Lchang Nang the House of Trees Location: Nubra Valley, Ladakh (India)
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
Lchang Nang The House of Trees Location: Nubra Valley, Ladakh (India) A lush garden in the midst of high altitude desert, surrounded by views of the Himalayan and Karakoram Mountains, and bordered by the Nubra River. ● Located in Tiggur (Teggar / Tiger), a traditional Ladakhi village on the Silk Route ● 4-6 hours from Leh via Khardung La ● 4-5 hours from Pangong Lake ● ~1 hour from Hunder Sand Dunes ● 15 minutes from Sumur (Sumoor) Sand Dunes Location: Nubra Valley, Ladakh (India) Lchang Nang is a splash of verdant green in the high-desert Trans-Himalayan valley. Located in Teggar (Tiggur/Tiger) village and about 10 minutes from Sumor (Sumur/Sumoor), it takes between 4-6 hours for guests to reach the property from Leh by way of Khardung La. 45 minutes from Diskit and about an hour from Hunder, Teggar Village remains true to its Ladakhi past and is away from the well trodden tourist path of the other side of the valley (and it’s noise/light pollution), while still offering day trips to all of the main attractions. Our guests and their drivers usually arrive from Leh (4-6 hour journey), Pangong Lake (4-5 hour journey), or Turtuk (3.5 hour journey) excited to relax in the peace and quiet of our garden resort. We recommend a minimum of 2 nights, and an optimal 3 nights, for our guests to fully explore the area and also rest between long days in the car. Background and Concept “Respect for the past, with an eye to the future” Background and Concept Lchang Nang is owned by an old Ladakhi family, the Kalons, who have lived in Teggar village for generations and have owned the 25 acres we are located on for many decades. Four years ago, the eldest son Rigzin Kalon launched an Eco Resort Initiative called Lchang Nang, “The House of Trees.” The Lchang Nang concept is based in respect for the past, with an eye to the future. The kiss of Ladakhi culture can be seen throughout the architecture, techniques for maintaining the grounds, as well as the cuisine. Lchang Nang also maintains a vision for a sustainable future through eco-conscious initiatives. For example, the property is primarily powered through solar energy, which is plentiful in sunny Ladakh. We also offer our guests filtered glacial snowmelt for both drinking and bathing purposes, reducing our reliance on single use plastics. While the primary owner, Rigzin, lives in Leh, his family live in a house just a 10 minute walk away from the property and frequently visit to ensure that the implementation of traditional Ladakhi customs stays true to local culture. The family also owns and operates apricot orchards, offering homemade products to guests who are looking for authentic souvenirs from the area (apricot jam, apricot oil, roasted barley, and an expanding line of other products). Background and Concept The guests who are happiest at Lchang Nang have a respect for nature and the beauty of traditional culture undiluted by the heavy tourist traffic of the other side of Nubra Valley. Instead of televisions in the room, we offer unparalleled views of the mountains, the chorus of birdsong, and some of the best night skies in the world (with regular views of the milky way). They enjoy farm-to-table cuisine that spans the influence of local Ladakhi dishes, Indian, Chinese, and Continental. They understand that in a remote area, wifi may be intermittent, but the ongoing dance of clouds over the surrounding mountains is ever-present. When each guest checks in, our team provides a guided tour that explains the concept of the property, shares information about our dining times and options (and solicits information about dietary preferences and restrictions), provides an overview of the complimentary activities scheduled, points out key elements of the property while walking to the cottage, and helps to get guests settled with a few key points about the cottage. We believe this personal touch is crucial to making guests feel comfortable and at home during their stay with us, and we also understand that some groups may be tired after the day’s journey, so our tour is customized based on each group. Cottages: Exterior Cottages: Exterior Our 17 cottages, constructed using traditional methods with local materials (river rocks, mud, and poplar wood, no concrete) are distributed throughout the property in a way that allows each to leverage the natural resources unique to our area. All of our cottages have their own private garden sitout offering mountain views. Based on the placement of century-old elm trees, some cottages even have hammocks for true relaxation in nature. Cottage Types: - Nomad King - Freestanding double-occupancy rooms with a King-sized bed and sunbed. - Tranquil