Snow-capped, majestic mountains, vast sand dunes, low-hanging clouds, and pristine lakes and rivers – Leh Ladakh in North India offers views that would leave you spellbound! With stunning natural beauty, adventure, and culture, there is so much to do in this region! Here are the best things to do in Leh Ladakh!
1. Visit the monasteries and stupas
Leh Ladakh is primarily inhabited by Buddhists, and you must visit at least one monastery while you are here. The Diskit Monastery is one of the most popular in the region. Built in the 14th century, it is one of the largest and oldest monasteries in the region. Lamayuru Monastery, also known as Moonland Monastery, is a unique place, with a landscape that looks like the surface of the moon! The Thiksey Monastery, Spituk Gompa, Shanti Stupa, Shey Monastery, and Hemis Monastery are a few other places you should visit for a spiritual experience.
2. Go on a trek
Leh Ladakh has some of the best albeit difficult treks in India. The Chadar Trek covers the Zanskar River, which is frozen in February, the best month for the trek. Around 62 km long, the trek takes about 8 to 10 days to finish.
The Stok Kangri peak is one of the highest trekking peaks in the world, at a height of 6153 meters! This is a challenging trek for experienced trekkers, and is definitely not for the faint-hearted or amateur trekkers.
Some other amazing treks in Leh Ladakh include the Nubra Valley Trek, Markha Valley Trek, Sham Valley Trek, and Snow Leopard Trek.
3. Ride the highest motorable road
If you are a biking enthusiast, this thing should definitely be on your list of things to do in Leh Ladakh. Khardung La Pass in Ladakh is the highest motorable road in the world, at a height of approximately 18300 feet! Accessing this road will give you a feeling of achievement, but keep in mind – this road is not for amateurs. Located at a high altitude, the weather conditions are harsh and oxygen supply is low.
Khardung La Pass
4. Enjoy adventure activities
For an adrenaline rush combined with stunning natural beauty, go rafting in the Zanskar River, known as the “Grand Canyon of India”. While this river is frozen in the winter, the summer season makes it perfect for river rafting.
Another thrilling experience is cycling or motor biking across the diverse terrain of the region. This activity is for experienced riders. You can also ride a quad bike across the sand dunes of Nubra Valley, or go on a jeep safari through the mountain passes and valleys.
Paragliding is another popular adventure activity, with a magical bird’s-eye view of the Ladakhi landscape.
5. Visit the magical Magnetic Hill
Located around 30 km from Leh, Magnetic Hill is believed to have anti-gravitational magnetic abilities, or maybe it is just an optical illusion. Either way, if you put your car in neutral gear, you can watch it go uphill by itself! Situated at an altitude of 14000 feet, this spot is a fun mystery for travelers!
Magnetic Hill (Picture credits: TOI)
6. Spot a snow leopard
The Hemis National Park in Ladakh is home to the elusive snow leopard, the ghost of the Himalayas. Apart from the 200 snow leopards in the park, you may also find Tibetan wolves, Eurasian brown bears, other wildlife, and more than 70 species of birds!
Rich in flora and fauna, the Hemis National Park is definitely worth visiting.
7. Visit the beautiful lakes and rivers
One of the most popular places in Leh, Pangong Lake is a stunning blue lake with pleasant climate and natural beauty all around. Tso Moriri is a serene lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains and mesmerizing views, perfect for nature lovers. These lakes are also great places for camping in the region.
You can also see the confluence of two rivers as the muddy brown Zanskar river merges with the blue-green Indus river, a breathtaking view of nature’s painting.
8. Explore Leh Palace
The Leh Palace is a nine-storied structure that beautifully showcases the history of Ladakh through ancient murals and artefacts. A fine example of Tibetan architecture, the palace offers beautiful views of the town of Leh and Zanskar Valley.
9. Enjoy a camel ride or yak safari
A camel ride in India is common, but a two-humped camel ride, not so much! Explore the sand dunes of Nubra Valley while riding a Bactrian camel, known for its two humps.
One of the most unique experiences you can have in Ladakh is a yak safari. Yaks are found in very few places in the world, and a yak safari is even rarer.
10. Stargazing
Ladakh is one of the best places in India for night camping and stargazing. Witness the mesmerizing Milky Way belt as you camp under the starry sky in Nubra Valley or near Pangong Lake or Tso Moriri. It is a surreal experience and if you are in Leh Ladakh, you should not miss it.
Read more: Best time to visit Leh Ladakh
11. Indulge in the local cuisine
Ladakhi cuisine is simple and hearty with heavy Tibetan influences. Try street food like momos (stuffed dumplings), thukpa (noodle soup), chhurpi (yak cheese), sky (wheat dough stew), tingmo (Tibetan bread), and butter tea (a traditional Ladakhi beverage made using yak butter, salt, and milk). If you love sweets, definitely try the apricot jam, made with locally grown fruits.
Butter tea (Picture credits: TOI)
12. Go shopping
Explore the local markets of Leh Ladakh and shop for souvenirs to take back home. The Main Bazaar in Leh and Moti Bazaar in Ladakh offer a variety of local products like Pashmina shawls, carpets, jewelry, Tibetan handicrafts, prayer wheels, and more.
13. Attend the festivals
Leh Ladakh has some vibrant local festivals celebrated according to the Buddhist calendar. These festivals are a glimpse into the culture of Ladakh and are worth experiencing if you are in the region.
The Hemis Festival is celebrated in June or July, the Losar Festival is usually celebrated in February, while the Ladakh Festival is held in September. These festivals include processions, parades, masked costumes, and dance performances, a cultural extravaganza like no other.
So, when will you be visiting Leh Ladakh to enjoy these experiences? Let us know! At India Someday, we curate personalized trips to India for you based on your requirements and preferences. Contact us and together we can plan the perfect trip to India for you!
Frequently Asked Questions
You need at least 10 days to fully experience the beauty and adventure that Leh Ladakh offers.
Leh Ladakh is a high-altitude cold desert with a Tibetan Buddhist culture, magnificent natural beauty, and thrilling adventure activities.
The best time to visit Leh Ladakh is from May to September, specifically June to August. However, if you want to go on a winter trek, February is the best time to visit.
About Aishwarya Shete
Aishwarya Shete is a content writer at India Someday. Her passions are writing, photography, and more importantly, food. She hopes to travel the world someday and document it through her pictures and words.
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