Ladakh
Photo Tour
Tour Dates
24th May - 31st May 2025
Duration
7 Nights / 8 Days
Group Size
Min 3 pax | Max 7 pax
Tour Price
Rs. 58,000/-
Overview
Ladakh where the sun, moon and stars shines the brightest. Ladakh offers beautiful scenic landscapes and darkest night sky, where the Milkyway is visible to naked eyes. The main highlight of this tour is to photograph local heritage, scenic landscapes and nightscapes of Ladakh.
Special Note: The visibility of Milkyway totally depends upon the weather conditions, as the weather has become unpredictable in recent years.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
01
Star filled night skies
02.
Off-camera flash self portraits
03.
Light painting techniques with Milkyway Photography
04.
Scenic Landscape
05.
Complete advance Milkyway editing workflow
06.
A high quality printed guide book
Who Should
Join This Tour?
If you are fascinated by unique landscape, night sky objects and Milkyway this tour is designed for you. This is a mid level photo tour, which covers landscape and Advance nightscape photography with advance milkyway editing techniques.
This tour is the right choice for you if you want to build a strong portfolio of Ladakh terrain. Even if you are a beginner you can join this tour as we have ‘Personal Pre Tour Support’ which clears all level of difficulties before we begin the tour.
Why
Choose Us?
Ashish Kamble is a professional photographer and educator working in photography industry since 2009 (15 years). He has trained more than 900 students (B.M.M & B.A.F.T.N.M.P) in his teaching career as a visiting faculty in colleges affiliated under Mumbai University and in his own Institution ‘LotusBeam School of Photography’. His teaching experience helps every tour participant to clear their doubts from basic to advance level. To add further support we have specially designed a Personal Pre Tour Support policy at no additional cost.
Our maximum group size is 7 participants for this tour, which allows us to give personal individual attention throughout the tour. Our mentor Ashish Kamble has explored Ladakh at ground level and is familiar with the locals and locations which will help us to get the perfect shot. We try our level best to create artistic images by adding off-camera flash or light painting technique, which helps our participants to create distinct looking images. We also cover advance post processing session which is an essential part of astrophotography as it helps the participants to bring their visuals into reality.
Personal Support
Pre-Tour
If you are a complete beginner in photography and you want to clear your technical doubts, a personal 1-1 meeting will be arranged via phone call if requested by you. If you still don’t feel confident, then an online video call will be arranged to clear all your doubts and we will make sure you are technically prepared for the tour.
Post-Tour
After the tour finishes if you have any further doubts related to post processing we clear them. Once a part of Indian Photo Expeditions, you get a life time support to clear your general doubts related to photography on prior appointment basis.
Ashish Kamble
Tour Mentor
An award-winning photographer and photography educator based in Mumbai, India. He specialises in Astrophotography and off-camera flash portraits. Read more about Ashish on his website.
Tour Itinerary
Day 1:
ARRIVAL IN LEH (11,550 FEET)
Our meeting point is Leh Kaushik Bakula Rimponchee Airport, we request you to arrive before 11 am so that your body can acclimatise better. It takes 10-15 mins to reach hotel from the Airport. First pickup slot from airport to hotel will be at 8:00AM and next pickup will be at around 10:30AM. Check-in at hotel and complete rest for whole day. We directly meet at 2:00PM for lunch and again head back to sleep. In evening we start with introduction to astrophotography and get accustomed with camera settings required for this photo tour.
A brief introduction to Astrophotography will be given to all participants in evening, so that you have clear idea about the methodology to be followed while shooting on field. We will also get accustomed with camera settings required for this photo tour.
Day 2:
LEH EXPLORATION (11,550 FT)
The second day is very crucial where our body gets acclimatised to high altitude. After breakfast we will embark on our city tour, where we will explore local monasteries and attractions followed by nightscape photography in evening from our vantage point.
A brief introduction to Astrophotography will be given to all participants in evening, so that you have clear idea about the methodology to be followed while shooting on field. We will also get accustomed with camera settings required for this photo tour.
