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If you are travelling to the high Himalayas for the first time ever, look no further. Ladakh – the Himalayan realm needs no introduction! Darter’s Mountains and Monasteries Tour is specially designed to maximize photography opportunities and capture the deeper essence of Ladakh. Explore the mountains as you photograph the stark yet beautiful landscapes of Ladakh, capture the beauty of super-blue lakes, see the views from the highest motorable road in the world, watch wildlife that can be seen nowhere else in the country and witness a culture that has kept its traditions alive for almost a millennium.
So, what are you waiting for? Hop on aboard this dream photography tour! And make a memorable debut in the high Himalayas of mesmerising Ladakh.
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Darter ‘HIMALAYAN EXPERIENCES’ are photography holidays in the picturesque Himalayan highlands with rich immersive experiences of landscapes and culture. -
Tour Dates
??Sept, 2025
Tour Price₹xx,950/-
(Double Occupancy)
Max group size: 8 only
Jump to ◆ Dates and itinerary ◆ Tour Highlights ◆ Is this tour for you? ◆ Tour Price ◆ Tour Mentor ◆ Detailed Itinerary ◆ Sign Up
Dates & Itinerary
Here is the tour itinerary in brief. To understand more about the places we visit and the things we do, do not forget to see the detailed itinerary.
Tour dates: 09 to 16 Sept, 2024
The itinerary is designed with a keen focus on landscape photography and photographing the mountain regions, and not centred on seeing well-known sights/places.
Tour Highlights
FAQ and Is This Photography Tour For You?
This tour is intended for amateur as well as serious photography enthusiasts with an interest in visiting and photographing the beauty of Ladakh. No prior expertise or experience in photography is necessary, as our photographers will be there to assist you at every level. You may carry any camera – a simple aim-and-shoot or a DSLR. Travel enthusiasts who are not photographers but keen to experience the multiple facets of Ladakh can also benefit from the tour.
I am not a keen photographer. But I want to visit Ladakh with your group. Can I still join?
Yes, you can. We visit many beautiful places in Ladakh. And having a good time during the trip is as much on the agenda as photography is. Please note that we do not offer separate non-photographer pricing.
Can I bring my non-photographer partner with me?
Yes. The answer is exactly the same as in the case of the previous question. We visit many beautiful places in Ladakh and having a good time during the trip is as much on the agenda as photography is. Your partner will enjoy the journey with the group.
Is there a lot of walking/trekking involved?
Not really. We will be travelling in Ladakh in four-wheelers, as all the places we are going to are connected by road. We may do some pleasant walks in the mornings/evenings without straining ourselves. The trip is meant to be easy on your legs. But for those who want to, there are some days in the trip where you can go on long walks on your own in the wide open landscapes of Ladakh.
Ladakh’s high-altitude mountain air is thin and our bodies need to be acclimatised to the environment. We will spend the first day on arrival resting and getting used to it, to ensure that you will not have any difficulties during the tour.
What is the fitness level required for this tour? Are there any age restrictions?
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.
Also refer to our photography tours faq for more information.
Tour Price
Tour price: Rs.xx,950 per person (all-inclusive on shared occupancy). Let us know if you are looking for a single supplement.
The cost includes
The cost does not include
Accommodation
Accommodation will be in comfortable hotels on the days we are staying in Leh. At Nubra Valley (Days 03 and 04), we stay in simple but comfortable resorts in the valley. At Pangong Lake (Day 06), we will be camping in Swiss Tents near the lake.
Cancellation Policy:
– 20% of full tour fee is charged as cancellation fee on cancellation at least 45 days before tour starts
– 50% of full tour fee is charged as cancellation fee on cancellation between 44 to 21 days before tour starts
– 80% of full tour fee is charged as cancellation fee on cancellation between 20 to 7 days before tour starts
– No refunds for cancellation within six days before the start of the tour
Note:
– The itinerary mentioned in this page is subject to favourable weather and road conditions. In case of bad weather and inaccessibility to a destination, we will do our best to make alternate plans. The cost of the tour or any part of it will not be refunded in the event of unfavourable conditions anytime during the tour days.
– Dinner on Day 5 and Lunch on Day 7 is exempt from the price above. On our previous tours, we’ve seen that some participants would like to have their schedule free at that time to go shopping or just walk around Leh at their own leisure. We wouldn’t like to impose a schedule on you by having fixed dinner and lunch timings on those days.
– All participants would have to sign a Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk & Arbitration Agreement before joining the tour.
Photography Mentor: Arpan Kalita
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.
You can follow him on Instagram,Facebook and on his website.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01. Rest Day at Leh. Evenings walks in the town.
You will arrive at Leh in the morning after a flight over snowy mountains. At an altitude of 11,500 feet, the air is rarefied and it takes time for the body to get acclimatized. We’ll spend the day in the hotel so that we get used to the mountains.
