincts guide you. To begin with, we have a short list of places which are a must try.

• Summer Harvest
• Bob’s Restaurant
• World Garden Cafe
• Lamayuru Restaurant
• Gesmo Restaurant
• Wonderland Restaurant and Coffee House

Typical Costs In Leh Ladakh

Typically accommodation in Leh can cost anywhere between Rs.10,500 to Rs. 56,000 for a 7-day trip. If one were to include the transport cost within the city and outside, this number would double - depending on the kind of transport you choose. Shared taxis under Leh tourism are the most reasonable, however, they follow a strict schedule and you have to coordinate with fellow travellers.

Food in Leh is quite reasonable. The most expensive meal will cost you Rs. 1500 for two and the most reasonable can be as low as Rs. 200 for two. So eat to your heart’s delight in Leh. For neighbouring areas, Leh tourism has encouraged locals to set up tea and maggi stalls, which also serve a complete, delicious Indian meal for as low as Rs. 120.

Transport In Leh Ladakh

The best way to travel in Leh is on a bike! It’s fast, convenient and quite reasonable. However, if you are not an experienced driver, riding a bike in Leh Ladakh can be very dangerous. Leh tourism has made efforts to spread awareness about Ladakh’s unfamiliar and rugged terrain, as well as the absence of roads in some areas. Off-roading, as fun as it may sound, is completely prohibited in Leh Ladakh, especially around the area surrounding Magnetic Hill.

Where can I rent a bike in Leh?

On the main Leh Fort Road, you will find numerous Leh tourism shops offering bikes on rent. To rent a bike, you must have a valid license, an identity proof and the skills! The per day price for renting a bike starts at Rs. 1000 and goes up according to the model, make and year of the bike.

Where can I rent a taxi?

On the main Leh road, you will see a number of Leh tourism transport operators who rent out taxis for trips in and near Leh. It is also a great place to find shared taxis for Tso Moriri, Pangong Tso and Nubra Valley. You can also try your luck bargaining for reduced rates - but only if it’s the low season.

Public Transport

The city of Leh is well-connected by Leh tourism government run buses. However, the erratic schedules of these buses makes it difficult to plan a trip, especially if you are heading towards Pangong or Tso Moriri. If you’d like to cut costs, it’s recommended to do so by using shared taxis.

Written by  Kirat Sodhi , an in-house Tripoto writer.  Kirat is a proud mom of three cats and lives for lemon tea, a good book and spontaneous travel plans. Follow her to ignite your wanderlust.

Frequently Asked Questions

The weather in Leh Ladakh during the summer months of April to July is sunny during the day and chilly at night - the best time to explore Leh tourism. However, it’s always cold in Leh Ladakh so keep a jacket with you at all times.

Leh is a city in Ladakh, implying that it is part of the Ladakh region. Ladakh is divided into two parts – Kargil and Leh.

Leh tourism has made it convenient for travellers from across the world to visit Leh Ladakh. The best route for a Leh Ladakh bike trip is via the Manali highway. You can also choose to travel via the Srinagar highway which is a safer but much longer route.

The most  popular tourist places in Ladakh  to grow Leh tourism are Zanskar Valley, Leh, Hunder, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Lamayuru, Kargil and Tso Moriri.

The Leh Ladakh airport is approximately 9km from the city and is accessible by bus and taxi.

You can find a map of Leh and Ladakh in the City Centre Market. You can also find a number of books on Leh tourism to help you during your Leh Ladakh trip.

There is no option to rent a self-drive car in Leh Ladakh. You can only rent a bike to ride yourself or use the shared taxi service from one of the Leh tourism transport operators.

The mobile connectivity in Leh Ladakh is very erratic. The efforts of Leh tourism has increased network towers in the area. However, due to security reasons, some places don’t receive any network - including most trekking routes, Khardung La and Pangong Tso.

Yes, there are five to six ATMs in Leh city. However, beyond the main city, you will not find an ATM. Leh tourism has ensured the maintenance of these ATMs however during winter, one may face difficulty.

Leh Ladakh Travel Guide (2024) – Explore the Unforgettable Land of High Passes!

By: Author Sophie Pearce

Posted on Last updated: January 1, 2024

Categories INDIA , JAMMU & KASHMIR

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

Julley from Leh! That means Hello in Ladakh and you’ll find that everyone here is itching to say it to you.

Leh is the super friendly mountain city that is waiting for you to visit them.

When you arrive here, either by bus or plane, you’ll be greeted by the most spectacular panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, ancient palaces, and Buddhist stupas.

It’s also a welcome paradise from the busy, dirty cities like Delhi and Rajasthan.

Here’s the ultimate Leh Ladakh travel guide including how to reach Leh, top things to do, where to stay, and what to eat!

The ultimate Leh Ladakh travel guide

Where is leh ladakh in india.

Leh Ladakh has an interesting mix of cultures and food as it’s on the border of China and its history is closely related to Tibet!

You’ll probably question what country you’re in a lot while you’re here and that’s the beauty of Leh.

What is the best time to visit Ladakh?

The best time to visit is actually in the monsoon season between June – September as Ladakh is a dry spot in a country of constant rain!

They also shut the road after mid-September so it’s best to visit before then or fly!

It’s beautifully sunny every single day at this time and everything almost looks saturated as you’re closer to the sun and higher up at 3,500 metres!

It’s also perfect weather for trekking and is what most travellers flock here for.

How to reach Leh Ladakh: flying vs. the road

There are usually two choices for approaching Leh Ladakh.

You can directly fly to Leh Ladakh from Delhi which is what most travellers prefer as you can skip the long bus journeys up through the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.

But, this means that you cannot acclimatise very easily and you may suffer from altitude sickness and need a few days to adjust.

If you are prone to altitude sickness, you can get tablets to help with it. The other is to take the long bus journey from Manali to Leh.

This is the cheapest option and actually is not as dangerous as people make out.

Yes, the roads are crazy but the views are absolutely jaw-dropping and are worth the time spent alone.

You’ll pass through valleys, mountain passes, and waterfalls. There’s absolutely no sign of life around in many parts and it’s an experience you won’t forget.

For more information, check out my post ‘Travelling from Manali to Leh by road: all you need to know’.

Taking the bus from Manali to Leh

I took the 18-hour bus from Manali to Leh, which was actually 20 and we arrived in the middle of the night.

Our bus driver did a great thing by dropping us off in the backpacker district of Changspa where there are tonnes of guest houses. But, little were we to know that none would be open for business after midnight!

For a little while, we hung out with some other travellers from the bus in a bakery which turned into a bar late at night and just played the same Ed Sheeran song over and over again.

We had chai while deciding the next plan of action, which was basically to try every guesthouse in the area!

After a little while, we couldn’t find anywhere and a bar called KC garden offered for us to stay at their place for the night. It was an, which was used for group get-togethers and parties!

It had no windows, was freezing cold, and let in all the noise of dogs barking. However, it was a place to crash for the night and we had loads of blankets to keep warm.

It was really generous of him as he didn’t have to offer anything at all. He also didn’t charge which was really kind.

We were stranded in Leh Ladakh

The guy who owned the place said we could sleep in until noon, but when the workers came in the next morning at 7 am – they played really loud music so we would get up!

At first, it was just Buddhist chanting music which was actually really nice.

By 9.30 am, they upped the ante with techno music and that’s when everyone groggily got out of their sleeping places.

The next day, we had a chai together, thanked the guys at KC garden, and then went to try and find a room.

Where to stay in Leh Ladakh: Changspa 

We ended up staying at Hotel Asia which turned out to be the cheapest.

It was 500 a night with a shared bathroom, I hardly slept each night due to the light and noise but it did have hot water every single day!

With a view like this of the mountains, you can’t complain about £5 a night! For bookings see here.

The top things to do in Leh Ladakh

Most people use Leh as a base in Ladakh as it’s the main city with good connections to Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, and Srinagar in Kashmir.

But, there are lots of things to do in Leh Ladakh itself.

It is really gorgeous to explore too with an epic mountain range, historical palaces, and the iconic Shanti Stupa.

You can’t really get bored, even just if you gaze at the scenery around you.

This would probably be a good first point of call to start off your adventure in Leh. The ancient palace looks down on the rest of the city.

This was the home of Ladakh royalty and was modelled on the Tibetan Potala Palace in Lhasa.

Even though it was built in the 17th century and steeped in history, not many of the ancient artifacts of the royal family remain in the palace.

It’s nine floors of empty rooms save the antique pictures which hang on the walls.

The best part of wandering around this palace is actually the viewpoints from the rooftops!

You can get great panoramic views from all over the city. There aren’t really any restrictions on where you can go here so explore away!

Castle Tsemo

Castle Tsemo stands high on the hill above the Leh Palace.

To reach it in Leh Ladakh, you can get a taxi for around 250 rupees or take the steep winding trek uphill!

There are two parts to Castle Tsemo, a Buddhist temple, and the castle and the Namgyal Tsemo Monastery.

When you’ve caught your breath from the walk, take a peek inside at the beautiful golden Buddha which is perfectly preserved inside.

Next is a climb up the monastery, you’ll pay 20 rupees to head on inside.

At first, I thought this was awesome as it was so cheap, but then I realised that you had to head on up the rooftops of the monastery on these ladders from hell!

These weak, feeble ladders were not attached to the wall in any way and so it was a dodgy climb to the top!

Although these ones were low, the others were pretty much vertical!

Although the views were totally worth it, there was one problem – how was I going to get back down?!

I was petrified and my boyfriend literally had to place my feet on each step of the ladder.

When I got to the bottom, I literally couldn’t breathe haha!

I can laugh now, but I genuinely thought I was a goner. It’s totally ridiculous so if you’re afraid of heights, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Shanti Stupa in Leh Ladakh

The Buddhist Shanti Stupa was one of my favourite attractions in Leh Ladakh. It was donated by the Japanese, built-in 1991, and blessed by the Dalai Lama himself.

Although it is a 500 step walk to the top, the views and the stupa are so worth it! We arrived at around 10 am in the morning and there was literally no one around.

The best time to visit the Leh Ladakh Shanti Stupa is at sunset when the temperatures aren’t so hot and the sun creates a beautiful red glow on the mountains surrounding it.

There is also some really beautiful Buddhist chanting music which is broadcast live from the temple nearby.

When the lights go down on Leh Ladakh, the Stupa lights up and you can see the many stars which appear here due to the limited light pollution. It was magic.

When we visited in the evening time a government official was there, so naturally, some of the Kashmiri soldiers were here on guard.

One of them let me hold this! Stranger things have happened…

Before I got to Leh, I had this awful feeling there wouldn’t be anything around.

Most places in Himachal had a mall road, but I wasn’t sure about Leh.. luckily, I was proved very wrong!

There is a massive main market here which has everything you could wish for.

Restaurants, shops, supermarkets, chemists, the lot. So, don’t worry about getting access to the basics.

There were also these great little fruit and veg markets from the local farms here. The mini peaches, locally called aadu , were to die for!

Trekking Leh Ladakh and Day trips from Leh Ladakh

There are endless options for treks from Leh Ladakh that you can get involved with.

Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley were popular trips also which was a 2-day and 1-night stay.

There were 3, 4, 5 days, and even 20-day treks out of Leh. So, it will be down to personal preference if you wanted a guided trek.

There are a lot of treks that you can do self-guided also. Nubra Valley is around a 3-day trek each way which is supposed to be easy.

But bear in mind that there isn’t any phone signal here so you won’t have Google maps to help you!

Best to download a walking trail map beforehand or buy one from the local shops here.

Read more about day trips from Leh here

Multi-day sightseeing tours in Ladakh

There are many interesting multi-day tours  that can be organized from Leh.

The famous tours are the 2-day Indus river tour where you get the chance to visit some of the most impressive monasteries in Ladakh (Alchi, Likir, and Lamayuru among others), the 3-day Nubra valley tour via the famous Khardung La pass (the world’s highest motorable road) and the tours to the stunning high-altitude lakes of Pangong and Tso Moriri.

You will not find many buses in Ladakh that go to these places. One of the options is to hire a car with a driver, but the cost of transport is not cheap in Ladakh…

If you are a solo traveller or travelling in a small group, using a shared taxi is a great way to reduce the cost of the trip as well as its carbon footprint! 

Where to eat in Leh Ladakh: wonderland restaurant and bakery

The wonderland café was where I usually went for breakfast most mornings.

Loads of their breakfast combos come with coffee and apple juice!

It has a really nice relaxed vibe and an amazing bakery downstairs which offers some great doughnuts and pastries.

Also, If you’re a fan of falafel, these guys do the best I have tasted so far in India. It was light, crispy, and delicious!

World Garden Café

Serving up a huge range of international cuisines, the world garden café is an excellent place to eat at any time of day.

The guys here speak excellent English, are really friendly and the food is cheap and tasty.

This was one of my favourite places to eat in Leh, so don’t miss out!

Dust pollution in Leh Ladakh and harsh temperatures

As the terrain and surroundings are in quite harsh conditions (sometimes it looked like how I imagined Mars to be like) you’ll find it to be dry and dusty.

The pollution in Leh Ladakh was quite high around the main town and so if you have anything like asthma, you’re best to come prepared.

Most days I found myself using my scarf to protect my mouth, nose, and eyes from the dust.

As we’re closer to the sun here, you should always make sure you wear suncream.

When I visited in August, it was boiling hot every day and it was definitely summer clothes weather.

A lot of people had tiny dresses and shorts on which is a nice change from covering up but just make sure you don’t get sunburn!

Staying connected and WiFi in Leh Ladakh

As soon as I set off from Manali on the Rohtang pass my UK and Indian SIM phone numbers lost service and data. But, I thought when I got to Leh, it would come back – how silly I was!

There was absolutely no phone service in the whole town. I’m sure you could get a SIM from Leh if you have an unlocked phone, as most phone packages are regional in India.

This would mean you would lock into their own phone service here. But, for a few days, I just didn’t think it was worth it.

The wifi is also pretty bad and almost non-existent. Most cafés and restaurants offer wifi services but this wouldn’t work half of the time. In fact, on the first day we got here – there was no wifi in the whole town!

If I did get wifi, only certain apps would work like WhatsApp, which was perfect to tell my mum I was alive (mum’s always worry).

There are internet cafés which you can use which are 90 rupees an hour. I actually quite liked not having wifi and being contactable. I’m a 90s kid, so I remember a time before the internet!

It just means that you have a few days to truly enjoy where you are. You’re not constantly looking at your phone, but actually appreciating the scenery and meeting people!

Sometimes, we get so caught up in social media that it’s refreshing to sign off. Get a map, read a book, and talk to people. There was a world before wifi, you know!

That’s my complete travel guide to Leh Ladakh, save it for later!

Leh Ladakh would be a place I would highly recommend travelling to if you visit India.

In fact, I would say it’s on my list of ‘must-sees’. It’s a beautiful mix of culture, colour, history, and scenery which will transport you into another world!

Make sure you put it on your list. If you’d like to read more about the beautiful surrounding areas of Ladakh, read my article ‘the absolute best off the beaten track Ladakh’!

Want to read more on the far North of India?

Manali to Leh by road, all you need to know

A guide to Manali, the hippie town in Himachal

Why you need to visit Shimla

Top things to do in Mcleodganj

A complete Bhagsunag waterfall guide

My complete Rishikesh travel guide

Visiting the Beatles Ashram in Rishikesh

Things to do in Amritsar

Mussoorie Hill Station guide

Wednesday 27th of December 2023

Many Indian’s primary wish to travel Ladakh by a road trip on their own bike. Definitely my dream also. Hope I will also achieve it.

Sophie Pearce

Thursday 11th of January 2024

Yess, it's an epic road trip to Ladakh by road. I have to admit I wouldn't do it again though and would fly haha! Sophie x

Tuesday 29th of August 2023

Wow, this destination looks absolutely breathtaking! Adding it to my bucket list for sure.

Wednesday 30th of August 2023

Hi Suman, totally agree! Leh Ladakh is an epic destination :) Sophie x

Neha Shinde

Thursday 11th of May 2023

Fantastic article. I am very pleased to say that your article is fascinating to read.I always find myself wanting to comment on it.You're doing an excellent job.Keep your writing up

Wednesday 28th of June 2023

Thanks Neha for your kind words. Sophie x

Wednesday 7th of December 2022

Ladakh is not a place where you can go without planning. You will have to consider all the do's and don'ts while deciding on the trip. From the right clothes, the right vehicle, comfortable stay, and places to visit, everything should be pre-planned so that one doesn't miss out on the site's vibe.

Thursday 8th of December 2022

Hi Kamalesh, completely agree with you! Sophie x

Esha Sawant

Tuesday 1st of February 2022

"Hello Admin, Intresting Article, you are doing a great job . Keep it up"

Hi Esha, thank you so much! I'm glad you liked the post :) Sophie x

• 1 Understand
• 2.1 By plane
• 2.2.1 From Jammu and Kashmir
• 2.2.2 From Himachal Pradesh
• 2.3 By road
• 2.4 By taxi
• 2.5.1 By truck
• 2.6 By motorbike
• 3.1 On foot
• 3.3 By motorbike
• 3.4 By taxi
• 3.5 By tour
• 4.1 Monasteries and temples
• 4.2 Museums
• 4.3 Further afield
• 9.1.1 Further afield
• 9.2 Mid-range and Splurge
• 11.1 Budget
• 11.2 Mid-range
• 11.3 Splurge
• 11.4 Further afield
• 12.1 Newspapers
• 13.1 Floods

Leh is one of the two capitals of Ladakh , a union territory of India . Leh is in the Indus River Valley, at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Xinjiang , Tibet and Kashmir . Since 2000, Indian tourists have been visiting Ladakh, with a dramatic increase in 2010 after the film Three Idiots .

Understand [ edit ]

There is a pass that links Leh directly to Khotan . The city's importance as a trading town slowed down with the partition of India, and ended with the closure of the border in 1962 during the Sino-Indian War. Since opening to tourists in 1974, it has become a bustling tourist town, with many Kashmiri traders.

It is a small town, so it is easy to get most places on foot. The old town is a compact area of mud brick houses and narrow lanes directly to the east of Main Bazaar. Changspa is the agricultural "suburb" northwest of the centre, with many guesthouses.

The main Bazaar's elevation is approximately 3,555 m (11,490 feet) and Changspa is higher, so take it easy on your first few days there or risk possible altitude sickness . Even those experienced with high altitude might have some trouble.

Winters are very cold and due to the drop in tourism, many shops, hotels and trekking companies will be closed. If you plan to visit during the winter and are an independent traveller, double check all arrangements (call your hotel instead of booking online).

• 34.1618 77.5883 1 District Magistrate Office ( DC Office ). First destination for tourists to acquire a permit when intending to head into areas of Ladakh close to the Pakistani and Chinese border. See Ladakh#Fees and permits for more information. ₹600 . ( updated Sep 2023 )

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

With the bankruptcy of "Go First" in 2023 passengers numbers have apparently plumped by half.

Getting there and away :

• On foot – From the airport terminal it is just 5 km to the center of Leh, and some accommodation options are even before that. So, you might just decide to walk the distance.
• By bus – Upon exiting the airport gate, buses running to the centre cost ₹20. Taxi drivers will insist a prepaid taxi is the only way to get into town—don't get tricked! Also the airport website states that there is a public bus. If you don't want to wait for the irregular airport bus, walk along the main road towards the city for about 500 m and around the corner, where many local buses make a u-turn and you can hop-on.
• By taxi – Only prepaid taxis run from the airport, charging ₹550 to the city centre.

By bus [ edit ]

• 34.15668 77.58332 2 Leh Bus Terminal . The Leh bus station is chaotic and poorly organised. There are three sections, one for local transportation within range of Leh (as far as Alchi) in the southern part, one for state run national buses (in the western part), and one for private regional and national buses (in the northern part). ( updated Sep 2023 )

The local buses get exceptionally crowded, times of departure fluctuate greatly, and there is no ticket office (just board the bus, and pay to the conductor). When planning a trip to a destination in Ladakh ask around to find when the departure time roughly is, and show up at the station half an hour early; ask people there what bus to take, don't trust the destinations marked on the buses; take a seat and wait for the bus to depart. Then expect to spend at least an hour at the bus station.

Except for local transportation within range of Leh, it is expected that you book your ticket at least one day in advance, even for Nubra Valley. You will want to make sure that you get a seat and that the bus even goes, especially for Srinagar and Manali. The ticket office is at the far end of the bus station and the process is more straight forward and less time-consuming. For regional destinations you can also turn up at departure, but the bus conductor will definitely let you feel that you should have bought a ticket beforehand.

From Jammu and Kashmir [ edit ]

State buses run from Srinagar and also privately operated deluxe buses. The HRTC bus from Srinagar to Leh cost ₹980 (2023). On the way back, they will leave from Leh at 2PM.

The Srinagar buses run longer that the Manali ones, potentially until mid October.

From Himachal Pradesh [ edit ]

From Manali , Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) ply the road between June and around 15th September, allowing you to stop in a number of places along the way—costs ₹156 (Manali-Keylong) + ₹539 (Keylong-Leh). Also, private buses stop in Keylong , Darcha or Sarchu—the last alternative (800 m higher than Leh) involving a high incidence of altitude sickness .

Furthermore, Himachal Pradesh Tourist Development Corporation (HPTDC) operates deluxe buses from Manali that stop overnight in Keylong, between June and around 15th September—costs ₹2,700 (August 2017).

It is possible to book direct tickets Delhi-Leh, but the best option is to break off the journey in Manali and at the lower end of Lahaul: Sissu, Keylong (main population centre) or Jispa; all around 3,100 m altitude.

By road [ edit ]

There are two roads into Leh—both equally spectacular in different ways, and time-consuming with winding, narrow roads and numerous military checkpoints:

• Manali-Leh Highway – The route from Manali to Leh, covering a distance of 473 km (294 mi), is the one more commonly taken by tourists. It takes two days, normally with an overnight stop either in Keylong (alt. 3,096 m) or in camp accommodation in Sarchu (4,253 m) or Pang (4,500 m). Making the first stop in Keylong drastically reduces the risk of altitude sickness (AMS). It traverses one of the highest road passes in the world and is surrounded by wild, rugged mountains. The scenery is fantastic, though it is definitely not for the fainthearted. This historical trade route was linked to Yarkhand in China, severed by the India-China war in 1962, and later was transformed into a military supply road. Reliable access is limited from June to October, as it is blocked by snow for the rest of the year. There are plenty of inexpensive (₹200-300) camp accommodation along the way and some interesting sights en route, which can invite you to take your time heading up to Leh, like:
• Spiti Valley – A side tour in the east before Keylong and a destination not to be missed. If hiking is your thing, you may take a shortcut by Chandratal Lake coming out at Baralacha Pass (4,928 m), 45 km before the border with Ladakh.
• Stingri (3,180 m) – A steep mountain region with many homestays and guest houses.
• Darcha (3,350 m)– The last green village and a popular mountain village. You can also find cheap camp accommodation along the highway here.
• Deepak Tal (3,760 m) – A picturesque and popular mountain lake with a PWD tourist rest house nearby.
• Sarchu (Ladakhi border post, 4,300 m) – Cheer endless inexpensive camps for accommodation.
• Gata Loops (4,200–4,650 m) – 22 winding loops up a steep mountain.
• Pang (4,500 m) – A bleak village and rest stop with some accommodation but the interesting Wayland natural wind sculptures right when you enter the canyon towards east on foot.
• Changthang Western Lakes (from 4,600 m) – Right off the highway, 4 hr before Leh, an impressive lake and hot spring region.
• Srinagar-Leh Highway – The main advantage of taking the road from Srinagar, covering a distance of 434 km (270 mi), is that it runs at a lower altitude, and thereby reduces the risk and severity of altitude sickness . It is also open longer—normally from the beginning of June to October. It follows the traditional trade route between Ladakh and Kashmir, which passes through many picturesque villages and farmlands. The disadvantage is that it passes through areas of higher risk of militant troubles. It takes two long days, with an overnight stop in Kargil . There are a few interesting places to stop en route:
• Kargil at 2,693 m, where the buses stop and best choice for altitude acclimatization,
• Lamayuru , and
• Alchi that also offer accommodation.

