Chamba Camp Thiksey
Ladakh
Born through a collaboration with a Kargil native, who also serves as the Trustee of the Himalayan Brown Bear Trust and a boutique safari lodge based in the tiger reserves of Central India, Drenmo is the first ever lodge in India offering an opportunity to see the Himalayan brown bear. Located in the remote Holiyal village in the Mushkow valley — prime brown bear country, it’s an initiative to change the perception of the local community toward the mammal by bringing economic benefits through tourism.
Set in a refurbished local home, the lodge offers modern amenities with traditional architecture. It offers six rooms, some with valley views, all featuring en suite facilities with running hot and cold water. There is a dining area on the ground floor with an outdoor deck overlooking the valley where one can enjoy morning breakfast, afternoon brunch or an evening beverage. A dedicated kitchen team prepares simple homestyle food which is usually a mix of local, North Indian, Asian, and Continental cuisine.
Drenmo has an experienced team of naturalists and trackers who bring in-depth knowledge of the surrounding valleys that are habited by bear. They’ve a decade of field experience that would ensure that you’re well looked after both indoors and outdoors. Although brown bear tracking is one of the main reasons for your visit there is other wildlife like the Tibetan wolf, red long tail marmot, and the Asiatic ibex to name a few.
OUR OPINION:
Drenmo undoubtedly offers an unparalleled wildlife experience in one of Ladakh’s most remote regions, supported by a fantastic team of naturalists and spotters. Despite its secluded location, the capable in-house staff ensures exceptional comfort. Most importantly, Drenmo opens this untouched region, providing a rare and extraordinary opportunity for exploration.
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Rooms
The lodge is established in an existing home owned by a local which has been refurbished with modern amenities and thoughtful touches of traditional architecture. It offers six rooms for your return after spending long hours outdoors viewing bears and other wildlife of the region. Rooms are of varied sizes and some offer views of the valley too. Each one of them have en suite facilities with running hot and cold water. To keep you warm there are heaters installed in each room and a small portable one in the bathroom too. In addition, extra blankets and a hot water bottle is also available in the room.
Location
The lodge is nestled in Holiyal village, Mushkow Valley, a prime brown bear habitat, offering a truly remote wilderness experience. It’s conveniently located just 30 minutes from Drass and 1.5 hours from Kargil, the nearest town, making it an ideal base for exploring the region’s rich wildlife and breathtaking landscapes.
Food and drink
The lodge features a ground-floor dining area and an outdoor deck with valley views, perfect for enjoying meals. A dedicated kitchen team serves simple, homestyle meals, offering a tasty mix of local, North Indian, Asian, and Continental cuisine.
Facilities and activities
With bear viewing as the prime objective, a typical day at Drenmo begins with morning and evening wildlife excursions, offering exceptional opportunities to observe the Himalayan brown bear and other native species. On especially rewarding days, meals and snacks are enjoyed outdoors for a more immersive experience. During the day, guests can take a leisurely walk along the Mushkow River, ending with a scenic picnic, or opt for challenging treks that explore deeper into the valleys, tailored to fitness levels, interests, and the season.
Alternative places to stay nearby
Where possible, we like to offer a range of accommodation for each stop of your trip, chosen by our specialists as some of their favorite places to stay. To help you make the right choice, we give each property a rating based on its facilities and service, but we also look for hotels with distinct character or a location that can't be bettered.
