CHOOMTI TRAVELLERS The
Travel Division of Choomti Trekkers Private Limited Bringing over 28 years experience to Independent Travellers in
India
Providing that personal and individual service to each Client
Ladakh Sarai, Saboo/Ayu
Village
Leh, Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir,
Owned and operated by Tiger Mountain India, the Mongolian yurt tents of Ladakh Sarai
next to a small village.
The absorbing journey
through meandering roads and charming bazaars with its fascinating labyrinth of winding streets, Ladakh Sarai
is situated just seven kilometres (ten minutes) from Leh.
There are many A Class Hotels in Leh for the travellers to choose from,
but for those who want to partake of a very unique experience of living
in yurts this accommodation definitely has no better alternative.
The beautiful and tranquil location of the Ladakh
Sarai, with the Indus River flowing below, faces the majestic Stok Kangri Mountain (6150 meters) and offers an incredible panoramic view of the Zanskar range.
The yurts are located in a beautiful grove of willow, poplar, apricot and apple trees.
The spacious canvas and bamboo yurts have a diameter of 15 feet and have been specially fabricated by hand and retain the essential characteristics of the original Central Asian and Mongolian
"Akois" on which they are modelled.
Furnished in soft pastels, each yurt has comfortable twin beds, a
cosy sitting area and an individual attached bathroom with solar heating for hot water which is provided in buckets.
A circular opening in the centre of the canvas roof lets in natural light and the warmth of the sun during the
day.
While in the evening illumination is provided by subtle electric lights, supplemented by kerosene lamps.
Linen is laundered daily and although there are facilities for personal laundry, the process is time consuming, and it is better to have sufficient clothes to last a few days.
An attractive hexagonal building, designed after a traditional Ladakhi house, serves as a rendezvous for meals and gatherings,
complete with a lounge and dining room, and a Buddhist chapel.
In the evening, subtle electric lighting, supplemented by kerosene lamps, provides illumination.
The food on offer here is quite delicious and includes local Ladakhi
delights as well as dishes from different parts of the country.
The place is perfect for savouring the mouth watering dishes as well as
engaging in friendly conversations and sharing experiences with the
other guests.
To relax in the sun and enjoy the beauty of the mountains and tranquil surroundings, hammocks and lounge chairs are always available on the lawns and the patio adjoining the dining hall.
The Ladakh Sarai is an ideal base from which to explore Ladakh's ancient Buddhist monasteries, a raft trip on the Indus or for
those who are not that hardy and adventurous, the jeep safaris through
the Western Himalayan Mountain regions can also be thoroughly enjoyable.
Leh is the capital of
Ladakh district in Jammu and Kashmir. Leh & Ladakh is very
popular for adventure activities and is recognized to be a popular
adventure zone.
There is ample scope for trekking, rafting and mountaineering out
here. The Gompas, the Shanti Stupa, the Royal Palace are some of
the places that fascinate tourists with their natural beauty.
MONEY : No foreign
exchange facilities are available on site. Please ensure you carry enough Rupees with a valid
"Encashment Certificate", to cover personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, tips, etc.
Foreign exchange facilities are however available at the State Bank of India branch in Leh, but the process
is very tedious for guests and can take up to half a day, including travel time.
TIPPING: Should you wish to leave a tip, please place it in the box provided. It will be distributed among all the junior staff, so that those behind the scene are also appreciated. Please do not tip the staff individually.
SECURITY: The staff at the Ladakh Sarai will do everything to ensure that your stay with us is pleasant, enjoyable and safe.
We cannot, however, be held responsible for personal injuries or any kind of damage to personal effects.
USEFUL TIPS: In order to make your visit to Ladakh more pleasant, both for yourself and for the people who live here and whose guest you are, there are some general guidelines that may be
helpful :
DO dress modestly both in town and at gompas, as Ladakhis are very modest in appearance, take their religious beliefs seriously and can be offended by skimpy Western dress.
DO take off your shoes when entering any room in a gompa. It is not necessary to remove shoes in the open sections of a
gompa, such as courtyards.
DO pass chortens and prayer flag poles on the left, in a clockwise direction, always keeping your right side to the
Chorten or prayer flag pole.
DO take a flashlight to the Gompas. This is helpful in seeing murals and statues in dimly lit
Gompa rooms.
DON'T give money, sweets or other gifts to children. Begging by children and child lamas in the gompas has only begun since tourism arrived in Ladakh and is unacceptable behaviour that should not be encouraged. If you really want to give something, donate pencils, pens, paper or note books to a village or
Gompa school. There is a school in every village which would be grateful to receive these donations. If a
Gompa has a school, it will also gratefully receive donations of school supplies.
DON'T take pictures in Gompa rooms where photography is prohibited, either by posted signs or a lama telling you.
DON'T point at statues of the Buddha as it is considered highly disrespectful.
DON'T stand on the base of Chortens or on Mani walls. These are sacred objects and to do so is desecration that is offensive to
Ladakhis.
