Take a deep dive into Ladakh’s culture and heritage as you take a tour to the most ancient monasteries of Ladakh. See the region through scenic drives, mountainous hikes, and village homestays!
Right for You?
Mountain Homestays
Highlights
- Explore the ancient monasteries of Alchi and Mangyu.
- Stay with local families in the rural, untraveled areas of India.
- Participate in traditional cooking, culture, and recreational activities with the people of Ladakh!
Details
You will be picked up from the airport and arrive at your hotel in Leh (11,500ft). The day will be utilized 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.
Start the day by driving around to some interesting sightseeing attractions. It's a chance to understand Buddhism, which is widely followed here, and understand the history of the Ladakh Kingdom.
Take a drive to Sham Valley of Ladakh where you explore the ancient monasteries of Alchi and Mangyu. The drive goes via the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers.
After witnessing these beautiful monasteries, drive to the homestay at village Sumda-Chun where you will stay for a night.
Visit the monastery in the morning and attend the daily prayers. Later in the day, you'll do an exploratory hike nearby and spend rest of the day with the villagers while enjoying Ladakhi delicacies. You can try your hands-on archery, the favorite recreational activity in Ladakh.
After spending the morning in the village, you will drive back to Leh. You can spend rest of the day exploring the Leh market.
What's Included
Traveler Reviews
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
