Ladakh Himalayan Adventure 2025
Grand Landscapes & Ancient Cultures
June 24 – July 6, 2025
Experience Highlights
- Grand Landscapes – the tallest mountains on the planet, deep river valleys and blue mountian lakes. Bring your tripod.
- Morning Prayers - surreal is the only word to describe the experience of attending morning paryers at a Buddhist monastery. The chanting, the incense, the light streaming through windows illuminate ancient tapestries and artwork....it's an indescribable experience, but you'll have multiple opportunites to capture it's essence in images.
- The Icy Sky at Night – high altitudes, dark skies, no light pollution, grand landscapes and ancient structures. We'll have all the right ingredients to create compelling images of the night sky. Harsh will be at your side to help with settings and technique.
At A Glance
June 24 – July 6, 2025
Starts/Ends:
New Delhi, India
$6,900 Double Occupancy
Single Lodging Available (additional cost)
$1,500 Deposit
What's Included: Lodging, Meals, Bottled water, Transportation (including internal flights), Guides & Photography Instruction
What's Not Included: Airfare to/from New Delhi, Tourist Visa, Travel Insurance, Personal Expenses (including alcohol), Gratuities. Anything not specifically listed as included
Instructor:
Harsh Agarwal
Heaven on Earth
Mention Ladakh to an Indian and you’re likely to hear the expression, "Heaven on Earth." That’s because they don't make mountains any bigger or wilder than the Himalaya. This is the land of the Ibex and the Snow Leopard, of ancient mountain monasteries, of faces so weathered by sun and wind that it’s impossible to know their ages. This is where the Dalai Lama spends his down time.
Grand Landscapes & Pristine Night Skies
Grand landscapes require grand scenery. Can you think of a better place to capture ‘the big picture’ or elevate your night photography skills than the tallest mountains in the world? Rushing rivers, deep blue mountain lakes and ancient structures add additional interest to your compositions. Zero light pollution here and we’ve timed our trip to maximize the potential for some great Milky Way photography.
Monks & Monasteries
Tibetan Buddhism dominates the culture of Ladakh unlike the rest of Hindu India. Red-robed monks wander the halls of thousand-year-old monasteries practicing ancient rituals and traditions. They do see tourists but it’s remarkably ‘unspoiled’ here…for now.
Wildlife
This isn’t a wildlife photography trip per se, but we’ll encounter many animals, domestic and wild, throughout our trip. Examples include Bactrian camel, yak, horses, ibex, urial (bighorn sheep), marmot and many bird species, large and small. If we’re really lucky, we may spot a rare Tibetan wolf or snow leopard!
Level Up Your Skills & Vision
Harsh will always be close by to answer questions, provide tips on shooting techniques and offer insights about practical ways to expand your creative vision. In addition to in-the-field coaching, there will be several ‘formal’ sessions covering post processing and image management/backup workflow in Adobe Lightroom.
Ready to Join the Adventure?
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Harsh Agarwal is an award-winning professional photographer based in Agra, India. A self-described hodophile, a lover of travel, his passion for exploration, discovery, and image-making has taken him to all corners of his home country and lands beyond including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Harsh’s photographs have been published widely in magazines, and newspapers throughout India and Southeast Asia as well as in numerous exhibitions. Harsh often travels with his wife, Arti, a travel industry professional, and aspiring photographer, leading photography and travel tours. Click here for examples of Harsh’s inspiring images.
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We understand life happens and plans may change. If you need to cancel your reservation, the following policies apply :
Deposits are NOT refundable but may be transferred to another Art of Seeing workshop for up to 24 months from date of cancellation in accordance with the following schedule:
Regardless of when you cancel, if we fill your spot*, you will receive a refund of all fees paid less your deposit and $150 processing fee. If we cannot fill your spot, the amount of your refund is based upon the cancellation date:
Cancellation 120 days or more from workshop start date: 100% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit transferrable up to 24 mos.
Cancellation 90 – 120 days from workshop start date: 50% refund of fees paid less deposit and $150 processing fee. Deposit forfeit.
Cancellation less than 90 days from workshop start date: No refunds.
*Canceled spots are filled after the workshop reaches full capacity
All cancellations must be made in writing. Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.
Payments made for private workshops that you arrange with us are not refundable.
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If you’ve traveled with us before, we want to thank you with discounts of future trips. View details of our Alumni Rewards program
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Q: What & Where is Ladakh?
A: Ladakh is a mountainous region in far northern India bordering Tibet. The Himalaya mountain range dominates much of Ladakh’s territory. The history, people and culture here are more closely associated with Tibetan Buddhism than the rest of Hindu dominated India.
Q: How should I book my travel?