Day 3:
SUMUR (10,157 ft)
After a 6-7hrs drive we will reach Nubra Valley via Khardung La pass which is one of the highest motor-able mountain pass (17582.02 feet). We will visit Sumur sand dunes in Nubra valley in evening. At night we will photograph Milkyway with beautiful sand dunes in foreground.
We will first visit Diskit Monastery and then visit Sumur sand dunes in Nubra valley. At night we will photograph Milkyway with beautiful sand dunes in foreground.
A brief introduction to Astrophotography will be given to all participants in evening, so that you have clear idea about the methodology to be followed while shooting on field. We will also get accustomed with camera settings required for this photo tour.
Day 4:
MERAK VILLAGE (14271.65 ft)
After a scenic 6-7hrs drive we will reach our destination Merak Village. We will travel next to beautiful turquoise-blue Pangong Lake. Our stay is in Merak village which is one of the most beautiful village located on the bank of the Pangong lake offering best night sky.
We will travel next to beautiful turquoise-blue Pangong Lake. Our stay is in Merak village which is one of the most beautiful village located on the bank of the Pangong lake offering best night sky.
Day 5:
HANLE (14,674 ft)
After a 5-6hrs drive with basic off-road patches we will reach Hanle. Hanle is India’s first Dark Sky Reserve and is also famous for Indian Astronomical Observatory. We will visit the observatory as we reach Hanle.
Hanle is India’s first Dark Sky Reserve and is also famous for Indian Astronomical Observatory. We will visit both observatory and shoot night sky from Hanle.
Day 6:
TSO KAR (14,860 ft)
After a 5-6hrs drive we will reach Tso Kar. Tso Kar is a wetland which is home to many wildlife species. Because of the remoteness of this location, the visibility of night sky is very good. Tsokar is surrounded by beautiful snow capped mountains and seasonal salt lake.
Because of the remoteness of this location, the visibility of night sky is very clear. Tsokar is surrounded by beautiful snow capped mountains and seasonal salt lake.
Day 7:
LEH (11,550 feet)
After a 5-6hrs drive we will reach Leh market, where we will have lunch and you can explore and shop in Leh Market. After reaching hotel we will start with editing session followed by dinner.
Day 8:
AIRPORT DROP
After breakfast we drop our participants at the airport. We end our tour here and head back to our home with beautiful memories and powerful photos. First airport drop will be at 5am and next airport drop will be at 7am.
Tour Price
Min 3 pax and Max 7 pax
Rs. 58,000/- PP
* Single occupancy can be arranged on request.
Payment Policy
- ₹ 35,000/- needs to be paid to book your seat
- ₹ 23,000/- needs to be paid 15 days prior to the tour starting date
CANCELLATION POLICY:
- 50% refund of full fees if cancellation is made 45 days prior to the date of the tour.
- 25% refund of full fees if cancellation is made 20 days prior to the date of the tour.
- NO refund if cancellation is made 15 days prior to the date of the tour.
- 30% refund of full fees if cancellation is made 30 days prior to the date of the tour.
Requirements
TOOLS/GEAR REQUIRED BY PARTICIPANTS:
- DSLR or Mirror less camera
- Ultra Wide or Wide angle (14mm, 16mm, 20mm) with aperture f/2.8 or less
- Sturdy Tripod with ballhead
- For Panorama: 14mm/16mm and Panorama head setup
- Wired / Wireless Camera trigger (Optional)
- Head lamp/Torch (Optional)
THINGS TO CARRY:
Personal hygiene and care products, Medicine etc.
THE COST INCLUDES
- All meals, starting from Day 1 lunch to Day 9 Breakfast (Available after 7:00AM)
- All local transportation required during the tour
- Entry tickets & Inline permit fees
- Photography mentorship fees
- Mineral water bottle
THE COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Additional beverages, snacks which you order on your own etc.
- Travel from your location to Leh and Leh to your location
- Anything that is not mentioned in the Inclusion list
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Is the price negotiable?
The tour pricing has been finalised after considering the logistics, thus the pricing is final and not negotiable.
2) Is this a luxury Tour?
As our tour will cover some of the most remotest areas of Ladakh, we cannot expect luxury. If you are looking for luxurious tour we won’t recommend this tour as it involves staying in homestay in some of the locations with basic amenities. Our home stays are equipped with western-style washrooms with decent amenities.
