Workation in Leh Ladakh: 11 Best Places to Work from Ladakh
In the present scenario with the rapid changes happening in lifestyle, we are accustomed to working from home. So then why don’t we prefer to go on a workation? Workation is the new concept of a vacation that combines business with leisure. Who would not prefer to go to the serene snow-capped mountains, beautiful valleys and fascinating lakes in Ladakh? With people working from home during this pandemic, this concept has become a much-needed escape and a great opportunity to take work on a holiday. For the past few years, the trend of the workation has quietly built momentum. The idea is simple but powerful. Workations combine the best parts of remote work and travel, so you can escape while still earning a living. Here are some of the best hotels and homestays for you to plan your workation in Ladakh ranked from low-cost workation places to high-cost work hotels. Top Places for workation in Leh Ladakh Himalayan Bunker goSTOPS Leh Zaltak Guest House Jimmy’s Homestay Rover’s Den hostel Lhachik Guest House Hotel Samaya Hotel Chube Zostel The Silk Route Ladakh Ladakh Boutique Palace 1. Himalayan Bunker Himalayan Bunker is the best place to enjoy workation with fellow travellers visiting to find peace in the mountains at a low budget. You can always stay in Leh town, Nubra valley, Zanskar valley and Kargil where excellent facilities are offered, from wifi to laundry to pick-up-drop facilities and cafes. The place has really comfortable accommodations. The list does not only stops here. You can find the most budget-friendly rooms with the most exquisite services along with a wide range of delicious cuisine, all hygienic and sanitised. A workation here will bring out the best in you. Cost: Dorms are starting from INR 400/- and standard rooms start from INR 1300/- 2. goSTOPS Leh Taken from https://gostops.com/book-rooms-in-leh-hostel/ If ever searching for a brief stop in Ladakh, visit goSTOPS Leh which usually isn’t even a km from the mall road. Near to many attractions like the Shanti Stupa, the war museum and Soma Gompa, these pit stops offer you time for relaxation from the fatigue of travelling. Deep covered in snow, the Himalayas and Leh city look like a wondrous miracle from the terrace of the Youth hostel. This place offers the ultimate backpacking experience any travel freak would wish for. The comfort inside the colourful hotel devours the stress leaving you all cosy and warm. One can meet the ultimate group of travel enthusiasts or grab time for yourself in the personal room. All set to one’s comfort, this can be the best arena for our workation along with some super interesting and fun in-house activities. Cost – Dorms are starting from INR 549/- daily prices and monthly prices INR 16,470/- 3. Zaltak Guest House Taken from www.booking.com Visiting guest houses in Ladakh offer you the best hospitality you could ever demand. The tiny rooms scream comfort and peace. Every window to the room opens the window to one’s soul as the beauty of nature is beyond anything. The first sight the eyes catch is of the lush green gardens along with the snowy mountains giving a mesmerising view. The soothing breeze makes everything even more calming and serene. Zaltak offers an in-house eating service which serves a variety of local cuisines. What makes them even more tasteful is how they are prepared by the local chef, who uses only local ingredients giving you the exact taste of Ladakh. Though the people who wish to cook on their own are permitted to use the kitchen. To make the stay more comfortable, Zaltak offers all other facilities like laundry, WiFi, parking and a twenty-four seven available help desk. Cost: Room prices start from INR 851/- to INR 8350/- 4. Jimmy’s Homestay If you wish to experience the perfect workation with the presence of like-minded people and all safe and snug in nature’s arms, then Jimmy’s Homestay has got you covered. It is located in Leh, within walking distance from the Main Bazaar and nearby the Shanti Stupa. The pleasant homestay offers you a restaurant with vegetarian food and WiFi facilities. The overall ambience makes it family-friendly. You can always take a seat in the garden area for your work admiring the beauty of nature. Cost – Room prices start from INR 850/- 5. Rover’s Den hostel Located in Chubi, the Rover’s Den Hostel offers a feasible option to travellers wishing to stay in a hostel. With a good rating, the hostel’s nearest transit point is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport which can make your visit more comfortable. It offers an appropriate environment for your workation along with many tourist places in close proximity. It offers all the basic facilities one can require like cleaning and laundry, internet and many more. The place provides a position of contentment and security. Cost: Mixed dorm bedroom price starts from INR 509/- and double rooms with shared bathroom starting from INR 850/- 6. Lhachik Guest House Lhachick is located at an altitude of 11562 ft. Leh-Ladakh, a region in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, is one the best destinations for an adventurous and mesmerising holiday. This guest place is nestled between the two great mountain ranges, the Karakoram Range on the North and the great Himalayas on the South, the place leaves the onlooker spellbound with its natural beauty. This place offers a pocket-friendly homestay, an excellent environment for workation and provides the visitors with all basic amenities like free wifi, kitchenette, living room, caretaker etc. for a comfortable stay. It will surely make you forget about the everyday monotonous chores and will treat you with serenity and tranquillity. Cost – Room prices start from INR 999/- 7. Hotel Samaya One of the newest and most luxurious hotels in Ladakh that showcases inherent
7 Must-visit Monasteries in Ladakh
