We will arrive at Leh this morning and check in to our comfortable hotel. This is a day for rest and acclimatization and by an ice-breaker session in the evening.
In the remotest corners of Ladakh at altitudes well above ten thousand feet, in places where the roads are nothing more than a patch of tyre marks in the grass, where telephone lines are unheard of and electricity is a dull flicker of tungsten bulbs powered by a tiny solar panel, a community of Changpa nomads have thrived for longer than a millennium rearing their livestock–Yaks, sheep and cows–and living with minimal resources.
The Life of Changpa Nomads Photography Tour is designed to understand and photograph the life of Changpa Nomads, staying among them by their camps in the highlands of Changthang, Ladakh. This unique photography experience is crafted and led by India’s finest travel photographers with years of experience travelling in the mountains, working closely with the nomad community.
Leh, Ladakh UT
IXL, Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport Leh
Aug 28,2026
Sept 05, 2026
Suitable for the Cold mountains and expedition camping
INR 116,450 / Per Person
Trip Start from Leh
Transportation during the tour in non-A/C vehicles.
Accommodation on a twin-sharing basis in hotel and single tent during camping
All meals during the tour, starting with dinner on Day 1 and breakfast on last day
Photography-related services as mentioned in the itinerary.
Services of your photography mentor during the tour.
Inner line permits and all entry fees
Power invertor for camera euipment charging during camping.
Travel to Leh and return travel from Leh to your location.
Travel insurance and Visa related expenses
Additional food, snacks or beverages ordered.
All expenses of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, etc.
We will arrive at Leh this morning and check in to our comfortable hotel. This is a day for rest and acclimatization and by an ice-breaker session in the evening.
After a leisurely breakfast, we check-out and head to a village near Leh. This is a day to take it easy and continue to acclimatize, though we will spend some time photographing people at the village, and also walking around the village with our cameras, interacting with people and enjoying the mountain weather. We will also have ample time for some photography discussions and to interact with the mentors and rest of the group. Overnight will be at Leh.
On the morning of Day 3, after a leisurely breakfast, we start our uphill drive to Changthang. We should be there late afternoon, giving us ample time to settle down and perhaps plan a few quick rendezvous with changpa people. The process of getting to know our changpa friends, interact with them and perhaps making some images would have begun today.
On Days 4 to 7, we will spend the entire day hanging out with Changpa, meeting families and following the herders. Our Changpa tour leader and photography mentor will be with you all along, facilitating the interactions and helping you in all aspects of photography. Depending on the photography opportunities available, we may break camp and shift settlements as needed. Expect these days to be full of very unique experiences that you will never forget. And indeed, along the way, make photographs that you would never have imagined making until now!
We drive back towards Leh this morning. While you have enjoyed being in the middle of nowhere in amazing locations with interesting people, until now staying at campsites, you will again be relishing the luxury of creature-comforts this evening.
By now the group would have bonded so well, if our experiences in the past trips are to go by, we would already be making next travel plans. We spend the evening hours sharing our experiences and pouring over an awesome collection of images over dinner.
The tour ends this morning.
This tour is for everyone who would love to interact with, learn about and photograph the Changpa settlements high up in the Changthang region. We will be travelling to places that are less visited by tourists.
The tour is designed to help participants learn the nuances of making beautiful photographs of people and their way of living. It’s as much about understanding the way of life as it is about photography. Note that the participants are not required to be experts in photography. Beginners and newbies, as well as serious photographers, benefit from our personalised attention to photography sessions and on-field assistance. Non-photographers interested in exploring the region are welcome too.
Yes. We visit many beautiful places in the region, and having a good time during the trip is as much on the agenda as photography is. However, non-photographers should note that our itineraries are designed keeping photography in mind. We are generally slower than typical travel itineraries and don’t make a long sightseeing list.
Yes, you can. There is much enjoyable about this tour, in learning about the way of life of Changpa people. Your partner will enjoy the journey with the group. However, non-photographers should note that our itineraries are designed keeping photography in mind. We are generally slower than typical travel itineraries and don’t make a long sightseeing list. Please note that we do not offer a separate non-photographer pricing.
Yes. We visit many beautiful places in the region, and having a good time during the trip is as much on the agenda as photography is. However, non-photographers should note that our itineraries are designed keeping photography in mind. We are generally slower than typical travel itineraries and don’t make a long sightseeing list.
No, this is primarily a driving trip. Most of the places we go to will be reached through vehicles. But we may, depending on the needs, be doing some short-duration walking at a few places. There are no long distance walks or full-day hikes. Nor do we have walking as a necessity to reach a destination, which means that you may opt out and rest instead of going on a walk if you feel tired. We believe that most people in reasonably good health should not have any problems with most of the activities through the tour. Speak to us if you have any doubts.
