Ladakh Tourism: 7 Must-Visit Gems of Leh Ladakh

Leh Ladakh is a mountainous abode with decades old monasteries, stupas, and bewitching lakes.  The iconic tourist attractions are merely for recreation, they narrate the age-old history and heritage of this place. The union territory is located in the northern part of India and sits at an elevation of  3,520 meters (11,550 feet). The very name of Ladakh means “the land of high passes” and boasts the world’s highest drivable motorable road Umling La. 

If you are planning to visit Ladakh anytime soon, there are certain places that you must definitely add to your itinerary. Scroll down and learn more about the must-visit gems of Leh Ladakh. 

Top 7 Must-Visit Gems of Leh Ladakh for First Time Travellers 

Table of Contents:

1. Leh Palace 

2. Shanti Stupa 

3. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib 

4. Spituk Gompa

5. Tso Moriri 

6. Magnetic Hill 

7. Pangong Lake

1. Leh Palace 

An edifice with a deep royal history that stood the test of time, Leh Palace is a glorious symbol of Namgyal. Established in 1600, Leh Palace is an iconic landmark and a must-visit tourist attraction in Leh Ladakh. Also known as 'Lhachen Palkhar', Leh palace was built by King the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal. 

There is a striking resemblance between Leh Palace and the Potala Palace in Lhasa. This massive nine-storey palace perched on a hilltop overlooking the beautiful and captivating view of Leh city. There is also a massive statue of Lord Buddha at the back of the palace that one must go to. The architecture of the palace may seem simple, but the views are supremely stunning. The ideal time to visit Leh Palace remains between March to August. 

• Location: Namgyal Hill Leh Jammu and Kashmir, 194101
• Opening Hours: 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM 
• Entry Fee: INR 20 for Indian Nationals and INR 100 for Foreign Nationals
• Suggest Time: 3 hours (for entire palace) 

2. Shanti Stupa 

If you have ever felt overwhelmed by emotions and vague thoughts on your Ladakh trip, remember this is the land of monasteries. Visit a gompa, stupa or a monastery and feel the instant wave of peace and palpable spirituality washing over you. This stupa was built by a Japanese Buddhist monk Gyomyo Nakamura in 1991. This is a revered site as the base of Shanti Stupa holds the relics of Buddha. The resplendent statue of Gautama Buddha in golden colour is breathtaking and so is the Dharmachakra. One has to take 500 steps to reach the summit. The weeping views one gets from the  top are unparalleled and makes it one of the best spiritual places to visit in Ladakh. 

• Location: Shanti Stupa Road, Chanspa, Leh district, Ladakh. 
• Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM 
• Entry Fee: No entry fee 
• Suggested Time: 1-2 hours

3. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib 

The holy and pious Gurudwara or the Sikh temple was established in the memory of Guru Nanak Dev ji, the founding Guru of Sikh faith. It is believed that during his lifetime, Guru Nanak ji visited several places along with areas near Tibet. The local people saw and revered him as a Buddhist saint and under the name of Guru Gompka Maharaj. This Gurudwara is near Kargil, hence the Indian Army takes care of it. The Army personnel, irrespective of their faith, serve tea and langar to the visitors. Inside the gurudwara, a stone carrying an impression of a mediating saint is kept at the centre. People of all faiths visit the holy shrine and seek blessings at Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. 

• Location: Leh-Kargil road, 18 kms from Leh
• Opening Hours: 04:15 AM to 8:30 PM 
• Entry Fee: No entry fee
• Suggested time: 1 to 2 hours

4. Spituk Gompa

Step into the world of divinity and peace by visiting Spituk Gompa in Leh. It is one of the holiest places to visit in Leh. This holy site was  founded by Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od, when he came to Maryul in the 11th century. The monastery got its name from the prediction that was made by Lotsewa (translator) Rinchen Zangpo. He said that an exemplary (Spituk) religious community will stand up here, hence the name Spituk. 

Like many other gompas, Spituk Gompa is also perched on a hilltop and you have to climb several steps to get to the top. If you’re wondering how to reach Spituk monastery, the ebay way is to hire a can or a rental bike and travel 8 km from Leh. Currently, this monastery is home to at least 100 monks. Highlights of the monastery include a museum and a massive statue of Kali. 

• Location: Spituk Gompa, Leh, Ladakh 194101
• Opening Hours: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM 
• Entry Fee: INR 30 per person
• Suggested Time: 1 to 2 hours 

5. Tso Moriri 

Located in the Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary, Tso Moriri is a beautiful lake to visit in Leh Ladakh. It is not just a tourist attraction, but also a Ramsar Wetland Site and the largest high-altitude lake in the Himalayan region. Also known as the Mountain Lake, the backdrop of the lake is adorned with snow-capped hills. The crisp fresh air that gently blows refreshes one's mind. It’s an incredible place to go for camping or star gazing at night. There is no entrance fee or ticket to go and see Tso Moriri. But you have to take an Inner Line Permit (ILP) that costs around INR 450. 

• Elevation of Tso Moriri: 4,522 m (14,836 ft)
• Area: 120 km²
• Length: 19 km

6. Magnetic Hill 

Want to visit a place that will both surprise and delight you? Head to the Magnetic Hill or it will pull your vehicle upwards. You have to visit this place to actually believe it. As the name suggests, an enigmatic force emanates from the hill that pulls the stationary vehicles/objects upwards. It’s as though the magnetic waves from the hill defy gravity. Its mysteries still shock scientists, bikers and locals. 

Location: Leh district, Ladakh 

7. Pangong Lake

One cannot complete their Leh Ladakh tour without visiting the famous Panging Lake. The Lake is near the Indo-China border, hence an inner line of permit is required to visit it. The famous Pangong Lake was also featured in the 2009 Bollywood film, 3 Idiots, and has gained all the more attention ever since. The scenic beauty and crystal clear waters of the lake are simply breathtaking to look at. Needless to say, it’s also a favourite destination of campers. You too, can  pitch your tent around the lake, enjoy a barbeque and also do  some star gazing at night. It would be a surreal experience. 

This wraps up the seven must-visit gems of a Leh Ladakh trip. You can cover all the above places by buying a 6 to 7 day Leh Ladakah travel package. Talk to your tour operator regarding arrangement of ILPs and have a fulfilling trip to Ladkah with friends and family.