Shakti Village House, Shey
Ladakh

Shakti’s Village Experience was born in Kumaon in 2004 as The Village Walks and was conceptualised to facilitate an authentic ‘underfoot’ experience and provide a ‘snapshot’ of rural life in the Himalaya. In 2007 Shakti started a similar concept in the former Buddhist Kingdom of Sikkim in the Eastern Himalaya. Continuing this unique and adventurous concept, Shakti’s third village experience has been adapted to optimise on local conditions.

The three renovated village houses capture the traditional architecture of Ladakh to its full effect, which is grander than architectural styles found in other Himalayan regions. The welcoming properties offer a slightly higher level of sophistication without compromising on authenticity and charm and are formed by beautiful wooden beams and sun baked mud walls. Each and every room is decorated in a tasteful manner with handcrafted furniture, colourful Himalayan fabrics and striking Ladakhi touches.

Staying in these guesthouses provides the visitor a rare chance to experience an unchanged rural way of life in the homes of the Ladakhi people and we guarantee that delving into this culture will be a memorable experience. Shakti Village treat their guests to tailor-made activities and excursions, so you are free to choose between remote village walks and visits to peaceful monasteries as well as neighbouring schools and local markets to witness the local artisans at work. For those after a more active experience, trekking to phenomenal viewpoints, white-water rafting, mountain biking and camping amid the splendid landscape can easily be arranged. On the other side of the spectrum, yoga and meditation classes are also offered for those seeking peace and relaxation in this tranquil setting.

The cuisine is fantastic as delicious picnic lunches and special dinners are masterfully cooked by a talented private chef to suit every palette. As the wonderful terrain in this almost otherworldly country is also very different to that of Sikkim and Kumaon, journeys between the houses here are taken either by foot, by river raft or by vehicles with stops at untouched Buddhist monasteries en route.

We wholeheartedly recommend the Shakti’s Village Experience to both couples and families looking for an adventurous and cultural holiday as the experiences offered here genuinely make for an extraordinary trip.

The traveller sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.
G. K. Chesterton