Top places to visit in Leh

• Pangong Tso

  lake · 4.8 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  Mesmerising high-altitude lake (4,350 m) straddling the India–China border, famous for its shifting blues; a long but unforgettable day or overnight trip.

• Khardung La

  mountain-pass · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the world's highest motorable passes (≈5,359 m), the gateway to Nubra Valley; a bucket-list drive with prayer flags, snow and thin mountain air.

• Shanti Stupa

  stupa · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Gleaming white Japanese-built Buddhist stupa on a hilltop above Changspa, with relics blessed by the Dalai Lama and superb sunset views over Leh.

• Leh Palace

  palace · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹300

  Nine-storey 17th-century royal palace towering over the old town, modelled on Lhasa's Potala; steep galleries lead to rooftop views across the Indus valley.

• Thiksey Monastery

  monastery · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹40

  Magnificent 12-storey hilltop gompa resembling the Potala Palace, home to a giant two-storey Maitreya Buddha and an atmospheric dawn prayer ceremony.

• Magnetic Hill

  optical-illusion · 4.0 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  Quirky stretch of road on the Leh–Kargil highway where parked vehicles appear to roll uphill — an optical illusion that is a fun photo stop with valley views.

• Hall of Fame Museum

  war-memorial · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Moving Indian Army museum near the airport honouring soldiers of the Ladakh conflicts, with exhibits on Siachen, Kargil and local culture.

• Leh Main Bazaar

  bazaar · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

  The lively pedestrian heart of Leh, lined with Tibetan and Ladakhi handicraft shops, pashmina, cafes and the Jama Masjid at its head — great for evening strolls.

• Hemis Monastery

  monastery · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Ladakh's largest and wealthiest monastery, tucked in a gorge, famed for its colourful June Hemis Festival of masked cham dances and a museum of relics.

• Diskit Monastery, Nubra Valley

  monastery · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry ₹30

  The oldest and largest monastery in the Nubra Valley, watched over by a 32 m Maitreya Buddha statue overlooking the sand dunes and Shyok river below.

• Sangam (Indus-Zanskar Confluence)

  river-confluence · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Striking confluence near Nimmu where the green Indus and muddy Zanskar rivers meet in distinct colours, framed by barren mountains; a popular rafting put-in.

• Spituk Monastery

  monastery · 4.4 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Hilltop 11th-century gompa near the airport with commanding Indus-valley views and a Kali shrine unveiled during its winter Gustor festival.

Things to do

• Pangong Tso Day Tour Day Trip · 12 h · from INR 3,000 per person
• Nubra Valley & Khardung La Tour Day Trip · 24 h · from INR 5,000 per person
• Indus Valley Monasteries Tour Sightseeing Tour · 7 h · from INR 2,000 per person
• Sham Valley Half-Day Tour Sightseeing Tour · 5 h · from INR 1,800 per person
• Indus River Rafting Water Sports · 1.5 h · from INR 1,500 per person
• Khardung La Mountain Biking Descent Cycling · 5 h · from INR 2,500 per person
• Leh Old Town Heritage Walk Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from INR 700 per person
• Markha Valley Trek Adventure · 96 h · from INR 18,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Pangong Tso Day Tour 12 h · from INR 3,000
• Indus Valley Monasteries Day Tour 7 h · from INR 2,000
• Sham Valley Half-Day Tour 5 h · from INR 1,800

Where to stay in Leh

• Main Bazaar about INR 3,000 per night

  Central shopping and accommodation area with good connectivity

• Changspa about INR 2,000 per night

  Quiet residential area with budget guesthouses and local atmosphere

Hotels

• Heschuk Guest House 3-star · INR 2,390 to INR 3,200 per night
• Thangkop House 2-star · INR 1,800 to INR 2,600 per night
• The Grand Dragon Ladakh 5-star · INR 12,000 to INR 22,000 per night
• Nimmu House 4-star · INR 10,000 to INR 22,000 per night
• Zaltak Guest House and Hostel 2-star · INR 1,090 to INR 1,800 per night
• Chubi Sponbo 3-star · INR 2,500 to INR 3,400 per night

Where to eat

• Tibetan Kitchen Tibetan, Ladakhi, Chinese · about INR 600 per person
• Bon Appetit Continental, European, Ladakhi · about INR 800 per person
• Gesmo Restaurant Bakery, Continental, Cafe · about INR 350 per person
• Lamayuru Restaurant Tibetan, North Indian, Israeli · about INR 500 per person
• Wonderland Restaurant North Indian, Tibetan, Continental · about INR 550 per person
• Neha Snacks North Indian, Street Food · about INR 250 per person
• Il Forno Italian, Continental · about INR 750 per person
• Lehvenda Cafe Cafe, Coffee, Bakery · about INR 350 per person

Getting to Leh

Airport: Leh (IXL)

How visitors arrive in Leh

• Flight to Leh airport By air from Delhi · common

  Flights run year round and are the only option in winter when the roads close. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Road from Manali By road from Manali · common

  The Manali-Leh highway is described as the one more commonly taken by tourists; open in summer only. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Road from Srinagar By road from Srinagar · possible

  Buses and shared taxis via Kargil, usually with an overnight stop. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Prepaid taxi from Leh airport

  Only prepaid taxis run from the airport, and drivers may insist it is the sole option. The airport is a short distance from the centre, so some stays are walkable. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Local bus from the airport gate unconfirmed

  Local buses pass the airport gate but are irregular. Another option is walking to the main road where buses turn around. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Leh is at high altitude; rest and take it easy on your first days. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Car With Driver
• Taxi
• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

  Airports, train stations, popular squares

  Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

  How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

Best time to visit Leh

• Jan 2°C
• Feb 4°C
• Mar 10°C
• Apr 15°C
• May 20°C
• Jun 24°C
• Jul 29°C
• Aug 28°C
• Sep 23°C
• Oct 17°C
• Nov 11°C
• Dec 5°C

More in India

• New Delhi
• Agra
• Jaipur
• Panaji
• Mumbai
• Varanasi

Frequently asked questions about Leh

What are the top-rated places to visit in Leh?

The highest-rated places in our Leh guide are Pangong Tso, Thiksey Monastery, Khardung La, Hemis Monastery, Diskit Monastery, Nubra Valley.

Where should I stay in Leh?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Leh: Main Bazaar, Changspa.

How do I get around Leh?

Ways to get around Leh covered in our guide: Car with driver, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Leh?

Scams reported to us for Leh include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Leh?

Average daytime highs in Leh run from 2°C in Jan to 29°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Leh?

The nearest airport to Leh has the code IXL.