The Changthang plateau is one of the least populated areas in the entire world because of the harsh conditions in the region. On this trip, you'll journey to remote villages to experience how the Changpa Nomads live their lives amongst the barren landscape. You will connect with their families, learn about Changpa culture, and visit sites amidst the beautiful landscapes!
Right for You?
Details
You will be picked up from the airport and arrive at your hotel in Leh (11,500ft). Today will be for rest and acclimatization 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.
It will be a long day of driving through some of the most remote roads of the world. To reach Mahé, you'll drive for about 6 hours alongside the Indus river. Check-in to the homestay of Mahé, have lunch and visit the beautiful monastery in evening.
In the morning, you will see carpet weaving done by the village women. Perhaps, you will buy a carpet for your home! Later in the day, you'll drive to a remote lake just few miles from the village. The high altitude, Yahé lake, is surrounded by grasslands where these nomads graze their livestock.
Just a couple of hours away is the world-famous Tso-Moriri Lake. One of the most beautiful lakes in the region, its' turquoise waters sits against the backdrop of mountains. The lake is also famous among wildlife lovers, identified as a conservation wetland. Spend some time at the lake and return to Mahé in the evening to enjoy some authentic Ladakhi dinner, local folk songs and dance by the village women.
On your drive towards Leh, take a brief stop at Chumathang, one of the very few geothermal sites in Ladakh. You will spend some time at the natural hot springs here, and then continue the drive to Leh. You'll reach Leh by the evening.
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. Ladakh is a high altitude, cold desert in the Himalayas with an average altitude of 12000 feet. Life there is harsh, and due to tough terrain and remoteness, numerous villages do not have access to electricity. Since 2013, GHE have closely worked with the communities to setup an education base and install solar micro-grids in 53 remote villages. To alleviate poverty and address urban migration, they are creating alternate livelihood opportunities for the villagers through homestay based tourism. These unexplored rural destinations in Ladakh let the visitors experience what it's like to live closest to the real Himalayan culture.
Getting There
