Northern India
The Grand Dragon Hotel
The Grand Dragon Hotel is a stunning accommodation offering the comforts of luxury at 3,500m above sea level in the remote Himalayan town of Leh. Located just a 10 minute walk from the centre of Leh and main market square, this is one the most comfortable and modern hotels in the town.
The hotel has an incredible view towards the impressive Stok mountain range from most floors including the smart and friendly restaurant, which offers a range of local Ladakhi and Tibetan cuisine as well as Chinese and Western dishes. There is also a specialty coffee shop and bakery for light snacks and room service is available 24 hours a day. With magnificent views, the hotel offers 82 rooms including 3 beautiful suites, each of which comes with all modern amenities like an LED TV with entertainment channels, telephone, and Wi-Fi Internet access. Rooms have different views either overlooking the Stok Mountains, Khardung La Pass, Leh Palace or Shanti Stupa.
Other facilities include central heating, Wi-Fi access (although rarely works during the winter), 24-hour heated water supply, generator backup and laundry service. Make the most of the well-appointed travel desk, garden, jogging track, wellness center and enjoy indoor games, cultural shows and a bonfire on demand.
They are now practicing a more sustainable philosophy too, using 95 solar panels for their hot water supply and heating system. The incredible views blended with the traditional interior architecture and smart accommodation creates a unique experience in such a remote location.
Facilities
Modern private bathrooms, air-conditioning in the rooms, international restaurant, coffee shop, free Wi-Fi, 24 hour room service, laundry service, wellness centre and jogging track.
Local Wildlife
The Grand Dragon Hotel offers a perfect starting point for trips to Ulley and Hemis National Park to search for snow leopards, Tibetan wolves, blue sheep, Ladakh urial, Asiatic ibex and birdlife including lammergiers, golden eagles, robin and brown accentors, Himalayan snowcocks and more. Nearer to the hotel is the Indus River Valley home to the peculiar ibisbill, elusive solitary snipe, flocks of Tibetan snowfinches and colourful white-winged redstarts.
Optional Activities
Wildlife watching excursions in Ulley and Rumback Valleys, birdwatching in the Indus Valley, trekking, visits to local Buddhist Monasteries and Festivals, white water rafting, cycling and exploring the bazaars of Leh.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
Take it easy, so as to help your body acclimatise to the altitude slowly.
If you have any questions regarding our India tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Naturalist guides were brilliant. We seem to have been given the best one in each place. Had same one for whole of stay in each place. Cultural guides gave just enough information and then left you to ask questions about what interested you which is what we like. They did not seem to have a set patter. Helpful about photographic sites – i.e. good position to take photos.
[OVERALL STANDARD OF SERVICE] Excellent isn’t good enough. In every place we were treated like royalty. Totally relaxed and felt totally safe but not smothered.
[WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS] 11 tigers, innumerable rhino, wild elephants, buffalo, otters, hog and swamp deer, and wild boar. Birds at Keoladeo excellent. Watched leopard and three cubs at Siana for 1.5 hrs of exceptional viewing.
An outstanding holiday which far exceeded our expectations. Many people would enjoy it I’m sure.
