STAY 

Rooms at Serena Khaplu Palace are divided between the historic palace and a newer garden wing. Expect thick walls, carved beams and wooden floors softened with rugs and local textiles. Furnishings are simple but comfortable, with good beds, heating, hot showers and Wi-Fi. Many rooms open onto verandas or courtyards, so you step straight into the gardens and stone walkways, with views of poplars, fields and the stark mountains that frame the Khaplu Valley.

CHILDCARE 

Families who enjoy history and quieter places often appreciate Serena Khaplu Palace, though there is no formal childcare or playground. Older children usually find the palace, courtyards and small museum engaging, and there is space in the grounds to wander under supervision. Staff are generally helpful with extra beds, simpler dishes and flexible meal times. It suits families comfortable with stairs, uneven surfaces and a slower, more reflective style of stay.

DINE 

Meals focus on a mix of Balti, wider Pakistani and some international dishes. You can try local favourites such as chapshuro, lentil stews and vegetable curries, alongside grilled meats, rice and fresh bread. Breakfasts are hearty, setting you up for walks and drives. When the weather allows, eating outside in the courtyard or garden feels particularly atmospheric, with palace walls and mountain silhouettes as the backdrop to simple, well-cooked food.

RELAX 

Serena Khaplu Palace invites you to slow down. Guests often spend time reading on wooden balconies, sipping tea in courtyards or strolling through orchards and lawns. There is no spa as such, but the combination of fresh air, quiet rooms and star-filled skies can feel deeply restorative after bumpy roads or busy trekking days. Evenings are low key, centred on conversation, warmth and the gentle sounds of the village around you.

EXPERIENCE 

Staying here turns Khaplu from a point on the map into a place with stories. You can explore preserved reception rooms, prayer spaces and the small museum, then step out into village lanes, fields and riverside paths. Short walks to nearby viewpoints are easy to arrange. Returning through the old gateway to your lit palace at dusk, knowing you are sleeping in a former royal residence, becomes one of the standout memories of a Baltistan journey.