1. Pangong Lake
Remember the lake from the movie 3 idiots? well, that is the Pangong Tso lake in Leh Ladakh. The view with the crystal blue water of the lake and surrounding landscape of bare mountains peak.
In winters the lake freezes and the people there organise skating festivals. It is also ground for migratory birds and camping around the lake also quite famous.
2. Magnetic Hill
Magnetic hill famously known for its gravity-defying illusion gives you an experience of a lifetime. The layout of the area surrounding the slopes creates the appearance of a hill. The hill road is actually a downhill road. Objects and cars on the road may appear to roll uphill appears to be defying the gravity when they are, in fact, rolling downhill.
Other may tend to have different theories but this is the actual fact about that hill
3. Royal leh Palace
Leh Town is the Leh district headquarter and the largest town of Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir State. It is situated about 6 km from of river Indus. The town lies about 3505 m above sea level. Leh Palace is a legacy of ladhahi's wars with Kashmir rulers in the 19th century. A miniature version of Potala Palace of Lhasa(Tibet) and is the highest building in the world of his own times. The construction of the nine-storied palace on the Tsemo hill initiated by Tsewang Namgyal, founder of the Namgyal Dynasty (A.D. 1533-1834) in A.D. 1551 and completed by Twesang's nephew, Senge Namgyal, the most illustrious King of Ladakh.
4. Shanti Stupa
The Strikingly white structure of Shanti Stupa and its dome is one of the most magnificent Tibetan structure of leh Ladakh ever built. Shanti Stupa was constructed in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist, Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The construction was jointly done by Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhist to mark the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote world peace. Facing towards the Leh Palace, the stupe overlooks the city and provide a panoramic view of the city which the tourist love to visit.
5. Hall of Fame Museum
The hall of fame is built in the memory of the soldiers that laid down their lives in the Indo-Pak war of Kargil and Siachen Glacier. The museum is situated 4 km away from leh on the leh-Kargil road(approachable by car). The Museum is maintained by the Indian army and contains seized arms and ammunition and biographies of the brave soldiers and other objects related to the war. Apart from these ones can also witness the native culture of Ladakhi people like history, vegetation, and wildlife found in that area.
6. Pathar Sahib Gurudwara
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a beautiful Gurudwara constructed in the memory of Guru Nanak, about 25 miles away from Leh, on Leh-Kargil road. The Gurudwara was built in 1517 to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanak Dev to Ladakh, the founder of the Sikh Faith.
According to the local legends, once a wicked demon who terrorized the local people and they prayed to the Almighty for help. It is said that Guru Nanak Heard their woes and came to rescue them. When Guru Nanak was meditating and the demon saw him, he wanted to kill him by pushing the large boulder (pathar) from the top of the hill. The boulder gained speed as it rumbled down the hill, but when it touched Guru's body, it softened like warm wax and came to halt against the Guru Nanak's back. The Guru kept meditating unhurt and undisturbed. Thinking that the Guru has been killed, the demon came down and was taken aback to see Guru still alive and meditating. In anger, he tried to push the boulder with his right foot, but the Boulder was still soft and his foot got embedded in it. Pulling his foot the demon was dumbfounded to see his foot impression on the stone. After realising the powerlessness in comparison, he fell at the feet of Guru Nanak Dev and begged for forgiveness. Guru Nanak forgave him and advised him to lead a noble life.
The pathar is presented on the display in Gurudwara Pathar Sahib. It is said that the local Lamas had held that pathar sacred and offered prayers to it.
7. Nubra Valley
If you like the true splendour of nature then you must visit the Nubra Valley of Leh Ladakh. Nubra Valley is embellished with the water of the Nubra and Shyok rivers flowing through it and some beautiful monasteries coloured with rich shades of gold, red, etc. This valley is also known as the valley of flowers and filled with rich varieties of apple orchards and other colourful flowers. It is also known for its a scenic view of sand dunes of the cold desert. This place is a tourist attraction for its two-humped camels.
8. Kargil
Famous for the very known Kargil War, Kargil is a town situated near the LOC (line of control), It is the second largest town of Ladakh region. The Kargil war memorial was built in the memory of the soldiers that laid down their lives in the Kargil War in 1999 with the Pakitan. You can find soldiers names engraved on the huge sandstone wall.
Kargil is not only about the war and memorial as it is situated on the banks of the Indus river it also offers a variety of adventurous sports like River rafting, trekking, mountaineering, archery, hiking, jeep safari and camping.