The clearance of snow and opening for public transport is announced at the official website of Leh . Srinagar-Leh news updates are found here , and Manali-Leh here .

By taxi [ edit ]

The fastest way to get to Leh from Manali is by tempo traveller or taxi van, sometimes by 4WD. Shared taxis do the trip in one long day (of about 14 hr). Keep in mind that all single day rides comes with a risk of being stranded near 5,000 m without being acclimatised, with severe altitude sickness as a result. The journey costs up to ₹3,000 per person. During the high season tickets must be bought in advance of the day of departure and the main street in old Manali is full of ticket touts.

In case of 4WD, it is advised to take a front seat and do not allow yourself to be seated in the boot. These seats (in the boot) are inward facing and sitting on one of those for that long will take all the pleasure out of the trip.

There might also be minibuses and shared taxis that make an overnight stop in Sarchu—this comes with a high incidence of altitude sickness, since Sarchu (also dubbed "The Vomit Hilton") lies more than 700 m higher than Leh, at 4,253 m.

Privately hired taxis allow the luxury of stopping wherever you like, and allow you to decide on how many people you will travel in your group.

If you are coming from Srinagar , go to #1 taxi stand in town. You can either book direct to Leh or book your seat on sumo taxi to Kargil for ₹500, stay overnight and then book your seat for Leh from Kargil and pay ₹400 upon arrival in Leh but this is a lot of messing around and accommodation in Kargil is often of poor value. Get them to drop you at Fort Road in Kargil, which is the heart of the tourist area and accommodation is close by. Ask for middle seat in the taxi as it's too crowded in the front and too uncomfortable in the back.

By thumb [ edit ]

Many locals and trucks ply both highways into Leh, some willing to take you the full distance, some just to the next village. Since, there are some sights along the way and to reduce the risk of altitude sickness, especially on the Manali-Leh Highway, it is recommended to have a least one overnight stop at one of the many inexpensive rest stops along the way (₹200–300).

See also #By road for additional information about road conditions and sights along the way.

Those staying longer in Ladakh are likely to find themselves traveling by thumb at some point.

By truck [ edit ]

It is also possible to travel between Leh and Manali by truck. These trucks ply the route when it opens in summer, and they will be no new sight for anyone who has been in India for even a few days. Making the 450 km journey in the cab of one of these trucks is an experiencenot to miss—they are not as comfortable as taxis, nor do they give as good visibility as taxis or buses. But sleeping in the cab and eating the same food as the locals is worth it.

You don't necessarily have to do the whole distance at once, especially on the Manali-Leh Highway. This way the truck drivers will most likely also not be pressured to charge you for the ride, because many truck drivers will see no reason you should not pay. Some will ask even more than the comparable bus price. However, you are never forced to go with them, so just wait for any indication that this ride will cost and thankfully bow out of the ride.

You can pre-arrange truck drivers (for a few rupees) in Manali by going to the main truck stop in the new town. Here the drivers stop on their way from Delhi to Leh and will be more than happy to give you a ride for about ₹500. Make sure you do not pay before you travel. In Leh, there is a similar truck park. Try to pick a truck with the fewest passengers already, otherwise your trip will be even less comfortable—most drivers are on their own, sometimes going in convoy.

By motorbike [ edit ]

The Manali-Leh Highway is very popular with Indians to go on a motorbike. Bikes are available for rent at Manali. Note that you will need a bike allowed for driving in Ladakh—you cannot just take a scooter rented in Delhi.

When biking to Leh, it is advisable to travel at a slow pace to allow acclimatization. A suggested itinerary is:

• Day 1: Manali–Jispa (110 km; 68 mi)
• Day 2: Jispa–Pang (130 km; 81 mi)
• Day 3: Pang–Leh (130 km; 81 mi).

Essential supplies include: puncture repair kit, spare clutch cables and some good carriers (to hold luggage). The next bike workshop after Manali is Keylong (110 km; 68 mi) and then at Leh (400 km; 249 mi).

Get around [ edit ]

On foot [ edit ]

Leh is so small that you can cover enough places with the town by just walking.

Also local public buses call at the main bus station of Leh—the airport and close by destinations like Choglamsar or Spituk go for ₹20. Here are some connections (as of Sep 2023):

• Choglamsar – Every 15-20 min from dawn till dusk
• Spituk – Every 30 min from dawn till dusk
• Alchi (government bus) – Leave from Leh at 8AM and 2PM. Leave from Alchi at 10AM and 4PM.
• Kharu/Sakti (government bus) – Leave from Leh at 8AM and 1PM. Leave from Kharu/Sakti at noon and 4PM.

For Alchi and Kharu it is best to be at the bus station at least 30 min before the departure, daily buses will get full quickly—forget about boarding these buses beyond the bus station.

It seems that private buses (including airport) wait a few minutes (or longer) at the 34.158233 77.585806 3 bus stop near Leh Main Gate —catch them there if you don't wanna head down to the bus station first.

Various places on main Bazaar and Changsp Rd rent motorbikes. But Leh, Phyang and Choglamsar are the only places with petrol stations. Make sure you are adequately insured with third party claims before renting any private vehicle.

They have fixed prices (updated every 2 years) and can be arranged from the taxi stand along Fort Rd. When available, you may also purchase a copy of the fare-booklet for ₹20.

By tour [ edit ]

Many travel agents in Leh will offer several day tours to the nearby tourists sites, stating in their shop windows that they just need one or two more people to get the car full. That is BS and a way to lull you in, just to sell you an overpriced tour that is simply a taxi ride around the region. Don't think that these travel agents offer any value.

You are better off organising a private taxi yourself, in case you are two or three people. This way you can determine what the trip will look like—the taxi driver should only be interested in the distance and when he will be back. But don't trust the taxi drivers either and only (full) pay in the end.

If you are on your own, rely on buses and hitchhiking—they are the best way to explore Ladakh.

See [ edit ]

For such a historic site and popular tourist destination, Leh has surprisingly few tourist sights (though a great number more are accessible as day trips):

• 34.182331 77.587485 1 Donkey Sanctuary ( Home for helpless donkeys ). Just off the road leading to Khardung-La. The public is encouraged to visit the sanctuary and friendly signs will direct you to the sanctuary from the centre of Leh. It is no more than a pleasant 5 to 10 minute stroll from the main road to the Sanctuary and the artistic surprise awaiting you is well worth the effort. It is open to the public throughout the day and donations and juicy carrots are most welcome and used exclusively for improving the lives and welfare of these wonderful animals. Free .  

Monasteries and temples [ edit ]

Many use Leh as a base to visit the numerous gompas, the Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh.

• 34.096447 77.601802 4 Karma Dupgyud Choeling . Monastery in the Karma Kagyu tradition. Not much to see here, unless you are interested in Buddhism, but it is opposite the street of one of the Dalai Lama residencies.  
• 34.16435 77.58455 6 Soma Monastery ( Soma Gompa ). Just around the corner from Main Bazaar, it's a large modern gompa. It's also the location of the Ladakhi Buddhist Association, a conservative political organisation with ties to Hindutva groups.  

Museums [ edit ]

Further afield [ edit ].

• 34.16563 77.3324 9 Confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers . This is easy to find, as the water of Zanskar is brown, whilst that of the Indus is a little pink. ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.19163 77.37585 10 Gurudwara Pathar Sahib . This Gurudwara houses a rock with the imprint of a Sikh that supposedly prayed here and was supposed to be crushed by the rock, but miraculously survived. ( updated Sep 2023 )

Do [ edit ]

• White-water rafting – On the Zaskar and Indus rivers, and their steep gorges. The Indus rafting route from Nimmu towards the Pakistani border has rapids of increasing severity of grades of 4, 4+, and 5; the latter two grades being not for the faint of heart.
• Yak and Camel safari – Explore the town and its surroundings.
• Skiing and Cycling – On routes such as Panikhar to Kanji.

Hiking [ edit ]

Trekking in Ladakh offers a huge number of trekking opportunities with prices for low comfort camps in Markha Valley of ₹2,000 not uncommon.

From Leh itself there are some interesting half-day or 2 day hikes, in case you are not into several days treks with lot of equipment requirements.

• 34.18539 77.567228 1 Chhamkang Ri ( 4,133 m ). A 2-hr hike (3 km) with a great view of Leh and the valley. The trail starts in the very north of Leh. ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.162197 77.618004 2 Unnamed Peak ( 4,050 m ). Another 2-hr hike, which give you a view of the airport of Leh, the valley, and the Stok mountain and its range around. The trail starts east of Leh center, slightly north. ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.233359 77.544312 3 Phyang-Leh ( Gyamche La Pass, 4,810 m ). If you take an early morning bus (8AM?) to Phyang village (3,600 m) in the parallel valley west of Leh, this trail leads you by the Gyamche La Pass and back into Leh from the north. This is a proper full day hike of 20 km, and considering its 1,200 m altitude gain, it will require some time. On the way, you can also visit Phyang Monastery. ( updated Sep 2023 )

Nearby Stok also offers some interesting trails, even a proper mountain:

• 34.06577 77.54205 4 Stok Gompa Hike . This is an easy full day hike of 12 km (loop) going from 3,500–3,950 m just west of Stok. ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.034723 77.474268 5 Stok La (pass) ( 4,846 m ). 12.5 km (one-way), 1,200 m altitude gain—it's the pass that leads to Markha Valley. You might be able to do it in one day from Stok if you are fit, otherwise you might have to camp along the way. Note, people say that this is proper mountaineering and you will need some experience. ( updated Sep 2023 )

Learn [ edit ]

• Buddhism – There are several places in and around Leh where visitors are welcome to study the Buddha Dharma, either privately or in a class environment. The Mahabodi Society on Changspa Lane is one of the most active.

Work [ edit ]

There are many NGOs in Ladakh who are based in Leh doing important work, many of them take on volunteers for a few months.

Since Ladakh was featured in the popular film 3 Idiots in 2010, domestic tourists have flocked to the city.

Buy [ edit ]

The Main Bazaar and the surrounding streets have numerous shops selling souvenirs , mostly Tibetan antiques or replicas. The Tibetan market is a good place to buy jewellery, souvenirs, and various other items such as Pashmina shawls (about ₹4,500–7,000). Be extremely wary when buying pashmina as half the shops in the city will falsely claim their products are pashmina.

There are half a dozen good book shops with an excellent range of books on the Himalayas, including novels, guidebooks, phrasebooks, books on history and on Buddhism.

People needing some warm clothing should consider the second hand clothing bazaar near the terrain vehicle stand. Good used clothing from first world countries is cheap, which is handy if you are only in the cooler climate for a little while.

Leh also has the best selection in the area of food for trekking albeit not all that different from normal instant noodles, dried fruits, nuts, biscuits, powdered milk and chocolate that's available anywhere around the Main Bazaar.

Eat [ edit ]

Main Bazaar has a few sweet shops selling samosas, chana dhal with puri, and other Indian food in addition to the sweets. However, they are ridiculously overpriced, as are the German bakeries, which sell stale pastries.

The shopping areas of the old town and the area around the bus station are good for Tibetan styled restaurants, although few offer more than thukpa (noodle soup) and momos (dumplings).

There are several Punjabi thali shops in the "old city bazar" on the corner of the main bazar where you can get thali for around ₹100.

Budget [ edit ]

Budget places are mostly located in the back alleys of the center.

• 34.163039 77.585968 1 Zomsa Restaurant . Inexpensive mutton chowmein, tupka and momos. No chai, just coffee. ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.16311 77.586336 2 National Restaurant . Another mutton place popular with locals serving thali style dishes and chai. ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.165245 77.585121 3 Gurudwara ( just north of the Main Bazaar ). As everywhere in India, the Gurudwara serves mostly rice and dal throughout the day, but often chai is served as well. Donation . ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 33.918421 77.737533 4 Dosa Point by Indian Army - Highest Dosa Point , Kharu . Besides what the name of the place indicates, this is one of the most delicious and inexpensive dosa places, probably in the whole of India. If visiting Hemis or are on the way to Pangong Lake, you must have a stop here. Masala dosa ₹50, onion masala dosa ₹70 . ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.19163 77.37585 5 Gurudwara Pathar Sahib . This Gurudwara has one of the better Langars in India, delicious curry with Pakora or tofu. And outside you can enjoy chai watching the bustle with tourists, army and truckers alike. Donation, but probably not necessary since it is run by the army . ( updated Sep 2023 )

Mid-range and Splurge [ edit ]

Main Bazar has a decent selection of all-prices Tibetan-style and international restaurants, popular with tourists and locals. In the summer numerous garden restaurants spring up in Changspa serving Tibetan, Western and Indian dishes.

Drink [ edit ]

There is little in the way of nightlife in Leh. You can have a beer at many of the restaurants, but they close fairly early. For a more adventurous alternative, ask around the old town (or your guest house owner) for Chang the local home brewed beer, which costs about ₹15 for a litre; bring your own bottle.

Being a mountain area, clean water (not boiled) is available in restaurants and accommodations. There are a few springs scattered around Leh that provide a natural and plastic free alternative to using bottled water.

The amount of tea stall east of the main bazaar in notable, try the following:

• 34.164704 77.586229 1 Tololing Tea Stall . His chai (milk tea) has a special delicious taste, try finding out why. ( updated Sep 2023 )

Sleep [ edit ]

Leh has a large selection of mid-range accommodation, with some offering decent value. Most of the guest houses are located in Leh's northern suburbs in Changspa, Karzoo and surrounding areas, a 5–30-min walk from the centre. Many of the houses in Changspa have been converted to guest houses, which, surrounded by farmers' fields and often with excellent views, make wonderful places to stay.

If you consider Leh too busy and need tranquillity, head over to Stok village, which is similar to Changspa, but much less busy, of course lacking all the amenities of a large city. There is one hostel in Stok.

• 34.168923 77.579835 1 Eagle Guest House , Changspa , ☏ +91 1982 253074 . A very friendly atmosphere.  
• 34.175999 77.576791 2 Ecology Hostel , ☏ +91 9906189166 . Quite a different place built for sustainability. They only have double rooms, which can be kind of nice compared to regular hostels. Toilets and restaurant are in different buildings, and the place gets quite hot and dry (literally) during the day. ₹400 . ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.148014 77.578041 3 Himalayan Bunker , ☏ +91 9541473878 . An inexpensive, clean and recommended hostel, a little off the center though, but great location for exploring places outside of Leh. From ₹350 . ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.173524 77.581676 4 Himalayan Retreat Guesthouse , Changspa , ☏ +91 1982 251-130 , [email protected] . Home stay in beautiful surroundings.  
• 34.143375 77.575396 5 Hitchhikers Hostel , ☏ +91 7051163632 . A clean hostel with proper facilities very far away from the center, but great for getting out of Leh. From ₹450 . ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.16416 77.587252 6 Old Ladakh Guest House ( hidden in an alley in Old Leh ), ☏ +91 9469466539 . Often full.  
• 34.172256 77.577419 7 Oriental Guesthouse , Changspa , ☏ +91 1982 250-516 , +91 1982 253-153 , [email protected] . Run by a very hospitable Ladakhi family. Quiet place with a nice courtyard. Food is made of fresh vegetables, grown in the courtyard garden.  
• 34.17281 77.581094 8 Solpon Guest House , Upper Changspa , ☏ +91 1982 253-067 , [email protected] . A little ahead of Zeepata Guest House, Most rooms have a great view either of the Shanti Stupa or of the Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo Gompa. 24 hr hot water, Good value for money.  
• 34.17314 77.581489 9 Zeepata Guest House , Upper Changspa , ☏ +91 1982 250-747 , [email protected] . Run by a very friendly Ladakhi family, some rooms with good views of Shanti Stupa and offers tasty homemade food and desserts. 24 hrs hot water, Good value for money.  

Mid-range [ edit ]

• 34.168089 77.58773 10 Hotel The Palace Ladakh , ☏ +91 9622967757 . ₹3,000 . ( updated Sep 2023 )

Splurge [ edit ]

• 34.15648 77.58057 11 Hotel Golden Dragon . One of the few hotels open during winter. Has reliable, satellite backed WiFi, even when snowfall brings down the LTE and overland connections. ₹18,500 . ( updated Sep 2023 )
• 34.19163 77.37585 12 Gurudwara Pathar Sahib . The Gurudwara also offers a free sleeping hall, in case you want to try this unique experience. It is a good idea in case you want to head to Alchi or further west in the morning and not just want to torture yourself getting out of Leh first. ( updated Sep 2023 )

Connect [ edit ]

Leh is well connected to the rest of India by LTE. However, regular pre-paid SIM cards bought in the rest of India do not work in Ladakh. You will need a postpaid card, either by buying a new one (which can be burdensome for a foreigner) or by registering your prepaid SIM for postpaid, which however takes up to 18 days. Having said that, most accommodations have working WiFi and you could probably abstain from mobile reception in Ladakh while you are here.

Newspapers [ edit ]

• Kargil Number is a widely available local newspaper.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Leh is one of the safest places in India.

Carry a torch at night , as there is next to no street lighting, and there are some very deep drainage ditches. Beware of the stray dogs which rule streets during the night, especially in the inner alleys and around eateries.

Floods [ edit ]

Ladakh was struck with serious floods and mud slides in August 2010. The airport was operational within days, and the major roads and bridges after a few weeks, and Manali-Leh was re-routed temporarily, until October after Rumtse, making it more than a hundred kilometres longer. The road was fully operational in October 2010.

Go next [ edit ]

Many sights around Leh can be explored on day tours, even Alchi.

• Alchi – A small village with a gompa or Buddhist monastic complex, 4 km off the road to Kargil .
• Lamayuru – A small village with a Buddhist gompa, beyond Alchi and still on the way to Kargil.
• Nubra Valley – An impressive river valley of the Sytok and Nubra rivers, villages of apricot and apple trees, sand dunes, monasteries and many more.
• Pangong Lake – A very popular 64 km long soda lake of picturesque colours situated between India and China.
• Hemis National Park – Inhabited by a number of snow leopards, Hemis National Park is home to many rare and endangered species. Also, one of the entry/exit point into Markha Valley , popular with experienced hikers and trekkers.
• Tso Moriri – An impressive lake region close to the border with China and a convenient side tour from the Leh-Manali Highway. Probably best to visit when entering or leaving Ladakh via Manali .
• Zanskar – One of the remotest areas in Ladakh, only accessible through high passes.

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Beyond Wild Places

Your guide to the wilder side of life

A Complete 10-Day Leh Ladakh Itinerary

A trip to Ladakh is undoubtedly on many intrepid travellers bucket lists. The mystical Indian Himalayan region is still one of the most underrated places on earth. Despite it being a very remote corner of the Indian subcontinent, you’ll be surprised that you can see a lot in a short time with this Ladakh itinerary.

Over 10 days, you can visit the famous Pangong Lake, ancient monasteries of Hemis and Lamayuru, the former Silk Road trading route of Nubra Valley, and crumbling palaces with panoramic views over the arid, snow-capped landscape. This itinerary I’ve put together covers the best things to do in Ladakh over 10 days based on my multiple trips to the region.

Whether you fly into Leh for a short trip or incorporate this into a longer North India adventure travelling by road, your time in Ladakh will undoubtedly be something you’ll never forget. Buckle up for some long drives, and you’ll be blown away by the incredible land forms and ancient history awaiting in Ladakh.

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links which means I get a commission if you buy a product through my link at no extra cost to you. By doing so, I can keep this blog going and continue to create helpful guides for you. Read more:  Privacy Policy

When to Visit Ladakh

The best time to visit Ladakh is from mid-May until end of September . This is when the region sees its best weather with warm days and relatively mild nights. The roads and trekking routes are also guaranteed to be clear of snow during these summer months, making places easier to access.

Where to Stay in Leh

Leh is the main town and base for exploring Ladakh. The town has hundreds of accommodation choices, from homestays and hostels to high end hotels. I’d recommend picking somewhere that is comfortable for you and your budget, as you’ll be spending most of the time in this Ladakh itinerary based in Leh. Here are my top picks:

Budget:   Raybo Hostel

Budget:   Peace Guest House

Midrange:   Chandan Guest House

Midrange:   Rock Castle Residency

High-end:  Grand Dragon

Read more:   Best Places to Stay in Leh, Ladakh For All Budgets

How to Get Around Ladakh

Travelling by road is one of the best parts of any Ladakh trip. The scenery from the various road trips in the region offer jaw dropping views that you’ll want to savour every minute (even if some of the drives are long, bumpy and windy).

There are a few ways to get around Ladakh to the various sights and day trips in this itinerary. Which way you choose will depend on your budget and comfort level. However, for this 10 day itinerary, I would recommend a combination of taxis for day trips and a shared group tour for the trip to Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley (unless you want to arrange a private tour).

Here’s more specific information for each transport option:

Public bus: Public transport is a little limited in Ladakh. You’ll need a lot of time and patience if you plan on using local buses to get to all the best places. If you only have 10 days, this is not ideal. But if you have more than 10 days, check out my guide to Leh for more information on the public transport options in the region.

Taxi: This is very ideal for day trips. You can easily organise taxis in Leh to take you to Thiksey, Lamayuru, Hemis, Alchi and more. A popular day trip combining Shey, Thiksey and Hemis costs around 3700 INR (AU$70) for the day as an example. You’ll have to budget more for the drive to Alchi and Lamayuru.

Group tours: Joining group tours to Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley is a popular option. In high season from June until August, you’ll find groups leaving every day in shared taxis for 3-4 days. You can easily organise this upon arrival in Leh.

Private tours: If you want to organise all your Ladakh trip in advance, then I suggest arranging a 10 day tour through a local company in Leh. They can help arrange taxis for day trips, and a private car for Pangong Lake and Nubra Valley. I highly recommend Gonbo of Lungta Travel . He’s also the owner of Rock Castle Residency Guesthouse in Leh and can help with arranging all of this for you.

For more detailed information on these options: Comprehensive Travel Guide to Ladakh

Overview of this 10-Day Ladakh Itinerary

Day 1: Fly from Delhi to Leh

Day 2: Acclimatise in Leh

Day 3: acclimatise and explore leh town.

Day 4: Day trip to Thiksey, Hemis and Shey

Day 5: Day trip to Lamayuru and Alchi

Day 6: road trip to nubra valley via khardung la, day 7: drive to pangong lake and stay the night, day 8: return to leh, day 9: relax in leh (optional visit to stok village), day 10: fly back to delhi.

Detailed 10 Day Ladakh Itinerary

Here’s how I would spend 10 days in Ladakh, if you’re prepared to take some long driving days and want to see as much as you can in a short time.

Day 1: Delhi to Leh

If you’re opting for a quick 10-day trip to Ladakh, then it’s likely you’ll be flying into Leh from Delhi. There are frequent flights every day from Delhi to Leh, mostly in the morning hours. It’s widely considered one of the most beautiful flights in the world.

Flights are run by Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet, and IndiGo. The flight time is around 1.5 hours and can cost anywhere from 3000INR (AU$60) to 9000INR (AU$180) one way.

If you prefer to travel to Leh, Ladakh by public transport , then you can also come via Manali or Srinagar, depending on how much time you have and your trip plans. Read my guide on getting to Leh by public transport for more information.

