Leh’s town is a small one that extends to a radius not more than two kilometers also called the Town Square, which has historic mosques, a new gompa, terrace restaurants, German bakeries, travel agencies and curio shops. The town rests against the shadow of magnificent Leh Palace that perched on the hill top. Leh serves as the gateway to the high altitude lakes, the valleys of Nubra and lower Indus and the surrounding areas. The travel to different places of Ladakh starts from Leh and end up in Leh.



Leh has been the center of Tibeto – Buddhist culture, which is manifested by its colorful gompas, ubiquitous Buddhist lamas and the strong Buddhist culture. Leh attracts not only adventurers and holiday makers but also devout Buddhist from far and away. In the 17th century king Sengge Namgyal shifted his court here from Shey. The town was once a busiest market place on the Silk Route. In the year 1974 Indian government opened the place for tourism. Once a happening place of Sunni Muslim traders but after the closure of Chinese border in 1950s, the route was closed. Leh regained limelight duirng the twin wars of 1965 and 1971. Kahki clad soldiers and their families in lower plains are now the backbone of the local economy during winter when tourists are few. There are plenty of tourist attraction in and around Leh. The prime is Leh Palace that is located at the hill top overlooking the town. Near by Sankar monastery that is decorated with modern tantric murals and a thousand beaded Avalokitesvara/Avalokiteshvara deity.

Sight And Activities

Trekking
July to September is the prime time for trekking. There are ample trekking agencies that arrange guides, ponies, tents, stoves and other necessities. The most popular trek is the 10 day Markha Valley trek. The most spectacular and tough is the 20 day trek from Lamayuru to Darcha in Himachal Pradesh, through Zanskar Valley and two high passes, past alpine meadows and Buddhist monasteries. long walks to small villages is no less fun than trek.

River Running
River Indus and its tributaries offers some spectacular rafting experience. The raft floats from Karu to Spituk is ideal for amateurs. The most difficult streches offers by Zanskar river. padding along the river’s spectacular course through a gorge in the Zanskar mountains between Padum and Nimo is awe-inspiring. There are many agencies in Leh as well as in Delhi that organises rafting expeditions.
Mountaineering
Mountaineering in Ladakh is only for serious climbers. The Nun –Kun massif the the Great Himalayan range is a thrill at 7000 meters. Other range is the Stok-Kangri near Leh in the Zanskar range with over six known peaks. The climbing season extends from mid May to mid October. Climbing expedition also require permission from Indian Mountaineering Foundation.

Festival In Ladakh
Though the most festivals occurs on Winter but there are few important exceptions. Hemis Festival (end June/early July) and the Ladakh Festival organised by the Tourism Department in the first half of September. Festivals in Ladakh has been celebrated with much fanfare including dances, processions, polo, archery etc are held. The monastic festivals are famous for the Chham dance dramas performed to the accompaniment of mystic monatic music.

Therapeutic Break
Holiday in Ladakh is more than only sightseeing and adrenaline rushing activities. There are various NGOs who are working silently to educate poor children, working with solar energy and promote the hidden art and crafts of villagers. You can also join them and learn the culture. You can also learn Thai massage and meditation, if you are serious spiritually inclined person you can check out the Tushita Meditation Center just 8 km from the Leh town. You can also stay at the monasteries and do voluntary work.

Shopping
The original blue stuff can be found not in the town but in near by villages. In the village of Chilling, 19 km up of Nemo in the Zanskar valley is a community of metal workers who work silver, brass and copper and occasionally silver chortens. The other traditional buy is pattu, the rough, warm wool used by the locals. Pashmina shawls and Tibetan carpets are other attractive buy. The Tibetan Refugee Centre at Choglamsar village Leh is a good place to buy the Carpets.