Part 1 / Changthang, Ladakh
Life at the camp
The herds, the tents, the fine fibre that becomes pashmina, and how a family knows when it is time to move.
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All day tours
Changthang, Ladakh · Nomadic
A Day with the Changpa — Changthang, Ladakh
Herds, butter tea and the Jabro, on the high plateau of eastern Ladakh.
At a Glance
The essentials, at once.
- Duration
- 4–5 hours
- Destination
- Changthang, Ladakh, Ladakh
- Best Season
- June to September
- Group
- Small groups or private
- Physical Rating
- Moderate (high altitude)
- Theme
- Nomadic
01The story
On the plateau, nothing is done alone
The Changpa are the pastoral nomads of Changthang. For generations they have moved their yak, sheep and pashmina goats across one of the highest grazing lands on earth.
Spend half a day with one Changpa family at their summer camp. Drink butter tea in a yak-hair tent. Cook at their hearth. And when the songs begin, link arms in the line and dance the Jabro with them.
This is not a show put on for visitors. It is a day as a guest.
02The living journey
Moments you will carry home
Butter tea at 4,500 metres, with the family who made it
A working nomad camp, seen up close and unhurried
A meal you cooked by hand on a nomad hearth
Your first Jabro, arms linked with the Changpa
Your journey companion
Curious about A Day with the Changpa — Changthang, Ladakh?
Ask Ganga AI anything about this day — timings, season, what to wear.
03The day
What your day holds
04The community
Who gets paid
The tent you sit in, the tea you drink and the songs you learn all belong to one Changpa family. Their host fee goes to them directly and in full. We visit one family at a time, keep groups small, and never stage the dance.
05Practical notes
Good to know, before you go.
- Who it’s for
- Travellers curious about culture, slow travellers, food and music lovers
- Season
- Summer pastures, June to September
- Altitude
- About 4,500 m. Acclimatise in Leh for at least 3 nights before joining.
- Permits
- An Inner Line Permit is needed. We help you apply.
- Getting there
- Best joined as part of a longer Ladakh journey. We can plan it for you.
Full itinerary, location and preparation notes are shared once you book.
06Before you book
Questions travellers ask
No. It is danced the way the family dances at any gathering, and you are invited to join in.
Spend a day on the plateau.
Fill in the enquiry form and a folklorist from our team will get in touch. No payment now.
One country. A thousand folklores.