Embark on a 7-day cultural odyssey with the "Artisans of Ladakh: The Copper Trail," a journey that blends active adventure, cultural immersion, and a deep dive into the ancient art of copper crafting in the remote Himalayan mountains of Ladakh, India. This expedition, hosted by the social enterprise Mountain Homestays, invites you to explore breathtaking landscapes, engage in community visits, and participate in hands-on art and cultural activities. Along this off-the-beaten-path adventure, stay in family homestays, experience local cuisine and stories, and contribute to the preservation of a dying art and sustainable tourism in this high-altitude region. With all meals included, a bilingual guide, and private transport, this challenging yet enriching experience offers an intimate glimpse into the heart of Himalayan culture.
Right for You?
Highlights
- Be apart of restoring a dying art, and learn about the work these Copper Artisans do!
- Explore rural India, trekking through breathtaking landscapes.
- In each village, stay with a local family -- eating local cuisine, learning about their culture, and hearing stories!
Details
Itinerary
You will be picked up from the airport and arrive at your hotel in Leh (11,500ft). Today, you will rest and acclimatize yourself to the new environment amidst the picturesque Himalayan landscapes. This is required to adjust your body to the low oxygen levels.
You will be driven around to some interesting sightseeing attractions. This is a chance to understand Buddhism, which is widely followed here, and understand the history of the Ladakh Kingdom.
You will drive to the first copper artisans’ village, Tsogsty. It is a beautiful village inside the Hemis National Park. Here, you can try your hands-on archery, see local apple and apricot farms, and watch the local copper artisans work. Enjoy your stay at the cozy homestay and taste local Ladakhi food.
You will take a drive to Rangdon to start a trek to the second copper village, Sumda-Chenmo. The hike is about 7 miles. You will trek at a comfortable pace with sufficient breaks in between. The trail is alongside a river stream, through a beautiful valley. Total trek should take about 5-6 hours, and you should reach the village by evening. Stay tonight at your homestay in Sumda Chenmo.
There are four copper artisans in this village who still practice this ancient art. You can study the art by interacting with the artisans, learning the techniques, about the tools, and also challenges of this work. There will be a hands-on experience of making a copper artifact, as well!
The village also holds a rich place in Ladakh’s history. There is an ancient monastery in the village and statues of Buddha that date back to 11th century. These wooden statues were excavated in 2008 by team of Archeologists from the World monument fund.
After trekking down till Rangdoh, you will visit two other villages of copper art, Sumda Do and Chilling. Sumda-Do is a small settlement with just 3 copper artisans. Then, you will make a stop at village of Chilling. Chilling is the last remaining major hub of copper handicrafts with at least 10 artisans who do this work full time.
After interacting with the artisans, you will drive back to Leh. You can spend rest of the day exploring the Leh market. You can buy Pashmina and other local crafts from the market.
What's Included
Your Local Host
Mountain Homestays
Local/Foreign Owned Social Enterprise
Mountain Homestays was launched in 2016 as a flagship initiative under the aegis of Global Himalayan Expedition (GHE). GHE is an impact venture that focuses on providing clean energy and education access for the remote communities in the Ladakh region of India
Getting There
