Vcil Travel School Ladakh VIII (08/2026) - MINDFUL TRAVEL & SUSTAINABLE LIVING

CALL FOR APPLICATION: Vcil Travel School Ladakh VIII (08/2026) - MINDFUL TRAVEL & SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Registration link/Đơn đăng ký: https://forms.gle/k5NbQewdP8U2NNjt5

Ladakh is a very popular name among travelers around the world. It is the land of awe-inspiring buildings set so deeply into the barren mountainside. In every direction are mountains and steep passes that are 3000m above the sea level. The azure sky is known as "earthly heaven" plus the extreme weather is an exotic challenge for brave hearts. Ladakh, also called "Little Tibet", extends from the Karakoram range to the main Great Himalaya and was mentioned in many documentaries as a land of happiness and sustainable living regardless of the harsh condition of its climate. In the past, Ladakh used to be a major center for merchants on the famous Silk Road. With its special tactical location on the Himalaya, Ladakh bridges the gap between Centre and Southern Asia, Eastern and Western Asia as well as Muslim and Buddhist nations.

Ladakh was remaining untouched to the rest of the world until 1974. Since the Indian government encouraged tourism there, Ladakh continually in its "development" process attracts not only tourists but also many curious researchers, filmmakers, scholars, NGOs to voyage to study and work, then share its insight to the larger world. Especially after the invasion of China over Tibet, Ladakh became a resource for studying Tibet culture. Because of not only its close ancestral connection to Tibet but also the majority of people follow Tibetan Buddhism and it is a home for many Tibetan refugees. Muslims also enhance the richness and diversity of Ladakh in terms of culture and heritage.

Today, Ladakh is a strategic military hub of the Indian army because it is a junction between Pakistan and China where political conflict is still prominent. Basecamp is ubiquitous here. On the other hand, as the Ladakhis' economy relies heavily on mass tourism, the self-sufficient lifestyle characterized by sustainable rock building techniques has faded away. Tons of hotels and guest houses made of concrete and steel rapidly appeared everywhere. Rarely are tourists spending enough time and experience to connect with local people and places so that they can understand the consequence of mass tourism, climate change, unsustainable development as well as effort from local and international friends in re-constructing and regenerating this brilliant land.

We were shocked when a Ladakhi friend exclaimed: " There are no Ladakhis in photos of tourists visiting Ladakh". Vcil Travel School - Mindful Travel & Sustainable Living was born to change this status quo. We aimed to present a deeper and more thorough image of Ladakh so that both tourists and local people are benefited from learning-based tourism. It wants to contribute to tourism and economic activities of this place to become more sustainable as well as learning some solutions that Ladakhis have implemented about climate change adaptation, natural building, renewable energy and healthy food in the backdrop of fierce climate.

Throughout 14 days of the program, we invite you to travel slowly, to connect with Ladakhi people, to eat, sleep, and work side by side with locals. We invite you to experience the astonishing landscape of Nubra valley, Khardung La pass, hundreds-years-old monasteries carved into the mountainside and old town maze with finely crafted buildings made by rocks and wood. We invite you to stay with students at an alternative educational school for "10 grade failed" which has inspired the renowned movie "3 idiots ". Then participating in educational workshops, studying Ladakhis way of life and practicing telling stories with your own voices and perspective.

Welcome to Vcil Travel School at Ladakh, India!!!

Sample itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival & Acclimatization

Day 2: Explore and Learning about Leh (Old & New Leh) - Background Information

Morning: Old Ladakh

- Old Town/Heritage Walk by LAMO

- Leh Palace (optional)

- Central Asian Museum

- LAMO Center

Afternoon: Modern Ladakh

- Workshop to learn about Ladakh/Q&A

- Exploring development and situation of Ladakh by Video Voice/PhotoVoice - Dumpsites in Ladakh, waste and water pollution problems.

Day 3: Tibetan Buddhism in Ladakh (The role of Buddhism in Ladakhi Life)

- Observe religion practices at homestay/hostel and market

- Learn about Tibetan Buddhism at the Monastery

- Visit several Gompas

Day 4-5-6-7: Local/Villagers’ Life (Being a local)

- Mindful Travel with Local Futures at a Traditional village (traditions, customs, food, house, lifestyle, belief, etc.)

- Workshop on Sustainable Farming | Traditional Farming in Ladakh

- Workshop on Local Housing (Cultural and Architecture, Material Aspects)

- Workshop on Local Food

Day 8-9-10: Alternative Education and Sustainable Solutions at SECMOL

- Experience Alternative Education and Eco-living (Natural building, compost toilet, organic farming, food preservation, composting, etc.) at SECMOL

- Workshop on Alternative Education

- Workshop on Natural Building | Sustainable Building and Eco-living

Day 10: Alternative Education and Sustainable Solutions at HIAL

- Visit HIAL on the way back to Leh from SECMOL

- Workshop on alternative higher education or housing solutions/water solutions in Ladakh

Day 11-12-13: Tourism in Ladakh (Experiencing as a typical tourist)

- This Journey will include an experience of crossing the second highest motor able road called Khardung La, to reach Nubra valley (Hunder) where you will see the impact of mass tourism.

- Visit Sand dunes & watch camel safari

- Discuss about tourism in Ladakh, reflection

- Discuss about current situation, problems and possible solutions on tourism of Ladakh and connecting with our own places

- Webinar with Local Future founder - Helena Noberg Hodge

- Back to Leh

Day 14: Departure

Organizers: VCIL Community & Local Futures Ladakh team

* Partners: LAMO center, SECMOL

* Time: 14 days or 8 days

PROGRAM FEE:

Vcil Travel School in Ladakh will include an option to participate in a shorter, 8-day segment, suitable for individuals looking for a shorter experience.

- Full Program (14 days): August 10 - 23, 2026 

- Short Program (8 days): August 10 - 17, 2026 

Participation Fees for Public:

- Full Program (14 days): 1000 USD 

- Short Program (8 days): 690 USD

Participation Fees for Membership: 

- Full Program (14 days): 840 USD

- Short Program (8 days): 610 USD 

Register for Vcil Community Membership for special price above: https://nas.io/vcilmembers

* The fee above include:

- Accommodation and internal transportation within Ladakh region

- 3 meals per day

- Learning material & logistical preparation

- Travel insurance

- Designing program, facilitation and workshops

- Permission to enter certain location at Ladakh

*The fee above EXCLUDE:

- Rounded flights between your places to Ladakh

- Indian visa fee

* Financial aids:

Vcil Community also provides financial aid for individuals in need. 

Notice:

- The program only happen if we have at least 5 participants paying the full cost

- The location is 3500m above the sea level with dry cold weather, consider carefully your health situation before joining the program

* Contact information:

- Facebook: Vcil Community

- Whatsapp/Phone: +84.918580257 (Trinh Thai) or +84.83243541 (Huy Hoang)

- Email: vcil.group@gmail.com