Walk through apricot orchards, learn traditional farming techniques, and soak in herbal baths—guided by the people who’ve lived off this land for generations.
Ladakh isn’t just for trekkers and thrill-seekers—it’s also for the quiet traveler who wants to connect with the land, its cycles, and the communities who’ve nurtured it for centuries. Across the region, local SHGs and homestay families are opening up a whole new world of farm-based, ecological, and mindful experiences that you can be part of.
Where: Shey (near Leh) and Tingmosgang (Sham Valley, ~2 hrs from Leh)
When to Visit: May to September (Fruit-bearing & herb harvesting season)
What Happens:
In Shey, families offer short walking trails through their apricot, apple, and walnut orchards—often paired with lunch under a tree. In Tingmosgang, you can explore herbal gardens where women cultivate plants like Artemisia, Rhodiola, Seabuckthorn, and Wild Thyme used in Sowa-Rigpa medicine. Some homestays offer basic herbal tea tastings, foraging walks, or seedling planting during May and June.
How to Join: Book stays with SHG-affiliated homestays in Shey or Tingmosgang. Ask in advance if they offer orchard walks or herbal trails—most do, informally.
Where: Villages along the Indus River, west of Leh (~2–3 hrs)
When to Go: April to November (Avoid monsoon or icy conditions)
What to Expect:
Led by youth from the Rock Lore SHG, this trail takes you along dried riverbeds and canyon walls where fossilized coral, ammonites, and ancient sea shells are found—remnants of when Ladakh lay under the Tethys Ocean. The guides, trained by geologists and conservation groups, explain how tectonic shifts formed the Himalayas, and how erosion shapes the valley today.
What Makes It Special: It’s one of the few geo-walks in India where local youth are trained to interpret their own terrain.
How to Book: Inquire at Khaltse village guesthouses or book via community tourism desks in Leh. Group treks and family-friendly half-day walks are available.
Where: Phey (30 mins from Leh) and Phyang (~45 mins)
Best Time: Mid-May to August (Planting and weeding season), Late Sept–Oct (Harvest season)
What You’ll Do:
In these farming villages, women SHGs invite visitors to participate in traditional farming cycles. You can help in barley sowing, weeding, or harvesting, learn about rotational irrigation, and join evening food-sharing circles where Skyu, Paba, and barley tea are served.
Many families have revived heirloom seed saving practices, especially for barley and buckwheat. These experiences are hands-on, respectful, and deeply educational.
How to Join: Ideal as a day activity during a homestay visit. Ask local SHGs for availability—most are happy to accommodate visitors during active farming days.
Where: Korzok (Tso Moriri Lake) and Hanle (Changthang Plateau, southeast Ladakh)
When to Go: May to September (Nomads return to lower altitudes)
What You’ll Experience:
Spend time with the Changpa nomads and witness a way of life that is vanishing across the Himalayas. You’ll walk alongside yak and goat herds, learn how nomads milk the yaks, prepare Chhurpi cheese, spin yak wool, and tend to the high-altitude pastures.
Some families also offer short stays in traditional yak-hair tents or host visitors in their summer grazing shelters. You’ll wake up to cold winds, vast silence, and the rhythm of a herder’s day.
How to Arrange: Trips must be pre-booked through community groups working in Changthang or through Changthang Weavers SHG. Korzok is more accessible and suited to shorter visits.
Where: Chumathang (En route to Tso Moriri) and Panamik (Nubra Valley)
When to Visit: All year, but best between April and October for bath access
What Happens:
In Chumathang, Amchis (traditional healers) offer herbal consultations based on Sowa-Rigpa—the Tibetan system of medicine using over 100 high-altitude herbs. You can also soak in natural hot sulphur springs, often infused with herbs like seabuckthorn or Shingyak, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
In Panamik, herbal baths and steam rooms are run by SHGs and are especially popular among women travelers and wellness seekers.
How to Experience It: Walk-ins are welcome in Chumathang. For detailed healing plans or detox baths, contact Amchi centers a day in advance. Donations or service fees go directly to local healthcare projects.
These experiences aren’t touristy diversions—they are windows into Ladakh’s environmental wisdom. Each trail, field, or herbal bath introduces you to the age-old harmony between people and land.
By choosing slow travel and SHG-led nature experiences, you are:
💰 Contributing to income diversification for rural women and youth
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.
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.
