Top 23 Incredible Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh, India

Last Updated on November 18, 2021 by Cody Livingston

Is Thrilling inebriation tickling you? It’s high time to plan for an adventurous gateway. Imagine some breath-taking places across the world that can satisfy your excited soul and plug bounty of unforgettable memories in your heart. Holiday means a lot! And we truly apprehend this. Believe me, rush to Leh Ladakh in India for a fancied celebration and ultimate thrill with top things to do in Ladakh. It’ll be surely the holiday you’re waiting for.

Filled with pristine beauty, Ladakh serves a great experience and always been favourite to tourists featuring amazing and never-ending leisure options. It’s a high-desert city located in the Himalayas featuring adventurous trekking in India. Relish an ultimate holiday goal when you get trapped into mesmeric surroundings of Leh and scenic tourist highlights including but not limited to maze-like lanes, gorges and sweeping hilltop views.

Popularly known for its Buddhist sites, gilded Buddha statues, monasteries and reliquaries across higher altitudes of the Indus Valley, it encompasses hillside buildings and many more amazes along with beautiful markets and food stalls. You can find serene and picturesque villages with centuries-old historic spaces and hillside Buddhist temples alongside valleys on your holiday in Leh Ladakh. There’re numerous but here elaborated the top 23 Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh where you’ll surely save adorable souvenir – scroll down and explore more.

1. Shanti Stupa

Opened for public in 1991, Shanti Stupa is a white-domed stupa, hillside Buddhist temple and a remote place of worship in Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh. Gyomyo Nakamura – a Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu built this amazing tourist hub in Leh Ladakh as part of the Peace Pagoda mission. A great place to visit in Leh with the eye-soothing sceneries and a large golden statue of the Buddha. There’s free parking space with a calm and refreshing atmosphere all around.

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2. Leh Palace

If you count some most amazing places to visit in Ladakh, Leh Palace can be your ultimate holiday goal. Centuries-old royal palace situated on the mountaintop accessible by hiking can serve you picturesque city views of Ladakhi Himalayan town in Leh. One of the major historical monuments across the Himalayan region, Leh palace still stands on its ruinous state sited at a very short distance from the main market. Experience the royal vibe while exploring this historically amazing space.

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3. Jama Masjid Leh

This Jama Masjid in Leh witnesses the historic agreement between the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb and then ruler of Leh Ladakh Deldan Namgyal. It is one of the biggest mosques of Ladakh, was built in the 17th century by Mughals. Famous for its beautifully ornamented walls and stone carving construction, it invites only male tourists.

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4. Zanskar Valley

A jewel in the Himalayan range and one of the most deserted places turn heaven from June to September. Witness heavenly skies from steep terrains covered with thick snow. Jaw-dropping white river rafting in the tributaries of the Zanskar River comes in the bucket list of world-travellers who love thrilling experiences. This valley witness extreme snowfall in winter that halts visitors to explore.

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5. Hall of Fame

Rejoice the bravery of Indian Army at its war memorial house, Hall of Fame is constructed, preserved, operated and managed by the Indian Army proudly exhibiting the courage, victory saga of Indian Army, weapons, souvenir shop and more. You can explore the lifestyle of Ladakh here. It’s a well-presented museum where you can explore the history and culture of Leh Ladakh.

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6. Pathar Sahib Gurudwara

Located about 25 miles away from Leh at over 12000 ft. above sea level, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a renowned sacred place for Sikhs. It was built in 1517 to honour Guru Nanak Dev’s visit to the Ladakh region. It features serene and mesmeric landscape near Magnetic Hill India. You can travel to Pathar Sahib Gurudwara through roadways via Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) or via Manali (Himachal Pradesh). Beware, both roads get closed during winter from November to May every year.

