Terido Village - Beautiful Views
Are you looking for an offbeat place in Ladakh and have faintly heard about Teri Village, Terido Village, or Teriphu Village? In today’s article, I will share a detailed travel guide on these two hidden jewels of mountains: Terido and Teriphu twin villages (a.k.a. Tirido, Teri Do, Teri Phu).
Imagine a place where time seems to stand still, where the air is crisp and the landscape is untouched by the chaos of modern life. Nestled in the tranquil Rong Valley of Ladakh, the twin villages of Terido and Teriphu offer an enchanting escape for those seeking serenity and adventure in equal measure. Away from the well-trodden paths of Leh, these offbeat destinations are a treasure trove of natural beauty, ancient history, and cultural richness.
Join me as I unveil the secrets of Teri Villages, offering you detailed insights into the best routes, travel tips, and must-visit sites to these offbeat places in Leh Ladakh. Prepare to be captivated by the serene beauty and timeless charm of these hidden gems in the heart of Ladakh. Are you ready to embark on an adventure in the trans-Himalayas that will leave you spellbound and yearning for more?
Teri Village, also known as the twin villages Terido and Teriphu, is situated near Leh in the Rong Valley of Ladakh. The distance from Leh to Terido or Leh to Tirido is about 73 km and Terido to Teriphu is further about 12-13 km. It is a remote, offbeat destination in Ladakh perfect for travelers looking to disconnect from the world and enjoy nature in its purest form. People often refer to Terido as Tirido or Teri Do and similarly Teriphu as Teri Phu or Tiri Phu.
Terido Village is located at an altitude of about 12,200 feet, while Teriphu Village sits higher at approximately 14,000 feet, 13,986 feet to be exact. Due to the high altitudes, acclimatization is crucial to avoid AMS. It’s essential to spend some time in Leh, at least two nights, to adjust to the altitude before heading to these villages to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Travelers are advised to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activities on the first few days. You can also consult your doctor to prescribe some medications to aid in acclimatization. However, do not take any medication without proper consultation from the doctor as some of the AMS medications are known to cause side effects.
You can always learn about the top tips for better acclimatization for any high-altitude trip.
Ter-ri, translating to “Ter” meaning Jewels, and “ri” meaning Mountain, is a quaint settlement that is home to one of Ashoka’s chortens or stupas or Skudung. According to religious literature, it is believed that this stupa emerged naturally through Emperor Ashoka’s prayers as he sought repentance for his many sins.
Alongside Teri, the other known Ashoka stupas in Ladakh are located in Sumda and Zanskar. Centuries later, in the 2nd century BCE, the Kushana King Kanishka enlarged and renovated the Teri stupa, which then became widely known as Kanishka’s chorten.
In the 7th century CE, the villagers of Teri noticed the presence of the stupa, but its significance was fully recognized only in the 17th century. This was when the renowned Tibetan scholar Katok Tsewang Norbu sent a letter to the villagers, highlighting the stupa’s importance and providing instructions on how to place it in the prayer room, along with other ritual details. In 1865, the revered Taktsang Raspa Rinpoche visited Teri Village, spending about two weeks there.
During his stay, he laid the foundation of the present monastery. He noted numerous footprints in the snow around the hillock where the monastery was built, which he attributed to oracles or rLa/rLamo circumambulating the area. Rinpoche declared the entire valley to be holy and urged the villagers to keep it clean at all times.
Many years later, the small stupa, once the size of a fist, was carefully preserved and wrapped in silver by the local silversmith, Tsering Wangchuk. With the village now accessible by motorable road, Teri has seen an influx of thousands of devotees in recent years. This increase in pilgrims underscores the spiritual significance and enduring legacy of the stupa, drawing visitors from far and wide to this remote yet profoundly sacred part of Ladakh.
Teri Village is blessed with two significant spring waters renowned for their medicinal properties. These springs attract visitors from various neighboring villages, seeking the healing benefits of these natural waters.
One spring begins flowing in the 4th month and the other in the 8th month of the Tibetan calendar, each lasting for about a month. These periods are considered particularly holy in the Tibeto-Buddhist tradition, drawing pilgrims and locals alike to partake in their revered waters.
