While the name Leh berry made sense, the only thing the driver could not tell us was the origin of the name Seabuckthorn. It has one more name called Hippophae which originates from the Greek words hippo = “horse” and phaos = “to shine” and is due to the ancient Greek use of sea buckthorn leaves as horse fodder to make their coats shine more. The species name rhamnoides means “resembling the Rhamnus”, referring to the buckthorn plant. That did not make sense to me so I am just going to call it Leh Berry – also because it sounds so much cooler!

Khardungla Pass

Khardungla Pass is popular as one of the highest motorable pass at the height 18,380 feet and is the gateway to Nubra and Shyok valley. Very recently Uming La pass in Eastern Ladakh is known as the highest motorable pass in the world.

Biking to the Khardungla is one of the most sought after adventures and which is why it one of the best places to visit  Leh Ladakh. 

Managed by the Border Roads Organization, reaching and crossing Khardungla Pass is a challenging journey. Due to the height at which it is located, one might face Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) due to lack of oxygen. Staying here for a long time can hamper the brain’s activity by causing headache, nausea, blurry vision amongst others.

In order to enjoy the mesmerizing views from the top, it is advisable to be acclimatized to heights (stay in Leh for atleast 2 days), be well hydrated before the start of the journey and not stay at the top for more than 20 minutes.

Nubra Valley

Nubra valleys is popular for two things – the golden sand dunes and riding the two-humped Bactrian camel. 

Nubra is a typical tourist destination with less bikers or adventure thrillers here and more of families having a good time.

Situated on the bank of Nubra river, there are many camps and resorts around the sand dunes where you can spend a night. Since it is far from Leh – approximately 160 kms it is best to plan a night stay. Photo by Sonam Shah

Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa is located on the Chanspa hill within Leh city. It is one of the most magnificent and peaceful Buddhist monuments that was built by Japanese monks to promote world peace.

The peace at the stupa will engulf your aura and you will want to close your eyes and meditate to the distant chimes.

One can also enjoy the unobstructed, panoramic views of the city landscape and beyond which makes it one of the best tourist places to visit in Leh and around.

Hemis Monastery

Hemis is one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in India. It is popular for its annual mask festival called Hemis Festival, celebrated in the memory of Guru Padmasambhava. Hemis is the largest Gompa in Ladakh district and is the most accessible – approximately 45kms from Leh city. It permanently houses around 500 monks. Check the schedule of Hemis Festival here.

Leh Palace

Wherever you are in Leh, you cannot miss the sand coloured grandeur overlooking from a nearby cliff. A prominent symbol of the royal family since the 16th century, The Royal Leh Palace is nothing short of a scenic beauty. The Palace is over nine-storey high overlooking the panoramic views of the rustic Zanskar valley.

Tso Moriri Lake

Known as the twin to the popular Pangong Tso Lake, Tso Moriri is slowly rising to stardom for its tranquil yet stunning views. Located 220 km from Leh city, a day trip is possible to this picturesque lake.

Located in the Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary, Tso Moriri is a wetland reserve and home to many migratory birds. The lake paints a beautiful picture against the barren snow-capped mountains, deep blue skies and pasteur green grasslands.

Diskit Monastery

Founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, in the 14th century, the monastery has a statue of Cho Crowned Buddha and is one of the most beautiful and oldest monasteries in Ladakh district. Standing on the top of a hill right above the floodplains of the Shyok River and in Nubra valley, the monastery enthrals you with its enchanting beauty.

Shey Monastery

Shey monastery is famous because of the magnificent metal statue of Buddha and one of the places to visit in Leh , the second largest statue in the city of Ladakh. It is located 15 kilometres south of Leh.

Hall of Fame Museum, Leh

Hall of Fame Museum was built to show gratitude towards the soldiers of Kargil war. The museum is divided into two parts : 1) paintings and scenes from the Kargil war  with detailed description of the encounters and 2) weaponry and arms while the other part holds the apparels which were worn by the soldiers at the time of war. There are also photographs of the soldiers who gave their lives to save the country.

Leh Market

Shopping is synonymous to any vacation and no trip can be complete without taking back some souvenirs to remember the amazing time spent here.

