Ladakh sits on the rooftop of India, where cinnamon-colored mountains meet turquoise rivers and centuries-old gompas keep time with prayer wheels. Once a vital stop on the Silk Route, Leh still hums with that caravan energy—Tibetan, Central Asian, and Kashmiri influences all folded into a single, windswept capital.

Expect stark, cinematic landscapes: chortens against cobalt skies, the Indus snaking through poplar groves, and monasteries that glow gold at dawn. Highlights include Leh Palace, Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries, Shanti Stupa, and the famed Indus–Zanskar confluence. With just two days, we’ll base in Leh for acclimatization-friendly exploring, with an optional full-day Pangong Lake adventure.

Practical notes: Leh sits around 3,500 m (11,500 ft). Rest, hydrate, and take it slow on Day 1. Foreign nationals need Inner Line Permits for areas like Pangong and Nubra; most hotels or local agents can arrange these. Postpaid SIMs work best (Airtel/BSNL), ATMs exist but bring backup cash, and many eateries are seasonal (best May–September).

Leh

Leh is Ladakh’s convivial base camp—walkable, packed with stupas, and ringed by snow lines. Start with the Old Town’s mud-brick lanes and the 17th-century Leh Palace, then climb to Shanti Stupa for a sunset watercolor over the Stok range. The mornings are for monastery bells; the afternoons for apricot orchards, museums, and markets buzzing with handwoven pashmina.

Top sights and experiences: Leh Palace and Old Town heritage walk; Shanti Stupa at sunset; Thiksey Monastery’s morning prayers; Hemis Monastery’s museum; Shey Palace and giant copper Buddha; Magnetic Hill; and the Indus–Zanskar confluence at Nimmu. Food-wise, look for skyu (a hearty Ladakhi pasta stew), tingmo (fluffy steamed bread), and apricot-based dishes.

Where to stay (search and compare): Browse stays on VRBO and Hotels.com. Favorites to look for include The Grand Dragon Ladakh (polished, great service), The Abduz (modern comforts), The Zen Ladakh (pool and views), and heritage-style guesthouses in Changspa.

How to get to Leh: The fastest way is flying into Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL). Check fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Delhi–Leh takes ~1 hr 15 min (often $60–$160 roundtrip off-peak); Mumbai–Leh is usually 1-stop and ~4–6 hrs total. There’s no railway to Leh; if you’re overlanding, trains to Jammu/Chandigarh then a 2–3 day road trip via Manali–Leh or Srinagar–Leh can be researched via Trip.com Trains.

Food and coffee to target: For breakfast and espresso, Lehvenda Café (excellent cappuccinos, shakshuka, and pancakes) and Gesmo Restaurant & Bakery (fresh bakes, omelets, thukpa later in the day). For lunch, Namza Dining serves beautifully plated “slow Ladakhi” dishes—try the apricot-glazed chicken or barley momos. For dinner, The Tibetan Kitchen is a perennial favorite for butter tea, gyathuk, and tingmo; Alchi Kitchen’s Leh outpost spotlights local recipes like skyu and chhurpi soup; Bon Appetit (seasonal) pairs yak cheese platters with mountain views. Quick eats: Neha Snacks for Delhi-style chole bhature when you’re craving spice.

Day 1: Acclimatize, Old Town Heritage, and a Shanti Stupa Sunset

Morning: Fly into Leh. Grab a window seat—snow-dusted peaks line the final approach. On arrival (often between 8:00–12:00), transfer to your hotel and rest. Sip warm water or seabuckthorn tea, avoid heavy exertion, and postpone alcohol until tomorrow. If you’re peckish, keep it light: a bowl of vegetable thukpa or a plate of tingmo with mild curry.

Afternoon: Ease into altitude with a gentle Old Town loop: start at the Central Asian Museum (if open; compact exhibits on trade routes), then wander the bazaar’s pashmina and silver stalls. Continue up to Leh Palace (about 15–25 minutes uphill at an easy pace). The palace’s shadowy corridors open onto terraces with stirring city-and-valley views—perfect for orientation shots. Coffee stop: Lehvenda Café for an espresso and a slice of apricot cake.

