Chat & Meet With Ladakh Locals And Take On That Solo Bike Trip
Traveling and exploring Ladakh is every adventure junkie dream. The rugged landscapes, snow-covered mountains, scenic lakes, and the ancient Buddhist monasteries make Ladakh a beautiful and awe-inspiring place to visit. What makes Ladakh, also popularly known as Little Tibet, truly special is that unlike other popular tourist spots, it is yet to be touched by rapid commercialization. For a solo traveler who loves exploring offbeat places, Ladakh must be on his or her travel bucket list! However, only locals can show you the true beauty of Ladakh.
The locals are an integral part of this place and contribute significantly to Ladakh’s charm. They are also known to be cheerful and friendly with tourists. The best way to find Ladakh locals is via online social travel apps and websites. These apps can help you to chat and interact with locals. There are other ways as well to find locals, albeit not so popular. Read on to find out the different apps that can help you to travel like a local in Ladakh.
How to chat and meet with locals on your next trip to Ladakh
- Xoxo Tours (#NeverTravelAlone) — This free social travel app is one of the most efficient ways to meet and connect with the Ladakh locals. If you are a solo traveler visiting this beautiful place and you wish to connect with like-minded people or even find yourself a date, head to Xoxo Tours. It is 100% free, and the sign-up process is quick. You have the option to talk to the locals and other travelers online before meeting them, so you get a chance to know them and decide beforehand whether your vibes match and you wish to go on a solo bike trip with them.
- Couchsurfing — Seasoned travelers believe that the best way to explore any culture is to live and eat with the locals. And Couchsurfing is based on this ideology. It will help you to connect with the locals with whom you can stay for free while on your trip to Ladakh. It is one of the best ways to experience their culture and tradition. You can also use this website to ask questions and get travel recommendations and suggestions from the locals before your trip.
- Contact local travel agencies — Local travel agencies in Ladakh will not only customize your trip according to your preference but also help you to connect and meet with the locals there. Homestay with the locals is one of the primary attractions offered by these agencies as a means to provide income to the locals of Ladakh. By living with the villagers and traveling with them, you get to find out how the locals truly live their lives, share meals with them, and experience Ladakhi culture in the best possible way.
- Facebook travel groups — You may use Facebook travel groups to meet and connect with the locals in Ladakh. While there are several travel groups on Facebook, not all are trustworthy. Hence, try joining a group that has an active team of moderators who keep the group free of spammers. Join a Facebook group, post your travel itinerary, and wait for the locals to contact you. You can try to chat with the locals and know them better before you finally decide to meet or travel with them.
- Farmstays Ladakh — This is a homestay project run by few mothers in Ladakh. They open their homes and culture to the tourists and provide them with an out-of-the-box trip and stay experience. This project was officially launched in 2016 by His Holiness Chetsang Rinpoche to make the women of Ladakh financially independent. If you are a solo traveler who wishes to experience the authentic life of rural Ladakh away from the bustling city noise and the pollution, you can register with this project.
- Showaround — Showaround is a travel dating app that can also help you connect with the locals in Ladakh. These locals will not only act as your guide but also your travel companion. If guided group tours do not interest you, you can use this app to get a more real tour of Ladakh at a nominal price. The app is available on iOS as well as Android devices for free. You can also use Showaround to hire a professional tour guide easily at an affordable rate. All you have to do is create your profile, search for locals around you by setting your destination, preferred gender of the tour guide, and your price range. Once you find a suitable local, check the reviews left on his/her profile by other travelers before finally connecting with the person.
- Meetup — Meetup is a great app to connect with fellow travelers as well as locals in any part of the world, including Ladakh. While it’s not a travel website, there are several travel groups on meetup which you can join. It’s an app for solo travelers who wish to connect with other people and make friends while traveling. Join a meetup group that connects you with the locals in Ladakh and provides you an opportunity to stay and trip with them. You also get the option to chat with other members of the group and know them better before the trip.
Ladakh, also known as the land of high passes, is a popular tourist spot and one of the most authentic regions of India. Travel like a local to see the beauty of Ladakh. If you are a solo traveler looking to interact with the locals in Ladakh, you can do so easily by trying the above-listed websites and apps.
