2024 Ladakh Himalayan Adventure

Workshop Information Packet

Contents:

I.              General Information

II.            To Do Checklist

III.         Daily Itinerary

IV.        FAQ’s

2024 Ladakh Himalayan Adventure

General  Information  

 Workshop Dates:  April 7–19, 2024

 

Welcome!
Thanks again for joining our 2024 Ladakh Himalayan Adventure photography workshop! I can’t wait to share a bit of the beauty and mystery of this remote region of India with you including its people, culture, and history. But first, a bit of planning is needed to make sure everything goes smoothly. This document contains important information to help you prepare for our journey. Please take the time to read it carefully.

 

Workshop Overview
The workshop begins when we pick you up from Indira Gandhi International Airport (airport code: DEL) in Delhi (aka New Delhi), India on April 7, 2024, and ends upon our arrival at the same airport on April 19, 2024

In between, we will travel extensively through far northern India photographing and exploring its inhabitants, landscapes, and wildlife. We’ll get around mostly in an air-conditioned van/minibus with a professional driver. We will also be accompanied by our local guide and workshop co-leader, Harsh Agarwal,  who also happens to be an amazing professional photographer. Our lodgings will vary by location. In Delhi, we will stay at a modern hotel. 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..

Take a look at the Daily Itinerary in this packet or on the workshop page of our website for more details about the locations we will visit and the things we can expect to see and photograph throughout our journey.

Balance of Fees
The balance of your workshop fees are due by Dec 15, 2023. You will receive an invoice by email approximately 15 days before. Payments can be made online by credit card. Please contact us if you wish to use another form of payment. Your on-time payment is much appreciated.

 

Health/Medical

Immunizations – there are no specific immunization requirements to enter India but you should consult with your doctor or travel clinic about any recommended vaccinations. The U.S. CDC website also contains general information which may be useful.

Altitude – at the elevations we will be traveling on this trip (see table below), it is common to experience some symptoms of altitude sickness such as headaches, shortness of breath and insomnia. These symptoms are usually more uncomfortable than dangerous and typically decrease with time as your body adjusts to the thinner air.

But in rare cases, altitude sickness can be a very serious and even life-threatening condition. We do our best to minimize these risks by taking plenty of time to acclimatize (5 nights at altitude before we overnight at really high elevation). We also carry supplemental oxygen and will evacuate to lower elevation if necessary. However, if you have a history of altitude sickness or other medical conditions which may be exacerbated at altitude, consult your physician to determine if this trip is a good choice for you.

Also, please note the elevations below are where we will sleep. We will reach higher elevations as we travel from place to place during the day. The high point of our trip elevation-wise is a brief stop at  Khardung La pass, elevation 17,582.

 Lastly, (prescription) medications such as Diamox are available which can reduce altitude-related symptoms. Consult your physician to see if this is a good option for you.

Prescription Medications – pack an adequate supply of any prescription medications you take, as they may not be available in India. Although I’ve never needed them, I usually carry a course of antibiotics when traveling, just in case. You can request a prescription for ‘traveler’s diarrhea’ from your health provider or travel clinic. 

Allergies – please let us know about any allergies you have AND the severity of your reactions. It is your responsibility to carry appropriate medications (e.g. Epi Pen) in case of accidental exposure.

Covid-specific requirements – both India and the US no longer require Covid vaccination or testing for entry.

Travel Logistics & Documents

International Flights –

Inbound – Book your flights to arrive in Delhi (DEL) by 2pm on April 7.

Outbound – Book your outbound flight from DEL for after 6pm on April 19 (most US bound flights depart in the evening).

 Extra hotel nights -  if you are arriving early or plan to overnight in Delhi before beginning your homeward travels, just let us know your itinerary specifics and we can book the additional hotel nights for you ($165/night including breakfast).

Domestic flights – two internal flights (Delhi – Leh, return) are included in the workshop fee and will be booked on your behalf. Please send us a copy/photo of your passport ASAP to facilitate flights booking.

Passport – now is the time to double-check the expiration date of your passport. India requires your passport be valid for at least six months past the date you intend to depart the country.

Visas 

American Citizens – a tourist visa is required to enter India. The easiest way to obtain your visa is to apply for an eTourist visa online. The cost is approximately $25-$40.

