Experience life with a farming family in Sham Valley, featuring an apricot orchard business
Do not hesitate to give us a call. Reach us to curate your experience as per your preference.
Experience life with a farming family in Sham Valley, featuring an apricot orchard business
Situated in the scenic Sham Valley, Domkhar Homestay provides an authentic glimpse into Ladakhi village life. Hosted by a local farming family, guests can experience organic farming in apricot orchards, take part in traditional Thangka painting workshops led by the host, a talented local artist, and enjoy cultural festivities like the vibrant Apricot Blossom Festival.
Additionally, visitors can explore nearby petroglyphs that showcase ancient rock carvings, adding a unique historical element to their stay. The homestay serves as an excellent base for trekking, offering a memorable blend of adventure and cultural exploration.
Tsewang Dolma and her husband are gentle souls who manage all aspects of their household. They engage in farming, care for their cattle, tend to their apricot orchards, and process the apricots themselves, all while looking after their grandchildren. The husband pursues his passion for painting, spending time in his traditional art workshop.Their daily lives are filled with warmth and joy, reflected in their welcoming smiles.
Guests can savor homemade meals made from fresh ingredients that highlight the authentic flavors of traditional Ladakhi cuisine. In addition to famous dishes like momos, thukpa, and chuytagi, Tsewang Dolma and her husband offer lost recipes, including Tapu. This nutritious dish, made from wheat flour, apricot kernels, and a blend of seasonings, reflects culinary traditions that are increasingly rare in central Ladakh.They also prepare snacks using a mix of grains, such as barley, local peas, walnuts, and dried fruits like apricots and apples.
You will always find fresh apricots and apples on the living room table during the summer, while winter brings a selection of dried apricots and apples. This abundance of delightful dishes enhances the warm and inviting atmosphere, inviting guests to experience the family’s heartfelt hospitality.The guests can savor delicious meals and fresh fruits while also engaging in seasonal farming activities. Join in vegetable harvesting and food preparation for an authentic experience. During the Harvesting season participate in apricot and apple collecting and drying, and take some home as a special gift for your loved ones.
Travelers can engage in different seasonal farming activities. In spring, the Sham Valley is beautifully adorned with pink and white apricot blossoms, creating a captivating landscape. During the harvest season, guests are invited to participate in gathering and processing the fruits, allowing them to take some home as special gifts.The guests can partake in a traditional painting session with the host, a renowned Ladakhi artist, gaining insight into the region’s rich artistic heritage.
For hiking enthusiasts, scenic trails lead to the upper hamlets of Domkhar Village and the picturesque Takmachik Village along the Indus River. The stunning views in Takmachik resemble a painting, and the nearby monastery is well worth a visit.
– Overnight stay at Domkhar Homestay
– Breakfast and Dinner
– Complimentary Tea
– Any personal expenses
– Transportation to village
– Additional Meals – Lunch
– Extra activities – Village Walk, Visit to the Monastery, Trekking (Arranged on demand)
Domkhar Homestay is conveniently located near the main Leh-Kargil Highway in a serene and untouched area of Domkhar Village. Nestled within the Sham Valley at a lower altitude, the region is ideal for flourishing farming activities. The homestay is surrounded by lush apricot orchards and the stunning Sham Valley Mountain Range. Guests can enjoy breathtaking mountain views directly from their rooms, providing a perfect setting for an authentic, peaceful experience in this remote area.
Guests can use a single bedroom setup within the house. The host provides warm blanket and amenities curated to suit a traveler’s comfort. The entire linen has been handcrafted as per international hospitality standards and comforts, thus making it an ideal stop.
Guests like to eat our Ladakhi food. They say it is delicious, even when it is prepared by an elderly ama (mother) like me. I always make sure I serve them the cleanest and healthiest food. My husband is a copper artist. When guests leave us, they say ‘Julley’, and hug us. It makes us feel happy.
I became a Mountain Homestay Host in 2018, and I have hosted many travellers since then. Running a homestay has helped me and my family a lot. Not only is the solar set up in our house useful for us, but even travellers prefer to stay in our homestay because of it.
The training we got in astronomy turned out to be a life-changing experience for our village. I felt happy and proud while mapping the position of the planets and sharing the secrets of the universe with the tourists. Tourists told me that even they didn’t know so much about the dark skies!