Ladakh Mountains and Monasteries

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.