Wild Photography Holidays - Photography & Adventure Travel: Ladakh Expedition – Monasteries, Nomads, Mountains and Festivals

Ladakh Expedition – Monasteries, Nomads, Mountains and Festivals

Highlights include…

• Lamayuru and Thiksey monasteries
• Changpa Nomads
• Nubra Valley of flowers
• Himalayan snow peaks
• Two humped Bactrian camels and sand dunes
• Cross high mountain passes Warila and Khardungla
• Views of Karakoram
• Korzok Gustor Festival
• Tso Moriri Lake
• Remote cliff top monasteries
• Spectacular flights over Himalayas
• Basgo Fort
• Home-stay beneath Monastery

General Summary

Our adventurous photographic expedition to Ladakh continues to be hugely popular, and rightfully so. We explore 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 have the opportunity to meet local people from all walks of life, children, monks, the elderly, farmers, shopkeepers; 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.

This expedition is not for the faint-hearted, it is a full on adventure with several nights out in very remote areas including three nights in tented accommodation (attached bathroom) by the stunning Tso Moriri Lake home of the Changpo nomads. We cross two of the worlds highest road passes.

Staying mostly in family run hotels and eating local produce we are really contributing to the local community. Our contacts with the Changpo Nomads are strong and we are involved in various projects that aim to enhance their health and well being. Participants will be accompanied at all times by a local and very knowledgeable Ladakhi Guide. Be prepared to be totally blown away by this expedition and come home with a deep insight into the Ladakhi way of life with travel images second to none!

Brief Itinerary

For full details please download the PDF trip description

Day 1: Delhi Airport

We meet together in the early evening for introductions, a trip briefing and dinner at a good airport hotel which allows us to transfer in a short time for our next day early morning flight to Leh.
Delhi Airport Hotel

Day 2: Flight to Leh

An early morning flight over the Himalaya to Leh, transfer to hotel for rest acclimatisation and a gentle visit to Shanti Stupa which overlooks the Indus valley. We will be here for sunset.
Hotel Leh

Day 3: Lamayuru

This morning we leave Leh early to photograph Basgo, Alchi and the amazing ‘moonland landscape’ around Lamayuru.
Hotel

Day 4-5: Lamayuru

One of the oldest and most dramatic monasteries in Ladakh, Lamayuru perches atop craggy rock walls set in a unique moon like landscape. We explore yak herders summer settlement and Lamayuru village.
Hotel Lamayuru

Day 6-7: Return to Leh

Return to Leh in the morning stopping en route to photograph. We will spend two 2 relaxing days in Leh to allow us to photograph and explore the area further plus spend time reviewing our images and preparing for the 3 nights expedition to the Korzok Festival.
Hotel Leh

Day 8-10: Tso Moriri & Korzok Gustor Festival

We set off for Tsomoriri Lake, on the way we visit Thiksey Monastery for the monks morning Puja and travel through the remote Rupshu valley well off the tourist trail.

Korzok Gustor Festival
Mystic dances are performed by the Lamas. We have allowed two whole days here to make sure we cover the best events of the festival, we also have the chance to explore this high altitude lake, our friends the Changpo nomads and the spectacular surrounding landscapes.
Tso Moriri Lakeside Camp

Day 11: Return to Leh

Return to Leh through Mahe and the Indus Valley
Hotel Leh

Day 12-14: Nubra Valley

Leaving Leh early we set off for the Nubra Valley crossing the high mountain pass of Khardung La. The Nubra valley is often known as the valley of flowers. We stay in the pretty village of Hundur close to Diskit Monastery. Photographic attractions include, sand dunes, Bactrian Camels, fine landscape, village and monastery life.
Hotel Nubra

Day 15-16 Nubra – Chemrey Monastery Leh

This morning we leave Nubra early to travel back to Leh via one of the highest and most remote roads in the world. En route we will be privileged to witness life unchanged, herds of yaks, the occasional shepherds settlement and striking mountain landscape. The journey finishes in the lush valley where we find Chemrey Monastery a superb old monastery, full of character and is very photogenic. Following tea with a local Chemrey family we head to Leh
Hotel Leh

Day 16: Leh

We have chosen to spend a final day in Leh to allow guests to explore this interesting and colourful hub of Ladakh. The street photography is superb and the opportunity for a final sunset over the monastery and mountains from Shanti Stupa is not to be missed. In the evening we will enjoy a final celebratory meal and image presentation by the guests and tutors.
Hotel Leh

Day 17: Delhi

Early morning flight from Leh-Delhi. WPH services end here. Participants can proceed to International airport for late afternoon/early evening homeward flights. We can arrange for you to spend a night in a Delhi hotel before an airport transfer the following day.This is not included in the trip price)

What’s Included

• Airport transfers to hotel on Day 1
• 12 nights hotel in Ladakh
• 3 nights tented accommodation with attached bathroom
• 1 night hotel Delhi with dinner & breakfast (day 1)
• All meals in Ladakh
• All transport
• Professional photographic tutor/tuition
• Wild Photography Holidays guide/coordinator
• Local Ladakhi guide
• Entrance fees to monasteries
• Return Delhi-Leh-Delhi flights

What’s Not included

• International flights
• Insurance
• Tips
• Soft drinks and alcoholic drinks
• Anything not mentioned above

Taj Mahal extension

Please enquire about a 3-day Taj Mahal extension.

Complete Itinerary and Full Details

The complete itinerary and further details can be found in the trip description PDF It is important that you read this full day-to-day description and further information for this holiday before making your booking.