Once you arrive in Leh, you’ll want to head straight to your accommodation and rest for the remainder of the day. The altitude will likely hit you after about 2-3 hours of being in Leh, so it’s best to relax and stay hydrated for the afternoon to adjust slowly.

Read more: 20 Best Things to Do in Delhi

Your first full day in Leh should also be considered an acclimatisation day. You may wake up on this day with a headache, shortness of breath, and fatigue, which are common symptoms when arriving in Ladakh from Delhi.

The best way to avoid getting sick and easing into the altitude is to rest as much as possible , stay hydrated, and eat regular, small meals to maintain energy.

Try not to do too much on this day, unless you’re coming from somewhere else that is around 2000m or higher. You could walk somewhere into town for dinner, if you’re feeling up to it.

You’ll still be acclimatising for at least 48 hours after arriving, so on day three you shouldn’t try to overexert yourself too much. But, you’re probably keen to get out and start exploring this beautiful mountain town. Here’s how I recommend you spend your day:

Morning: Breakfast at your guesthouse or a cafe in the main market area (my top picks include Bodhi Terrace, Bon Appetit, or Asian Corner Restaurant)

Mid-morning: Explore the Central Asian Museum and then wander around the main market

Lunch: Taste the local Tibetan food at Tibetan Kitchen

Afternoon: Explore Leh Palace and Tsemo Maitreya Temple

Dinner: Chopsticks or Wanderers Terrace

Read more: 25 Best Things to Do in Ladakh

Day 4: Day trip to Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries (plus Shey Palace if you have time)

Get ready for a day trip out to the east of town to some of the most impressive monasteries and villages of the Ladakh area. If you have patience you could get to Thiksey Monastery and Shey Palace by bus, or take a taxi for the day and visit all three places including Shey Palace.

Hemis Monastery is one of the most important in the region. It was originally established in the 17th century and is tucked into a gorge in Hemis National Park. The most impressive part of the complex is the museum, holding the most important Buddhist relics and artefacts of India.

Thiksey Monastery is an imposing monastery built in a similar style to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The temples at the top of the gompa hold some beautiful Buddhist statues and monuments, plus the view over the valley is incredible.

Another day trip, this one longer than the day before, the drive to Lamayuru is one of the most beautiful in the region. You’ll wind through incredible moonscapes and small villages, with dramatic mountain peaks and raging rivers on either side. After about three hours, you’ll arrive in Lamayuru , the oldest monastery in Ladakh.

Built over several levels across the rocky landscape, it’s easily one of the most impressive sights. Plus, if you time your visit for the midday puja, you can sit with the monks and listen to their their chanting prayers.

On the way back to Leh, stop in at Alchi to visit the unique 1,000 year old Buddhist murals and shrines hidden off the main highway. There’s also some delicious local restaurants there, the standout being Alchi Kitchen, if you time it for a lunchtime meal.

Another few days of long drives ahead, but the scenery makes it all worthwhile. Either join a group tour or hire a private driver to take you to two of the most famous sights in Ladakh: Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

On this day, you’ll leave Leh and drive first up to Khardung La pass . Connecting Leh with Nubra Valley, Khardung La sits at 5,360m and was once the highest motorable road in the world (now overtaken by another road in India). It’s an essential photo op, before descending down towards Nubra Valley, the Shyok River and the Karakoram Mountains.

Once part of the old Silk Road trading route across Asia and connecting Pakistan with Tibet, Nubra Valley is a stunning place. Visit Diskit Monastery and it’s Maitreya Buddha statue, sitting high above the valley floor, with panoramic views across the eastern Karakoram Mountains.

Then, head to the village of Hunder to take a look at the double humped camels or Bactrian camels roaming the mountain backed sand dunes.

Stay overnight in either Hunder or Diskit.

Where to stay in Diskit?  Ama Guesthouse or  Himalayan Regal House Where to stay in Hunder?   Hunder Stay and Camp  or  Hunder Haven

From Diskit or Hunder drive back through the valley, and towards Pangong Lake. While the drive is quite long and arduous in some parts, keep soaking up the incredible mountain views out the window.

Pangong Lake is one of the world’s highest saltwater lakes sitting at 4,250m. It’s a sacred site for Buddhists, with almost 2/3 of the lake actually lying across the border in Tibet. It’s bright blue colour shimmering against the arid, desert-like mountains makes it an otherworldy sight that draws many visitors each year.

Stay the night on the shores of the lake. The most popular place is  Spangmik , a cluster of glamping style tents and small hotels. However, the overcommercialisation of this village has led many people to continue further to  Man  or even further to  Merak . You’ll find more laidback tents and homestays in the latter villages.

Where to stay?   Nirvana Resort  in Spangmik or Pangong Travel Camp in Man

The final long day of driving, as you head back to Leh via Changla Pass at 5,360m. You’ll likely need to relax in the afternoon in Leh after all that driving or head to one of the cafes in Leh to eat good food.

On your final day in Leh, you may not feel like driving anywhere! You can hang around the town of Leh and do some shopping in the main market area instead.

If you want to do some extra sightseeing, head to Stok village , just a half an hour drive from Leh. At the base of Stok Kangri, Stok was home to the royal family of Ladakh, the Namgyals, after they fled during the invasion of the Dogras. Check out the 71-foot Gautama Buddha statue and monastery above the village, or arrange to have lunch at Gyab-thago Heritage Homestay, where you can try a traditional Ladakhi meal in a family home.

I highly recommend heading out to Shanti Stupa for sunset, as the perfect ending to this Ladakh itinerary. Shanti Stupa is the white peace pagoda you can see north-west of the Leh bazaar on a small hilltop. It was built in 1991 with funds from the Japanese, and it offers an impressive panoramic view of town.

Flights back to Delhi from Leh tend to leave early in the morning.

Want to Go Trekking in Ladakh?

You’ll need to allow a minimum of two weeks in Leh if you want to add a trek to this itinerary. Otherwise, you could skip the day trips to Lamayuru and Hemis if you were really short on time.

The Sham Valley Trek is a three day moderate trek that could be easily added onto this itinerary. The highest point of the trail is just under 4000m, so it’s doable for those with limited time.

If you preferred something longer and more challenging, the Markha Valley Trek is a five day trek that goes over 5000m. I’d recommend undertaking this trail after spending a week in Ladakh or longer, to ensure you’re properly acclimatised.

More Essential Reading for Ladakh

• Comprehensive Travel Guide to Ladakh
• Ultimate North India Itinerary: 1 Month in Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh
• Best Places to Stay in Leh, Ladakh For All Budgets

25 Best Things to Do in Ladakh

• How to Get to Leh, Ladakh By Public Transport ‘

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Complete Guide to the Sham Valley Trek in Ladakh

10 Best Cafes in Leh: Where to Eat in Ladakh

Ultimate North India Itinerary: Kashmir, Ladakh & Himachal Pradesh in 1 Month

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Thank you author for your blog. Keep it up.

how much would be approx budget for this, assuming we start from mumbai and not delhi, and stay in budget hotels + group trips instead of prrivate

I have a budget breakdown on my Ladakh Travel Guide, so you can find prices for everything there. Accommodation can be 800-1000inr per night, three day tour to pangong and nubra can be 4500inr per person. Also depends whether you’re flying into Leh or driving.

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By Air, By Road, By Train: A Complete Travel Guide To Leh, Ladakh

By air, by road, by train: here is everything you need to know before planning a trip to leh, ladakh. bookmark the travel guide now.

By: Karan Kaushik Published: Jan 30, 2022 10:00 AM IST

There are some sojourns in India, where the journey is as blissful as the destination. Mammoth mountain peaks, mesmerising waterfalls, tranquil water bodies, lush fields, and dense forests adorn them. Sometimes, we are fortunate to get a window seat on the flight to marvel at snow-capped mountain peaks that kiss the clear blue sky. And other times, the best views are savoured by train and car. One such journey that offers an incredible experience, no matter what the mode of commute, is the one to Leh. By Karan Kaushik 

Here’s everything you should know before planning your dream trip to Leh

The destination.

Jagged mountains, turquoise lakes, age-old Buddhist monasteries, traditional Ladakhi mud-brick houses, prayer-flag-festooned lanes, charming bazaars, and cool cafes. Only a few places in India reward the discerning traveller as Leh does. From white-water rafting to enriching trails in nomadic and remote villages, the magnificent land of high passes also offers a plethora of thrilling activities for adventure seekers.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ladakh Taxi Booking (@ladakhtaxibooking)

Leh enjoys good air connectivity with major Indian cities via Delhi and Srinagar. While taking a bike trip to Ladakh is on every traveller’s bucket list, not many know a flight could be as exciting. The air journey to Leh allows you to see the mightiest mountain range in the world in all its glory. You will come across the Shivaliks, the Dhauladhars, and the Pir Panjals. As you go up, you will notice massive glaciers that mark the beginning of the Great Himalayan Range.

The flight offers incredible views of snow-clad peaks, which include Parang chu, Phirse chu, Kharpa 6234, Pangyo chu to name a few. The Tso Moriri Lake is also visible. Here’s a tip: make sure you get a seat on the left side of the aisle.

The flight takes you to the Kushok Bakula Rimpochhe Airport, the main airport of Leh. Taxis for Leh city are easily available at the airport.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ladakh Planet? (@ladakhplanets)

Considering Delhi is the base, there are two major routes to Leh. These are the Manali-Leh and Srinagar-Leh routes.

Delhi to Leh via Manali

This route takes you through some incredible points like the famous Rohtang Pass, one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. As you start your journey from Delhi, you will be driving on the Grand Trunk Road, or NH44. You can stop at Murthal for a truly memorable breakfast and fancy some ghee soaked paranthas and lassi. As you move towards Manali , the uphill climb begins around Ghanauli.

After crossing the Rohtang Pass, you will be driving on some of the world’s highest motorable roads. On reaching the Lachulungla Pass, you will be able to witness the entire Ladakh Plateau. During this bike ride, some of the important points that you will be driving through include Karnal, Mandi, Manali, Jispa, Sarchu and Tanglang La. You can take a break in either Manali, Keylong or Jispa and spend a night there before heading forward to Leh.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Kunal Goswami (@_staronearth_)

If you are not in the mood to ride all the way to Leh, you can also book a roadways bus from Manali. There are deluxe and ordinary buses run by HRTC and J&K SRTC between Manali and Leh. You may also hire a cab to reach Leh from Manali.

Note: You’ll have to get a permit to travel beyond Rohtang Pass from Manali.

Delhi to Leh via Srinagar

Perhaps the more popular among the two, this route is a biker’s dream. You start from Delhi, drive through Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Pathankot, Jammu , Patnitop and Anantnag to reach Srinagar. Spend a day soaking in the breathtaking beauty that Srinagar is blessed with. During this journey, you will also be crossing the 9.2km long Chenani-Nashri Tunnel that has reduced the distance between Jammu and Srinagar by 40km.

Fancy a shikara ride in the Dal, drink lots of kahwa, buy yourself a phiran and some saffron and stay the night in Srinagar. The next day, you will be driving through Sonamarg, Zoji La, Dras, Kargil, Lamayuru, Alchi and Nimmoo before finally making your way to Leh.

In Kargil, you must pay your tributes at the Kargil War Memorial. On your way to Leh from Kargil, you can also visit the age-old Mulbekh Monastery. Other important points where you could take little stops are Namik La Top, Lamayuru Monastery, and Fotula Top, which is the highest point on the Srinagar-Leh road.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Traveling snaps? (@traveling_snaps)

Direct buses to Leh from Srinagar are also available in all categories from the Leh bus stand. The morning bus to Leh reaches Kargil by night, where it takes a halt and reaches Leh the next day.

Here’s a tip. It’s best to take the Srinagar-Leh route during your onward journey so that your body could properly acclimatise. You can take the Leh-Manali route during your return journey.  This way, you’d be able to experience the thrill of both these routes. It’s a win-win situation.

Jammu Tawi, at 700km, is the nearest railhead from Leh. It’s well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. From here, you can hire a taxi or take a JKSRTC bus for Leh. Pathankot, Chandigarh and Kalka are other nearby railway stations from Leh.

• Things to do in Leh

Here are some of the must-visit attractions in Leh.

Pangong Tso Lake

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Located at a height of 4,350m, Pangong Tso is the highest saltwater lake in the world. Its azure blue waters form a beautiful contrast with the arid mountains that stand in its backdrop. The lake shot to fame after it was featured in the movie 3 Idiots . Create your own yellow scooter moment here and you never know you may end up finding your Rancho.

Thiksey Monastery

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Perched atop a hill towards the North of the Indus River, this monastery dates to 1430 AD and houses the Lakhang Nyerma Temple. The monastery is famous for its iconic statue of Maitreya Buddha, which draws visitors throughout the year. Standing 15m tall, the statue was constructed in a period of four years.

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This palace overlooks Leh and offers panoramic views of the town and its picturesque surroundings. The palace features ancient wall paintings, which depict the life of Lord Buddha. The palace has been beautifully restored by the Archaeological Survey of India and serves as a popular tourist spot in the town.

Hall of Fame

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Located on the Leh-Kargil Road, just 4km from the main city, this museum is dedicated to our brave soldiers, who laid their lives for their motherland. A visit to the museum will fill you with patriotism and make your heart swell with pride.

Shanti Stupa

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A major attraction in Leh, the stupa was built as a symbol of peace to commemorate 2,500 years of Buddhism. Perched atop a hill, the stupa offers peaceful vibes and great views. Sunrises and sunsets are typically beautiful. The relics of Buddha in the stupa were enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama.

Hemis National Park

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If you are a wildlife lover with an adventurous streak, head to the Hemis National Park when in Leh. Sprawled over an area of 3,350 sqkm, the park is home to the elusive snow leopard and a wide variety of birds. The Snow Leopard trek here is one of the most thrilling experiences you can take in India.

Magnetic Hill

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One of the most fascinating places in the country, the Magnetic Hill lies at a distance of 30km from Leh. It is known for its gravity-defying abilities. There’s a particular point, which has been marked with a square. If you park your vehicle inside that box, you’ll see your vehicle moving in the forward direction on its own. This intriguing experience must be included in your Leh itinerary.

Best Time To Go

If you are travelling by bike, the best time would be around September and October, when the Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways are open, and the roads are perfect for driving. The tourist season in Leh usually begins in April, but it’s advisable to travel by flight during this time. The Manali road along Rohtang Pass opens around June, making it another good time to visit Ladakh.

For bikers, the months of July, August and September are considered the most suitable. The months between November and March are extremely cold. The highways are closed, and the lakes are frozen. In December, Ladakh is cut off from the rest of the country. If you are planning the Chadar Trek or Snow Leopard Trek, you must visit between January and March.

Related: We Get The Taste Of The Local Life In Ladakh Through Our Immersive Travel Experience

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• Manali-Leh Highway
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• Travel Guide to Leh
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Leh Local Sightseeing – A Complete Travel Guide

Leh local sightseeing was the pending topic in my series of articles on completing the comprehensive travel guide for Leh Ladakh. Today, I will introduce you to the places to see around that comes under Leh local sightseeing.

It is almost inevitable (at least for people flying directly to Leh) to skip the local sightseeing of Leh town, so it becomes essential to know what all places are there, either in Leh or nearby Leh town so that you can spend a day or two easily without getting bored and utilize them effectively.

As you reach in Leh, you will be spending some part of the day getting the permits for places in Ladakh that you will be visiting as a part of your Ladakh trip itinerary. However, still, you will have about a day and an evening to spend in Leh. So, the question becomes what shall you visit near Leh in a day and how?

Let's quickly dive into the details:

Leh Local Sightseeing Guide

I have mentioned briefly about places to see in Leh town in my most recommended Ladakh trip itinerary already. However, in this article, let’s deep dive into the places that you see around Leh town and spend your time relishing them as a part of the day dedicated to Leh local sightseeing.

The Khar – Leh Palace, Tsemo Castle, Namgyal Gompa

The Khar is the so-called landmark of Leh almost since the 17th century. Being in Leh and the missing sight of this mega structure (almost and comparatively), seems something has horribly gone wrong with your planning, or you were somewhere else in Ladakh but not in Leh 😉 …

It houses the Leh Palace, Tsemo Castle and Namgyal Gompa on the same hills which houses this complex. The museum houses collection of ornaments, jewelry, thangkas and paintings about 450-year-old but still looks as new as it can.

Shanti Stupa

Built on a hilltop in Changspa region of Leh at an altitude of about 14K feet (4267 Mtrs), Shanti Stupa was built in 1999. It is one of the most favorite tourist destinations among other places in Leh local sightseeing plan. The visit to Shanti Stupa would greet you with a wide panoramic view of entire Leh town in the foreground and with breath-taking landscapes in the background.

You can reach it using a drivable road all the way almost to top, or you can choose to ascend about 500-600 stairs. I will not advise stairs if you just landed a day or two back. After 7-8 days, you may give a try to fatigue using those stairs otherwise avoid them to let your body acclimatize properly.

Dheeraj Sharma

Hall of Fame

Worth a visit for every Indian to get a feeling of undue respect and salute the spirit of heroes of the Kargil War, especially if you have not been to Kargil War Memorial on Srinagar Leh Highway . In the other section, you can see and get an idea of various things that form the rough life of our brave soldiers at Siachen viz. the shoes used by soldiers, the food they eat and how they heat them using Hexamycin tablets, etc.

You will walk out of with a different feeling if you respect those brave souls, a feeling that can help you co-relate their rough life with yours, which we keep cribbing over either some official matters or daily homely issues. Next time you do that think of these soldiers posted here for us, to protect our motherland and think how they get the strength to keep going in their lives 🙂 …

My heart was full of emotions when I walked out first ever from Kargil War Memorial…

Leh Main Bazaar / Leh Main Market

The most attractive place of Leh is Leh main bazaar where you can have finest of cuisines and even shop for a variety of accessories for your mother/sister/wife/girlfriend or woolens for yourself and family or contact some travel agents for money exchange or planning your tours/treks, etc.

In fact, this is the only place where you will find most of the hustle-bustle along with Changspa road of life in Leh Ladakh and maybe the busiest part of Ladakh 🙂 …

Sankar Gompa / Monastery

It is about an easy half-hour walk from Leh towards the road leading to Khardung La pass . They light it up in the evening, and because visiting hours are only limited to morning and evening, I will say going in there for a short walk in the evening is not at all a bad idea 🙂 …

Zorawar Fort

If you happen to have some interest in history and ancient culture, then you can visit Zorawar fort, which is about 30-40 mins walk/hike from Leh main market and jeepable too if you are not interested in hiking. General Zorawar Singh owned this fort and is remembered here for the struggle with Chinese. Europeans even termed him little Napolean of India.

Datun Sahib

Datun Sahib is a Meswak tree that is located close to Leh Palace or just behind the Jama Masjid in the Leh Main Baazar and holds quite religious significance for the whole Leh Ladakh region. It is said to be the first-ever tree planted by Guru Nanak Ji, who blessed the town by planting it.

Sindhu Ghat

A peaceful place where you can enjoy the river banks of Indus and relax amidst beautiful surroundings. The music of the river relaxes all the nerves you get after reaching this place. If you want to spend a lazing afternoon, go and be there at Sindhu Ghaat and relax 🙂

Spituk Monastery

About 8 km from Leh, at an altitude of 3300 Mtrs was built way back in the 11th century and can be a good addition to your Leh local sightseeing tour. The monastery houses about 100 monks and a giant statue of Kali which is unveiled at the annual Gustor festival held from the 27th to 29th day in the eleventh month of the Tibetan calendar.

Phyang Monastery

About 16 km west of Leh towards Srinagar was built back in the 15th century. It houses a 900-year-old museum that has an extensive collection of idols including several fine Kashmiri bronzes probably dating to the 14th century, thangkas, Chinese, Tibetan, and Mongolian firearms and weapons.

The Gang-Sngon Tsedup Festival is held annually from the 17th day to the 19th day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar . On the 2nd and 3rd day of the 6th month of the Tibetan calendar, Phyang serves as a venue for sacred dances.

Sham Valley Tour

Not exactly a part of Leh local sightseeing but west of Leh towards Srinagar on Srinagar Leh Highway, Sham Valley tour includes a day trip to Sham Valley that consists of (in order from Leh) Gurdwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Zanskar, and Indus River Confluence at Nimmu , Ruins of Basgo Palace and Basgo Plains , Alchi Monastery and Likir Monastery I will say it is a must-do trip for anyone visiting Leh – Ladakh.

Of course, if you are interested in detail you can refer my detailed travel guide of Sham Valley .

Monastery Tour

When you travel east of Leh towards  the most adventurous Manali – Leh Highway , you should be able to cover some of the popular monasteries in Ladakh, viz.  Shey Palace , Thicksey Monastery , Hemis Monastery , and Stakna Monastery.

Depending upon the time at hand and your interest, you can also choose to visit Matho Monastery and Stok Palace a bit ahead of Stakna Monastery and complete the circuit while exiting towards Leh from Stok.

I hope you find the above information useful for planning your day for Leh local sightseeing on the Ladakh trip. If you have any questions or doubts, please feel free to post them under the comments section of this article.

Have a travel question?? You can follow me on Instagram and subscribe to my YouTube channel to ask your travel questions in a direct message on Instagram or comment on my YouTube videos.

If you like this article, do not forget to share it with your family and friends who are interested to know about the places nearby Leh town in Ladakh. In the end, in case you know about a place near Leh that you think I have missed, please do share it with fellow travelers.

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I am Dheeraj Sharma - a traveler, techie, and Himalayan lover. Since 2009, I have been helping thousands of travelers every year plan memorable & budget-friendly trips to the Himalayas - Smartly, Safely, and responsibly.

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Hi dheeraj….i have flight for leh on 22oct nd my return is on 29 oct….we have 6 complete days in leh district….cud u plz advice me to make my trip better…..what all to do 6 days and where to visit….so far i have read many comments of urs bit still cud u plan according to my schedule…..and also i want to do bornfire type sumthing if possible nd stay in a hut for atleast a night if possible…!!! Waiting for the reply

You can follow the below itinerary

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization — Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. — Bargain with taxi driver and you can refer the thread for a comprehensive list of drivers: List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali — Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best. — Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own. — Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only. — If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more. — Overnight at Leh   Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari   Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Shyok Village or Wari La – Pangong Tso — Take direct route to Pangong Tso via Shyok Village (shorter) or Wari La (longer) whichever is open — Overnight at Pangong Tso

Day 5 | Pangong Tso – Leh, covering Hemis, Thicksey and shey monasteries — Cover Hemis, Thicksey and Shey — Overnight at Leh

Day 6 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour or Fly out — Overnight at Leh

Hi Dheeraj, I’m Vy, from Vietnam. Firstly I want to say thank you to you and your team. The information on DOW is beyond of helpful. It gives us the inspiration to go on the road, to discover.

I’ll in Ladakh in Sep. I’m a solo female. And I travel on a budget. Below is my itinerary. I built it based on the suggestions on DOW. Could you give me advice for my itinerary? I have some worries, especially about transport. 1. Trekking to Padum – Phugtal: Could I do this trek without the guide. I just worry about the chance of getting lost. 2. From Leh – TurTuk – Spangmil – TsoMori – Leh: Could I find the shared cabs or public transport for those routes? If the shared cab is available, how much I should pay for each part. 3. Any changing advice is welcome. Only Phugtal is the have-to destination.

1: Srinagar – Karmil 2. Karmil – Padum 3. Padum – Phugtal 4. Phugtal – Padum 5. Padum – Kargil 6. Kargil – Leh 7. Leh: sightseeing and permits 8. Leh – Turtuk 9. Turtuk – Spangmil (via Shyok village) 10. Spangmik – Tso Mori 11. Tso Mori – Leh *1 preventive day for rest or any emergency case.