Teri Village’s connection with Gya is steeped in history, marking them as two of the oldest settlements in Ladakh. These villages share a rich and intertwined heritage that dates back centuries. Traditionally, it was customary for the kings of Gya, known as Gyapachos, to journey to Teri during Losar, the Tibetan New Year, to pay homage to Skudung or stupa. This ritual was specifically observed on the third day of the first month of the Tibetan calendar.
Villagers from Teri village would ascend to the Chokeychala pass, the route linking Gya and Teri village, to welcome the king and his entourage with khataks (ceremonial scarves). Following the New Year’s feast, it was customary for the villagers to host a horse race in honor of the king. This tradition endures to this day, with the race continuing to be a highlight of the festivities.
In Teri Village, the Lamo Lhakhang of a Gyapacho still stands, maintained by a monk appointed by Hemis Monastery. Nearby, on a hillock close to the monastery, the remnants of a Gyapacho castle can also be seen, adding to the village’s historical allure. These enduring customs and structures provide a fascinating glimpse into the village’s storied past and its enduring cultural legacy.
All credit and special thanks to Dechan, the owner of Cho House – Tirido, for writing all these details about the history of Teri village.
If you want to know how to reach Teri Village from Leh, well, then the distance from Leh to Terido Village is about 93 km. From Terido, it’s another 10-11 km uphill to reach Teriphu Village. It will take around 3-3.5 hrs from Leh to reach Tirido and then around 40 minutes further to reach Teriphu from Terido as the road is single lane.
The route you need to follow will be Leh to Upshi then take left towards Chumathang and just after you cross Hymia and Likche villages, you will find Teri bridge to cross over the Indus river on the other side of the mountain. That’s where you will find Tirido and the route going to Teriphu villages.
The roads leading to these villages are in really good condition as the entire road is well-tarred from Leh to Tirido. There isn’t any high mountain pass between Leh and Teri villages, so, the road remains open all year.
However, from Terido to Teriphu the road conditions aren’t excellent but they are manageable with any type of vehicle. It is a narrow single-lane drive of 12-13 km from Terido to Teriphu village. Some sections are a bit bumpy and have small potholes but nothing that you haven’t already seen on your road trip to Ladakh so far.
A sturdy vehicle with good ground clearance, such as an SUV or a reliable, powerful bike, is always recommended for any Ladakh trip. However, Leh to Terido to Teriphu can be done in any small car like hatchbacks or sedans as well as even low-powered motorcycles or scootys.
As of 2022, permits are not required for domestic tourists to travel anywhere in Ladakh including Hanle, Umling La Pass, or even Demchok. You only need to pay the environment/green/ecology fee and carry a receipt of the payment.
Indian tourists do not need any permits anymore in Ladakh for regular sightseeing. You just need to pay the Ladakh Environment Fee on the official website and carry the receipt of it. Current Ladakh environment fees are broken down as follows:
DO NOT confuse the environment fee receipt with the permit. You just need to carry this fee receipt, hard copy, or soft copy. This receipt may be checked at some checkposts. Hence, people are confusing it with a permit but this is just verification that you have paid the fees.
However, as a foreigner, traveling to Teri Villages or other parts of Leh Ladakh requires a Protected Area Permit (PAP), which can be obtained online by paying the Environment fee and registering your details via a registered travel agent in Leh.
Once you pay the environment fee as a domestic tourist or apply for the PAP as a foreigner, you should carry multiple copies of the payment receipt as you might need to present them at various checkpoints or you can carry a softcopy in your phone as well.
The best time to visit Teri Village is from May to September when the weather is most favorable and pleasant to enjoy to the fullest. During these months, the temperatures are mild, there is greenery around and the roads are generally clear of snow.
Traveling during the monsoon season is generally safe because Ladakh is a rain shadow region. But it’s advisable to check the weather conditions regularly. While Ladakh receives less rainfall compared to other parts of India, occasional showers can still cause roadblocks or landslides.
