Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley

Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley

The Snow Leopard Lodge – the only dedicated wildlife lodge in Ladakh, started as a homestay owned by one of Ladakh’s top snow leopard trackers – Tchewang Norbu and his wife Dolma – 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 Snow Leopard Lodge is 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 UlleyChhu 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.

A few years ago as demand increased an annexe was added to the Snow Leopard Lodge. Situated just 50 metres from the main lodge with it’s own lounge and pantry.

The lodges are 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.

Accommodation and Facilities – 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.

Please note Because of constant freezing temperatures, there is no running water. Hot and Cold water is constantly available in buckets. Toilets are western style with ‘bucket flush’.

Main Lodge: Total 6 Rooms out of which 2 Rooms are ensuite and 4 rooms with 3 shared bathroom.

Annexe: Total 5 Rooms out of which 3 Rooms are ensuite and 2 rooms with 1 shared bathroom.

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.

Dining: The Main Lodge and Annexe has their own dining area where freshly cooked variety of food is served.

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