Evening: Time your ride to Shanti Stupa for golden hour. The stupa’s white dome blushes pink as the sun dips behind the Stok range; it’s the postcard you came for. Dinner afterward at The Tibetan Kitchen—order momos (steamed or fried), gyathuk noodle soup, and butter tea—or try Alchi Kitchen’s skyu and buckwheat crepes with apricot compote. If you’re up for a short stroll, browse the Main Bazaar for prayer flags and handwoven rugs before an early night.

Day 2: Monasteries, the Indus–Zanskar Confluence, and Departure

Morning: Start early with a light breakfast at Gesmo (eggs on toast or porridge). Drive southeast to Shey Palace (the ruined fortress and an elegant seated Buddha), then continue to Thiksey Monastery for morning prayers—its hilltop silhouette often draws comparisons to Lhasa’s Potala. Explore chamkhang chapels and the Maitreya Buddha hall. If time allows, push to Hemis Monastery, the largest in Ladakh, to see its museum of thangkas and ritual masks. Expect 30–45 minutes between each stop; hire a local taxi for ~₹3,500–5,500 for a half-day circuit.

Afternoon: Loop west to Magnetic Hill and onward to the dramatic Indus–Zanskar confluence at Nimmu—the blue-green braid is one of Ladakh’s signature panoramas. Lunch options: a simple thali at a roadside dhaba, or, in season, a reservation at the restaurant at Nimmu House for Ladakhi-leaning plates in a restored heritage home. Return to Leh by early afternoon for your flight. Airport taxis typically cost ₹500–800 from central Leh.

Evening: If your departure is later or you’ve added a night, book a relaxed dinner at Bon Appetit (seasonal; try the yak cheese salad and grilled trout) or unwind with herbal tea at Namza. On brisk nights, many guesthouses can arrange a simple stargazing session—Ladakh’s night skies are ink-black and dazzling.

Optional Feature: Full-Day Pangong Lake (If You Have a Late-Night Flight or an Extra Day)

This is a long, spectacular day: an early start through the lunar vistas of Chang La (among the world’s highest passes) to reach Pangong’s blue mirror straddling India and China. You’ll stop for tea at homely roadside cafés, then walk the pebbled shore where the water shifts from teal to lapis within minutes. Layer warmly; winds here can be fierce even in summer.

Pangong Lake Day Trip From Leh (Viator)

Typical duration: ~12–14 hours door-to-door; private car pricing commonly ranges from ₹10,000–14,000 depending on season and vehicle. Foreign nationals require an Inner Line Permit; most hotels or the operator can arrange it (budget ~₹600–800 in fees). Bring snacks, sunscreen, and a power bank; mobile signal is spotty.

Local tips and logistics:

• Altitude care: Hydrate, eat light on Day 1, and consider consulting your doctor about acetazolamide if you’re altitude-sensitive. Headaches usually ease with rest and fluids.
• Seasonality: May–September offers the best access. Winter brings crystalline skies and thin crowds, but road closures to high passes are possible.
• Permits: Keep photocopies of your passport and visa. For Pangong/Nubra/Turtuk, permits are checked at en route posts.
• Money & connectivity: Carry cash for monasteries, taxis, and small cafés. Postpaid SIMs (Airtel/BSNL) work; Wi‑Fi can be patchy.
• Taxis & drivers: Fixed-rate union taxis are the norm; your hotel can book reliable drivers for monastery circuits or airport transfers.

Getting there and away (search tools): Compare flight deals on Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. If piecing together an overland route via northern India, trains to Jammu/Chandigarh can be explored on Trip.com Trains, then continue by road.

Where to browse stays again: Hotels.com — Leh | VRBO — Leh

In two days, you’ll catch Ladakh’s essentials: monastery bells at dawn, copper light over Shanti Stupa, and the raw drama of the Indus–Zanskar meeting point. Keep Pangong in your back pocket for a longer day or an extra night, and you’ll have a reason to return to this high, quiet corner of the Himalaya.