Explore Leh

Many unique and staggering places to visit in Leh bring an opportune chance to plan a tropical vacation and explore the contrasting landscape along with an array of different sites.

Leh Town

Leh is the capital of Ladakh with a population of 30,000. The town is situated at 3,500 meters above sea level in the Indus valley, nestled in the Indian Himalayas between Tibet to the east, Kashmir to the west and Himachal Pradesh to the south. Leh is accessible by road between April and November from Manali and Srinagar, crossing some of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world. Leh also has a small airport with daily flights to Delhi& Srinagar . There are many hotels, restaurants, and shops, most of the places of interest are within a short walking distance and it is easy to get around the town on foot.

Hall of Fame

This museum located beside the airport honors the Indian Army and its role in the region. It provides information about the various battles fought with Pakistan during the twentieth century such as the military conflicts on the Siachen glacier, the highest and coldest battlefield in the world where both countries have approximately 2,500 armed forces personnel permanently deployed at an altitude of 6,000 meters. The museum also has a few rooms dedicated to Ladakhi culture, history and nature.

Leh Palace

Leh Palace is an imposing nine-storey building overlooking the old town. It was built during the first half of the seventeenth century by the king Sengge Namgyal. The palace was inhabited by the royal family until 1836 when it was besieged by the Droga forces and the royal family relocated to Stok Palace, 20 kilometres south of Leh. The Archaeological Survey of India has been working on the restoration, a few rooms have furniture, and the palace museum comprises a good collection of objects including jewelers and paintings. The palace’s roof offers a good viewpoint of the town below.

Gompa Soma

This temple was built in the middle of the last century, it is located next to the Main Bazar in a large and peaceful courtyard. It is accessed through a small gate just opposite of the State Bank of India building. Gompa Soma has a golden triple roof strung with hundreds of prayer flags and it houses several finely decorated statues. There are dozens of prayers wheels all around the building as well as a large prayer wheel in a room on the right side. The Ladakh Buddhist Association headquarters are also located within this complex.

Namgyal Tsemo Gompa

This mud-brick Buddhist monastery built during the fifteenth century is located 150 meters above the Old Town at the summit of Namgyal peak (the Victory peak). Namgyal Tsemo Gompa is a famous landmark of Leh, and it is visible from anywhere in town. A steep trail goes from the Leh Palace to the monastery from where the view on the valley is spectacular. The temple contains an 8-metre-tall statue of Maitreyan Buddha (also known as the Future Buddha).

Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa is a large white stupa dominating the town of Leh. It was built on a rocky hillock by Japanese monks and was inaugurated by the fourteenth Dalai Lama in 1991. The stupa was designed to symbolize world peace and harmony and to celebrate the 2,500 years of Buddhism. It has two levels decorated with colorful carvings and paintings depicting scenes from the life of Buddha. Shanti Stupa can be accessed by a 100-metre-high stairway starting from Changspa. The stupa offers one of the best viewpoints in Leh, the panorama at sunset should not be missed.