Immerse in the Ladakhi communal culture and gain a deep understanding of the Buddhist culture and traditions of this stunning region! Through our Learn, Serve & Immerse travel pillars, we have designed a journey of culturally immersive experiences that dive deep into Ladakhi culture at centuries-old monasteries, heritage homes, traditional markets and crafts workshops.
We will also celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Siddhartha School in Stok and our long-time non-profit partner, the Siddhartha School Partnership, that provides quality education to local children while preserving and enhancing the local culture.
Learning themes unique to this tour include:
Ladakhi cultural traditions, including revitalizing artisanal crafts
Tibetan Buddhist culture and history
Join us on May 16, from 4:30-6 pm PST for an online event to learn more about this trip: Register here.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS are below, click on ITINERARY to see all the details.
At Global Family Travels we believe that the most powerful way to learn is through the first-hand experience. We let the country and its people be your teachers and supplement your experiences with reading lists, informal discussions, and a pre-trip orientation which includes information on the culture and history of your host country, helpful words, and phrases, and cultural “do’s and don’ts”.
Learning themes unique to this tour include:
As part of the commitment to this trip, we encourage a donation to support the Siddhartha School Partnership, to help support the education of Ladakhi youth while preserving their culture and heritage.. A donation link can be found here.
.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&w=600&auto=format)
We have designed a journey of culturally immersive experiences that dive deep into Ladakhi culture at centuries-old monasteries, heritage homes, traditional markets, and crafts workshops. Personal connections with Ladakhis are facilitated by the strong relationships with our community hosts, non-profit partners, and local we engage with. During your time in the Ladakh, you will become familiar with the rhythm of daily life in the peaceful village of Stok and with friends from the Siddhartha School community, and gain a deep understanding of the Buddhist culture and traditions of this stunning region.
The Siddhartha School was founded in 1995 by Khen Rinpoche Lobzang Tsetan, a Ladakhi Buddhist monk and educator, in his remote home village of Stok, Ladakh. What started in a one-room shed is now an exemplary private school with over 400 students from nursery age through Grade 10 and the school is one-of-a-kind in its efforts to preserve and enhance the local culture. Unique to Ladakh, it is the only private school in Ladakh that accepts students regardless of their ability to pay tuition and no child is denied admission to Siddhartha School on the basis of need.
The U.S. non-profit, the Siddhartha School Partnership is dedicated to providing the youth of Ladakh, India, with a modern, well-rounded education that recognizes the importance of culture and heritage.
Once an independent Buddhist kingdom at the crossroads of vital trade routes between China and the Middle East, Ladakh, often called “Little Tibet” or “Land of the Broken Moon,” is one of the last places in the world where the Buddhist way of life is unrepressed. Its unique geographical location in one of the northernmost regions in India makes Ladakh rich with extraordinary trekking trails for all expertise levels. Ladakh became a new territory state of India in 2019.
A cultural anthropologist at heart, Jennifer Spatz is Founder and CEO of Seattle-area Global Family Travels, a global tour operator whose mission is to “Learn, Serve and Immerse,” offering community-based travel experiences as a means to foster cross-cultural understanding. Since she launched Global Family Travels in 2010, Jennifer’s vision has been to unite humanity and inspire travelers to take responsibility for the challenges and opportunities facing our increasingly inter-connected planet through sustainable tourism experiences that support destination stewardship and local communities.
Since 20210, Jennifer has led several group trips to Ladakh and has helped facilitate cross-cultural school exchanges for SSP and Seattle area schools. She serves on the advisory council of the SSP board, and she and her family have been long time supporters of the Siddhartha School Partnership, sponsoring the education of several SSP students.
Born in hills of Darjeeling and brought up in the shadows of the mighty Himalayan peaks of Mt. Kanchendzonga, Sidd led a very active school life in one of India’s premium Scottish missionary school- Dr.Graham’s Home’s - where he also earned a Bronze Award in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Sidd has a long career in ecotourism and tourism management in India. Professionally, he set up two globally acknowledged Himalayan luxury products – Shakti Himalayan and Leti 360 ° as well as The Ultimate Travelling Camp in Ladakh. He is passionate about is documentation of oral history of the Himalayas and recently curated a Ladakh based experience last year “The Story of the Pashmina” which was globally acknowledged by Nat Geo, CNN Traveller and also awarded by Outlook Responsible Tourism Award.
Sidd currently resides lives in Ladakh and is working as a Lead Resource Consultant for Project SECURE HIMALAYAS, which is a Community Development project for the frontier region through initiatives in Rural Tourism (SECURE= Securing livelihoods, conservation, sustainable use and restoration of high range Himalayan ecosystems), implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
Sidd has a deep love for the outdoors and has had many experiences in running top rivers of India and Nepal. He also is a grade Alpha from Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and leads Himalayan motorbiking tours.
He received a accreditation a Tourism: Management Development Program from India’s top tourism institution- Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management, New Delhi. Sidd then topped this by following a regimental course in “Sustainable Development: Eco-Tourism” from India’s lead engineering institute – Indian Institute of Technology , Kharagpur.
Tenzin Dasel has vast experience traveling throughout Ladakh, from Leh, to Nubra Valley and the remote region of Zanskar. She has visited, studied, taught and volunteered extensively since 2005 as a trip leader, guest lecturer, environmental project leader and Buddhist teacher. Over the past six years, she has been primarily based in India since 2016 and has travelled extensively though out the country, having deep knowledge of its culture and rich heritage. Tenzin Dasel has spent the most of this time in Ladakh, and is well versed in the people and cultures there. As an ordained Buddhist monastic, she has unique knowledge and of the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist practices, artistic iconography and monastery systems. It is her pleasure to introduce and share this extraordinary land, culture, spiritual traditions and the essence of “Jullay” with visitors and locals alike!
