Major city · India
Alchi
Half-day stop between Leh and Kargil for the 11th-century monastery complex; no need to stay overnight unless you want a quiet village evening.
Alchi is a small Indus-side village whose main draw is the Alchi Monastery (Alchi Gompa), a 1,000-year-old complex of temples with well-preserved murals and statues. It sits 4 km off the Leh–Kargil highway, about 1 h 20 min from Leh by bus. Most travellers stop for 2–3 hours on the way to or from Kargil.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (many guesthouses closed, road conditions uncertain)
- Airport
- IXL
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Alchi112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Alchi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyAlchi is very safe; the main risks are altitude (about 3,500 m), the dusty 4 km (2.5 mi) walk from the main road, and negotiating prices at guesthouses.Alchi is very safe; the main risks are altitude (about 3,500 m), the dusty 2.5 mi (4 km) walk from the main road, and negotiating prices at guesthouses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportIXL Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (About 1 h 20 min by car to Alchi; flights from Delhi, Srinagar, Jammu.).
- Getting aroundEverything in Alchi is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus Leh–Alchi (one way)₹200 (≈ US$3) (check)
- Museum or sight ticketAlchi Monastery entry fee₹100 (≈ US$2) (check)
- Budget bedDorm bed in guesthouse, a night, per person₹500 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedPrivate room in guesthouse, a night, per room₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedPrivate room in guesthouse, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- IXL Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (About 1 h 20 min by car to Alchi; flights from Delhi, Srinagar, Jammu.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Mar
Avoid
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Apr
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
May
not flagged
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Nov
Avoid
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C) low), wettest Jul (4 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alchi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
1 rd
Feb
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
1 rd
Mar
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
2 rd
Apr
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
2 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
3 rd
Jun
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
3 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
4 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Oct
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
1 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
1 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Everything in Alchi is walkable. The 4 km from the main road to the village is on a dusty track; you can walk or sometimes hitch a ride.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from the bridge near Saspol village, about 1 h 20 min
Alchi is a common stop on the way to or from Leh.
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from the bridge near Saspol village, about 1 h
Lamayuru Monastery is another major stop on the Leh–Kargil route.
Kargil
goDoor to door: About 3.5 h
Bus from the bridge near Saspol village, about 3 h
Full-day trip; leave Alchi early.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Alchi village
A handful of guesthouses and homestays near the monastery; basic but clean.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Dorm bed in guesthouse1 × 1 night × ₹500 | ₹500 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| Bus Leh–Alchi (one way)1 × ₹200 · check | ₹200 |
| Alchi Monastery entry fee1 × ₹100 · check | ₹100 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹230 |
| Trip total≈ ₹2,530 per person per day, bed included | ₹2,530≈ US$30 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights and bus fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Alchi Monastery entry fee | ₹100 (≈ US$2) (check) |
| Bus Leh–Alchi (one way) | ₹200 (≈ US$3) (check) |
| Meal at tourist restaurant | ₹300–500 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Rice and dal at local dhaba | ₹100–150 (≈ US$2) |
| Apricots (seasonal, per kg) | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The bus from Leh to Kargil stops at the bridge near Saspol village, not in Alchi itself — you walk 4 km (2.5 mi) from there.The bus from Leh to Kargil stops at the bridge near Saspol village, not in Alchi itself — you walk 2.5 mi (4 km) from there.
- Guesthouse owners may quote high prices; negotiate.
- Chang beer is available locally but banned in Leh — ask discreetly.
- Last bus from the bridge toward Kargil leaves around 07:00; check the schedule locally.Last bus from the bridge toward Kargil leaves around 7:00 AM; check the schedule locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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AlchiAlchi
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Yadi pata pe jayoTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Leh–Alchi (one way): about ₹200 (≈ US$3), about 1 h 20 min (check)
- Bus Alchi–Kargil (one way): about ₹300 (≈ US$4), about 3 h (check)
Say or show
- Juley — Hello (joo-lay)
- Juley — Thank you (joo-lay)
- Katsa re? — How much? (kaht-sah ray)
- Gompa kara re? — Where is the monastery? (gom-pah kah-rah ray)
Ladakhi (Bodhi) is the local language; Hindi and English are understood in tourist places.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Alchi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (many guesthouses closed, road conditions uncertain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Alchi Monastery with verified opening hours and entry fee.
- Eat pages for the two tourist restaurants and the local dhaba.
- Sleep pages for Lotsava Guesthouse and other homestays.
- Transport fixture: bus stop at the bridge, walking track to village.
Sources
Ask about Alchi
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