The Grand Dragon Ladakh

The Snow Leopard Lodge is the only dedicated wildlife lodge in Ladakh, opening originally as a homestay owned by one of Ladakh’s top snow leopard trackers, Tchewang Norbu, as part of a program initiated by the Snow Leopard Conservancy designed to use tourism as a conservation tool for the preservation of snow leopards and their ecosystem by putting revenue directly into the local community.

Accommodation is fairly basic, but comfortable and warm. Three twin bedrooms are en suite, while a further eight rooms share bathrooms. In winter there is no running water and hot water for washing is delivered in buckets. An assortment of Ladakhi, Indian and Continental cuisine is served in the communal dining room in the main house.

The lodge is located in the seven-home hamlet of Ulley in West Ladakh, at an altitude of nearly 4000m (13,000 feet), surrounded by high summer pastures. This is prime ibex country and an area that has quickly gained a reputation not just for the high numbers of snow leopards but as one of the best areas to see Tibetan wolf, red fox, Himalayan brown bear, bearded and Himalayan griffon vultures and golden eagles. Snow leopard tracking with a team of expert spotters is for the snowy winter months (November to May) but the lodge is also open in the summer from which to enjoy not just the stunning high-altitude fauna and wild flowers of Ladakh on foot.

Embarking on a Shakti village walk allows you to not only experience the magnificent landscapes of northern India, but to get an insight into life in one of the world’s remotest corners.

Travelling with local porters and guides, you will visit schools, monasteries and markets to better underdstand the local culture and customs. Your route will take you off the beaten track to the smaller villages in the Indus Valley. Along the way you will stay in traditional village houses which have been renovated to offer comfort and style, without losing any of their charm.

There are eight houses spread across the area, each one built in a traditional fashion using sun-baked mud bricks and wooden beams made from local poplar and willow. They are then plastered with a mix of white clay and water, giving them their distinct whitewashed finish. Although the houses are simple, they are a real haven to retreat to after a day of hiking. Each house can accommodate up to six guests in three bedrooms, most of which are en suite. Living rooms feature traditional Ladhaki cushion seating, coffee table and a small library of books and games. There is also a kitchen and dining area, as well as a sun terrace with wicker furniture and a gazebo for shade.

Those emabarking on a longer trek will spend some time sleeping in dome tents kitted out with inflatable mattresses, pillows, duvets and blanket. These camps also feature a dining tent, two shower tents and a sink with running water for every tent. This is an incredible opportunity to experience the true vastness of the Ladakh landscape as you sleep under the clear starry sky.