Expansive valleys, ancient monasteries and mysterious mountain lakes
Our trip covers several distinctive and unique locations in Ladakh providing a wide variety of photo opportunities.
The sights of Leh and its ancient monasteries, colourfully dressed monks, fading prayer flags and the soft chime of prayer wheels echoing across ancient valleys. Enclosed in a narrow valley where the early and late light brings a wonderful glow to the local rocks.
Followed by a trip across the Gadang La, the highest motorable road in the world at 18,300 feet, to the dramatically beautiful and expansive Nubra Valley. There are many opportunities for panoramas where even wide angle lenses fail to convey the scale of the valley. Opportunities too for close ups in the sands of Hundar.
After that a visit to the remote and mysterious landscape and waters of Pangong Tso across the Chang La pass – the third highest motorable road in the world. The lakes colour varies from the iconic iridescent blues and greens under full sun to more muted atmospheric tones as the weather and light patterns change. This is really a place where a lack of sun creates even more opportunities for creative photography. An ideal place for early morning and late evening long exposures.
The photo safari provides an opportunity to experience and photograph this ancient yet vibrant environment and culture. With the support and service provided by us, you will have access to all of your equipment and the flexibility you need to make sure you capture the picture you want.
Tailored for Photographers
- Wide range of types of shots – macro to wide angle to panorama
- On site processing of images in the field accelerating learning
- Small groups (6 or less) to increase learning – sharing and reviewing as we go
- Work at your own pace with your own gear
- Generators and back up of data all on tour
- Support and advice from the Hindustan Trekking Company’s lead photographer
Costs and what is involved
Cost: £1,900 per person – based on a group of 5.
The above cost includes:
- Airport transfers where applicable in the Itinerary.
- A senior member of the Hindustan trekking company team as team leader,
- Full board and lodging as mentioned in the Itinerary,
- Full camping gear including sleeping tents on twin sharing, sleeping mats, dining tent, toilet tent, kitchen tent,
- Full compliment of camp and trekking staff,
- Porters / Ponies / Yaks, to carry our gear,
- Hiring of vehicles as per the itinerary,
- Visit to Monasteries as mentioned in the itinerary,
- Hiring of Monastery guides where applicable.
The above cost does not include:
- Insurance,
- Emergency evacuation,
- Hotel in any place other than what’s mentioned in the itinerary,
- Cost due to illness or natural disaster,
- Laundry,
- International flights.
Trek Dates
| Arrive in Leh on 8th July Depart from Leh on 17th July |
| Arrive in Leh on 19th July Depart from Leh on 28th July |
| Arrive in Leh on 30th July Depart from Leh on 8th August |
The itinerary at a glance
Day 1:
Pick up from Leh airport and transfer to Hotel for acclimatization to the altitude. Overnight: Hotel – Leh (11500 ft).
Day 2:
Half day tour of Leh, visiting, ‘Sankar’, ‘Shanti Stupa’ and ‘Leh Palace’. Taking pictures in and around Leh of the people and the market place and one of the key locations for sunset shots. Overnight: Hotel – Leh (11500 ft).
Day 3:
We visit two important Ladakhi monasteries – Thikse for morning prayers and Hemis. Thikse in particular gives a really good opportunity for expansive shots of the Indus valley and the monks praying inside the monastery.
In the afternoon we will set off for the Nubra Valley crossing over the Khardung La pass, the highest motorable pass in the world with spectacular scenery and memorable landscapes and panoramas en route. Overnight: Camp in the Nubra Valley.
Days 4 and 5:
We spend two days in the Nubra Valley where we will be taking a variety of shots across the wide expanse of the main valley and the two ‘forks’ branching to the north. We will be starting early and finishing late to make the most of the best light. There are a number of notable viewpoints where we will be able to make full use of tripods, filters lenses and panormamas.
We will also spend an early morning exploring the sand dunes, lakes and windswept features in Hundar, a gem of a place with resident Bactrian camels for wildlife shots. Overnight: Camp – Nubra Valley
Day 6:
Head back to Leh in preparation for the drive to Pangong Tso the following day. We will get more opportunities to explore Leh and its surroundings. Overnight: Hotel – Leh (11500 ft).
Days 7 and 8:
Another dramatic day as we head across the Chang La pass – the third highest motorable road in the world – giving more opportunities for shots of the high peaks in the Ladakh range.
Pangong Tso is an endorheic lake (a closed lake with no out flow) that accounts for its famously vivid blue waters under full sun – an impressive and iconic shot.
Whatever the weather there are opportunities to take some impressive images in such a minimalist and striking environment. Early mornings long exposures and a haven for migrating birds. The lake itself is a very still and peaceful place and a good spot for quiet reflection. Overnight: Camp – Pangong Tso
Day 9:
Head to Leh back over the Chang La pass. We will get to Leh late afternoon for some an opportunity to catch those last photographs before our farewell dinner and review of the weeks photos. Overnight: Hotel – Leh (11500 ft).
Day 10:
Transfer to Leh airport to catch the flight back to Delhi.
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