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8 Days
Availability : July - Sept
Leh
Max People : 15

The Folk Tales of Changtang

Experiences with the Changpa nomads
OverviewPhotosItinerarySustainable TravelFAQs
What to Expect

The Changpa people are a nomadic community that has survived at altitudes well above ten thousand feet for generations. They are primarily pastoral people who spend most of their time in summer grazing their cattle (sheep, yak, and goats) on high-altitude grasslands. Some of the Changpa people have evolved to live in permanent settlements, but most live the nomadic lifestyle where they shift their tents (known as rebo) with changing weather, availability of grass and water. Telephone towers and power lines are unheard of in this region and the small solar panels usually fulfill the basic needs of electricity.

This tour is a unique cultural and adventure experience in the high-altitude grasslands of Changtang. It is designed to have you live with the Changpa community for a few days to closely observe, understand, and communicate with them. Although the basic itinerary suggests four days, you can customize your tour for an extended stay with the Changpa nomads if you wish to.

  • Live with the community in traditional homestays.
  • Experience daily life of the Changpa nomads.
  • Taste local cuisine & hands on cooking.
  • Village and nature walks.
  • Wildlife experiences.

Recommended Airport(s)

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh

Inclusions

  • Accommodations on single/twin sharing basis.
  • Breakfast & one major meal. All meals in Changtang.
  • Private car (including toll and parking fee).
  • Airport transfers.
  • Fee of the storyteller, activities, and porters.
  • Taxes applicable.
  • Restricted zone permits.

Exclusions

  • Entry tickets wherever applicable.
  • International & domestic flights/ trains.
  • Gratuities.
  • Anything else not mentioned in the inclusions.
Photos
  • Karzok Village
  • Grazing Sheep
  • Kiangs - Tibetan Wild Ass
  • Changpa Tents
  • Women Farming
  • Milking
  • Moonrise Over Changtang
Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Leh

We receive you at Leh airport and assist you in check-in at your accommodation. Since Ladakh is a high-altitude region, we recommend that you take it slow. That is why we have kept the first day at leisure in Leh. You can spend time relaxing in your hotel room or go out for short walks in the market as your body gears up for the tour.

You will be right in the main town, so it is a good opportunity to visit the local cafes and shops and explore the area at your own pace.

Travel medium: Private car | Difficulty: Easy

Day 2 & 3Villages and monasteries

We then move out of the main town and drive to the Sham valley. On day two, you will also meet your tour leader who will be from the Changpa community. We believe no other person can give you a better experience on this tour than a Changpa itself.

Spend the next two days exploring the landscapes and villages around the Indus river which is also the cradle of the Indus valley civilization. We visit villages such as Alchi, Nimmu, and Likir.

Travel medium: Private car | Difficulty: Easy

Day 4 - 7Experiences with Changpa Nomads

The great expedition begins. We drive to Changtang, the Changpa heartland where we spend the next few days with the community. Our activities will flow with the daily lives of the community as that is the best way to experience this tour. While the Changpa men will be spending most of their day with the cattle taking them to the grasslands for grazing, the women will be busy with the chores at the settlement such as knitting, milking, and making butter and tsampa (a Tibetan staple food item made with powdered barley or wheat).

The Changpa people are Buddhist and you will see the elders spending their time with the prayer wheel during the day. The community works hard during the summer months to prepare for the harsh winter season. It is also interesting to see the prevalent barter system where the Changpa people often exchange pashmina wool for items that they need but cannot produce themselves. It is best to take it slow and blend in with the community on this experience.

Travel medium: Private car | Difficulty: Medium

Day 8Back to Leh

We say goodbye to the Changpa grasslands and drive back to Leh for an overnight stay.

Travel medium: Private car | Difficulty: Easy

Day 9Departure

We drop you at the Leh airport for onward journey.

Sustainable Travel
  • This tour is 100% plastic free.
  • We use transportation, accommodation, and storytellers from the Changpa nomad community.
  • Locally sourced raw material for meals.
  • We leave behind zero waste.
  • Propagating and reviving local folk tales through storytelling.
  • We support local artisans by involving them in tourism.
FAQs

What kind of accommodations are available in Changtang?

Changtang is best experienced if you stay with the nomads. On this tour, we pitch our own tents with the Changpa community. You may choose a single sharing or a twin-sharing tent. The toilets are basic squat and dry pit style. While this may not be the most comfortable accommodation, that’s the best way to experience living on a high-altitude Himalayan plateau. We travel with all necessary equipment such as sleeping bags to keep you warm.

We stay in hotels for the remaining tour Leh and Sham valley.

What kind of food is available in Changtang?

The Changpa staple food is very basic and bland. They consume Tsampa (barley flour) with yak butter, and sometimes wheat and rice. We recommend that you taste this on the tour. Apart from this, we prepare our own simple vegetarian food that goes well with every tastebud.

What kind of walking is involved on the tour of Changtang?

This tour does not require you to walk large distances. We will have a private SUV at all times and will cover most distances in the vehicle. We may do some bit of walking around the settlement and the grasslands but there are no physically strenuous full-day treks that require extensive fitness. If you are in a decent health condition, you should be able to do this tour comfortably.

Is there any breathing problem in Ladakh?

Ladakh is a high altitude region. The lowest is approximately 2,500 meters and an average of 5,100 meters. We highly recommend that you travel slow and increase the altitude at which you sleep between the range of 500-1,000 meters per day.

On the way to Changtang, you will cross Taglang La/ Debring (5,300 meters). To keep the travel smooth, we first keep a few days around Leh and Sham valley before proceeding to Changtang. For further questions, speak to us.

What is the cancellation policy?

Please refer to our terms and conditions page.

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