OUR STORY
A Family. A Village. A Life Shaped by the Mountains.
A Home in Snow Leopard Country
For generations, our family has lived in Uley. We do not really know how far back the story goes, but we know that our ancestors spent their lives here, surrounded more by wild animals and mountains than by other villages.
Life here was once very hard and unforgiving. There were no roads, no electricity, and very little connection to the outside world. People lived with the land, the seasons, the livestock, and the wildlife around them. Slowly, Uley opened up — with roads, electricity, and basic connections that changed village life.
Every trail, field, ridge, and valley around us carries a story — of our ancestors, village life, wildlife, patience, and generations of living close to nature.
The Norboo Family
From Our Family to Yours
This is our family home, led by our father, Norboo and with a close team from Uley and the surrounding villages. Everyone brings a deep knowledge of the land, wildlife, and local way of life.
Tsewang Norboo
The Man Who Reads the Mountains
Our story begins with Tsewang Norboo, founder of Shan at Uley and one of Ladakh’s most respected snow leopard spotters. Born and raised in Uley, Norboo grew up as a shepherd, farmer, horseman, and builder. Long before tourism reached the village, he knew these mountains through daily life — the ridgelines, animal trails, weather patterns, and quiet signs of wildlife movement. Over the years, his patience, instinct, and deep field knowledge made him one of the most trusted names in snow leopard tracking. Today, his understanding of the land forms the heart of Shan at Uley’s winter expeditions.
Morup & The Next Generation
Carrying the Story Forward
Shan at Uley is now carried forward by the next generation of the family, with the guidance of his dad, Norboo.
Morup Namgail, an award-winning wildlife photographer and naturalist from Uley, brings together the family’s deep mountain knowledge with his own passion for wildlife, photography, conservation, and storytelling.
Through Shan at Uley, Morup helps create experiences that are personal, meaningful, and rooted in the landscape.
Winter & Summer
Two Seasons. One Landscape.
In winter, Uley becomes one of Ladakh’s finest snow leopard habitats. Guests spend their days with expert local spotters, scanning ridges, following signs, and learning the quiet patience of the mountains.
In summer, Uley reveals a softer side. Clear skies, village fields, cycling routes, wildlife walks, short treks, outdoor meals, and stargazing create a slower and more intimate way to experience Ladakh.
Whether covered in snow or glowing under summer light, Uley always invites you to experience something extra ordinarary.
Conservation & Community
Travel That Supports the Land
Our family has always depended on livestock, including sheep, cattle, and yaks. We have also lived with frequent losses to snow leopards, wolves, and more recently Khipshang, the wolf-dog hybrids found in this region. For years, the conflict felt endless.
With time, we began to understand the role these predators play in keeping the mountains healthy. Tourism gave us a practical way to support local livelihoods while giving people a reason to protect wildlife.
We’re still learning and finding small solutions that make a real difference. Our hope is for Uley to grow without losing its wildlife or its way of life, so people and predators can continue to share this landscape.
Our Team
The People Behind Shan at Uley
Shan at Uley is shaped by a small and dedicated team — family members, local spotters, guides, cooks, drivers, and hospitality staff who know this land deeply.
Together, we create warm, personal, and thoughtful experiences for every guest who comes to Uley.
Tsewang Norboo
Owner / Head spotter
Tsewang Dorjay A
Senior spotter
Tsewang Dorjay B
Senior spotter
Stanzin Thinless
Junior spotter
The team that enhances your experience
More Than a Lodge
Shan at Uley is more than a place to stay.
It is our home, our village, and our way of sharing Ladakh with the world. Built on family knowledge, wildlife experience, and a deep respect for the land, Shan at Uley welcomes travellers who want to experience the Himalayas with meaning, patience, and heart.
Your story with the Himalayas begins here.