The Chamba Camp Thiksey
The Chamba Camp is situated at the foot of the Thiksey Monastery and is the first Indian 'glamping' experience to date with a wonderful blend of old world charm and contemporary luxury.
Introduced by The Ultimate Travelling Camp (a concept new to India) offering luxurious mobile tented camps, the camps migrate throughout Northern India depending on where the best climates are. Chamba Camp in Thiksey pops up from mid June to the end of September, avoiding monsoon season, which happens to be a particularly good time to visit Ladakh.
The days of buckets of water and working out which tent peg's end is which are a thing of the past, this camp is made up of 18 air-conditioned tents overlooking the Thiksey Monastery. Each tent has an en-suite bathroom with hot showers, fine linens and private decks to soak up the views. Oh and each tent has its own butler... fancy!
The beauty of Chamba Camp, besides its rural surroundings, is the fact that it is off the beaten track yet doesn't compromise on luxury. Guests can spend the days exploring nearby remote villages, many Buddhist Monasteries, polo, rafting, trekking and archery, and by night they can unwind at the camp with some gourmet cuisine and relaxed vibes.
The on-site restaurant serves a daily menu of traditional local specialities and international delicacies (many of which are created from family recipes). All meals are prepared with fresh and organically grown produce from the surrounding area. If the restaurant doesn't suit (which is highly unlikely) there are also opportunities to enjoy picnic lunches dotted around picturesque spots.
Why We Love It
You can gather around an evening camp fire to mingle with fellow travellers and Ladakh tour guides who impart their wisdom... if you're lucky.
Shakti Ladakh Village Houses
The traditional architecture of Ladakh is grander in style than found in other Himalayan regions; and these six village houses have been renovated to a high level of sophistication but without compromising on the authenticity and charm.
The Tibetan-style house in Stok is on the edge of the village and has a roof terrace with superb scenic views; ideal for relaxing while acclimatising to the altitude.
The village house in Taru is another traditional Tibetan style building, though it is a little more modern than the one at Stok. Again, it is at the edge of the village with stunning views over the mountains, traditional buildings, fields and orchards.
Finally, Nimoo is the most impressive property and like the Stok house, it is has a large ground floor with a first floor built in a ' C ' shape around a courtyard. The courtyard is paved and the roof terrace above is the perfect place to soak up the ever present sun on 'the rooftop of the world'.
Why We Love It
Staying in these houses offers a rare chance to experience an unchanged rural way of life in the homes of the Ladakhi people.