Tourism is one of the economic contributors to the union territory of Ladakh in Northern India. This union territory is located between the Karakoram mountain range to the north and the Himalayas to the south, and is situated at a height of 11,400 ft (3,475 km). Ladakh is composed of Leh and Kargil districts. The region contains prominent Buddhist sites and has an ecotourism industry.
Inner line permits
There are no open border crossings to the neighbouring Tibet Autonomous Region and Xinjiang, administered by China, or to Gilgit-Baltistan, administered by Pakistan.
No special permit is required to visit most of Ladakh, including Leh and Kargil towns.
Inner Line Permit (ILP), which can be obtained online, are required for all tourists to visit the "Inner Line" areas, the geostrategic restricted military border areas, such as Nubra Valley; Pangong Tso and Durbuk block (north of the Chang La pass); Tso-Moriri and Tso Kar lakes; Dah and Hanu villages; areas along the Indus River northwest of Khalatse and east of Upshi.
Foreigners can also obtain the permits for the restricted border areas, except they are not permitted in the specific border areas. Permits for foreigners are not available to go to the far reaches of each of the areas close to the LOC and LAC borders with Pakistan and China respectively. For example, foreigners can go to the edge of Pangong Lake and Maan and Merak villages, but not along the edge of it to Phobrang or Chushul villages; they cannot proceed east up the Indus from the Mahe bridge; and in Nubra they can only go as far as Panamik to the north and Turtuk to the west.
Transport
Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport at Leh has flights from Delhi year-round on Indigo, Vistara, GoFirst, and Air India. Air India also operates weekly flights to Jammu and Srinagar.
Bilaspur–Leh railway is under construction. The nearest railhead is Udhampur railway station connected with all major cities and towns in India.
The two roads into Ladakh from outside are the NH-1 Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Highway via Zoji La tunnel, and the high altitude Manali-Leh Highway via Atal Tunnel from Himachal Pradesh. Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road is a third road into Ladakh. Important roads within Ladakh are Nimmu–Padam–Darcha road, Chisumle-Demchok road, etc. Roads within Ladakh, except to Zangskar, are open all year round. Khardong-La Pass to Nubra can get closed by snow for several days in winter and spring. Chang-La pass to Pangong Lake rarely closes.
Buses serve the whole area from Leh and Kargil towns. Taxis are available in Leh and Kargil as well as in block headquarters like Tangtse, Diskit, and Khalsa. Shared taxis to Nubra, Kargil, Srinagar, and Zanskar leave Leh in the early morning.
Tourist regions
Ladakh is subdivided in three regions: Western, Central and Eastern areas.
Western Area Kargil, Drass, Sankoo and Zanskar are main towns in this region. Kargil, in Ladakh, offers a range of tourist attractions including historical sites, monasteries, and natural landscapes, making it a destination for adventure and cultural tourism. It's known for its stunning scenery, particularly the Suru Valley and the Nun-Kun peaks. Kargil is also a hub for adventure activities like trekking and white-water rafting.
The Dras War Memorial is a memorial dedicated to the Kargil War. The Phugtal Monastery is a cave monastery in Zanskar, known for its architectural style and scenery. Suru Valley, a lush valley with green meadows and several streams, has panoramic views of the Nun and Kun peaks. The Nun-Kun Peaks are a common destination for trekkers and mountaineers. Rangdum Monastery is a well-known monastery with a rich history and spiritual significance. Mulbekh Monastery is a historical monastery located on a hilltop with views of the valley. Drang-Drung Glacier is a large glacier which is part of the vast Himalayan range. Sankoo Village, a village in Suru Valley, is a starting point for treks and a place to experience local culture. Panikhar is a village with eco-friendly accommodation options and opportunities for adventure activities.
In the northern areas, civilians and tourists are allowed to travel only up to Shyok village of Durbuk tehsil. It has geostrategic importance as it is the last Indian village on the 235 km long Darbuk–Shyok–DBO Road in the north which connects it to Daulat Beg Oldi (DBO) military post 225 km away on the China border. Syok to BDO area is also called Sub-Sector North (SSN) by the Indian Military.India completes vital Ladakh road, The Tribune, 23 April 2019.India working on two roads in Ladakh amid border row, Hindustan Times, 9 July 2020. Sasoma–Saser La Road will provide alternative connectivity to DBO.
