India - Ladakh Photo Tour.

Take dazzling portraits in the Land of High Passes.

The Tour.

Join us on an unforgettable photographic adventure through Ladakh, a region nestled between China and Kashmir, where ancient monasteries and nomadic tribes coexist against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains and cobalt-blue skies.

Our carefully crafted itinerary takes us beyond the bustling state capital of Leh, into the heart of the enchanting Alchi, the mystical Lamayuru, and the untouched serenity of the remote Dah Village. As we navigate through the breathtaking expanse of the Nubra Valley, we’ll find abundant opportunities to frame the stark beauty of this region. Our expedition culminates at the awe-inspiring Tsomoriri Lake, where the tranquil azure waters set against the rugged terrain promise unforgettable photographic moments.

We have timed the tour to coincide with two Buddhist monastic festivals, offering an unparalleled opportunity to capture traditional dances performed by monks wearing colourful silk garments and different facial masks. The stark yet beautiful landscapes contrast significantly with the rich décor found in the monasteries, and the light that plays on the mountains will delight any photographer.

The people here live very tough lives, but we have found them to be some of the friendliest folk in the region, and with Nathan's help, many are willing to engage with you as you take their portrait photographs.

Transportation is vital to any tour, especially on a photography tour in as remote a location as Ladakh. We break the group into a convoy of Innova cars to ensure your safety and comfort on inevitably long drives. Compared to many other photography tours, we assume photographers will want private rooms and won't like to share. We do not charge a single-person supplement, but we can offer a discount if you prefer to share a room with a friend or partner.

Ladakh will be an unforgettable photographic adventure, where the ancient and modern collide amid stunning landscapes and vibrant traditions. The tour is not just about capturing beautiful images, but an invitation to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of experiences that only this unique part of the world can offer.

Photo Highlights.

  • Masked dancers, Monastic festival, Ladakh,India

    Festivals

    Two in one tour

  • Strong Face, Tsomori Lake, India

    Portraits

    Nomadic tribes

  • Traditional camel herder walking through Nubra Valley, Ladakh, India

    Nubra Valley

    Private camel shoot

  • Lamayuru monastery, Ladakh, India

    Lamayuru

    A dramatic monastery

  • Ladies at prayer wheels, Alchi monastery, Ladakh, India

    Alchi

    11th century monastery town

  • Dard people on Dah village bridge, Ladakh, India

    Dah Village

    Tibeto-Mongolian people

  • Photographer with Leh Palace in background, Ladakh, India.

    Leh

    Monastery vantage point

  • Large Buddha at Diskit Monastery, Ladakh, India

    Diskit Monastery

    Large Buddha

  • Rainbow over mountains in Nubra Valley, Ladakh, India

    Landscapes

    Endless variety

  • Local man on Royal Enfield passing azure blue lake, Ladakh, India

    Lakes

    Azure blue

  • Chemrey monastery Ladakh India

    Monasteries

    Breathtaking locations

  • Thicksey Monastery

    Early morning puja

Tour Details.

Est. 2015

Duration: 13 days, 12 nights, 11 days of shooting

Dates and Prices

2024

June 30 - July 12

US$6250 (+$500 Agra extension)

2025

July 18 - 30

US$6350 (+$500 Agra extension)

Past participants will get a special discount.

Our fee includes hotels, breakfast, seven lunches and dinners, bottled water throughout the tour, as well as all transport including airport transfers. This tour also includes two internal flights. We base our fee on accommodation in a single room, (always with private bathroom) though we offer discounts for couples sharing rooms, as well as for non-photographers.

Our Itinerary.

  • View of snow peaked mountains from plane window when arriving at Ladakh, India.

    Day 1

    Arrive any time: Enjoy free transfer to your hotel

    PM: Optional technical and aesthetic travel photography workshop for those who need it

    Sunset: Tour briefing and dinner

    Sleep: Delhi Aerocity hotel

  • Old women spinning prayer wheel in Alchi monastery, Ladakh, India.

    Day 2

    Sunrise: Flight to Leh

    AM: Alchi drive (photo stops)

    PM: Acclimatisation

    Sunset: Dinner

    Sleep: Alchi boutique hotel

  • Young monks reaching for prayer wheels at Lamayuru monastery Ladakh, India.

    Day 3

    Sunrise: Alchi village walk

    AM: Lamayuru drive (photo stops)

    PM: Lamayuru monastery walk

    Sunset: Lamayuru village walk

    Sleep: Lamayuru boutique hotel

  • Arian, Dard lady, cooking in Dah village, Ladakh, India.

    Day 4

    Sunrise: Lamayuru vantage point

    AM: Scrubbuchan Village

    PM: Dard portraits in Dah Village

    Sunset: River vantage point

    Sleep: Deluxe tents near Dah Village

  • Masked dancer at Phyang monastery festival, Ladakh, India.

