Trekking for Snow Leopards - 11 nights

In the heart of bustling Gurgaon, lies an oasis where guests can smell the fresh grass, hear the birds sing and simply pause for pleasure. Trident Hotel Gurgaon is located just 30 minutes away from the international airport. The hotel is conveniently situated, close to all that Gurgaon has to offer, from skyscrapers which house leading Fortune 500 companies to the fashionable malls, golf courses, cafes and entertainment centers.

Designed by Thai architect, Lek Bunag, Trident Hotel Gurgaon is low rise and spread over seven acres. The hotel blends the natural elements of space, water and light into it’s design. There is also the influences of Moroccan, Mughal and Rajasthani style in it’s architecture. The hotel's beige dome like traditional exterior houses contemporary rooms and suites, furnished with modern amenities. Trident Hotel Gurgaon features gardens, courtyards and reflection pools, affording it a resort like ambiance. The sense of calm filters through the hotel, the spa, swimming pool, the palm courtyard, restaurants and the main lobby.

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Credit: TridentHotelGurgaon

Credit: TridentHotelGurgaon

Credit: TridentHotelGurgaon

Credit: TridentHotelGurgaon

Credit: TridentHotelGurgaon

Credit: TridentHotelGurgaon

The Grand Dragon Ladakh is situated in the ancient city of Leh and it overlooks the famous Cold Desert and the surrounding mountains. Rooms come with standard amenities including a work desk, complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary natural spring water, free Wi-Fi, well stocked mini fridge, in room electric safe, hair dryer, individually controlled heating radiator, tea/coffee making facilities, 40 inch LED TV with Satellite channels and modern private bathroom. Facilities include a restaurant, open terrace, garden, coffee shop, banquet hall and meeting facilities.

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The Snow Leopard Lodge is the only dedicated wildlife lodge in Ladakh. It began originally as a homestay owned by one of Ladakh’s top snow leopard trackers – Tchewang Norbu – under the auspices 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.

The Lodge is located in the village of Ulley in West Ladakh, at an altitude of 13,000 feet. It is 2 - 3 hours driving time from Leh. Ulley itself is a hamlet of just 7 houses beyond which are the high summer pastures. This is excellent Ibex country and an area that has only recently been developed for Snow Leopard tracking. It has quickly gained a reputation not just for the high numbers of Snow Leopards but as one of the best areas to see Ibex, Urial, Wolf, Red Fox, Bearded and Himalayan Griffon Vultures and Golden Eagles.

The Snow Leopard lodge is also open in the summer from which to enjoy not just the stunning high altitude fauna, but also the flora of Ladakh, both on foot and using vehicles, guided all the way by our excellent nature guides and spotters.

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• Rooms
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The lodge back in 2015 Credit: Nick Garbutt The only wilderness lodge in Ladakh

Ladakhi Urial or Red Sheep Credit: Nick Garbutt Herds of Urial dot the lower slopes of the valley below the Lodge

Snow Leopard Cubs Credit: Nick Garbutt Clicked at Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley in March 2017

Stay in the heart of the Trans-Himalayan Wilderness Credit: Nick Garbutt Room with a view ( may include a Snow Leopard )

Snow Leopard in the snow Credit: Nick Garbutt A perfect habitat

Bharal or Blue Sheep Credit: Surya Ramachandran A surprise visitor to the Ulley region

Bharal Herds Credit: Surya Ramachandran The main prey for the Snow Leopards

White-throated Dipper Credit: Surya Ramachandran Braving the freezing waters

Chukar Partrdige Credit: Surya Ramachandran Common yet beautiful. One of the 5 partridges of the Trans-Himalaya

Wolf pack Credit: Gyalpo Tibetan Wolves visit the lodge on their daily rounds

Eurasian Eagle OWl Credit: Surya Ramachandran Perched outside her nest, June 17

Walking with wolves Credit: Surya Ramachandran A walk to the wolf den to monitor the pups, May 17

Red Fox and the little one Credit: Surya Ramachandran Red Foxes, the main mammal scavengers of Ladakh

Hill Pigeon Credit: Surya Ramachandran Dotting the fields and low rocks around the villages

Himalayan Snowcock Credit: Surya Ramachandran One of the 2 species of snowcocks in Ladakh

Ibex and young on a rock face Credit: Surya Ramachandran Blues skies, rocks, Ibex and young - perfect combo!!!

Himalayan Griffon Vultures Credit: Surya Ramachandran Taking off from a snow leopard kill

Adult Ibex at dawn Credit: Surya Ramachandran The perfect frame!!!

