Shakti Himalaya will open The Thiksey House, a new intimate escape high up in the Indian Alps, in May.
Opening to coincide with the new season in Ladakh, The Thiksey House, which faces the mesmeric Stakna Monastery, has four en-suite bedrooms and works brilliantly in combination with Shakti’s River House as a base from which to experience Shakti Himalaya’s Ladakh journey.
Situated in the far north of the sub-continent, over 3,500 meters up on the high plateau, Ladakh is often called ‘Little Tibet’. With a high-altitude desert dominated by rugged snow-capped mountains and deep turquoise lakes, it is one of the most picturesque places on Earth. Shakti Himalaya has designed a ‘village house’ experience that takes travellers off the beaten track to untouched villages in the Indus Valley to an area not yet on the radar of the adventurous luxury traveller.
Here, guests will encounter many different facets of Ladakh’s religious culture on this fascinating journey through the region. The days will begin with yoga and meditation from a private tutor, followed by breathtaking walks through the Himalayan scenery. They will visit a number of beautiful Buddhist monasteries, dating back to the 10th century, as well as cultural locations and fascinating viewpoints that will illuminate the Buddhist way of life.
The walks will be punctuated by exquisite, healthy Indian cuisine cooked by a private chef, as well as picnics in perfect spots along the walks. During the journey, guests can take the chance to white water raft to the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus Rivers, or to cycle as part of their trip to their next Village House, with their bags transported from location to location.
Each evening will be brought to a close with gentle stretching and breathing exercises by the yoga guru, or with an opportunity to consult the local Amchi (Tibetan medicine man), or a local oracle said to have healing powers.
The final day of the journey will see guests rise at dawn to visit Thiksey monastery to join the monks for early morning prayers, an intensely spiritual experience, not to be missed.
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