shifting landscapes
a climate journey through ladakh
a trip for the spirited and curious: a twelve day immersive journey exploring the stories of communities in the face of a changing climate
august 16 - 27, 2026
tentative itinerary
day 1: august 16 arrival
As we arrive in Leh, we’ll get settled into a beautiful guesthouse in Phyang, a village about 20 minutes from the airport, and indulge in some much-needed relaxation.This is necessary to acclimatise to the high altitude, but we also want to encourage you to give yourself permission to pause after a long travel period. We’ll spend the day resting, and getting to know our new surroundings and each other.
day 2: august 17 education & innovation
As we continue to acclimatise, we’ll explore this beautiful village, walking its winding paths, visiting its monastery, and familiarizing ourselves with a new landscape and environment. Phyang is home to the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh, (HIAL). Geared towards innovations in green, sustainable architecture and higher education, HIAL is a hub for original thinking, ideas, and the most interesting projects in Ladakh. It’s a shining example of how combining local knowledge, history, and innovation with a place that is rapidly modernizing and developing can lead to positive change.
day 3: august 18 education & innovation
We’ll visit the SECMOL (Students’ Cultural and Educational Movement of Ladakh) campus for the day. Here we will learn about the school’s climate-centered approach to education and the daily lives of its students, while witnessing holistic, culturally-responsive, environmentally-aware educational practices at play.
What’s most remarkable about this schools is that it is almost entirely off the grid. SECMOL students live and learn together for a year, building holistic skills beyond the scope of what a classroom can teach them. Students run the campus, growing and cooking food, managing electricity and water systems, and welcoming visitors. This experiential education prepares them to return to their communities with new, tangible skills and knowledge.
day 4-5: august 19-20 indigenous voices
Next, we will make our way to the village of Gya, which is around a 3 hour drive from Leh. On the way, we will stop at monasteries and take in the stunning scenery, absorbing the views of the mountains painted a thousand shades of browns, greys, and purples. We will spend the night in the homes of village residents, witnessing their daily ways of life, and enjoying home-cooked meals. Though all villages in Ladakh are special, this one is home to one of Ladakh’s most famous filmmakers, Stanzin Dorjai. We’ll watch one of his films, Shepherdess of the Glaciers, a documentary that follows his sister as she sets off toward the highest mountains in Ladakh with her flock of goats and sheep. She is one of the last shepherds to live with her flock and her fascinating story sheds light on what exactly knowledge is, where it comes from, and what kinds of knowledge we value in today’s world. This experience is an invitation into a world that few are able to access.
day 6: august 21 past & present histories
This day will be spent exploring Ladakh’s largest city, and joint capital, Leh. We’ll go back in time and witness Leh’s Old Town through the eyes of some of Ladakh’s most promising artists. The ancient alleyways and long-standing homes will invite us to imagine the Leh of the past and the influences that have shaped its long history.
day 7: august 22 merging landscapes
We will drive to the Changthang region of Ladakh, home to the indigenous Changpas, a nomadic, Tibetan people. We’ll spend the day in Kargyam, where we’ll have the unique opportunity to meet the shepherds who care for and herd pashmina goats, and learn about this ancient pastoral life and trade. We will also have the opportunity to learn more about how their way of life, and their approach to shepherding, has changed over time, as development has reached their mountain pastures. We will shadow the shepherds for the day, taking the goats out to graze, trying our hand at shearing, and sharing a special lunch with the Changpa. This will be our first night sleeping in tents, allowing us to experience the magical Roof of the World under the stars.
day 8: august 23 merging landscapes
This day will be spent immersed in the splendor of the Himalayas. Awakening to high mountain peaks, the group will spend a day on a hike, walking the ancient trade and communication paths used by villagers for centuries. A second night will be spent in tents, with time for solo and group reflections, storytelling, and laughter.
day 9-11: august 24-26 contemporary solutions
Back in Leh we will have space for solo exploration, visits to shops, meetings with artisans and business owners, and time to sip chai while looking out over the blooming apricot trees. There will be short local trips offered, including to the town trash dump, where we can discuss the impacts of tourism on Ladakh’s resource management.
On our final day in Ladakh, we will wake up before the sun rises and make our way to Thiksey Monastery, just a short drive from Leh, to participate in the monks’ morning prayers. We will have the unique opportunity to speak with one of the monks about the daily rhythms of their lives and the deeper meaning of Buddhism.
A special ceremony will mark the end of our time together, while also highlighting the beginning of a renewed sense of potential and purpose. We will share a final meal to celebrate our travels and regale stories of our time in the high-altitude desert.
day 12: august 27 departure
In the morning, participants will be transported to the airport to head home or to their next destinations. We will say goodbye to one another, acknowledging the renewed sense of inspiration and hope we hold for the months, and years, ahead.
prices
Early Bird* (Shared room) - USD 2200
Early Bird* (Private room) - USD 2200 + USD 275
*Early Bird rates available until April 15th, 2026.
Limited Early Bird discounts available.
Standard Price (Shared room) - USD 2400
Standard Price (Private room) - USD 2400 + USD 275
what’s included?
All accommodations and group meals, workshops, guest speakers, activities, and group transportation are included in the trip cost.
What is not included: alcohol, flight costs (international and within India), individual transportation, food for individual meals in Leh and any other food needs, and additional tips for guest speakers and local guides.
who we are
Uttara and Anna are highly experienced trip leaders and facilitators, with a combined more than 20 years of guided travel and programs on their resumes. This duo first met in 2018 when working a three-month cultural immersion program in India, during which time they spent a month in Ladakh. Ever since, it has been a priority and dream to return to this magical place to lead specialised trips for curious travellers.
Uttara is based in India and has worked in the experiential education and travel industry for over a decade. When she’s not designing immersive travel experiences she’s playing tennis, eating chips, or reading a fat novel.
Anna is based in the Rocky Mountain west of the United States where she works in the fields of public health and psychotherapy. She finds every opportunity possible to connect with the land, and others, through running, hiking, cycling, skiing, and backpacking adventures.
additional information
group travel
This program is designed to be a group experience for adults over the age of 21 with opportunities most days for individuals to rest, rejuvenate, and explore on their own. It is expected that all group members travel to each location together, however many activities will be optional and there is flexibility in how participants choose to spend their days.
altitude awareness
This trip will bring us to locations sitting between 9000' (2,700m) and 12,000' (3,650m). We will take all precautions to mitigate potential altitude sickness and encourage all participants to find ways to physically prepare for the program in advance.
climate awareness
As the examination and understanding of climate adaptation in Ladakh is a central aspect of this program, we will be utilizing climate-change aware practices throughout this program to reduce our own impact. This includes requiring participants to bring reusable water-bottles, flatware, and containers for food. While participant safety is our primary concern, we will model climate-conscious travel practices, such as purifying water rather than purchasing bottled water.