Mid-range Heritage hotel · Leh
Stok Palace Heritage Hotel
Rooms inside part of Stok Palace, the home of Ladakh's former royal family since the 19th century, and in the orchard below it. Stok village, across the Indus, is about 15 km from Leh and much quieter than town.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon Canon EOS REBEL T4i · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsWhen Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in the 1840s, the Namgyal royal family left Leh Palace and moved to Stok, on the south side of the Indus. The palace is still the family's home, part of it is a museum of royal dress, jewellery and thangkas, and part of it has been opened as a heritage hotel with suites in the old building and newer rooms in the garden.
Staying here means traditional decor, small windows, thick walls and steps; the garden rooms are easier if stairs at altitude worry you. Stok is at a similar height to Leh, so it works for acclimatisation days, with a village to walk in and the Stok range above. A car is useful, since Leh is around 30 minutes away. Season and room types change, so check current status before you travel.
Why we use it
- Sleep in the former royal family's palace
- Quiet village base close to Leh
- Royal museum on site
Best for
Trips that stay here
Sleep here on a trip
Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
Comfort
Leh, Nubra and Pangong with a private car
Private Ladakh Taxi Union SUV with driver
Around the stay
Leh
Leh is Ladakh's capital and airport town at 3,500 m on the Indus. Spend your first two nights here resting before going higher. The old town, Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and the Indus monasteries fill three easy days. Guesthouses start around ₹1,200 a night.
Photo: KennyOMG · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Leh old town and palace morning walk
A slow walk from Main Bazaar through the mud-brick lanes of the old town to Leh Palace, finishing on the palace roof. I…
Photo: Vinay Goyal, Ludhiana · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Shanti Stupa sunset over the Leh valley
A white peace stupa above Chanspa, completed in 1991 and reached by 555 steps or a road. Sunset lights the palace, the …
Photo: Aksveer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
Morning prayers at Thiksey Monastery
Leave Leh at 6 am for the 19 km drive to Thiksey, where monks gather for morning prayers on the roof and in the assembl…
Questions
About Stok Palace Heritage Hotel
How far is Stok Palace from Leh?
Stok is about 15 km from Leh, across the Indus, roughly 30 minutes by car. Taxis between Stok and Leh cost about ₹700–1,000 one way. Having a car with driver makes day trips to the Indus valley monasteries easy.
Is Stok Palace Heritage Hotel open all year?
The hotel mainly operates in the tourist season from spring to autumn. Opening months can change from year to year, so check current status before you travel, especially for April, October and winter dates.
Can hotel guests visit the Stok Palace museum?
Yes. The museum within the palace displays royal costume, jewellery, thangkas and ceremonial objects and is open to visitors in season, usually for a fee. Ask at reception about opening hours.
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Photo: Anirvan Shukla · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Commons
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