Four mountain stays for unbeatable mountain views and lifetime experience

1. GEMOOR KHAR, JISPA

This is undoubtedly the best property in Jispa and the best option for a comfortable stay if one is going to Leh via Manali and needs stopover near Jispa. Gemoor Khar is a manor house situated five KM short of Jispa and about 95 KM from manali, bang on the leh highway. The property has a history of more than 100 years, though the current building is made around 2004, after original buliding was destroyed in 1980s in earthquake. This was the only option to stay for the traders going on Iran to China silk route in early twentieth century.

The views from property are stunning. It's a heavenly abode for mountain lovers. The virgin beauty of nature will soak into your memories forever. Everything is adorable, the food, the room, the stay. They provide matress heaters that work well to relax the body in the cold weather. The rooms are well appointed, have a comfortable bed, a multi rack almirah, a big mirror, a TV, electric kettle, and a big glass window for enjoying the marvellous view. The washroom is having 24 hour hot running water, a big shower.

There are couple of apple 🌲 and plum plants, guests can pluck few with their permission and enjoy the sweet, organic fruits. The buffet dinner and breakfast both have decent variety, considering the remote location.  It has three buildings in the complex and the oldest one has a mini meuseum with the pictures of the history related to the property, including the founder and his family; who were the very first inhabitants of Jispa valley.

One can enjoy the walk to monastry nearby which takes only 15-20 min and cheer the outstanding mountain views from there. River front is 3 KM from the property. The big and spacious lawns of the property provide space to relax in front of the mighty rusty mountains of Jispa valley. Plan for at least 2 nights for having a leisurely experience here.

Things to do:

Baralalcha pass (16500 feet) is 65 KM away and it takes around 1.5-2 hours to reach there. It's always full of snow, particularly after September onwards. En route Deepak Tal lake is another stopover for few moments amongst the beauty of nature. The views throughout are very good, especially after crossing Jispa and just before reaching the pass, they get exceptional. It's best to leave early morning, latest by 9 am to have best experience of baralacha pass.

Tariff
The property is being managed by Banjara group and you need to book it directly from them. Double room for two adults costs 6000 Rs including breakfast and dinner. Ala carte rates are reasonable considering the location and the level of the property. The rates are normally fixed and not much scope for bargain. Room for three adults costs 8500.

Best time to visit

Oct first week as it's still green in the surroundings, autumn 🍁 beauty can be enjoyed, baralacha pass is open, and it's not too cold. For snow, oct last week. It gets too cold after Nov starts. April second week to may last week is equally good.

2. Toshim Homestay, Batseri Village

Village Batseri is just 18 Km Short of the last village of India, named Chitkul on sangla chitkul road. The view of the entire village from the chitkul road is incomparable. You need to get down just 400 m from the main road to reach the property.

The rooms are very spacious, well maintained and provide a comfortable stay. It can be very good option for a family stay though TV has not been provided in the room, so that guests can admire the natural beauty of the place. Washrooms are big, luxurious and have all required amenities. Bedding including the quilts, blankets and bedsheets etc are very neat and clean and the matress heaters work well.

Food has good variety and is served in buffet style. The dining room is very cozy, kept so by the fireplace inside. It's a pleasure to stand near the fireplace in the winter or cold weather of feb Or march. I personally liked the food very much during my visit with family in March 2023. They also serve local dishes including butter tea which are a must try.

The views from room, from the balcony and at every point inside the property are stunning. The morning view of the surroundings was absolutely breathtaking. Overall, it deserves at least 2-3 days stay to fully soak in the beauty of this place and all that this place has to offer.

Things to do:
River is just 5 min walk from the property. The owner helps you to reach there. The walk to Badri Narayan temple of batseri village is a must do, takes about 20-25 min and one can easily click at least 100 shots during this short walk along the river side, it is so beautiful. One must spare some time for this activity.

Tariff:

For two adults it's usually 3500-5000 including two meals, depending on the season. Considering the experience that this place provides, it's very genuine.

Best time to visit
For snow, month of feb is best. March second week to April last week is best overall. October month is also good for rusty looks of the mountains.