Central area Chushul, where access by road is permitted without permit, lies in the north area of central Ladakh.
The Thikse Monastery is the largest monastery in central Ladakh.
Eastern area
Main areas are Karzok and Hanle. Travel from Hanley to Demchok is not permitted for the civilians and tourists, only army contractors are allowed with permission from the Indian Army.
Tourist towns
Among the places of tourist interest include Leh, Drass valley, Suru valley, Kargil, Zangskar, Zangla, Rangdum, Padum, Phukthal, Sani Monastery, Stongdey, Shyok Valley, Sankoo, Salt Valley., Markha valley, Ladakh monastery trek, South Zangskar, Trans-Zangskar Expedition, Spiti to Ladakh, Spiti to Pitok to Hemis, Rupshu, the Great Salt lakes, Chadar Ice trek
Leh
Leh is the capital of Ladakh. It has numerous tourist places including ancient palaces, monasteries, museums, war memorials and ecotourism. Just ahead of Leh Palace, the palace is the Chamba Temple, a shrine that has a large statue of Maitreya Buddha. In the bazaar, is the Jama Masjid painted green and white. Sankar Monastery welcomes a maximum of twenty monks at a time.
Tourist roads
Road access to Ladakh: These are 4 road routes to Ladakh which themselves are picturesque and touristic: NH-1 Srinagar-Kargil-Leh: via Jammu and Kashmir NH-3 Kullu-Keylong-Miroo-Leh: via Himachal Pradesh Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road (Zanskar Highway): via Zanskar Valley. Kiato-Karzok Road, connecting Kiato village (between Kiamo and Pangmo-Kaza in Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh, not to be confused with Key) in the south to the Karzok village (on the banks of Tso Morriri in Ladakh) in the north via the Takling La (5575 m or 18,290 ft, near the border of Ladakh, Himachal and Tibet), is a 125 km all-weather road being constructed by the BRO as another alternative route to Ladakh. After completing the initial survey, the BRO has invited the bids for preparing DPR for the road and the tunnel under the Takling La. It will connect the Karzok, Nurbo, Sumdo, Parangla and Kaza.
Tourist Roads within Ladakh: Following road routes have been opened for the tourists by the Government of India (GoI) without requiring the ILP. All of these are located above the altitude of 14,000 ft:5 new routes, 4 trails in Ladakh to open for travellers; permit limit also increased, India Times, 19 Dec 2018.
"Merak-Loma Bend Road", starts from Merak on Pangong Tso, via Chushul, ends at Loma between Dungti & Hanle. Most of it is covered by the Chushule-Demchoke Highway. "Chushul-Mahe Road" via Chushul, Kartsangla & Mahe. "Durbuk-Hanle Road" from Durbuk-Shachu-Tharuk-Sato Kargyam-Parma-Erath-Chushul-Loma to Hanle. "Agham-Shyok-Durbuk Road" "Changchenmo-Tsogtsalu Road" (CTR), 55 km long from confluence of Changchenmo & Shyok rivers to Tsogtsalu.Over 20 strategic roads close to LAC have the ear and deadline, The Economic Times, 3 Aug 2023. "Phobrang-Marsimik La-Tsogtsalu-Hot Springs Road" (PMTHR) or "Marsimik La Road" (MLR) via Phobrang-Marsimik La-Tsogstsalu to Hot Springs.India boosts road links to LAC standoff points, Indian Express, 2 July 2023.Forbidden zones in Ladakh to soon welcome tourists, Times of India, 26 May 2023.
