Ladakh is located in the Indian Himalayas, at the border with Pakistan and Tibet. Leh, the capital of Ladakh situated at 3500m above sea level, is the main hub for the tourists. The town has many restaurants, and it is a great place to try Ladakhi food.
Ladakh offers has attractions such as ancient Buddhist monasteries, picturesque villages and breathtaking lakes… For those who are looking for adventure, there are many trekking options (the Markha valley trek and the trek from Phyang to Hunder are popular 1-week treks).
If you prefer a sightseeing tour to explore the region, here is one of the nice itineraries in Ladakh that can be done in 5 days.
Day 1: discover Leh
Leh is quite a small town, but there are many monuments to be visited. Above the Old Town, the former palace of the royal family, was constructed during the 17th century by the king of Ladakh. The nine-storey building is a wonderful example of Ladakhi architecture, and it is often compared to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. From its roof, one can enjoy spectacular views of city and the mountains.
Day 2: visit the monasteries of the Indus valley
During that day, you can visit several monasteries and explore beautiful villages. The Hemis monastery is the largest monastery in Ladakh. It is easily accessible from Leh because it’s just 45 km away. The monastery is famous for its annual festival dedicated to Guru Rinpoche where mask dances are performed by the monks. There is a museum inside the monastery which is worth visiting. Another well known monastery in Ladakh is Alchi because it houses spectacular 12th-century murals and a huge statue of Maitreya Buddha.
Day 3 and 4: explore the Nubra Valley
The Nubra Valley lies on the Old Silk Route connecting India to central Asia. The valley is accessed from Leh via the Khardung La pass, the highest motorable road in the world at 5,600 meters altitude. Tone of the highlights of the Nubra valley is the Hunder Sand Dunes. Here you can see double humped Bactrian camels and you can go for a camel safari! Just 7 km away, you can visit the beautiful Diskit monastery which is built at the top of a peak. The Nubra valley is also a famous place for trekking, the Phyang to Hunder trek ends here.
Day 5: enjoy Pangong Lake
Pangong lake is the most beautiful lake in Ladakh. The lake is situated at an altitude of 4250 meters in the east part of Ladakh, 200 km from Leh. A special permit called Inner Line Permit needs to be obtained to access this lake. The lake has become very famous after the release of the Hindi movie “3 idiots”. This is definitely a spot not to be missed during your trip to Ladakh!