3. Hotel Rollingrang, Kalpa

Hotel rollingrang is situated at the peak point of kalpa town making it one the best places in the town for having the best views of the mighty kinner kailash. It takes about 20-25 min from Reckong people and about 8-9 hours from Shimla (230 Km) to reach here.

The best thing about this hotel are the 180 degree views of the grand, majestic snow clad mountains of Kalpa. The top floor rooms provide the best view from balcony as well as from the bed! Rooms are small but enough for two adults or even with extra person but without extra bed only. Adding extra bed makes the room cramped. Rooms have all required amenities including TV, heater, electrically heated mattresses, electric kettle and tea making facility, hot water in washroom, toiletries etc. Stay is comfortable, food is good.

It's another level experience to have your breakfast in the sun, in the front lawn admiring the beauty of the mighty mountains. One can spend couple of hours easily just staring at the mountains in the room balcony or the front lawn. The following video shows the features of room and views with 100% accuracy

https://youtu.be/DeAeD8LPuZw?si=BGoNmjTAGAW2CDkY

Things to do:
There are many beautiful temples nearby. Visit to Roghi Village, 6 Km is a must and it's the best early morning 7 am around. The Narayana temple at Roghi Village and the village walk are two must do activities. Narayana Nagini temple of Kalpa town is another good place to visit. Reckong people also has a beautiful Chandi temple. Suicide point is just 3 km, en route Roghi village.

Tariff
Depending on season around 2500-3500 for two adults excluding any meal.

Best time to visit

March second week to April last week is best. October or nov can also be good. For snowfall, month of feb will be best time.

4. Hotel Stone Palace, Turtuk

Village Turtuk was a part of Pakistan since 15 Dec 1971 when the war between Ind and Pak happened. On 16th Dec, it was taken back by indian army along with three other villages and since then it has been a part of India. It was opened for tourists in 2010.Turtuk is just 8 Km short of LOC and it is a home for about 2000 Balti  people, as it was part of baltistan district of POK before 1971.

To reach here, you need to cover a distance of 210 KM from Leh by road. As a number of tourist attractions are en route including the mighty Khardungla Pass (18600 feet), Famous Nubra valley and Disket Monastry, it usually takes 7-8 hours to reach here. The stretch after hunder, about 80 km in length, is exceptionally scenic with river continuously flowing side by. The evening views of the village are very beautiful.

Hotel stone palace is located in upper turtuk, it takes a walk of about 200 m from main road at lower turtuk to climb up the upper turtuk and reach the hotel. The hotel is small, has a vegetable garden and few rooms with a centeral dining room. Rooms have enough space for 2-3 adults or a small family. Bedding is clean, washrooms are okay. The food is awesome 👍.

Views from room balcony are marvellous. Mountain ranges on POK side as well as Siachen side can be easily seen by binocular.

The owner, Mr Ghulam Hussain, is a down to earth, very warm guy who recieves you with great hospitality and takes you along with for complete description of the village and shows you everything all around like a personal guide. He has ample knowledge of the history of this village. He will take you to the famous natural cold storage system of turtuk which is made by stones, the bunkers which are mandatory for every house (being  very near to LOC), the Monastry from where stunning views are enjoyed, the stream which has crystal clear water and so on. It's a lifetime experience to visit here and one must do it if planning a trip to leh. Keep at least 3 days here to soak in the village life of beautiful Turtuk and to fully see the lot of things it has on offer.

Things to do:

Visit to Thang Village, 8 Km which is bang on the LOC. It takes 2 hours only for complete visit. The entire route is scenic. From Thang, POK is clearly visible.

Spend leisurely time relaxing at turtuk monastery, at the village stream, fields, watching animals, the rusty mountains.

Tariff:

Depending on season, 2500-3500 for two adults including two superb meals.

Best time

We found Oct mid week very good time to enjoy the autumn 🍁beauty. September is also good month. November onwards it gets too cold. June and July is the peak time for leh tourists so better to avoid the rush.

Videos or reels for all the four properties and the places can be accessed at my Instagram

https://instagram.com/mountainlover_79?igshid=NDI3aTRqZ24zejZj