Again, appreciate for all your work.

Nice to connect to you here. Thank you for warm words.

1. I will not suggest doing Phugtal as you do not have sufficient time for it. You will not be acclimatized to do the trek so fast to be completed in a day time. So, better skip it. Also, the journey is too tiring from Kargil to Padum directly without night stop and then going on such long trek in a day is not recommended. Instead use the day for Ladakh itself at ease.

2. Regarding Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri, you will not be allowed to take that route being foreigner. Hence, you should do it at easy pace skipping the part of Zanskar Valley.

hi Dheeraj, 2. does it mean from Pangong Tso, I have to come back Leh and then take the route from Leh – Tso Mori?

also, I want to ask about permit. I read articles but have a bit confused so I want to make it clear: As a foreigner, 1. I only need to apply for Inner Line Permit (ILP). It cost 400 + 20 INR? 2. as a solo traveler, I can’t get the permit by myself, have to run through an agency?

thank you very much.

Yes, you will have to come back to Leh from Pangong Tso and then can go to Tso Moriri from Chumathang route.

As a foreigner, you need to apply for Protected Area Permits , the rule was changed I believe recently and a single person can also apply for permit as foreigner but through an agent. You can use the Online application to apply online and pay fee for Protect Area Permit.

Hi Vy I am going to Leh 8Sep, solo, you can join me some days if ok for you RG Hung

oh, nice to hear from you. so please contact via email: [email protected]

Really Article is well informative, I am fan of Discover With Dheeraj, wonderfully executed every thing, I always preferred this site for Leh Ladakh information. many times I got answer from your forum section. users participating on it sharing their knowledge about Leh Ladakh region and your contribution is unbelievable.

Thanks for sharing such a wonderful article with us, If possible please use more images in the post which can attraction more users and engagement. I have a wonderful experience in Leh Ladakh, and try to explain in the writeups. travelingtoworld.com/leh-ladakh-travel-guide/

Thank you Sunil !!

Thanks a lot Dheeraj, keep updating us, Good job.

Sir, Thanks for your helpful replies. Cheers.

Good luck for your trip, please share the updates or reviews with us too from the trip so that it help others.

1. You have suggested clearly in many posts that it is best to travel from Srinagar to kargil and then onwards to Leh. Is it OK to get the body acclimatized by staying in kargil? I had planned to stay in kargil and see the local places by getting permit: stay there for three days. Then travel to Leh. Is it OK for the human body to get acclimatized that way? Request advices on this.

2. You had also posted that one group had travelled by the Srinagar route in May or thereabouts. However, in reply to another person in 2016, there was a suggestion to avoid travel through Srinagar route. I am really really confused here: from what I see on the 24/7 news channels: the situation in the Srinagar side is BAD. Alternatively, I am contemplating taking the Manali Leh route.

3. Will the Manali Leh road route be open by the second week of July 2017?

4. Should I get permit for crossing Rohtang pass? Where can I get the same?

5. Also, acclimitization wise: is this ok? Chandigarh to Solang valley (stay); onwards to keylong (stay); onwards to jispa (stay); onwards to sarchu (stay); onwards to leh. Is this plan ok acclimatization wise? This will allow me to acclimatize, I hope, to enable me to see in and around Leh.

Also, I plan to fly back from Leh to Delhi and then to Chennai.

1. Not necessarily I will say but yes does help staying in KArgil and then moving to Leh. It depends from Kargil where exactly are you moving. Best way if one has days is to do Kargil, Alchi night stays before reaching Leh.

2. Well, it depends upon person to person. The situation changes every day in Kashmir and you should ignore whatever is posted in 2016. Please go through the thread of Srinagar – Leh Status in DwD Community to read about people experiences traveling there in this year.

3. Yes Manali – Leh Highway is about to open any day now.

4. If you go from Manali – Leh side, you will have to take Rohtang Pass permit to go beyond Rohtang PAss.

5. It is not OK but well, it is the way to travel to Leh if you choose Manali – Leh Highway. Also, PLEASE do not stay over night at Sarchu. It should be Solang, Jispa and then directly Leh.

Please suggest three day itinary for local Leh tour.I will reach to Leh on 24 June and leave on 26 june

You can rest for the first day, explore market and trolls in the streets, visit Shanti Stupa. Next day you can visit Sham Valley and then you can visit monasteries (Hemis, Thicksey, Shey, Stakna)

Thank you for reply.Whether two days are sufficient for local sightseeing or more days are required?.Which place I should visit in Leh to see snow in June?

I hope you mean two days for above places? Yeah, that should be fine for Leh Local sightseeing and sham Valley. June, you can find snow only at Khardung La Pass and Chang La pass on the way to Nubra and Pangong Tso respectively.

I plan to visit Leh Ladakh in September mostly from from 11th for a period of 16 days, so that would be from 11th to 26th September

Wish to thank You for Your blog which is really very helpful 🙂

It will either be Me or I might have two other people joining me

I have read your articles, well most of them but still just want to know a few things … As I am a photographer this would be a completely photography based trip

1. Will a laptop work in Leh ? I mean do You know anyone who has used it in Leh

Being a photographer I would need to download/take backup on my laptop and if possible on an external HDD, Will that be possible in Leh as it is at a altitude of around 3000 mts.

2. Do You know of any good/reliable travel agency in Leh ? I would be hiring a vehicle and a driver/guide so …

I have noted down the names of drivers/guide that You have recommended but what about a reliable local travel agency

Especially those who have worked with photographers or are used to taking/handling photographers

3. The places that I have planned to visit/stay are Hunder, Pangong, Tso Morriri, Tso Kar, Hanle and Rangdum … I want to ask about the availability of Electricity in these places or guesthouses/homestays because I will need to charge the camera batteries at least once every two to three days

4. Will accommodation ( Guesthouses/Homestays ) be available for the above places in this period from 11th to 26th September ? Will the tented camps be open especially in Pangong

5. I want to make it as cheap as possible the whole trip that is … especially if I will be going alone so if there are any good guesthouses or homestays which offer good food and have electricity sometimes during the evening then please do let me know so that I can plan the trip accordingly

As of now the probable itinerary is –

1st day – Rest

2nd day – nearby places

3rd day – Leave for Hunder

4th day – In and around Hunder

5th day – Back to Leh

6th day – Leave for Pangong

7th day – In and around Pangong

8th day – If possible ( Depends on the availability of electricity ( Battery charge ) and Driver/Guide )), travel to Tso Morriri

9th day – In and around Tso Morriri

10th day – Back to Leh

11th day – Leave for Hanle

12th day – In and around Hanle

13th day – Back to Leh, Visiting Tso Kar on the way back

14th day – Leave for Rangdum

15th day – Back to Leh

Please let me know what You think and it would be really nice if You could clarify my queries 🙂

Would welcome any suggestions or ideas that You might have regarding the above itinerary which would be helpful for me in one way or the other 🙂

Thank you 🙂 Warm Regards, Salil Sahani

Thank you Salil. 1. Yes, it should be OK to use it but please do read: Carrying Laptop to Ladakh or High Altitudes 2. Most of these drivers are very reliable as you might have read their feedback in the thread too. IF you really want to get authentic stays and feeling of Ladakh trip, better exclude the middle men. 3. Rangdum is too far and needs more days at least 2 days ex. Kargil. So, ;eave Zanskar and Suru for some other time. 4. Yes, stay options will be available. 5. You should be able to find guest houses or home stays at almost all the places. 6. Day 8 should be Hanle, In around Hanle and then move to Tso Moriri. Pangong tso to Tso Moriri have mid point as Hanle though a bit diversion

Thank you very much Sir for getting back so quickly 🙂

1. Yes I have read that article Sir 🙂

2. Yes, will keep that in mind :), Can the driver take care of the accommodation, I mean if I decide whom to go with then will He take care of the rest, especially the accommodations at all the places to be visited ?

4. Oh good 🙂

6. Yes that would be a better idea 🙂

Sir, Which of the above places have electricity, apart from Leh that is ? Hunder, Pangong, Hanle, Tso Morriri

Yes, drivers take care of their accommodation. All the places will have electricity but the supply will be limited at Pangong tso and Tso Moriri.

Hi deeraj” would you please give me information, if I tour all the way from Leh to {Pangong TSO by JKSTC bus from leh on saturday & stay at Pangong TSO at Night and again return to leh. May kindly provide me a detailed staying option at night where the JKSTC bus halts at night and the distance of Pangong TSO lake from bus stand. I will be very helpful if your valuable suggestion are accorded for me for chalking out a programe for visit to Leh

Dinesh, AFAIK, the bus goes to Lukung and Spangmik villages which are near the shores of the Pangong Tso lake only, about 300-500 Mtr form the lake

Hi Dheeraj,

Me and My wife are planning to travel from to Leh from 16th June to 25th June. Our initial plan was to reach Manali by Bus and then either bus or taxi from Manali to Leh. However, I read online that there’s a possibility that the Manali-Leh Highway may not open till late June, so we have planned to fly to Srinagar instead and then travel to Leh via Bus and end the trip by traveling from Leh to Manali by road by 25th Afternoon. Can you suggest an itinerary based on the above dates and do you think we can accommodate road trip from Srinagar to Leh and Leh to Manali within 16th and 25th June?

We are planning to travel to Leh from Delhi. Sorry, forgot to mention that.

Just replied to your other comment.

Hey Sundar,

You can follow the below plan:

Day 1 | Delhi – Srinagar — Enjoy walk around Dal lake and may be Shikara ride as well — If you have time then check out, floating market, Shalimar Garden. — Overnight at Srinagar

Day 2 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil — Enjoy the vistas enroute — Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil — Overnight at Kargil

Day 3 | Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh — Cover Mulbekh Maitrey, Lamayuru Moanstery, Lunar Landscapes — On the way you can also see Gurudwara Pather Sahib, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu — Overnight at Leh

Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization — To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — Overnight at Leh

Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari

Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso Lake – Leh — Day trip to Pangong Tso — Overnight at Leh

Day 8 | Leh – Taglang La – Moore Plains – Pang – Sarchu — Stay overnight at Sarchu

Day 9 | Sarchu – Baralacha La – Keylong – Rohtang Pass – Manali — On the way cover Suraj Tal, Deepak Tal which are on the road sides only — Overnight at Manali

Day 10 | Manali – Delhi — Return home

Day 11 | Buffer day to be kept incase of road closure due to landslides or snowfall or perhaps you want to enjoy more.

Thanks a lot Dheeraj. In your opinion, would the Leh-Manali Highway open by the 25th of June considering the record snowfall experienced this year.

Yes Sundar, Leh – Manali Highway will open by 25th June.

Thanks Dheeraj. Just one more question. I was planning to cover the journey from Srinagar to Leh in JKSRTC bus. Do these buses stop at Sonamarg, Zozi-la, Drass, Lamayuru which I should be covering during the trip or do I choose an alternate mode of transport? Private taxi’s do seem expensive.

Sundar, these buses do not stop unless it is a stop for them for meals and tea/snacks. Some of them you mentioned may be actual stops for them. However, it is not a tourist bus that will stop for scenic places. There is no cheaper alternate mode unless you get a shared taxi with tourists who are willing to share the taxi or find online travel partners to share the cab.

Hi Dheeraj, We are from Hyderabad, Mumbai and Bengaluru. We (about 12 of us) are planning to visit Leh-Ladakh by April end-first week of May and leave by May 6-7. We will be flying to Leh from Delhi and will be travelling with 2 kids aged 5-6 and one aged 13. A couple of us are on the heavier side too. Is it too risky for us? Will be grateful if you can help us decide the itinerary in a way that we don’t miss anything.

Hello Rekha,

If you guys can take precautions and go prepared (it will still be cold in April end), it shall be OK to travel. Considering you have about 7-8 days, I will suggest following:

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization — Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. — Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan. — Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best. — Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own. — Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only. — If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more. — Overnight at Leh

Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari

Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh — Do not plan to stay overnight at Pangong Tso as you will not be acclimatized and may fall sick. So, make a day trip only. — Overnight at Leh

Day 6 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR Sham Valley tour OR Fly back home — Overnight at Leh — Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only. — Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib

In case you have about 1-2 days more, you can add Turtuk day trip from Deskit/Hunder in Nubra Valley.

greetings from the philippines…i would like to travel to your wonderful country this month of sept…ill arrive in amritsar on sept 13 at night and begin exploring on the 14th…ill leave india from delhi on the 28th……i have around 15days….ill be visiting leh ladakh and beyond and probably taj mahal….from amritsar i would like to go to srinagar and go to leh but some said its not safe to travel somewhere in JK since there is ongoing tension…is it true.?????..so i guess ill just go to manali and enter leh that way…..i would like to enter leh/ or leave leh from delhi thru a flight but its very expensive….however the flight from srinagar going to delhi is way cheaper and considering leaving leh f going to srinagar to catch a flight, but im still concerned about secuirty issues is srinagar….and also i really wanted to go to phuktal monastery in sanzkar…the photo of the place i saw on the internet seems really awesome…can i do it all with the time i have in india??????

Hello Celden,

Very warm welcome to India and Himalayas 🙂 🙂

Julian, well, I will not recommend at all to travel from Srinagar side. Please avoid it completely at the moment. Go from Manali side and come back from the same route. You have 15 days, I can recommend you the flow and you can take it as per availability of public transport or shared taxis:

1. You should make two day trip to Leh from Manali as body will not be acclimatized. Fist night halt will be Keylong if you will go by bus else Jispa if you take tourist shared taxi. DO NOT take a taxi or tempo traveller which halts at Sarchu, you will not be acclimatized to sleep at it. 2. Rest and acclimatize in Leh, get the protected area permits. 3. Move to Nubra valley and explore Hunder, Deskit, Turtuk villages before coming back to Leh 4. Move to Pangong Tso and come back the next day 5. Move to Tso moriri and come back the next day 6. In between (3-5) you can opt to visit Alchi, Likir, Lamayuru as well as two day trip. 7. Finally take the bus back to Manali from Leh which will take halt at Keylong.

This will be around 14-15 days not leaving anything else to cover.

Reading these articles are great! A huge help before I fly from the UK to India and directly to Leh on the 5th Sept for approx. 5 nights. I haven’t really committed to booking guest hostels yet, as I wanted to confirm the itinerary (similar to what you recommended to RISHABH) with a friend that I will be travelling with. Wanted to get your input on this and suggestions of what to do?

Day 1 & 2: Will stay in Leh to acclimatise and try and cover what you have suggested to others. Day 3: Pangong Tso day trip and on the way back, will try and stay in Thiksey Monastery for the night? Day 4: I wanted to visit Nubra Valley, wasn’t sure whether we could do a day trip there or would it be better to stay there for the night? Any suggestions of where to stay? Day 5: Nubra Valley/Leh

Day 6 and onwards will include the bus ride to Manali however we would like to stay over another place for a night or 2 to break up the long journey, however not sure where?

Final query is regarding the drinking water in Leh, is it recommended that we should take purification water tablets?

You should visit Nubra Valley first on Day3,4 and then on Day 5 you should go over to day trip of Pangong Tso. You can stay at Hunder in Nubra Valley which is more close to nature and has many hose stays or small guest houses with local touch. Day 6 when you take the bus to Manali it will halt at Keylong where you will be staying for the night. Then next day you can move over to Manali from Keylong.

Well, you can carry them for precautions but most of the time I never found any filth or impurities in the water

Thanks for getting back, will go ahead with that then.

Would you know how long the bus journey is to Keylong, and whether taxis will be available for this journey as an alternative?

Dan, Leh – Keylong is around 13 Hrs and Keylong – Manali is around 7 Hrs. Yes, taxis are there always and can be booked on the spot as well in case you decide not to go by bus.

Hello Sir, I am planning trip to leh from 16th august to 20 aug. I’ll reach leh airport by 6:40 in the morning on 16 and I hav a flight back from srinagar on 21st noon. So can u please suggest me the best itinerary for the trip.. Thank you in advance.

ishabh, you can follow the below plan for a 5 day trip to Ladakh

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Acclimatization — Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. — Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan. — Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best. — Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own. — Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only. — If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more. — Overnight at Leh   Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari

Hope you are doing good …Man!!

Your comments and updates are really Appreciable.

Planning a trip for he first time from Delhi on rented bikes and 10Days in Hand Let me know about the permit/permission process and formalities

Places to be covered: Pangong lake, Khardungla, Nubra valley

It will take 4 days to reach Leh from Srinagar side starting from Delhi with stop overs at Jammu, Srinagar, Kargil and 3 days to come back from Leh from Manali side to Delhi with stopovers at Sarchu, Manali. This makes it 7 days. 1 Day is required in Leh for acclimatization. You have about 10 days. 1 Day can be used as Day trip to Pangong Tso and other day can be used as day trip to Nubra Valley or just Khardung La pass.

Opt to go via Manali – Leh Highway and I will suggest that you refer the thread for more details on the route and night halts though it is of 9 days: Manali – Leh – Ladakh – Manali | Itinerary for 9 Days . You can fit in plan I suggested in above para in this plan

You will need permit to cross Rohtang Pass which is issued from SDM office in Manali.

hello, i am going to spend a week in ladakh, but i only have 1 day in leh, and i am travelling alone and i want to do a bike journey for a day, can you please suggest me where shal i go and come back by the evening?

Not sure how your itinerary is planned so cannot really comment. Still, in case it is after the acclimatization is done, you can make a day trip to Sham Valley on bike.

thank you so much. 🙂 and also please update me, what is the distance between leh and sham valley?

Bhavya here you go: Sham Valley Ladakh | Sightseeing and Travel Guide

Farthest point Alchi is about couple of hrs drive from Leh.

Hello Dheeraj sir We are travelling from haryana to leh in our own suv. Do we require any permit for local site seeing like nubra valley,pangong lake,kargil etc etc. Can we visit these sites in our private car or we require to hire a taxi there.

Yes Aarti, you can visit all these places on your own car without any issues at all. You need permit for Rohtang Pass in case you are going from Manali to Rohtang Pass

Thanks for writing so detail about Leh, it helps in giving a perspective to someone who have never been to Leh.

I am in a dilemma whether should I go with a tour agent for the entire trip, or should I just take local tours from Leh itself (Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Leh local sight seeing, Tsomoriri etc.)

I am planning to go either on 14th Sept that week or 21 Sept that week and I heard from many that end of September onward are off-season, which means I will be able to get good price/bargain for hotels, taxi and local tours during that time. However, I would not want to risk going in to Leh and later on screw up the whole trip. What do you suggest?

Is it easy to get taxi/local tour in Leh itself? Do you know the price for the above-mentioned places tour if taken from Leh plus taxi? Below is my draft itinerary, can you please suggest if they are fine?

Regards, Noel

Day 1: Reach Srinagar – Kargil Stay @ Kargil

Day 2: Kargil – Leh Stay @ Leh

Day 3: Leh Local Visit: Shey, Thicksey, Hemis, Stok Monastries Stay @ Leh

Day 4: Leh – Nubra Valley Stay @ Nubra Valley

Day 5: Nubra Valley – Leh Stay @ Leh

Day 6: Leh –Pangong Tso Lake Stay @ Pangong Tso

Day 7: Pangong Tso Lake – Leh Stay @ Leh at 11,562 ft

Day 8: Leh – Tsomoriri Stay @ Tsomoriri

Day 9: Tsomoriri – Leh Stay @ Leh

Day 10: Depart from Leh Airport

Your plan seems good to me, you can plan the entire tour on your own. DoW has enough sources which you can use to plan the trip yourself and save money.

You can check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate (cheap budget hotels as well) in the series of articles starting on the link here

For the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2015 – 16 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here . You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.

For the list of good restaurants in Leh – Ladakh or eateries or food joints where food is enjoyed by many travellers including me, you can check the link here: List of Good Restaurants in Leh – Ladakh | Restaurant Reviews

I am leaving from Kargil to Leh as I write this. Unfortunately I twisted my ankle while leaving from Srinagar and it is swollen since then. I took the painkillers and am feeling better. I am planning to show it to a doctor in Leh. Can you please let me know any known doctors and their address? I will be reaching Leh by 3:30 PM.

Thanks, Suhas

Suhas, you can visit the hospital in Leh and they will be able to help you out there. Do take care brother !!

Thanks a lot Dheeraj. I visited the hospital, fortunately there was no fracture and I could carry on with the trip. I returned yesterday and once again would like to Thank you for all the information you provided, without which the trip would probably not happened. You are touching lives of people in a special way, keep it going!!

That’s really good to know that Suhas and glad you had a wonderful trip to Ladakh. If you have time and possible for you, do share the experience or reviews or just a photo tale in DwD Community 🙂

Your articles are a gem pit for those who wanna travel to Leh. We too are planning to visit from 27 Aug till 04 Sep and the itinerary goes as follows:

27 Aug – Leave Delhi and arrive at Manali early morning. Travel to Solang Valley and spend the night there. 28 Aug – Travel to Jispa and spend the night there. 29 Aug – Travel to Sachu and the night there. 30 Aug – Travel to Leh. 31 Aug – Wandering around Leh – Local Sightseeing. 1-3 Sep – ??? 4 Sep – Leaving Leh

The next three days (1-3 Sep) are really tricky coz I can’t put my finger on how best to go about. Any suggestions would be lovely.

Thanks in advance.

You should follow below:

Day 1 | Delhi – Manali/Solang Valley — Better stay at Solang Valley and avoid Manali as sleeping at Solang Valley does help in acclimatization — If going by own car, get the permit made in advance to drive on Manali – Rohtang Pass road through hotel/travel agent in Manali — Overnight at Manali/Solang Valley

Day 2 | Manali/Solang Valley – Keylong/Jispa — It is always better to stay either at Keylong/Jispa so that you do not feel sick or hit by AMS. — Avoid sleeping at Sarchu at any cost while going to Leh from Manali because your body will not be acclimatized by the time you reach there. — I prefer staying at Jispa more because Keylong gives the feeling of a town while Jispa is more closer to nature having Bhaga river running just aside the Manali – Leh Highway at Jispa. — Overnight at Keylong/Jispa

Day 3 | Keylong/Jispa – Leh — Leave Keylong/Jispa early next morning, say by 4/5 AM types, so that you reach Leh in the evening. — Overnight at Leh

Day 7 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh — Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso — Overnight at Leh

Day 8 | Leaving Leh

Thanks heaps Dheeraj…

Will share this among my friends and adjust accordingly…

By the way, one more thing. I’ve drawn up this plan skip Manali-Leh journey altogether and spend all 8 days in Leh by flying from Delhi to Leh again thanks to your articles…

Day 1 (27 Aug) | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits  To know the about the places to visit in/around Leh.  Overnight at Leh Day 2 (28 Aug) | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping or you can do tour to Sham Valley (60km)  Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, Gurudwara Pather Sahib  Overnight at Leh Day 3 (29 Aug) | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder (126km)  Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit  On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass Khardung La  Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha Statue and Hunder has sand dunes and Bactrian Camel Safari  About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between and at Khardung La Day 4 (30 Aug) | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh (66km + 141km)  Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs  Overnight at Leh  About 7-9 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between Day 5 (31 Aug) | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake – Spangmik (156km)  Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso  Pangong Tso Lake  Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)  About 5-6 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between Day 6 (01 Sep) | Spangmik – Man – Merak – Kakstet – Chusul – Tsaga La – Tsaga Village – Loma – Nyoma – Mahe – Sumdo – Tso Moriri (235km)  Tso Moriri Lake  Overnight at Tso Moriri Day 7 (02 Sep) | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Chumathang – Upshi – Hemis – Leh (220km) or via Tso Kar-Debring-Rumste-Upshi (241km)  Cover Karzok Monastery  About 7-8 Hrs drive, depending upon the breaks you take in between Day 8 (03 Sep) | Leh  Hemis National Park  In and around Leh

I can actually bring the Day 8 after Day 1 for more acclimatization…

Just take a look and offer your suggestions. I’m feeling so stingy to let go of the things in Leh in favor of Manali-Leh… Your thoughts on this will be invaluable

Keep it the way it is, just make sure that you have all the required permits to take the route from Pangong Tso to Tso Moriri. In case army send you back, you can use Day 8 as buffer day.

