Moody Moon Homestay, Merak-Pangong

Moody Moon Homestay, Merak – Pangong

Merak is a small village located on a narrow stretch of land between the mountains and the Pangong lake with just seven families that make a living by rearing pashmina goats and growing barley during the short summer season. Most of the tourists visiting Pangong stay in Spangmik, the first village on the lake stretch. Drive further away and you will reach Merak. It is about an hours drive from the start of the lake. It is an excellent option for a peaceful stay away from the tourist crowd. There is lot of vegetation including bushes and trees in the village which is protected by the J&K forest department. A solar telescope is also installed in Merak.

It is a beautiful home of a local family located in the serene surroundings at walking distance from the lake. Spend the night star-gazing in absolute silence and witness the mesmerizing sunrise. If you want to explore Pangong Tso in the true sense then staying with a local family in their house, eating what they eat and experiencing their way of life is one of the best ways to go about it. It gives you an insight into how harsh life is at such altitudes where people have to struggle every day in extreme climate conditions and terrain. Living in a homestay gives you a sense of satisfaction and joy like no other.

The family offers 4 rooms to the guests. 2 double occupancy rooms have queen sized bed and attached bathroom and the other 2 rooms, one single occupancy and one dormitory have a common bathroom.

Location: 20 kms from Spangmik
No. of Rooms: 4;  Total Capacity: 12

Tariff

Classic Room: 2950/-
Extra Person: 800/-
Dormitory: 900/- Per Person
Complimentary: Breakfast and Dinner

Note: These tariffs do not apply during festivals and holidays

Child Policy
Upto 6 years: Complimentary (No Extra Bed)
7-12 years.: 50% (Extra bed provided)

What you pay for a homestay, brings a direct socio-economic benefit to locals. Be proud by not asking for a discount.

Facilities

Parking • Attached Bathroom • Hot Water in Bucket 

Food

Enjoy traditional Ladakhi meals while staying with them. They will be happy to customise as per your choice and preference. Do try local dishes like Momos, Thukpa, Skyu, Thentuk etc. Also try Chaza, it is salted butter tea made from Yak butter which is very popular amongst the locals and almost tastes like a soup. In case you reach there during some festival or social gathering you might get to share Chang (barley beer) and Arak (harder fermented barley alcohol) with local. 

Activities

Star Gazing • Astro Photography  • Hiking • Farming

Points of Interest

Pangong Lake • Merak Monastery • Spangmik • Man Village

Excursions

Chushul • Indo-China Border • Tso Moriri • Hanle • Nubra Valley

Know your Host

Tashi Namgyal and his family will host you.  They take pride in local culture and are happy to give you experience of traditional living. They are very helpful, friendly and love to spend time with their guests talking about their life and culture. Do take time to sit with them and hear the village stories from the past. 

You may like to check more Homestays in Ladakh