A visit to Ladakh is on the bucket list of all adventure travelers, be it in India or any other part of the world. If you are planning a visit to this picturesque landscape or are simply evaluating your next destination for travel, read on to learn about the top 10 tourist places in Ladakh.
In the blog post, I have curated this list of the 10 most amazing places to visit in Leh Ladakh based on my personal experience, ranked in order of my preference. Though I must confess, every one of these places is my personal favorite and will leave an indelible mark and will remain etched in your memory for years to come. If you are looking for the best time to visit Ladakh and what to expect regarding the weather, please refer to this link.
Ladakh Location
Ladakh means the ‘Land of High Passes’. It is a barren yet beautiful region located in the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, situated in the northern part of India. Ladakh lies between the Kunlun Mountains in the north and the Himalayas in the south. Specifically, the hill range to the South is called the Ladakh Range.
Ladakh is known for its stunning landscapes, ancient monasteries, rich culture, and adventure activities.
How to visit Leh Ladakh
You can reach Ladakh by air or by road. Direct flights operate from Delhi, Chandigarh, Jammu and Srinagar. By road, there are 2 routes to consider- Manali to Leh via Keylong or Srinagar to Leh via Manali. The altitude of Leh city is over 3500 meters above sea level and the entire region of Ladakh lies at an altitude of 2500 to 4500 meters above sea level.
At such high altitudes, oxygen is rarefied and the chances of mountain sickness increase multifold. Hence everyone visiting Ladakh via air is advised to mandatorily spend one day in Leh city for acclimatization. However, if you travel by road, this acclimatization is already taken care of.
The 10 Incredible Tourist places in Ladakh are as follows:
Pangong Tso Lake
Pangong Tso Lake is situated at the India-China Border known for its pristine calm waters that reflect the sky. This beautiful saltwater lake is 134km long, extending from India to China. The militia of both nations patrol these waters and their surroundings owing to their strategic importance.
This lake, other than being picturesque is home to several exotic migratory birds and is a nature lover’s paradise. Due to subzero temperatures, this lake freezes in winter. Camping at the banks of this lake is one of the major tourist attractions of Ladakh. This nature lover’s delight is one of the best tourist places in Ladakh and is easily one of the essential places to visit in Ladakh.
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
This Gurudwara is maintained by the Indian Army. The gurudwara is named after a large boulder that has the imprints of Guru Nanak’s head, shoulders, and backside, as well as the foot of a demon that he defeated. The gurudwara is maintained by the Indian Army and is revered by people of different faiths, including Buddhists, who call Guru Nanak “Lama Nanak” or “Guru Gompka Maharaj”.
The best thing about this Gurudwara other than the ethereal peace and tranquility is the piping hot jalebis, chai, and sumptuous prasad that the army men offer to tourists. This can particularly be considered a boon in the freezing temperatures of Ladakh.
Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery is one of the most famous and largest monasteries in the Ladakh region. The monastery is located on the bank of the Indus River, about 45 km from Leh It is known for its annual festival, Hemis Tsechu, which honors Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. During the festival, a giant thangka (religious painting) of Padmasambhava is displayed to the public, and monks perform sacred dances and rituals.
Sangam Point – Confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers
Situated at a half hour’s drive from Leh is one of the most mesmerizing sights in Ladakh, the confluence of rivers Indus and Zanskar. You can see the different colors of water that reflect the sky. Indus River was the life source of the primordial Indus Valley civilization and being able to touch these waters is like a blessing.
The Zanskar River, which freezes in winter and becomes the venue for the Chadar Trek, is one of the most challenging treks in the world. You can also enjoy rafting, camping, and wildlife spotting in the Zanskar Valley. This is one of the best tourist places in Ladakh and a must-visit for everyone.
Nubra Valley – Cold desert
This is a scenic valley that lies between the Karakoram and Ladakh ranges. It is known for its sand dunes, double-humped camels, orchards, and hot springs. Nestled in the Himalayas, the cold desert in Nubra is one of nature’s wonders. You can visit the Hunder Village here, which has the famous white sand cold desert. You can also enjoy camel rides, quad biking, and paragliding in this valley.
Nubra Valley is one of the topmost tourist places in Ladakh. It is merely a 3-hour drive from Leh but the journey to this village is an experience to behold, scenic landscapes that will forever be etched in memory. Please do remember you need a permit to visit this valley.
Shanti Stupa
This is a white-domed stupa that was built in 1991 by Japanese monks to promote world peace. It is located on a hilltop near Leh and is illuminated at night. You can climb the stairs to reach the stupa and admire the views of the town and the mountains. You can also see the relics of Buddha inside the stupa.
The white Shanti stupa built against the backdrop of a turquoise-blue sky makes this one of the best places for photography especially group photos. This makes it one of the most loved tourist places in Ladakh.
Magnetic Hill
Situated at an hour’s drive from Leh, this is a mysterious phenomenon where vehicles appear to move uphill on their own, defying gravity. It is believed that there is a strong magnetic force that pulls the vehicles towards the hill. You can test this by parking your car in the marked area and letting go of the brakes. You will be amazed to see your car moving forward without any external force.
Khardung La Pass
This is one of the highest motorable roads in the world, at an elevation of 5602 meters. It is the gateway to the Nubra Valley and the Siachen Glacier and offers breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains and valleys. You need an inner line permit to visit this pass, and it is advisable to carry warm clothes and medicines for altitude sickness.
Diskit Monastery
Diskit Monastery is one of the most famous tourist places in Ladakh, located in the Nubra Valley. It is the oldest and largest monastery in the valley and belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism
The monastery is situated on a hilltop above the Shyok River and offers a stunning view of the surrounding landscape. The monastery complex consists of several temples, shrines, statues, murals, frescoes, and a museum. The main attraction of the monastery is the 32-metre-high statue of Maitreya Buddha, which was inaugurated in 2010 by the Dalai Lama. The statue faces the Nubra Valley and is visible from far away.
Hall of Fame
Located on Leh Kargil road about 4 km from Leh, the Hall of Fame is a museum maintained by the Indian army to commemorate the countless martyrs who laid down their lives protecting our country in the Indo-Pak wars. The museum consists of 2 floors divided into various sections that display arms, and ammunitions used in the Kargil war. They also feature photographs and biographies of martyrs. There is a souvenir shop where you can buy shawls, mugs, kitchen magnets, etc to carry back home.
If you are looking for options in Kashmir, check out my posts on Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Snowfall in Kashmir, and Best time to Visit Kashmir. If you are looking for options in Ladakh, check out Ladakh Weather, Nubra Valley, 5 Days Kashmir Itinerary, Best Packing tips for Ladakh & best tourist places in Ladakh.
If you are looking for places to visit in the Andaman Islands, please check my post on Radhanagar Beach & Ross Island.
If you are looking for other seaside options, check my posts on Murud Janjira, Kashid, and Kihim Beach in Maharashtra or Malshej Ghat. Alternatively, if you are interested in some Religious tourism, please check my posts on Golden Temple, Kamakhya, Trimbakeshwar, and Kashi Vishwanath. If you are looking for North East Adventure tours, check my posts on Shillong, Meghalaya, Dawki, Double Decker Living Root Trek, and 7 Day North East Itinerary.
If you are planning visit to Sikkim, check out Tsomgo Lake.
If you are looking for some spirituality, you can check out Ganga Aarti in Dashashwamedh Ghat or Ghats in Varanasi.
12 thoughts on “10 Incredible Tourist Places In Ladakh”