Elementor #32099

Ladakh Local Products – What to Buy & Where

When you travel to Ladakh, you don’t just witness breathtaking landscapes—you also step into a region rich in tradition, craft, and sustainable living. From handwoven pashmina to cold-pressed apricot oil and ancient herbal remedies, every product in Ladakh tells a story of resilience, culture, and deep-rooted community wisdom.

Whether you’re a conscious traveler looking to support local economies or a souvenir hunter with an eye for authenticity, here’s your go-to guide on what to buy in Ladakh and where to find it.

Pashmina Wool Products

Best Villages: Kharnak, Korzok, Chushul
Producer: Changthang Weavers SHG
Why Here: This is the homeland of the Changpa nomads who rear the prized Pashmina goats. Products here are spun from authentic Ladakhi Pashmina, not blended variants.
Best Time to Buy: June – September (when herders return from high pastures)

From scarves to shawls and stoles, buying from Changthang directly supports nomadic herder communities preserving this ancient livelihood.

Kharnak village

Korzok village

Apricot Oil & Products

Best Villages: Turtuk, Skurbuchan, Khaltse
Producer: Apricot Bloom SHG
Why Here: Apricot is Ladakh’s golden fruit, and these villages boast the juiciest harvests. Cold-pressed oil, handmade soaps, and jams make perfect souvenirs.

Best Time to Buy: August – October

Sowa-Rigpa Herbal Medicines

Best Villages: Chumathang, Panamik, Sumda Chenmo
Producer: Traditional Amchis
Why Here: These villages are centers for Sowa-Rigpa—the ancient Tibetan system of medicine. The herbal balms, teas, and powders are based on centuries-old knowledge.

Best Time to Buy: All Year

Panamik

2 Homestays

Chumathang village

2 Homestays

Chilling & Sumda Chenmo

3 Homestays

Handwoven Carpets & Rugs

Best Villages: Stok, Saboo, Phyang
Producer: Wool Weavers SHG
Why Here: Local sheep wool, hand-spun and naturally dyed, weaved into intricate Ladakhi patterns.

Best Time to Buy: November – March

Stok village

8 Homestays

Saboo/Sabu Village

9 Homestays

Phyang Village

1 Homestay

Dried Vegetables (Winter Stock)

Best Villages: Skurbuchan, Hemis, Phyang
Producer: Local Women’s Collectives
Why Here: Vegetables are sun-dried during the summer and stored for Ladakh’s harsh winters. A taste of traditional winter survival.

Best Time to Buy: September – October

Skurbuchan Village

1 Experience

Hemis village

Phyang Village

1 Homestay

Yak Cheese & Dry Chhurpi

Best Villages: Hemis Shukpachan, Uleytokpo
Producer: Herbal Roots SHG
Why Here: Blends made from wild herbs like seabuckthorn leaves, tulsi, thyme, and rhododendron—perfect for relaxation and detox.

Best Time to Buy: June – September

Skurbuchan Village

1 Experience

Hemis village

Uleytokpo Canyon

Organic Herbal Teas

Best Villages: Korzok, Hanle
Producer: Changpa Pastoral SHG
Why Here: Made from the milk of yaks grazing at 4,500m+, this cheese is protein-rich and unique to Ladakh’s high-altitude ecosystem.

Best Time to Buy: May – October

Korzok village

Hanley / Anlay village

Natural Dyes & Handmade Paper

Best Villages: Saspol, Phyang, Lamayuru
Producer: Creative Earth SHG
Why Here: Ladakhi artists use native plants and minerals to make eco-friendly dyes and paper—ideal for mindful gifting.

Best Time to Buy: May – August

Saspol

1 Homestay

Phyang Village

1 Homestay

Lamayuru Village

Hand-Spun Wool Yarn

Best Villages: Saboo, Skurbuchan
Producer: Dye & Weave SHG
Why Here: Naturally dyed, hand-spun yarn ideal for DIY projects and supporting women’s craft revival.

Best Time to Buy: October – February

Saboo/Sabu Village

9 Homestays

Skurbuchan Village

1 Experience

Fossils & Stone Carvings

Best Villages: Khaltse, Basgo
Producer: Rock Lore SHG (guided only)
Why Here: Khaltse lies on the Indus Suture Zone—home to rare fossils and carvings. Buy only from SHG-led guided stores to avoid illegal collection.

Best Time to Buy: All Year

Khaltsi village

6 Homestays

Bazgoo / Basgo

6 Homestays

Seabuckthorn Products (Juice, Tea, Jams, Capsules)

Best Villages: Sumoor, Tegar, Panamik, Skuru, Hunder, Bogdang
Producer: Nubra Women’s Foraging Collective, Himalayan Gold SHG
Why Here: Wild-harvested along Nubra riverbanks, seabuckthorn is a superfruit packed with Omega-7 and Vitamin C.

Best Time to Buy: August – October

Sumoor

1 Homestay

Panamik

2 Homestays

Hundar

Bogdang

Traditional Drinks of Ladakh

Drink	Where to Try	Made By	Why It’s Special	When to Try
Butter Tea (Gur Gur Cha)	Across Ladakh	Homestays, Village Elders	Keeps you warm, ceremonial	Winter
Seabuckthorn Juice	Nubra, Chumathang	Local SHGs	Vitamin-rich & detoxifying	Aug–Oct
Chang (Barley Brew)	Sham, Skurbuchan	Local women	Consumed in festivals	All year
Herbal Teas	Hemis, Uleytokpo	Herbal Roots SHG	Relaxing & healing	All year

Authentic Ladakhi Dishes to Try or Take Home

Dish	Where Found	Prepared By	Ingredients / Notes	Seasonality
Chhurpi Curry	Korzok, Hanle	Nomadic SHGs	Yak cheese curry	May–Oct
Skyu	Across villages	Homestays, SHGs	Handmade wheat stew	All year
Mok Mok (Momos)	Everywhere	Homestays	Dumplings with veg/yak	All year
Paba & Tangtur	Skurbuchan, Phyang	Brokpa SHG	Barley bread & buttermilk	All year
Butter-roasted Barley (Ngampe)	Traditional kitchens	SHG s	Used in tea/snacks	Winter
Dried Apricot Chutney	Turtuk, Khaltse	SHGs	Sweet-sour traditional chutney	Sept–Oct

Where to Buy Ethically in Ladakh?

To make sure your purchases support genuine artisans and communities:

Visit SHG-run stalls in local melas and festivals (Leh Festival, Apricot Festival)
Shop from village-based craft centres and eco-shops
Buy from homestays that source from local women entrepreneurs
Prefer seasonal markets in Leh, Diskit, and Kargil that feature rural producers

Final Thoughts

Shopping local in Ladakh is more than retail therapy—it’s an act of preservation. Every product you purchase supports sustainable livelihoods, ancient traditions, and eco-conscious practices.

So next time you visit, remember: Ladakh isn’t just a place to see; it’s a culture to support—one handcrafted item at a time.

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