Things to do in Leh Ladakh

This lake has been one the best highlights of Leh Ladakh. Lake surrounded by mountains with changing colours and has been a part of many Bollywood films like Jab Tak Hai Jaan, 3 Idiots and Dil se. Located at 14,270 feet above sea level, this lake will surely be remembered for good.

This is one of the oldest and grandest monasteries in all of Leh Ladakh. Constructed in 1430 AD on a hilltop, the architecture resembles Potala Palace - the winter palace in Lhasa, Tibet. 

Situated in the Nubra Valley, this monastery is the largest and oldest one in the valley. It is famous for its 32-meter high Maitreya Buddha statue which was inaugurated by The Dalai Lama in 2010. Dosmochey festival is celebrated at Diskit monastery, where people from different villages in the Nubra valley assemble to watch the monks perform mask dance or cham.

This nine storey structure is the pride for the people of Leh. Built in the 17th century on a hill, its unique engineering techniques to erect the walls of the palace and the monsatries still stand tall today. It was later abandoned in the mid 19th century when the Royal Family decided to move to Stok following the invasion of the Dogra Army.

Tso Moriri is located at an altitude of 14,836 feet and is the largest of all altitude lakes that lie within India. The lake and surrounding area are protected as the Tso Moriri Wetland Conservation Reserve.

This white stupa located on a rocky hillock above Changspa was built between 1983 and 1991 by Japanese monks as a symbol of peace and unity. It is said that the relics of the Buddha is placed at the base of Shanti Stupa that was consecrated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama. 

Biking in Ladakh is an ideal opportunity to explore and appreciate rugged mountains, stunning landscapes, captivating Buddhist monasteries and beautiful villages, all with the backdrop of the snowcapped Himalayas.

For all those shopping lovers, the Leh Market has a lot to offer. From its Woollen wear, wood-carved home decor, Pashmina Shawls, ornaments and much more. It is a great place to try some of the best traditional Ladakhi food. 

For the love of wildlife, travellers can spot the Snow Leopard which is a rare animal. It is the home for more than 200 snow Leopards which can be spotted only during winters. The largest national park in South Asia is home to 16 different species of mammals and 73 of birds from Asiatic ibex, Tibetan Wolf, Eurasian Brown Bear and Red Fox. 

The best places to enjoy river rafting in Ladakh are its two popular rivers - Indus and Zanskar that have rapid grades ranging from I to V. However, most of the stretches of these rivers have Grades I to III. The rapid range in Ladakh indicates that the adventure of river rafting can be enjoyed by beginners as well as experienced ones. 

A revered place of worship for the Sikhs, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a testimony to the presence of Guru Nanak Dev in Ladakh during 1517-18. It is popularly believed that during 1515-18 when Guru Nanak was returning to Punjab via Srinagar, after travelling to Sikkim, Nepal and Tibet, he had rested at this place.

Hall of Fame is dedicated in the memory of the brave Indian soldiers. This historic establishment is a museum that was built by the Indian Army to commemorate the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers while defending their motherland during Indo-Pak war.

These places should give you a head start as to what can be done at Leh Ladakh. Leh is so much more than this list and should be explored to its maximum. Their history and culture is meant to be seen and their food has flavours like no other. It’s time to take that break which you always wanted and set out for a trip that will truly be a life changing experience.