Leh

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Leh is located in the Indus river valley at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Kashgar, Tibet, and Kashmir.

Leh was the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh; The town is still dominated by the now ruined Leh Palace, former mansion of the royal family of Ladakh, built in the same style and about the same time as the Potala Palace. Its importance as a trading town slowed down with the partition of British India, and ended with the closure of the border in 1962 during the Sino-Indian war. Since the 1999 war with Pakistan, and the consequent development of the Manali-Leh highway, it has become a bustling tourist town, with large numbers of Kashmiri traders. It’s a small town, easy to get most places by foot. The old town is a compact area of mud brick houses and narrow lanes directly to the east of Main Bazar. Changspa is the agricultural “suburb” northwest of the center, with many guesthouses. The main Bazaar’s elevation is 3505 meters, so take it easy on your first few days there or risk possible altitude sickness. Even experienced high altitude travellers (Andes) might have some trouble.

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Tibetan Buddhist Monks, Phyang Monastery

Best Time to Visit

Key Attractions

Leh Palace

The former Palace of the King of Ladakh. The most noticeable building in Leh, the palace was built in the 17th century, and now undergoing restoration. There's not much to see on the inside, but there are good views outside.
Namgyal Tsemo Gompa

Above the Palace, built 1430, is only open from 7AM-9AM during the morning puja.
Shanti Stupa

Built by a Japanese Buddhist group. This modern stupa is somewhat kitschy, but still worth a visit.
Pangong Tso

A beautiful lake with deep blue waters, surrounded by tall mountain peaks. This lake lies on the Indo - China boundary, with only one fourth of the lake being in India. The road to this lake passes through Chang-la pass, claimed to be at 5425 meters. It's a five hour drive (149 Kms) from Leh to this place. If one is staying in Leh please leave around 4 in the morning. The problem in reaching Pangong Lake is that around 5 kms before the Lake, water from the snow melting blocks the passage by 1 O’clock in the afternoon & it doesn’t clear up until 8 in the evening. So, unless you want to get stuck there till late, leave early. The passage is also very tough to cross by car. So a four-wheel drive car is recommended. Experienced bikers should not have any problem.
Tsomoriri Lake

The lake is at an altitude of 4,595 m (15,075 ft); it is the largest of the high altitude lakes in the Trans-Himalayan biogeographic region, entirely within India. The lake sits between Ladakh, India to the North, Tibet to the east and Zanskar in the west. The lake is fed by springs and snow-melt from mountains on the Changthang plateau. Water enters the lake in two major stream systems, one entering the lake from the north, the other from the southwest. Both stream systems create extensive marshes where they enter the lake. It formerly had an outlet to the south, but this has become blocked and the lake has become land locked. As a result, the water is now becoming saline. The lake was a source of salt for local people until 1959. this is reflected in the lake's name
Monasteries in Ladakh

Most travellers use Leh as a base to visit the numerous gompas, the Buddhist monasteries of Ladakh.
Spituk Monastery

Spituk Monastery, also better as Spituk Gompa or Pethup Gompa, is a Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, The site of Spituk was blessed by the Arhat Nyimagung. 8 kilometres from Leh. It was founded by Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od when he came to Maryul in the 11th Century.
Phyang Monastery

Phyang Monastery of Ladakh is situated at a distance of approximately 40 km to the west of the Leh town. It belongs to the Red Hat Sect of Buddhism. The site where the monastery now stands was once a part of the numerous monastic properties, offered during the time of Dharmaraja Jamyang Namgial to Chosje Damma Kunga. The hill of Phyang served as the venue of a monastery, known as Tashi Chozong, established in the year 1515. A monastic community was introduced to the monastery and with this started, the first establishment of the Digung teachings in Ladakh.
Alchi Monastery

Alchi Gompa dates back to the year 1000 AD and was built by the Translator, Rinchen Zangpo. It is famous for the existence of one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh (a national heritage) Alchi Monastery, mainly known for its magnificent and well-preserved 11th or 12th century wall paintings, all in an Indo-Himalayan style.
Rizong Monastery

