Stok Monastery Tour
Stok is situated just 40 minutes drive away from Leh. This place has got elegant four-storeyed Stok Palace which stands above the barley terraced fields. Built in 1814 by the last independent rular of Ladakh, this palace is the official residence of Ladakhi Royal Family ever since they left Leh and Shey 200 years ago. The present queen Deskit Angmo still lives here during the summers. One wing of this palace (which has got 77 rooms) is now converted into a small museum and houses a fascinating collection that include antique ritual objects, ceremonial tea paraphernalia and rare 16th Century Thangkas illuminated with paint prepared from crushed rubies, emeralds and sapphires. There are acouple of swords with their blades tied in knots and several sacred Dzi stones (pearls of pure happiness).
5 minutes walk above this valley leads to Stok Gompa, where last king of Ladakh died. The gompa boats a collection of dance drama masks and several modern murals painted by lamas of the Gompa.