9. Moonland (Lamayuru)
Lamayuru is a peculiar landscape in Ladakh, it is famous for its moon-like topography and craggy terrain which inspires photographers to capture the amazing photos in their cameras. Lamayuru also has the oldest monastery in Ladakh, The Lamayuru Monastery. It is also said that on full moon night, the area is an extraordinary sight to behold, something that one doesn't get to see every day, making it a must visit the area in your trip.
10. Khardung La Pass
Maintained by the BRO (border roads organisation), this pass in the Ladakh region is claimed to be the highest motorable road in the world. its unique terrain makes it a hotspot for mountain biking expeditions. Its also the most difficult and dangerous road to drive on as heavy rock falling, melting snow, mud and craters makes it a nightmare for the drivers.
11. Hemis National Park
Hemis National Park has the distinction of being the Highest and the largest National park of south Asia. It is the habitat place of endangered species of snow leopard, Asiatic Ibex, Tibetan Wolf and The Red fox. It is also one of the most scenic parks which have 73 registered bird species residing in this place, it tends to be the tempting landscape of forest and nature.
12. Sangam Point
You'll be delighted to know that place like Sangam point exists in Leh, it is the most scenic point for photographs and natural beauty. The Sangam meaning the fusion of two rivers of Leh that are Zanskar and Indus. The Zanskar is brownish in colour whereas the Indus is clear blue. When the two fuses the view is truly majestic. This point falls on NH1 so you need to take different roads from Leh to reach this point.
13. Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery is a Buddhist Monastery in Hemis, Ladakh. It is located around 45 km south of Leh, the monastery was built by the Ladakhi King Sengge Namgyal. It is listed in the world heritage site of UNESCO. Surrounded by green hills, high mountains and banks of river Indus, it looks both impressive and intriguing. it is also the biggest and the most popular monastery in the region making it the major tourist attraction.
14. Alchi Monastery
If you are touring to Leh then you must visit this place as it is the oldest parts of the monastic complex and is administered by the Likir Monastery. this place is a treasure for a person seeking peace on life.
The Monastery comprises of three shrines in total one is Dukhang, the Sum Tsek and the Temple of Manjushri and each one of them has a story to tell. It is also one of the lesser known places to the tourists.
15. Shey Monastery
Shey monastery is situated in Shey Palace which is 15 km south of Leh and it is also one of the popular monasteries of Leh. It is believed to be built in the 1800s by Deldon Namgya, in the memory of his father, Singay Namgyal. This place is known for its copper-gold gilded statue of Buddha. This statue is reckoned to be the second largest statue in Ladakh.
16. Diskit Gompa
Diskit Gompa is the 32-meter tall statue of Maitreya Buddha facing the Shyok river. This was recently built with 8 kg gold donated by Dalai Lama on 24 July 2010. It is said that this statue is to protect villagers from the war and the symbol of peace. This statue is situated near the Diskit Monastery which is the largest and oldest monastery of the Nubra valley.
17. Stok Palace
Located in the Stok village 15 km from Leh lies the Stok Palace which was established in 1820 and was the summer home of the Royal family of Ladakh and descendants of King Sengge Namgyal. It was established by King Tsepal Namgyal in 1820 and is the memoir of the rich history and lifestyle of the royal family. Stok Palace is known for its architecture, beautiful garden and spectacular views. This place has a collection of Royal clothing, crowns and other royal things.
18. Spituk Monastery
The Spituk Monastery was built in the 11 century as in imposing structure on Leh Ladakh. It is located 18 km from leh and is one of the most dazzling monasteries of north India. It has a deity of Lord Buddha and idol of goddess Kali. It is famous for its masked face festival which makes it a must visit place at the time of the festival.
19. Chadar Trek
Chadar Trek offers the most unique experience of one's life. It is a heaven for the adventurous loving people who like to Trek a lot. Chadar here is referred to the blanket of ice which is on the river Zanskar. The Zanskar river gets frozen in December and remains frozen till February and we can walk on that frozen lake. It is a 6 day long Trek which one can go only in January and February depending on the weather.
20. Stakna Monastery
Stakna is located 25 km from the main city of Leh and is also known as "Tiger's Nose Monastery". It is called so because of the rock on which the monastery is located resembles a tigers leap in the sky. Stakna monastery offers a display of the cultural and heritage of Buddhism. visiting this monastery lets you explore the cultural heritage of Buddhism.
