Explore Leh-Ladakh

13 places to visit

lake

Pangong Tso

The mesmerising 134 km lake that changes colour through the day

Full day trip from Leh (or overnight camp)Free (Inner Line Permit required — ₹600 per person)

valley

Nubra Valley & Hunder Sand Dunes

Cold desert sand dunes with double-humped Bactrian camels at 3,048m

2 days recommended (overnight stay)Free (Inner Line Permit required — ₹600). Camel ride: ₹300–500

pass

Khardung La Pass

One of the highest motorable passes in the world at 5,359m (17,582 ft)

30–45 minutes at the pass (don't stay long — altitude)Free (part of Nubra Valley Inner Line Permit)

monastery

Thiksey Monastery

The "Mini Potala" — a 12-storey gompa perched on a hilltop

1.5–2 hours₹50

monastery

Hemis Monastery

Ladakh's largest and wealthiest monastery — home to the famous Hemis Festival

1.5–2 hours₹50

monastery

Diskit Monastery & Maitreya Buddha

Nubra Valley's 14th-century monastery with a towering 32m Buddha statue

1–1.5 hours₹30

natural-wonder

Magnetic Hill

The gravity-defying hill where vehicles appear to roll uphill on their own

15–30 minutesFree

monument

Shanti Stupa

Stunning white-domed Buddhist peace stupa with panoramic views of Leh

1–1.5 hoursFree

palace

Leh Palace

The 17th-century royal palace overlooking Leh — Ladakh's own Potala

1–1.5 hours₹25 (Indians), ₹100 (Foreigners)

museum

Hall of Fame Museum

Indian Army museum honouring the heroes of Ladakh's battles

1–2 hours₹50

valley

Zanskar Valley

One of the most remote inhabited valleys in the Himalayas

3–5 days recommendedFree (permits may be required for some areas)

lake

Tso Moriri Lake

The sacred high-altitude lake at 4,522m — wilder and quieter than Pangong

Full day trip from Leh or overnight campFree (Inner Line Permit required — ₹600)

natural-wonder

Confluence of Indus & Zanskar Rivers

Where two rivers of different colours merge in a stunning natural spectacle

15–30 minutesFree