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Ladakh is a high-altitude desert of monasteries, turquoise lakes and some of the highest roads in the world, separated from the Kashmir valley by the Zojila pass. Leh, its main town, sits at about 3,500 m.
From Kashmir, the overland route via Sonamarg, Drass and Kargil lets your body adjust slowly to the altitude, and is one of the great road journeys in the Himalaya.
Best time to visit Ladakh: June to September, when the high passes are open. See our full best time to visit Kashmir guide.
1. Leh - Palace, Market and Old Town
Leh is the base for most Ladakh trips. Spend your first day resting, then explore the nine-storey Leh Palace, the old town lanes below it and the main bazaar for apricots, pashmina and Ladakhi crafts.
2. Shanti Stupa - Sunset over Leh
The white Shanti Stupa sits on a hill above Leh and offers wide views of the town, the Indus valley and the Stok range. It is especially beautiful at sunset.
3. Thiksey and Hemis - Monasteries of the Indus Valley
Thiksey monastery climbs a hillside south of Leh and is often compared to the Potala Palace. Hemis, further along the valley, is one of Ladakh's largest monasteries and hosts a famous summer festival.
4. Indus and Zanskar Confluence - Where Two Rivers Meet
At Nimmu, west of Leh, the blue-green Zanskar meets the Indus in a striking confluence below bare brown mountains. In summer, rafting trips start nearby.
5. Nubra Valley - Dunes and Double-Humped Camels
Over Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes, lies Nubra Valley with Diskit monastery, its giant Maitreya Buddha, and the sand dunes of Hunder, where Bactrian camels graze.
Permits
Indian visitors need an Inner Line Permit for Nubra; foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit. We arrange these with your ID.
6. Pangong Lake - Colours at 4,000 Metres
Pangong Tso stretches far into the distance, changing from blue to green through the day. Most visitors stay one night in camps or cottages by the shore, reached via the Chang La pass.
7. Kargil and Drass - Gateway from Kashmir
On the way from Srinagar, Drass is home to the Kargil War Memorial, and Kargil town makes a comfortable overnight stop before the drive to Leh via Lamayuru.
8. Lamayuru - The Moonland
Lamayuru monastery overlooks eroded, pale formations often called the moonland, one of the most photographed landscapes on the Srinagar–Leh road.
Best Time to Visit
June to September is the main season, when Zojila, Khardung La and Chang La are usually open and the weather is mild by day. Late May and early October are quieter but colder, and roads may close at short notice.
How to Reach
Fly into Leh, or drive from Srinagar over Zojila (two days with a night in Kargil), or from Manali. Driving in from Srinagar is the gentlest way to acclimatise.
Altitude and Health
Leh sits at around 3,500 m and Pangong and the passes are much higher. Rest on arrival, drink water, climb gradually and tell us about any heart or breathing conditions before you book.
Plan your Ladakh visit
Ladakh is part of most of our Kashmir tour packages. For drive times between Ladakh and the other hill stations, read the Srinagar to Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam guide.
Official information: J&K Department of Tourism