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7. Magnetic Hill

A “Cyclops hill” with the layout of surrounding slopes that create a hill like an appearance located near Leh in Ladakh. You need to drive 30 km from Leh towards Kargil to witness this mysterious stretch of Magnetic Hill where you’ll find a road going uphill. It’s fundamentally an optical illusion where the road appears like an uphill slope. Can you imagine when you left your car out of gear, it will roll uphill itself. Don’t bite your finger – just go and experience.

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8. Confluence – Indus and Zanskar Rivers

Unquestionably, the confluence of Indus and Zanskar Rivers features an awesome sight, where a shining blue and a green river come together forming scenic setting near Nimmu town in Ladakh. The Indus originates in Cold Desert of the Changthang and the Zanskar River originates in the Zanskar ranges. In summer, Zanskar turns fast and turgid whereas Indus remains relatively calmer. In winter, Zanskar starts to freeze resulting in Chadar trek whereas Indus keeps flowing. This confluence of two differently featured rivers offers an eye-soothing sight.

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9. Central Asian Museum

Focusing on historic Asian trade, the Central Asian Museum was opened in 2011 for public visit. It’s a compact history museum features knowledge exhibits about the region’s history and culture. Located on the Main Bazaar Road of Leh, It’s a worth visiting place offers interesting knowledge about Silk Road trade and the role of Leh in that. It’s been one of the major centres for attractions in Leh inviting the great number of footfall to the city.

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10. Khardung-La Pass

The Khardungla Pass of Ladakh is simply the world’s one of the highest motorable road (at a height of 18,380 ft. above from the sea level) and undoubtedly favourite of adventure freak across the globe. It’s an inspiration to motorcyclists, one of the most picturesque locations in Leh. While riding to this amazing Motorable Pass, you can enjoy shopping at Markets of Leh and disappear in nature.

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11. Chang La Pass

Roaming across Leh Ladakh is incomplete without having a selfie at thrilling Chang La Pass. It’s one of the highest motorable mountain pass around the world with incredible scenic beauty at an altitude of 5360 metres above sea level. This place has a treasure of breath-taking views and extremely thrilling motorable pass where you drive the memories for a lifetime. Nearby Chang La Baba Temple is the major centre of attraction encompassing small cafes for refreshments and tea. You can explore Stakna Monastery and Thiksey Monastery also while going through Chang La Pass.

12. Pangong Tso Lake

Situated at a height of above 4,350 m, Pangong Tso Lake is an endorheic high grassland lake frozen‎ ‎during winter in Leh, the wonderful land of India. Someone wrote about Pangong Tso Lake – ‘it’s a looks like a painting straight out of the canvases’. You can take bus services that are operated by state road Transport Corporation on a regular basis or hire a taxi from Leh to the Pangong Tso Lake.

13. Nubra Valley

Meet villagers at Nubra Valley. There’re people living in the nearby remote villages to this tri-armed valley will tell you interesting stories about culture, tradition and beautiful monasteries with rich golden and red shades of this secluded valley. It features serene rivers, ancient Buddhist monasteries and more. It’s simply the masterpiece from God’s own creation located around 140 km from Leh.

14. Thiksay Monastery

Explore temples, nunneries and a vast collection of Buddhist art at historic hilltop Buddhist monastery known as Thiksay monastery. It was built in the mid-1400s. Calm and beautiful, this place serves an idyllic atmosphere where tourists forget their tiredness and cherish the surroundings. People enjoy beautiful views from the hilltop. Nearby shops and eateries are awesome.

15. Tso Moriri Lake

Located in Changthang region, Tso Moriri Lake is one of the calm, a sacred and beautiful lake situated on a high altitude. There’s century-old Korzok monastery attracting a huge footfall of Buddhist pilgrims and tourists in Leh Ladakh. People coming to Tso Moriri Lake get trapped into breath-taking surrounding having views of snow-capped mountain ranges. Witness and enjoy a 200 plus km adventurous bike riding from Leh to Tso Moriri Lake, beware, there’s no fuel station in midway.