This also gives us the time to orient ourselves about Ladakh and the places to where we travel on the tour. Your tour mentor will conduct sessions on landscape and travel photography in the mountains.
Day 02. Visits around Leh to a confluence of Indus and Zanskar, Basgo Fort and Shanti Stupa
Early in the morning, we head out to visit the confluence of Indus and Zanskar near Leh. As the waters of the Zanskar merge into the Indus, the landscape is almost magical. From here, we drive on to Basgo Fort, some 40km from Leh. This ancient fort, almost 5 centuries old, holds a complex of buildings that include some gompas. We’ll spend time photographing these monuments and the beautiful villages around them.
From the monastery, we will head back to the hotel for lunch and rest through the afternoon.
In the evening, we visit Shanti Stupa just outside Leh to witness the sunset and see the last rays of sun go over Leh Town and the surrounding mountains. Your mentor will work with you on photographing the majestic landscapes of Ladakh. Overnight at Leh.
Day 03. Drive from Leh to Nubra Valley via Khardung La.
Having gotten used to 10,000+ feet in height, we will now head towards the highest point that we will reach during the tour – Khardung La. Be ready to see the mountainscapes like you have never seen before. As we slowly climb up the mountains, you will see jagged snowy peaks all around. Once on top of Khardung La – the world’s highest motorable pass, you will get to see vistas that you will never forget for the rest of your life.
We will continue driving past Khardung La and descend to Nubra Valley, with its green landscapes, gushing river, gentle streams and shepherds herding their sheep. There is more! White-sand dunes in the mountains come in as a sudden surprise. We explore the sand dunes, looking for interesting perspectives to photograph. It is going to be a pleasant evening today in Nubra, amidst the sand dunes, Bactrian Camels and a beautiful sunset.
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The sand dunes near Hunder, with a photographer exploring opportunities
Day 04 Nubra Valley
Today, we drive through Nubra Valley, taking in the changing landscapes of one of India’s remotest regions. We’ll visit the incredibly beautiful Yarma village on the way to Siachen. On the way back, we visit Diskit Monastery in the evening. The huge golden statue of the Buddha here is a sight to behold.
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The dramatically located Diskit Gompa (monastery) -
Maitreya Buddha at Diskit Monastery -
Day 05 Return to Leh from Nubra Valley.
We will start the day with a walk around a small village near the resort. After breakfast, we make a slow and easy drive back to Leh, stopping whenever we wish to capture the landscapes as we pass via Khardung La. We will be back in Leh by the afternoon. You can rest through the evening or walk around Leh’s market area and do some shopping if you wish to.
Day 06 Drive to Pangong Lake, with a visit to Thiksey Monastery en route.
Early in the morning, we start our journey to Pangong Tso. Our first stop – is Thiksey Monastery. Located a short drive away from Leh, the monastery is home to more than a hundred monks and is one of the largest religious centres in the region. The haphazardly spread group of buildings on a crag has a charming beauty and its structure is sometimes compared to the giant Potala Palace in Lhasa. On a lucky day, we may be able to see extended prayers by a gathering of monks.
Driving on from Thiksey, the mountainous landscape keeps changing by the hour. After driving upstream of the Indus River for an hour, we will leave the Indus Valley and head towards the high-altitude plateau of Changthang region. On our way is another formidable mountain pass – Changa La. We get across the pass with our vehicles wading through many icy and clear streams. As we climb up, it is another opportunity to see and photograph a different view of the Zanskar Ranges. Soon after we cross Chang La, you will be surprised to see a lot of green grass, unlike the stark slopes we have just left behind. You might see cute and cuddly-looking marmots playing on the slopes.
We will drive through a narrow valley carpeted with rich green grass and streams flowing by. Look for colourful flowers along the stream bed. But this is not all; the first view of the deep-blue waters of Pangong Lake will force you to halt there and gawk at its beauty forever. At Pangong Lake, be ready for a great evening of fun and photography, with some amazing landscapes, streamscapes, and animal and bird life playing in front of your camera. We will stay by the lake tonight, watching the sun go down the mountains.
Day 07 Drive to Leh from Pangong Lake.
We wake up early to have another go at early morning photography around Pangong Lake. After breakfast, we start our journey back to Leh, stopping on the way for lunch and photography opportunities. In the evening, you are free to explore the bustling town of Leh.
Day 08. Tour ends.
A week in the highlands of Ladakh finally draws to a close. Early in the morning, we fly out of Leh with many memorable views from the aeroplane window, filled with memory cards and lots of memories for a lifetime.
Registration
Contact us at the email/numbers below to book the tour.
email: photography@darter.in
Tel: Shreeram (+91-9740083260) / Manish 9998866669
Alternatively, fill in the following form to get in touch with us regarding the tour.