1. Zanskar Valley - Amble Among The Giants
Without a doubt, Zanskar valley is one of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh. It is amongst the most desolate places in the Himalayan range. The steep terrains covered with snow reflect the heavenly skies. The tributaries of the Zanskar River are famous for seasonal white river rafting.
Best Time to Visit: Zanskar is best visited between June to September when the road is clear of the snow. It's closed for a significant time due to extreme snowfall and winter.
2. Pangong Tso lake - The Azure Lake From 3 Idiots
Remember the breathtakingly beautiful lake from 3 Idiots where Kareena Kapoor confessed her love? It's Pangong Tso, a lake amongst the popular tourist attractions in Leh Ladakh, is situated on the Changtang plateau in eastern Ladakh region. The lake offers an awesome site for camping and is the current hotspot for all people traveling to Ladakh.
Best Time to Visit: June to September is the best time to travel to Pangong Tso.
3. Kargil - Among The Adventurous Places To Visit In Leh Ladakh
A trip to Leh Ladakh is incomplete without a visit to Kargil. This is the second largest town in Ladakh, situated on the banks of Indus River. It is a transit hub with roads leading to Leh, Padum (Zanskar) and Srinagar. Also, it is a haven for adventure enthusiasts as they can enjoy sports such as trekking and mountaineering.
Best Time to Visit: The summer season between May to July is the best time to visit Kargil as the temperature is cool with frigid nights.
4. Khardung-la pass- Highest Motorable Road In The World
Khardungla Pass is a gateway which leads to Nubra and Shyok valleys. While this might not be a typical tourist attraction Leh Ladakh, it is definitely amongst the must visit places to visit in and around Leh Ladakh for adventure junkies. Managed by the Border Roads Organization, Kardung-la Pass is the gateway to the north and one of the most difficult yet thrilling passes to ride on.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit Khardung-La pass is during the summer season, between May to September.
5. Nubra Valley- Desert Among The Snowy Hills
Featured as one of top 5 places in Ladakh, Nubra valley, a tri-armed valley towards the northeast. The sand dunes of the Nubra Valley offer the tourists Arabian Nights like experience. Nubra valley is one of the most famous tourist attractions in Leh Ladakh for its two-humped camels.
Best Time to Visit: As per the climatic conditions, the best time to visit Nubra valley is during the autumn season which is between the month of July to September.
6. Magnetic Hill - Defy Gravity
One of the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh is the Magnetic Hill. The science behind the phenomenon is unknown but it has been observed that if you leave your vehicle at the base of the hill with the brakes unlocked, it will start moving uphill slowly on its own. Magic? Definitely not. It's simply the superpowers you get when you reach this place.
7. Spituk Gompa- Monastery At The Hill Top
Ladakh is known as the land of the monks and monasteries. Spituk is one of the many tourist places to visit in Leh Ladakh. This is famous for its beautifully carved location at the top of a hill. The winds at the night, however, may chill you to the bones.
8. Hemis National Park - Best Among The Places To See In Leh Ladakh For The Nature Lovers
Hemis National Park has the distinction of being the largest national park in South Asia. The park is protected home for endangered mammals like leopards, Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolf, the Eurasian brown bear and the red fox. For nature lovers and bird watchers, this has to be on your list of places to see in Ladakh. Pollution free environment and noise free surroundings make bird watching a joyful experience. Your Leh sightseeing experience stays incomplete without this one in the itinerary.
Best Time to Visit: Between May to September
9. Shanti Stupa - Meditation Time
What better place to invoke some thoughts from within than this? Located on a hill in Chanspa, Leh, the Shanti Stupa is one of the most magnificent and peaceful Buddhist monuments you could possibly see in the extreme north of India. Take the steep slights to reach the Stupa that offers beautiful sunrise and sunset views. Also, the panoramic views of the landscape around it make the Shanti Stupa one of the best tourist places in Ladakh.
10. Hemis Monastery
One of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in India, Hemmis Monastery is known for its annual mask festival. This is a two-day spiritual celebration taking place on Tse Chu, the tenth month in Tibetan calendar. The festival is celebrated in the memory of Guru Padmasambhava, who is believed to be the Gautam Buddha's reincarnation.
Best Time to Visit: This is one of the best places to visit in Ladakh in June