The Rizong Gompa of Ladakh was founded by the great Lama Tsultim Nima in the year 1831. The monastery is also called the Yuma Changchubling in Ladakh, India. It is situated at the top of a rocky side valley on the north side of the Indus, to the west of Alchi on the way to Lamayuru. It was established in 1831 by Lama Tsultim Nima under the Gelukpa order, at Ri-rdzong. There are 40 monks in the monastery. The monastery is also called “the paradise for meditation” and is noted for its extremely strict rules and standards.
Likir Monastery

It is picturesquely situated on a little hill in the valley near the Indus River and the village of Saspol about 9.5 kilometres (5.9 mi) north of the Srinagar to Leh highway. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was established in 1065 by Lama Duwang Chosje, under the command of the fifth king of Ladakh, Lhachen Gyalpo (Lha-chen-rgyal-po).
Lamayuru Monastery

Lamayuru Monastery is situated in Ladakh, in between Bodhkharbu and Kha-la-che, on a steep rock mountain. It lies at a distance of approximately 127 km to the west of Leh town. Lamayuru Monastery belongs to the Red-Hat sect of Buddhism and houses approximately 150 Buddhist monks. The monastery is made up of a number of shrines and also has a very rich collection of thankas and magnificent wall paintings.
Hemis Monastery

Hemis Monastery holds the distinction of being the biggest as well as the wealthiest monastery of Ladakh. It dates back to the year 1630 and was founded by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso. Hemis Monastery is positioned inside a gorge, at a distance of approximately 47 km from Leh. Belonging to the Dugpa Order, it stands on the western bank of the Indus River. The monastery also boasts of a very rich collection of ancient relics.
Thiksey Monastery

The monastery is located at an altitude of 3,600 meters (11,800 ft) in the Indus valley. It is a 12-storey complex and houses many items of Buddhist art such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. One of the main points of interest is the Maitreya (future Buddha) Temple which is installed to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Lama to this monastery in 1970. A 15 meters (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya, the largest such statue in Ladakh, covering two storeys of the building is deified in the monastery. A nunnery is also part of the complex.
Stok Gompa

Stok Gompa of Ladakh is situated at a distance of approximately 15 km to the south of the Leh town. It dates back to the 14th century and was founded by Lama Lhawang Lotus. Stok is a subsidiary of the Spituk Gompa and belongs to the yellow-hat sect of Buddhism. As you enter the verandah of the monastery, you will come across bright friezes, depicting the Guardians of the Four Directions. The Dukhang of the monastery was repainted, not a long time back, and displays a rich collection of banners and thankas.
War Museum (Hall of Fame)

Fascinating place run by the Indian Army showcasing the history, glory and the tools of the trade related to army operations defending India in some of the most hostile terrain in the world. It also has a fascinating display on the Siachen battlefield - the highest and more arduous battlefield in the world.
Donkey Sanctuary (Home for helpless donkeys)

The sanctuary is situated just off the road leading to Khardungla Pass. The public is encouraged to visit the sanctuary and friendly signs will direct you to the sanctuary from the center 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.
White-water rafting:

on the Zaskar and Indus rivers is also organized from Leh. Please be advised that the Indus rafting route from Nimmu towards the Pakistani border has rapids of increasing severity which run along the grades of 4, 4+, and 5; the latter two grades being not for the very faint of heart.
Nubra Valley:

From Leh, you can hire a car and drive over, Kardung-La, to the Nubra Valley. You will need an "Inner-Line Permit”, easily arranged from any of the travel agents in Leh. However, it is better to get it from the office by yourself. Travel agents generally get you permit for the specific places only and can be heavy on your pocket. So, better take the charge by yourself and do it. The Nubra Valley is at the base of the Karakorum Range. Within the valley are the Hundar Sand Dunes, well worth seeing. You can hire a 2-humped Bactrian camel there for 300 rupees and take a ride, great fun!

Nearby Places

Srinagar (420Kms)

It is situated in the Kashmir Valley and lies on the banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of the Indus. The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dry fruits.
Manali (474 Kms)

Manali, lies at an altitude of 2,050 mts in the Beas River Valley, It is a hill station nestled in the mountains of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh near the northern end of the Kullu Valley.