A: Book your international flights to arrive and depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (airport code: DEL) in New Delhi, India. Additional information to help you plan your travels will be provided to registered participants.
Q: Do I need a visa to travel to India?
A: Yes, Americans need a visa which is easily obtained online. Details of how to apply will be provided to registered participants. If your passport was issued by another country, check online or with the Indian embassy/consulate in your country.
Q: What kind of accommodations will we be staying in?
A: Our lodgings will vary quite a bit by location. In Delhi, we will stay at a very modern hotel (like a Marriott or Hilton). A less fancy hotel in Leh, but still quite comfortable. In the more remote areas, accommodations can be pretty basic. We will stay in Swiss camps in several locations. These are large ‘glamping’ tents with a real bed and flush toilets, like what you might find on an African safari. Electricity and hot water may be available for limited hours in these places. Internet is hit and miss.
Q: What kind of food will be eat?
A: Similar to the lodging situation, the variety of food available varies based on location. Western breakfast foods like toast, eggs, coffee & fruit is available at most of our stays. Lunch and Dinner will be mostly Indian/local cuisine. Beef is generally not available, but chicken and fish are common. Vegetarians will have no problem in India but strict vegan, gluten-free or other diets cannot be accommodated.
Q: Is the altitude a concern? How high will we travel?
A: We will be traveling at very high altitudes on this trip starting with the city of Leh (elevation 11,500 ft) and topping out (briefly) at Khardung La Pass at just over 18,300 ft. At these elevations, it’s likely you will experience symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath and insomnia. These are usually effectively treated with proper acclimatization, hydration, and over the counter remedies (e.g. ibuprofen) and tend to dissipate with time. However, there are other forms of altitude sickness that are more serious and even life threatening. If you have a history of altitude sickness or any heart/lung conditions, consult your physician before signing up. There also are several medications (e.g. Diamox) which can help prevent or treat symptoms of altitude sickness.
Q: Besides altitude, how strenuous is this trip?
A: There are no hikes planned, but at these elevations just walking around or climbing a flight of stairs can leave you huffing and puffing. We will spend a fair amount of time on unpaved ground, and you will want to move around to find your photo spots. You don’t need to be a competitive athlete but if you can’t walk 1-2 miles on level ground with being exhausted, this is not the trip for you.
Q: What kind of photo equipment should I bring?
A: You will want 1-2 camera bodies and a range of lenses covering wide angle to telephoto. A tripod is highly recommended and essential for night photography. More specific guidance about photo gear will be provided to registered participants.
Q: How will we travel?
A: We will travel mostly by minibus with a professional driver and local guide. We also have one round trip domestic flight (Delhi-Leh) which is included in trip price.
Q: What will the weather be like?
A: Pack layers suitable for cool to cold temperatures. Rain and even snow are also possible. Mountain weather is unpredictable, and these are the biggest mountains in the world, so the key is to be prepared for everything. A detailed packing list will be provided to registered participants.
Something we missed? Send us an email or schedule a phone call. We’re happy to address any questions
| Day | Date | Itinerary | Overnight | Meals Included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 24 | Delhi - Welcome to India! Our representative will greet you upon your arrival at Indira Gandhi International airport (DEL) and transport you to our nearby hotel where you can relax until 5pm when we gather for introductions and workshop overview followed by our first group dinner. | Pride Plaza Hotel (Delhi) | D |
| 2 | June 25 | Delhi – Leh - early morning flight to Leh (included), the capital of Ladakh (eleivation11,483 ft) We’ll spend the rest of the day wandering the lanes of Leh at an easy pace to let our bodies acclimatize to the altitude. The weathered faces and vivid clothing of Leh’s inhabitants will have you firing frames left and right, but try not to get too excited or you many find yourself literally short of breath. | Tsokar Retreat hotel or similar | B, L, D |
| 3 | June 26 | Leh & Nearby Monasteries – We pick up the pace with an early morning visit to Spituk monastery, an 11th century structure on the banks of the Indus River. We’ll visit several other monasteries as the day progresses and see firsthand the immense influence of Tibetan Buddhism in this region. Monastic life and the vivid color palette of Tibetan culture make striking subjects for photography, and we’ll take our time exploring the nooks and crannies of these compounds in search of ‘beyond the obvious’ images. | Tsokar Retreat hotel or similar | B, L, D |