Buddhism, one of the main religions of Ladakh has deep roots in its rich cultural heritage. The marvelous Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh date back centuries before modern times and are a chief source of attraction to tourists. The monasteries in Ladakh are popularly known for their annual festivals, vibrant paintings, and pieces of Buddhist art that mesmerize the viewer. These Buddhist gompas are architectural marvels providing a soothing ambiance with alluring visuals. Must Visit Buddhist Monasteries in Ladakh These are a few Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh which are an essential addition to your itinerary. Here is a list of the most beautiful and must-visit Buddhist Monasteries in Ladakh: 1. Hemis Monastery 2. Diskit monastery 3. Lamayuru Monastery 4. Thiksey Monastery 5. Korzok Monastery 6. Alchi Monastery 7. Likir Monastery 1. Hemis Monastery Arun Sundar @ Flickr The Hemis monastery is situated about 45 kilometers from Ladakh. The beautifully endowed monastery is dubbed the richest monastery in Ladakh. According to tales, the Hemis Gompa dates back to the 11th century. It was later re-established in 1672. The monastery has prayer flags on all four sides and a beautiful display of idols stupas and thankas along with a library of Tibetan books. The Hemis monastery is famous for its two-day annual Hemis festival. Since Hemis is in the close periphery of Leh, it can easily be visited in one day. Annual festival: The Hemis Festival is celebrated on the 10th day of the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar. It is famous for the unfurling of a giant thangka (a religious painting) Travelers tip: The souvenir shop is inexpensive and neat don’t forget to buy something as a memory. Travel this route by hiring a bike to enjoy the beautiful scenery and soothing air. 2. Diskit Monastery Srivathsa Rao U @ Flickr The origins of the Diskit monetary trace back to the 14th century making it the oldest monastery in Ladakh. It is situated on a hill 3144 meters above the flood plains of the Shyok river The monastery is home to the famous Maitreya Buddha statue, a significance of world peace and love embedded just below it. The statue is decorated with traditional patterns and vivid colors making it appealing to the eye. The monastery is a hub of ancient literature. It also holds statues of fierce deities and has a massive drum placed inside a hall. You can find many shrines and transcripts as well as generation-old paintings in this monastery. The monastery is situated on top of a hill in Nubra valley and is easily approachable by road. Annual festival: Deskit Gustor Festival is celebrated in early October and is famous for the burning of an effigy of a demon. Travelers tip: head to the parking to get mesmerizing pictures of the valley, the statue, and the Diskit monastery. 3. Lamayuru Monastery Bino Caina @ Flickr Located on the Srinagar- Leh highway about 127km from Leh, the Lamayuru monastery is a must-visit place for sightseeing. It is one of the largest monasteries in the region and is known for its ‘lunar’ landscape more popularly known as the Lamayuru moonscape. The Lamayuru moonscape provides fascinating visuals of mesmerizing geological formations. The monastery is affiliated with the Drikung Kagyu school of Buddhism. Lamayuru means ‘sauwastika’; a symbol of eternity. History states that the Indian scholar Naropa founded the monastery in the 11th century by drying up a lake. The Lamayuru monastery can easily be covered within a day while visiting Leh. Annual festival: The Yuru Kabgyat festival is celebrated in the months of June/ July and is popular for its traditional cham dance. Travelers tip: Enjoy the humor of the hand-painted road signs on your way to the monastery while simultaneously enjoying the moon-like landscape 4. Thiksey Monastery roman korzh @flickr Popularly known for its gigantic structure, the Thiksey monastery is located on top of a hill, 19 kilometers away from Ladakh, and provides a stunning view of the Thiksey village. The monastery is home to many elements of traditional Buddhist art pieces including the Bhavacakra (Wheel of Life) with images signifying ignorance attachment and aversion. It is decorated with wall paintings and has a 49ft tall Maitreya Buddha statue in the temple which was made to commemorate the visit of the 14th Dalai Rama. The resemblance of the architecture with the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, has caused it to be named ‘Mini Potala’. The building is painted in ochre, red, and white contrasting with the brown landscape and making it visible from afar. Annual festival: The annual ‘Gustur festival’ is held here on the 17th to 19th day of the Tibetan calendar. The main highlight of this festival is the sacrificial ceremony. Travelers tip: The monastery offers food and lodging for a very affordable price you can stay and attend the morning prayers before leaving 5. Korzok Monastery Lopamudra Barman @ Flickr The 156-year-old monastery is located in Korzok village in Leh at a height of 4560 meters. The monastery has statues of Shakyamuni Buddha. The monastery is a house for 70 monks. The chief attraction of the monastery is the picturesque view of Tso Moriri Lake. The lake is also of great sacred importance and is termed a ‘Sacred Gift for a Living Planet’ by the local people. The name of the monastery means ‘taken by unfair means’ signifying the exploitation of nomads by the monastery. The monastery is a must-visit location in Leh and can also be visited while traveling to Manali. Annual festival: The annual Korzok Gu-stor festival held in January is a source of attraction to many nomads making different cultures visible. Travelers tip: Traveling this route with a local driver makes it more fun as you will come across many small yet beautiful villages on this route. 6. Alchi Monastery
