The word sarai can be interpreted as a place where one can rest for recreational purposes. Ladakh Sarai has been built with this thought in mind: to allow travellers (whether a family, a group, or a solo traveller) a place to explore Ladakh from. The design and concept of the hotel is inspired by the nomadic culture and heritage of Ladakh, blending local materials and craftsmanship with contemporary style and comfort, offering spacious rooms, cosy fireplaces, and stunning views of the mountains. From the mud house to the duplex family suite, the chalet room, and finally the heritage room, it showcases aspects of Ladakhi culture. 

At Ladakh Sarai, accommodations include six mud huts, four duplex family suites, five chalet rooms, and two heritage rooms. All rooms are equipped with heaters for cold nights.

Mud Huts: The six Mud Huts retain traditional Ladakhi architecture with modern comforts that include serene views, ensuite bathrooms, and intercom facilities.

Duplex Family Suites: The grounds of Ladakh Sarai are home to a building built with the intention of recreating the sarai experience. Ideal for a family or a group, the suites offer unparallel views of the Stok range and overlook the village of Saboo. Each suite comes with two private balconies.

Chalet Rooms: With a private deck and wide glass windows, these modern rooms come with a separate living room and are perfect for couples. Offering views of the village, pastures, and mountain range, one can easily spend time lounging in the private balcony, sipping drinks, and watching the dramatic hues of the setting sun.

Heritage Wing: This wing comprises three luxury rooms and reflects traditional Ladakhi culture in its style and architecture. The rooms and bathrooms are spacious, and they come with a private dining room overlooking an apple orchard and the Stok range.

Rise at the break of dawn to watch Himalayan hues and shape-shifting clouds dance around a mighty range of mountains. Experience the jagged peaks of Stok Kangri being covered overnight by a white sheet of snow. Step out onto the deck of your private balcony for an early morning session of yoga in the stillness of your surroundings. An abiding amalgamation of comfort and luxury with nature, the grounds of Ladakh Sarai offer a profound sense of peace and solitude seldom found elsewhere.

Dining

The emphasis on farm-fresh produce is reflected in the ingredient-first, nutritious, and wholesome cuisine at Ladakh Sarai. Organic vegetables, herbs, and fruits (over 30 varieties) are grown in-house by the local staff and are additionally supplemented by the village, which provides dairy and other items. A variety of coffee, tea, fresh juices, and detox juices are available. There is a communal dining space; however, the option to dine privately is available on request.

Hornbill: The first of its kind restaurant featuring cuisine from Nagaland in the Ladakh region, it serves a sumptuous Naga thali (a fully plated meal with many dishes).

Syah: The restaurant offers an intimate culinary journey around Ladakh, incorporating traditional and lesser-known foods with a modern culinary approach. The essence of Syah's cuisine is drawn from ingredients foraged from the wild, offering you a taste of Ladakh's diverse ecosystem. Reservations are highly recommended to dine here.

Barbeque: Paying homage to the element of fire that historically has been instrumental in fostering connections, the barbeque at Ladakh Sarai is a must-do as the chefs grill fresh ingredients and seasoned meats to one’s preferences.

Taking inspiration from the Ladakh plateau, the flows of the natural world are brought closer through the practice of yoga. As an integral part of the experience at Ladakh Sarai, there are teachers to guide guests through sessions on the beautiful Sarai grounds that have been harmoniously designed for peace, including the beautiful yoga pavilion. Yoga sessions are offered complimentary to all guests, irrespective of their level of practice. Ladakh Sarai also offers a complete yoga package on request.

There is plenty to explore around Ladakh Sarai, and one can take day trips to remote hermitages and ancient monasteries. For adventure enthusiasts, there are cycling trails, while for those who are culinary inclined, cooking classes are available. One can take a walk through the vegetable garden and see what ingredients will be used for meals for the day.

Ladakh Sarai is committed to minimising its impact on the fragile ecosystem of Ladakh and has included several measures to ensure its implementation.

No Single-Use Plastic: There is minimal use of single-use plastic. Filtered water is provided in glass bottles.

Water Conservation: In the gardens, they have moved from flood irrigation to drip irrigation, which reduces water wastage in farming techniques.

Safe Garbage Disposal: Garbage is looked at carefully, and a bioseptic tank is in place.

Energy Efficiency: Solar energy is used to heat water.

Local Community Engagement: The staff is from the local community and has been the driving force here. Meat and dairy are sourced from locals.

Light Footprint Tourism: The local staff have been important in running the organic kitchen garden at Ladakh Sarai by bringing in age-old agricultural techniques. Over 30 varieties of organic vegetables, fruits, and herbs are grown in-house. Guests are encouraged to walk through the gardens to see where the ingredients for their meals come from.

The landscape design has been inspired by the cellular geometry of Ladakhi farms and stepped slopes of the valley. The pathways and walls have been created with no cement, and flagstones, split granite boulders, and pebbles have been used to create the driveway.

Sensitive Destination Discovery: Rigzin’s aim is to showcase Ladakh responsibly and mindfully. The emphasis on slow travel and showcasing Ladakhi culture is evident in the experiences offered.

Human Touch: The staff is looked after, skilled, and trained in-house.

The RARE Sustainability Quotient is a self-audit tool that is used by our hotel partners to measure, document, and assess their planet and people friendly practices and is based on the RARE Touchstones.