When in Ladakh, what better place to stay than where the king lives? At Stok Palace, you can watch the royal family go about their routine and the in-house monk practise his rituals. The best part: you can even chat with the king, HRH Gyalpo Jigmed Wangchuk Namgyal, on all things Ladakh. The fact that all areas of this nearly-200-year-old palace are open to guests makes this an experience by itself. Ladakhi royalty permeates every corner—be it the rugs, the painted woodwork or the colourful interiors. Do visit the palace museum and check out the family treasures, including the queen mother’s ancient turquoise-and-gold crown and a collection of thangkhas (Tibetan silk paintings).