Twin - Freestanding double-occupancy rooms with a King-sized bed that can be separated into twin beds, with the option to add a third bed. - Family Cottage - Two interconnected cottages (separated by double doors), each with a King-sized bed that can be separated into twin beds, with the option to add a third bed. Cottages: Interior Cottages: Interior The aesthetic of our cottages is warm, clean, and modern with hints of local culture, such as ceilings constructed by poplar trees in a traditional Ladakhi manner. Each cottage has been designed keeping in mind sustainability and eco-friendly techniques, is powered by solar energy, and offers 24/7 hot water. When the nights cool off, each of our beds has a heated mattress with the ability to adjust temperature for each side of the bed. Each cottage has a phone that can call either the reception or in between cottages. Please note that we do not have TVs in the rooms and that wifi is available in our lobby. Dining Dining Our menu, a mix of Ladakhi, Indian, Chinese, and Continental dishes, is updated each day based on the ingredients available in our organic garden and the local villages. Tegar is one of the most agriculturally affluent areas in Nubra Valley, with floodplains nutrients producing sweet and abundant fruits and vegetables. In September, Apricots and Apples can be picked from the trees around our property. When we experience higher numbers of guests, we set up a buffet with upwards of 6 options of dishes. Guests are also always welcome to custom order dishes from our Chef, who takes the time to speak with each group about dietary preferences and restrictions. We also have a live kitchen, where dishes can be made to order as a production experience for our guests, such as eggs for breakfast, Ladakhi dishes for lunch, or pasta for dinner. In addition to our beautiful dining room, we are also happy to set up tables outside, with capacity both for couples seeking romance under the stars or large groups sharing laughs and making memories. Please note that while we do offer beverage service for the rooms, we we do not offer in-room food service. Dining Breakfast is served from 7:00-10:00 am and dinner from 7:00 - 9:30 pm (timings subject to change based on seasonality). During the day, we also have an a la carte snack menu that guests can order from. For guests preparing for a long journey in the car, we are happy to provide packed breakfast or lunch. Upon booking, guests (or travel agents) elect a meal plan. Our options are as follows: - European Plan (EP): Room only, no meals included - Continental Plan (CP): Breakfast included - Half Board (MAP): Two meals included (e.g. Breakfast and Dinner) - Full Board (AP): Three meals included (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) Organic Garden Organic Garden Our kitchen staff can regularly be seen harvesting carrots or plucking lettuce for the next meal from our abundant garden, which we cultivate using local techniques and organic methodology. We source our milk from family-owned cows that graze on the borders of our property. The benefits of sourcing our produce locally is threefold: the food is tastier, healthier, and better for the environment. Guests are invited to join us for daily Garden Walks, offering a tour of available produce, talks about local Ladakhi farming techniques, and explains how we source our other produce from the local area as much as possible. In September, the apricots and apples that the area is famous for also come into abundant harvest, offering sweet treats to enjoy. Sun Room and Library Sun Room and Library Our Sun Room and Library, which doubles as a yoga studio twice a day, is a fantastic place for individuals and families who would like to curl up with a good book or to break out a board game. We have plenty of seating with comfortable cushions and a daybed that is perfectly positioned to gaze at the Himalayan mountains to the South. Our bookshelves are also stacked with options for all ages and interests. We also have a projector screen (and Tata Sky connection) that can be assembled upon request to watch movies in the Sun Room. Tea Stations Tea Stations Guests can enjoy complimentary beverages (e.g. black tea, green tea, Seabuckthorn juice - a local berry harvested in the area and purchased from a local Women’s Collective, and water infused with mint or cucumber) at our two tea stations on the property while soaking in the nature or even birdwatching (guide and binoculars available upon request). Wonderland - An Alice in Wonderland-themed space in magical greenery that feels like stepping into a storybook, complete with crystals and fairytale books (pictured left). Ladakhi Kitchen - Built using antiques from the Kalon family house, some over 150 years old (pictured right).