Ameliya's Itineraries
HIMALAYAN BROWN BEARS | 4N/5D
Himalayan Brown Bears
Explore one of the Himalaya’s most iconic species through this specially designed itinerary. Explore the off-the-beaten parts of western Ladakh, whether it is through culture, hiking or glamping.
AMELIYA SIGNATURE SAFARI EXPERIENCE:
- 4 Nights and 5 Days
- Tour Starts: Drass
- Tour Ends: Drass
- Style of Tour: Vehicle Safari & Hikes
- Max Altitude: 3700m to 4500m
- Best Season: April to November
- Accommodation : Drenmo Lodge
- Vehicle: Innova / Crysta
- A Fully Privately Guided Experience
- All meals and accommodations included
- Wildlife & Tracking Masterclass from Ameliya Private Guide & Host
- Complimentary Photography & Editing Masterclass + review sessions
- A new Safari Family and a million memories to take back with you.
$ 2,820/-
Please Note: Period of operation is from 1st April to 30th November
Inclusions
- Accommodation, all meals, tea/coffee, evening snacks
- Road Transfers to and from Leh
- Activities as indicated on the itinerary
- Services of a Private Naturalist & Local Spotters
- First Aid Kit & Oxygen cylinder
Exclusions
- Goods & Services Taxes as applicable
- Tips, personal items, travel or medical insurance.
- Additional activities or excursions outside Drass
- Local Porters / Mules (can be arranged at an additional cost)
- Emergency evacuation cost
- Gratuities to drivers/guides
- All other expenses not mentioned in the “inclusions” above will have to be borne as additional expenses by the participants
Payment Terms
- All tours operate on 100% advance payment.
- 50% need to be paid at the time of booking, 25% is due 120 days prior to the trip start date and 25% 90 days prior.
- The preferred mode of payment is Bank Wire. All card transactions will incur a 3.5% service fee.
- Rates are subject to change and are not applicable for Christmas/New Years. Rates are valid for 2024 only. Rates for 2025 will incur a 10% hike.
- Any changes in government taxes and park/conservancy fees have to be borne by the guests.
- We reserve the right to revise any published costs without prior notice. However, confirmed bookings will be honoured.
Cancellation Policy
- 50% is non-refundable once the payment is done.
- The remaining amount will be refunded if cancellation is done 120 days prior to the tour start dates. Between 90-120 days, 35% is refunded.
- No refund if cancellation is done between 0 – 90 days of the trip start date. Amendment in dates within 90 days from arrival is treated as a cancellation.
- Please note that the date of written communication (e-mail) of intent to cancel will be the date considered for the calculation of the cancellation fees.
- The cancellation amount is calculated as per the total booking amount and not as per the advance deposited.
- No refunds in case of refusal to use a service/activity mentioned in the itinerary.
- All refunds are processed minus bank charges.
Day 1
After a road transfer from the Leh airport to the Lodge, check-in and settle down for an orientation and briefing session by your Tour Leader and Spotters about the Brown Bear Landscape..
Follow this up with some leisure time, delicious dinner & a night in at the lodge in Drass.
Day 2
Start the day with an early walk along the Mushkow river, searching for the bears and other wildlife such as Marmots, Ibex, Fox, and Wolves in the nearby mountains and valleys. You’ll have the opportunity to spot an astonishing variety of resident and migratory birds in this area.
Walk amidst blooming tulips and other wild flowers through the summer and if weather allows, enjoy a fresh spread of picnic breakfast.
Spend the afternoon visiting the nearby Shina villages towards Goshen or Pandrass and exploring the rich history and culture.
Day 3 & 4
Early mornings set the stage for thrilling adventures with a 5am wake-up call. Depending on the snow conditions, you’ll hike up to reach the adjacent hillside- a good vantage point for your spotter to scan for bear movements in the area.
Back at the lodge, enjoy an authentic dining experience with local cuisine, prepared with organically sourced ingredients.
Head out for another tracking session in the evening. Depending on the sightings in the lodge’s base valley, you’ll drive to other adjacent valleys such as
Umba La (based on snow levels at that time of the year) Pandrass, Matayen, Shimsha Kharbu, Suru or the apricot orchards in the beautiful village of Karkitchu.
Day 5
After a heartwarming breakfast, bid farewell to the animals, your lodge, and your newfound safari friends (until your next adventure).
SAFARI EXPERIENCES
Wildlife Spotting
Himalayan Birding
Frozen Lake Walks
Local Culture
Village Visit
Monastery Visit
* Experiences and activities are subject to your travel dates, accommodation choices, and government regulations
Himalayan Brown Bears
Witness the Elusive and rare, Himalayan Brown Bears in the second coldest inhabited place in the world – Drass, Western Ladakh.
The Himalayas offer breathtaking contrasts and stunning landscapes, featuring rugged mountains, pristine lakes and vast, high-altitude deserts.
The Himalayan Brown Bears are the largest carnivores of the region, with males almost weighing up to 200 kgs. They spend the summer months feeding on the green pastures and deliberately put on body weight.
