Quick answer
The core Ladakh trip is Leh's palace and monasteries, Khardung La and the Nubra Valley dunes, and a night at Pangong Tso. Add Thiksey and Hemis monasteries, the Indus–Zanskar confluence and a rafting run. With more time, go to Tso Moriri or Turtuk. Spend your first two days in Leh doing very little.
14 things worth your time in Ladakh
- 01
Leh Palace
LandmarkA nine-storey 17th-century palace above the old town, with views over Leh to the Stok range.
1 hourSmall ASI entry fee for IndiansGo late afternoon on day two, once you have rested; the climb is short but steep.
- 02
Shanti Stupa
LandmarkWhite stupa completed in 1991 above Changspa, the classic sunset viewpoint over Leh.
1 hourFreeDrive up rather than climbing the steps on your first day.
- 03
Thiksey Monastery
LandmarkA hilltop monastery 19 km from Leh, with a two-storey Maitreya statue and the best morning prayers to watch.
1.5 hoursAbout ₹50–100Arrive for the 6 am puja; monks welcome quiet visitors.
- 04
Hemis Monastery
LandmarkLadakh's wealthiest monastery, 45 km south of Leh, and the venue of the Hemis Tsechu festival.
2 hoursAbout ₹100–150 including the museumCombine with Shey and Thiksey on the same day.
- 05
Khardung La
ExperienceA pass signposted at 5,602 m (closer to 5,360 m by modern surveys) on the road to Nubra.
Half day, en route to NubraFree; Nubra fees applyStay no more than 15–20 minutes at the top.
- 06
Diskit Monastery and Maitreya Buddha
LandmarkNubra's oldest monastery and a 32 m Maitreya statue looking down the Shyok valley.
1.5 hoursSmall entry feeVisit late afternoon for soft light on the statue.
- 07
Hunder dunes and Bactrian camels
ExperienceCold-desert dunes at about 3,100 m with double-humped camels, a sight unique to Nubra in India.
2 hoursCamel ride roughly ₹400–800Short rides are enough; the walk across the dunes at sunset is better.
- 08
Turtuk
Day tripA Balti village about 80 km beyond Hunder, opened to tourists in 2010, with apricot orchards and stone houses.
Full day from HunderFreeLeave Hunder by 8 am; it is a 2.5–3 hour drive each way.
- 09
Pangong Tso
NatureA brackish lake at about 4,250 m, roughly 134 km long, most of it on the Tibetan side, shifting colour through the day.
1–2 daysFree; environment fee appliesSleep there only after at least three nights acclimatising in Leh or Nubra.
- 10
Tso Moriri
NatureA high lake at about 4,520 m on the Changthang plateau, quieter than Pangong, with nomad camps and wildlife.
2 daysFree; environment fee appliesFacilities at Korzok are basic; carry warm layers and snacks.
- 11
Sangam and Indus rafting
ExperienceThe confluence of the Indus and Zanskar near Nimmu, where the two rivers run side by side in different colours.
Half dayRafting about ₹1,500–3,000Rafting runs roughly June to September. Book with operators licensed by Ladakh tourism.
- 12
Hall of Fame, Pathar Sahib and Magnetic Hill
LandmarkThe Army's museum on Ladakh's wars, a gurudwara linked to Guru Nanak and the famous optical-illusion slope on the Srinagar road.
Half daySmall fee at the Hall of Fame; others freeA good gentle outing for acclimatisation day two or three.
- 13
Leh old town and main bazaar
ShoppingMud-brick lanes below the palace, the LAMO arts centre and shops for apricots, pashmina and Tibetan crafts.
2–3 hoursFreeWalk slowly on day one; it is the ideal low-effort first outing.
- 14
Alchi and Lamayuru
Day tripAlchi's 11th-century murals and Lamayuru's eroded moonland landscape on the Srinagar highway.
Full daySmall monastery feesLeave by 7 am; Lamayuru is about 125 km from Leh.
How should you plan your days in Ladakh?
Ladakh is big and high, and distances are slow. Leh to Hunder in Nubra is about 125 km and 4–5 hours over Khardung La. Nubra to Pangong via Shyok takes 6–7 hours, and Pangong to Leh is about 160 km, around 5 hours via Chang La. A sensible first trip is three nights in Leh, one in Nubra and one at Pangong, then a last night in Leh.
How do you get there from Delhi?
- Flight: about 1 hour 20 minutes to Leh (IXL). Most flights land before noon because afternoon winds make operations difficult.
- Road via Srinagar: about 420 km over Zojila, two days with a night in Kargil.
- Road via Manali: about 430 km over several high passes, two days with a night at Jispa or Sarchu. Harder going, but you adjust to altitude gradually.
Do you need permits?
Indian citizens need no permit for Leh. For Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Turtuk and Hanle you register online on the LAHDC Leh portal and pay an environment fee plus a daily wildlife fee, roughly ₹500–700 per person for a week. Carry printouts and ID for the checkposts.
How do you handle the altitude?
Leh is at about 3,500 m. Rest for 36–48 hours on arrival, drink 3–4 litres of water a day, skip alcohol and leave Khardung La and Pangong until at least day three. Ask your doctor about acetazolamide before the trip.
Rented oxygen cans are a comfort, not a cure. If a headache worsens or you feel breathless at rest, descend and see a doctor at SNM Hospital in Leh.
Time it with the best time to visit Ladakh, budget with Ladakh trip cost, choose a base from where to stay in Ladakh and see what to eat in Ladakh. Prefer a quieter high desert? Read things to do in Spiti Valley.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are enough for Ladakh?
Can you visit Pangong and Nubra in one trip?
Is Ladakh suitable for senior citizens and children?
Can I rent a bike or self-drive in Ladakh?
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
