Leh

The best time to visit Leh is from May to September, when the weather is pleasant (roughly 10–25°C by day), both the Manali–Leh and Srinagar–Leh highways are open, and all sightseeing routes including Khardung La, Nubra Valley, and Pangong Tso are accessible. July and August are peak season. Winter (October–April) is extremely cold, with many hotels closed, though flights to Leh operate year-round and winter draws Chadar Trek and snow-leopard enthusiasts.

Yes — Leh sits at about 3,500 metres (11,500 ft), and acute mountain sickness (AMS) is common, especially if you fly in directly. Plan at least 24–48 hours of complete rest on arrival: no strenuous activity, no long drives, drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol, and sleep well. Headache, nausea, and breathlessness usually settle within a day or two. Consult your doctor about preventive medication such as acetazolamide (Diamox), and descend or seek medical help if symptoms worsen.

By air: Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL/KBR) has direct flights from Delhi (about 1.5 hours) and seasonal connections from Mumbai, Chandigarh, and Srinagar. By road: the Manali–Leh highway (~475 km, open roughly June–October) and the Srinagar–Leh highway via Zoji La and Kargil (~420 km, open roughly May–November) are two of India’s most spectacular road journeys. There is no railway to Leh — the nearest major railheads are Jammu and Chandigarh.

Leh town itself needs no permit for Indian tourists. However, day trips beyond Leh — Khardung La and Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri, Hanle, and the Dah-Hanu villages — require an Inner Line Permit for Indian nationals, and foreign nationals need a Protected Area Permit (PAP). Both are issued online via the official portal lahdclehpermit.in or from the DC office in Leh, usually within a day. Carry multiple photocopies, as checkposts collect a copy each.

Only postpaid SIM cards work in Ladakh — prepaid connections from outside the region do not get a signal. Jio, Airtel, and BSNL postpaid have good coverage in Leh town, but connectivity drops quickly on remote routes like Pangong and Nubra. Many hotels and cafes in Leh offer Wi-Fi, though speeds fluctuate. Download offline maps and carry some cash, as card machines and ATMs can be unreliable outside town.

Plan a minimum of 5–6 days: two for acclimatisation and Leh sightseeing (Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, monasteries), one for Khardung La and Nubra Valley, one for Pangong Tso, and a buffer day. A comfortable, unhurried trip covering Nubra, Pangong, and the Indus Valley monasteries takes 7–9 days. If you are arriving by road from Manali or Srinagar, add 2 days each way for the drive.

In town: the nine-storey Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa at sunset, Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, the Hall of Fame war museum, and the old town and Leh Market. Along the Indus Valley within an hour’s drive: Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery (often compared to the Potala), and Hemis Monastery, Ladakh’s largest. Further out lie Khardung La, Nubra Valley, Pangong Tso, and the Magnetic Hill–Sangam stretch on the Srinagar highway.

Leh has options for every budget — guesthouses and homestays from about Rs 800–1,500 a night, mid-range hotels around Rs 2,500–5,000, and a handful of luxury properties. Food is inexpensive, with Tibetan kitchens and cafes across the town. SBI, PNB, J&K Bank, and HDFC ATMs operate in Leh Market, but they can run dry in peak season and there are almost none beyond town, so withdraw enough cash before heading to Nubra or Pangong.