Drenmo Lodge
Drenmo Lodge is the first ever exclusive lodge in India dedicated to the majestic Himalayan Brown Bear known as “Drenmo” in the local language. Located in the remote Holiyal village in Mushkow valley – a prime brown bear country and known as the second coldest inhabited place in the world, it is undoubtedly the best location in India for sighting this magnificent mammal.
It is a pioneering initiative to change the perception of the local community towards the mammal by bringing them economic benefits through tourism.
$ 2,820/-
Please Note: Period of operation is from 1st April to 30th November
Inclusions
- Accommodation, all meals, tea/coffee, evening snacks
- Road Transfers to and from Leh
- Activities as indicated on the itinerary
- Services of a Private Naturalist & Local Spotters
- First Aid Kit & Oxygen cylinder
Exclusions
- Goods & Services Taxes as applicable
- Tips, personal items, travel or medical insurance.
- Additional activities or excursions outside Drass
- Local Porters / Mules (can be arranged at an additional cost)
- Emergency evacuation cost
- Gratuities to drivers/guides
- All other expenses not mentioned in the “inclusions” above will have to be borne as additional expenses by the participants
Payment Terms
- All tours operate on 100% advance payment.
- 50% need to be paid at the time of booking, 25% is due 120 days prior to the trip start date and 25% 90 days prior.
- The preferred mode of payment is Bank Wire. All card transactions will incur a 3.5% service fee.
- Rates are subject to change and are not applicable for Christmas/New Years. Rates are valid for 2024 only. Rates for 2025 will incur a 10% hike.
- Any changes in government taxes and park/conservancy fees have to be borne by the guests.
- We reserve the right to revise any published costs without prior notice. However, confirmed bookings will be honoured.
Cancellation Policy
- 50% is non-refundable once the payment is done.
- The remaining amount will be refunded if cancellation is done 120 days prior to the tour start dates. Between 90-120 days, 35% is refunded.
- No refund if cancellation is done between 0 – 90 days of the trip start date. Amendment in dates within 90 days from arrival is treated as a cancellation.
- Please note that the date of written communication (e-mail) of intent to cancel will be the date considered for the calculation of the cancellation fees.
- The cancellation amount is calculated as per the total booking amount and not as per the advance deposited.
- No refunds in case of refusal to use a service/activity mentioned in the itinerary.
- All refunds are processed minus bank charges.
GENERAL QUERIES
MEDICAL FACILITIES
The National Parks are located in a very remote region of India with the nearest hospital being 4 hours away.
Important Notes:
- Please carry your personal medications.
- Expecting mothers, patients with heart conditions, and any other health ailment that require constant medical attentions are advised not to travel.
PHOTO IDENTITY
Please ensure that you always carry a Government-issued photo ID with you during your travel.
For foreign nationals, a valid passport and visa is required for travel to India and entry into the National Park
FOOD ALLERGIES
If you are allergic to any food items, kindly inform at the time of check-in. A delectable spread of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food is served at all the lodges. Breakfast is the combination of variety and choices from the varied cuisine and is usually served in the park, during the safari itself.
ACCESS TO INTERNET
All lodges have basic internet connection. The offices in the lodges have an extra computer which can be used free of cost for emailing. Internet may not be reliable at all times as breakdowns take time to fix as we are remotely located.
WHAT TO PACK
Practical colors to wear to the park are khaki, beige and white in all seasons. Please avoid bright and flashy clothing and strong perfumes/deodorant. It is advisable not to wear sandals or shorts during nature walks
Here are some of our packing suggestions:
- Light cotton trousers & cotton shorts
- Light cotton shirts (long & short sleeved)
- Cotton socks & comfortable walking shoes
- Sandals
- Showerproof rain jacket/ windbreaker
- Hats, sunglasses & scarves
- Sunscreen
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Insect Repellents
For winters, pack extra:
- Heavy woolen clothing
- Woolen hats
- Scarves and gloves
- Fleece
CAN YOU ACCOMMODATE SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS OR MEDICAL CONDITIONS?
Yes, we can accommodate all special dietary requirements but need advance notice to ensure that all arrangements are in place.
As for the medical conditions, please discuss the conditions with your travel advisor before your experience so that we can make appropriate arrangements.
CAN I CUSTOMIZE THE EXPERIENCES I'VE SEEN ON YOUR WEBSITE?
Yes, please feel free to reach out to us in case you want to get a customized itinerary according to your preferred destinations, accommodations, interests, and requirements. For e.g. number of days or friends and family members you want to travel with.
SHOULD I PURCHASE TRAVEL INSURANCE AND HEALTH INSURANCE?
We strongly recommend that our travelers buy comprehensive travel and health insurance before coming on an Ameliya Safari experience. Should you require any assistance with purchasing such policies, our travel advisors will be happy to assist you.
WHAT ARE THE MODES OF PAYMENT?
We accept wire transfers, debit/credit cards, and UPI payments. Please note that a 2% gateway fee is applicable for cards.
KNOW MORE ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS
To know more about INDIA, click here.
To know more about BANDHAVGARH, click here.
To know more about AGRA, click here.