Ten km (6 miles) south of Leh and on the opposite bank of the Indus is the small village of Stok. Home to the local royal family who moved here after the Dogra invasion of Ladakh. The palace was built ...

Leh Palace-Tsemo Gompa-Sankar Gompa Having toured Ladakh valley, it’s time to explore Leh and its surrounds. This tour involves some stiff climbing, and is best left to last—the two earlier jeep excursions should have comfortably acclimatised you to high-altitude walking. ...

On of the best reasons for visiting Alchi is the drive out there. This starts in a humorous fashion, with oa serrieos ofu PWsD road-signstrung out along the airport road. ‘Dozing is injurious to health’ informs one. ‘Accidents are prohibited ...

Shey-Thikse-Hemis This is the most popular gompas circuit. If travelling by jeep, set out early morning, see the monasteries in the order given, and expect to be back by lunch. Alternatively, catch the first bus out to Shey (for 7.30 ...

Ladakh, the Land of the Passes, is perched in the cold deserts of the Karakoram ranges, at the crossroads of China, India and Central Asia. It may be part of India, but is less like India than anything you could ...