Where Silk Route stories come alive through dance and tradition
Where Silk Route stories come alive through dance and tradition
Experience traditional dance, local practices and storytelling at Kanggyogs-pa House in Kyagar Village
Why this experience is unique?
Kanggyogs-pa House is a historic household in Kyagar Village, Nubra Valley, originally used during the Silk Route period. The house, owned by a local Muslim family, continues to be lived in while also hosting cultural experiences.
During the Silk Route era, traders traveling between Central Asia, the Middle East and Tibet would stop here for rest. Local women would perform songs and dances to entertain them during their stay.
In 2024, seven women from the village came together to revive this tradition. Today, they perform these dances not for trade caravans, but to preserve and share their cultural heritage.
The house has been partially renovated for basic comfort while retaining its original structure, including the upper floor where performances historically took place.
Travel to Kyagar from Diskit or Hunder through Nubra Valley. On arrival, you are welcomed at Kanggyogs-pa House by the women’s group.
Walk through the house and understand its role as a Silk Route stopover. See the first-floor gathering hall, spaces used by traders and how the house continues to function as a family home.
Watch live performances by the Kyagar Women’s Group, with 2 to 7 dances depending on time. Each dance reflects themes like seasons, trader journeys, folklore and love. Songs are performed live, with costume changes between acts and accompanied by local musicians using traditional instruments.
Enjoy butter tea or local beverages like chang while interacting with the women. This is a chance to understand the meaning behind the dances and learn about their lives and experiences.
Observe everyday practices such as wool spinning, basic weaving, butter and curd making and the use of traditional kitchen tools. These demonstrations offer insight into daily life in the village.
Choose to add a traditional meal with 3 to 9 courses, including local dishes like dumplings, chutagi, barley preparations and regional desserts. The meal is served in the traditional kitchen, along with an introduction to cooking methods and utensils and usually lasts 1.5 to 2 hours.
We were lucky to stay at the Astrostays at Pangong Lake. The house is overlooking the lake. The rooms are very comfortable and the bathroom is essential but perfectly functional. The living room is in the traditional Ladakhi style. The family running the homestay (brother and two sisters) is so nice that we regretted staying only for one night. We absolutely recommend this place.
Lovely Family and Lovely Home. We stayed at Thiksey Eco Homestay for one night as the Thiksey Monastery is close by. The whole family is very welcoming. The two daughters are engineers, son is very knowledgeable, friendly and a passionate photographer besides being a Trip Host. The mother is a nice lady and cooks delicious momos and cookies. The father is very warm and down to earth. We enjoyed a very homely stay. The hosts are requested to provide a little hard bed and provide some cloth hanging strip in the bathroom. If a hand wash bottle could also be kept. The hosts are superb.
Clean place, welcoming and accommodative hosts, provide help and guidance to prehistoric sites on Indus River. Provided lunch and dinner in pure Ladhaki style that was delicious at Domkhar Eco Homestay. Would highly recommend this serene location by an absolutely pure glacier fed mountain stream. Enjoy the tall peaks for a perfect R&R.
What a lovely family, we absolutely loved our stay at Padum Eco Homestay! Everyone was so warm and welcoming, it truly felt like home. The food was delicious and the rooms were clean and comfortable. Perfect location with beautiful views. Great value for money and very family-friendly. Highly recommend!
The Sakti Eco Homestay is run by an Army veteran and his wife , helped by their daughter when she is with them.
They are very kind and hospitable, we have very tasty yet homely food made by them that was very soothing after a long trip of eating outside food. The house the surrounded by garden / vegetation and is in the middle of a farm with lovely views of the mountains around.
A memorable stay I must say !