Ibex on the skyline Credit: Surya Ramachandran Adult male ibex use the steep cliffs and rock faces to move between feeding and rest sites

Ladakhi Urial or Red Sheep Credit: Ross Haddow A close encounter

Snow Leopard with blood on the face Credit: Tchewang Norboo Rising up from a kill

Ibex spotlight Credit: Surya Ramachandran Ibex male coming down for a drink at Spango Valley, May 17

Scanning for prey Credit: Tchewang Norboo Wolves taking a high point to look at the lodge and surrounds for an easy meal

Common Kestrel

The Common Area at the Lodge Tea, Coffee, Books followed by movies, snacks and drinks in the evening

Royle's Pika

View from the Lodge Credit: Nick Garbutt Jan 17

The Dining Area at the Lodge

Our team of Naturalists and Spotters - David, Norbu and Co

A hot meal in the wilderness Credit: Nick Garbutt

The Common Area in the lower floor of the Lodge

A boiler ( Bukhari ) heats up our common area inside the lodge

Common Magpie

Himalayan Marmot - a bold one Credit: Surya Ramachandran

Mongolian Finch Credit: Surya Ramachandran Subtle colours - subtle beauty

Robin Accentor framed under a prayer flag Credit: Latika Nath

Rock Bunting Credit: Surya Ramachandran Nesting and feeding around the lodge during spring

Common Rosefinch Credit: Surya Ramachandran Summer visitor to Ulley

The dominant male at Ulley Credit: Latika Nath The male with the Back Eye, Feb 16

The dominant male at Ulley - a close encounter Credit: Latika Nath The male with the Back Eye decides to check us out, Feb 16

Snow Leopard on a kill Credit: Latika Nath She stayed with us for close to 4 hours

Snow Leopard cubs on the skyline Credit: Surya Ramachandran A beautiful image taken from the lodge itself

The drive to the Lodge Credit: Surya Ramachandran The trans-Himalayan Wilderness Gateway

Snow Leopards - mating pair Credit: Tchewang Norboo Nov -16

Mountain Weasel Credit: Tchewang Norboo Voracious diet backed by all the energy, agility and speed they need

Snow Leopard - Full stomach Credit: Tchewang Norboo Relaxing after a kill

The Team in Action Scanning the ridges for cats in the morning

Her tail and her Credit: Tchwang Norboo A dream view of the Snow Leopard

Tibetan Partridge Credit: Latika Nath Locally known as Dreshak

Tibetan Snowfinch Credit: Surya Ramachandran Arrive in large flocks at the lodge

Wolves near their Den Credit: Surya Ramachandran Wolfscape

Upland Buzzards, Golden Eagles and Lamergiers - the often seen raptors Credit: Surya Ramachandran

The proud parents leave for the morining hunt Credit: Surya Ramachandran the resident alpha wolves of Ulley

Welcome to Ulley Credit: Surya Ramachandran

White-winged Redstart nesting at Ulley

Stolickza's Mountain Vole

Wolves at their vantage point - scanning the lodge grounds for food Credit: Tchewang Norboo A regular morning ritual at the lodge -

Wolf Pups play outside their Den Credit: Surya Ramachandran June 17

Brown Accentor Credit: Latika Nath

Ulley in Winter Credit: Surya Ramachandran View of the landscape at the lodge in Jan

Woolly Hare Credit: Surya Ramachandran One of the 2 species of Hare in Ladakh

Bread crumbs to follow Credit: Nick Garbutt Tracks in the snow

Red Fox in a blizzard Credit: Nick Garbutt clicked from inside the lodge

An all day out with the Wolves Credit: Nick Garbutt clicked during Lunch

Twin bedrooms with ensuite bathroom Twin bedrooms with shared bathroom Single room with en suite bathroom

There are three comfortable twin bedrooms with attached bathrooms in the annexe which is about 50 meters from the main lodge. In winter there is no running water and hot water for washing is delivered in buckets. As also cold water for the toilet.

There are five comfortable twin bedrooms with shared bathrooms in the main lodge. Four rooms are on the ground floor sharing two bathrooms. One room is on the first floor. There are two rooms in the annexe sharing one bathroom. In winter there is no running water and hot water for washing is delivered in buckets. As also cold water for the toilet.

This room is on the first floor of the main lodge. In winter there is no running water and hot water for washing is delivered in buckets. As also cold water for the toilet.

Property Facilities

Battery Charging Facilities, Communal Dining, Eco Friendly, Laundry Service (Available), Malaria Free, Private Vehicle Available, Secure Parking

Room Facilities

Electrical Outlets, Heater, Lounge Area

The Grand Dragon Ladakh is situated in the ancient city of Leh and it overlooks the famous Cold Desert and the surrounding mountains. Rooms come with standard amenities including a work desk, complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary natural spring water, free Wi-Fi, well stocked mini fridge, in room electric safe, hair dryer, individually controlled heating radiator, tea/coffee making facilities, 40 inch LED TV with Satellite channels and modern private bathroom. Facilities include a restaurant, open terrace, garden, coffee shop, banquet hall and meeting facilities.

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