--- title: "Top 10 Things To Do in Leh, India | Wimup" description: "The 10 best things to do in Leh, Ladakh: Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa at dusk, Thiksey's morning prayers, Hemis, Khardung La and a night at Pangong Tso." url: https://wimup.com/city/leh type: City guide updated: 2026-10-12 publisher: Wimup (https://wimup.com) --- # Top 10 Things To Do in Leh Leh, India · Asia · By Wimup Editorial, 14 min read Leh is a town of about 31,000 at 3,500 m, under a nine-storey palace in a valley of the Indus. Everything here is set by the altitude: you rest on arrival, the monasteries are the reason to stay, and the lakes and passes are long days out. ## Quick answer Leh is the main town of Ladakh, a high desert at about 3,500 m in India's far north. Fly in, spend two days doing nothing but acclimatising, then work outward: the palace and Shanti Stupa in town, the Indus monasteries of Thiksey and Hemis, then Khardung La to Nubra and the long road to Pangong Tso. Come between May and September. ## Quick facts - **Best months:** May–Sep - **Ideal length:** 5–7 days - **Budget per day:** ₹2,500–6,000 - **Language:** Ladakhi, Hindi and English - **Getting around:** Taxis from the union stands, on foot in town - **Tourism board:** [↗ Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/ladakh/leh?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## The 10 best things to do in Leh ### 1. Climb through the nine storeys of Leh Palace Palace · Leh Palace, Leh, Ladakh 194101 The Namgyal kings built it on the ridge above town and left for Stok when Dogra forces took Ladakh in the 1830s. The rooms are bare, but the roof gives you the whole valley. Walk up through the old town lanes rather than by road. - **Time:** 1 hr - **Cost:** Entry ticket - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Climb on foot from the old town Links: [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/ladakh/leh/leh-ladakh-in-the-in-the-lap-of-the-himalayas?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 2. Watch the sun set from Shanti Stupa Viewpoint · Shanti Stupa, Changspa, Leh, Ladakh 194101 A white peace pagoda on the hill above Changspa, built by the Japanese monk Gyomyo Nakamura and completed in 1991. The view over Leh to the Stok range is the best in town at dusk. The steps from Changspa are steep, so leave it for day three. - **Time:** 1 hr - **Cost:** Free - **Best at:** Sunset - **Tip:** Take the steps only once acclimatised Links: [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/ladakh/leh/shanti-stupa?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 3. Sit in on morning prayers at Thiksey Monastery · Thiksey Monastery, Thiksey, Leh, Ladakh Thiksey climbs its hill about 19 km from Leh in tiers that recall the Potala in Lhasa, and its morning prayers are open to visitors. The 15 m Maitreya, two storeys high, marks the Dalai Lama's 1970 visit. Arrive early and sit at the back of the hall. - **Time:** 2 hr - **Cost:** Entry ticket - **Best at:** Dawn - **Tip:** Sit quietly at the back Links: [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/ladakh/leh/leh-ladakh-in-the-in-the-lap-of-the-himalayas?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 4. Go to Hemis, the largest monastery in Ladakh Monastery · Hemis Monastery, Hemis, Leh, Ladakh Hemis sits in a side valley about 45 km south-east of Leh and is the largest and richest monastery in Ladakh, of the Drukpa order. Its two-day Tsechu in late June or early July brings the masked cham dances into the courtyard. Pair it with Thiksey on the same road. - **Time:** Half day - **Cost:** Entry ticket - **Best at:** Tsechu festival - **Tip:** Combine with Thiksey and Shey Links: [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/ladakh/leh?