WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

Known by some as little Tibet, it is a landscape transformed… vast sandy plains in the shadow of the Himalayas.

Situated in NW India and accessible from the still military run airport at Leh, the flights leave Delhi at dawn in order to be able to land without turbulence which can pick up as the day progresses.  It is situated between Kashmir to it’s West and China to the East and North and the Tibetan and Chinese influences can easily be seen and recognised.

The Tibetans took refuge in this corner of India when they were exiled in the 1960’s.  Essentially Ladakh is quite desert and hugely mountainous but has a fertile element which the local villages work hard at keeping irrigated and agriculturally productive.  As we travel through the region you will meet and be able to experience the many nomadic tribes, mainly Changpa (in the East near China ) and Bakarwal (in the West near Kashmir)  who survive a harsh life with goat breeding, camels and yak herding.

The landscape is dramatic and desolate – perfect for sweeping vistas and awe inspiring landscapes. Days can be short as the light falls quickly behind the mountains but can be very bright and clear with rich blue skies and pale beached sandstone mountains rising sharply from the flat plains.

The dominant religion in Ladakh is Buddhism and we take time to visit different monasteries, including Thiksey, Thak Tok and Basgo Gompa but as always keep an ‘organic’ and open element to each day as with small groups we can adapt as the weather, the light and the needs of the group change.

The local Ladakhi are quite shy and although portraiture and people studies are possible we advise to always work in a discreet and sympathetic way when capturing faces. There are techniques which we will discuss with you and which you can learn from and apply in other similar scenarios.

The back streets and alley ways in Leh provide fantastic street photography opportunities. Daily life in Ladakh is a million miles from what we know in the West.

Ladakh ‘Journey’ is a full on and quite demanding trip without any doubt.

Accommodation in Leh is excellent, comfortable  and more than adequate. As we venture out north to the Nubra Valley and then East to Tso Moriri it does become more ‘rustic’ and primitive. This is simply because we are  using and assisting the locals with their own homestay style accommodation. There are no hi-rise Marriots and Hiltons. Accommodation is the Nubra Valley is simple small rooms with home cooked food and limited power  after 7pm at night.

Similarly when we visit Korzok at Tso Moriri Lake we stay in specially designed tents.  AC power is limited to a few hours per evening from the local solar powered panels .  As we stay in this remote corner of the world it is a unique and distinctive trip that will yield amazing photographs of a way of life sometimes only seen in the National Geographic. We advise everyone to please just not expect 5* luxury in the middle of one of the world’s most inhospitable locations

We divide the time in Ladakh into 3 sections where we spend time in and around the immediate locale of Leh staying in a comfortable 3/4* Hotel (Spic N Span), time in the Nubra Valley and crossing KhardungLa Pass (18,380ft above sea level) and over to the sand dunes and small villages high up in the mountains, then back to Leh and heading East for a days drive to Korzok and Tso Moriri Lake.

This is a long day’s travel but rewards us with amazing landscapes, cut off and remote villages, fluttering prayer flags and remoteness like you may never imagine. The transport and logistics are handled expertly by Ladakhi drivers who are experienced in the hostile environment and high altitude driving and road conditions, while ‘Snowlion Expeditions India ‘ handle all our accommodation, internal flights and bookings.

This workshop is designed to give you an amazing experience and overall wow factor as it covers all areas and ticks all boxes; landscape, people, cultures, monasteries, festivals, villages, abandoned places, remoteness, local village life….to name but a few.

WHERE WE’LL BE STAYING

Accommodation in Delhi will be updated nearer the time but is usually in the Ashok Country Resort or the The Uppal

Accommodation in Leh is excellent, comfortable  and more than adequate at the family run “Spic ‘n’ Span Hotel”

As we venture out north to the Nubra Valley and then East to Tso Moriri, please note it does become more ‘rustic’ and primitive.

This is simply because we are using and assisting the locals with their own homestay style accommodation. In order to reach such remote corners of Ladakh, 4* luxury simply does not exist…..but it is adequate, friendly and adds to the unique adventure we are making together.

There are no hi-rise Marriots and Hiltons. Accommodation in the Nubra Valley are simple small rooms with home prepared food and limited power  after 7pm at night from on site generators.

Similarly when we visit Korzok at Tso Moriri Lake we stay in specially designed tents.  AC power is limited to a few hours per evening from the local solar powered panels nearby .

As we stay in this remote corner of the world, it is a unique and distinctive trip that will yield amazing photographs of a way of life sometimes only seen in the National Geographic.

We advise everyone to please just not expect 5* luxury in the middle of one of the world’s most inhospitable locations

HOW WE’LL TRAVEL

Intl Flights to Delhi should be arranged by yourself and allow you to arrive for the start of the workshop on July 16th.

We can advise on flights from your departure point or you may want to discuss and have this managed by our Specialist Flight partners Avocet Travel Management who organise and manage our SE Asia workshops.

Generally speaking, rtn flights to Delhi should be around £400-£600 (economy class).

Internal return  flights to Leh are included as are transfers from the airport at the designated arrival time on July 16th.

All ground transport is included and we use selected local Ladakhi drivers and guides, who are both experienced and knowledgeable of the conditions, terrain and navigation needed.

Packed lunches are prepared each day when we are away from Leh  Lunch is provided on the days we are in and around Leh.