Ladakh feels like another world: whitewashed gompas on rocky hills, Pangong Tso’s shifting blues, and the Nubra Valley’s dunes and camels. It’s at its best in summer, when the rest of India is hot or wet.
Highlights
- Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and Leh market
- Thiksey, Hemis and Diskit monasteries
- Pangong Tso lake
- Nubra Valley via Khardung La
- Tso Moriri (offbeat)
- Magnetic Hill and the Indus-Zanskar confluence
What to eat
- Thukpa and momos
- Skyu (Ladakhi pasta stew)
- Butter tea
- Apricots
Where to stay
Leh town for the first days; homestays and camps in Nubra and at Pangong.
Getting there
Fly into Leh year-round, or drive in summer from Manali or Srinagar (2 days; roads usually open from about May/June to October).
Tips
- Rest at least 36-48 hours in Leh to acclimatise before going higher: altitude sickness is real.
- Permits are needed for Nubra, Pangong and other protected areas; apply online or via your hotel.
- Carry cash: ATMs are limited outside Leh.
Best time to visit
May-Sep. See what else is good in May and our best time to visit India guide.
Places to see in and around Leh & Ladakh
22 places within 40 km. Tap I’ve been to add them to your India passport.
- Khardung La Mountain pass, 14 km
- Hemis National Park National park, 23 km
- Leh Palace Palace, 2 km
- Changla Pass Mountain pass, 34 km
- Shanti Stupa Monastery, 3 km
- Chadar Trek (Zanskar) trek Trek, 38 km
- Thikse Monastery Fort, 13 km
- Alchi Monastery Fort, 38 km
- Hemis Monastery Fort, 29 km
- Likir Monastery Fort, 40 km
- Chemrey Monastery Monastery, 29 km
- Takthok Monastery Fort, 27 km
- Matho Monastery Fort, 17 km
- Phyang Monastery Fort, 9 km
- Sankar Monastery Fort, 3 km
- Basgo Monastery Fort, 29 km
- Namgyal Tsemo Monastery Fort, 2 km
- Stok Monastery Fort, 10 km
- Stakna Monastery Fort, 19 km
- Shey Monastery Fort, 10 km
- Ganda La Mountain pass, 23 km
- Old Castle at Tsemo Hill Fort, 2 km
Food to try in and around Leh & Ladakh
Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh favourites to look out for.
- Wazwan
- Rajma
- Kalari cheese
- Khatta meat
- Ambal
- Rajma kulcha
- Patisa
- Dahi bhalla
- Thukpa
- Skyu
- Gurgur cha
- Ramban Sulai Honey GI: speciality
The full food passport, state by state.
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Manali
A Himalayan resort town for snow, apple orchards, adventure sports and the gateway to Lahaul, Spiti and Ladakh.
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