Leh, the capital city of Ladakh and the largest city in this union territory is one of the top tourist attractions in Ladakh. In my previous blog, I shared the “Top things to do in Ladakh”. In this one, I will be sharing how you can effectively cover all the attractions in and around Leh city within two days. So let’s get started 🙂 🔺Sangam - The Confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers Situated 35 kms from Leh city, Sangam is one of the most popular attractions in Ladakh where the Zanskar river and the Indus meet. In the months of April to June, you can clearly see the difference in the colors of the river – the blue Indus and the muddy Zanskar.
If you are an adventure enthusiast then you can try river rafting which is one of the best in India. During the winter months, the Zanskar river freezes and the popular Chadar trek begins.

This is an all year destination and should definitely not be missed!
🔺Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
Located 23 kms from Leh city, the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a one of a kind Gurudwara nestled in the mountains.

Guru Nanak Dev ji, founder of the Sikh religion is believed to have conquered a demon. Legend has it that once Guru Nakak ji was meditating at this place and a demon had thrown a big rock to obstruct his prayers but the boulder turned into soft wax that failed to harm him, seeing this the demon asked for penance for his deed and Guru Nanak ji forgave him. The boulder with the imprint of the body of Guru Nanak Dev and the footprint of the demon is on display in Gurdwara Pathar Sahib🔺Guphuk's viewpoint

Located at a distance of 13 km from Leh city, this spot has become quite popular for the public view and one of the most frequently visited view point as it is located on the side of Leh-Kargil highway road, where one can witness beautiful panoramic views of Indus river, Spituk Monastery, Stok Village and Pharka Village! 🔺Thiksey Monastery One place you definitely should not miss when in Leh is the Thiksey Monastery. Located 18.5 kms from Leh, the monastery is a beautiful Gompa that is perched atop a hill at 11,800 feet in Thiksey village. I can assure you, the views from atop will surely take your breath away! While at the Monastery, I will highly recommend checking out the a two-story statue of Maitreya Buddha, the assembly hall and the rooftop. The entry fee to visit Thiksey is INR 30 for both Indian and foreign nationals. 🔺Shanti Stupa One of the most breathtaking spots located right in Leh city is the Shanti Stupa! The Shanti Stupa overlooks the city of Leh, providing panoramic views of the city, the village of Changspa, Namgyal Tsemo in the distance and the surrounding mountains. The best time to visit is during sunrise and sunset. The sun hits the monument and all its colors come alive. *Entry fee – INR 40 per person *Timings – 5 am to 8 pm 🔺Leh Palace One of the oldest palaces in Ladakh, the Leh Palace is the former royal palace overlooking the city of Leh. The Palace is nine storeys high where the upper floors accommodated the royal family, while the lower floors held stables and store rooms. The Palace Museum holds a rich collection of jewellery, ornaments, ceremonial dresses and crowns. The palace is open all days of the week from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Entrance Fee: Rs. 15 for Indians & Rs. 100 for foreigners. 🔺Stok Palace The current royal palace, Stok palace is located in the Stok Village. A half an hour drive away from Leh city, the palace takes you inside the life of the royals and their history. Pro tip will be to reach this place before or after lunch timings i.e. 1 – 2 pm as the palace doors are closed. Also, taking pictures inside the palace is strictly prohibited. 🔺Rancho's school If you have watched the movie Three Idiots, then I am sure you are synonymous with Rancho’s school.Rancho’s School (Druk Padma Karpo School or Druk White Lotus School), is a Buddhist cultural school located in Shey village. The Rancho’s School is honoured with several national and international awards for its leading-edge environment-friendly design which is effective in the extreme weather conditions of Ladakh. Entry to this place is absolutely free. 🔺Hall of Fame Located 4 kms from Leh city, the Hall of Fame is a museum constructed by the Indian Army in memory of the brave Indian soldiers who laid down their lives defending the motherland in the Indo-Pak wars. The Hall of Fame museum, consisting of two stories, is divided into various sections which contain several displays. Timings – The museum remains open from 9 A.M to 1 P.M. and from 2 P.M. to 7 P.M. Entry fee – You need to purchase an entry ticket of INR 25 per person. For photography inside the museum, you need to pay an additional INR 50. 🔺Magnetic Hill A super touristy and kind of a gimmicky place if the Magnetic Hill. Not sure if the phenomenon actually works or not but for like a minute you can just get excited by putting your car on neutral and seeing it go in reverse. Nonetheless the drive is insane and the views amazing! 🔺Leh Market If you are a shopping buff and want to pick up some souvenirs for your friends and family. The Leh Market is truly a vibe and you should definitely check out the various stores and eating outlets. I would highly recommend checking out the market in the evening as it truly comes alive! 🍕Best places to eat in Leh No trip is complete without some good food! 🍹Gesmo Restaurant – Located in the Leh Market, the Gesmo Restaurant is a budget friendly cafe which serves momos, soups, local dishes and more. 🍹Tibetan Kitchen – One of the best places in Leh city, the food here is simply out of the world. I will highly highly recommend checking out the dimsums and the hot chocolate here. We went here twice so take my word for it! 🍹Metta Cafe – For their coffee and Sandwiches. ================= If you are planning a trip to Ladakh anytime soon, then I hope this blog helps you plan and save time at the same time. As you will be starting your entire journey in Ladakh from Leh it is very very important to acclimatize on the first day. ========= Love, Rituparna