Shakti Ladakh has launched a new village house experience for groups of up to 16 guests looking for a thrilling holiday, all together.
Situated in the far north of India, over 3,500m up on the high plateau, Ladakh is often referred to as ‘little Tibet’. For the first time, guests will now be able to experience the region by combining stays in Thiksey House, with four en-suite bedrooms and mesmeric views over Thiksey Monastery, with The River House, home to a further four bedrooms, creating a fantastic base from which to experience all that Ladakh has to offer.
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These two properties can be taken exclusively providing the accommodation and backdrop for a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of friends or family.
Families of all ages can immerse themselves in the cultural life of the Ladakhis: riding a double-humped Bactrian camel; making traditional mud bricks; learning the ancient skill of archery with an instructor; and feeling the thrill of white water rafting on the Indus and Zanskar rivers, before settling down for a delicious picnic lunch or sipping a drink under the stars.
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Shakti Himalaya’s Village House experience takes families off the beaten track to untouched villages in the Indus Valley, swapping swap mainstream tennis lessons and beach clubs in the Med, for exhilarating cultural adventures in this extraordinary Kingdom.
For those looking for some peace, families can spend time with a young monk in the monastery, learning how to meditate, attending morning prayers and shadowing them on their day-to-day activities, or live like a local family and have a go at the traditional game, Santulia, a brilliant hybrid between rounders and Kubb. In addition, why not tuck into lunch with a Ladakhi family, learn to make delicious ‘momo’ dumplings, or take part in a village cricket match?
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Ladakh is a starkly beautiful, high-altitude desert that lies among some of the most magnificent mountain ranges on the planet. Come spring, this otherwise arid moonscape becomes a riot of colour with the vibrant pink blossoms of the apricot tree, verdant fields of barley and wheat, lakes of turquoise and the green-blue waters of the Indus and Zanskar rivers, freshly thawed from a long winter.
Predominantly Buddhist, the region is home to some of the oldest and most significant monasteries of which Lamayuru, Alchi, Thiksey, Hemis, Shey and Likir are a must-see. The summer also plays host of local festivals from Buddha’s birthday in late May (Buddha Purnima), the fascinating Hemis festival (10 Jun- 23 Jun), Phyang and Lamayuru festival (July) and the Ladakh Polo festival (11-17 July) making the summer holidays a perfect time to visit.
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Guests staying in Thiksey House and The River House are attended to by dedicated household staff who will punctuate all of this action with exquisite, healthy Indian cuisine cooked by a private chef, and throughout the trip families will be accompanied by local porters and guides, to ensure a full understanding of the culture of Ladakh, its people, religion and customs.