Alchi is a green oasis among the vast barren mountainous landscape of ladakh. We were on our way to Kargil from Leh. Our car sped across the metalled road which snaked its way across the brown deserted mountains. A left turn on the highway and across a bridge over the gushing Indus brought us to this beautiful hamlet. Prayer flags fluttered across the blue sky stretching from homes to guest houses and shops to poles. This may sound like the description of any Ladakhi village but as you cross the grocery shops selling apricot jams and the souvenir market spread under the shade of trees, you would realise what sets apart Alchi from other villages. The Apricot trees!!!
As we walked towards the 11th century monastery, we were mesmerised by the golden sight!!! There were apricot trees everywhere loaded with the golden fruits. The branches were drooping down under the burden of the fruits and we could touch them. Since July August is the harvesting season for apricots, we could enjoy some ripe and sweet apricots plucked from the trees. These delicious fruits also have a unique aroma which is very exquisite.
Alchi monastery is one of the oldest in Ladakh. There are statues of buddha which dates back to 11-12th century. These statues are in a perfectly preserved condition and these have not been re-painted even once!! The walls of the monastery were covered with intricate murals which are also preserved intact since the 11-12th century. Photography is not allowed inside the monastery. However, postcards with the photographs of the deities and the murals could be purchased at the monastery gates.
There were restaurants and cafes in Alchi which offered authentic ladakhi cuisines and fresh apricot juice!!. Having a glass of Apricot juice at a little restaurant with a loaded apricot tree in the courtyard was pure bliss.
Alchi is an offbeat destination about 70km from Leh located along the Leh Kargil Highway. It is not a crowded tourist destination and hence if you are that kind of a traveller who love to explore offbeat spots then Alchi would definitely mesmerise you. We had a beautiful experience at Alchi and have come back with a bottle of Apricot jam and lots of memories!!
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