Other Nationalities– Please check here to determine if a visa is required

Address in India: enter the following info on your visa application for your address in India:

Pride Plaza Aerocity Hotel

Asset 5A Hospitality, District, Aerocity, Delhi, 110037, India

 Travel Insurance –  a policy that covers emergency medical evacuation (sometimes called repatriation) is a requirement for this trip. Please forward us a copy of your travel insurance policy. The primary purpose of this requirement is in case of medical emergency – cost should not be a consideration in getting you quality medical care in the event of a major illness or accident.  Policies that cover medical evacuation as well as many other things like trip cancellation, lost luggage, theft/loss, etc are widely available and reasonably priced.

Notify Banks & Credit Cards – notify your financial institutions about your travel plans to prevent problems using credit cards or ATM’s while traveling.

Phone Carrier – look into your phone carrier’s international roaming policies and rates BEFORE leaving home or you may return to an extremely expensive bill. You may want to pre-purchase a data plan from your carrier or limit your mobile phone usage to place we have wi-fi

WhatsApp – is a free communications app that is used widely in Asia. We will be using this for inter group communications. Please download & install WhatsApp and create an account before arriving in India. You may want to also want to have your loved ones install this app also.

 What to Pack

Weather Note – Spring weather in the mountains can be wildly variable, so it’s advisable to be prepared for a wide range of conditions including wind, rain, or snow. Typical daytime high temps range from the low 40’s to mid 50’s Fahrenheit (~5°–12° C) with overnight lows ranging from the low 20’s to low 30’ F (–6° – 0° C)

 Clothing & Personal Items –  the following are key items to bring along, but not necessarily a complete packing list. In general, if you pack like you’re going skiing, you will be well prepared.

  • Mid to heavyweight base layers (long underwear)

  • Warm socks

  • Warm pants (e.g. fleece lined)

  • Mid-layer tops (e.g. puffer jacket, vest, fleece)

  • Parka or insulated jacket

  • Waterproof jacket & pants

  • Gloves

  • Scarf/neck gaiter

  • Warm hat

  • Light hiking boots or trail running shoes, preferably waterproof

  • Sunglasses

  • Spare glasses/contacts

  • Brimmed hat

  • Sunscreen & Bug spray

  • Toiletries & Medications

Photo Gear – it’s tempting to bring everything you own, but that usually works against you. If you decide to bring the kitchen sink, I strongly recommend bringing a smaller camera bag/backpack that you are comfortable carrying all day as well. You will be able to safely leave extra items in our vehicle while we are out walking around.  I’m happy to give more specific brand/model recommendations for specific items. Just ask.

  • Camera Body(s) – any modern dSLR or mirrorless camera body will do the job. Some of the higher end ‘bridge’ cameras would also be a good choice, especially if you want to minimize weight. Bringing a paper or electronic copy of your camera’s operating manual is also recommended. Your smartphone is also a great camera – don’t forget it.

  • Lenses – we will be photographing a wide variety of subjects from landscapes and night skies to people, temples, and wildlife so you will want a range of focal lengths. I favor zoom lenses for their flexibility.  Below are the broad categories to consider and some common focal lengths (35mm equivalent) but there are may other possible choices that would work well. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about gear choices.

Wide angle – 12–24mm or 16-35mm

Mid range – 24-70mm, 24-105mm, 70-20omm

Telephoto – 300mm+ for wildlife 100-400mm, 200-600mm

  •  Filters – A polarizer and perhaps a neutral density filter are the only filters I would consider bringing but both are optional.

  • Camera Rain Cover –  This is the one I will be using. It’s cheap, light and works better than much more expensive options. Make sure to get the size(s) appropriate for your lenses. Highly recommended.

  • Extra Batteries and Memory cards – you will be shooting a lot, maybe more than you ever have, easily in the thousands of images and hundreds of gigabytes total. Bring PLENTY of extra cards and batteries. You should NOT erase/overwrite any memory cards until you get home, even if you have downloaded the images to your laptop or hard drive.

  • Battery Charger – do not forget! As a backup, you might consider purchasing USB powered camera battery charger. They are inexpensive and let you charge your camera batteries without a wall outlet. Google “(your camera model) USB charger”

  • Tripod  – sturdy, but light with a ballhead is the way to go. Essential for night photography

Other Gear

  • Laptop or tablet –highly recommended. Your photography will improve if you review your images daily. Doing preliminary selects and ratings also makes the mountain of images more manageable when you get home. We will also have several sessions on post processing and image management in Adobe Lightroom.