Sorry have to bother you again. The itinerary is fixed based on your opinions. However, I wonder if you could give a couple of reliable travel agents to arrange our accommodation in Leh and other places plus the transportation.

Your recommendation will be invaluable as you’ve first-hand experience.

Thanks again Sri

you can connect with [email protected] as most of the readers in the past couple of years have had very good feedback about them and especially their transparent policies along with being there with you all the time in need. So, we trust them the most. You can refer my name or DoW to Gaurav, the guy who runs it. He knows us very well and should be able to offer some special rates being a DoW Member. You can just refer him the DwD Community Member Username in such a case or screenshot of this reply here.

Just wanted to let you know that we finished our journey very successfully from 26 Aug to 04 Sep. Your reports on Ladakh were invaluable and we managed to complete the whole journey with very little High Altitude Sickness such as giddiness and lose motion.

If one takes a dose of Diamox at least 2 days prior to the start of the journey it should help. Further we stayed at a place called Shanthi Guest House and they were simply out of this world. Extremely good, humble, friendly and helpful people and they’re Ladakhi folks. Very cheap too. So if anyone who reads these for helpful tips, do give them a try and you can go wrong.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g297625-d1203760-r417108830-Shanti_Guest_House-Leh_Ladakh_Jammu_and_Kashmir.html

Thanks once again and good luck for your future articles…

We are 2 px travelling on 1st July wanted to know how easy it is to get shared taxi, can you share contact no of taxi drivers for the same.

Dont have contact of shared taxi.

I have one question… As suggested by you if i start the journey via Srinagar and come back via leh manali highway, then from where we can take the bike on rent? Also with that rented bike can we travel in and around leh.. and all the places which comes in between.. also what & all places need any special permit.. because i don’t want to skip even a single place on both the routes..

You should take the rented bike from Leh and drop it back in Leh. you should do Srinagar – Leh and Manali – Leh by other means of transport. This will keep budgets under control.

I am travelling solo to ladakh from 16 July.

Below is my planned itinerary; July 16: Mumbai to Leh (by flight) Evening; Local city sightseeing, acclimatization July 17; Leh to Nubra.( what is the prefered village to stay here? Hundur?) July 18: Nubra to Leh July 19: Leh to pangong tso ( preferred village to stay? Is setting up camp possible?) July 20: Pangong tso to Leh July 21: 1 day trip to alchi or shyam valley (Please suggest which is better) July 22: Travel to Jammu and spend fees days there and move back to Mumbai on 27 July

The plan can be extended by a day also if needed. Anything that should be done which I missed in itinerary?

Questions: 1. How easy is to get local shared taxis to get to these locations? How much by average would it cost? 2. I like camping and is it possible to setup own camps in any of the locations like pangong or Nubra? 3. For where all places do I need inner line permit in the above plan? 4. July being heavy travel season will it be necessary to pre book any homestays or will find something on walk-in also?

Thanks for the blog which is helpful for all.

We are looking for your help. We are 2 members planning for the trip and we have completed booking (Hotel and Bus) until 21st July trip Journey and below is our plan details, What type of transport we can get arranged in cheap for the few days 24th – 29th

July 16th – Bangalore to Delhi (Flight) – Manali Same day (Bus) July 17th – Manali Local Signt seeing July 18th – Manali Local Signt seeing July 19th – Manali to Leh (Bus by 9AM) Reaches by Nextday July 20th – Leh Local Signt seeing and monasteries (Stay in Leh) July 21th – Leh – Pangong Lake – Leh (Stay in Leh) – Bike Ride July 22th – Leh – Nubra Valley (Stay – Nubra Valley Camp) – Bike Ride July 23th – Nubra Valley – Khardungla Pass – Leh – Bike Ride July 24th – Leh – Tso Moriri — Looking for transport how to cover? July 25th – Tso Moriri – Leh — Looking for transport how to cover? July 26th – Leh – Kargil — Looking for transport how to cover? July 27th – Kargil- Sonmarg – Srinagar — Looking for transport how to cover? July 28th – Srinagar – Gulmarg – Srinagar July 29th – Any Place i can cover? July 30th – Srinagar – Bangalore

Please suggest whether any thing needs to changed or we are missing any good place?

Thanks Saravana

Saravan, are all the hotels on above dates booked? If yes, it looks a bit screwed up.

No, We have only booked until 21st stay… If something needs to be changes no issues we will cancel it.

Thanks saravana

I will suggest following changes:

July 16th – Bangalore to Delhi (Flight) – Manali Same day (Bus) July 17th – Manali Local Signt seeing July 18th – Manali to Leh (Bus by 9AM) Reaches by Nextday July 19th – Reaches Leh ad take rest July 20th – Leh Local Signt seeing and monasteries (Stay in Leh) July 21th – Leh – Nubra Valley (Stay – Nubra Valley Camp) – Bike Ride July 22th – Nubra Valley – Khardungla Pass – Leh – Bike Ride July 23th – Leh – Pangong Lake – Bike Ride July 24th – Pangong tso – Hemis – Thicksey – Leh – Bike Ride July 25th – Leh – Tso Moriri – Why not Bike Ride? July 26th – Tso Moriri – Leh – Bike Ride July 27th – Leh – Kargil — Shared taxis or private taxis or JKSRTC buses July 28th – Kargil- Sonmarg — Shared taxis or private taxis or JKSRTC buses July 29th – Srinagar – Gulmarg – Srinagar July 30th – Srinagar – Bangalore

Thanks for the detailed plan there is a problem on 18th there are no bus service by HPTDC that is the reason we extended the trip by a day in manali.

You can adjust it accordingly

Thanks for the details and few more things.

What about the bike for rents in Leh? Whether we need to book the hotels now only for the trip? I have gone through the page for the cheap hotels but there will be no guarantee we will get a place.

You can get bikes on rent in Leh, fort road is the place. You can go there and if OK with searching few places, you will get something to stay

As part of your plan is there something we need to take any permission or pass for going to these places.

Can we ride in a single bike 2 members for these places? Reason I dont have driving licence.

July 16th – Bangalore to Delhi (Flight) – Manali Same day (Bus) July 17th – Manali Local Signt seeing July 18th – Manali to Leh (Bus by 9AM) Reaches by Nextday July 19th – Reaches Leh ad take rest July 20th – Leh Local Signt seeing and monasteries (Stay in Leh) July 21th – Leh – Nubra Valley (Stay – Nubra Valley Camp) – Bike Ride July 22th – Nubra Valley – Khardungla Pass – Leh – Bike Ride July 23th – Leh – Pangong Lake – Bike Ride July 24th – Pangong tso – Hemis – Thicksey – Leh – Bike Ride July 25th – Leh – Tso Moriri – Why not Bike Ride? July 26th – Tso Moriri – Leh – Bike Ride July 27th – Leh – Kargil — Shared taxis or private taxis or JKSRTC buses July 28th – Kargil- Sonmarg — Shared taxis or private taxis or JKSRTC buses July 29th – Srinagar – Gulmarg – Srinagar July 30th – Srinagar – Bangalore

1. You need a permit to travel from Manali to Leh for a car or bike. But, you are traveling on bus for which you do no need any permit. Once you reach Leh, you need to have copies of a self declaration form Ladakh Self Declaration Form for Indians to be submitted at various checkposts on the way to sightseeing places in Ladakh

2. Regarding two people on one bike, read: 5 Tips to Rent Bike in Leh – Ladakh and Ride with Pillion

Can we plan to include Amarnath Yatra in this trip, Please provide your suggestion.

Well, you need at least 4 days for Marnath Yatra from Sonamarg.

Hi I want to visit Leh from 4-7th August for a 3 night stay with main focus on photography , Please suggest an itinerary , thanks in advance

With just 3 night stay, you can go around Leh only.

Please suggest important spots that I can cover in Leh for 3 days , main focus on photography, is Pangong Lake possible Thanks

In just three days, you have to be in Leh for acclimatization for at least 2 days. One day you can you can make a day trip to Khardung La

Again, I had drafted out my itenaries and would love to have your comment regarding it, below will be the plan.

15 June – reach delhi by night 16 June – fly to srinagar early morning, from srinagar take a taxi to kargil 17 June – kargil to leh 18 June – sight seeing in leh, 19 June – leh to nubra valley 20 June – nubra valley to leh 21 June – leh to tao pangong and back 22 June – leh to tso morari 23 June – tao morari to sarchu 24 June – sarchu to manali 25 June – visit around manali 26 June – manali to delhi 27 June – delhi day trip to taj mahal night flight back at 11pm night

questions 1. wil the check in process takes time in delhi airport? izzit sufficient to arrive 2 hours before flight time to check in? for domestic as well as international. 2. will my journey along leh-manali being too rush? will it be too tired to do so? 3. sorry for out of topic but will it be alrite to do a day trip to taj mahal? will it be too rush?

thank you in advance..

Hi Mr Dheeraj, me and my friends (Total 4) are planning to travel to Laddakh in Aug from Delhi, we are planing as below, we are planning for 14th Aug to 20th Aug for both Srinagar and Laddakh put together. we will fly on 14th from Delhi to Srinagar and then Srinagar to Laddhakh by road (Taxi) and then Laddakh to Delhi by air on 20th. pl suggest the suitable Itinerary. Thanks in Advance..

Dear Dhiraj Sharma Thanks for all your experiences and sharing, Me 57 & my wife 55 wanna visit Leh for Ten days as she do not want to travel by road i want to know how to make our itinerary. Also suggest some hotel within budget of 1-1;5K with at least room heater n sufficient bedding…is it very cold in sept first half. plz reply me in detail thanking you in advance.

You can follow: Leh – Ladakh | Most Common Itinerary by Air

I am planning to visit leh in July..can u plan an itenary for 10 days which includes rafting n paragliding..we will be going by road n coming by flight.

So, you want to travel from Srinagar to Leh by road and then from Leh you want to fly back?

No we r going via manali..

So, Manali to Leh and then fly from Leh?

Yes Delhi to leh via manali by road n den flight from leh to Delhi. While trip is for 10 days.

Dheeraj Sir, I want a guide who can help me locally there with markha valley trek and rafting(L3).

Mandar, you can check with Lobazang Zopta at

+919718066771, +91 94-19-216587

But is he economic? Cause we are a group of 5 and our budget is not much.

Bhai you can have a word with him. He should help.

Hi guys…me n my husband are planning to visit leh by June end dis year. We are looking for a company of oder married couples…anyone interested??

You can post a travel calendar entry

Hi Dheeraj , I am planing to do ladakh trip in first week of June.I will be doing solo on my bike (pulsar 150cc).Here the itinerary.

Day 1:Jammu to Srinagar Day 2:Srinagar to Drass Day 3 :Drass to Leh Day 4: Leh to Khardung La (stay at diskit) (Any ILP required to stay at diskit??) Day 5: Leh (rest,local sight seeing ) Day 6:Leh to Pangong Tso( stay near lake side) Day 7:Pangong Tso to Leh Day 7 :Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang Day 8 :Tso Moriri -Sarchu Via Debring Day 9 :Sarchu to Jispa Day 10: Jispa to Manali (Is any Permit required to cross rohtang pass?) Day 11:Buffer

If there is improvement needed in the itinerary then please Guide. Also I want to know that personal bike is allowed in leh and around ?And how good will be Pulsar 150cc? Thank You For this wonderful site

1. Make Srinagar to Kargil 2. Add one rest day after reaching to Leh and before going to Khardung La. 3. Then make two day trip to Nubra Valley, then to Panogng Tso two day trip and then finall the way you have mentioned exit to Manali – Leh from Tso Moriri.

You do not need any permit for Rohtang Pass in this direction

As suggested by you I will rest in Leh before going to Khardung La. Is Pulsar 150cc good enough to cross Khardung La and all high passes?? I will be travelling alone! Thank you

Yes Rounak, Pulsar shall do fine in Ladakh

Visiting Ladakh (Leh) on 20th of this month – April. It will be a short visit to the place. The main objective is to visit one of the valleys and do local sightseeing there at Leh.

Apr 19th – Flying Raipur to Delhi Apr 20th – Flying Delhi to Leh (will rest a day and start our tour from the other day) Apr 26th – Fly Leh to Delhi Apr 27th – Fly Delhi to Raipur

We will be having 5 days in hand. 2 days will be for valley and 3 days for the local sightseeing.

Can you let me know which valley would be best to visit? And a budget stay, if you can name any guest house? A best way to reach to the valley and do the sightseeing in Leh?

Thanks in advance! You are doing a great job, love your blog.

Hello Irfan,

You can follow like below:

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Acclimatization — Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. — Bargain with taxi driver and you can refer the thread for a comprehensive list of drivers: List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali — Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best. — Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own. — Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only. — If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing. To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more. — Overnight at Leh   Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari   Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh — Make a Day trip to Pangong Tso — Overnight at Leh

Day 6 – Rest day in Leh

Hello Dheeraj,

What a great itinerary suggested by you, thanks! 🙂

Have few questions:

1. Local sightseeing mentioned on this page are on walking distance?

2. You suggested about hotel for advance booking but didn’t mentioned how, from where I can get a best hotel/guest house to book under a good budget?

3. And, regarding AMS, incase someone get ill what are the best medicines to control so that the short trip shouldn’t get ruin. I have had a talk with my doctor and he had no clue for any such option only way he suggest is to reach their by road so the body get used to that condition slowly. But in our case we are directly flying to the place.

Thanks in advance,

1. No they are not walking, only few are 2. You can check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate (cheap budget hotels as well) in the series of articles starting on the link here 3. No medicine is there for curing AMS, only acclimatization is he key. To know about AMS and acclimatization including the tips to combat AMS, please DO READ: Acute Mountain Sickness and Importance of Acclimatization

Hi Dheeraj, Very informative website you have here. I am determined this year to visit Leh Laddakh and have a plan as follows. Please let me know if you see any fundamental faults here. For two people package, I am being asked Rs 56000 for hotel/camp + car rental (excluding Air travel). Is it too much?

3-Jun FRI Fly PUNE to DELHI 4-Jun SAT Fly DELHI to LEH 5-Jun SUN LEH to NUBRA Valley and Stay at Camp 6-Jun MON Back to LEH 7-Jun TUE LEH to PANGONG Lake and Stay at Camp 8-Jun WED Back to LEH 9-Jun THU Fly LEH to DELHI 10-Jun FRI DELHI to Pune (Flight or Train – Depending on budget 🙂 )

Appreciate the inputs.

Shavej, the itinerary to me lacks the number of minimum days required that is 2 within Leh when you fly to Leh for acclimatization. So, you need to add a day of rest in Leh before moving to Nubra Valley. Rest should be OK else plan one day trip to Pangong Tso. You will need to shell out around 25K for taxi and rest around 15K at max for hotels for 5 days you have in hand.

I will advice you can connect with [email protected] as most of the readers in the past three years have had very good feedback about them and especially their transparent policies along with being there with you all the time in need. So, we trust them the most (please note that DoW except reliable reference has nothing to do with them)… You can refer my name or DoW to Gaurav, the guy who runs it. He knows us very well and should be able to offer some special rates being a DoW Member. You can just refer him the DwD Community Member Username in such a case or screenshot of this reply here.

I am planning to visit Leh in March 16 around 16-22. Kindly provide me the details about taxi (share or Private). And how should I plan the trip.

hi, I am planning to visit Leh in July. my main objective is to attend the Hemis festival. I am an avid Tibetan Buddhism follower/enthusiastic/devotee, whatever you may call it. Could you suggest approximately how many days it should take if I wish to cover all the monasteries you mentioned above in your post? I can skip shanti stupa and hall of fame, not my first priority. Eagerly waiting for your response. Thank you.

Kuheli, it depends upon how much time you would like to spend in these monasteries. If you want to see all of them, may be 2-3 days would be good enough time as all are nearby. So, how much time you want to spend?

Nothing has been finalised yet, but 7-9 days max. I think any duration less than that wouldn’t be wise owing to the acclimatization issue and all. And I will also be flying to Leh directly from Calcutta. I read that there are museums in the monasteries as well, I would like to explore them too. Preferably if I could have conversations with the monks (hope they are cooperative and friendly enough), regarding the history and the different sects each monastery follows. I guess you get the picture. And well, I do not mean to sound too ambitious (since I have limited time in hand), but I would not like to skip Pangong. It’s breathtaking. Thank you for responding. 🙂

In that case it is fine and you will get enough time. You can make a couple of day trip in the last leg of your trip to Pangong Tso rest you can focus on these monasteries.

Hi Dheeraj:

Can you suggest some budgeted local guide contact detail in Leh for winter Chadar trek.

I will check and share back.

Dheeraj Sir, Can u suggest some good local guide who can help with trek and local sightseeing?

Mandar, which local guide for what you need?

Dheeraj sir…. me and my friends ar planning for a 20 day bike trip in june-16 from delhi to leh , but v are confused abt the better route….. delhi-jammu-srinagar-kargil-leh-manali-delhi or delhi-manali-leh-kargil-srinagar-jammu-delhi… plz guide us….

First of all hats off to the very important information you are sharing with us through this site. I m coming to leh on 9th september by flight and will return back on 15th september. Can you give me a 7 day trip schedule so that i cover major spots of leh ladakh like Pangong lake, nubra valley etc. and main local sites of leh..Also please tell which sites which we can cover via travelling to Nubra valley and Pengong lake.. We will hire a bike for 6 days.

Thanks, Anshuman.

I would like to thank you such a wonderful effort. I had no clue about Leh but this website has given relevant, detailed information on various topics.

I am reaching Leh on 18 Sept 2015 from Delhi by flight and return on 28 Sept 2015. I have seen the “most common itinerary for Leh” and would like to cover that. I am traveling alone and looking for people to share taxi cost. I have contacted some tour operators to plan a budget trip but they have given me quotes like Rs 100,000. Can you suggest me homestays which are safe for a single female to stay and how to go about searching for taxis. SInce my flight tickets are booked, the dates are not flexible. I am just wondering whether to come or just cancel my ticket.

Regards connectingsouls

Thank you 🙂 … You are alone and private taxis are very costly in Leh but you will be able to find the shared taxi without much fuss at all. There are lots of flyers which people put at cafes, dine-ins, restaurants, travel agent desks/shops/whiteboards wanting to share the taxis for different trips within Ladakh. Even travel agent organize such shared taxis trip as well but charge a little higher about Rs 200-300 more than it would ideally cost. So, in worst case you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself. Gelling up with people in Ladakh is more or less easy because many people travel solo and look forward to meet new people and share cultural thoughts and values over the trip. No where else in the world you will find more smiling and helpful people as Ladakhis are 🙂

I am planning to visit Leh Ladakh in first 2 weeks of October. q.1. Is the road for Manali Leh open in first week of October.If not, which road is better to self drive Manali-Leh or Srinagar-Leh as we have a Maruti Esteem car to drive till Leh? Which is a highway road with stoppages and hotels in between to stay and a non -SUV can be driven ? q.2 What is the suggested itineray that covers all places around Leh and Ladakh in 14-15 days?

Looking forward to your reply.

Kind Regards, Anjalee Agarwal

Hello Anjalle,

1. Manali Leh road will be open during that time BUT please read: 5 Reasons to Avoid Manali – Leh Highway in October 2. You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh . Add the rest days in between if you have more time on hand or may be a day to Turtuk when in Nubra Valley

Hey Dheeraj.. Did a lil blunder.. Forgot the camera memory card at home :(.. And realised after reaching Leh. Is there any place I can purchase it here at Leh? (Just praying answer is not a no.. ) Thx Rahul

Rahul, you will get the memory card in Leh, Manali and Srinagar easily.

I am Tanmoy Roy from Kolkata, I have gone through your website a couple of times and have concluded, that such a precious website is not available over the internet. The website is simply priceless and the information that you have have shared are the best. I have gone through many websites like Yatra, HolidayIQ etc but your website is amazing.

I am planning for my Honeymoon in the month of May 2016 to Leh-Ladakh. There are few concerns which I would like to discuss with an expert like you. First, I would like to ask you (as I do not have any idea), if the place is safe for couples going there all alone ? (I do not want to seek the guidance of any travel agencies or any package tour).

I have planned to spend there for 8 days and 7 nights. I have looked for the best itinerary that I could get from various website and have found a few of them, However, it would be best if you kindly tell me which one would be the best for us or if you can sketch out an itinerary.

I have already taken the phone numbers of the drivers that you have uploaded, also the taxi charges.

I am planning to go in the month of May, the only reason is for the summer vacation as, my wife is a school teacher.

Would be grateful, if you kindly answer my quarries.

Tanmoy, safety wise Ladakh is totally safe, one of the most safest place i have ever been too. You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh by Air followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 9 days: Leh – Ladakh | Most Common Itinerary by Air .

If you just follow what is up there, talk to drivers, you will have wonderful time up there in ladakh, no need to book any package

Thanks for the reply. I also have another question, will a budget of 60,000-70,000 INR enough for the itinerary you recommended. Or we need more ? Also, can we get snow in Leh in the month of May ?

That should be more than enough of budget. There will be plenty of snow in Ladakh in May.

I am planning to spend one day for Leh sight seeing when I reach there next week. What are the must see places that I should plan that can be covered in a day?

Thanks, Ranjith

Ranjith, I will say Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Tsemo Castle and stroll in the market should be good enough for for a day.

Hi, We are planning to go to Leh by our own vehicle.From manali to delhi we will be driving. From manali to leh we need driver who is well aware of the road and terrain. Kindly guide us for hiring good driver.

Thanks & Regards Aditya

Aditya, you can get connected with the drivers listed under the article: here

May be someone can help you.

Hello Dhiraj,

We are planing to visit Ladakh from 4th April,2016 to 8th April,2016. We will reach Leh by flight.

Please guide me the entire places of interest for very short trip and arrange best itinerary

Another query is there any good tour operator? Please inform me.

If you don’t mind please email me your contact number.

You can follow below as 5 day trip:

Thank you for reply. I wanted to know is there any tour operator which have above itinerary or i need to set up above itinerary by myself.

Kindly inform me

If you looking for tour operator, you can connect with [email protected] as most of the readers in the past couple of years have had very good feedback about them and their transparent policies.

Can you please tell me is Khardungla pass accessible in April 1st week?

Yes it is accessible all round the year barring few days of heavy snowfall.

Are taxis/buses available if I want to travel in and around Nubra valley, i.e Panamik, Sunmur, Turtuk village and then to Pangong lake directly from Diskit?

Abhinav, please refer: Rates & Time table of Bus Services in Leh – Ladakh

Hi .. thanks for such a great wonderful blog. Me & 4 friends planning a trip to leh in september.we r starting from delhi to srinagar via flight. from there , plans to hire taxi to cargil.then to leh.our primary aim is to visit panong lake, nubra valley n hunder , magnetic hills.planning return directly from leh to delhi via flight. Is it possible in 5 days?? If yes , then can u pls tell a good itinerary for us.

Sobin, it will take two days to reach Leh from Srinagar. Then one day of rest in Leh is mandatory for acclimatization. Then you can make a day trip to Khardung La or if body allows to Nubra Valley and then next last day make a day trip to Pangong Tso.

