We, at Dolkhar, understand that a building is more than just a structure- it is, in fact, a physical manifestation of our ideas and desires beyond the confines of pure function. We have spent innumerable hours dedicated to consciously creating our seven villas so that they represent Ladakh while holding very closely our ideals of community and sustainability. Structures at Dolkhar are made out of locally sourced materials using local techniques of construction and by local artisans. For instance, we have used the compressed stabilised earth blocks [CSEB] for the building, local willow and poplar wood for the roofs, traditional columns and beams for structural support and we have collaborated with over forty Ladakhi craftspeople from different villages on embellishing the interiors with the use of local materials. The whole developmental process aims at creating a zero waste and zero plastic ecosystem.
Additionally, we also have a travel desk to help you get the most out of your experience by creating an itinerary that is customised as per your travel needs. To help you unwind and completely immerse into the landscape we have a spa and a terrace bar. We also offer meditation, yoga and pottery sessions on request at our terrace activity space.
Adorned by the very essential rays of bewildered sunlight are the layered walls of Dolkhar’s seven duplex luxury villas.(local architecture/ local materials/ exposed talu ldungma/ stone wall- colors of the mountains) with a rabsal Ladakhi balcony on top and a private patio on the ground floor.
The rooms at Dolkhar are a perfect reflection of how we experience the landscape of Ladakh as the stone walls of the room share the same colours as the mountains outside and the ceiling made of exposed "talu ldungma" is a reminder of the long stretches of poplar that come back to life in the spring every year.
The villas also come with a "rabsal" Ladakhi balcony and a private patio on the ground floor.As an extension of our love for local and handmade, our rooms are stylistically elevated by the sheep and yak wool rugs hand woven by women from Kharnak, Changtang, our cushion covers and throws have been made by "Superb Ladakh"- a local weaving unit, we use locally made wooden barrels called "dzems" as dustbins, our laundry bags and notepads have been made from waste by our differently abled friends at Pagir (People’s Action Group for Inclusion and Rights) and our soaps are locally made from apple/sea buckthorn/apricot by ‘Ladags Organic Store’.
Amenities have been custom made for Dolkhar by ‘Bare Necessities’- a zero waste, non polluting, community driven product and service company, our toilet paper and napkins- recycled and eco friendly come from GoodKarma. The coffee in our rooms has been custom made by Billi Hu and is a perfect blend of Robusta beans and two kinds of differently processed Arabica beans. The combination gives the coffee a full robust body and the most lovely acidity. (The Arabica beans are sourced from Kalledevarapura, Karnataka and the Robusta beans from Harley Estate, Karnataka.) Our tea (buckwheat/ seabuckthorn/barley/ Ladakhi wild herbal) is sourced locally.
At Dolkhar, we operate under the belief that to truly connect with the world around you, you must connect with the world within- both body and mind.
Our spa services facilitate just that journey for you. We offer a range of meditational, transcendental and therapeutic spa rituals that of course, in spirit of all things Dolkhar, use indigenous ingredients and practices that are rooted in tradition.
We also have a steam shower and sauna that we made in an attempt to create the most peaceful healing atmosphere for you.
Overlooking the property, surrounded by the great big expanse of beautiful mountains is our terrace bar-an exclusive space for our beloved in house guests.
We serve here, the most ingenious, inventive signature cocktails made from carefully picked local ingredients.Our bar menu also boasts a rich selection of classic cocktails and in house made liqueurs.
Ladakh is a valley perched between the high Himalayan mountain ranges. A valley that has a history wrapped up around so much folklore that it is difficult to tell fact from fiction. It is a traveler's dreamland for its beautiful landscapes of purple and grey mountains, for its lakes that reinvent shades of blue, for flora and fauna unlike anywhere else in the country and for people that are deeply connected to their culture in the face of the most rapid attempts at industrialisation the world has seen.
Dolkhar is ideally located in Tukcha at the heart of the main town, Leh. The boutique stay is close enough so that you have access to everything you might need while still being far enough so you hear only "the mountains echo".