Day 10 2 May Exploring more Indus valley villages

Photo above - at the eco village Takmachik.

More power problems

Last night the power came on in the evening as promised at about 6.45pm, however it was off again by 7.30pm and we were using candles!! Still managed to charge my camera battery, and can use my battery pack if required to charge my phone, however with no internet or phone signal around here, the phone is a bit redundant at the moment.

Back up the Indus valley

Today we head back up the Indus valley, visiting two more villages. After breakfast we set off at the start of what looks like another hot day.. The most common vehicles you see on these smaller mountain roads are army trucks, JCBs for rock clearance and road repairs, and then trucks and cars of locals.

Unlike the journey down when we came across the overturned vehicle, there were no issues until we had to wait ten minutes for a large army convoy to go through.

More village exploration and another invitation for tea

Our first stop was at the village of Skurbuchan, which lies along the main mountain road. We walked through and took a few photos. Shortly after, another stop for a JCB in the road. You just have to wait until they come to a natural pause and move out of the way.

Next stop was at the village of Domkhar further up the mountains where our driver lives. He invited us into his home for a cup of tea and we met his mother briefly. We had tea, almonds grown locally, and natural yoghurt from their own cows. They have fields which they cultivate to subsidise his wages and his brother's army pension. The family is of Mongolian descent but are Tibetan Buddhist. After a short walk though the village, we carried on further up the valley.

Homestay in an eco village

Arriving at the village of Takmachik (pop 600) we checked in to our homestay. This is a basic accommodation with a shared Asian style wash room ie dry drop toilet, no heating, just a bed and four walls etc. it is a great chance to see how this community lives day by day. It is situated in a lovely location in the Indus valley. Like all houses in Ladakh that I have been into, it has big rooms but very little in them except rugs to sit on and low tables to eat or drink off, and maybe a few shelves or french dresser style cupboards for cups, plates, pots etc

Takmachik is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the valley of the Indus. It is the first ‘eco model’ village in Ladakh, known for it’s authentic Ladakhi food, and traditional culture. There is a village environment association that maintains cleanliness and hygiene in the village.

We went for a walk up through the village. The usual mixture of old and very old buildings, with a smattering of new builds, and lots of work being done on the road and on the water project here. At the very top of the village is a monastery which we walked around, and which had good views down to the village.

Then we walked back to the homestay. Tomorrow we drive back to Leh, the state capital where we started our road trip northwest. The following day we will head southeast into another part of Ladakh.