Much more than a traditional tour operator, Global Family Travels’ mission is to “Learn, Serve and Immerse” through community-based travel programs. In partnership with non-profit organizations and schools, we offer family-friendly and sustainable travel experiences in support of education, gender equality, access to clean water, preservation of local cultures, conservation and economic growth, all of which foster cross-cultural understanding and global citizens.
Our trips include a unique mix of cultural and educational activities, homestays and participation in local service projects aimed at improving the lives of people in the communities we visit.
Expect to expand your family circle when you embark on a Global Family Travels trip! Visit our website for more information: Global Family Travels
About the Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation (LAMO) is a public charitable trust established to articulate an alternative vision for the arts and media in Ladakh. The organization set up the LAMO Centre in Leh, the main town of the region, to provide a space for the understanding and development of the arts. The complex on which the Centre is located comprises two historical houses below the 17th century Lechen Pelkhar (Leh Palace). The houses were restored by LAMO and converted to an arts space with galleries, offices, a library and reading room, screening room, conference room, and open-air performance site. The Centre is designed to conduct outreach programs, lectures, film screenings, research and documentation projects, workshops and exhibitions that showcase Ladakh’s material and visual culture, performing arts and literature.
With the outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19), the health and safety of Global Family Travels’ travelers, community partners, colleagues and guides are of paramount importance to us. Our COVID-19 Safety Protocols, which can be found under Tasks section, outlines our commitment to mitigate and manage the risks associated with COVID-19 when you travel with us. You can find more detailed information on our website COVID-19 and Travel, and please also refer to the tasks which has specific details for your activity and destination.
Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about these protocols or your tour. Thank you for helping to keep yourself and fellow travelers and guides safe!
Before the festivities, we are offering an opportunity to visit Hemis Monastery,. one the largest Monastery in Ladakh. Positioned inside a gorge, the monastery was built in the 17th century under the patronage of King Singey Namgyal and it holds the distinction of being the biggest and wealthiest monastery of Ladakh. Belonging to the Drukpa Order (sometimes called either Drugpa or "Red Hat sect”), it stands on the western bank of the Indus River. The monastery also boasts of a very rich collection of ancient relics.
Day 10: July 20 - Nubra Valley Travel Day & Diskit Monastery
· After an early breakfast, we begin a spectacular drive over Khardongla, the world’s highest motorable pass and enter into the northern frontier of beautiful Nubra Valley with high mountains, great monasteries, white sand dunes and double humped camels.
· We will enjoy a packed lunch en route.
· Upon arrival, visit to Disket monastery. Diskit Monastery also known as Deskit Gompa or Diskit Gompa, is the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh, Northern India. It belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and was founded by Changzem Tserab Zangpo, a disciple of Tsong Khapa, founder of Gelugpa, in the 14th century.
Travel time: Uley to Nubra valley (Uley to Leh 70km/1.5 hr and Leh to Nubra 130 km/5-6 hrs)
Accommodation: Lchangnang Nang / Meals: B, L & D
Day 11: July 21 - Nubra Valley Day of Exploration!
Today, we continue to explore Nubra Valley, visiting the following:
· Charasa village - once the winter palace of the King Nyima Namgyal of Ladakh and rich in iron ore so the village was an important source iron in olden times to be supplied to the whole of Ladakh. Castle ruin and monastery could be visited.
· Murgi village - the village was originally named mHul-re (The Silver Mountain) and over the years the name transformed into the modern village of Murgi. The main attraction is the largest petroglyph site (a rock art site) found to date, in Ladakh dating back more than 1500 years. The villagers have named the petroglyph site as ‘rdo nag’, literally meaning ‘black rocks’, as it is formed out of boulders covered with a red-brown crust.
· A small tomb wherein you can find a footprint of Guru Dachompa Nyima Gungpa. According to the local tradition, the monk was able to fly by using his garments and wanted to construct the “Lhasa Gonpa” at Ensa (A famous 600-year-old gompa near Murgi village) but was denied by the locals. In anger, he left towards Tibet and left his footmark at Murgi village. As per the historians, no tool or instrument was used to carve the footprint.
· Yarma monastery (optional depending on time in hand) – It is a 13th century monastery mainly known for its self-originated Yeshi Gonbo (Mahakala) on the hillock next adjoining the monastery.
· Panamik – The village is famous for its sulphur hot springs. Considered to have medicinal values.
· Yarab Tso - it is one of the holiest high-altitude lakes in the valley. The lake consists of crystal-clear water, and perfectly reflects its surroundings.
· Return to hotel to relax and have dinner.
Accommodation: Lchangnang Nang / Meals: B, L & D
Day 12: July 22 - Nubra Valley Day of Exploration!
Today, we continue to explore Nubra Valley with following activities:
· Morning village walk – nice leisurely walk in and around the village and to understand how a Ladakhi village life, houses, fields, irrigation, plantation, etc.
· Samstanling monastery - founded 140 years back in 1841 by Lama Tsultim Nima (also head of Rizong monastery in Sham valley).
· Zimskhang House – was built around seven generations before. It is good example of typical Ladakhi vernacular architecture. How the Ladakhi’s built there houses facing southwards to entrap maximum sunlight (to keep house/rooms warm) especially for the long cold winter.
· Return to hotel to relax and have dinner.
Accommodations: Lchangnang Nang / Meals: B, L & D
India 
.JPG?fit=crop&crop=entropy&h=45&w=45&auto=format)
.jpg?fit=crop&crop=entropy&h=45&w=45&auto=format)
