Quick Answer
Things to do in Ladakh: dawn prayer at Thiksey, the Hemis festival, camel rides at Hunder, a night by Pangong, stargazing in Hanle, rafting, treks, homestays, food and markets.
Ladakh rewards slow travel. The best experiences are often simple: a cup of butter tea in a village kitchen, monks chanting at dawn, a lake changing colour in the afternoon. Here are twenty, each linked to a guide with the details.
Quick answer
Top things to do in Ladakh: sit in on morning prayer at Thiksey, see the sunset from Shanti Stupa, cross Khardung La to Nubra and ride a camel at Hunder, spend a night by Pangong, stargaze in Hanle, raft the Indus, trek the Sham or Markha valley, and stay in a village homestay.
Culture and monasteries
- 1Morning prayer at Thiksey Monastery
- 2The masked dances of the Hemis festival in June or July
- 3The 11th-century murals of Alchi
- 4Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo at sunset
- 5Shanti Stupa, lit up at night
- 6A monastery festival timed to your trip
Landscapes and lakes
Adventure
Food, people and markets
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular thing to do in Ladakh?
Visiting Pangong Tso and crossing Khardung La to Nubra Valley are the two most popular experiences.
What can I do in Leh on the first day?
Rest. On day two, try gentle outings: Shanti Stupa by car, Leh Palace, the market and Spituk.
What adventure activities are there in Ladakh?
Rafting on the Indus and Zanskar, trekking (Sham, Markha, Chadar), motorcycle trips, camel rides and winter wildlife trips.
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.