Leh.

A distinctive region in the Jammu & Kashmir state, Ladakh is a vast highland desert lying between the Karakoram and the Himalayan ranges. The region is now organized into two districts: Leh and Kargil. Situated at the apex of a triangular plateau formed by the Indus, at an altitude of 3500meters above sea level is Leh – the biggest oasis of the mountain region and the heart of Ladakh. The city is a great tourist attraction for the foreign tourists especially during the Hemis Festival – the birthday of Guru Padmasambava, founder of the red sect of Buddhism in Ladakh.

Ladakh is the abode of rare Kiang & highland Yak. Leh its capital city lies at the Tri junction of the historic silk route from Sinkiang to West Asia and to the plains of India.

Tourist Attractions: Buddhist Monasteries, the Leh Palace.
Best Buys: Tibetan handicraft items.
Best Hangouts: The Monasteries
Best Activity: Trekking, Mountaineering, Camping, Water Rafting.
Nearby Tourist Destinations: Jammu, Leh, Kargil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam.
When to Visit: June to End September.

Major Tourist Attractions in Leh
Leh Palace
Built in the mid of 16th century by King Singe Namgyal, this palace is a distinguished monument and a historical building and is still owned by the royal family. This palace has nine storeys. One part of the palace is occupied by the museum. It is an imposing structure, though in ruins now, situated on a hill and commands a grand view of the Leh town. The building in grand Tibetan architecture is said to have inspired the famous Potala of Lahasa, built half a century later.

The Tsemo Gompa
The Tsemo Gompa or Red Gompa is situated at the north of the city. 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 Gompa
Hemis Gompa is located at a distance of 40 km south of Leh, along a road crossing the Indus. Among the innumerable thankas (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
About 25km south of Leh, Tiksey 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 surrounded by typical tapering walls. 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.

Getting There
Air: Leh - Leh is the main airport for this area. Direct flights link it to Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar and Jammu. Kargil, Surd and Zanskar valleys - Srinagar and Leh airports are both convenient.
Road: 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.