Himalayan Homestay

Travel time - Leh via Yangtang to Hemis Shukpachan: 2-3 hours driving, 4 hours of hiking.

On the first day of your Himalaya homestay trip, you’ll make an early start for your 4-day trek. From Leh you’ll travel by car to the village of Yangtang, and from here you’ll continue on foot. You don’t need to bring much along for your Himalayan homestay – just enough to keep you comfortable and warm. We can advise layering your clothes, as the day you’ll be walking in the crisp mountain sun. However, when the sun disappears behind the mountains it really gets very chilly, very quickly, so keep something warm handy at all times.

You’ll hike for around four hours, passing through little villages where time seems to have stood still. Donkeys wander through the streets laden with goods and children will stop their games to come and take an inquisitive look at you as you hike past. Quite often, the friendly people will invite you in for a cup of tea. Over the course of the day, you’ll see the landscape change from murmuring streams and fields of barley into barren, rugged mountains, where the narrow path at the end rises steeply. When you arrive in Yangtang, a car will be waiting for you. It will take you on a short journey to your host family in Hemis Shukpachen. 

Travel time - approx 4 hours hiking.

Don’t be surprised if your muscles are protesting a little this morning - they’ll soon loosen up during your 4-hour hike today. As these hikes are not so long, you’ll have time to take some photos along the way. After all you don’t come here every day – so enjoy it while you can. Look for a spot in the sun, stick your sweater under your head and bask in the scenery around you. The lush green area you are hiking through today is full of apricot and apple trees, and you can freshen up in the fast-flowing streams and waterfalls. Today, the hiking is really relaxed as the route follows level ground with very few differences in height. You’ll soon arrive in Tingmosgang, with a stunning genuine monastery perched on the mountainside above the village. In the afternoon, you are free to do your own exploring or snooze in the sun. Tonight you’ll stay in a simple but authentic Himalayan homestay. In addition, to your hearty evening meal, lunch en route is also provided.

Travel time - approx 4 hours hiking and approx 2-3 hours by car

On the third day of your Himalayan homestay, you’ll cover substantial ground, and you’ll cross the longer distances by car. After breakfast, you’ll wave goodbye to your host family and begin your last hike. Your path passes by the remote village of Tian and continues through barley fields. Gradually, you’ll start climbing up to higher regions and traverse a mountain pass at 3630 metres (11900 feet). From this vast plateau, you’ll have a magnificent sweeping view of the surrounding mountains.

Finally, you’ll descend to meet the main road and a car will be waiting to take you to Lamayuru, where erosion has created some spectacular rock formations in the white mountains. Right in the centre of this area, on some rather wobbly, steep rocks stands one of the most famous and most spectacular monasteries in Ladakh. With the mountain peaks in the background, this monastery looks truly spectacular.

You’ll visit the monastery with your guide and then drive on to your accommodation in Alchi, where your host family go out of their way to make you feel at home. They are very warm, hospitable people. If you would like to return the hospitality, you could bring along some coloured pencils and colouring books for the children. They are not used to being given such gifts and they would beam with happiness at your offering.

Travel time - Alchi to Leh: 2.5 hour drive

Today is a quiet day of rest and relaxation. There are no long hikes or car journeys. In the morning, you’ll visit the Alchi Monastery. Unlike many other monasteries in the region, it is not built on a mountainside and is much easier to reach. UNESCO has designated the monastery as a World Heritage Site, due to its exquisitely carved wood decorations, gigantic statues and imaginative murals in traditional Kashmiri style.

In the afternoon, you’ll drive back to Leh (approx 70km)and the rest of the day is free for you to do as you wish. You’ll spend the last night of your Himalayan homestay trek in a cosy guesthouse in this town.
 

The homestays in the Himalayas module ends today, and you’ll continue with your trip. We can arrange an extra night in Leh, or, if you would prefer, you can fly back to Delhi and move on from there.

If you are heading towards the end of your trip, you could finish off your journey with the Golden Triangle tour, featuring a visit to the Taj Mahal. Equally, if you fancy some hammock time after your hike, you could now head to Goa, Kerala or the Maldives on our South India tours.