Quick Answer
The places to visit in Ladakh in one list: monasteries near Leh, Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Turtuk, Hanle, Zanskar and Kargil, each with distance from Leh, altitude and how long to allow.
Ladakh's sights fall into rings around Leh: the palace and stupa in town, monasteries along the Indus within an hour, and the high lakes and valleys a long day's drive away. Planning in that order, close and low first, far and high later, is also the safest way to acclimatise.
Quick answer
Must-sees for a first trip: Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Thiksey, Hemis, Magnetic Hill and the Sangam near Leh; Nubra Valley with Diskit and the Hunder dunes; and Pangong Tso. With more time, add Tso Moriri, Turtuk, Hanle, Lamayuru or Zanskar.
All places with distance from Leh
| Place | Distance from Leh | Altitude | Time to allow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo | In town | About 3,550 m | Half day |
| Shanti Stupa | About 4 km | About 3,600 m | Sunset |
| Hall of Fame | About 4 km | About 3,300 m | 1 hour |
| Spituk Monastery | About 8 km | About 3,300 m | 1 hour |
| Shey Palace | About 15 km | About 3,400 m | 1 hour |
| Stok Palace | About 15 km | About 3,600 m | 1 hour |
| Phyang Monastery | About 17 km | About 3,550 m | 1 hour |
| Thiksey Monastery | About 19 km | About 3,600 m | Dawn prayer |
| Gurudwara Pathar Sahib | About 25 km | About 3,600 m | 45 minutes |
| Stakna Monastery | About 25 km | About 3,500 m | 45 minutes |
| Magnetic Hill | About 27 km | About 3,500 m | 20 minutes |
| Sangam (Indus and Zanskar) | About 35 km | About 3,100 m | 30 minutes |
| Khardung La | About 39 km | About 5,360 m | On the way to Nubra |
| Hemis Monastery | About 45 km | About 3,600 m | 2 hours |
| Likir Monastery | About 52 km | About 3,700 m | 1 hour |
| Alchi Monastery | About 67 km | About 3,100 m | 1 hour |
| Diskit, Nubra | About 118 km | About 3,150 m | 1 to 2 nights |
| Hunder dunes, Nubra | About 125 km | About 3,100 m | With Diskit |
| Lamayuru and Moonland | About 125 km | About 3,500 m | Day trip or night |
| Tso Kar | About 155 km | About 4,530 m | 1 night |
| Pangong Tso | About 160 km | About 4,350 m | 1 night |
| Turtuk | About 205 km | About 2,900 m | 1 night |
| Tso Moriri | About 220 km | About 4,520 m | 1 night |
| Kargil | About 220 km | About 2,680 m | On the Srinagar road |
| Hanle | About 255 km | About 4,300 m | 2 nights |
| Padum, Zanskar | About 450 km via Kargil | About 3,600 m | 4 to 5 days |
In and around Leh (first 2 days)
Low effort, close by, ideal while acclimatising: Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Hall of Fame, Spituk and the Leh market.
The Indus valley (day 2 or 3)
South-east of Leh: Shey, Thiksey, Stakna and Hemis. West of Leh: Pathar Sahib, Magnetic Hill, the Sangam, Likir and Alchi.
The high valleys and lakes (day 3 onwards)
Nubra Valley over Khardung La, with Diskit, Hunder and Turtuk; Pangong Tso over Chang La; and in the Changthang, Tso Moriri, Tso Kar and Hanle.
West Ladakh and Zanskar
Lamayuru and Moonland, Kargil and Drass on the Srinagar road, and the remote Zanskar valley beyond Pensi La.
Indian citizens register online and pay the Ladakh environment and wildlife fees before visiting protected areas such as Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Hanle and Turtuk; foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit through a registered agent. Rules and fees change, so check our permits guide before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top places to visit in Ladakh?
Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Thiksey and Hemis monasteries, Khardung La, Nubra Valley with the Hunder dunes, and Pangong Tso. Tso Moriri, Turtuk and Hanle reward longer trips.
Which places in Ladakh need a permit?
Protected areas such as Nubra, Turtuk, Pangong, Tso Moriri, Hanle and Dah-Hanu. Leh and the Indus valley monasteries do not.
What is the highest place tourists visit in Ladakh?
Passes such as Khardung La (about 5,360 m) and Umling La (about 5,800 m). Of the lakes, Tso Moriri and Tso Kar are around 4,520 to 4,530 m.
Which is better, Nubra or Pangong?
Both: Nubra for dunes, monasteries and villages; Pangong for the lake. Most first trips include each.
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.