16. Diskit Monastery

The oldest among other Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, Diskit Monastery was established in the 14th century featuring various statues of Buddha and other guardian Gods. Located on a breath-taking location, it offers inner peace and solemn serenity to pilgrimages and visitors coming. People call it Deskit or Diskit Gompa as well. The huge Lord Buddha statue is one of the major tourist attractions at Diskit Monastery

17. Spituk Gompa

Close to the Leh city (merely 8 km away), Spituk Gompa encompasses a Buddhist monastery attracting pilgrimages and visitors. People can enjoy white-water rafting here as well. People call it Pethup Gompa. Founded by Od-De in 11th Century, Spituk Gompa is blessed by the Arhat Nyimagung. Od-de was Lha Lama Changchub OD’s elder brother. From the hilltop, you can enjoy the mesmeric views of the local market and near areas among the best places to travel in Ladakh.

18. Chadar Trek

Just imagine, it’s below -30 degrees and you’re walking on a frozen river. Come and experience it on Chadar Trek in the Zanskar region of Ladakh. An adventurous winter trail with thrilling experiences in Ladakh, Chadar Trek is also known as the Zanskar Gorge which tops every trekker’s bucket list. It connects remote villages in the Zanskar valley. All you need to be physically fit and have a desire to witness a lifetime experience. Experience some more popular places to visit in Ladakh along with Chadar Trek.

19. Hemis National Park

South Asia’s largest national park nurturing and exhibiting several endangered mammals including but not limited to leopards, Tibetan wolf, Asiatic ibex, red fox and the Eurasian brown bear among others. Enjoy your holiday in a pollution and noise free environment by including this number one sightseeing place in Leh Ladakh featuring joyful bird watching. Nature lovers find this place not less than paradise. Your Ladakh trip is incomplete if Hemis National Park is not in your itinerary.

20. Hemis Monastery

Must visit spiritual celebration in the memory of Guru Padmasambhava (annual mask festival) at Hemis Monastery. Guru Padmasambhava was believed to be the reincarnation of Gautam Buddha that enhances the importance of this place. With so much recreational activities to do and several beautiful spaces nearby, Hemis Himalayan Buddhist monastery attracts thousands of visitors. It was founded by ‎Sengge Namgyal and opened for public in 1672.

21. Kargil

Every Indian is aware of this name, Kargil. It’s a town adjacent to Leh Ladakh situated on the banks of Indus River and one of the must-visit Ladakh tourist places. This city offers trekking, mountaineering and more exciting leisure options for adventure enthusiasts and serves as transit junction for Leh, Zanskar and Srinagar. Sharing the portion of the western Ladakh region, it carries a proud history of Indian Army’s triumph over the Pakistani Army. Munshi Aziz Bhat Museum and Kargil City View Point are must visit places here.

22. Namgyal Tsemo Monastery

Realm to nature, Namgyal Tsemo Monastery was founded in 1430 by the Ladakh King Tashi Namgyal. Known as Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, it features ancient Buddhist Monastery, a significant Buddhist shrine and other temples. It will introduce you with the steep mountains plus serene and spiritual folds. Buddhist across the globe come to see Maitreya Buddha’s three-storey high gold idol. Visitors at Namgyal Tsemo Monastery relish tranquil setting of nature.

23. Likir Monastery

Explore ancient Tibetan artefacts and relics at Likir Monastery or Likir Gompa from the 14th century, founded by Lama Duwang Chosje. Get fascinated and enchanted on the banks of Indus River. Visit remote villages in the valley of Likir with temples, monasteries and more. Located nearly 52 kilometres away from Leh in the west direction, it was opened for public in 1065. Capture your moment in a photo frame alongside a large golden statue of Buddha and roam across museums and picturesque mountain spaces.

Undoubtedly, spending a holiday to a wonderland Leh Ladakh fills an unforgettable thrill and experience of a lifetime having amazing tourist attractions in Ladakh. It’s all about rejoicing the adventure inside you. Come and experience the sheer expanse, sparkling colour and backdrop of the city. If you have been to Leh Ladakh, share your experience with us.