Ladakh is a high-altitude desert between the Karakoram and the Great Himalaya – blue lakes, sand dunes with Bactrian camels, ancient monasteries and some of the highest roads in the world. Leh (3,500 m) is the base for every trip.
This guide covers the main sights, the inner line permit, monastery festivals, the Zanskar valley and road distances from Leh.
Leh Palace & Shanti Stupa Nine-storey palace of 1600 and the white stupa at sunset.
Hemis, Thiksey & Shey Great monasteries of the Indus valley.
Magnetic Hill & Sangam Gravity hill and the Indus – Zanskar confluence.
Khardung La & Nubra Valley High pass to the dunes of Hunder, Diskit monastery and Turtuk.
Pangong Lake 134 km long lake changing colours, 60% in Tibet.
Tso Moriri Remote lake at 4,522 m with Korzok village.
Hanle & Umling La Dark-sky reserve observatory and the world’s highest motorable pass.
Zanskar Remote valley of Padum, Phugtal monastery and the Chadar trek.
Lamayuru & Alchi Moonland and the oldest painted temples of Ladakh.
Best Time to Visit Leh Ladakh
May – June: all roads open, cool days
July – September: warm days, both highways open, festivals
October: clear and cold
November – April: winter – frozen lakes, flights only
How to Reach Leh Ladakh
By air: Daily flights to Leh from Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar and Chandigarh.
From Manali: 475 km over Atal Tunnel, Baralacha La and Tanglang La.
From Srinagar: 420 km via Zoji La and Kargil.
Leh Ladakh Distance Chart
Route
Distance
Drive time
Nubra (Hunder)
125 km
4.5 hrs
Pangong (Spangmik)
160 km
5 hrs
Tso Moriri
220 km
6 hrs
Hanle
255 km
7 hrs
Kargil
220 km
5 hrs
Manali
475 km
2 days
Srinagar
420 km
2 days
Padum (Zanskar)
450 km
2 days
Approximate road distances and times – mountain roads can take longer in snow or rain.
Leh Ladakh Map
Leh local map – monasteries, palace & Shanti Stupa (tap to enlarge)Ladakh map – Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri & Kargil (tap to enlarge)Manali – Leh highway route map (Rohtang / Atal Tunnel, Keylong, Sarchu, Pang, Tanglang La) (tap to enlarge)
Leh Ladakh Travel Tips
Rest 24 – 36 hours in Leh before going higher.
Indians pay the LAHDC environment fee (₹400) + wildlife fee (₹20/day) for Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri and Hanle – no Inner Line Permit since 2021; we arrange it.
Hemis festival is in June – July; Losar in December – January.
Only Ladakh-registered taxis can do sightseeing inside Ladakh.
Entrance & Permit Fees in Leh Ladakh 2026
Permits
Indian nationals: no Inner Line Permit since 2021 – pay the LAHDC environment fee ₹400 (one-time) + wildlife fee ₹20 per day (Red Cross ₹50 optional) online at lahdclehpermit.in or through us; a 5-day trip ≈ ₹500 – 550 per person.
Foreign nationals: Protected Area Permit for a group of 2+ through a registered Leh agent (we arrange it).
Checked at South Pullu (Khardung La) and on the roads to Pangong, Tso Moriri and Hanle – carry printed copies and your original ID.
No permit is needed for Leh town, the monasteries near Leh, Kargil and the Manali – Leh / Srinagar – Leh highways.
🎟️ Entrance fees (per person, paid at the gate or online)
Place
🇮🇳 Indian
🌍 Foreigner
Leh PalaceASI monument
approx. ₹25
approx. ₹300
Shanti Stupa
Free
Free
Hall of FameArmy war museum · camera extra
approx. ₹100
approx. ₹300
Thiksey Monasterycash at the gate
approx. ₹40
approx. ₹40
Shey Palace
approx. ₹30
approx. ₹30
Spituk Kali MandirSpituk monastery
approx. ₹30
approx. ₹30
Diskit MonasteryMaitreya Buddha statue free
approx. ₹30
approx. ₹30
Hunder Sand Dunesdouble-hump camel ride, per ride · dunes free
approx. ₹300 – 500
approx. ₹300 – 500
Pangong Lakeenvironment fee is in the permit
Free
Free
Tso Moririenvironment fee is in the permit
Free
Free
Lamayuru MoonlandLamayuru monastery
approx. ₹50
approx. ₹50
Turtukmuseum / old royal house approx. ₹50
Free
Free
Fees as published for 2026 and can be revised by the authorities; "approx." rates are local / private and may differ. Children are usually free or half rate. Camera fees extra at some places.
Leh Ladakh Tour Packages 2026
Packages by Travel Himalayas that stay in Leh Ladakh – hotels and a private cab, with the complete price for your date on each page.
Indians no longer need an Inner Line Permit – they pay the environment fee (₹400) and wildlife fee (₹20 per day) online for Nubra, Pangong, Tso Moriri and Hanle. Foreigners need a Protected Area Permit. We arrange both.
Can I take my own car to Pangong?
Yes, private cars are allowed; outside taxis are not allowed for sightseeing in Ladakh.
What is the self declaration form?
An old requirement for foreign travellers at Leh – today foreigners register online and get a Protected Area Permit.
What is the best time to visit Leh Ladakh?
May – June: all roads open, cool days. July – September: warm days, both highways open, festivals. October: clear and cold. November – April: winter – frozen lakes, flights only.
How to reach Leh Ladakh?
By air – Daily flights to Leh from Delhi, Mumbai, Srinagar and Chandigarh. From Manali – 475 km over Atal Tunnel, Baralacha La and Tanglang La. From Srinagar – 420 km via Zoji La and Kargil.
How much does a Leh Ladakh tour cost?
Our Leh Ladakh packages start from about ₹13,700 per person (2 sharing) with hotels and a private cab – open a package for the complete price on your date.
