Stay with Us
About our Farm
Our home, farm, and pottery studio are nestled in the heart of Likir village, just a ten-minute downhill walk from the 11th-century Likir Monastery. We live and work on a small, lively farm where we grow barley, mustard, green peas, potatoes, turnips, carrots, cabbage, spinach, apricots, and apples. Willows and poplars provide timber, while alfalfa and wheat are grown as fodder for our sheep, cows, and dzos.
At 3,670 metres above sea level, Ladakh’s growing season is short but intense, lasting only three to four months. In this brief window, we grow and store food for the long winters ahead.
Our farming relies entirely on glacier meltwater, and daily life here unfolds in close rhythm with the land, the seasons, and the changing mountain weather.
Our Home
& Rooms
Our two-storey home has been built largely by ourselves, using stone, adobe bricks from our land, and wood from our farm. It is simple, clean, and cosy, with just four guest rooms. Each room looks out onto the monastery, our fields, and the surrounding Himalayan landscape.
In summer, we have shared flush toilets with running water. During winter, we use dry compost toilets. We are gradually renovating the homestay to make it warmer and more comfortable while staying true to its character.
Hospitality is central to our culture. We love sharing stories with our guests and hearing theirs in return. We will do our best to make you feel at home during your stay.
We also share our space with about six cats, who are very much part of the family. Expect cuddles, playtime, and a bit of supervision from them. For this reason, we are unable to host guest pets.
Food
We serve warm, vegetarian meals, with a strong focus on ingredients from our farm and village. Meals are home-cooked and with care taken to accommodate dietary requirements when informed in advance.
We prepare a range of Indian dishes, often drawing from lesser-known regional recipes. A typical meal includes multiple dishes served with rice, roti, and papad. Dinner is usually Ladakhi cuisine.
Because Ladakh’s growing season is short, there are times of the year when only spinach and coriander are available locally. During these months, we supplement with vegetables sourced from Kashmir or other Himalayan regions.
Common Amenities
Shared Chansa (dining / work / community area)
Free Wi-Fi
Solar power backup in all rooms
Solar-powered bathroom with hot running water
Basic toiletries
Room heaters during winter
Dry compost toilets in winter
Well-stocked library
DIY laundry access
Free parking and luggage storage
First aid kit
Access to the primary health center in Likir
Check-in: 12 noon Check-out: 10 am (Early check-in subject to availability)
Altitude and
acclimatisation
Our home is located at 3,670 metres above sea level, where oxygen levels are around 40% lower than at sea level. Most people adapt well, but the body needs time.
Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a real risk and can affect anyone, regardless of age or fitness. If you are flying into Ladakh, we strongly recommend keeping your first day free for rest and gentle walks. Drink plenty of water (3–4 litres a day), avoid alcohol for the first 48 hours, and do not sleep during the day on arrival, as reduced breathing during sleep can worsen symptoms.
Taking Diamox before arrival can help with acclimatisation. If you plan to take it, please consult your doctor in advance regarding dosage and suitability.
A well-planned itinerary is key. Move slowly, rest well, hydrate, and allow your body the time it needs to adjust before heading to higher altitudes.
Connectivity
Ladakh is a border region, and foreign SIM cards and prepaid Indian SIM cards do not work here. Airtel and Jio postpaid SIMs function well in Likir. If needed, you can purchase a local SIM card in Leh upon arrival.
Airtel 4G connectivity is generally strong, and we provide Wi-Fi for guests at the farmstay.
Things to carry
The sun here is extremely strong and the air is dry. Along with your usual travel essentials, we recommend carrying:
Comfortable walking shoes (MUST)
Sunscreen (SPF 50+), lip balm, moisturiser
Warm layers
Thermals, warm socks, windbreaker in colder months (October - April)
Sun hat or cap, sunglasses, and light trousers year-round
Personal toiletries and medication
Please bring a reusable water bottle. We provide fresh Himalayan glacial water to help reduce plastic use.
The nearest market is 20 km away in Nimoo, so we suggest bringing any specific or personal items with you from Leh or your hometown.
Things to do in likir
There’s a lot to do in and around Likir, whether you feel like moving, wandering, or doing nothing very seriously:
Get your hands muddy at our pottery workshops (yes, the obvious one, and for good reason)
Walk up to the Likir Monastery and take in the views
Head out on the Nam Kai Go (4,670m) trek
Hike towards the glacier and follow the meltwater trails
Take a tokpo swim or enjoy a picnic by the stream (extra cost, extra bravery)
Wander up to the meditation house and do absolutely nothing for a while
Hike to the Saspol caves and step into history
Stargaze under skies that rarely disappoint
Meditate with Acho Namgail
Volunteer on the farm and meet the land up close
Visit local thangka painters and carpenters
Visit a local mushroom farm
Meet a local Amchi (Tibetan medicine practitioner)
Spend time with the women’s pottery group
Begin the Sham Trek from Likir
Take a quiet walk through the monastery forest
Experience the Likir Monastery Festival (February)
No rush, no checklist, just follow your curiosity (and the weather).
Day trips around likir
Easy escapes from Likir, perfect for half-day wanders or slow, curiosity-led adventures. Close enough to return by evening, far enough to feel like you’ve travelled.
Visit the striking Basgo Monastery and its old fort ruins
Explore the fresco-filled Alchi Monastery
Walk through the quiet, cliff-hugging Rizong Monastery
Head to the dramatic moonscapes of Lamayuru Monastery
Meet the metal artisans of Chilling and see the craft in action
Visit the ancient frescos at Saspol caves carved into the cliffs
Take a gentle trip to the villages of Tar or Ulley
Wildlife in likir
Likir is home to a rich variety of mountain wildlife. During your stay, you may spot marmots, red foxes, pikas, ibex, woolly hares, yaks, and a wide range of birds including Himalayan snowcock, chukar partridge, hoopoes, alpine choughs, redstarts, great tits, rose finches, magpies, golden eagles, and kestrels. With a bit of luck and patience, the rare and elusive snow leopard also moves through these high Himalayan landscapes.