Impact Trip along Silk Route

Recommended Recommended by 92% of travelers
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Location Leh, Nubra and Changthang Valley

Duration

8 Days / 7 Nights

Travellers

Family or Group

Type of Experience

Community impact and cultural immersion

Activities

Walking on Silk Route trails, Impact Activity, stargazing, exploring border villages

Traverse through

Khardung La Pass, Shyok River, Changthang Valley

Region Traveling to

Leh, Nubra and Changthang Valley

Wear a Silk Route trader's hat and take the same journey as they did back in time.

About your experience

This family journey takes you through the valleys of Ladakh, following the historic Silk Route and exploring its lesser-known villages and cultural heritage. Along the way, gain an insight into the region’s Buddhist traditions, local stories and everyday life through meaningful interactions with Ladakhi families.

Stay in locally operated boutique homestays, offering comfortable accommodation and an opportunity to experience Ladakhi hospitality. Reusable amenities and locally managed stays also help make your journey more responsible.

The experience extends beyond travel. As part of the journey, you will contribute towards the installation of either an Improved Rocket Stove or a solar water heater in a village household, depending on local needs. This contribution will help a family access a cleaner and more efficient energy solution, making your time in Ladakh meaningful beyond the journey itself.

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Inclusions & Exclusions

  • Accommodation in hotels and homestays (as per itinerary)
  • All transportation in the destination location in an SUV
  • Breakfast and Dinner
  • Guided Impact Activity
  • Inclusive of Permits
  • Local Experiences (Included in the itinerary)
  • Monastery & Local Site Visits
  • On-ground Support
  • Additional meals including Lunch and snacks
  • Air fare
  • Any personal expenses
  • Anything not mentioned in inclusions
  • Travel visa and insurance

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point

Pickup and Drop

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL), Leh


Itinerary

A flight brings you into Leh, a city bounded by the Himalayas and the Karakoram mountains at an altitude of 3500 meters. Upon landing, a team leader will welcome you at the airport with a traditional Ladakhi silk scarf. A transfer to the hotel follows, serving as the base for the next two days. The rest of the arrival day is free for relaxing and getting used to the high altitude. Spend the night at a hotel in Leh.

Explore Leh\'s cultural heritage with visits to Leh Palace, the former royal residence, and Thiksey Monastery, known for its traditional Buddhist architecture. Learn about Leh\'s history as an important trading centre along the Silk Route before heading to Shanti Stupa for panoramic views of the town.

In the evening, visit Cosmohub Phyang for a stargazing session accompanied by local Ladakhi folklore and insights into traditional astrology.

Overnight stay at the homestay.

Leave Leh and follow the historic Silk Route towards Nubra Valley, crossing Khardung La at an altitude of 17,582 feet. Upon reaching Nubra, visit the Maitreya Buddha statue in Diskit, overlooking the valley.

Continue towards Sumur, on the Siachen side of Nubra, and check into a boutique homestay facing the Buddha Garden, with views of the statue from your room. In the evening, take a leisurely walk through the garden, following the traditional practice of circumambulating the statue. Later, visit the Sumur sand dunes to watch the sunset and see the region\'s distinctive double-humped Bactrian camels.

Overnight stay at the homestay.

Begin the day with a visit to Samstanling Monastery, a centuries-old Buddhist monastery in Sumur. Continue to a nearby village for a community-led impact activity, working alongside local residents to install Improved Rocket Stoves or solar water heaters. These installations help reduce firewood consumption and address household heating needs, particularly during winter.

Later, take a short hike to Yarab Tso, a lake surrounded by rocky mountains. Continue to the Panamik hot springs, where you can enjoy a warm dip while taking in views of the valley.

Overnight stay at a local homestay.

Drive from Nubra Valley towards Pangong Lake via the Shyok River route, passing through remote villages and rugged mountain terrain. As you approach the lake, the landscape opens up to reveal its striking blue waters set against the surrounding mountains.

Spend some time by the lake before continuing to Maan Village, a quiet settlement along its banks. Check into your local homestay and enjoy the evening by Pangong Lake.

Overnight stay at the homestay.

Begin the return journey to Leh from Pangong Lake, crossing Chang La Pass at an altitude of approximately 17,688 feet. The route offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and the expansive landscapes of Changthang.

Upon arrival in Leh, spend the rest of the day at leisure. After some time to rest and freshen up, you may explore Leh Market and purchase any essentials required for the upcoming trek.

Overnight stay at a hotel in Leh.

This is the trekking day. An early morning drive of two hours leads to the village of Hemis Shukpachun. From here, a four hour trek begins on flat ground alongside stupas. A steep descent leads to the Mebtak La pass at 3720 meters. After resting and enjoying the view from the top, the trail heads down to Tingmosgang. This prosperous village in the Sham valley is famous for its monastery and apricot orchards. Spend the night in a local lodge at Tingmosgang.

A vehicle picks you up in Tingmosgang to start the day with a visit to the 1000 year old Alchi Monastery. After the visit, a stop for a traditional meal at a local kitchen is planned. On the way back, a short detour to Likir village offers a pottery session with the last potter family of Ladakh. In the evening, visit the Leh market to pick up souvenirs like Pashmina and local crafts. Spend the final night at a hotel in Leh before your onward departure.


What To Expect

The Silk Route journey takes you through the remote mountain landscapes of Ladakh, beginning at an altitude of approximately 3,500 metres and crossing high mountain passes, including Khardung La (17,582 ft). The first two days are reserved for acclimatisation before you travel deeper into the region. Travelling through these high-altitude landscapes requires a gradual pace and some flexibility, particularly as weather and road conditions can change.

Staying in traditional village homestays offers an opportunity to experience Ladakhi hospitality and gain an insight into everyday village life. Accommodation provides simple comforts, while limited internet connectivity in some locations offers a chance to slow down and spend more time with local families.

A key part of this journey is a hands-on energy initiative undertaken alongside village residents. Depending on local household requirements, you will participate in the installation of an Improved Rocket Stove or a solar water heater. These technologies help reduce firewood consumption and support more efficient use of local resources. As a family, your participation contributes to a practical initiative that benefits a household beyond your visit.


Additional Info

  • We take pre payments to book the trip
  • 21 days - cancellation policy is applicable, no refunds post 21 day
  • Carry warm layers at all times
  • Comfortable shoes recommended
  • Limited network in few villages
  • Best time – May to September
🏷 Prices do not include taxes
Add date
Total: ₹167,000

(All activities are subject to availability.)*

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On average, this is booked 86 days in advance.

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