Leh Market has some amazing options to shop for handicrafts, silver jewelry, woolen items and paintings. Some of the most common souvenirs from Ladakh include colourful prayer flags, beaded bands, keychains and refrigerator magnets. The Leh market reminded me of the beautiful and very similar Mcleodganj market.

Some offbeat things Leh souvenirs include Apricot jam and Sea buckthorn juice.

BEST TIME TO VISIT LEH LADAKH

According to me the best time to visit Ladakh is in monsoon. While the rest of the country reels under monsoon, it is summer in Ladakh because the entire region falls in rain shadow region. The best months are June to August. The weather is not too hot or cold for treks. There is still snow on mountain peaks and the nip in the air is perfect for walking around without wrapping too many layers.

However, areas like Pangong Tso and Khardungla are extremely cold even in summers with the possibility of hail storm or even snow event in both places. It is best to be prepared before going here.

If you want to witness the snow, then winter is ideal. Storms are not quite common here as the region receives heavy snow annually. It is best to avoid January and February due to the heavy rainfall.

Chadar Trek, popular for trekking on frozen river takes place in January.

HOW TO REACH LEH LADAKH

By air

The nearest airport to is Leh Airport. There are direct flights from Delhi and Srinagar to Leh everyday with good frequency. From the airport, local cabs can be hired to reach anywhere in Leh.

By Train 

Pathankot, Chandigarh and Kalka are the closest railway stations to Leh. Important trains from various Indian cities serve these stations. One can board a train till either of these stations and then hire a cab to reach till Leh.

By Road

Manali-Leh road has been serving as the second best road to Ladakh. Himachal Pradesh Tourism (HRTC) and Jammu & Kashmir State Road Transport Corporation (JKSRTC) operate daily deluxe and ordinary buses between Manali and Leh. Government buses, both deluxe and ordinary, run from Kargil and between Leh and Srinagar on regular and frequent intervals. Cars and jeeps are also available for Leh-Srinagar and Leh-Manali route.

Bike rent in Leh

It is possible to rent bikes in Leh if you have not already got one from Srinagar or Manali. Small adventure seekers can drive bokes to places to visit in Leh and around on bike.

There are many local shops in the main market which offer these services. Depending on the bike, the rent range is between INR 2000-3500 per day.

WHERE TO STAY IN LEH

In order to tick off the places to visit in Leh Ladakh, one must start from Leh city. It is possible to cover all the places mentioned above by doing day trips from Leh. For the same reason, Leh offers many accommodation options to suit every budget.

Homestay: Hotel Naro, Nathula Homestay, Ladakh view homestay

Mid-budget: Hotel Dolma Residency, Hotel Chube, Cho Palace

Luxury: Hotel City Palace, Gomang Boutique Hotel

SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL TIPS FOR PLACES TO VISIT IN LEH

• Though the city hotels have flush toilets, the places around may not. There is facility for pit toilets (water-less). Live like a local and use them.
• Get your own refillable bottle and fill it at hotels. The plastic bottle menace is too much for a high altitude city.
• Do not dispose food or plastic waste anywhere in the region.
• Support the local community by choosing a home stay.

I hope this Leh Ladakh travel guide on Best places to visit in Leh Ladakh will help you to plan your trip. Did I miss out on any things to do in Leh Ladakh? Let me know in the comments below.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.

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Manali – Leh Highway in Photos

Hold on tight as I take you on the Mecca of road trip: the 479 km long Manali – Leh Highway through a photo story.

Manali

A popular tourist destination on the banks of river Beas overlooking the Pir Panjal mountain range of the Himalayas, Manali is famous as a summer getaway for adventure sports. Most trips to Leh (Ladakh) begin from Manali, whether you are on a bike or car.

Notice the typical high altitude biodiversity – cold weather, high coniferous trees and griffon vultures. The greenness and the fresh air will engulf your senses and you will crane your neck to capture the best of the Manali world – the river, waterfalls, valleys, apple orchards and whatnot.

Rohtang La

Situated 53 km from Manali, Rohtang La is about 3 hours drive and the first milestone on the Manali – Leh road trip. La means Pass.

It is a connecting point for Kullu, Lahaul and Spiti Valleys. Rohtang has always been a wild fantasy for tourists who come to Manali. Reason? ‘Rohtang’ in Ladakhi language means “pile of corpses”.

