Top 5: Culture shock holidays

Marvel at the lush Spiti Valley, India © Creative Commons / Bo 3alwa

India

Immerse yourself in Buddhist culture while getting a dose of fresh mountain air during a two-week trekking adventure around the remote Spiti Valley in the Indian Himalayas close to the Tibetan border. With three one-night homestays in separate towns, you will encounter everything from authentic cuisine to ancient village legends and centuries-old ways of life. Although the amazing geological and historical sites don't disappoint, it's the many opportunities to mingle with locals as they farm and cook that promises to be an unbeatable experience.   

Prices from £1,219 per person (based on two people sharing), excluding flights.
Website: www.responsibletravel.com

Peru

What better way to experience bustling Cusco than to settle into the home of a Peruvian family. Placed in the heart of this historical hub which fuses ancient Incan culture with the legacy of Spanish colonialism, you'll plunge head first into the vibrant local culture. Test your Spanish skills with your host family, and enjoy the taste and smells of Peruvian gastronomical delights prepared for you three times a day. You'll leave this holiday feeling like a true local with a new second home.     

Prices from £90 per person per week, including three meals a day.
Website: www.homestayincusco.com

Kenya

If you're feeling adventurous, head to Mukarara Village in Kenya, a tiny village located between the capital Nairobi and snow-capped Mount Kenya. Ditch any fancy holiday gear, because you'll be farming alongside your Kenyan host families for the duration of this rural homestay, where running water and electricity are sparse. With planned excursions to nearby national parks, this tour allows you to witness to the amazing beauty and diverse wildlife of Kenya, while focusing on the unique heritage of your host community.

Prices vary according to date of departure, but include all flights, accommodation, meals, transfers and guides.
Website: www.gse-ecotours.com

Thailand

Take a jaunt into the jungle with a homestay in Khampom Village in the Khon Kaen province, north east of Bangkok. Enjoy living with a friendly host family, and spend a day helping out on a local farm, visiting handicraft workshops, a school and a Buddhist temple where you may even have the chance to converse with local monks. Give back to your host family by picking up fresh ingredients at the local market, like chilli peppers, garlic, and cucumbers to cool the mouth after a spicy dish. The tour includes two days of trekking in a national park.

Prices from £226 per person (based on eight people sharing) for a four-day tour, excluding flights.
Website: www.asiantrails.net

Ukraine

If safaris and jungles aren't your thing, no worries - spend two nights in a mountain homestay in Kolomiya in the wild Carpathian Mountains. With its Eastern European influences, you'll learn about local culture at the Hutsul Museum and the pysanka (decorated Easter egg) museum, before your host offers a cooking class where you'll sample traditional Ukrainian favorites. The tour also includes the chance to explore the region's scenic beauty, take a peek at rural homes complete with private chapels and ornate wells, see local shephards at work and go hiking in search of wildlife.

Prices from £1,370 per person for a 14-day tour from St Petersburg to Budapest.
Website: www.intrepidtravel.com