Like the land itself, the people of Ladakh are generally quite different from those of the rest of India. The faces and physique of the Ladakhis, and the clothes they wear, are more akin to those of Tibet and Central Asia than of India. The original population may have been Dards, an Indo-Aryan race down from the Indus and the Gilgit area. But immigration from Tibet, perhaps a millennium or so ago, largely overwhelmed the culture of the Dards and obliterated their racial characteristics. In eastern and central Ladakh, today's population seems to be mostly of Tibetan origin. Further west, in and around Kargil, the people's appearance suggests a mixed origin.

This well-presented museum mostly commemorates the army's role in Ladakh from helping with cloudburst relief in 2010 to the high-altitude battles fought with Pakistan during the 20th century and includes a 30-minute film introducing the 1999 'Kargil War'. Room 15 displays clothing worn by soldiers at -50ºC. An attached 'Adventure Park' combines assault course and archery range.

One of the popular tourist attractions in the Leh-Ladakh region, the Hemis Monastery, which belongs to the Drukpa lineage, is one of the ancient monasteries that is believed to have existed before the 11thcentury. It is approximately 45 kilometers away from Leh and exhibits a rich collection of antiques like the copper statue of Buddha, stupas made of precious metals, sacred Thangkas, murals and various artifacts. The unique structure of the monastery that reflects the Tibetan style of architecture is also another feature that pulls in a large number of tourists. The monastery is divided into two parts – the assembly hall known as Dukhang and the temple which is called Tshogkhang. The huge courtyard of the monastery is also worth a visit on your tour to Leh-Ladakh. Further, the Hemis Festival, which is celebrated in the courtyard of the monastery, is another magnetic catch for the tourists. The foundation stone that was laid by the Tibetan translator Rinchen Zangpo in the middle of 12th century, the Alchi Monastery is a fabled construction in the midst of three other ancient monuments that is far famed for its unique style and workmanship. The Alchi Monastery, which was once under the control of the Kadampa order but later taken over by the Gelukpa sect, is approximately 70 kilometers away from Leh and stands to be a major visit on Leh-Ladakh tours. Tourists can easily hark back to the quaint era from the dilating walls of the monastery that displays a diorama of both Buddhism and the Hindu kings. Further, the baroque styled architectural monastery also holds huge statues of Lord Buddha, Chortens and three major shrines – the Dukhang that is the Assembly Hall, Sumtseg and Temple of Manjushri. Overlooking the River Indus and close to the Thikse Monastery, the Matho Monastery in the village of Matho is yet another popular tourist attraction in Leh-Ladakh. It is approximately 26 kilometers away from Leh and is the only epitome of the Sakyapa sect in the Ladakh region. Much of its workmanship is in ruins but the monastery holds a newly built assembly hall, which is known as du-khand and holds many colourful paintings and a Sakyamuni Buddha statue. It also maintains a small chapel and museum. The ‘festival of the oracles’, which is an annual festival and held during the first month of Tibetan calendar, is a major religious event for the locals that is bound within the monastery walls. The Spituk Monastery that was built in the 11th century is one of the finest examples of the Gelukpa sect and remains one of the major attractions for the tourists in the Leh-Ladakh region. It is approximately 9 kilometers away from Leh and is a home to over 100 monks. The monastery holds an image of Lord Buddha, Mahakaal and of Amitayus, which is about a finger high in length. It also boasts of a rich collection of thangkas, ancient masks, antique arms, etc. The main temple also maintains a high throne, which is reserved for the Dalai Lama, and an old chapel that displays the images of Tsong-kha-pa, his two chief disciples and of the Buddha. The popular Gustor Festival, which takes place from the 27th to 29th day in the month of February every year, is hosted within the walls of the Spituk Monastery. Another fine example of the Gelukpa sect is the Thikse Monastery that was founded in the mind of 15thcentury. It is approximately 19 kilometers away from Leh and is renowned for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa. The 12 storied monastery is a hub of various forms of Buddhist art stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords. The popular Maitreya Temple that maintains a 15 feet high statue of Maitreya is tucked inside the walls of the Thikse Monastery. The red, ochre and white walls secludes an assembly hall, a temple that is dedicated to Goddess Tara and another temple, the Lamokhang Temple that is a repository of numerous volumes of scriptures including Kangyur and Stangyur. Approximately 15 kilometers away from the capital of Ladakh, Leh, the Shey Monastery is one of the newly built monasteries in the Leh-Ladakh region from all the monasteries. It was built in the 17th century by the king of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal. It holds within its walls a giant statue of a seated Shakyamuni Buddha and the walls that displays the images of the Buddha’s two chief disciples, Sariputra and Maudgalyayana and the 16 Arhats. The large statue of Shakyamuni Buddha in a sitting posture inside a small shrine, which is approximately 400 meters away from the Shey Monastery, is a nearby attraction. The Shey Doo Lhoo and Shey Rupla are the two major festivals that are hosted within the walls. Further, the tourists can also enjoy the stunning view of the Zanskar Range and Indus Valley from the Shey Monastery.