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 5. Hike up to Namgyal Tsemo Monastery · Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Tsemo Hill, Leh, Ladakh 194101 The red temple and ruined fort on the crag above the palace are older than the palace below, credited to King Tashi Namgyal. Inside sits a gilded Maitreya three storeys tall. The path is short but steep, so save it for your third day. - **Time:** 1.5 hr - **Cost:** Small donation - **Best at:** Late afternoon - **Tip:** Combine with the palace on the way down ### 6. Walk the old town to the Central Asian Museum Museum · Central Asian Museum, Tsas Soma, Old Town, Leh, Ladakh 194101 The mud-brick lanes below the palace lead to the Tsas Soma garden, where caravans once camped. The museum tower there, opened in 2015, tells Leh's trade story across four floors, from Baltistan, Kashmir, Tibet and Ladakh. - **Time:** 1.5 hr - **Cost:** Entry ticket - **Best at:** Morning - **Tip:** Start at the palace and walk downhill ### 7. Cross Khardung La into the Nubra Valley Pass · Khardung La, Leh, Ladakh The road north climbs to about 5,359 m at Khardung La, then drops into Nubra, with Diskit's 32 m Maitreya and Hunder's dunes and Bactrian camels. Diskit is about 120 km from Leh. Stay a night and do not linger on the pass itself. - **Time:** 2 days - **Cost:** Permit and taxi - **Best at:** June–September - **Tip:** Keep the stop at the top short Links: [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/ladakh/leh/leh-ladakh-in-the-in-the-lap-of-the-himalayas?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 8. Spend a night beside Pangong Tso Lake · Pangong Tso, Spangmik, Leh, Ladakh A 134 km lake at about 4,250 m, roughly two-thirds of it across the line in Chinese-administered territory. The colour changes by the hour. It is 140 to 160 km from Leh over Chang La, so a day trip is mostly driving; stay the night. - **Time:** 2 days - **Cost:** Permit and taxi - **Best at:** Early morning - **Tip:** Sleep at Spangmik, not Leh Links: [Website](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/ladakh/leh/leh-ladakh-in-the-in-the-lap-of-the-himalayas?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ### 9. Read the murals at Alchi Monastery · Alchi Choskor, Alchi, Leh, Ladakh Alchi's temples, about 65 km west of Leh, date from the 11th to 13th centuries and hold some of the oldest surviving murals in Ladakh, Kashmiri in style rather than Tibetan. The complex sits on the valley floor, so no climb. - **Time:** Half day - **Cost:** Entry ticket - **Best at:** Midday - **Tip:** Bring a torch; the halls are dark ### 10. See the Indus meet the Zanskar at Sangam Viewpoint · Sangam viewpoint, Nimmu, Leh, Ladakh West of Leh, the green Indus and the darker Zanskar run side by side before they mix. The viewpoint sits on the Srinagar road, with Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and Magnetic Hill on the way, so one morning covers all three. - **Time:** Half day - **Cost:** Taxi fare - **Best at:** Late morning - **Tip:** Pair it with Pathar Sahib ## Best monasteries in Leh The reason to come. Most sit on the Indus within an hour of town. 1. **Thiksey** (Gelug · about 19 km · Thiksey): Tiered up its hill like a small Potala, with open morning prayers. 2. **Hemis** (Drukpa · about 45 km · Hemis): The largest and richest in Ladakh, and home of the summer Tsechu. 3. **Namgyal Tsemo** (Temple · in town · Tsemo Hill): The red temple on the crag above the palace, with a three-storey Maitreya. 4. **Spituk** (Gelug · by the airport · Spituk): On a rock over the airport, with views of jets landing in the Indus valley. 5. **Shey** (Palace temple · about 15 km · Shey): The old summer palace temple, with a 12 m gilded copper Buddha. 6. **Alchi** (Temple complex · about 65 km · Alchi): Eleventh-century murals in a Kashmiri hand, on the valley floor. 7. **Likir** (Gelug · on the Srinagar road · Likir): A pyramid of whitewashed buildings on the road west, and the monks who keep Alchi. 8. **Lamayuru** (Drikung Kagyu · Srinagar road · Lamayuru): The farthest of the Indus gompas, above eroded slopes known as the Moonland. ## Best lakes & passes in Leh Permit country, and long days. Acclimatise for two nights before any of these. 1. **Pangong Tso** (Lake · over Chang La · Changthang): A 134 km lake at about 4,250 m. Stay the night at Spangmik. 2. **Tso Moriri** (Lake · Rupshu · Korzok): A Ramsar wetland about 240 km by road, with Korzok village on its shore. 3. **Khardung La** (Pass · north of Leh · Khardung): The road to Nubra tops out at about 5,359 m. Stop briefly. 4. **Chang La** (Pass · east of Leh · Changla): The pass on the Pangong road, at about 5,360 m. ## Best restaurants & cafes in Leh Ladakhi and Tibetan cooking, plus bakeries built for trekkers. 