Activities – 1 Nudra Valley
Nubra Valley lies in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, at a distance of around 140 Km from Leh. Located on the ancient Silk Route, the valley has Shyok and Nubra river snaking through it and some beautiful monasteries.The region is currently under military supervision because the road further leads to the Siachen base camp, which happens to be the highest battlefield in the world. All foreign nationals need to get protected area permit, and Indian travellers need to obtain an Inner Line Permit to enter the Nubra valley. You need to hand over the photocopies of your travel permits to the soldiers in the Khardung La pass. Most tourists travel to Nubra Valley from Leh through Khardung La.

With arid mountains in the backdrop, Nubra Velly is famous for the Bactrian camel rides. Bactrian camels are of the rarest sort, having two humps and were the primary source of transportation in the silk route. It is also famous for its Hippophae shrub, popularly known as Leh Berry. In Diksit, you can buy some lovely Kashmiri or Tibetan artefacts, Pashmina shawls, woollen socks, almonds, apricots, apples and other things that define Kashmir.

Activities – 2 Kargil
Usually a stopover for people travelling towards Leh or Padum, Kargil is a tourist hotspot that’s small enough to be explored by wayfaring. Situated close to the line of control, Kargil is also a volatile region, owing to the terrorism prevalent from the other side of the LOC. However, apart from its glorious past, bestowed with natural beauty and adventure, Kargil is the place to be for intrepid travellers.

It is the home to the famed Nun Kun Peaks and has excellent potential for skiing, mountaineering and trekking. Kargil rests on the banks of River Suru and also offers unique opportunities for river rafting. An amalgamation of Buddhist and Turkish architecture, Kargil has a rich history dating back to the 16th century. It is nestled at an altitude of 2704 metres above sea level and offer exemplary views of the Himalayan Ranges. Apart from tourism, this region is also known as an essential centre for trade and commerce. Dotted with apricot farms, Kargil is one of the largest producers of apricots in India. Sumptuous food and warm locals are the highlights of this town. Hence, sampling the local delicacies is one of the best experiences in Kargil.

Activities – 3 Shanti Stupa
The Shanti Stupa in Leh is a magnificent white-domed Buddhist monument located atop a steep hilltop at a dizzying height of 11,841 feet. It is a religious place for the Buddhists as it holds the relics of Buddha, consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama. It is also popular amongst tourists as it offers a sweeping view of Leh and the nearby Changspa village. Shanti Stupa looks exceptionally beautiful during the full moon night when it is naturally illuminated by the moonlight.

Shanti Stupa was constructed in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist, Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The construction was jointly done by the Japanese and Ladakhi Buddhists to mark the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and to promote world peace. It is a part of the peace pagoda mission, which aims to spread peace through the preaching of Buddha. Shanti Stupa is a perfect getaway for both- those looking to obtain peace from offering prayers to God and those waiting to be mesmerised by nature’s wondrous beauty.

Activities – 4 The Leh Palace
The Leh Palace, also known as ‘Lhachen Palkhar,’ is a 17th-century former royal palace and one of the central attractions in Leh. Built under the patronage of by King Sengge Namgyal, it used to house his family. The nine-storey dun-coloured palace now houses a museum and a prayer room, while the highlight is the sweeping view of Leh and the surrounding Zanskar mountain from the rooftop.

The Leh Palace is modelled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet), and even though a considerable part is now in ruins due to the Kashmiri invasion that took place in the 19th century, the stately palace continues to remain a stunning place to explore. The beauty of the Leh Palace still stands in pride with a lot of ancient Buddha relics, paintings, old utensils, cutlery used by the royal family and artefacts adorning the walls, most of which are almost 450 years old. 

The palace looks even more stunning when it is lighted upon certain special occasions, such as Galdam Namchot festival when locals gather around the palace to celebrate the local festival. The majestic palace is presently under the Archaeological Survey of India, which is working on renovating the ancient structures of that era and striving to keep intact the history of the Namgyal dynasty in Leh.

