Leh
Photo: Vyacheslav Argenberg (CC BY 4.0)Ladakh's main town and base at about 3,500 m: Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, the old town and Main Bazaar, and the starting point for every circuit.
Base for all of Ladakh. Spend the first two days resting and walking gently, then do day trips to the Indus valley monasteries before Nubra, Pangong or Tso Moriri.
November: Cold, many places close
When to go
Things to do
- Rest and acclimatise for 48 hours: Day 1 complete rest, day 2 short walks in town (Ladakh Tourism advisory).
- Climb to Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo: Rooftop views over the old town.
- Sunset at Shanti Stupa: About 500 steps from Changspa.
- Indus valley monastery day trip: Shey, Thiksey and Hemis in one day.
- Visit the Hall of Fame, Pathar Sahib and Magnetic Hill: West along the Srinagar road to the Indus-Zanskar confluence.
- Shop in Main Bazaar: Pashmina, thangkas and dried apricots.
- Eat Ladakhi food: Skyu, chhutagi and khambir at Alchi Kitchen or Gesmo.
- Climb to the palace roof for views over Leh: Videography needs permission.
- Walk up the 500 steps at sunset
Top sights
Chang La
High pass on the Leh-Pangong road via Karu and Tangtse.
Leh Palace
Nine-storey 17th-century royal palace of the Namgyal kings above Leh's old town, with rooftop views over the town.
Shanti Stupa
White Japanese-built peace stupa (1991) on Changspa hill with sweeping views of Leh.
Namgyal Tsemo Gompa
Red gompa (1430) and ruined fort on Tsemo hill above Leh Palace, best at morning puja.
Hall of Fame
Indian Army museum on the Leh-Kargil road on Ladakh's wars, Siachen and local culture.
Phyang Monastery
16th-century red-and-white monastery near Leh, venue of the Phyang Tsedup festival.
Jama Masjid Leh
Historic mosque in Leh Main Bazaar from the late 17th century.
Namgyal Tsemo Gompa
Above the Palace, built 1430.
Old Castle at Tsemo Hill
Castle in Leh, India
Lungalacha La
mountain pass
Taglang La
mountain pass
Central Asian Museum
Nature and outdoors
Tso Kar
Salt lake on the alternate Leh-Tso Moriri road via Tanglang La, in Changthang.
Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary
High plateau sanctuary in eastern Ladakh that includes the Hanle Dark Sky Reserve.
Memorial Park
Donkey Sanctuary
Just off the road leading to Khardung-La. The public is encouraged to visit the sanctuary and friendly signs will direct you to the sanctuary from the centre 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
Where to eat
Gesmo Restaurant
Long-running Fort Road cafe-restaurant known for sandwiches, momos, yak cheese pizza and Ladakhi thali.
Chopsticks Noodle Bar
Pan-Asian noodle bar on Fort Road for stir-fries, noodles and Thai curries.
The Tibetan Kitchen
Tibetan restaurant on Fort Road for thukpa, momos, tingmo and the gyakok hot pot.
Alchi Kitchen (Leh)
Ladakhi restaurant serving skyu, chhutagi and khambir in a modern style; branch of the Alchi original.
Summer Harvest
Fort Road restaurant for Tibetan, Kashmiri and Indian comfort food.
Bon Appetit
Garden restaurant off Changspa Road with continental, Mediterranean and tandoori dishes.
Wonderland Restaurant
Changspa Road restaurant and coffee house with Tibetan, Indian and cafe food.
Il Forno
Rooftop wood-fired pizza place in Main Bazaar.
Lamayuru Restaurant
Busy Fort Road restaurant serving Tibetan-Ladakhi, Indian and Israeli dishes.
Penguin Garden Restaurant
Garden restaurant off Fort Road with mixed Indian, Chinese and continental food.
Tenzin Dickey Restaurant
Small family-run Tibetan-Ladakhi place for budget momos, thukpa and tingmo.
Neha Snacks
Pure-veg Main Bazaar eatery for North and South Indian thalis, dosas and snacks.
Shopping
Nearby
Other destinations close to Leh.