10 Mind Blowing Things to Do in Leh and Ladakh!

Jagged roads, awe-inspiring landscapes, fluttering flags and dramatic hillocks – these are the first things you’ll notice in Leh Ladakh, a destination that is undoubtedly a treat to one’s eyes. Located amidst the Great Himalayas and Khardung La Pass, a trip to Leh Ladakh is nothing less than a thrilling experience altogether. The enticing sights captivate travel enthusiasts who enjoy a magical voyage while travelling to Leh Ladakh. Apart from embarking on a bike ride to this paradise in the north, there are a number of interesting things to do in Leh Ladakh during your trip.

Leh Ladakh is not just confined to adventure sports and thrill; in fact, this is a place where one can spend quality time enjoying nature by simply sitting near a flowing river. This place is filled with zest and positive vibes that you can soak in and cherish for a lifetime. If you are planning a trip here sometime, here are the top things to do in Leh Ladakh for a memorable trip.

Best Things to Do in Leh Ladakh

1. Jeep ride to Leh Ladakh

Although a bike ride to Leh Ladakh is one of the most adventurous and thrilling things to do, a jeep safari from Manali to Leh is equally captivating and breathtaking as you travel through wide roads, enjoying the beautiful scenery outside. This gives you the best feeling ever. So if you are wondering about how to reach Leh from Manali, a jeep ride is a great option.

You can capture the untouched and scenic beauty of this place and we definitely recommend carrying a good quality DSLR with you. You can also visit the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the must-visit places in Leh Ladakh, and enjoy a jeep safari there, spotting different forms of wildlife inhabiting at a height of 4000 to 9000 feet. If you’re lucky, you can spot snow leopards too!

Manali-Leh Highway Tourist Places: – Rohtang Pass, Deepak Taal, Suraj Taal, Nakeela, Lachulung La, Moore Plains, Tso Kar & Tanglang La

Must Read: Best Time to Visit Leh Ladakh

2. Cycling on the Uneven Terrain

Cycling is another exciting activity that you can check off of your things to do in Leh Ladakh list. Cycling on the rugged terrain is definitely challenging but you can enjoy riding through the scenic landscape, breathing in the fresh air and admiring the exquisite beauty of the surroundings.

On the whole, this destination is definitely a cyclist’s delight as you can soak in the natural beauty of the snow-capped mountains and also cover some fascinating places to visit in Leh Ladakh.

Best places to visit in Leh Ladakh on a cycle– Tso Moriri Lake, Pangong Tso Lake, Shanti Stupa, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, Khardung La Pass, Hemis Monastery

Must Read: 11 Options for Cycling in Ladakh for Adventure

3. Leh Ladakh Trekking

Trekking in Leh Ladakh is extremely challenging owing to the rough terrain, harsh climatic conditions and unpredictable weather and temperatures. But trekking undoubtedly is one of the most exciting things to do in Leh Ladakh. If you wish to visit this scintillating destination, here are some important things to carry for your Leh Ladakh trip – UV glasses, sunscreen, gloves caps, warm clothes, windcheaters, important documents and IDs, torch, first-aid kit, cash, dry fruits and other handy eatables.

There are a number of trekking trails in Ladakh. All the trekking trails range from moderate to tough in terms of difficulty and you can choose your trail as per your convenience.

Best Leh Ladakh Trekking– Chadar trek (Zanskar Gorge), Spituk Gompa trek, Dran Drung Glacier trek, Darcha Padum trek
Best time for Leh Ladakh trekking: May to September

4. Camel Safari on Two-Humped Camels

Camel safari is perhaps a great way to trek down the uneven terrain of Leh Ladakh. What better than Bactrian camels giving you a long ride on their backs while you enjoy the mystique sceneries unfolding in front of your eyes? Yes, Leh Ladakh is famous for yak rides as well as the two-humped camels that you will not find traversing the Rajashthan dunes.

These double-humped camels are used as a major mode of transportation in Leh Ladakh both for trade as well as recreation purposes. Camel safari is one of the most delightful things to do in Leh Ladakh and you will thoroughly enjoy it!

Best places to visit in Leh Ladakh for camel safari– Angling for Stok, Silk Route Caravan, Nubra Valley

Must Read: 17 Places to Visit Near Leh for That Great Trip You Always Desired

5. Go Camping Along the Serene Lakes

There is no dearth to adventurous and exciting things to do in Leh Ladakh, and camping beside serene lakes is another interesting and fun activity to indulge in. There are a plethora of camping options in Leh to choose from, the most common ones being Pangong Retreat Camp, Tsomoriri camp, Nubra Ethnic camp and others.

