Leh Tourism

Location : Jammu & Kashmir
Altitude Range : 2,500 To 4,500m
Main Attractions : Trekking, Mountaineering, Camping, Water Rafting, And Buddhist Monasteries
Best Time To Visit : June To End September

Leh - The Land With Sheer Beauty and Majestic Mountains
Leh has quite a few amazing places to offer its tourists. In between sheer beauty and majestic mountains, gradually fused into an oasis of green fields, Leh is based on the banks of the river Indus, at a height of 11,000 feet. Leh airport is Ladakh's only link with the outside world for the seven months of the year.

Leh is the administrative, commercial and cultural capital of Ladakh with a population of 10,000 people, mainly Buddhist. A memorable sight of the Leh bazar is the group of women, traditionally attired, selling fruits, vegetables and household articles, spinning and knitting, and exchanging gentle banter between themselves and with passers-by.

The mosque, city palace, the bazar and the gompas, are all within walking distance. Rumbak and Markha offer exciting treks, while Stok Kangri is the best for a climb. Boating and river running too are possible on the Indus.

Arriving At Leh
By Flight : Leh - Leh is the main airport for this area. Direct flights link it to Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar and Jammu. Kargil, Suru and Zanskar valleys - Srinagar and Leh airports are both convenient.
By Roadways : Leh - Srinagar-Leh road is the main route with an over night halt at Kargil. The road is open between mid June and November. Ordinary and deluxe buses of the J&K state road transport corporation regularly ply on this route. Taxis can also be hired at Srinagar for this trip.

The Major Fascinating Sights At Leh
Leh Palace : This palace described has a miniature version of Lhasa's Potala Palace. It was built in the mid of 16th century by King Singe Namgyal. It is still owned by the royal family. This palace has nine storeys. One part of the palace is occupied by the museum. Its narrow passages lined with paintings, arms and old thankas (cloth painted with Tibetian deity). Its central prayer room has religious texts lining the walls. There is a ruined palace / fort set above the Leh palace. The remains of the Leh Gompa houses a large golden Buddha, murals, painted scrolls and old manuscripts.

The Tsemo Gompa : The Tsemo Gompa or Red Gompa is situated at the north of the city has a strenuous walkable distance. The left side of its entrance has the portrait of Tashi Namgyal. It has a colossal 2-storey high image of Maitreya, flanked by Avalokitesvara and Manjusri figures.

Soma Gompa : The new Soma Gompa is a new monastery situated at old village. It was built in 1957 to commemorate the 2,500th birth-day of Buddha.

Hemis : It is 40 Km south of Leh, along a road crossing the Indus. Among the innumerable tankhas (paintings on cloth), there is one which is supposed to be the biggest of its kind in existence. The exposition of this tankhas takes place once in eleven years. Every year, in June, a fair (' Mela of Hemis Gompa') takes place at Hemis which is a colourful occasion for the mask dances.

Tiksey : It is 25km south of Leh. This is considered as one of the most imposing monastery in Ladakh. It is a 12-storey monastery painted in red and white and ochre. It has 10 temples surrouned by typical tapering walls. 60 lamas and a nunnery reside at the hill side below. The complex contains numerous stupas, wall paintings, tankas, statues, large pillar engraved with Buddha teachings and swords. The interior of new temple dominated by a giant 15 meters high Buddha figure.