If traversing through the Himalayan range to celebrate the annual harvest with people believed to be the last living Aryan tribe of India is your cup of tea, you’re in luck. Little Local, a travel agency focused on responsible, community based travel has tied up with Roots Ladakh to create a one-of-its-kind expedition into a remote village in Ladakh to join in the festivities of the Bonana festival celebrated by the Brokpa tribe. The trip, through the course of the week, is an immersive experience into the life of the Brokpa and their rituals, customs and traditions.
Not much is known about the Brokpa, especially since travellers weren’t allowed into their villages as of 5 years ago. They dwell in the isolated Ladakhi hamlets of Darchiks and Garkone along the river Indus, and claim to be direct descendents of the long-lost army of Alexander the Great. This year, the Brokpa have extended an invitation to their village at the time of their harvest festival, one that stems from their ancient Bon faith in which they worship the Sun God and thank the deities for a fruitful and wholesome harvest. “The local monk spends a week in isolation on top of a hill, where he prays and communicates to the deities. After the week of meditation and prayers, villagers go up to bring him down and it is believed that the deities also come back with the community for the festivities. The next few days are marked with a lot of song and dance and general merriment” Little Local tells us.
Reaching the village entails a 2 hour downhill cycle ride for the bravehearted, riding right into the heart of song, dance and storytelling for a course of 3 days. A significant part of the experience entails learning the local art of making wine and eating local harvest fare. The trip also includes travel to other parts of Leh, and a day in Kargil. An immersive experience is nothing if you don’t go all in, which is why accomodation in the form of local homestays will be provided for.
“Travellers should be of basic fitness level, and must be up for a fair amount of walking/ hiking on rough terrain. Those opting for downhill cycling must be cyclists who have have done long distances comfortably in the past” says Antara of Little Local. If you’re keen on this adventure, remember to pack for the cold - the mountains are not forgiving!