1Day One Day Leh Ladakh Sightseeing

Sindhu Ghati

Sindhu Ghati is a very beautiful place on the riverbank of the Indus River. This place is surrounded by magnificent natural beauty of barren mountains and valleys. The Indus River which flows through this place lends a very scenic and calm ambiance to the entire place. Indus River is called Sindhu River in the Indian language and this is the reason why this place is called Sindhu Ghati. The place is a venue for several cultural festivals and local performances. It is like a huge open-air auditorium set in the scenic surroundings of Ladakh. There are seating arrangements for the guests, and Buddhist monks come here for their prayer and ceremonial rituals. Many activities like trekking, campfires, and sightseeing trips are conducted here.

• Recommended duration of visit: 30 minutes

Shey Palace & Monastery

Shey Palace & Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Leh Ladakh. This monastery is also the best place to experience Tibetan Buddhism. This Buddhist monastery is a beautiful monastery. The main attraction in this monastery is the huge statue of Buddha which is in a seated position and is gilded with copper and gold. Precious stones are also embedded in this statue. The monastery was built in 1655 and has wonderful Tibetan architecture with various chortens and Tibetan décor. The monastery and its cliff-side position are best to view the surrounding regions of Ladakh.

• Recommended duration of visit: 50 minutes

Thiksey Monastery

One of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh is the Thiksey Monastery. The structure of this monastery is similar to that of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Like the other monasteries in Ladakh, this monastery is also located on a rugged hill and offers scenic views of the Ladakhi landscape. Inside, are beautiful fresco paintings, murals, sculptures, prayer wheels, and magnificent gates. Small chotens and shrines are located in the inner courtyard. The thangka paintings showcase the various chapters from Buddhist scriptures and the life of the Buddha. But the main attraction of this monastery is the huge statue of Buddha, which is called Maitreya and this statue is 15 meters in height and is the largest Buddha statue in Ladakh.

• Recommended duration of visit: 120 minutes

Stakna Monastery

Another monastery that you will visit in this One Day on Leh Ladakh Sightseeing Tour by Car is the Stakna Monastery. This monastery is located on the banks of the Indus River and is a hilltop shrine like many other monasteries in Ladakh. This monastery is one of the best monasteries in Ladakh and the most interesting feature of this monastery is the statue of Arya Avalokitesvara, which was brought from Assam. The monastery is a wonderful monastery that offers you great sweeping views of the Indus River and Ladakhi landscapes. There are over 30 monks who live in this monastery and interacting with them gives you an idea about their lifestyle and Tibetan rituals.

• Recommended duration of visit: 30 minutes

Hemis Monastery

One of the famous monasteries which you will visit in this one day sightseeing of Leh Ladakh is the Hemis Monastery. The monastery offers magnificent views of the barren hills, valleys, mountains, and desert landscapes of Ladakh. This monastery is the best place where you can view the Cham dance of the Buddhist monks, which is organized to celebrate the birthday of Padmasambhava. This Hemis Festival takes place in June and July and is the best opportunity to view Tibetan culture. The huge courtyard in this palace has magnificent wooden architecture. You can visit the museum in Hemis Monastery and view all the Tibetan exhibits over here.

• Recommended duration of visit: 120 minutes

Stok Palace and Museum

Stock Palace is the best palace in Leh Ladakh which you will visit in this Full Day Leh Ladakh Sightseeing Tour. A king called King Tsepal Namgyal established the Stok Palace in 1820. There are over 80 rooms in this palace and you can visit 12 of these. There is a rare collection of some beautiful Tibetan décor items in these rooms. The palace was the residence of the royal family of Leh. The museum inside the palace has ancient relics and artifacts like thangka paintings, a crown of the king, jewelry, coins, royal costumes, and other things. Stok Palace organizes mask dances every year and the Buddhist monks according to Tibetan rituals perform these dances.

• Recommended duration of visit: 50 minutes

Leh Palace

Leh Palace is one of the spectacular palaces that you will visit in this full day Leh Ladakh tour. Leh Palace has several rooms inside and long corridors. You will visit some parts of the Leh Palace on this tour and the museum that is situated here. The royal family abandoned this palace when Dogra forces attacked it. There are many artifacts that you can view in the museum such as costumes, dresses, crowns, Tibetan thangka paintings, and ornaments. Some of these are more than 450 years old and have gemstones and other precious stones. The palace offers scenic views of the surrounding Ladakhi landscapes.

• Recommended duration of visit: 60 minutes

Shanti Stupa

Shanti Stupa is also called Peace Pagoda. This Buddhist pagoda is a white structure with a dome, and Buddhist monks from Japan and Ladakh built this Buddhist monument. The Buddhist pagoda has a Dharm Chakra and meditating idol of Lord Buddha. You can see various floral carvings and characters from Buddhist mythology in this pagoda. Sunrise and sunset views from this pagoda are the best sights.

• Recommended duration of visit: 60 minutes

Leh Market

One of the best things to do on your one day sightseeing tour of Leh Ladakh is explore the local Leh market. The evening is the best time to do this and you can view various shops in this market and eat delicious food. A stroll here in this market will make you experience the friendly Ladakhi people and their generous hospitality. That are many restaurants, cafes, and shops here which line the street and you can explore them and eat delicious food like cakes, pastries, etc.

• Recommended duration of visit: 60 minutes