Stok, 14 kms southeast of Leh, is a place, where the present day royal family resides. The three days trek from Stok to Spituk and the 8 days trek of Markha Valley starts from here. King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal built Stok palace & Museum in the year 1825, after Zorawar Singh's annexation of Ladakh. The royal family resides here since Ladakh lost to Zorawar Singh. At present the palace has a collection of royal dresses, old Thankas, King's crown etc. The palace is open for visitors. Gurphuk Gompa, a branch of Spituk Monastery is a little away from the palace, which is famous for its festival "Guru Tsechu" held on the 9th and 10th of the 1st month of Tibetan Calendar

The present Gyalmo or "queen" Deskit Angmo, a former member of parliament, still lives here during the summer but has converted one wing of her 77-roomed palace into a small museum. The fascinating collection comprises some of the royal family's most precious heirlooms including antique ritual objects, ceremonial tea paraphernalia and exquisite 16th century 'Thangkas' illuminated with paint made from crushed rubies, emeralds and sapphires. The pieces de resistance, however, are the Gyalmo's Peraks. Still worn on important occasions, the ancient headdresses, thought to have originated in Tibet, are encrusted with slabs of flawless turquoise, polished coral, lapis lazuli and nuggets of pure gold. Also of interest are a couple of swords whose blades were allegedly tied in knows as a demonstration of strength by king Tashi Namgyal, and several sacred Dzi Stones - "pearls of pure happiness", said to have fallen from heaven, and worn to ward off evil spirits