Overview
Leh, at about 3,500 metres, is the capital of Ladakh and the base almost every Ladakh trip is built around. The town sits in the Indus valley, ringed by bare brown mountains, with the nine-storey Leh Palace overlooking the old town from a ridge above the main bazaar. Most travellers spend at least two nights here - one to acclimatise, one before or after heading out to Nubra Valley or Pangong Tso.
Leh on the Map
Things to Do & Places to Visit in Leh
Leh Palace
View on map →A nine-storey former royal residence overlooking the old town, built along similar lines to Lhasa's Potala Palace. Climb up for views over the whole Indus valley.
Leh Market and the old town
View on map →The main bazaar and the narrow lanes of the old town - Ladakhi handicrafts, pashmina, apricots and everyday Leh life.
Shanti Stupa
View on map →A white-domed Buddhist stupa on a hilltop above town, reached by road or a steep staircase. One of the best sunset viewpoints in Leh.
Namgyal Tsemo Monastery
View on map →A small hilltop gompa and fort above the palace, with sweeping views over Leh and the surrounding mountains.
Hall of Fame
View on map →An army museum on the edge of town covering the region's military history and mountaineering.
Thiksey & Hemis (half-day out of Leh)
View on map →Two of Ladakh's most important working monasteries, both an easy half-day trip from Leh.
Khardung La & Magnetic Hill (day trip)
View on map →One of the highest motorable passes in the world, and the road toward Nubra Valley.
Food & Restaurants in Leh
Leh's main bazaar and Fort Road area have Ladakhi and Tibetan cafes alongside Indian and continental menus aimed at travellers - thukpa, momos, and Ladakhi apricot dishes are worth seeking out. Options thin out considerably once you head towards Nubra or Pangong, so Leh is where you eat well before or after those legs.
Find restaurants in LehMarkets & Bazaars in Leh
The Leh Main Market runs through the old town below the palace, with shops for pashmina, Ladakhi handicrafts, apricots and dried fruit, prayer flags, and trekking gear. It is compact and easy to cover on foot in an evening.
Find markets in LehLocal Specialities of Leh
Apricots
Ladakh's apricots, fresh in season and dried year-round, are a genuine local speciality sold across the Leh market.
Pashmina & Yak Wool
Handwoven pashmina and yak-wool shawls and caps, distinct from Kashmiri pashmina, are widely sold in Leh.
How to Reach Leh
Leh is reached either by flight into Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), with direct connections from Delhi, or by road on the Srinagar-Leh highway (about 420 km, usually driven over two days with an overnight at Kargil). Within Leh, the old town and market are walkable; Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso need a private vehicle and, for those two, an Inner Line Permit.
Stay and Travel: Leh
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Leh FAQs
How many days should I spend in Leh town itself?
Plan at least two nights in Leh - one for acclimatisation on arrival (especially if you flew in) and one more before or after a trip out to Nubra Valley or Pangong Tso. Leh Palace, the market and Shanti Stupa comfortably fill a day.
Do I need a permit to visit Leh town?
No. Leh town, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and the local monasteries do not require a permit. Permits are only needed for Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri.
Is Leh the base for visiting Nubra Valley and Pangong Tso?
Yes. Leh is the practical base for both - Nubra is reached over Khardung La and Pangong over Chang La, each usually done as an overnight trip out of Leh rather than a same-day round trip.
Written by Via Kashmir Editorial Team
Last checked 2026
Via Kashmir is a Srinagar-based travel company built around one goal: giving travellers the best possible Kashmir experience. Our team puts together the best-priced hotels, cabs, Kashmir tour packages, and adventure packages with real sports activities, drawing on daily, on-the-ground knowledge of Kashmir's roads, weather, and seasons. Every guide on this site is written and checked by our local Srinagar team.
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