September is the best and an excellent time to visit Terido and Teriphu villages as the weather is pleasant in Ladakh in September, there are clear skies and the tourist crowd is thinner. The clear skies, aqua-green-colored rivers, and post-monsoon greenery add to the region’s beauty, making it ideal for photography and outdoor activities.
The Teri villages are accessible in winter, but heavy snowfall can make travel challenging especially from Terido to Teriphu village. The villagers often move to lower altitudes during this time, making it a less ideal season for travel. That is also the reason the villagers of Teri villages come in the semi-nomadic category.
However, if you are an adventure enthusiast and well-prepared for cold weather, winter offers a unique, serene experience plus a high possibility of sighting a snow leopard.
You can drive or ride to Teri Village using your vehicle, car, or bike, which offers the most flexibility and convenience. Hiring a private taxi is another comfortable option that will allow you to stopover at sightseeing places on the way like Likche, monasteries such as Shey, Thiksey, Hemis, Stakna, Matho, Stok, etc…
Ensure the taxi you hire is from the local Ladakh taxi union as outside Leh taxis are not allowed for any sightseeing in Ladakh. Plus hiring a local driver in Ladakh who is familiar with the terrain can enhance your travel experience, ensure safety, and in turn help the local community to grow.
Renting a local bike from Leh and traveling on it will be much more economical than renting a private taxi from the Ladakh Taxi Union.
There are economical bus services available, but they might not be as frequent. Check the local bus schedules in Leh as in season the timetable is often changed. Public transport buses are a cost-effective way to travel, but they may take longer due to multiple stops and also do not give you the flexibility to stop anywhere you would like to for sightseeing.
You can take buses from the Leh bus stand that travel from Leh to Tso Moriri, Leh to Hanle, Leh to Nyoma, or Leh to Chumathang buses. You will need to ask the conductor to drop you at Teri bridge and from there you can walk to Terido village, maybe Cho House for an overnight stay at Terido.
It will be tough to travel using a shared taxi option from Leh to Teri villages because you may be the only one knowing about these offbeat villages of Ladakh and other fellow travelers may be most likely interested in visiting other touristy locations of Ladakh such as Nubra Valley, Pangong Lake, or Tso Moriri lake. Even Hanle and Umling La Pass are very common on tourist radar these days.
In such a case, finding a shared taxi for Terido or Teriphu village will be very difficult unless you are lucky enough to find people wanting to travel to these offbeat places in Ladakh.
A one-day trip is possible but might be rushed. It’s better to plan an overnight stay to fully enjoy the village and its surroundings. If you still plan to make a one-day trip to Teri village from Leh, you will need to start early as it will take 3.5 hr one way, so a 7-hour round trip.
Add Teriphu village to the trip, which you must do, you are looking at 8.5 hrs on the road itself. So, spending a couple of hours at Teriphu monastery visiting the Skudung and checking out the views, you are looking for a 12-hour road trip from Leh to Teri villages.
A 2-day trip makes much more sense because you can reach Terido from Leh easily on the first day visiting monasteries on the way like Thiksey, Shey, Hemis, or Stakna. Just before Terido village, have a picnic at Likche village by the river stream flowing into the Indus River. Then reach Terido for an overnight stay at the Cho House Homestay, the best place to stay in Teri village.
In the late afternoon, visit Teri Phu village from Teri Do village and spend some quality time going for a village walk, visiting Teri monastery, offering prayers, and checking some amazing views from the vantage points in the village.
On Day 2, you have an option of either continuing your journey to Hanle or Tso Moriri Lake or returning to Leh in case you just want to visit Teri Village from Leh.
A three-day journey provides ample time to explore both Terido and Teriphu while enjoying the local culture at the Cho House homestay and allows for a deeper immersion into the local way of life and exploration of the historical sites.
In this case, from our two-day itinerary above, you can follow Day 1 as Day 1 and Day 2 as Day 3. However, on Day 2, you can go for village walks in Teriphu and Terido on a spare day, you can cook local cuisine at The Cho House homestay with a lovely family, try to spot wildlife, spend a full day in Teriphu learning about the history of Teriphu Skudung.