People who are generally fit to manage their day-to-day life independently should normally not have any problems attending this tour. People of any age group can visit as well – visitors over the age of 60 are routinely seen walking around in several places across Ladakh.
However, we suggest that you check with your doctor once, especially if you are suffering any chronic illnesses like asthma, blood pressure or heart ailments.
Accommodation will be in comfortable hotels while we are in Leh. On the remaining days, we’ll travel with full camping gear and stay in the mountains in true expedition style.
A dedicated kitchen team will prepare meals and assist with setting up camp. Each participant will be provided with a personal tent, along with a mattress and an appropriate sleeping bag.
Changpa are a nomadic community of pastoralists living in the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh and Tibet. They raise yak, sheep and cows and shift their location with season depending on the availability of grass and water. Most of their campsites are situated well above 10,000 feet, sometime as high as 15,000 feet! Despite the extreme altitude and severe weather, they have thrived in these inhospitable places for many centuries.
Many areas of Changthang can be accessed by roads, sometimes little more than mud-tracks or tyre-marks in the grass. The places we visit are accessible by vehicles from Leh (around 5-6 hours) and don’t require us to go on treks.
We begin from Leh and steadily drive further up the mountains. We camp out while we are in Changtahng to enable us to stay among the changpa, allowing us to interact with them closely. While these aren’t exactly the most comfortable accommodation you have ever stayed in, you will totally love the experience.
This is a time when the summer has retreated and temperature is dipping, but the harsh winter has not yet arrived. Expect day-time temperatures in the range of 10C to 20C. It is usually single digits in the night and may touch zero and below. You should be packing for cold weather. The skies are usually clear this time of the year, and sunshine is abundant all through the day.
– 25% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations earlier than 60 days before the start of a tour.
– 50% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations between 59 days and 45 days before the start of a tour.
– 80% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations between 44 days and 31 days before the start of a tour.
– No refund for cancellation within 30 days of the tour start date or for a no-show.
Cancellations have to be communicated via an email to photography@darter.in. The date of email receipt in our account will be used to apply the cancellation policy mentioned above.
Note:The itinerary is designed with a keen focus on photographing the life of Changpa People, and not centered on seeing well-known sights/places. The itinerary may be subject to change, depending on photography opportunities available, weather conditions and any other factors that may affect the journey.
*We need minimum 5 pax to run this trip.
Born and brought up in the city of Guwahati, Arpan Kalita is a Travel Documentary and Landscape Photographer whose ‘serious’ journey into the captivating realm of photography commenced in 2012. Stepping away from the conventional path, he found solace and purpose in capturing the essence of the world around him. His love affair with nature blossomed during childhood vacations spent exploring the enchanting landscapes of Arunachal Pradesh, his uncle’s workplace. Each trip became a canvas of inspiration, cultivating his deep-seated appreciation for the beauty that nature and diverse cultures offer. Photography for Arpan transcended the mere act of clicking pictures; it became a sanctuary, a vessel to encapsulate his unique vision. As he ventured deep into the Himalayas, his perspective on travel underwent a remarkable transformation. The camera lens became his window to new horizons, unveiling the intricate beauty and hidden treasures of each place he visited. He has been fortunate to witness the breathtaking beauty of the world, where nature’s kindness and people’s compassionate hearts shine brightly. Yet, along with these moments of awe-inspiring beauty came challenges that fueled his determination to make a positive change. Beyond his photographic pursuit, Arpan is a dedicated photography educator, sharing his wealth of knowledge and passion for the craft with aspiring photographers. As a distinguished Canon India Mentor, he imparts invaluable insights to budding talents, guiding them through the intricacies of the art form. His commitment to education extends beyond the classroom, fostering a community of enthusiasts eager to explore the world through the lens. Arpan Kalita, with his unique blend of artistic vision and instructive expertise, continues to inspire and shape the next generation of visual storytellers.
Photography holidays in the picturesque Himalayan highlands with rich immersive experiences of landscapes and culture.
Manish Lakhani
+91 99988 66669Shreeram MV
+91 97400 83260
Thanks Manish for organising a smooth and hassle-free trip as always. Also, thanks to everyone for making it such a memorable experience. Looking forward to meeting you all sometime soon.
Thank You Manish ji for all guidance . This trans will continue next few months with post processing . A very cool trip .
Thanks to everyone on a memorable trip.
It was a very memorable trip - for the mesmerizing theyyams and all you amazing people!
Thank you Manish for all your efforts in arranging this!
Thanks Manish for the great experience at my home town. Learned a lot about Theyyam and Insights on Photography from you. Hope to join more trips with you.It was great experience knowing each of you from different places and countries. We all had a great time.
All good check in as always Manish thanks for the great experience really enjoyed my time.