Some of other major touristic routes are:
"Hanuthang-Turtuk Road" (HT Road) or "Hanuthang-Handanbroke-Zungpal-Turtuk Road" (HHZT Road), 26.6 Km long greenfield road provides inter-valley connectivity across the Stakpuchan (Skurbuchan) Mountain Range from Hanuthang & Handanbroke in Indus Valley to Zungpal-Turtuk in Shyok Valley to the north. It will reduce Leh to Turtuk distance by 334 km and by 7 hours, from 395 km to 61 km or from existing 10 hours to 2 hours and 30 minutes, by bypassing the existing longer Khardung La route. Construction started in October 2021 and it was almost complete in December 2023.Hanuthang-Handanbroke-Zungpal-Turtuk Road Hanuthang-Handanbroke-Zungpal-Turtuk Road, crackittoday affairs, 3 October 2021.Tunnels In Jammu-Kashmir And Ladakh: Development Or Disaster?, Outlook, 14 Dec 2023. "Kargil-Hambotingla-Batalik Road" (KHB Road) or "Kargil-Dumgil Road" (KD road), 50 km, includes construction of a tunnel at Hambotingla Kargil to Batalik. Upgrade of this touristic single-lane roads to national highway standard with paved shoulder started in October 2021. "Batalik-Khalse Road" (BK Road), 78 km long road provides access to Yaldor Sub Sector and to east of Batalik the Aryan Valley tourist villages of Dah, Hanu, Garkone, Darchik, etc. Upgrade of this touristic single-lane roads to national highway standard with paved shoulder started in October 2021. "Khalsar-Agham-Shyok Road" (KAS Road), 70 km. Upgrade of this touristic single-lane roads to national highway standard with paved shoulder started in October 2021. "Tangtse-Lukung Road" (TL Road), 31 km, to Pangong Tso and Marsimik La. Upgrade of this touristic single-lane roads to national highway standard with paved shoulder started in October 2021. "Lukung-Chartse Road" (LC Road), 32 km long road connects the northwest bank of Pangong Tso.YEAR-END DEADLINE SET FOR BRO TO COMPLETE 20 ROADS ALONG LAC AS STANDOFF WITH CHINA LOOKS INCREASINGLY IRREVERSIBLE, INDIAN DEFENCE NEWS, AUGUST 3, 2023. "Changchenmo-Tsogtsalu Road" (CTR), 55 km long: 55 km long road, from the confluence of Changchenmo & Shyok rivers to Tsogtsalu. "Phobrang-Marsimik La-Tsogtsalu-Hot Springs Road" (PMTHR) or "Marsimik La Road" (MLR) in Changchenmo Range, via Phobrang & Marsimik La is a motorable black-topped road which runs east of Pangong Tso. It also provides access to the "Finger-4 Road". "Finger-4 Road" (F4R), is a black top motorable road till "Finger-4" on the northern bank of the Pangong Tso, being built by India which will be completed by 2025.India, China ramp up infra on north bank of Pangong Tso lake , The Hindu, 2 July 2023. "Surtok-Kakstet-Chushul Road" (CKC road), parallel to the southern bank of Pangong Tso, provides shortest route from Spangmik, Man & Merak to Chushul. Sasoma–Saser La Road: Sasoma–Sasser La-Saser Brangsa-Gapsam-Daulat Beg Oldi Road (SSSG-DBO Road) 131 km long road through high Saser La, and its 18-km-long northwest-to-southeast fork the Sasser Brangsa-Murgo Road (SBM Road).Amid border row, Ladakh infra to gain heft with new strategic road to Depsang, DBO, The Tribune, 9 June 2023.Alternate alignment to Daulat Beg Oldi Road gets wildlife board nod, Economic Times, 29 Apr 2022. "Chushul-Dungti-Fukche-Demchok highway" (CDFD road), along the southern bank of Indus river which marks the LAC, will be converted to a single-lane 7.45 m wide 135 km long national highway with paved shoulder by 31 March 2025. Chushul and Fukche Airstrips lies along this highway. It will also provide faster access to the Nyoma airbase. This will boost military logistics and tourism in the border area.BRO starts process for 135-km road near LAC from Chushul to Demchok, News18, 24 Jan 2023. "Mahe-Chushul Road" (MCR), via Kartsangla, will be completed by the BRO by December 2023 (August 2023 update).