1. **Alchi Kitchen** (Ladakhi · Old Town): Modern Ladakhi cooking in an old-town lane: skyu, chhutagi and khambir. 2. **The Tibetan Kitchen** (Tibetan · Fort Road): The long-standing Tibetan room on Fort Road. Order the gyakok hot pot. 3. **Bon Appétit** (Indian and continental · Changspa): Tandoori and continental in a garden off Changspa Road. Book in season. 4. **Gesmo** (Bakery and cafe · Fort Road): A Fort Road bakery for breakfast, thenthuk and apricot cake. ## Best museums & palaces in Leh The Namgyal story, and the trade routes that paid for it. 1. **Leh Palace** (Palace · ASI · Old Town): Nine storeys over the old town, emptied when the court left for Stok. 2. **Stok Palace** (Palace and museum · about 15 km · Stok): Still the royal family's home, with part of it a museum. 3. **Central Asian Museum** (Museum · Tsas Soma): Four floors on the caravan trade in a stone tower, opened 2015. 4. **Hall of Fame** (Museum · Indian Army · Airport Road): The army's museum and war memorial near the airfield. ## Best treks in Leh Leh is the trailhead for Ladakh. Go with a registered local outfitter. 1. **Markha Valley** (Multi-day · May–September · Hemis National Park): The classic: four to nine days through Hemis National Park over Kongmaru La. 2. **Sham Valley** (Easy · village homestays · Sham): Gentle valleys and village homestays west of Leh, at lower altitude. 3. **Snow leopard trek** (Winter · January–March · Hemis National Park): Winter in Hemis National Park, when the cats come down the valleys. ## Best neighborhoods in Leh Leh is small. The choice is between quiet gardens and the bazaar. 1. **Old Town** (Historic quarter · Below the palace): Mud-brick lanes and prayer flags under the palace. 2. **Changspa** (Guesthouses and cafes · North-west): Garden guesthouses and cafes on the way up to Shanti Stupa. 3. **Main Bazaar** (Commercial centre · Central): Shops, banks and taxi offices, with the Jama Masjid at its head. 4. **Fort Road** (Hotels and restaurants · Central): Central and busier, close to the palace and old town. ## Best day trips in Leh Hire a taxi from the union stand and string these together. 1. **Diskit** (About 120 km · overnight · Nubra): Nubra's main monastery and its 32 m Maitreya, over Khardung La. 2. **Hunder** (Nubra · overnight · Nubra): Sand dunes and Bactrian camels a few kilometres past Diskit. 3. **Sangam** (Srinagar road · Nimmu): Where the Indus and the Zanskar meet, two colours side by side. 4. **Gurudwara Pathar Sahib** (Srinagar road · Nimmu road): A Sikh shrine on the Srinagar road, about 25 km out. 5. **Magnetic Hill** (About 27–30 km · Srinagar road): A stretch of road where the slope plays a trick on the eye. ## Festivals & annual events in Leh (2026) - **Spituk Gustor** (Jan): Masked dances at Spituk in the depth of winter. - **Dosmoche** (Feb–Mar): The winter festival of masked dances in Leh, Likir and Diskit. - **Sindhu Darshan** (Jun): Three days on the Indus bank at Shey, about 8 km out. - **Hemis Tsechu** (Jun–Jul): Two days of cham dances in the Hemis courtyard. In 2026, 24 and 25 June. - **Ladakh Festival** (Sep): Archery, polo and monastery dances in Leh and the villages. - **Diskit Gustor** (Oct): Nubra's monastery festival, set by the lunar calendar. - **Thiksey Gustor** (Oct–Nov): The masked dances at Thiksey, as the season closes. - **Losar** (Dec–Jan): Ladakhi New Year, a winter festival held across the region. ## Must-try dishes in Leh, India - **Skyu**: Thumb-sized wheat pasta stewed with root vegetables. - **Chhutagi**: Bow-tie noodles in broth, traditionally a harvest dish. - **Khambir**: A thick, crusty wholewheat bread, eaten at breakfast. - **Butter tea**: Gur gur cha: tea churned with butter and salt. Savoury, not sweet. - **Thukpa**: Noodle soup with vegetables or mutton, on every menu. - **Momos**: Steamed dumplings, vegetable or meat, with chilli sauce. - **Tingmo**: A steamed Tibetan bun served with stew. - **Apricot jam**: Made from chulli, Ladakh's apricot, and spread on khambir. ## Leh transport & airports - **Leh Airport** (IXL): Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, about 3,256 m up and a short taxi ride from town. Flying in means two days of rest before anything strenuous. [Official