The Snow Leopard Lodge, the only dedicated wildlife lodge in Ladakh,i s located high in the beautiful village of Ulley in the Sham region of central Ladakh, north of the Indus River, at the head of the valley of the Ulley Chhu at an altitude of about 13,000 feet. It is 2 – 3 hours driving distance west from Leh. Ulley itself is a hamlet of just about 7 houses beyond which are the summer pastures of Yak and Dzo. This is classic ibex country and there are few more evocative sights than a magnificently horned male ibex standing vigil on some impossibly narrow outcropping, a few thousand feet above a plunging cliff. Over the past 10 years this area has been developed for snow leopard tracking and has gained a reputation not just for the high numbers of snow leopards but as one of the best areas to see Ibex, Urial, Wolf, Himalayan Fox, Bearded and Himalayan Griffon Vultures and Golden Eagles.
Starting life as a homestay owned by one of Ladakh’s top snow leopard trackers under the auspices of an innovative programme initiated by the first Director of the Snow Leopard Conservancy India – Rinchen Wangchuk – designed to use tourism as a conservation tool for the preservation of snow leopards and their ecosystem by putting tourism revenue directly into the local community.
The idea behind the Snow Leopard Lodge was to create a comfortable base with heat, good food and little luxuries like real coffee, comfortable beds, toilets and washing facilities from where one can search for snow leopards and other high altitude wildlife in relative comfort without having to deal with the exhausting issues of camping in the intense cold of these high mountains, aggravated by high altitude. Wildlife viewing excursions are mainly in our own dedicated vehicles. However, we do encourage you to explore the landscape on foot – depending upon your fitness. The lodge is simple but attractively furnished with a/v equipment that allows you to enjoy wildlife and regular movies plus board games to make the long winter evenings convivial and fun. Most importantly you are hosted by an expert naturalist cum manager who lifts the entire experience to a different level answering your natural history questions while simultaneously interacting with guests to ensure that every individual guest is well cared for. All bedrooms with attached bathrooms All bathrooms have hot and cold running water through the entire season All bathrooms have highly efficient heaters to ensure comfortable temperatures while showering/washing Central heating in all bedrooms and common rooms augmented by efficient Himalayan Rocket stoves Food experience has been significantly improved with the introduction of East Asian cuisines to the menu with chefs from the popular Korean restaurant ’Amigo’ in Leh and it’s sister restaurant ’Saigon’ for Vietnamese food. The installation of a professional coffee machine with a trained barista has been a boon for coffee lovers.
Rooms vary in size. They are all twin bedded with views and natural light. All rooms also have light fittings and plug points with baggage tables. At night hot water bottles are used to warm up your beds. Morning tea and coffee is served either in your room or in the lounge depending on your preference. Note: Water situation same as the main lodge. Lounge furnished in local style and colours with good heating. Tea and coffee station with biscuits. Comfortable dining area. Note: Both main and annexe lounges have a/v equipment. Electricity: Mains power with generator back-up. Heating: New design “Himalayan Rocket Stove” wood burners; electric heaters.
It's the wildlife and the incredible hiking you come for here. Snow Leopard is located in a pretty perfect spot, in the centre of three valleys that are known for their wildlife, and you'll spend your days trekking on foot in search of wolves, ibex, Himalayan foxes and the piece de resistance, the majestic snow leopard. Then there's the scenery. Mind-bogglingly spectacular is the phrase that springs to mind and you'll while away many an hour with your jaw on the floor...
The area surrounding the lodge has only recently been developed for tourism and is (for now) totally under the radar.
The real highlight is the chance to learn about the cultures and traditions of the local people you're living amongst.
You won't get a signal on your phone or find any WiFi high up here in the clouds, but that's all part of the fun...
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A Himalayan Shangri-La of Buddhist spirituality, mountain remoteness and adrenalin-filled activities
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