Please Note - The following rates exclude Goods and Service Tax (12% on rooms and 5% on food). At the end of the page is a list of inclusive prices
OUR LEH CAMP
The Indus River Camp is owned by the Indus Welfare Society, a local organisation of 250 local Buddhist villagers from the village of Chuchot Yokma, 3 of whom fashioned the camp as it is today.
In the midst of this beautiful area of natural vegetation, and with minimum disruption to the land, we have managed to find sympathetic space for a stay in several rooms, activities and a dining hall. Many small animals and over 200 hundred types of birds depend on the wild berries that grow on our land. We strive to keep in harmony with the wildlife.
INFO
Check-out is at 11am and Check-in is at 2pm. If your room is unoccupied on arrival we will strive to check you in as early as possible.
Our drinking water comes from borehole wells 100 feet below. At this depth, alongside the river, the Himalayan water is pure and rich in minerals.
Leh sits 3,400m above sea level. If flying into Leh ,the abrupt change in altitude can cause sickness if not prepared for. Proper time for acclimatisation is essential. We have oxygen checkers at camp, acclimatisation tablets and an oxygen tank should any be necessary.
AREAS
8 cottages sit by the riverside, overlooking the Indus and the Himalayan range. These are fitted with private bathrooms, hot water showers with bathrobes and organic toiletries, have double or twin beds, high quality 8-inch mattress with luxury bedding.
We have a dining/games rooms/library. We encourage our guests to socialise and interact but appreciate that many people come to nature to experiences solitude, which is easily achieved at camp.
We have wi-fi on site, plenty of books and films, curated for a stay in nature. There's a spotting scope and binoculars for looking for wildlife and a telescope for looking into the sky.
Except for the outdoor sitting areas, amongst nature, the remainder of the 40 acres of camp is kept natural, to remain sympathetic to the wildlife that exist in the space.
FAQS
What payment do you accept?
We currently accept cash, cheques, online transfer, Google Pay and PayTM to settle bills. There are plenty of ATMs in the village of Zampa 1km away. We are expecting a card machine for 2020 season.
How do you create the dining menu?
We provide a set menu for lunch and dinner. Please alert the kitchen to any dietary requirements you may have before you arrive at camp. If you have a request for lunch or dinner please make this request the evening before. All meals are prepared fresh so it’s hard to change them last minute.
For breakfast, we provide fresh fruit, tea, coffee, toast, jam and a choice of breakfast items such as homemade granola, pancakes, eggs and porridge.
What are the meal times?
Breakfast is from 7:30-10 am. Lunch is served at 1.30 pm and dinner at 8:00 pm. We have fixed meal times for lunch and dinner but please ask the kitchen if you require a different time. We do NOT serve dinner after 9:00.
Do you sell alcoholic drinks?
We do not sell alcoholic drinks. However, we can help you to arrange a taxi to pick them up from Leh. You are recommended to restrain from drinking in your first couple of days, whilst you are acclimatising.
Can we have a campfire?
Yes. Campfires will be available every evening upon request. We don’t light campfires after 10 pm.
How far from Leh airport is the camp?
The camp is 8km from the airport and this taxi journey will cost around 800 INR according to 2019 rates. Please contact us in advance if you would like an airport pick up and we will send a driver with a sign for your arrival.
How far is the camp from Leh?
The camp is 9km from Leh and this taxi journey will cost between 600INR to 800INR.
We can organise a taxi to and from the city upon request.
How is the Leh temperature?
The Indus River Camp is 200m below Leh so it's a bit warmer. If you are staying at the camp in May and September it may be a little chilly at night. We provide duvets, blankets, quilts and hot water bottles. Be sure to bring a coat with you when you visit at any point during the season. Ladakh is a mountain desert so the days can become very warm and the nights are always cooler.
Will I need sunscreen? What else should I pack?
Yes. The sun can be very strong during the day. Please see our logistics section here for a list of recommended items.
Do you have electricity?
We do have electricity. All of the tents have electric lighting and electric sockets. The dining hall/lounge also has electricity. We do our best to ensure that electricity is always available however occasionally there are power cuts in the village. We also provide solar charged lamps to help you back to your tent at night.
Do you have Wi-Fi?
We have Wi-Fi in the dining hall/lounge area.
Are there mosquitoes?
For about three weeks of the year, the mosquitos can be a nuisance. We provide all tents with anti-mosquito coils at night and regularly spray the dining hall/lounge.
Can you book other accommodation in Ladakh for us or arrange a Ladakh package?
We arrange packages for our guests and can arrange accommodation, taxis as well as adventure activities and permits. Please check our packages page here for more details.
What footwear should I bring?
Even if you wish to do light trekking/walking, you should bring a pair of trainers. Sandals will not suffice. If you are embarking on more adventurous treks, walking boots are essential.
How should we tip the staff?
We provide a tip jar in the dining all/lounge, so please feel free to show your appreciation to our staff. These tips are split evenly once a month between ALL the staff members excluding the owners. If you wish to tip a member of staff individually please feel free to do this also.
What altitude is the camp?
The camp is 3,200 metres above sea level. This is 200m below that of Leh. This means that when you visit Leh you may find you notice a slight difference, for example, shortness of breath. Usually, this is nothing to worry about, but just take it easy and don’t rush about.
Do I need to spend time acclimatising?
Yes. This is very important for any trip to Ladakh. If you have driven to Ladakh from either Manali or Srinagar then you would have acclimatised gradually on your journey. However, you must still rest on your first day in Ladakh. If you have flown into Leh then we recommend you spend your first and second day at the camp relaxing. You have gone from sea level to 11,000 feet in the space of less
than 2 hours so it is very important to give your body time to acclimatise.
How do I acclimatise?
Rest and avoiding physical activity are very important. Sleeping during the day is not advised because our bodies don’t adjust to the altitude so well during sleep.
We advise you to drink lots of water, eat full meals and avoid alcohol and smoking. The camp is the perfect place to acclimatise for three reasons - the greenery improves the oxygen content of the air, the views and peace make it easier to relax and it is 200 metres lower than Leh which makes a surprising difference.
Some people choose to take medication such as Diamox before they come to high altitude areas. We also provide this medication at camp should it be required.
What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?
Symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, headache, shortness of breath, dizziness, loss of appetite and tiredness. The symptoms are usually worse at night and usually develop after 6 – 24 hours of being at altitudes above 3000m. If you think you may have altitude sickness you must alert a member of staff immediately.