website](https://www.aai.aero/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - **Manali–Leh road** (ROAD): The highway over four high passes opens in late May or June and closes by November. Buses from Manali take two days with a night at Keylong. [Official website](https://hrtc.hp.gov.in/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - **Srinagar–Leh road** (ROAD): The western route over Zoji La via Kargil climbs more gently, which makes it the better road for acclimatising. - **Taxis** (TAXI): Ladakh has no railway. Excursions run in taxis from the Leh taxi union at its published rates, and the inner valleys need a permit. [Official website](https://ladakh.gov.in/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) ## Leh at a glance - **Country:** India - **Region:** Union Territory of Ladakh, Leh district - **Population:** 30,870 (2011 census) - **Founded:** Capital of the Kingdom of Ladakh - **Nickname:** Gateway to Ladakh - **Language:** Ladakhi, Hindi and English - **Currency:** Indian rupee (INR) - **Time zone:** IST (UTC+5:30) - **Calling code:** +91 - **Airports:** Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (IXL) - **Power:** 230 V, plug types C, D and M - **Emergency:** 112 ## Interesting facts - Ladakh became a union territory, separate from Jammu and Kashmir, on 31 October 2019. - Leh Palace has nine storeys and was emptied when the royal family moved to Stok. - About two-thirds of Pangong Tso lies on the Chinese-administered side of the line. - The airport sits at about 3,256 m, one of the highest commercial airfields in India. - Thiksey's 15 m Maitreya was built to mark the Dalai Lama's visit in 1970. ## Leh travel FAQ ### How many days do you need in Leh? Five to seven. The first two go to acclimatising in town, a third to Thiksey, Shey and Hemis, then two nights in Nubra over Khardung La and one at Pangong Tso. Tso Moriri adds two more. ### How do you avoid altitude sickness in Leh? Fly in and rest for the first 24 to 48 hours, drink plenty of water and climb nothing steep. Leave Khardung La and Pangong until you have slept a few nights in Leh. Descend if headaches or breathlessness get worse. ### Do you need a permit for Nubra and Pangong? Yes. Foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit for Nubra, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri, arranged through a registered agent in Leh. Indian visitors pay an environment fee. The highways from Manali and Srinagar need none. ### When is the best time to visit Leh? May to September, when both highways are open and the passes are clear. July and August are busiest. Winter is bitterly cold and Leh is reached only by air, but it is the season for snow leopard treks. ### Can you drive from Manali to Leh? Yes, from late May or June until about November, over four high passes. Most people take two days with a night at Keylong or Jispa. Arriving by road climbs gradually, but the passes are higher than Leh, so go slowly. ## Nearby guides - [Rishikesh](https://wimup.com/city/rishikesh.md): India · 10 picks - [New Delhi](https://wimup.com/city/new-delhi.md): India · 10 picks - [Jaipur](https://wimup.com/city/jaipur.md): India · 10 picks - [All of Asia →](https://wimup.com/asia): 83 cities Part of the [India guide](https://wimup.com/country/india.md) · [Asia](https://wimup.com/asia.md) ## Sources - [Leh tourism board](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/ladakh/leh?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Climb through the nine storeys of Leh Palace (official site)](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/ladakh/leh/leh-ladakh-in-the-in-the-lap-of-the-himalayas?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Watch the sun set from Shanti Stupa (official site)](https://www.incredibleindia.gov.in/en/ladakh/leh/shanti-stupa?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Leh Airport (official site)](https://www.aai.aero/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Manali–Leh road (official site)](https://hrtc.hp.gov.in/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - [Taxis (official site)](https://ladakh.gov.in/?utm_source=wimup.com&utm_medium=referral) - Rankings are Wimup editorial picks. Prices, durations and budgets are editorial estimates, not live quotes; check the official site before you go.