Hello Dhiraj, I’m a student and planning on travelling alone to leh for only 2 days (27th-29th may) with a budget of 5-6K, i’d like your advise on what places to visit and about the accomadation n transport service. Is it possoble for me to visit Pangong Lake as well as Nubra Vally? Thanks.

I’ll be taking a bus from manali on 26th may and need to reach back to Seobagh on 31st morning for Chanderkani pass trekking expedition. Can you help me with a plan? Reply ASAP!

Bus will not be in service by that time as even Manali – Leh Highway would not have been opened.

Hello Dhiraj Thanks for the information about the manali-leh highway, but i still need a little help from you

I’m going on a trip as follows : 17th-20th May – Rishkesh 21st-23nd May – Dehradun , Massurie 24th-25th May – Kasol 26th May -Manali

After which my friends will return back to Jaipur and I have to report to the Seobagh base camp for Chanderkhanni Himalaya Trekking Expedition on 31st May, earlier i was planning a trip from 27th-30th May to Leh but now as you mentioned the Manali-Leh hihgway is closed. Can you suggest any nearby places i can visit from 27th-30th May, i’d love to explore new places. Help me out here brother.

Kanishk, you can explore Tirthan valley and great Himalayan National Park around Manali or you can go towards Mandi region then go over to Prashar Lake and Barot Valley to explore these two places in 3 days you have in hand.

I am not sure what you mean by only two days? How you intend to reach there.

I was thinking to take the bus to reach leh, so are there any other alternates to reach leh? N Was hoping to reach on 27th & will depart on 29th which gives me 2days

Bus service will not start by that time. Also, Manali – Leh Road as per latest update from today from BRO is expected to open by mid June.

Dear Dheeraj Ji & Dow Community,

I am very sorry for posting my views In capital(BOLD) letters. I apologies with my heart.

No worries Mukesh ji, we all learn on this path of life 🙂 🙂

DEAR DHEERAJ JI, NAMASKAR,

I AM VERY MUCH THANKFUL FOR REPLYING. YOU SAID THAT THE TAXI SERVICE IS AT VERY HIGH RATE. BUT I HAD TOLD THAT WE WILL GO BY OUR OWN CAR. TELL ME THAT IF OWN CARS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN LEH. IF OWN CARS NOT ALLOWED THAN I HAVE TO THINK AGAIN. I SHALL BE VERY THANKFUL FOR GIVING GOOD ADVICE. SIR I AM FOLLOWING YOUR ARTICLES FOR THE LAST 20-25 DAYS THEN I SEARCHED FROM YOUR BLOGS & DECIDED TO GO LEH. LAST YEAR I HAVE BEEN TO KASHMIR & VISITED PAHALGAM-SRINAGAR-GULMARG, BY RAIL & ROAD. BUT NOW I HAVE DECIDED TO GO BY ROAD ALL THE WAY. PLEASE TELL ME ABOUT SAME AT THE EARLIEST. IF WE WILL GO BY OUR CAR EVERYWHERE THAN I THINK THE BUDGET IS POSSIBLE ONE.

Sorry, may be I overlooked and thought you are taking taxi. Private cars are allowed in Ladakh, so no worries on that front private car will be allowed everywhere in Ladakh. Please read the article: 7 Useful Tips for a Self Drive to Leh – Ladakh

I HAVE MADE A ROUTE PLAN. IT IS A 15 TO 16 DAYS PLAN. STARTS FROM DELHI-PATNITOP-VERINAG-MARTAND TEMPLE-PAHALGAM-GULMARG-BARAMULLAH-SRINAGAR-KARGIL-CAVE-LAMAYURU-ALCHI-LIKIR-PATHAR SAHIB-SPITUK-LEH-NUBRA VALLEY-DISKIT-HUNDER-SUMUR-PANAMIK-TURTUK-LEH-PANGONG-TSOMORIRI-MANALI-DELHI.IF THIS IS OK OR SOMETHING TO BE ADDED IN THIS TOUR.

I WISH SOMEONE OR ANY GROUP WILL JOIN ME IN THIS T OUR. I ESTIMATED THE COST OF THIS TOUR. IN A CAR-IN BUDGET HOTELS AND SIMPLE DHABAS, IT MAY COST RS.18-20 THOUSAND PER PERSON. IF INETERSED CAN CONTACT ME VIA E-MAIL OR PHONE-8010715545.

Mukesh ji, plan looks OK though I am not sure how many days where you staying. You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travellers including me at the link here for 13-14 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh .

Regarding cost I am little doubtful as taxis are quite costly, so not sure if that price tag is good.

First of all I would like to thank you for such an effort to help making travel plans.

We will be visiting Ladakh in june ,2015. We are going in a group of 9-10 people(all college friends). Our trip details is – arriving Srinagar on 4th June. Return flight from Leh to Delhi on 14th June. Can you please help to give a plan for this trip? We would like to do rafting in Zanskar. Is that possible during this time? We would like to inclide Pangong,Tso Moriri,Nubra valley. Is it better to have 2 SUV’s or a 14 seater traveller? Should I book hotels in advance for Leh?Can you please point to some budget homestays?

Thanks in advance 🙂

In case you guys are OK to travel in groups, it is always comfortable to have two cars but that is more or less about 60% of taxi cost more when compared to having a tempo traveller. Regarding the plan, you can follow something like below:

4: Rest in Srinagar 5: Srinagar – Kargil 6: Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh 7: Leh Rest day and acclimatization 8: Leh – Khardung La – Nubra Valley (Hunder/deskit) 9: Nubra Valley – Leh, start early from Nubra Valley and do rafting after coming back to Leh in Zanskar River 10: Leh – Pangong Tso covering Hemis 11: Pangong Tso – Leh covering Shey, Thickey 12: Leh – Tso Moriri via Mahe bridge 13: Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Leh over Taglang La Pass 14: Fly out

Can you please point me some contacts of drivers running tempo traveler? Also the rate chart of traveler?

Thanks, Arghya

Arghya, you can refer: List of Taxi Drivers for Ladakh – Srinagar – Leh – Manali

And Leh – Ladakh Taxi Rates 2015 – 16

Is there any budget homestay option in Leh? Or some budget hotel options in leh would suffice.Should I book hotels in Leh early?

What are the staying options in other places where we are going to stay overnight?

I want to visit Turtuk during Nubra valley visit. Is it possible within 2 days?My plan is like– Leh- Khardung La- Diskit-Hunder-turtuk (stay at Hunder/Diskit) ( Back to Hunder/Diskit) Is it possible in 1 day?Also where should we stay in Nubra valley if we want to cover these places?

Turtuk is possible in 2 days but will be quite long journey both days. For coverving Turtuk, you need to go directly and stay at Turtuk. Then come next day and by starting early morning, cover Hunder and Deskit on the way back to Leh.

Should we book hotels for Kargil,Turtuk,Pangong,Tso Moriri before or on spot booking should be available in June 1st week?

Arghya, if you do not have anything particular in mind and can search a bit here and there after reaching the place, you will get some or the other place to stay for sure. Only very unlucky day, you may run out of options 🙂 … If you are particular about stay options and need a well organized trip then only go ahead with prior bookings.

Could you forward me few local guide numbers in LEH, for trekking purpose? Thanks

Anindya, where exactly are you looking forward to trek in Ladakh?

Hi Dheeraj, You have such a wealth of knowledge on this region. Thanks for sharing it widely and help folks like myself in planning our vacations. Me and my husband are planning a trip to Leh next weekend (18th to 26th). We plan to arrive by flight. Please advise 1) Would is the weather like at this time of the year? Is it too cold to enjoy the place 2) What would be suitable 9 day itinerary that we can get through at a relaxed but not slow pace that also ensures we dont miss out on what Leh has to truly offer. Thanks for all your advise and guidance.

Hi…Just saw one of your olders post with the 8 day itinerary so you dont need to respond to this query. Please let us know if the weather will be conducive or not at this time. Thanks!

Thank you Meghna for all the good words and sorry for the delay in replying was burdened in all directions 🙂

As long as you can beat the cold up there in October, it should be fine to travel during this time window. Avoid Manali – Leh Highway at any cost.

Mr Dheeraj sharma,

we r planning to visit ladakh from 31/08 to 06/09. We want to reach manali by 06/09 by bike from leh.

Please suggest me suitable tour plan. Further, whether the biking route is okay for couple during this season.

How are you reaching Leh? By flight?

Dear Mr.Dheeraj we r a group of six adults reaching leh on 8th sep 2014 and will be there till 16th. pls help me out which will the best vehicle for us to travel in ladakh, I called one driver named zakhir he told me that a Innova or a xylo might be uncomfortable for the persons sitting at the back seat. pls suggest. Regards Pritam Pattnaik

Pritam in that case which car is he suggesting? I think apart from Innova and Xylo, any other car will help you 6 accommodate together unless you get Tempo Traveler 🙂

ok.. if we book two innova can will it be easy to find two other fellow travellers from outside to travel to nubra valley

Did you get this reply?

Due to some last moment schedule changes, we will be reaching directly to Leh instead of travelling from Srinagar, we will have to spend 3 complete days in Leh only and wait for our friends to join us for onwards journey(Numbra, Pangong, etc). We (me and my partner) wish to utilize this time as much as we can. Though, I have gone through most of the pages from DOW, could you please suggest some rare places in surrounding to Leh, kind of untouched or merely visited that you know? So that we can hire a bike there and visit those places(except regular sightseeing places) to make our long stay in Leh a most memorable? 🙂

Since, you will be flying directly to Leh, first two days will be spent only in acclimatization. Hence, first two days are gone from three. In one spare day, you can actually travel to any of the above places or cover monasteries such as Matho, Stok, Stakna which are covered by less people and also a ride to Chilling from Nimmu is quite enchanting as well.

Hi Dheeraj, Thanks a lot for the suggestions. As you suggested we will try to cover as many monasteries as we can. We searched a lot on Chilling but couldn’t find much of the information. The way you mentioned, it seems it’s quite a fascinating place. 🙂 Could you please give some more details about this place? Thanks in advance.

MAulik, Chilling is about 20 odd KMs drive from Nimmu along the river Zanskar. It is a lonely ride through beautiful scenes. You can read some part here and see pictures of the route too: Leh – Magnetic Hill – Chilling – Nimmu – Basgo – Leh

Well Dheeraj, I read a lot about what you gave on here…brilliant info. Me and my Would be wife actually decided to go through with a Leh Trip for our Honeymoon. We are thinking of by-passing the usual Travel packages and such and make our own roads. We were interested in Biking from Manali to Leh but it seems that the road may get a bit treacherous. So what we are planning basically in a nutshell is Fly to Leh, Get into a hotel, Hire a Bike and go visit Pangong Lake, Tso Moriri and have an overnight stay there. Is that achievable? Is in-line Permit an easy thing to obtain or is it hard? Any other places you would like to suggest? We would like to stay at Leh for around 5-6 days. So we would love to hear from you.

Hi Koustav,

First of all, frankly speaking, Leh is not a honeymoon destination, so please be very aware of it. It is harsh and sometime unforgiving too. So, take a calculative risk before finalizing it as honeymoon and make sure your better half understands it so that you are not blamed for whole life 😀 😀

If you both are Indians, you do not need Inner Line Permits now for visiting Nubra, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri by normal routes. First two days when you fly, you need to be at complete rest for acclimatization and no exertion with plenty of fluids intake. Then, visit Nubra for couple of days, then pangong tso and if you have time then couple of days to Tso Moriri.

I am planning to travel from Srinagar to Leh on 17th August and My Return flight from Srinagar is on 24th Morning. Can u please suggest effective tour plan in leh

Vikas, you can follow something like below:

1: Srinagar – Sonamarg – Drass – Kargil 2: Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh 3: Leh Local Sightseeing and Rest 4: Day trip to Khardung La 5: Day trip to Pangong Tso 6: Leh – Kargil 7: Kargil – Srinagar 8: Take flight back

Hi Dheeraj, Could you please help me with planning my Leh trip. Arrival date: 18/08/2014 De4p date: 25/08/2014 Places planning to cover: Local Leh, Nubra, Panamik village, sumur village, diskit, hunder, uley, alchi, layamuru, Pangong etc. If you think any other giid places i have missed please mention that as well. We are 2 person (couple) would it be safe to travel alone in bike or should we take any package? Please suggest. We are very confused and we dont want ruin this trip. Thanks a lot in advance 🙂

Lovely, I see you have just 8 days in hand? It will take 3 days to reach Leh from Delhi via Manali side and 4 days to come back to Delhi from Leh via Srinagar side. This makes it 7 days. 1 Day is required in Leh for acclimatization. You have about 8 days. 1 Day can be used as Day trip to Pangong Tso OR as day trip to Nubra Valley or just Khardung La pass.

I will say, opt to go via Manali – Leh Highway and I will suggest that you refer the thread: Manali – Leh – Ladakh – Manali | Itinerary for 9 Days in DoW – Himalayan Travel Community and try to cut short it by 1 day in Ladakh as you have 8 days in hand.

Hi dheeraj plz give me some details about hiring bike in ladakh i want to see sites on bike we are 2 persons so is that possible plzzz help me. plz give me contact no. if u hav any. Thankx in advnc 🙂

For renting bikes in Leh – Ladakh along with current Bike Union Prices, you can check the DwD Community thread: Leh – Ladakh Bike Rental Rates 2014 – 15 & Reliable Shops

We are group of 5 people travelling to Srinagar on Aug. 16th afternoon around 2 pm. From there we are planning a road trip to Leh..could you please suggest the options for travelling to Leh and also the sight seeing plan for us.We have our return tickets booked from Srinagar as well on 24th Aug afternoon.So 16th-24th is our day span. Thanks

Ankit, effectively you have just 7 days in hand. Out of these, you need 2 days to reach Leh from Srinagar and 2 days to reach back Srinagar. 1 Day of acclimatization and rest is a must in Leh. Hence, just two days remain to you where you can make a day trip to first Khardung La or Nubra Valley and then one day trip to Pangong Tso lake before starting the return back to Srinagar with overnight halt at Kargil.

Hi Dheeraj, Could you please say how to book tickets for bus from ladakh/leh to srinagar. How much time would it take? Can we do the journey in 1 day?

Regards Vinay

Vinay, you need to be there at the bus stand of Leh a day before of your departure to book tickets of bus from Leh to Srinagar. Single day journey in bus is not possible AFAIK. You can take shared jeeps/taxis that run between Leh to Srinagar in a single day. They take about 16+ Hrs to do this trip, so be mentally prepared.

Hello Dheeraj, Excellent presentation. Pl. enlighten whether it is feasible to visit the site seeing places by bus or local siteseeing coducted tours or any other means. Taxi fare is very high and I am travelling alone. Guide me how I can loally travel mon leh without spending much amount. Send me email : abr13539gmail.com

Aniruddha Roy

AB, you can hire a private taxi for local sightseeing for the day else check for flyers up there in restaurants/dine ins or other places who can arrange local sightseeing in groups for you.

Can you suggest a rafting route (intermediate level – 3/3+) and a rafting organizer?

Sorry no idea about operator but there are routes like Nimmu to Chilling, Nimmu to Phey which are quite popular.

Planning to visit leh from 15 th to 19 th july self driving ..kindly confirm the climate situations..

Weather in general in Leh is pleasant in July. Lower hills might have rains but once you reach Ladakh region, it is more or less rain shadow.

Hi, Dheeraj thnks for quick reply….Kindly tell me the main places which i can see in 4 days….and confirm me whether can i do self driving for those places..and the road condition.. I am bringing my scoripio..

Leh Rest Day, then 2 day trip to Nubra Valley covering Khardung La, Diskit, Sumur, Hunder, Panamik and finally a day trip to Pangong Tso Lake.

Thank you once again…..Dheeraj i would like to donate some school items to the local students is theree any phone no or association to contact..

Thank you for coming up and taking up these noble causes. I will request that you read: How can I carry out DoW Causes

hi . dheeraj ! i m plannning to travel in month of sept. . should i be able to feel snow . . and it sounds strange but can i travel with my activa , like mumbai to jammu on train will transfer my bike to jammu and from there on activa, is it possible . .if not what difficulties we will face and what documents we need for the bike . . and we are 3 people travelling on 2 activa is it possible .. pls help . . .

No, September is mostly devoid of snow unless it snows during that time only as in late September snow starts to fall on high mountain passes in Ladakh.

Well, few people have done it on Activa but mind you it will be very strenuous and tough. You will need to drag it at few places. Also, going through physical exercise on high altitude is not that straight forward task. So, take a wise decision and calculated risk.

Dear Dheeraj, I would be arriving in Leh by air most probably on 9th July 14 with my wife two kids(6 and 8yrs). I have two options either of staying for 4 days or 7 days. Kindly design an itinerary which would be suitable to me and let know where should I stay, which routes to prefer, what to avoid and what would it cost? Thanks a lot

Satnam, You can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh by Air followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 8 days: Leh – Ladakh | Most Common Itinerary by Air .

Instead of doing 2 day trip to Tso MOriri, you can do drop it from the above plan and do two day trip to Pangong Tso lake for your 7 day trip. Also, make sure to book all your hotels in advance because at that time it is Kaalchakra festival and you will not get bookings of stay on the spot.

Hey Dheeraj hi again…. In your trip you have not mentioned about Druk White Lotus School (the 3 Idiot school) isn’t it worth a visit.

Vivek, any school is like that only bro in remote areas of Ladakh !! They have polished it after the film and if you are interested to see the scenes or points where the movie was shot you can visit it. I did not feel any reason to put it here. Better visit other schools and donate some stationary and books which do not get such attention. You will feel much better and connected seeing those smiles around you.

You can check more details about Dow Causes: [url=https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/india/responsible-travel-f38/dow-causes-step-towards-responsible-travel-t358.html]DoW – Causes | A Step Towards Responsible Travel[/url]

Hello Dheeraj, we are planning for a trip to ladakh in the month of june . Can you please email you contac5 number so we can talk about it in details. thanks

Ershad, please use Email Me button in sidebar to mail me, I will share the contact details there.

Some time backbi had stumbled onto a page on dow where dheeraj had put up the scanned copies of the official taxi fares in leh and contact info of some reliable drivers in leh. Im not able to find that page. Could somebody please post the link to that page and guide me to it. Thanks

Dear Shrikant,

You can check this below link:

https://discoverwithdheeraj.com/leh-ladakh-taxi-rates-2013-14/

On our latest trip to Ladakh (July 2013) we have hired a Xylo from Mr Tsering Dorjey. His driver’s name is Nima Tundup. You can contact Mr Dorjey at 9906979935 / 9419177830. His e-mail id is [email protected] . The car is in an excellent condition and the driver is also equally good.

Do let me know if you need any further assistance.

Thank you Jags for sharing the feedback and article back here with Shrikant 🙂

hey can you tell me how much you were charged?? And did you take the taxi for the entire trip??

Akanksha, for the leh – ladakh taxi union rate list 2014 – 15 including the contacts of some reliable taxi drivers within Leh – Ladakh, check the link here . You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.

Shrikant, I hope you get the link shared by Jags. You can also use the Search feature of the website in the right hand side section.

I am travelling to Leh ON 22 OCTOBER 2013 VIA AIR. MY RETURN IS ON 27 EARLY MORNING. Kindly suggest the itinerary and advice for the trip.

Ashish, first, you should understand that it will be very cold. Secondly, you are going there for a very short period and you need atleast two days to acclimatize. Then you can make a two day trip to Nubra Valley and finally a day trip to Pangong Tso. Most of the restaurants started getting close and even hotels too.

If you can really adjust to cold, OK with basic food & stays then I feel you can make the trip to Ladakh at this time of the year.

Regards Dheeraj

Hi Dheeraj plz help me regarding contacts to make local sightseeing in laddakh i am ariving on 10th of August 2014.

What contacts do you need? Looking for taxi drivers? If yes, check the thread: here . You can get about 10-12% of discount by directly getting in touch with drivers and of course, talking in person rather on phone always help in bargaining more.

Hi All, Could you please answer the following questions, if you can?

I am flying to Srinagar on 24 Aug 2013 & planning to hire a taxi from Srinagar to Leh (2 days travel, Aug25-26). How/where can I hire a taxi? I have the following options, as for as I know. Which is the best option?

1. Contact the hotel guys in Srinagar to arrange a taxi (as I don’t have much time to explore Srinagar, I have only half a day.

2. Going to the taxi stand on 24th Aug & arranging a taxi ( I will be staying within 3km of taxi stand in Srinagar)

3. Contact a Ladakh hotel owner/driver to arrange a Ladakh taxi. In this case the driver has to come from Leh to Srinagar on 24th Aug & pick me next morning. I guess I will be having advantages if I hire a Ladakh taxi a) I can visit places like Likhir/ Alchi on the way, if possible b) I can hire the same taxi for my Nubra valley/ Pangkong lake trip.

Vinyasa, are you still looking for the reply? Sorry for being late 🙁

hi! dheeraj gone thrugh ur blogs very thoroughly,remove the prints outs of sringr-leh-manali itnery, hotels at leh,nubra,pongong lake,tsomiriri etc, just need sme stay option fr leh- manali highway. leaving tomorrow fr delhi by air & then connecting flight to sringar, ny journe w ll start on 19th morning thanks a lot dheeraj, grt job frm ur side.if in ny case need ny assistance while travelling hw to cotact u?

Deepak please check: List of Accommodation Options on Manali Leh Highway

I will mail you my contact number.

Hi Dheeraj, thanx for your suggestion. we all are adult ( TWO FAMILIES OF 4 EACH )ranging from 18 yrs to 56 years & travelled Shela pass in Arunachal @ 14000ft on 25th Dec amid snow fall & Gurudongmar @ 18000 FT during 1st week of October TOGETHER . Of course this is different terrain altogether.As we shall meet at MANALI like to start our LEH trip together from there on road & return by AIR from LEH for Delhi. now please suggest your preferred itenerary to suit our dates.

Deb, in that case for 8 days that you have in hand, you can follow the below itinerary:

Day 4 | Leh Local Sightseeing + Inner Line Permits — To know the about the places to visit check the link: Travel Guide for Local Sightseeing of Leh Town in Ladakh — For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link  here — Overnight at Leh

Day 5 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari   Day 6 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 8 | FLy Back OR Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour — Overnight at Leh — Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only.

Regards Dheeraj Sharma

Hi Dheeraj ,

Only 2 ques…

1) Sia la or Kidar….? 2) Mobile operators in Leh, Prepaid or Postpaid…?

Thanks in Advance

Regards Nagesh Shenoy.

1. Both are good, still will say go with Kidar 🙂 2. Only PostPaid. BSNL has widest coverage followed by Airtel. Then, all are similar like Idea, Vodafone, Aircel who share network by Aircel only AFAIK and are limited to vicinity of Leh only.

Hi Dheeraj .Felt great of U when I read your answers to queries.Thanks for your advise put on Net.We(2+1)are starting from bombay on 25MAY-2013 BY TRAIN AND PLAN TO REACH LEH FROM SRINAGAR AND WANT TO END THE TOUR AT MANALI ON 9-JUN-2013.OUR DOUBTS ARE REGARDING OPENING OF THE ROAD FROM LEH-MANALI ON 7JUN-2013.PLEASE CONVEY YOUR OPINION AND ADVISE HOW TO TOUR LEH. WHETHER SHARING IN VEHICLE POSSIBLE ?

Hello Ketna,

Manali – Leh Highway might get open by first or second week of June if weather holds good. You will be able to find the shared taxi without much fuss at all. There are lots of flyers which people put at cafes, dine-ins, restaurants, travel agent desks/shops/whiteboards wanting to share the taxis for different trips within Ladakh. Even travel agent organize such shared taxis trip as well but charge a little higher about Rs 200-300 more than it would ideally cost. So, in worst case you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself. Gelling up with people in Ladakh is more or less easy because many people travel solo and look forward to meet new people and share cultural thoughts and values over the trip. No where else in the world you will find more smiling and helpful people as Ladakhis are 🙂

I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any queries or doubts.