Accommodation options in Teri Village include local guesthouses and homestays, offering a unique cultural experience. For meals, enjoy traditional Ladakhi cuisine prepared by locals. It’s advisable to book your stay in advance, especially during the peak season, to ensure availability.
The best option for staying at Terido Village is the Cho House Homestay where you will find upscale comfort as compared to usual comfort at basic homestays. The food that Auntiji prepares there is super fresh cooked with vegetables sourced from their kitchen garden and super delicious. I still cannot forget the taste of Khambir Sandwiches served for breakfast and Yarkand Pulao served as dinner to us.
For bookings and prices of Cho House, you can connect with Dechan at +91 99067 18048 (Whatsapp preferred) or Ken: +91 84510 57819, +91 866-9121640. Instagram: @chohouse.tirido
Location of Cho House Tirido / Terido / Teri Do:
Mobile connectivity in these remote villages of Terido and Teriphu can be sporadic. It’s advisable to inform someone about your travel plans in case of emergencies whenever there is any phone network. Only postpaid connections outside Ladakh and prepaid connections from local Leh, only work up there.
As far as the Internet goes, you will find some weak reception at Terido Village. Well, at Cho House homestay, they have a weak WIFI-based Internet too. You can use them at least to send WhatsApp messages to communicate with your loved ones.
Now as of July 2024, when visiting Teri Village, you will find petrol pumps in Ladakh at Leh, Karu near Leh on the way to Teri Village, and then Nyoma near Hanle and Tso Moriri (Newly operational in 2024). So, you do not need to carry extra petrol or fuel if you are visiting Terido or Teriphu as long as your car or bike can do around 160-170 km.
However, if you plan to travel further from Terido to Hanle, doing Umling La and then doing Tso Moriri and finally exiting via Manali Leh Highway or Terido to Tso Moriri to Manali Leh Highway, you will need to accommodate extra petrol or fuel even after topping up at Nyoma petrol pump.
Basic mechanic services and puncture shops are available in Leh, Chumathang, and Nyoma. It’s wise to carry a puncture repair kit and basic tools. Having a contact for a local mechanic in Leh can be useful in case of breakdowns on the rough roads of these high Himalayas.
Electricity is available but can be unreliable. Carry a portable charger and extra batteries for your devices. Power banks and solar chargers are also recommended to ensure your electronic devices remain functional during your trip. Whenever there is electricity, especially at Terido Village – Cho House Homestay, better charge your devices.
Basic medical facilities are available in Leh. Carry a first aid kit and any necessary medications. It’s crucial to have travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking and emergencies. Around Teri villages, you will only find some basic medical help at the Hymia village medical center. But do not expect too much from it.
ATMs are available in Leh and Nyoma. However, withdraw enough cash before heading to Teri villages, as digital payments might not be accepted due to a lack of network facility. It’s always advisable to carry sufficient cash for your entire trip in Ladakh, including emergencies.
As our journey through the serene and mystical lands of Terido and Teriphu comes to an end, it’s clear that these hidden gems and offbeat places of Ladakh offer more than just picturesque landscapes and historical wonders. They provide a unique opportunity to connect with nature, experience the warmth of Ladakhi hospitality, and delve into the region’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.
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From navigating the winding roads that lead to these secluded villages to standing in awe of the ancient Teriphu Monastery and the Ashoka Skudung, every moment in Teri Village is a testament to the timeless beauty and enduring spirit of Ladakh. Whether you’ve been captivated by the stories of Buddhist monks or mesmerized by the breathtaking vistas, Teri Village promises an unforgettable adventure that will linger in your memories long after you’ve returned home.
So, pack your bags, fuel your wanderlust, and set off to discover the tranquil charm and hidden treasures of Teri Villages – Terido & Teriphu. Let the echoes of history, the whispers of the mountains, and the smiles of the villagers be your guide. This is more than just a travel destination; it’s a journey into the heart of Ladakh’s soul. Are you ready to create your own stories and leave your footprints in this enchanting part of the world?
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