Overview of Zanskar Photography Tour


The Zanskar Valley photo tour is one of the most scenic tours in India but one of the less visited. The Suru Valley and Zanskar Valley is not as popular due to bad roads and poor infrastructure but one of the best tours in terms of photographic opportunities.  


Photographic Opportunities


If you are interested in Landscape Photography  (Mountains, Rivers) ,  Milky Way and Star Trails - Astrophotography, Beautiful Villages, and People Photography, Ladakhi festivals, this tour is for you. This is less popular compared to our Ladakh tour but no less in terms of beauty and photographic opportunities. And you will not find many tourists around. 


Why Join Us?


The tours are led by Saurabh Chatterjee, who has been visiting these regions for almost a decade. He will take you to the right places at the right time and make sure that you come back with some great pictures. He will help you with the settings required for different kinds of pictures. We also do feedback/review sessions whenever possible, during the tour. 

You will be in the company of many experienced photographers and have fun.

A private 1:1 tour can be arranged on demand. 

Itinerary of Zanskar Photography Tour 2021 

Day 1 Arrive in Leh (3,524 metres / 11,562 ft), travel to Kargil  (2,676 metres / 8,780 feet) (Distance 217 kms)


We arrive in Leh by the morning flight and leave for Kargil from the airport. We will cover the Lamayuru monastery and Mulbekh monastery on the way.

We reach Kargil by evening, freshen up and walk down to the Kargil market. It’s a great place for street photography. The people are very friendly and it is easy to take portraits. These people have very distinct features and make some great pictures.


We come back to our hotel and go to the terrace to do long exposures. It's a great opportunity to get familiarised with settings and the equipment like the tripod and the intervalometer that we are going to use during the trip. 

Day 2 Kargil to Drang-Drung Glacier Campsite 150 km (3,657m /11,998 ft) (Distance 126 km)


We wake up early, have breakfast, and leave for Rangdum. This road is very scenic and untouched by commercialization. 

We pass by the beautiful Suru Valley. We shoot the people at Sankoo market. 

After some time, we get to see the mighty Nun - Kun peaks and the Parkachik glacier. 

After having lunch at Panikhar, we hurry to reach Rangdum monastery. After a quick visit, we hit the roads again and cross the Penzi la pass (4400m), the highest pass on this route. 

It’s amazing how along with the landscapes, the culture also changes. The Buddhist population starts here, beyond the Pensi La.

We see the mighty Drang-Drung Glacier and then retire at our tents in this remote location. It is very cold here. 

This is one of the best places to shoot the stars and Milky Way. Absolutely no light pollution, not a single light within kilometers!


Day 3 Drang-Drung Glacier to Padum 50kms (3,657 metres / 11,998 feet)


We get ready and pass by the plains leading to Padum. We stop at Sani Gompa, one of the oldest in the region. and Zongkhul gompa.  We reach Padum, have our lunch and go to the market in the evening. It is a nice stroll and a good opportunity to meet people and photograph them.

 

Day 4 Karsha Monastery, Bardhan Monastery, Zangla old Palace and Fort, Zangla nunnery, Stongdey Monastery


Today, we cover all the main monasteries of the region. We come across some amazing landscapes on the way.

 

Day 5 Village walk around Padum

Today, we explore the villages around Padum and do a small trek to a beautiful village nearby.

Day 6 Padum to Lingshed/ o/n Lingshed  (3800m / 12500ft)

We will travel to Lingshed and will stay there overnight. Lingshed is a beautiful village with a 1000-year-old monastery.

Day 7 Lingshed to Leh 


This is a beautiful drive with amazing landscapes. We reach Leh by evening and relax.

Day 9 Fly Out

Itinerary -

Day 1
Thursday, July 01, 2021
Arrive in Leh and travel to Kargil via Lamayuru
Day 2
Thursday, July 02, 2020
Kargil to Rangdum / Drang Drung
Day 3
Friday, July 03, 2020
Rangdum to Padum via Zongkhul, Sani o/n Padum
Day 4
Saturday, July 04, 2020
Karsha; Bardhan Monastery, Zangla old Palace and Fort, Zangla nunnery, Stongde Monastery o/n Padum
Day 5
Sunday, July 05, 2020
Villages Around Padum o/n Padum
Day 6
Monday, July 06, 2020
Padum to Lingshed o/n Lingshed
Day 7
Tuesday, July 07, 2020
Lingshed to Leh via Lamayuru
Day 8
Wednesday, July 08, 2020
Fly out of Leh

Cost: Rs.59,000/-
Only 8 participants on first come first serve basis.

Cost includes

Accommodation and All Meals. Inner Liner Permits, Monastery Fees And Taxes, Surface Transfers for the Entire Journey Leh to Leh. Expert Photography Mentorship by Ssaurabh A Chatterjee

Cost does not include

1) Travel from your city to Leh and back. 2) Mineral water, any additional beverage ordered.



PICTURES FROM Photo tour to Ladakh - Zanskar Valley 2021


Video


FAQ


1. Do I need to be physically fit to join this trip? We will be traveling by SUVs with hardly any physically intensive activity. However, we will be traveling at high altitudes. Please consult your doctor first.
2. Is this trip only for Photographers? No, anyone can join. We will spend a lot of time taking some great pictures though. I'm sure everyone loves doing that. We have had non-photographers in our previous trips and they enjoy as much.
3. I have no knowledge of Photography. Will I get some help? Yes, absolutely. Saurabh will be assisting you all the time. He will help you on how to take some great pictures. So, you will learn while having fun on the go.

Pictures and Blog from Ladakh

4. I don't have a camera. Can I get a camera or lenses for rent? Yes, Camera / Lenses can be arranged.


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