After landing in Leh/Ladakh via Air India, we swiftly settled into Hotel Kanika Ladakh at 9 AM. To combat the effects of the high-altitude journey, the kind hotel owner wisely recommended a brief siesta, allowing us to recharge before embarking on our explorations of both the hotel’s surroundings and the enchanting city beyond.

.

The atmosphere at the Hotel Kanika Ladakh

.

Her name is “Easy“, a friendly and playful dog at the hotel 🐾

.

Awakening around noon, we dove into Leh city’s delights. Guided by our hotel’s owner, we trekked 700 meters to ‘Tibetan Kitchen.’ Amidst the high-altitude challenge, we had to walk slower than usual as it was quite difficult to breathe. At this famous restaurant, we ordered a familiar feast: Butter Chicken with Naan and Russian Salad. The flavors, suffused with Indian spices, were simply delicious.😋

Our first meal in Leh at Tibetan Kitchen

.

After savoring our delectable Indian dishes, we embarked on an exploration of Leh Market, conveniently situated a mere 700 meters from the restaurant. It’s worth noting that navigating using Google Maps was not an option due to the lack of data roaming services in Ladakh. However, Leh’s compact size made it easily traversable on foot. We simply followed the bustling main street, known as Fort Street, which led us straight to the heart of the city, where Leh Market awaited. Leh Market is an ancient market dated back to the 15th century, the era of King Singe Namgyal. The Market today is one of the main attraction of Leh City. At the market, a vibrant tapestry of local life unfolded before us. We discovered charming souvenir shops, well-stocked grocery stores, enticing local fruit and food stalls, and a myriad of other stores. It was a testament to Leh’s status as the bustling capital of the Ladakh region.

.

We dedicated an hour to Leh Market, immersing ourselves in the local treasures, acquiring souvenirs, and relishing cups of local coffee.

At the market’s end stands the Jamia Masjid, serving as a gateway to Leh Palace via a shortcut stairway. This path, although convenient for tourists, presented a challenge with its steep and at times uneven laterite terrain. As we ascended, caution was our companion. Nonetheless, the climb to Leh Palace via this route, while requiring care, rewarded us with its accessibility and took a manageable 15-20 minutes to complete.

Leh Palace, also known as Lachen Palkar Palace, stands as a testament to Ladakh’s regal history. Constructed in 1600 by Sengge Namgyal, it once served as the royal residence, perched majestically above Leh city. However, the palace’s glory faded when Dogra forces assumed control of Ladakh in the mid-19th century, compelling the royal family to relocate to Stok Palace.

This architectural marvel soars to a remarkable nine stories. The upper levels were reserved for the royal family’s use, while the lower floors housed stables and storage spaces. From the heights of Leh Palace, we were treated to a bird’s-eye view of Leh city, ensconced amidst the cradle of mountains. It was a truly breathtaking panorama, a vivid testament to the grandeur of Ladakh. Leh Palace is open daily 8AM – 7PM. The admission fee for foreigner was 100 INR/person (about 1.35 USD).

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Bird Eyes View Of Leh City from Leh Palace 🏰

.

We savored the ambiance of Leh Palace until just before sunset. Afterward, we descended from Leh Palace to Leh Market using the same shortcut stairway. At night, Leh Market transformed, exuding a distinct charm that surpassed the daytime experience. The pedestrian streets were aglow with warm lighting, and the crisp air at this altitude of over 3,000 meters created a romantic and heartwarming atmosphere.

.

.

After immersing ourselves in the vibrant night scene of Leh Market, around 7PM, we returned to our hotel to rest, preparing for our first-day road trip in Leh on the following day. Today, our activities were deliberately slow-paced, prioritizing acclimatization to the high altitude. However, the day posed its challenges, primarily centered around the thin air at this elevation. At times, we experienced slight breathlessness and headaches, prompting us to take occasional breaks during our walks. Nevertheless, it was an invigorating challenge, affording us a taste of life in the highlands and insights into Tibetan culture in the city.

Tomorrow, we eagerly anticipated venturing beyond the city’s confines to explore different landscapes. Our hope was for favorable winds to accompany us on this journey, as we continued to embrace the extraordinary experiences Leh had to offer. 😊

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Written by : Shipy Siwarit Tiasuwattiseth

HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/SHIPYSHIPDOTCOM