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Drenmo Lodge, Ladakh, India
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Drenmo Lodge

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Drenmo, meaning Himalayan brown bear in the local dialect, is a dedicated wildlife lodge in Ladakh’s Mushkoh Valley. Sitting at around 3,000 metres, this once local home is now a simple but comfortable lodge offering a welcome base to return to after a day tracking bears in the mountains.

Accommodation is made up of six ensuite guest rooms, two of which are suites, plus both indoor and outdoor dining areas, the latter making the most of the alpine views.

Why we like Drenmo Lodge

What began as a few homestays has been developed and grown into a pioneering initiative, bringing together the local community and the wildlife of the region, ensuring the respect and preservation of both.

Activities

One of the main attractions is the chance to see the Himalayan brown bear, with the best viewing times between April and November. Your tailored itinerary can include wildlife tracking by 4×4 or on foot. The bears are most active in the early morning and evening, so lodge spotters rise early to track bear activity, before guests head out with the naturalists to where bears have been sighted — often in the valleys surrounding the Mushkoh River. You might even be lucky enough to see them from the lodge terrace! Besides bears, the region is home to red foxes, Asiatic ibex, long-tailed marmots, and a wealth of birdlife. Spring brings migratory birds and mountain slopes of wildflowers, while winters are spectacular but extremely cold.

Beyond wildlife, you can visit local villages, enjoy excellent river fishing, and even watch a thrilling polo match against the stunning mountainous backdrop during the summer months.

Facilities

A stay at Drenmo lodge is all about the experience, location and people. Expect home cooked local cuisine which can be enjoyed on the decked terrace overlooking the mountains.

Sustainability

Aswell as supporting the livelihood of local villagers, Drenmo Lodge works tirelessly to mitigate the issue of human-wildlife conflict in the region. In collaboration with the Himalayan Brown Bear Trust and Wildlife Trust of India the lodge has instigated conversations and initiatives to raise awareness and better practices, helping villagers to live harmoniously with the resident wildlife. Ten percent of annual earnings from the lodge go directly to brown bear conservation work, specifically conflict mitigation.

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Nearby experiences

  • Fishing
  • 4x4
  • Hiking and Climbing
  • Birding
  • Bears

Price guide

£££££

Location

Located in western Ladakh in the small village of Holiyal in the Mushkoh Valley, Drenmo Lodge can be reached in around five hours, overland from Leh and four hours drive from Srinagar. It is also possible to charter a helicopter into Drass Town or Kargil, both of which are under an hour’s drive from the lodge.

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