| 4 | June 27 | Leh– Nubra Valley – we leave Leh today for the lush Nubra Valley. Our journey takes us up and over Khardung La Pass, elevation 18,380 ft, on the highest motorable road in the world (by comparison, the summit of Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the lower 48 states, is 14,505 ft). It would be unforgivable to say the views up here are breathtaking, so let’s just say the vistas are unforgettable We then descend in to the wide green Nubra Valley, once an important stop on the ancient Silk Road. Photo opprtunites here include landscapes with rushing rivers and the inhabitants with their flocks. With any luck, we’ll encounter a herd of Bactrian camels wandering among the Sea Buckthorn shrubs. | Grand Nubra hotel or similar | B, L, D |
| 5 | June 28 | Nubra Valley–Diskit Monastery – we begin early photographing Tibetan camel herders on the Hunder sand dunes. Dramatic shadows and mountain backdrops create infinite possibilities for powerful images. After lunch, we head to ancient Diskit monastery above the floodplains of the Shyok river. Its jaw-dropping 100 ft golden Buddha statue is the obvious subject for photographers but there’s much more to see and we’ll have plenty of time to explore. Our lodgings here are basic, but the photo opportunities more than make up for the lack of luxury. | Grand Nubra hotel or similar | B, L, D |
| 6 | June 29 | Diskit Monastery–Leh – we start the day by joining the Diskit monks for their morning prayers and mediation. Otherworldly is the best word to describe this intensely atmospheric experience – filled with rhythmic chanting, ancient ceremonies and incense filtered morning light. Afterwards, we’ll explore Diskit further. Move slowly and listen for the sounds of drumming, chanting or high-pitched voices of young novice monks at play. There’s no shortage of obviously stunning subject matter here, but the most original and authentic images are often discovered during moments of quiet exploration. In the afternoon, we head back towards Leh but this time our destination is Thiksey Monastery where we will spend the night. | Chamba Thiksey hotel or similar | B, L, D |
| 7 | June 30 | Leh–Tsokar – We’ll attend morning prayers with the Thiksey monks. Afterwards, we’ll explore the many rooms of this large monastery before departing for Tsokar Lake. We will likely run into nomadic herdsmen around the shores of Tso Kar, a giant inland saltwater lake at over 14,000 ft. elevation. Overcome your shyness and interact with the local indigenous population and you will be rewarded with memorable experiences and photographs. The striking deep blue color of Tso Kar's waters will naturally inspire wide angle landscapes but keep your eyes peeled and your telephoto nearby because a host of exotic wildlife reside here including Kiangs, Himalayan Wild Ass and Black Necked Cranes. | Deluxe Swiss Camp or similar | B, L, D |
| 8 | July 1 | Tsokar–Leh – we’ll rise early to capture first light on the mountain peaks and their relection in the deep blue waters of Tsokar Lake. Then we drive back to Leh, making stops along the way for whatever catches our eye. Once we reach Leh, you’ll have the remainder of the day at your leisure. Shop, explore or just enjoy some down time. | Deluxe Swiss Camp or similar | B, L, D |
| 9 | July 2 | Leh- Dah – today we travel to village of Dah. Nestled deep in the mountains, this is the home of the Brokpa tribe who claim an ancient lineage and have striking features and styles of dress. The women in particular wear beautiful headdresses adorned with flowers, silver and beads. We’ll spend the remainder of the day with the Brokpa photographing and learning about their unique culture. | Deluxe Swiss Camp or similar | B, L, D |
| 10 | July 3 | Dah –Lamayuru – In the morning, we travel to a nearby Brokpa village for a photo session with the locals. Later we’ll travel to Lamayuru famous for its ‘moonscape’ terrain and its thousand-year-old monastery. We made some amazing Milky Way photos here on our 2019 Scouting Mission and we hope to repeat the experience this time as well. | Moonland hotel or similar | B,L, D |
| 11 | July 4 | Lamayuru–Leh (Thiksey) – return to the monastery for morning prayers or explore the village before we travel back to Leh. On the way, we’ll stop at the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers and capture the striking contrast of colors here. We eventually make our way back to Thiksey monastery near Leh. | Chamba Thiksey hotel or similar | B, L, D |
| 12 | July 5 | Thiksey – Leh – we begin the day photographing sunrise on snow covered Himalayan peaks from Thiksey. Then we’ll join the monks for morning prayers before returning to our rooms for breakfast. Afterwards, we’ll drive to Hemis monastery to attend the Hemis festival, a major Buddhist celebration of the birth of the founder of Buddhism in Tibet & Ladakh. Colorful masked dancers, large thangkas (buddhis paintings) and the local attendees will keep your fingers on the shutter button all day long. We retrun to Leh in the afternoon from our final night in Ladakh | Tsokar Retreat hotel or similar | B, L, D |
| 13 | July 6 | Leh–Delhi – after breakfast, we head to the airport to catch our flight to Delhi. The workshop ends upon our arrival at Delhi airport where you can begin your homeward journey. End of service. | N/A | B |
Note: this itinerary describes our general plan but is subject to change without notice due to weather, logistical considerations or other reasons.
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