    Day 5

    Sunrise: Early departure

    AM: Phyang Monastery festival

    PM: Leh drive

    Sunset: Leh monastery

    Sleep: Leh boutique hotel

  • Prayer flags flutter from Leh monastery, Leh, Ladakh, India

    Day 6

    Sunrise: Free time

    AM: Leh back streets

    PM: Leh Palace

    Sunset: Leh bazaars

    Sleep: Leh boutique hotel

  • Camel herders caught in sand storm in Nubra valley, Ladakh, India

    Day 7

    Sunrise: Free time

    AM: Khardungla pass drive

    PM: Nubra valley

    Sunset: Bactrian camels on sand dunes

    Sleep: Hunder boutique yurt

  • Women weave in 400 year old house in small village in  Nubra valley, Ladakh, India

    Day 8

    Sunrise: Sand dunes

    AM: Diskit monastery

    PM: Womans cooperative

    Sunset: Mountains in reflection pond

    Sleep: Luxury camp site

  • Old man teaching young boy in Leh, Ladakh, India.

    Day 9

    Sunrise: Free time

    AM: Leh drive (photo stops)

    PM: Free time

    Sunset: Leh vantage point

    Sleep: Leh boutique hotel

  • Korzok Gustar festival in Ladakh, India

    Day 10

    Sunrise: Thicksey monastery

    AM: Tsomoriri drive

    PM: Korzok Gustor festival

    Sunset: Tsomoriri Lake

    Sleep: Tsomoriri wooden cottage

  • Masked dancers at Korzok Gustor Festival Tsomoriri lake Ladakh, India.

    Day 11

    Sunrise: Pashmina Goat herder visit

    AM: Rest

    PM: Korzok Gustor festival - masked

    Sunset: Rest

    Sleep: Tsomoriri wooden cottage

  • Pashmina goats, Tsomoriri region, Ladakh, India.

    Day 12

    Sunrise: Rest

    AM: Leh drive

    PM: Free late afternoon

    Sunset: Farewell dinner

    Sleep: Leh boutique hotel

  • Snow peaked mountains of Ladakh

    Day 13

    AM: Delhi flight

    Either continue your international departure from Delhi.

    Or consider our 24-hour Taj Mahal extension with sunset and sunrise privileges

    We know you will have had a fabulous time

  • Tourist free Taj Mahal, Agra, India

    Day 14 (Optional)

    Sunrise: Taj Mahal, first through the gate

    AM: Explore all angles

    PM: Delhi drive

    Depart or head back to your hotel after 4pm

Make the dream a reality.

Tuition.

On any of our tours, stunning photography is the name of the game, and our objective is for you to leave with a collection of images that you'll be proud to show off. Indeed, many of our past participants have gone on to win awards and competitions with photographs taken on our tours.

Nathan’s teaching approach is very hands-on, as he believes in learning by doing. He will guide you through technical challenges, provide artistic inspiration, and lead by example in approaching locals for great portraits. You'll be amazed at the striking and authentic images you'll be able to capture.

We also offer Lightroom workshops during our tours, where we cover workflow management and picture processing. We'll show you the tools to take your travel photography to the next level and provide tips on saving your pictures for various outputs like social media, e-books, and printing.

If this is your first tour with us, you can also join Nathan’s pre-tour workshop, designed to equip you with essential skills for travel photography. Covering technical competence, creative observation, and ethical responsibility with a focus on people and culture, this workshop is perfect if you’re new to travel photography or need a refresher. The workshop runs on the first day of the tour from around 1-5pm. Enhance your photography skills and capture breathtaking moments to treasure forever. Apply via our tour request form and prepare to take your photography skills to the next level.

Hotels and Transport.

  • Large traditional room in Alchi, Ladakh, India

    Comfortable rooms

    We have gone to great lengths to secure the best accommodation available in most locations to enhance your overall sense of being in Ladakh. In Leh, Alchi and Lamayuru, we will stay in very comfortable hotels, and in the Nubra Valley we are sure you will love our luxury stone-walled yurts.

  • Yurt style tent in Nubra Valley, Ladakh, India

    Great locations

    Our accommodation options are far more limited whilst visiting the Dah Village and Korzok Gustor festival. Nevertheless, we have gone out of our way to secure the best alternatives, usually luxury tents with built-in bathrooms. In these cases we rejoice in location, location, location.

  • Luxury car driving through snow peaked mountains, Ladakh, India.

    Private transport

    Always using the latest model Toyota Innova we give you a window seat to let you appreciate the views and enable you to jump out quickly if there is anything you want to photograph. We find the generous seats are big enough to keep your camera bag conveniently close and safe, and we limit the number of photographers to three a vehicle.

TripAdvisor.

Millsiemex - September 2018

A photographer’s dream. This was the first organised photography tour I have ever done. Not only did I see a spectacular part of the world but this tour exceeded all I could have dreamed of. Nathan is so experienced and well-travelled that every day there were more wonders to photograph and people to meet. The tour is well organised and fun. I learned so much about photography in general and came out of this tour a much more confident photographer. Loved every minute of it! So much so that I’m already eyeing off my next tour with Nathan.

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