PS: Sorry for the delayed response, I was traveling to Spiti Valley for past 10 days.

Hi, Mr. Dheeraj

1st of all u r doing a great job…

Now Please go through my schedule n i need some editing and help from ur side.

Route 1: 19th July to 29th July 19-7 : Mumbai to Chandigarh (Train) 20-7 : Chandigarh to Manali (Bus) 21-7 : Manali to Leh (Bus) (Overnight stay at Keylong) 22-7 : Rest day at leh (As reaching late) 23-7 : Local sightseeing & Permit work 24-7 : Leh to Pangong lake (Back to leh same day) 25-7 : Leh to Nubra Valley (Back to leh same day) 26-7 : Leh to Moriri lake 27-7 : Moriri lake to Leh 28-7 : Leh to Srinagar (Bus) (Overnight stay at Kargil) 29-7 : Srinagar to Mumbai (Flight)

Route 2: 19th July to 29th July 19-7 : Mumbai to Srinagar (Flight) 20-7 : Srinagar to Leh (Bus) (Overnight stay at Kargil) 21-7 : Rest day at leh (As reaching late) 22-7 : Local sightseeing & Permit work 23-7 : Leh to Pangong lake (Back to leh same day) 24-7 : Leh to Nubra Valley (Back to leh same day) 25-7 : Leh to Moriri lake 26-7 : Moriri lake to Leh 27-7 : Leh to Manali (Bus) (Overnight stay at Keylong) 28-7 : Manali to Chandigarh 29-7 : Chandigarh to Mumbai (Train)

Now the things I would like to know from you are: If taking ROUTE 1: Is it true that bus ply from manali to leh are only on even days ? Can we book the seats in advance (Manali leh route)? Is it advisable to hire a bike from manali to leh, If yes then do u know any1 in manali who has the bike shop with good condition of the bike n also he must not ask a deposit. If manali leh route is not advisable then anyhow we thought of hiring a bike on leh for the remaining 5 days we spent. Any idea what a per day rent cost of bike. We are completing PANGONG & NUBRA VALLEY on same day, Is it ok? Also can MORIRI lake be covered in a single day and back to leh. Also as manali leh route bus ply on every even day from manali, Is it the same with Leh Srinagar route, if yes then on which days?

If taking ROUTE 2: Bus timing from Srinagar to leh n also is there any specific day the bus ply (Odd/Even) Is KARGIL is advisable for night out ? Same hiring bike from Srinagar to leh. Other then these 2 routes I would also like to know which route u prefer for us. Also which bike u recommended for the 5 days we will be there at LEH, Also can we covered all these places in a day considered as local sightseeing, Places are Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Sankar Gompa, Zorawar Fort, Datun Sahib, Sindhu Ghaat, Spituk Monastery, Phyang Monastery, Sham Valley, Monastery Tour. All these places along with the time spend for the WORK PERMIT. If not then the most advisable places in the above list.

Also the last things along with white sand camel safari, Is there any time adventurous to offer like RIVER RAFTING, TREKKING, Etc… I hope I am not missing anything, If so please advice.

Please help me out

Please find my answers below:

If taking ROUTE 1: Is it true that bus ply from manali to leh are only on even days ? — Yes Can we book the seats in advance (Manali leh route)? — Yes, check HPTDC website. Is it advisable to hire a bike from manali to leh, If yes then do u know any1 in manali who has the bike shop with good condition of the bike n also he must not ask a deposit. — Better go with bus if you are on budget trip If manali leh route is not advisable then anyhow we thought of hiring a bike on leh for the remaining 5 days we spent. — Yes, Fort road is full of bike rentals. Hire bike when you reach Leh Any idea what a per day rent cost of bike. — They are available from 800-1200 depending upon make and condition of the bike We are completing PANGONG & NUBRA VALLEY on same day, Is it ok? — It is OK to do so, but better spend atleast one night at each of them. Also can MORIRI lake be covered in a single day and back to leh. — No, you need two days for Tso Moriri lake Also as manali leh route bus ply on every even day from manali, Is it the same with Leh Srinagar route, if yes then on which days? — No, there is ply everyday AFAIK, though not 100% sure.

If taking ROUTE 2: Bus timing from Srinagar to leh n also is there any specific day the bus ply (Odd/Even) — Not sure about time, sorry. Is KARGIL is advisable for night out ? — Yes, very much advisable. Same hiring bike from Srinagar to leh. — You do not have any bike rentals in Srinagar

Other then these 2 routes I would also like to know which route u prefer for us. Also which bike u recommended for the 5 days we will be there at LEH, Also can we covered all these places in a day considered as local sightseeing, Places are Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Sankar Gompa, Zorawar Fort, Datun Sahib, Sindhu Ghaat, Spituk Monastery, Phyang Monastery, Sham Valley, Monastery Tour. All these places along with the time spend for the WORK PERMIT. If not then the most advisable places in the above list. — I will prefer Srinagar – Leh over Manali – Leh due to acclimatization but since you going with HPTDC then it shall be fine enough.

Hi Dheeraj..

Congrats on such a wonderful Blog..

I will be travelling alone to Leh in the second half of June. My query is 1) Is it easy to get a share taxi to explore various places in and around Leh – Ladakh.I plan to stay for atleast 10 days. 2) When it comes to AMS while travelling to Leh how different it is from travelling to CHAR DHAM.I have travelled to Char Dham twice before, i wanted to know any particular precautions i need to take as i am travelling alone. 3)Also please mention important places in Leh – Ladakh region one should not miss so that i can plan in that direction.

Hello Nagesh,

Thanks alot. There are lots of flyers which people put at cafes, dine-ins, restaurants, travel agent desks/shops/whiteboards wanting to share the taxis for different trips within Ladakh. Even travel agent organize such shared taxis trip as well but charge a little higher about Rs 200-300 more than it would ideally cost. So, in worst case you can always go back to them and book a seat for yourself. Gelling up with people in Ladakh is more or less easy because many people travel solo and look forward to meet new people and share cultural thoughts and values over the trip. No where else in the world you will find more smiling and helpful people as Ladakhis are :).

It is all together a different ball game of AMS in Ladakh as compared to Leh. Are you planning a trip by road or flying directly? To know more about the places that should not be missed on the first visit, you can check a very balanced and most common itinerary for Leh – Ladakh followed by many travelers including me at the link here for 14-15 days: Most Common Itinerary for Leh – Ladakh .

For accommodation, check the nice, preferred list of accommodation options in entire Leh – Ladakh (Leh, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri) including moderate and cheap budget hotels as well in the series of articles starting on the link here

Leh-Ladakh The very next day I came back from Churdhar, while I was surfing the internet I came across a link “Spectacular Ladakh”.I started having a look at the photos and the decision was taken. I called on “The Gang” and told them what I had planned, as always everybody had their own thoughts and suggestions. There were a lot of obstacles, but after a long fight and clearing all the obstacles I came out victorious.

Day1: Chandigarh: Bilaspur: Manali The day was 11th Aug 2012 and we (Brad, Bawa and I) started for Bilaspur where we usually meet “The Gang”. It was around 12 that we met them. I parked my car and started off the journey together with “The Gang” and our all- time favorite driver “Pankaj Bhai”. We never plan instead just take an insight of the place and the whereabouts. The reason of not planning is “If we would have been organized, we would have been dangerous” and I do not want us to be dangerous. Then started what we call as “shots”, though not tequilla shots but the hangovers of these shots are life long and no one can escape them. As we crossed kullu the excitement started to increase and finally we had realized that we were going to experience a lifetime in those 6-7 days. As we approached Manali we were all hungry and decided to stop somewhere, Bawa as always wanted the best place and he calls it as “chuss jageh”. Pankaj convinced us that he knows such a place and we decided to stop there. It was really a “chuss” place with river flowing between the mountains and we seated next to it. The beauty of the place was hard to sink in but with time we realized that and we stopped clicking photographs and thought to order food. Drinks were on and food was served. Though the food was all eaten up drinks were still on. That was when we decided to leave that place else we would have emptied the “theka” next to the dhaba. Reached manali at night and got rooms in Chandan Hotel courtesy Pankaj Bhai. Had a stroll on the famous Mall Road and took the feel of being in manali. Only Bhagra and Aman had been to Manali before. I bought glares and a head band. Interestingly guruG bought the same head band from the same shop that I had bought from but we both did it separately. One thing was sure that we all have very similar taste. After all we are friends. At night a small dinner party and mind one thing in our parties it’s only us and no one else. No one matches the frequency of our thoughts. (Details of the party are classified.) Day2: Manali: Rohtang-La: Keylong We had decided to leave early but as always we got late and that too because of nothing. Bawa went to get the gas burner repaired, and by that time Brad, gruruG, bhagra and I went to a Buddhist temple nearby. It had a prolific statue of Buddha and few photos of Dalai Lama. A large prayer wheel was in a separate room. Buddhists have a belief that by rotating that wheel they reduce or cut short the sins of life. One after another we started rotating it and reciting the mantra ”Om mane padme hun”.By the time we got free from there all was set to have breakfast and then head to Hadimba temple. As soon as we reached the temple parking an old lady came towards us with a rabbit in her hand. The rabbit was no ordinary it was a model rabbit and a single flick with it would cost us 10Rs .This was the second day of the trip and we were rich so we all got photos clicked and obliged the old lady. Seeing this, a yak owner came towards us but none of us were interested to get photos clicked with a yak so we went to the temple. The temple had a large walk way towards the shrine and it was all wooden. Photography was not allowed inside the temple, it had a small “pindi” kind as we call it in local language. There was nothing much of our interest there so we left the temple early. As soon as we got out of the gate we saw roadside vendors with the traditional kullu dresses. We hired them and got few flicks clicked. It was now that we realized we were already late for Rohtang, so we left immediately but after a few minutes realized that tough we had got the burner repaired we didn’t had any utensils and grocery so an another stop was required to buy those things. Aman did all the shopping, screwed the shop keeper and got us a huge discount of Rs 50. After this we finally left for Rohtang-La. The road was good till “marhi” and then started to get bad and then worst. There was a stretch of around a kilometer that was as a swamp. We all got down of the cab and started to walk as we could see two overloaded trucks stuck. After a lot of effort people got that truck out of that swamp. As soon as we crossed the Rohtang-La it was altogether a new world. I had realized then and there that we were going to have a rocking trip. After traveling for around 2 hours or so we stopped for food because after that we would have got food only in Keylong. It was a small dhaba run by an elderly couple. Momo’s, noodles, maggi, soup and kari chawal exclusively for brad was our order. Drinks were compulsory. Aunty and Uncle prepared an awesome diet for us with the “homely touch”. Re fuelling ourselves we left the dhaba on a high and continued our journey towards Keylong. Travelling for another 2-3 hrs made us to reach ”tandi” the place which had the last fuel station before leh and leh was still 365 kms away so we got the cab’s tank full. After another half hour drive and we reached Keylong. A small and sleepy town, sleepy I would say because it was only 8 and it was as black as soot. Bhagra arranged for the rooms and we were all set for the stay. I as always had started feeling uneasy and had to find a doctor. We enquired and got to know that the place had a government hospital and which surprisingly has a doctor available 24 hrs. I had to visit the hospital, met the doctor he prescribed me nebulization with asthalin. Got that done and went back, had food in the hotel and slept. The day ended for me then and there but not for the people in the other room. Aman, guruG and bhagra got high and let keylong know that we guys were here, singing and dancing until the owner came and requested them to sleep. The day ended for all of us then.

Day3: Keylong: Sarchu: Pang: Rumtse A quick knock at the door woke us up. We had to get ready and head towards sarchu as per our initial plan, but the owner of the hotel/dhaba convinced us that if we hurry up we can make up to leh the same day. The plan looked good as we would save one day which could be utilized later for site seeing. We all had a quick breakfast and bid adieu to Keylong and started our journey to Sarchu. The vegetation started to die slowly as we climbed up and in turn was replaced with red sand kind lowlands. We were driving on the pass between the mountains with a never ending road in front of us. Road was good and we drove well. By the time we reached Sarchu half of the day had already passed and with the fuel reserve we had we all were in speculation that if we fall short of fuel then we would be badly stuck with no help available. We stopped at Sarchu camps to have lunch. In these kinds of journeys the traveler has no options but to have food where ever available. We choose a nepali dhaba to have our meals. An elderly couple with the help of their daughter (mere guess) ran that place. The food was served on diet basis, which meant, we could take as many serving as we want in 75Rs.The food was awesome according to the place it was served at. As we had refueled ourselves we were worried about refueling our car, and then just out of the blue one of us asked the nepali owner if he had some diesel or could arrange it for us. The head shook in acceptance, which led us to breathe a sigh of relief. By the time our car was being refueled I decided to take a quick stroll in the mountains and started walking on the main road towards Pang. As we left Sarchu we were unsure of making to leh because we had already surpassed the time to reach sarchu from keylong that people told us at keylong. These thoughts were not bothering us as off now because we were approaching “The Gata Loops” these were 21 hair pin curves which took us from 4150m to 4667m.We all had the feeling of being on the top of the world as this was the highest point of the journey till now. Once we left sarchu the red sand lowlands slowly started changing to first light brown and then to dark brown. The scenic beauty just cannot be jotted down you have to be there to experience it. We continued to Pang with the hope of making it to leh and by the time we reached Pang it was 6 in the evening. Then all brains started to exercise, no one was of the opinion to stay there as it would increase the chances to suffer from AMS. People at Pang also bucked us up and told us that we would easily make up to leh by 11-11:30. We had decided before starting the journey that we would not travel at night at any cost but locals told us that the road was in good condition except 10-12 km and that there was no problem traveling at night. With god’s blessings and courage of locals we started towards leh. It was I who was driving now. Everyone in the group had travelled with me a lot but I don’t know why everyone was afraid. Even I was driving very cautiously. After driving for around half an hour I was bit relaxed. We were travelling on the best road of the trip, an open, lonely never ending road with mountain and barren muddy lands on both the sides. With the night approaching it was just being in heaven and driving. As the pucca road ended I got bit lost as there was no specific road I was just driving on the tracks of cars which would have drove through it. Gradually everyone else realized that I should hand over the car to the driver as I seemed to be a bit lost and they assumed I was just not on the right way. I did that but that hardly helped even the driver seemed to be lost but bit less than I was and finally we could identify the road which would have lead us to leh. It was the “Tanglang la” we were driving at a height above 17000 feet. We were quite late and decided to stay at were ever we would find a habitat and not travel to leh. We drove for around 20 odd kms and got accommodation at Rumtse for 100Rs per person. Nobody had called at home and we all wanted to make that call as it would ease our parents who would have been under great stress by now. Requested a shop owner to open his shop as he had already closed it by offering him to charge any amount for the call but just let us call home. He did that and then we all called home some were scolded some were not but all were stress relived. We had our food in form of maggi and dal rice and without any further delay ended our third day at Rumtse with a sound sleep. {No Party at Rumtse as we suffered from AMS and we got to know that the next morning.} Day4: Rumtse: Upshi: Leh We had planned to get up and start early for Leh so that we could save some time and complete the local sight-seeing at least. As always we got up leisurely, took a nice feel of Rumste. Everyone started talking about the head ache we experienced the previous night but none of us could figure out the exact reason, just then I took out the map to have a look at the places which would come in our way to Leh and suddenly read “Tanglang La- 17550 feet” we had crossed this pass last night and we all suffered from AMS(Acute Mountain Sickness) It was then I told everyone that it was AMS that had caught our head and this would be fine once we start approaching Leh. Bawa gifted the smirnoff bottle to “lambu”- at whose place we stayed. He just took the bottle and tried quenching his thirst with vodka unaware of the fact that he needs to dilute it with juice or something else. He had it un diluted and innocently said”bhaiya yeh to juice hai na”. His mother was preparing “Rakshi”- local liquor and even offered us but we didn’t had it. By now we all were ready and left Rumtse for Leh. The only stop we had towards Leh was at Upshi- A small town ship were you could see lot of toll taxes barriers and small market with road side dhabas. We were very hungry and the mere sight of momo’s made us more. We stopped there for a quick brunch. The dhaba was commanded by a lady, it was good to see her independent and working at a small place like upshi. We shared our table with some foreigners; though we didn’t talked but I could make out they were talking about us and were quite happy to see us. We left Upshi and started the journey of last 41 kms. As we approached Leh random thoughts started coming to my mind. I was quite nervous. Then finally we made it and reached Leh. We decided to book the room and then book the cab for today and rest of the days. As we stopped at the market and were looking around randomly so that we could find an economical place to stay, an elderly man came in and asked us if we were looking for rooms. We said yes and then he took us to his cottage. It was quite nice and after rigorous bargaining we managed him at 1200Rs for two rooms and a dining hall. So now we had got a place to stay, we went to the market so that we can get the best deal for the cab and I was interested to hire a bike. I came across a shop which looked descent so I went in to enquire about the cab, the guy said that could be done later do you guys have permits from the D.C office. I had no clue of this, why would we need permit in our own land. Instead of arguing I asked him if he could get those permit for us. He said yes but while looking at his wrist watch he said ”I can only help if you all can give me your Id’s in 10 mins as the office will close at 4 and tomorrow is Sunday and then Independence day so the office would be closed”. I looked at the clock behind him it was 3:50 pm. I was just “shun”, haphazardly called everyone to get there Id’s and ask them to reach this shop. Everyone got on time and somehow that guy helped us to get those permits for 400Rs per head. The prices of this guy seemed a bit high to us so we decided to go to the main market and inquire there if we could get a better deal. We all went for the hunt but could not get either cab or bike as everyone said they could only confirm the availability and price by 8 pm, once the cars and bikes return. So we thought that why to waste time loitering around and why not go and visit the “Sanchi Stupa”. Sanchi Stupa was right at the top of a hill. A pure white tomb with beautiful carving from the life cycle, on which the Buddhism is based, enriched the structure. A panoramic view awaited us from the top; the city which appeared as if guarded by the strong mountains was visible. The cool breeze with bit of sunlight just added to all this. After clicking few photographs we took the stairs and went back to the city as we had not booked the cab or bike yet. I went straight to the bikes shop and easily got a “Royal Enfield-Machismo” had a test ride. It seemed ok and I hired it for one grand per day. That very moment got a call from others that they had booked an Eeco van too. So the work for the day was done. Now, we were short of liquor as bawa had gifted the last bottle of smirnoff to lambu in Rumtse. To add to our worries it was 14th August, one day before the Independence Day supposedly a dry day with all the liquor stored shut down. But as it is said where there is will there is a way. The owner of the cab which we hired helped us getting a bottle of army rum. Got our food packed and rushed to our cottage for the celebrations. {Details of the party our classified.}

Day5: Leh: Pangong Lake: Leh After the party last night we had a sound sleep and we were all fresh in the morning. Though most of us had set their alarms, we woke up when the cab driver came. He came in and started talking in bit high pitched voice,”Bhaji abhi tak utha nai” “Utho” “Late ho jaiga ” this guy was everywhere in the room, kind of yelling. Every time he said “der ho rha hai” I was getting pissed off. He was so casual that while we were getting ready he lied down on the bed and started smoking, I asked bawa to tell him not to smoke, and then the dialogue of the tour came, “Quick Quick Quick”. That guy was making me go crazy but anyhow we all got ready, five of us went with him in the cab and brad and I took our royal Enfield and started the journey. On our way was the world third highest motor able road the “Chang La”. We started off well and he being a local cab driver was difficult to catch and soon disappeared. Brad and I continued our journey bit slowly as we took our own sweet time to get acquainted with the road and the bike. It was a lovely straight road, but curvaceous at times with open ground on both the sides and then the mountains. The dark brown colored mountains. I don’t know about others but I was mesmerized with the beauty. As soon as the straight road ended we had to start climbing the hill. It was a single lane road with no side pits. A single mistake would take us down the shortest cut and then go high up again. We prayed and started our journey. As soon as we started going up I could feel that the bike was not comfortable, the chain set had some issues. We never bothered much and just thought that these hired bikes runs a lot so there might be some knocking noise, that’s it. We continued and the view from above was just stunning. The clouds were just above us, felt like we can jump and touch them. The open valley which we had crossed few hours back and the blue sky behind the mountains was just stunning, we stopped there for a while and then started again. Now the bends were getting more curved and then the hair pin bends came I don’t know how many but a lot of them. While we were going uphill suddenly the chain set broke and bike refused to move ahead. We were stuck in between. Without wasting much time we decided to go back 12 km as there was an Army post “Zigraal” and thought of asking them if they could allow us to keep our bike there and then we would take lift and go to Pangong Lake. We moved back and talked with the CO, he allowed us to keep our bike there. Now the bike was safe so we thought of taking lift. No cars were coming this way as it was around 12 noon. We tried stopping every car that came this way and in the end managed to get lift by a monk. That guy was kind enough to take us through the “Chang La”. We stopped at the “Chang la” and clicked few photos and then continued our journey. We stopped for tea at a nomad’s, had yak cheese and tea made up of yak milk. The taste was different but it was ok. After having that we continued to Pangong and after travelling for another 2 hrs we reached the majestic lake. The lake is 1/3rd in India and 2/3rd in China. It was very beautiful. The color of the water changed from green to light blue and then to dark blue. We took a stroll by the side of the lake and clicked lot of photos. Bawa and Pankaj went crazy and started clicking every inch of the place. A quick and short shower brought down the temperature tremendously. We had a cup of coffee as that “Quick” “Quick” “Quick” was in a hurry. Bhagra even lost his temper and argued with him but bawa measured and brought the situation to normal. On our way back we saw a rainbow. We stopped quickly and captured it. We reached Zigral, brad was in no mood to accompany me on the bike back to Leh so Bawa came in. We took the bike and rode it very cautiously and finally it broke down just 4 km behind the Leh city. I had to call the bike owner and tell him about the situation. That guy was kind enough to come in soon and take us to Leh city. We didn’t want the bike for next 2 days. The amount was paid in advance but there was no hassle and he gave us back the remaining amount. Neither the cab was required nor the bike. The owner of our hotel helped us get a new cab for Nubra Valley. We all were very tired so just had a quick party and slept.{Details of the party are classified}

Day:6 : Leh: Nubra Valley: Leh Just like the previous day we had to get up early and leave for Nubra Valley. We got up and left on time. As soon as we left leh the road leading to “Khardung La”, the highest motor able road was in a bad condition and full of hair pin bends. It took us around 2 hrs to cover 32km, so it is well imaginable that how the road was. When we reached K-Top as it is said, my head was heavy with MS. Then I saw a Lord Shiva temple, went there and asked for strength. It was a very beautiful site and more wonderful a feeling. It just felt like to be on the top of the world. Clicked few photos and then started for Nubra Valley. The road to Nubra was metaled and quite, without any traffic. As we started approaching the valley the view started to change. One of the most beautiful sites I have ever been to. There was nothing much of monumental to see except a 17th century temple. There was a large Buddha statue right in the middle of the valley and just opposite to the monastery. We went to the statue. It didn’t have any historic significance and was just build for tourist attraction. The statue was around 100 feet tall and painted with typical Buddhist style of painting. After clicking few photos there we went to the main temple. A series of flight of stairs took us to the main shrine. It was all wooden with photos of Dalai Lama and Karmappa all along the place with statue of Buddha. In another room they had idols of many gods and goddess which were covered and veiled. The lama there told us that they uncover these idols only once a year for a week’s time. Photography was not allowed in this room. After a quick visit to the temple we started for hunder village. This village had double humped camels and white sand dunes which are found in only two places across the globe, in ladakh and in morocco. When we reached hunder we could not see any camels, so we enquired and were told that it was lunch time and they had gone to graze. We all were hungry too so we went to the army canteen just next to the safari. After spending around an hour eating dosa’s and uttapams, we went back for the safari. The camels were really strange looking with two humps. It was 150Rs for 15 mins ride per camel. Though it was expensive we all went for the ride. As we started our safari on the white sand dunes, it looked like we all were “kabile wale”. It was sand all over the place surrounded by mountains and blue sky above. The best site till now, it was just awesome. After the 15 min safari we had nothing more to see, so we just clicked few photos and started our journey back. Though it was a quite journey it was very tiring. We reached leh, as it was our last night there so we planned to have our dinner out. We looked for quite a few places and finally settled at a place called “Chop Sticks”. As always, the details of the party are classified.

