Ladakh Desert and Lakes Tour - June 2018

Introduction

The Ladakh Desert and Lakes photo tour is an exploration of one of India’s most distinctive landscapes and cultures. Ladakh is usually described as a high-altitude desert but it much more than just that. It is a land of high passes, lakes the color of turquoise, isolated monasteries, ancient rituals and, of course, a fantastic cold desert of monumental beauty. It is situated at the crossroads of High Asia with the Great Himalayas to its south and the eastern Karakorum mountains to it north. It is separated from Kashmir by the Zanskar range and from China by the Pangong range. Within these terrific boundaries is a landscape that will leave a person breathless. Sometimes, literally.

Ladakh is also home to some fascinating wildlife with iconic species not found elsewhere in India. The Black-necked Crane, grus nigricollis, breeds in many areas of Ladakh including the Tso Kar lake and the Puga marshes. The White-throated Dipper, cinclus cinclus, is seen dipping for food in the many streams around the high passes. Tibetan and Himalayan snowcocks are heard calling high up in the mountains at sunrise. Herds of the Tibetan Wild Ass, equus kiang, are found roaming the plains of Changthang. The Himalayan blue sheep, pseudois nayaur, is found on rocky slopes all over the region. Golden eagles, lammergeiers and upland buzzards soar in the valleys as thermals rise in the afternoon sun. If one is intent and patient, they will also find the Hume’s Groundpecker or Ground tit, pseudopodoces humilis, on the way from Tso Kar to Tso Moriri.

The tour

In summer, when the rest of India is swept by the monsoon, snow on the high passes of Ladakh melts allowing access to the ‘Kingdom in the Sky’. The moisture laden monsoon clouds are blocked by the Himalayas and the open passes allow access to various remote areas. The base for all excursions is Leh, the capital city. Surrounded by the awe-inspiring mountains of the Ladakh range, Leh retains a distinct charm. Leh was the heart of commerce between the East and West, and had one of the busiest markets on the Silk Road. The old town is a maze of mud-brick houses built on narrow lanes. The new part of town with its hotels and restaurants is the bustling hub of activity during the summer tourist season.

We will start the tour by spending a couple of days in Leh to acclimatize to the conditions. At an altitude of 3,500m, it provides a good base to get used to the high altitude and rarified air. The affects of high altitude never really go away but a couple of days of rest prepares us to travel across high passes, many of which are over 5,000m. Leh is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and a view of Stok Kangri (6153m) is always around the corner (or framed within your hotel room window). The many Tibetan buddhist monasteries within and around town provide an introduction to the culture. We will discuss and learn photographic technique and post processing at our homestay or hotel.

After acclimatizing, we make our way to Nubra valley over one of the highest motor-able passes in the world, the Khardung La (5,602m). It lies on the old Silk Road that traders used to travel to Baltistan and Yarkand from south China. Presently, it is wedged between India, Pakistan and China and comprises of the Nubra and Shyok river valleys. With the old capital of Nubra, Hundar, as our base, we will explore the silver sand dunes and the 14th century Diskit monastery. Sunrise in Nubra is calm, while sunset is dramatic with winds and clouds. We will photograph the natural beauty around the dunes in the morning and evening, and spend the rest of the day at the monasteries and villages. We can also take a ride on the double-humped Bactrian camels on the sand dunes to experience how traders travelled in the trans-Himalaya.

From Nubra, if the passes are navigable, we will make our way to one of the most beautiful lakes in Ladakh. Pangong Tso is a huge saline lake on the eastern edge of Ladakh that covers an area of more than 600 sq. km. The route to Pangong Tso goes through the beautiful green Tangste meadows with streams and wildflowers surrounded by stark dry mountains. As we approach the lake, and the Changthang, the landscape become more desert-like. The road starts to get covered by blowing sand and Tibetan Wild Asses start appearing. The first glimpse of turquoise through the earth colored mountains looks magical, almost like a mirage. Staying at the edge of the lake gives us freedom to walk around and look for interesting compositions. The conditions become dramatic on most afternoons with clouds moving in to make things interesting. This helps diffuse the normally strong light we see during the day due to the rarified air. Sunrise is usually calm, and we can photograph reflections of the mountains in the lake. During the day we can take the very rough track to the remote village of Merak, if conditions allow. It as an authentic Ladakhi village on Pangong with intriguing network of grey mani stone walls.