  • Portable hard drive - ideal for image storage/backup. If you are considering purchasing one, look for a  “bus powered” model – a drive that gets its power from the computer and does not require a separate power cord

  • Power adapters – India runs on 230-volt electricity with Type C, D or M outlets. A ‘universal’ adapter like this one will cover your needs in India. Packing a small power strip is also handy for charging multiple devices simultaneously. Just make sure it is specifically designed for international travel or rated for at least 220 volts.

  • Phones/tablets, laptops, camera battery chargers and other electronics have built in voltage transformers and work just fine with a simple adapter. Check higher power devices like hair dryers and shavers to make sure they are compatible with 230-volt power.  Here is a link to a good article on travel adapters if you need more info.

  • Chargers and cables for your mobile phone and other electronics

  • Power bank – extremely handy when traveling. You can even use it to charge a camera battery in a pinch (USB battery charger required)

 MISC

A Word About Gratuities – Like many service businesses, our guide and drivers rely on gratuities for a substantial portion of their income. I think you will find our local drivers in India to be outstanding at what they do. If you feel you’ve received good service, a gratuity is greatly appreciated. People always ask me for guidance on amounts – what I can say is that the typical range I see is:

Guide:  $10–$20/day

Driver:  $4­–$6/day

Tipping at hotels and restaurants is not expected, but small gratuities are appreciated.

 Again, if you have any questions about the information contained here or any other aspect of this workshop, please contact me.

 I look forward to meeting you in Delhi,

 Ken Lee
+1 949-282-9660 mobile/WhatsApp
ken@artofseeing.com

Ladakh Himalayan Adventure

To Do Checklist

___     Send us a scan/photo of your Passport picture page (cell phone snapshot is fine)

___     Book Inbound/Outbound flights and forward a copy of your flight itinerary to us.

___     Let us know if you need any extra hotel nights

___     Apply for India eTourist Visa

___     Purchase Travel Insurance and forward copy of your policy

___     Notify Banks & Credit Cards of your travel plans

___     Check mobile phone carrier’s international roaming policies and plans

___     Make personal packing checklist (click here for a downloadable Photo Trip Packing List template you can customize to your own needs)

Ladakh 2024 Daily Itinerary

Day Date Itinerary Overnight Included Meals
1 Apr 7 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 Apr 8 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. Hotel Yak Tail or similar B-L-D
3 Apr 9 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. Hotel Yak Tail or similar B-L-D
4 Apr 10 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 opportunities 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. Nubra Valley Swiss Camp B-L-D
5 Apr 11 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. Diskit Monastery B-L-D
6 Apr 12 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 drive back to Leh, making stops along the way for whatever catches our eyes. Leh hotel B-L-D
7 Apr 13 Leh–Tsokar -  We depart Leh early 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 Apr 14 Tsokar–Tso Moriri Lake - today we travel to another picturesque deep blue high altitude lake, Tso Moriiri. Wildlife abounds here including marmots, blue sheep, kiang (wild ass), rare Tibetan wolves and migratory birds. This is also a great location to capture the night sky so we’ll try our hand at making Milky Way images.
 Deluxe Swiss Camp or similar B-L-D
9 Apr 15 Tso Moriiri–Thiksey – we begin the day with a sunrise landscape photo session at Tso Moriri. After breakfast we journey to Thiksey where we’ll spend the afternoon at Thiksey monastery, one of Ladakh’s largest. There’s lots to explore and photograph here including a 50ft statue of the Maitreya Buddha as well as monks engaged in their daily activities.
Hotel Chamba or similar B-L-D
10 Apr 16 Thiksey–Lamayuru – We return to Thiksey monastery early to experience the highly photogenic morning prayers. Later we’ll travel to Lamayuru famous for its ‘moonscape’ terrain and its thousand year old monastery. We mad some amazing Milky Way photos here on our 2019 Scouting Mission and we hope to repeat the experience this time as well.
Thiksey hotel B-L-D
11 Apr 17 Lamayuru–Dah – return to the monastery for morning prayers or explore the village before 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
12 Apr 18 Dah–Leh – we’ll spend some more time with the Brokpa in the morning before heading back to Leh, with multiple photo stops along the way. In Leh, we’ll wander the streets and markets where vendors sell all manner of goods.
 Hotel Yak Tail or similar B-L-D
13 Apr 19 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. 		B

Note: this itinerary is our general plan but is subject to change without notice for weather, logistical considerations, or other reasons.

Ladakh 2024 FAQ’S:


Q: What & Where is Ladakh?
A: Ladakh is a mountainous region in far northern India bordering Tibet. The Himalayan 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 enter 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 is no hiking or 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 mini bus 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.