Changthang Nomadic Circuit: Experience Ladakh’s Last Nomads Up Close

In the wind-swept plateaus of Changthang, where the sky kisses salt lakes and yaks outnumber people, you’re invited into a world untouched by haste, shaped by resilience, and kept alive by the pastoral Changpa.

The Changthang Nomadic Circuit offers one of the most immersive cultural experiences in Ladakh. Located in the high-altitude belt bordering Tibet, this region is home to the Changpa tribe, custodians of Pashmina wool, salt trails, and transhumant wisdom. Through our SHG-supported homestays and workshops, you can walk with herders, sleep in yak-wool tents, try chhurpi making, and experience the silence of Ladakh’s Tso Moriri, Hanle, and Nyoma plains.

Circuit Overview

Leh → Chumathang → Mahe → Korzok (Tso Moriri) → Hanle → Nyoma → (optional: Demchok route)

Ideal Duration: 4–6 days
Best Season: May to October
Altitude: 4,500–5,000m (expect gradual acclimatization)
Stay Type: SHG-linked homestays, yak camps, eco-guesthouses
Perfect For: Eco-tourists, photographers, cultural travellers, and slow travelers

Key Villages & Experiences

Korzok – Gateway to Tso Moriri

Stay With: Changpa Women’s Yak Wool SHG Homestays
Why Visit:
- Lakeside homestays with views of snow-capped peaks
- Interact with nomadic herders and learn how Pashmina is combed and spun
- Taste yak milk tea, try chhurpi stew, and explore the centuries-old Korzok Monastery
- SHG-run product kiosks selling handwoven stoles and herbal blends

Hanle – Astronomy Meets Isolation

Stay With: Hanle SHG Collective (Nomadic + Agro-pastoral women)
Why Visit:
- Explore one of India’s highest and most remote villages
- Visit the Indian Astronomical Observatory, world-renowned for stargazing
- Learn about nomadic salt extraction, herbal teas, and survival in winter
- Optional herbal bath session led by women Amchis

Nyoma – Salt Routes & Women’s Enterprise (Emerging Destination)

Stay With: Nyoma Mineral SHG, supported by Changthang Cluster SHG
Why Visit:
- Recently mapped for micro-enterprise tourism
- Learn traditional methods of rock salt harvesting
- Join seasonal activities like grain pounding, wool cleaning, and salt route storytelling

Great stopover between Hanle and Tso Kar or Demchok (restricted zone)

Korzok village

Hanley / Anlay village

Nyoma village

2 Homestays

What You Can Do: SHG-Hosted Activities

Activity	Village	Facilitated By	Experience
Pashmina Combing & Wool Spinning	Korzok	Yak Wool SHG	Learn to process raw fleece into fine yarn
Chhurpi & Butter Making	Korzok, Hanle	Pastoral Women’s SHGs	Hands-on food demo using highland yak milk
Herbal Wellness Workshop	Hanle, Nyoma	Local Amchis (via SHG)	Learn plant identification, tea blending, balm making
Salt Trail Walk & Demo	Nyoma	Mineral SHG	Collect, crush, and pack rock salt in traditional ways
Nomadic Life Orientation	Korzok	Changpa Elders + SHG	Learn about migration cycles, pastoral beliefs, and eco-practices

What to Buy

All products are SHG-made, locally sourced, and eco-friendly:

Handwoven Pashmina shawls (undyed or herbal-dyed)
Herbal balms and soaps (rhododendron, seabuckthorn)
Rock salt packs from Nyoma
Yak milk-based lotions and lip balms (available in Korzok shops)
Mountain teas – tulsi, thyme, rhubarb leaf blends

Suggested Itinerary (5 Days)

Day 1: Leh → Chumathang → Korzok (Tso Moriri)

Visit hot springs en route, evening lakeside orientation

Day 2: Full day in Korzok

Pashmina spinning session, yak herding walk
Optional: Visit Korzok Gustor Festival (if in season)

Day 3: Korzok → Hanle

Astronomy site visit, dinner with SHG group
Optional herbal bath or yak milk dessert making

Day 4: Hanle → Nyoma

Salt harvesting trail + storytelling session
Sunset over open Changthang plains

Day 5: Nyoma → Mahe → Leh

Scenic drive back, with stops at traditional farm plots

Responsible Travel Guidelines

Stay only in SHG-approved homestays or eco-camps
Carry back all waste – no plastic allowed
Respect animal boundaries (especially yaks and sheep)
Buy directly from SHG outlets or verified sellers
Talk to your hosts, learn before you photograph

Why Choose the Changthang Nomadic Circuit?

It’s the only place in India where nomadic life thrives year-round
Your stay supports women’s SHGs and micro-enterprises
You engage with centuries-old pastoral wisdom and oral heritage
Experience high-altitude biodiversity and mineral landscapes
Perfect for detox, slow travel, and soulful discovery

Ready to Explore?

We can help you:

Book SHG Homestays in Korzok, Hanle & Nyoma
Schedule yak-herding or wool workshops
Arrange Pashmina product pick-ups or orders
Coordinate local guides, interpreters, and permits (esp. Hanle/Demchok)

Come witness the edge of the earth—where women run homes, herds, and heritage,
and where every gust of wind carries a story.

Discover Homestays

Experience the heart of Leh by staying with local families.
Immerse yourself in Ladakhi culture, traditions, and warm hospitality.
Book your homestay and explore the region like never before.

Book Your Homestays

Discover Local Experiences

From pottery workshops to Ladakhi cooking sessions, uncover the authentic experiences that Leh offers. Dive into the local culture with hands-on activities that will leave lasting memories.

Discover Local Experiences

Discover Monasteries

Leh is home to some of the most stunning and serene monasteries in the world. Visit these sacred sites, learn about their rich history, and experience the spiritual calm of Ladakh.

Discover Monasteries