The condition of the cab was not good and nor was that of the road through which we had traveled. So after a lot of brainstorming we decided to go back via Kashmir. Now we would tread back through Kargil-Drass-Sonmarg-Srinagar-Udhampur-Bilaspur.

Day:7 : Leh: Kargil It was a good sunny day and no one was in a hurry as there was no obligation on the time we would have to get up in the morning. We all got up leisurely and got ready at our own sweet pace. We thought of having our breakfast at the hotel itself as it would save us some time. So we ordered bread jam, bread butter and bread omelet. One thing for sure, the best bread I had ever had was there at that dining table. After stuffing ourselves we left leh with lot of sweet memories. We took the highway for kargil, though the distance to be covered was around 200km more, the road was in good condition. We had hardly travelled for 20-25km, there it was the “Pathar Sahib” gurudwara. The legend says that a demon envious of Guru Nanak Dev ji wanted to kill him. In order to do that he rolled a big rock/boulder downhill to hit the guru who was sitting there and meditating. But, something unusual happened, the rock turned into a wax kind substance and took the shape of guru’s back and did not hurt him. In anger the demon came down to confirm if the guru was dead but to his surprise the guru was still unhurt and meditating. The demon then realized that Guru Nanak was a saint and asked for forgiveness. The great guru forgave the demon and asked him to live a civilized life after this. The gurudwara was being managed by the Indian Army. After visiting the shrine and having guru ka langar, (rajmah and chawal) we continued our journey to kargil. After travelling for not more than 20 mins we were at the “Magnetic Hill”. It is said that a car pulls off itself at a certain point with the engine being switched off. Though we experienced that, few of us were convinced with this and few were not. We took few stoppages but continued our journey to kargil. Though we had thought of reaching Sonmarg but because of time constraints we decided to stay at Kargil. While on our way to kargil we saw a huge rock carved, full body statue of Lord Buddha. It was not a monastery nor a temple but something very delightful to see. By the time we reached Kargil it was quite late, we tried to get some accommodation but it was too expensive for what was being offered. It was looking like we were in “lahore” all eyes popped out and gazing us in the car. Honestly I started feeling something unusual and asked everyone to leave. We just bought some eatable stuff and left the place without wasting any more time. All petrified by the place and the response sat quietly in the car. While travelling towards drass we saw a small dhaba with calendar of lord shiva and mata durga and immediately decided to stop for food and esquire about the safety if we traveled to drass. To our relief the owner greeted us well and asked us not to be afraid. Satisfied with the place we had food and decided that whoever wanted to take a nap can sleep coz the road from drass would only open by 4 am and it was only 12 am so there was no point travelling. Few slept early and few slept late but in the end we all slept and that was a big relief. It was all travel for the next day as we did not stopped anywhere and just continued to “Srinagar” and then stayed at “Udhampur”. It was raining cats and dogs in Udhampur and we were all very tired. No one was much interested in dinner so slept without it. Next day we started from Udhampur and traveled all the way to Bilaspur. The condition of road was not good as it had rained all night. At many places the hill had slide down and came on road. We continued our way back and stopped at Jawalamukhi. Some to pay obeisance and I to get steroid injected. We traveled to Bilaspur and from there bawa, brad and I traveled to Chandigarh and rest of the team to Shimla.

Awesome experience. Thanks for sharing with us. I know what the feeling might be at DC office when you got to know about permits process and just 10 minutes in hand 😀

We are planning to enter from Srinagar side and exit form Manali side. We will reach Jammu on 2-Jun-13 6 AM and proceed to Srinagar. Next Kargil and following night Leh.

While exiting, we have kept one full day at Manali as a reserve/rest.

Q1) I found that the Chusul permit is not being given. Is there any other option we can reach from Pangong to Tso Moriri in a day? Note that we are a group of 14 adults (7 couples) and 8 kids (4yr-14yr).

Q2) For a group like us, we are thinking of 2 x 12-seater Force Travellers. Do we need to pre-book such cars? Or we can book them once we are at Leh?

Q3) We are so far thinking that we will only book Leh accommodations for 1st 2 nights. Rest of it, we will keep it open, as we are not sure how our team members will react. Do you think for June week1 & week2, it is okay or you recommend prior booking during that time?

Hi Indranil,

1. It is a blessing in disguise brother. Those are some of the too too remotest of remote places and may be I may not recommend any family with kids going on that route. It is too long and full of fatigue for such cases. I will suggest you to take it easy and go via traditional routes. Also, if you really want then do day trip to pangong tso and then to Tso Moriri from Leh and finaly exit to Manali – Leh Highway.

2. Better do it on spot itself, you will get better deals.

3. Seems to be a nice option and would suggest to go with it. Not necessarily required for any pre-bookings unless you really want to stay at some specific property.

Thank you Dheeraj. We were thinking of pre-booking only to ensure that we get 7-8 rooms in the same property, we do not have any specific property in mind.

Could you please have a look at the itinerary below and suggest if it can be tweaked in a different way?

We like to keep the reserve/rest at Manali, and don’t want to rush through Nubra valley, hence 2 nights at Hunder. If the Wari La route is open (Jun wk 2), what time it could take to drive from Hunder to Pangong via Wari La? This could give us one extra day which we can then spend at Tso Moriri.

Our plans are as below: 0. Fri – Start from Howrah 1. Sat – Change Train at Delhi 2. Sun – reach Srinagar from Jammu (JAT arrival 5:40) 3. Mon – Srinagar – Drass – Kargil 4. Tue – Kargil – Lamayuru – Leh 5. Wed – Permits/sightseeing at Leh 6. Thu – Leh – Diskit-Hunder 7. Fri – Turtuk-Hunder 8. Sat – Hunder – Leh 9. Sun – Leh-Pangong 10. Mon – Pangong – Leh 11. Tue – Leh – Sarchu 12. Wed – Sarchu – Manali 13. Thu – Manali rest/reserve 14. Fri – Manali – Chandigarh (board late night train) 16. Sun – Reach Howrah

Instead of choosing Wari La route, again with so many people including kids, better do it like below:

9. Sun – Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh — Can be done easily without much fatigue and you get to witness both sunrise and sunset at Tso Moriri 10. Mon – Leh – Tso Moriri — Stay at Tso Moriri 11. Tue – Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Sarchu 12. Wed – Sarchu – Manali

Hi Dheeraj, We are planning trip to Leh from 8th June to 19th June. We are flying form Mumbai to Srinagar on 8th & return flight is on 19th from Leh. We are travelling with our 7yrs old daughter, hope this trip will be fine for her Pls guide me the entire places of interest and we would love to complete all. Kindly guide us with good hotels as well for family.

Sorry Ketal, I missed your comment in between and just saw it. You have about 12 days and you can follow the below itinerary in such a case:

Day 1 | Srinagar, rest and do some local sightseeing or dal lake shikara rides Day 2 | Srinagar – Sonamarg – Zozi La – Drass – Kargil– Enjoy the vistas enroute — Have late drunch meal at Drass is you are a vegetarian as sometimes it gets difficult to find veg. food at Kargil — Overnight at Kargil

Day 4 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits — Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening –For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link  here — Overnight at Leh

Day 7 | Leh – Hemis Monastery – Pangong Tso Lake — Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on the go towards Pangong Tso — Overnight at Pangong Tso (Spangmik or Lukung)

Day 8 | Pangong Tso Lake – Thicksey Monastery – Shey Palace – Leh — Cover either of Hemis, Thicksey and Shey on return to Leh — Overnight at Leh

Day 9 | Leh – Tso Moriri via Chumathang — Cover Karzok Monastery — Overnight at Karzok or Tso Moriri

Day 10 | Tso Moriri – Tso Kar – Debring (Manali – Leh Highway starts) – Taglang La – Upshi – Leh– Come back via Tso Kar and Manali – Leh Highway to Leh — Overnight at Leh

Day 11 | Rest day at Leh to enjoy local culture and some shopping OR Monastery tour OR you can do tour to Sham Valley — Monastery tour may include Hemis, Thicksey, Stakna and Shey monasteries. They come on the route of Pangong Tso but as you will be doing day trip, it will be a bit hectic to include them on that day only. — Sham Valley include Alchi, Likir, Basgo Palace, Magnetic Hills, Confluence at Nimmu, , Gurudwara Pather Sahib — Overnight at Leh

Day 12 | Fly back

I hope this helps. Please let me know incase you need any further info. or have any doubt.

Regards Dheeraj sharma

We are 4 friends in our mid 20s from odisha, planning to visit Kasmir in June’ 2013. Which is a better option between the following two…We we can mannage maximum 15 days for the entire trip…So practically 10 days for Kashmir.

1)Odisha-Delhi-Vaishno Devi-Srinagar including Gulmarg,Pahalgam, sonamarg-Delhi-Odisha

2)Odisha-Delhi-Srinagar-Leh-Manali-Delhi-Odisha

Well, any day if you ask me I will vote for Ladakh ahead of Kashmir but yes it depends upon individual tastes too. Check some pictures of both Kashmir and Ladakh and vote for it. I will vote for the Ladakh (2nd one) 🙂

Thanks a lot bro…

Hi Dheeraj, I am planning to visit thiksey monastery and shey palace while going to Pangong Tso will be staying at pangong and while coming back to Leh next day would be visiting Hemis. Can you tell me by what time I have to leave hotel in Leh to do so and also time may require to visit these places from photography point of view?

It takes about 6-7 Hrs for Leh to Pangong Tso and vice-versa with decent amount of breaks in between for photography. Now, time you spend at Hemis and Thicksey shall be included too. So, better start early say by 7 AM in the morning to cover them as well as sunset at Pangong Tso well before so that you can choose your spot to take pictures too at the time of golden hour.

You are doing a wonderful job in educating travellers like me on Ladakh. It is after I have gone through your posts that I am dying to visit the place.

Hope I will get back to you soon about my Leh-Ladakh tour plans and ask for your valuable suggestions and/or recommendations.

Keep smiling 🙂

Sure brother, let me know whenever you need my inputs.

Thanks for your assurance.

I have drafted an initial sketch of travel itinerary to Leh in July 2013. However, I do feel it requires some corrections and/or additional inputs.

If it is possible can you please provide me your Gmail id so that I can share the doc with you?

Keep smiling brother 🙂

Jags, you must be getting email from my ID when I am replying. We can converse on that ID. Otherwise, you can get in touch at dheeraj at discoverwithdheeraj.com

Regards dheeraj sharma

Hey Dheeraj,

Planning to visit Leh in first week of June. We are a group of 4 and we plan to visit Leh in from 2nd June to 7th June, 2013. And we will be starting from mumbai & doing a flight directly either Mumbai- Delhi-Leh or Leh-Del-Mum. Please suggest a)if its a good time to be there b) Is Rohtang and Khardunga pass open during that time? c) Is the time enough? d) we hope to come to srinagar then srinagar-kargil-leh… is it a good choice? e)What should the iternary be ?

Cheers, Priyesh

Hi Priyesh,

Yes, June is a good time to visit Leh. You have about 5 days in Leh and I will advice the following itinerary for you:

Day 1 | Delhi – Leh (By Flight) — Checkin at Hotel. Many hotels provide free pick and drop from Airport. Ask while you book them. — Take ample of rest as well as water or anything that keep your body hydrated enough. DO NOT OVER HYDRATE. Take ORS Soluted water or ORS – L tetra packs from home. — Do not over exert your body at any cost. Avoid too much up-down on stairs or avoid it in entirety, if possible. — After 5-6 Hrs of rest you can visit Leh Palace, Local Leh market, Shankar Gompa . — If you feel exerted go back to Hotel, have dinner at Hotel and take rest. Avoid any exertion. Else continue and, — Follow the sunset by stroll at Changspa road and have a nice dinner on varied cuisines offered in-around Changspa road. — Go back to hotel for overnight stay at Leh.   Day 2 | Leh Local Sighseeing + Inner Line Permits — For more details on inner line permits process and to download application form read the link  here — Hire a taxi from Leh taxi stand or Hotel whichever suits you. — Bargain hard with taxi driver. Book that single taxi for entire trip after explaining the complete plan. — Take his inputs if you feel reasonable and if required modify the plan accordingly but should suits you best. — Ask him to be with you guys starting first day itself, if required and charged reasonable else do it at your own. — Again DO NOT over exert and take little steps and slow walks only. — If feeling OK then do Local sightseeing include Namgyal Gompa, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Shankar Gompa, Main Market, Hall of Fame, Spituk Gompa, Changspa Road Stroll in evening — Do not use stairs at any of these places just to see them as it will exert your body much more. — Overnight at Leh   Day 3 | Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder — Head for Nubra Valley and stay overnight at Hunder / Diskit — On the way enjoy a cup of soup at Highest Motorable Pass (as claimed) Khardung La — Diskit has monasteries with tallest lord Buddha statue and Hunder has sand dunes and bacterian camel safari   Day 4 | Hunder / Diskit – Sumur – Panamik – Sumur – Khardung La – Leh — Sumur has a famous monastery to check out and Panamik has hot water springs — Overnight at Leh

Day 5 | Leh – Pangong Tso – Leh — Overnight at Leh

Day 6 | Fly back

I hope this helps. Please let me know in case you have any query or doubt.

We had drafted the following plan for 1st to 7th June. Do let us know if this works out.

Day 1: We will take a Morning flight from Mumbai to Srinagar. We will reach Srinagar by around 1:30 p.m. Visit local places of Srinagar/Dal Lake and overnight stay on Houseboats – Srinagar.

Day 2: Start early morning for Leh via Srinagar – Kargil- Leh highway. Visit Sonamarg and reach zojila before 4.00 pm Overnight stay at Kargil

Day 3: Start early morning for Leh. Visit local areas in Leh including Leh palace, shanti stupa, etc. Overnight stay at Leh

Day 4: Leave early morning for Pangong Lake and travel back to Leh.

Day 5: Start early morning for Nubra valley & we take the following route Leh – Khardung La – Diskit – Hunder. Stay overnight at Nubra Valley.

Day 6: Return back to Leh. Visit Market area etc.

Day 7: Fly back.

Also, we have few queries regarding the same as well. Please advice:

1)We would also like to cover Zanskar valley let us know if it is possible to accomadate it. 2)Is Chadar worth visiting in June? 3)Also is there any daily passing restriction at Zojila pass? 4)Is kargil worth a stay? Or can we do shimla-Leh directly at one stretch?

Regards, Priyesh

Priyesh, You will not be able to do Leh Local on Day 3. On day 4 you have to arange permits and not recommended to visit Pangong Tso first. First visit Nubra Valley and then Pangong Tso on Day 6.

1. You cannot cover Zanskar Valley in these days. 2. There is no Chadar in summers because Chadar is called frozen Zanskar river. You will be seeing the confluence of Zanskar Indus on the way to Leh from Kargil 3. Not really for light vehicles but earlier in season there could be, not certain though. 4. Yes, you will have to stay to equally divide the distance of travel. Very nice views ahead of Zozi La once the minamarg starts. Guess, you mean Srinagar here not Shimla. Better do it in 2 days with night halt at Kargil. You will enjoy more in this way.

Sorry to bother you again and again.

We are planning trip to Leh from 1st May to 12th May.

Kindly arrange best itinerary.

Want to see and feel lots of snow.

Pls guide me the entire places of interest and we would love to complete all.

Also provide your contact details if you dont mind.

No issues!! Well, I hope you are planning to take a flight? Roads might be closed by that time. May be Srinagar – Leh highway might open but 50:50 chances. Let me know if you plan to fly-in and fly out of Leh and I will advice the itinerary accordingly. I will email you my contact number.

Please complete the “Datun Saahib” text and let me know if youw ant a “Hall of Fame” from the outside and Sindhu Ghat pic; I have a very recent one 🙂 or post yours – I am sure you would have these in your repertoire!

It is always great to represent such cult places with Pics 🙂

And I think that Thiksey Monastery also deserves a separate paragraph!

Cheers, Che

Hey Nishant,

Thank you so much. Yes, please provide the pics, will upload them, for these two places (Hall of Fame and Sindhu Ghat) as I did not get a chance to take them as I visited them always when I was stuck there due to some or the other issue 😉 …

For thicksey, hemis, stakna, shey, matho, stok a separate post is dedicated not just paragraph 😉 and similarly a separate one for whole sham valley. Will be completed in coming weeks 🙂

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• केंद्र शासित प्रदेश लद्दाख
• Union Territory of Ladakh

About Tourism

Tourism has won a wide recognition as an important industry in the district in view of its potential for creation of employment opportunities and generation of income on a large scale. This industry has a direct bearing on the socio-economic scene of the district. Tourism industry provides employment to a large number of people engaged in the related sectors like transport, Hotels and catering service, cottage industry etc. Tourism promotes economic activities in the remote areas.

Since its opening for the tourist (1974), Leh has registered an increasing number of tourists attracted towards it, because of its landscape, culture, tradition environment etc. and still has much potential for adventure tourism.

Leh figures on the international tourist map and attracts a large inflow of tourists both from home and abroad. The economy of the region is therefore, based on tourism. That is why Leh is abounds in Hotels, guest houses and taxis. There are 250 hotels, guest house of different classes in Leh.

Hemis, Alchi, Lamayuru, Shey and Thiksay are some of the most popular monasteries of Ladakh which attract both domestic as well as foreign tourist.Pangong lake(Half in China) and world highest motorable road Khardongla (18350 fts) is main attraction for domestic tourist, and monasteries and mountains are for foreign tourist. Tourist Places

Government of India, Ministry of home Affairs has recently declared some more a areas of Ladakh opened for International Tourism. These areas are among the outstanding feature of Himalayan Panorama. It could be yet another destination for the global tourists. These areas are relatively more distinct for cultural and adventure tourism. While declaring the new areas of Khaltse, Nubra & Nyoma Sub-Division, Govt. of India however restricted the movement of traffic flow on 7 different tour circuits to these divisions. Minimum period required for visiting these areas should not exceed 7 days. To understand, these circuits are set here in sequence and those are outlined and separately explained here.

Khaltse Sub-Division (Drokhpa Area)

Khaltsi-Dumkhar-Skurbuchan-Hanudo-Bima-Dha-Garkon-Batalik-Silmo-Kargil and vice versa. Khalsi-Dumkhar-Dah-Sanjak-Chiktan-Khangral-Kargil and vice versa.

Drogpa areas have been outlined in the Tour Circuits. All the 5 Drogpa villages in India are open for foreign tourists. The greatest attraction in these areas are the villages of Dha Biama, Darchigs, Garkon, Batalik which are entirely populated by last remaining remnants of the Dards in the District. Dards are considered as last race of Aryans confined to Indus Valley. These villages have considerable anthropological and ethnographic importance. Chhopo sRubla, the harvest festivals is the most popular festival in this area. These are considered rare and eventful the year of Drogpa in which all the people of these villages come out in their colourful traditional dress and festival moods to celebrate the festivals. Preceding to the Drogpas villages the village which fall enroute are the villages of Domkhar Skurbuchan, Achinathang which are also important and which tourists can also easily visit. There is a very good road leading right upto Drogpa villages and tourist can stay over nights in some private guest houses and or at some identified camping site at Khaltsi, Dhomkhar, Skurbuchan, Achinathang, Hanu Do, Biama and Dha village.

Changthang (Nyoma Division)

Leh-Upshi-Depring-Puga-Tsomoriri Lake-Korzok Leh-Upshi-Mahey bridge-Puga-Tsomoriri Lake-Korzok. Leh-Karu-Changla-Durbuk-Tangtse-Lukhung-Spangmik-Maan-Merak. Leh-Upshi-Mahey-Nyoma-Loma bend.

It will be obligatory on the part of Tourists, tour operators and other agencies related with the organised tour that the tourists travel on the identified tour circuits only. They should strictly follow the dos and don’ts as laid down by the Government. The upland plateaus of Changthang in Nyoma Sub-Division are possibly the most attractive areas in the District as far as scenic beauty, brackish lakes and Wild Life are concerned. The vast pastures with their gently flowing streams and the lakes amidst the spectacularly coloured mountains are quite unlike anything a tourist see anywhere in India.

Pangong Lake

This lake is situated at an altitude of 14,100 ft. in the Eastern sector of Ladakh, at a distance of 150 km from Leh across Changla pass (17,000ft.). This lake is one of the largest and most beautiful natural brackish lake in the country.

Tsomoriri Lake

This lake is situated at a elevation of 15,000 ft. above the sea level, at a distance of 240 km from Leh in the South-eastern sector of Ladakh. It is like a pearl shaped and contains large mineral deposits. Korzok village is situated on the South-west bank of this lake. Korzok Gonpa and its inhabitants nomads by tradition are most outstanding features of this area.

Nubra Division

Major attraction of Nubra is the highest motorable road Khardongla pass (18,380ft.) majestic peaks and glaciers enchanting valleys and villages. Diskit and Samstanling Gonpa, Panamik hot spring, double humped camel safari, river rafting, trekking and Sunbathe in the sand dunes at Hunder are also a great source of attraction for the touristsThis valley is popularly known as Ldumra or the valley of orchard/flowers. It is situated in the North of Ladakh, between Karakoram and Ladakh ranges of Himalayas. Nubra lies at average altitude about 10,000 feet above sea level. The climate, of the areas being soft, soil is much fertile and the vegetation of the area is comparatively thicker than those of the other areas of Ladakh. Shrubs, bushes and trees grow in abundance wherever there is any source of water. Due to this reason Nubra has acquired its right name- Ldumra. Shayok and Siachan rivers forms fairly large drain in Nubra. Nubra is a broad valley with lofty mountains on its all sides. Valley assumes greater attractions at the site where both the rivers meet. The formation of Central part of Nubra also takes place there. Diskit is the Sub-Division HQ. of Nubra. Diskit Gonpa is also situated at a height of about 200 mtrs. Above the village, on the spur of rocky mountain and at the most commanding point having clear view of the entire central part of Nubra. Samstanling Gonpa is situated on the North, facing Diskit Gonpa. This Gonpa is equally important and recreationally it assumes greater importance for being situated at a commanding scenic view point at the foot hills of Karakoram ranges up above Tegar and Sumoor villages, amidst plenty of water and high vegetation. Major village via Kardong, Khalsar, Tirit, Sumoor, Tegar Pinchemik, Tirisha and Panamik all fall along the traditional silk route. The caravans travelling Central Asia and Kashmir through Nubra valley used to stay at those villages. Panamik was the most important place for haltage of Caravan. It served as last major village where the Caravans landed the facility of feed back, before they negotiate Saseer and Karakoram passes towards Central Asia. The famous hot spring of Panamik also served them as a source for bath, drinking water and therapeutic purpose. Panamik has still got charms and potentiality to serve as a host to travellers. All areas around it including Iantsa Gonpa and Murgi waterfall across it combined with scenic view strengthens its beauty and hospitality[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]