Shakti Ladakh Village Walk: An Indian Himalayan Tour

15 days from £11,100 for 2024 per person

• Delhi
• Ladakh

Situated in India’s far north, and perched at over 3,500m (11,500ft) on the plateau, Ladakh is often referred to as 'Little Tibet' and is home to one of the best preserved Tantric Buddhist societies in existence. Rugged snow-capped mountains and deep turquoise lakes dot this high-altitude desert making it one of the most otherworldly, picturesque places on earth. Ladakh has long been on the map for backpackers, mostly staying in and around the capital, Leh. However, the Shakti Village Experience avoids the over now-crowded hub of Leh and takes you off the beaten track to unspoiled, traditional villages in the Indus valley. The perfect antidote to the frenetic world that most of us live in, the Village Experience can include arranged visits to local schools, monasteries, craft workshops and markets to give you a full understanding of the culture, people, religion and customs of the region.

The best way to experience these villages is a combination of walking, rafting and driving between them while overnighting in some of the beautifully quaint homestays along the way. Traditional Ladakhi houses are built with sun-baked mud bricks and wooden beams of poplar and willow. The bricks are plastered with clay giving a striking whitewash appearance. The interiors of the overnighting houses on the Village Experience have been spruced up by local craftsmen with local materials. Tibetan carpets adorn the floors and Ladakhi coffee tables sit on the roof terrace – a perfect place to enjoy a well-earned drink after a day’s trekking. Although simple, the level of comfort in the houses is truly surprising and yet does not compromise their authenticity.

For the more active walker, trekking and camping in even more remote and beautiful locations can be arranged. The treks require a reasonable level of fitness and reach altitudes of up to 4,250m (14,000ft). The tented camps provide an atmospheric night under canvas with all the usual service and style of the village houses while enjoying outstanding mountain views and some of the clearest night skies to be found in the world. The Village Experience includes river rafting on the glacier-fed Indus and Zanskar rivers. The rapids vary from Class 1 to Class 4 and offer a thrilling change of pace.

There is no standard itinerary as every trip is tailored to the individual travellers ensuring the best possible experience to suit their tastes. Depending on preference, the walking can range from very light to genuinely strenuous. It is also possible to arrange motorised transport if walking is not desired. The Shakti Village Experience is available from early May to late September.

If you are feeling inspired and would like to see similar trips, take a look at our collection of Epic Journeys and Culinary Tours; as well as our favourite Active and Wildlife itineraries.

The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
G. K. Chesterton