5N/6DLadakhLeh Ladakh Classic
2N Leh · 1N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹18,900
per person
Leh
Ladakh's main town and the base for every trip
- Type
- Town
- Location
- Leh, Ladakh
- Time needed
- 2 to 3 days, split between the start and end of the trip
- Best time to visit
- May to September, when the roads to Nubra and Pangong are open and days are pleasant. Winters are very cold, but flights run all year.
About Leh
Leh sits at about 3,500 m in the Indus valley and is where almost every Ladakh trip begins and ends. Most visitors fly in, so the first day here is a rest day. The body needs time to adjust to the thin air before going higher.
The old town climbs the hill below Leh Palace and the Namgyal Tsemo monastery. Below it is the main bazaar, with shops selling pashmina, Tibetan handicrafts, dry fruits and woollens, along with cafés and bakeries. Changspa, on the edge of town, has guesthouses, Shanti Stupa and quieter lanes lined with poplar and willow trees.
Leh is also the starting point for day trips to Thiksey, Hemis and the Sham valley, and for longer trips over the passes to Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri. Permits for these areas are arranged here. Plan at least two nights in Leh at the start, and one more at the end of the trip.
Things to do at Leh
- Rest on arrival day and take an easy evening walk in the main bazaar
- Visit Leh Palace and walk up to Namgyal Tsemo for views over the town
- Watch the sunset from Shanti Stupa
- Shop for pashmina shawls, Tibetan jewellery, apricots and dry fruits
- Try local food such as thukpa, momos, skyu and butter tea
- Visit the Hall of Fame army museum on the Srinagar road
How to reach Leh
- By air: Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) is about 5 km from the town centre, with direct flights from Delhi and other cities.
- By road: from Manali via the Atal Tunnel, or from Srinagar via Zojila and Kargil. Both take two days and are usually open from around May or June to October.
Tips before you go
- Rest fully for the first 24 to 48 hours, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and smoking until you have acclimatised
- If you have a headache, nausea or breathlessness that does not settle with rest, see a doctor at once.
- Only postpaid mobile connections from other states work in Ladakh, so check with your network before you travel
- Carry cash as a backup. ATMs in Leh can run out in peak season and are few outside town
Packages that cover Leh
5N/6DLadakhView
6N/7DLadakhLeh Ladakh Explorer with Turtuk
2N Leh · 2N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹22,900
per person
8N/9DLadakhKashmir and Ladakh Road Trip
2N Srinagar · 1N Kargil · 2N Leh · 1N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹34,900
per person
Nearby places to visit
Palace · Leh
Leh Palace
A 17th-century royal palace of nine storeys on the hill above Leh's old town, with views over the town and the Stok range.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hoursRead more →Must visit
Stupa · Leh
Shanti Stupa
A white Buddhist stupa on a hilltop in Changspa, built by Japanese monks and inaugurated in 1991. Known for sunset views over Leh and the Stok range.
Time needed: 1 hourRead more →War museum · Leh
Hall of Fame
A museum run by the Indian Army near Leh, honouring soldiers who served in Ladakh, with galleries on the Kargil war and life on the Siachen glacier.
Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hoursRead more →Must visit
Monastery · Thiksey
Thiksey Monastery
A large hilltop monastery near Leh, often compared to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, with a seated Maitreya Buddha statue two storeys high.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hoursRead more →Leh: FAQs
How many days should I stay in Leh before going to Pangong or Nubra?
Spend at least two nights in Leh first. Use the first day only for rest and the second for easy local sightseeing. Go over Khardung La or Chang La only after that.
Is Leh safe for families with children and older people?
Yes, Leh is a safe and friendly town. The main concern is altitude, so older people and anyone with heart or lung conditions should consult a doctor before the trip and rest well on arrival.
Does my prepaid mobile SIM work in Leh?
No. Prepaid connections from outside Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh do not work here. Postpaid connections from major networks usually work in Leh town.