Activities – 5 Spituk Monastery 
Spituk Monastery also called Spituk Gompa, is a Buddhist monastery located about 8 kms from Leh. One of the most dazzling monasteries in India, it houses 100 monks and a giant statue of Kali, which is unveiled during the annual Gustor Festival held every year. It is famous for its collection of Buddhist objects of antique arms, icon, ancient masks and numerous Thangka paintings.

Known as Pethup Gompa among the locals, the Spituk Monastery was founded by Od-de, the elder brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od when he came to Maryul in the 11th Century. The site was blessed by the Arhat Nyimagung. When Lotsewa Rinchen Zangpo (Translator) came to that place he said that an exemplary religious community would arise there and so the monastery was called Spituk. Spituk Monastery, with its commanding view of the Indus Valley and the surrounding beauty, is often visited by tourists from all across the globe.

Activities – 6 The Phugtal (Phuktal) Monastery
The Phugtal (Phuktal) Monastery is a Buddhist monastery situated in the south-east part of Zanskar region in Ladakh. Situated at the mouth of natural cave on a cliff, it is one of the most isolated monasteries in the region, built around 2500 years ago. The Phugtal Monastery looks like a honeycomb from a distance.

Phuk means “cave”, and tal means “at leisure” in Zanskari dialect. The monastery can only be reached by foot and requires arduous trekking. Trekking lovers would find this as a great getaway full of enchanting sights and sounds. The Phuktal Monastic School is located nearby, delivering free education to the children. What is unique about Phugtal Monastery is that the degree of water flowing through the cave remains the same in spite of the pace of water outside. It has 4 prayer rooms, library, kitchen, guest rooms, and living space for around 700 monks

Activities – 6 Diskit Monastery
Also known as Deskit/ Diskit Gompa, the Diskit Monastery is the oldest and largest monastery in Nubra valley. It holds a strong bond with the Tibetan myth. This holy site is believed to have been the very residence of an anti-Buddhist Mongolian demon. Although this evil being was killed several times close to the monastery, it always came back alive. It is said that Diskit Monastery houses the disintegrated head and hand of this demon.

This monastery also houses a school which is run in collaboration with an NGO named “The Tibet support group”. The school provides computer facilities and also teaches the Tibetan kids science in the English language. Diskit Monastery is renowned for its festival “Dosmoche”, translating into the festival of the Scapegoat. Masked monk performances expressing the power of good over evil is a typical sight during this celebration. It is said that this dance form eradicates bad luck.

Activities – 7 Stok Palace
Located around 15km from Leh, the Stok Palace is the summer home to the royal family of Ladakh and descendants of King Sengge Namgyal. It was established in 1820 by King Tsepal Namgyal and was opened to the public in 1980 by the Dalai Lama. The Stok Palace has been converted into a heritage hotel and houses the Stok Palace Museum and Temple. The rustic interiors of the hotel emit royal antique decor alongside some quirkily decorated rooms as well. Besides, the Stok Palace is a well-preserved traditional piece of the Buddhist culture too. The hotel is divided into six units within the Stok Palace and three more divisions in the Chulli Bagh Villa.

Activities – 8 Tso Kar
Tso Kar is a fluctuating salt lake located in the Rupshu Plateau of scenic Ladakh Valley. It is popularly known as the White Lake owing to the white salt deposits it leaves on the shores. Tso Kar Lake is the most peaceful and calm of the three high-altitude lakes (Pangong Lake and Tso Moriri) and also the smallest of the three.

Tso Kar hosts varied flora and fauna attracting a horde of bird watchers, especially during the migration season. The common birds found here are Brahmin ducks, bar-headed geese and great crested grebe. The main attraction, however, is the black-necked crane. The black-necked cranes, known for their fidelity, come to Tso Kar to lay eggs. There are only a few yak sheds, a monastery and a couple of nomadic families in the surrounding. The view of the lake at night in the moonlight is even more stunning.