The pass got its infamous name due to numerous people dying in bad weather trying to cross the pass in yesteryears. for the same reason, the pass is closed for 6 months in winter and open only from May to November.

The open months do not guarantee against landslides which are also responsible for many deaths. These landslides result in prolonged traffic jams, lasting up to 12 hours! Thankfully this can be avoided by riding the World’s Longest Highway Tunnel – Atal Tunnel which id reducing the distance by 46 km.

Jispa

As soon as one crosses Rohtang and ascends further, you will start noticing the change in biodiversity with short shrubs at sparse distances. Jispa is generally the first night stop on the Manali – Leh road trip and is 153 km from Manali. Nestled on the banks of Chandrabhaga river, the few hotels situated in the area offer unparalleled views of the Pir Panjal range.

It is safe to picnic near the river banks. But one should not stress so much as one is not used to the height and the next day is a long one. Do remember not to dispose of plastic at the river bank as there is no municipality here and the bottles would rot there forever!

Baralach La

This is the first pass on the second day and there are 2 more days to go. Baralach Pass connect Lahaul to Ladakh district and is 192 km away from Manali. It will be super windy but the stack of stones would a good spot for photography!

Sarchu

Descending from the heights of Baralach pass, you will cross the amazing place called Sarchu. There are many campsites in the area and some tourists spend their night here instead of Jispa. However, acclimatizing for this height on the first-night stay on Manali – Leh road trip may not be a good idea. This valley experiences freezing temperatures even in summers.

Sarchu has one of the most fascinating formations of rocks in the mountains. It is also the last village in Himachal Pradesh before one cross over to the state of Jammu & Kashmir.

Lachang La

Pass number two of the day is 277 km from Manali. As the height increases, there is the possibility that you may experience headache or dizziness and the strong, cold winds may not spare you.

More plains

As your body starts acclimatizing to the high passes and then valley roads, you come across the More Plains that lie between Pang village and the second highest pass Tanglang La. This one is a big surprise and makes you wonder if you really have been in the mountains all day.

The More Plains expand as flat and as far as your eyes can see with mountains on the side. This 50 km ride will give you the most stunning views and you wouldn’t want that road to ever end. This was one of the most amazing roads on the Manali – Leh road trip!

Taglang La

This is the highest point on the Manali – Leh Highway. Like all other passes, it is a fascinating place with amazing backdrops and dramatic landscapes resonating through the prayer flags.

It is known for being the second-highest mountain located in Zanskar range and comes with warnings. You may feel out of breath here as your body has undergone tremendous altitudes and cold during a single day. But hang in there as the destination is about to come!

Leh

Leh is the final destination of the 2 days epic Manali – Leh Highway. Dotted with whitewashed houses amongst the rustic mountains, houses, Leh has many stupas and the dominating palace and fort. It is the capital of Ladakh and is one of the most beautiful and fascinating tourist destinations of India. The scenic grandeur and the mystical aura of the cold desert lead to one of the most enchanting landscapes.

Also, read about the wonder fruit from Leh: Leh Berry juice (Seabuckthorn juice)

Travel tips for Manali – Leh Highway

• The Manali – Leh road trip is no joke when it comes to high altitudes. One has to be prepared for Acute Mountain Sickness as it can kick in anytime. to avoid the same, drink loads of fluids and eat an energy and protein-rich diet.
• The facilities for rest stops and food are negligible on the highway. So it is best to carry food with you and use restrooms near the villages.
• The road conditions change every season and every year. It is best to check the same and then plan your trip.
• In places where you have to cross rivulets with gushing waters, start your day early and try to cross the stream as the water force increases with rising temperature during the day.
• Travelling during the night is not advisable.
• During the tourist season, the accommodations are full, so it is best to book early if you are travelling alone.

Sustainable tips for Manali – Leh Highway road trip

• Do not crib for flush toilets in villages. They are not available at such an altitude and you have to make do with native pit toilets.
• Try to fill your refillable bottle after a night’s stop at your hotel/camp. The PET bottles are creating a huge garbage dump and there are no recycling facilities in this region. 
• Do not dispose of food or plastic waste anywhere in the region.
• Try to support the local community by choosing to stay in a homestay.
• If you want to buy souvenirs, local souvenirs such as Leh berry (Seabuckthorn) juice and Shawls made from yak wool are quite popular. 

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