3) What type of food will be served?
We offer Veg and Non-Veg food on our tour, but at times due to non availability of non veg food in remote areas we serve only veg food.
4) What will be our mode of transport?
We will travel in tempo traveler. A private 4 wheeler can be arranged at an additional cost.
5) What about accommodation?
We will be staying in decent hotels, homestay and resort – as for astrophotography we have to travel to remote villages, the stay options are basic but comfortable. If you are not comfortable with basic stay then we wont recommend this Photo Tour. Remember Ladakh lies in one of the most remotest areas of India, so we cannot expect the same accommodation which we are used to in the metropolitan city.
6) Does it involve hiking or trekking?
Our vehicle will drive you till the photography spot which doesn’t require any long trekking or hiking. But it might include small hikes to nearby areas to find better composition. We personally don’t recommend individuals to wander alone far from the our hotel. But just incase if you liked some near by location you can do small hike at your own risk, we won’t be involved in any type of additional support in whatsoever circumstances.
7) How are the road conditions?
We will travel on tarmac roads to medium water crossing to sand and gravel filled roads. It will be smooth and bumpy ride.
8) Can any one join your tour?
If you are an avid nature-lover and stargazer you will enjoy our photo tour. But the complete tour is designed from photographers perspective, so we don’t take random leisure stops.
9) Is two day acclimatisation required for Ladakh tour?
Yes it is mandatory for two day acclimatisation. As this tour involves travelling at high altitude AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) is very dangerous and you might be hospitalised if you skip the acclimatisation. Please read about the importance of acclimatisation at high altitude on Google.
10) Does it really get cold at night?
Even though it rarely snows or rains in May/June start, the temperature in ladakh drops at night. Most of our stay will be close to snow capped mountains, thus we highly recommend you to carry 3 layers of warm clothes as it becomes very windy and cold at night. Hand gloves and ear muffs are highly recommended as we will be shooting late at night.
11) Does one needs to be fit to join your tour?
No you don’t have to be fit, as we don’t involve any long hike or trek in this Photo Tour. But yes if you do basic exercise or walking before the tour starts it will benefit you. Most important factor is avoiding alcohol and eating light when you are acclimatising. If you are asthmatic we highly recommend you to consult your doctor before joining our tour.
12) The Mentor can communicate in which languages?
Hindi, English and Marathi.
Terms and conditions:
Personal Belongings and Responsibility
- Participant(s)/Guardians should understand the risks involved in any long journey activities before enrolling.
- In case of any medical emergency while on tour, any expenses for the arrangements, medical treatment, will be solely borne by the participant.
- If a participant is found trying to make any changes in the existing itinerary or found misbehaving with any one will be asked to leave at his own expense.
- Incase of road block/traffic or bad weather conditions there will be change in the itinerary which be will made only by the organiser. There will be additional charges to be paid incase we change the itinerary which will be paid by the participant equally.
- During the Workshop, the decision of authorised representative of Indian Photo Expeditions shall be final and binding on all participants.
- Be courteous to your mentor and other participants for smooth stress free tour experience. Any discomfort please share with the mentor, we will try our level best to solve it in our capacity.
- The participant should make the payment only once he has gone through all terms and conditions and is willing to abide by them.
- In case of any injury, sickness, accident, death or any other casualty or loss or damage of valuables or luggage or any equipment; organisers, volunteers or experts or any other person involved wholly or partially, either individually or jointly with Indian Photo Expeditions shall not be responsible in any manner for the same and no claims of participants, parents, guardians, relatives or friends of participants will be entertained.
SMOKING AND ALCOHOL
- As it gets very cold at night moderate consumption of alcohol during leisure time is allowed during the tour. We personally recommend to avoid consumption of alcohol as it is a high altitude tour which has its own challenges. Smoking in your leisure time is allowed, but strictly prohibited when on field with other participants or in common room.
- Possession of illegal drugs, weapons and other illegal substances is strictly prohibited during the tour. If found breaking this Rule, participant will be expelled from the Workshop/Tour and NO REFUND will be provided.