Leh
Discover Leh
Leh is one of the two capitals of Ladakh, a union territory of India. Leh is in the Indus River Valley, at a crossroads of the old trading routes from Xinjiang, Tibet and Kashmir. Since 2000, Indian tourists have been visiting Ladakh, with a dramatic increase in 2010 after the film Three Idiots. There is a pass that links Leh directly to Khotan. The city's importance as a trading town slowed down with the partition of India, and ended with the closure of the border in 1962 during the Sino-Indian War. Since opening to tourists in 1974, it has become a bustling tourist town, with many Kashmiri traders.
What to Experience in Leh
City in Mountains
If it wasn't hard everyone could have done it! Believe me, one of the most worthful things to do in life is bike trip to Leh
Monestry in Leh Ladakh, India
white and brown concrete building near body of water under blue sky during daytime
gray concrete road near snow covered mountain during daytime
rock formation near calm body of water during daytime
Ride to Pangong Lake
As we drive away from the Leh town, towards Khardung La, one of the highest motor-able roads - this is the view at every bend and turn!
Ladakh
It’s time to remember what it’s like to feel alive.⠀⠀
Taste of Leh...
Main Bazaar has a few sweet shops selling samosas, chana dhal with puri, and other Indian food in addition to the sweets. However, they are ridiculously overpriced, as are the German bakeries, which sell stale pastries. The shopping areas of the old town and the area around the bus station are good for Tibetan styled restaurants, although few offer more than thukpa (noodle soup) and momos (dumplings). There are several Punjabi thali shops in the "old city bazar" on the corner of the main bazar w
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsWith the bankruptcy of "Go First" in 2023 passengers numbers have apparently plumped by half. The local buses get exceptionally crowded, times of departure fluctuate greatly, and there is no ticket office (just board the bus, and pay to the conductor). When planning a trip to a destination in Ladakh ask around to find when the departure time roughly is, and show up at the station half an hour early; ask people there what bus to take, don't trust the destinations marked on the buses; take a seat ...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Leh is so small that you can cover enough places with the town by just walking. Also local public buses call at the main bus station of Leh—the airport and close by destinations like Choglamsar or Spituk go for ₹20. Here are some connections (as of Sep 2023): For Alchi and Kharu it is best to be at the bus station at least 30 min before the departure, daily buses will get full quickly—forget about boarding these buses beyond the bus station. It seems that private buses (including airport) wait a
Where to Stay
Leh has a large selection of mid-range accommodation, with some offering decent value. Most of the guest houses are located in Leh's northern suburbs in Changspa, Karzoo and surrounding areas, a 5–30-min walk from the centre. Many of the houses in Changspa have been converted to guest houses, which, surrounded by farmers' fields and often with excellent views, make wonderful places to stay. If you consider Leh too busy and need tranquillity, head over to Stok village, which is similar to Changsp
Money & Budget
The Main Bazaar and the surrounding streets have numerous shops selling souvenirs, mostly Tibetan antiques or replicas. The Tibetan market is a good place to buy jewellery, souvenirs, and various other items such as Pashmina shawls (about ₹4,500–7,000). Be extremely wary when buying pashmina as half the shops in the city will falsely claim their products are pashmina. There are half a dozen good b
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Carry a torch at night, as there is next to no street lighting, and there are some very deep drainage ditches. Beware of the stray dogs which rule streets during the night, especially in the inner alleys and around eateries. Ladakh was struck with serious floods and mud slides in August 2010. The airport was operational within days, and the major roads and bridges after a few weeks, and Manali-Leh was re-routed temporarily, until October after Rumtse, making it more than a hundred kilometres longer. The road was fully operational in October 2010. Many sights around Leh can be explored on day t
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Leh
City in Mountains
If it wasn't hard everyone could have done it! Believe me, one of the most worthful things to do in life is bike trip to Leh
Monestry in Leh Ladakh, India
white and brown concrete building near body of water under blue sky during daytime
gray concrete road near snow covered mountain during daytime
rock formation near calm body of water during daytime
Ride to Pangong Lake
As we drive away from the Leh town, towards Khardung La, one of the highest motor-able roads - this is the view at every bend and turn!
Ladakh
It’s time to remember what it’s like to feel alive.⠀⠀
City in Mountains
If it wasn't hard everyone could have done it! Believe me, one of the most worthful things to do in life is bike trip to Leh
Monestry in Leh Ladakh, India