Leh & Indus Valley

The "Little Tibet" at the western end of the Himalaya, with Leh Palace, Thiksey and Hemis monasteries, the Khardung La pass, and the base for travel in the Ladakh plateau.

Leh is the capital of the Union Territory of Ladakh in India, in the Indus Valley between the Himalaya and the Karakoram at about 3,500 m. With a strong Tibetan Buddhist culture, it is known as "Little Tibet." The city is centered on the old town, Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo Monastery, and its main bazaar is lined with travel agencies, guesthouses and cafés; it is the base for trips to the Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri. Sightseeing around Leh generally follows three routes: the eastern route up the Indus to Shey Palace and the monasteries of Thiksey, Stakna and Hemis; the western route along the Leh–Kargil highway to Magnetic Hill, the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, the confluence of two rivers, and Likir and Alchi monasteries, as far as the "moonscape" of Lamayuru; and the northern route over the Khardung La pass. The best season is June–September, when all roads are open and daytime temperatures are 15–25°C; around July there are monastery festivals such as the Hemis Festival; after October visitor numbers drop sharply, and winter reaches -20°C, mainly for snow leopard tracking and frozen-river treks. Getting there: there are direct flights to Leh (KBR airport) from Delhi, Mumbai and elsewhere, and in summer you can also come by road from Manali or Srinagar (1–2 days each). After flying in, be sure to rest for 24–48 hours to acclimatize, and avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise. Visiting the Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake and other places requires an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which can be applied for online or through a travel agency; foreigners are also subject to protected-area regulations, and some border areas are restricted for foreign visitors, so check the latest local policy. We suggest staying 5–7 days (including acclimatization).

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