The apricot house

Six rooms in a traditional mud-brick guesthouse at Choglamsar, four kilometres southeast of Leh's old bazaar, The Apricot House takes its name from the orchards bordering the plot through the late-July harvest season.

Rooms follow Ladakhi construction — thick earthen walls, timber beam ceilings, and wool blankets suited to nights at 3,500 metres. Guests arriving from low elevations are advised a rest day before attempting Khardung La or the Pangong Lake road.

Choglamsar places guests near the Tibetan Refugee Handicraft Centre and the Sindhu Ghat festival grounds. Shared taxis to Hemis and Thiksey monasteries depart from the main road one minute on foot.