What are the best things to do in Leh?
Top picks in Leh include Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Thiksey Monastery, Pangong Lake day trip. See the full list and itinerary on this Leh travel guide.
Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0
Why visit Leh
Travel guide for Leh, India — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Leh is a stop in India, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Thiksey Monastery instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 25–80 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: November–March for cooler, drier conditions. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
November–March for cooler, drier conditions
Weather
Varies from tropical to temperate depending on the season
Experiences
Things to do in Leh
1
Leh Palace
2
Shanti Stupa
3
Thiksey Monastery
4
Pangong Lake day trip
5
Khardung La pass
6
Magnetic Hill
7
Nubra Valley day trip
8
Hall of Fame museum
Plan your trip
Leh itinerary (2 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Shanti Stupa
- Visit Leh Palace
- Visit Soma Monastery
- Eat at Zomsa Restaurant
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Central Asian Museum
- Eat at National Restaurant
Budget
Leh trip cost
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 25–80
per person / day
Luxury
USD 90–150+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Leh, India. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Leh
Estimated total (USD)
$1,725
≈ $863 per person · $246 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $50/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Leh mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 25–80 · luxury 90–150+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
Zomsa Restaurant
National Restaurant
Gurudwara
Dosa Point by Indian Army - Highest Dosa Point
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Eagle Guest House
Himalayan Bunker
Himalayan Retreat Guesthouse
Old Ladakh Guest House
Oriental Guesthouse
Nightlife
- Tololing Tea Stall
Museums & culture
- Leh Palace
- Central Asian Museum
In pictures
Leh gallery
Photos: Anirvan Shukla, marksquared, Amit Patel, Kiran Jonnalagadda from Bangalore, India, Kotagaunisrinivas, Koshy Koshy from Faridabad, Haryana, India — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Leh travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Leh?
November–March for cooler, drier conditions.
How many days do I need in Leh?
Plan at least 2 days in Leh for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Leh?
Popular stays in Leh include Eagle Guest House, Himalayan Bunker, Himalayan Retreat Guesthouse. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Leh cost?
On the ground in Leh (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 25–80, and luxury about 90–150+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Leh, India. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
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