Ladakh Expedition – Monasteries, Villages, Mountains and Festivals

Highlights

• Pangong Lake brilliant turquoise waters
• Lamayuru, Thiksey, Alchi and Hemis monasteries
• Tsomoriri Lake and rare birdlife
• Changpa Nomads
• Nubra Valley
• Himalayan snow peaks
• Two humped Bactrian camels and sand dunes
• Cross High altitude passes Warila and Khardungla
• Views of K2 & Karakoram
• Dak-Thok Tse-Chu Festival at Dak Thok monastery
• Panamic village & hot springs
• Remote cliff top monasteries
• Spectacular flights over Himalayas
• Stok Palace
• Basgo Fort

General Summary

We are really excited to introduce our new photographic expedition to Ladakh exploring the very best that this remote Buddhist country can offer the adventure travel photographer. Ladakh, or “Little Tibet” as it is known is one of the most remote areas of India and it lies to the north of the Himalayas on the Tibetan Plateau and south of the K2 and the Karakorams. Remaining isolated for centuries to the outside world, Ladakh has a rich cultural and religious heritage that is little changed, it offers photographers stark but stunning scenery, phenomenal mountain ranges and remote valleys, the haunting sound of monks chanting, high altitude turquoise lakes of the Tibetan plateau, rare bird-life, nomadic settlements, centuries old monasteries perched atop craggy cliffs, ancient forts, traditional villages, palaces and humble homes. We meet local people from all walks of life; the hospitality of the local people whose homes we visit is unsurpassed, we observe the annual harvest rituals giving a rare insight into their way of life and culture – this a really special photographic journey that has been carefully planned to soak up the very best of this enchanting and memorable land. Participants will be accompanied at all times by a local and very knowledgeable Ladakhi Guide, Professional Photographer Martin Sammtleben and Photographer/Guide Geraldine Westrupp – be prepared to be totally blown away by this expedition and come home with travel images second to none!

A Very Brief Itinerary

For full details see the trip dossier PDF (1.5MB)

Day 1 Delhi

Meet in Delhi, dinner and briefing

Day 2 Flight to Leh

An early morning flight over the Himalaya to Leh, transfer to hotel for rest acclimatisation.

Day 3 Leh

Exploration of Leh including Shanti Stupa to photograph sun set on the Indus Valley.

Day 4 Alchi

We visit the beautiful Likir and Ridzong monasteries en route to Alchi

Day 5 Lamayuru

Amongst the oldest monasteries of Ladakh, Lamayuru stands dramatically against a unique moon like landscape.

Day 6 Basgo Fort

A typical Ladakhi breakfast in the family kitchen of the Namra home and the imposing Basgo Fort. Return to Leh.

Day 7 Dak-Thok Tse-Chu Festival

Mystic dances are performed by the Lamas in the guise of various divinities and legendary characters at Dak Thok monastery

Day 8 Nubra Valley

Drive to the Nubra Valley crossing the Khardungla 5596m, the highest road pass in the world.

Day 9 Panamic and Aentsa Monastery

Evening a colourful cultural program organized by the village women of Kyagar

Day 10 Warila pass and Pangong Lake

Drive across Warila through amazing landscape where villagers have seen few foreigners.

Day 11 Pangong Lake and Thiksey

On the border of China, Pangong’s myriad of colors change with the light.

Day 12 Tsomoriri Lake

Early morning chants and prayers Thiksey and snowy peaks reflected in Tsomoriri Lake

Day 13 Tsomoriri Lake

The lake and and Changpo nomad settlements.

Day 14 Return to Leh

Back in Leh for some last minute shopping, the end of expedition dinner and apresentation of images

Day 15 Fly to Delhi

Early morning flight from Leh. WPH services end here.
Participants can proceed to International airport for late afternoon/early evening homeward flights
or
We can arrange for you to spend a night in a Delhi hotel before an airport transfer the following day.

Included

• Airport transfers
• 13 nights accommodation Ladakh
• 1 night hotel Delhi with breakfast
• All meals, in Ladakh
• All transport
• Professional photographic tutor/tuition
• Wild Photography Holiday guide/coordinator
• Local Ladakhi guide
• Entrance fees to monasteries.
• Return Delhi/Leh flights

Not included

• International flights
• Dinner in Delhi
• Tips

Taj Mahal extension

Please enquire about a 3 day Taj Mahal extension 00354 5888939

Complete itinerary and full details

This page is only a brief summary. A complete itinerary and full details can be found in the trip dossier PDF. It is important that you read the full day-to-day description and further information for this holiday before making your booking. Better still give us a call and chat to Geraldine who has been travelling to Ladakh since 1991!
00354 5888939