Preparing a cup of coffee and sipping it, sitting along the banks of crystal clear lakes, watching the reflection of the blue skies and the surrounding is something you should experience at least once in a lifetime. Gazing at the stars in the night from such a high altitude will also give you goosebumps for sure!

Best camping options– Pangong Retreat Camp, Tsomoriri camp, Nubra Ethnic camp

Must Read: 9 Gorgeous Camping Places in Leh Ladakh

6. Bike Ride to Explore Leh Ladakh

Bike ride to travel across Leh Ladakh is a dream of every travel enthusiast and biker. The thrill of riding long hours on rugged terrain is on your bike, braving the harsh and unpredictable weather, snow and the chilly winds is inexplicable until you embark on this journey yourself. Riding a bike on the mountainous terrain is definitely one of the best things to do in Leh Ladakh in June.

There are many routes you can take to travel to Leh Ladakh depending upon the city you are starting from. Riding a bike also gives you the freedom to explore offbeat places over here such as Panamik, Sumur, Turtuk, Baskgo and more apart from the regular ones.

Must Read: A Short Guide to Plan Your Bike Trip to Leh Ladakh

7. Feel the Adrenaline Rush Skiing on the White Snow Mountains

The snow-covered mountains and steep slopes of the Great Himalayas in Leh Ladakh give you an amazing opportunity to explore your skiing skills. Yes, skiing definitely is one of the most enjoyable and exciting activities to do in Leh Ladakh. Apart from regular skiing, you can also go for heliskiing in Zanskar, which is in fact a very famous activity for people visiting Zanskar.

You will fall in love with the splendid beauty of the snow-clad mountains here while skiing, and dropping down at an altitude of 17000feet above sea level is completely a nerve-wracking and different feeling altogether.

Best Time for Skiing – December to March

Must Read: The 12 Best Skiing Destinations in India

8. Witness the Varied Flora & Fauna Here

With a number of bio-reserves located in Leh Ladakh, one can come across unique varieties of flora and fauna here. From snow leopards, Ibex, shapu to alpine trees, you will find all these over here.

Hemis National Park, situated at an altitude of around 6000m above sea level is one of the best places to visit in Leh and Ladakh where you can enjoy watching the diverse ecosystem of our country.

Must Read: The Best Leh-Ladakh Itinerary for a Splendid Holiday

9. River Rafting in the Most Challenging and Adventurous River

While rafting in Leh Ladakh, you will come across the fascinating beauty of nature at its best. River rafting from Phey to Nimmo, the most popular trail, is undoubtedly a magnificent experience and also one of the top things to do in Leh Ladakh. The difficulty levels may vary at different points and you can choose your rides accordingly. If you are an adrenaline junkie who loves to indulge in every kind of adventure activity, river rafting is surely going to be a treat to you. You can enjoy the incredible vistas and also experience a mind-numbing thrill rafting here.

Must Read: 20 Perfect Places to Visit in Leh Ladakh

10. Shop till You Drop in the Local Markets

Shopping is another fun activity to indulge in while visiting Leh Ladakh. The markets here are loaded with a lot of attractive things that tourists can buy as souvenirs or otherwise in memory of the wonderful their trip to Leh. From prayer wheels, pashmina shawls, Buddhists relics to a large array o colourful attires, you can purchase a lot from these local markets. you can also search and shop for precious handicrafts and other handmade stuff sold by the locals that you can buy for gifting purposes or for your own love for collecting locally made things. You will thoroughly enjoy shopping here and will also get a glimpse of the local culture of Leh and Ladakh.

Best place for shopping– The Local Market in Leh Ladakh

11. Taste the Local Cuisine in Leh Ladakh

Leh Ladakh offers you a wide array of delicious dishes, owing to the multicuisine approach that these places follow to attract travellers as well as the locals for some exquisite preparations to enjoy. Some of the best dishes to try in Leh Ladakh include Thukpa, Tsampa, Skyu and more.

Must Read: 9 Top Local Food in Leh Ladakh to Try

Leh Ladakh per se is a magnificent treat to travel lovers. You as travel enthusiasts must have visited this place at some time or the other. If yes, we would love to hear your experience in our comments section below.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the best places to visit in Leh Ladakh in April, May, June and July?

Zanskar Valley, Magnetic Hill, Khardung la Pass, Kargil, Nubra Valley, Shanti Stupa, Pangong Tso Lake, Tso Moriri Lake, Royal Leh Palace.

2 What are the important things to carry for Leh-Ladakh trip?

Medicines, first-aid kit, sunscreen, UV sunglasses, water, snacks and nuts, lip balm, mustard oil, toiletries, thermal warmers, windcheaters, jackets, extra pairs of socks, gloves, cap, ID proof, cash, extra batteries, good DSLR and chargers.