Hemis National Park
Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley
A Ladakhi homestay lodge at 13,000 feet in the Ulley Valley
Snow Leopard Lodge is in the remote village of Ulley in the Sham region of west Ladakh, north of the Indus, at the head of the Ulley Chhu valley at around 13,000 feet, surrounded by terraced fields, snow-clad peaks and wide valley views, two to three hours by road from Leh. It began as the homestay of Tchewang Norbu, one of Ladakh's best-known snow leopard trackers, under a programme started by the Snow Leopard Conservancy India to make tourism a way of protecting the animal by putting income directly into the village. The lodge keeps that homestay character, with a stone building, heated ensuite rooms, home-cooked Ladakhi meals and warm common areas with mountain views, and guests share the village with the family who run it. The valley is known as a place to see snow leopards and also ibex, Ladakh urial, Tibetan wolf, red fox, golden eagle and lammergeier, and temperatures in the cold season range from about minus 14 to plus 10 degrees Celsius. Part of the income from the lodge supports local community projects and the village monastery.
What we love about Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley
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A Ladakhi homestay
Guests stay in a stone lodge in the village, eat home-cooked Ladakhi meals and share Ulley with the family who run it.
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Tourism that supports the village
The lodge began as a conservation programme, and income goes to the community, local projects and the village monastery.
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A high Himalayan landscape
Terraced fields, snow-clad peaks and wide valley views surround the lodge at around 13,000 feet.
At a glance
- Location: Ulley village, Sham region, west Ladakh
- Altitude: about 13,000 ft (around 4,000 m)
- Stay: stone homestay-style lodge with ensuite, heated rooms
- Dining: home-cooked Ladakhi cuisine
- Activities: guided walks, hiking, cycling, birdwatching
- Wildlife: snow leopard, ibex, Ladakh urial, Tibetan wolf, red fox, golden eagle, lammergeier
Getting here
Snow Leopard Lodge is reached by road from Leh, about two to three hours away. Foreign guests should carry a passport and a valid Indian visa. We arrange everything else for you, including transfers, permits and all travel logistics.
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