Back in Leh, we take a day to re-supply before heading back to the Changthang. This time on a loop through Tso Moriri and Tso Kar. The drive to Tso Moriri along the Indus river passes through a landscape of many hues. The painted hills of the Changthang seem like the handiwork of an artist. Passing Kyagar Tso, we reach Tso Moriri, the “Mountain Lake”. The lakeside village of Korzok is layered up a slope of scree from Tso Moriri. A spit of irrigated land juts into the lake, and provides food crop to the ramshackle settlement of mud-brick houses. These houses are linked by alleys and steps making for an interesting walk through the village. We will spend time at the monastery at Korzok in the afternoon and photograph the lake at sunset. After photographing sunrise, we make our way to another fantastic lake, Tso Kar ( the “White Lake”). We drive through the Puga hot springs keeping an eye out for the Black-necked Cranes (cha thung thung in Ladakhi) that breed here. We will also look for the Ground Tit (previously called Hume’s Groundpecker) at Pologongka La (pass) just before we reach Tso Kar. The plains around the lake are the playground of the Tibetan Wild Ass. We will see herds of them around the lake at all times. The lake is also breeding ground of the Black-necked Crane and a number of passerine and waterfowl species. We may also see the Tibetan Sandgrouse and Upland Buzzard here. The lake is the winter settlement of nomadic shepherds, and there a number of settlements around it abandoned for the summer. Tso Kar is surrounded by tall peaks, like Thukje and Gursan, that make for nice backdrops for compositions. Afternoons bring in clouds and winds but nights and mornings are calmer.

Fitness requirement

The trip is for a fortnight and requires average fitness. We recommend that you get clearance from your doctor for visiting high altitude areas.

Accomodation is in comfortable two person rooms or tents with toilets and limited hot water.

Cost includes

Accommodation for 10 nights on twin share room/tent basis: inclusive of all applicable taxes at the time of quoting. Cost of extension includes accommodation.

Meals are included with excursions out of Leh. Breakfast is included in Leh.

All transfers, drives, excursions and sightseeing by MUV at Leh - inclusive of guiding fees, monument and park entry fees payable.

All necessary permits and permissions.

Assistance on arrival and departure.

Cost excludes

Airfare to Leh from your location.

Any expenses of personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry, aerated drinks etc.

Personal clothing during the trek, sleeping bags, emergency evacuation and medical insurance.

Meals are not included in the cost unless specified in the inclusions.

Camera fees to be paid extra directly in monuments and parks, if applicable.

Tips/gratuities paid to naturalists, drivers, bellboys, waiters and staff members accompanying you on the trek.

Cost incurred in obtaining visa, insurance etc.

Cost incurred incase of hospitalization, evacuation etc.

Payment Options

Overseas Bank Wire Transfer. Cost of transfer to be borne by the client. Wire transfer details are provided in invoice.

Payment Policy

20% upon receipt of invoice. Booking will be confirmed up on receipt of this 20% non-refundable deposit.

100% in case of availing Apex airfare.

80% balance 60 days prior to the date of travel.

Cancellation Policy

If cancelled prior to 60 days of travel date – non refundable 20% deposit.

If cancelled prior to 30 days of travel date – 50% (50% refund).

If cancelled less than 20 days of travel date – 100% (0% refund).

Requirements from travellers

Passport details required for making reservations with local airlines and forest department.

Please provide full name as it appears on passport, age, address and nationality.

Introduction

The tour

Extension - Ladakhi Festival

Itinerary

Price

Extension

Note