We did so many other things in Ladakh – too many to recount! We rode Bactrian camels, visited a village oracle, saw a blue sheep, spent a few hours at the drama-laden Diskit monastery, attended local festivities… But we also did so many nothings: we saw a Ladakhi rainbow, gazed long at a spectacularly visible Milky Way, spent a good many hours sitting outside the tent staring at the gompa, watching rosefinches, reading a trilogy of paranormal romances while trying to guard our coffees against Tashi, the camp’s youthful Labrador who came up to press against us and sit with us awhile. But long story short: it was the good life.
The ultimate travelling camp: The company has two campsites in Ladakh: Chamba Camp, Thiksey and Chamba Camp, Diskit in Nubra. Both are open up to October 15 this year.
Accommodation: Chamba Thiksey has 14 luxury tents which include 8 Indian and 3 South African tents and 3 presidential suites. Chamba Diskit has 8 tents of Kenyan origin. Each has its special design elements – the South African ones are more spacious, and the Kenyan tents at Nubra are evocative.
Food & Drink: The camps provide a fine-dining experience – the dining camp at Thiksey opens out to a sweet pond. There is a small set menu to choose from but if there’s something special you want, just whistle. For excursions, the staff will pack meals – a laid-out picnic or a simple sandwich on the go.
What to See & Do: There is much to see in and around Leh including the Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa. The various monasteries – Thiksey, Alchi, Hemis, Diskit – are worth a visit. Undertake a birding trip, go river rafting… The camp staff is happy to understand your particular interests. Incidentally, both camps are located in ample grounds facing the Thiksey and Diskit monasteries, respectively. Getting intimate with a coffee and book is a terrific plan too.
