Deskit Villa is perfectly located at a convenient distance from all significant places in Leh!
- Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa is a white dome shaped Buddhist stupa (chorten) built in 1991 by a Japanese Buddhist monk Gyomyo Nakamura to promote world peace. The stupa is located on a hilltop and displays a beautiful panoramic view of Leh town.The stupa also has a beautiful spot for yoga and a meditation hall for people who are interested (ideal for early mornings to avoid tourists and noise). There is a small café serving hot tea and snacks. It is located about 2km from Deskit Villa.
- Sankar Gonpa
A short walk less than a kilometer away is a small monastery that harbors accomplished modern Tantric murals and ancient Avaloketesvara (Buddha of Compassion) deity.
- Leh Khar (Leh Palace)
Leh Khar is the former royal palace overlooking Leh town. The Leh palace was modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa Tibet, and was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century. The palace was abandoned when Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in the mid 19th century, and the royal family moved to Stok Palace in 1846. The Palace today hosts some exhibition spaces and a small prayer room and provides a beautiful view. Located at a distance of about 2 km from Deskit Villa.
- Namgyal Ltsemo Gonpa (Leh Monastery)
The Ltsemo Gonpa was built in 1430AD for protection of Leh town and is the main monastery for people in Leh. Perched amid strings of prayer flags, the monastery embraces a three-storied statue of Maitriya Buddha (Future Buddha) and a one-storied statue of Avaloketesvara (Buddha of Compassion) and Manjushri (Buddha of Wisdom).
- Stok Palace
When the Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in the 19th centuary, the royal family of Ladakh abandoned the Leh Palace and move to Stock Palace. The royal family of Leh still at the present day reside in the Stock Palace. Most part of the Palace is however to open to visitors and the Palace even has a museum displaying a collection of the royal family’s ancient possessions.
- Khardung la
The world’s highest motorable road en route Nubra. If your visit in Ladakh does not include Nubra, you can go up to Khardung-la top and roll down on mountain bikes for a thrilling experience.
- Leh Market
An ideal place for shopping for a range of artefacts, silverware, Kashmiri pashmina, thanka paintings, travel books, bohemian clothes and more.
- Leh Heritage Walk
A walk around the history of Leh. You can see the origin of Leh and a plenty of old houses, each with a different story. LAMO (Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation) is situated in Old Town and holds splendid exhibitions for art lovers. Tiberian Heritage Fund’s Leh Old Town Initiative has been making an effort to preserve this part of Leh’s history.
- Other
Shey Monastery, Thiksey Monastery, Spituk Monastery, Magnetic Hill.