Location
Rumbak, Ladakh, India

Located in the remote Rumbak Valley at an elevation of approximately 12,800 feet, the House of Rumbak Wildlife Lodge sits on a rocky plateau in the snowcapped Himalayan mountains. With 360° views of the dramatic high alpine landscape, the lodge provides an optimal base from which to search for snow leopards and other wildlife while staying in comfort in this rugged setting and harsh climate. Constructed of classic Ladakh materials, including stone, mud and timber, using traditional techniques, the main lodge and six guest cottages provide a warm respite from the elements with radiant floor heating, insulated roofs and double-glazed windows. This intimate accommodation is a place to disconnect and find a rare immersion in nature, as the lodge does not have cell service, Wi-Fi or TV. 

Guest cottages are reminiscent of traditional Ladakhi homes. Each has a wood-burning stove, comfortable bed, heated blankets, cushioned lounge chairs, tea and coffee maker, and large insulated windows with arresting views of the valley or surrounding mountains. En suite bathrooms have consistent hot water and showers with herbal soaps, hair dryer, loofa sponge and complimentary toiletries provided.

The common lounge and dining area features post and beam construction, intricate textiles, hand-woven rugs and locally sourced furnishings. Large windows invite the outside in, and strategically placed spotting scopes facilitate searching for rare birds and wildlife at your leisure. In addition to snow leopards, the Rumbak region is home to Tibetan wolves, blue sheep, asiatic ibex, Ladakh urial and many more. Birds we might spot include golden eagle, robin accentor, streaked rose-finch, Tickell's leaf warbler, chukar, Tibetan snow-finch, red-billed chough, Himalayan snow-cock, common and fork-tailed swift, and fire-fronted serin, among others.

A skilled Sherpa chef prepares a diverse menu that features international, Indian and authentic Ladakhi cuisine, a melange of Tibetan, Indian and Central Asian influences that often features root vegetables, dumplings, mutton, noodles, khagla (fresh homemade butter) and tangthur (yogurt dip). The in-house bakery produces freshly baked goods. What truly sets this lodge apart, however, is its unwavering commitment to ecological balance and its drive to coexist harmoniously with the environment—values that permeate every aspect of its operations.