wolf-and-nomad
Max 5
14 nights/ 15 days
Medium
Various hotels across Ladakh
Arrivals lounge at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Join me for an unforgettable Ladakh photo tour and workshop in northern India. This photography tour gives you the opportunity to photograph incomparable and compelling images taking in the landscape and culture of this unique area of India. Nestled between southwest China and Kashmir, Ladakh is known as Little Tibet and for good reason. The region offers stunning high snow-capped mountain landscapes, otherworldly blue lakes such as Tsomoiri along with a variety of ethnic people and tribes.
During the photo tour you will have the opportunity to shoot amazing landscapes and get up close to the people living in them to create magical portrait photography. From the Nomadic Pashmina goat herders to the traders who ply their trade with the Bactrian camels amongst the sand dunes of the Nubra Valley, there’ll be plenty of photographic opportunities.
The journey to Ladakh is a short 90-minute flight from New Delhi (DEL) airport. We will fly into Leh (IXL) where during the flight you can witness from the air where two of the world’s highest mountain ranges, the Himalaya and the Karakoram, converge to form this stunning landscape.
Upon arrival in Leh, you will quickly see why this stunning land is known as Little Tibet. From the people to the landscapes and architecture of the monasteries. It is all here but in northern India. You will be able to marvel at places such as Thiksey Gompa which has been described as a smaller Potala Palace as well as going to more remote area such as Tsomoiri Lake.
We will visit and photograph the Nubra Valley seeing the stunning expanse of mountains with the valley floor lined with several kilometres of sand dunes as well as discovering Diskit Monastery with its stunning vista of the surrounding valley.
Ancient monasteries cling onto the high mountains, and we will have an opportunity to photograph the morning puja, or prayer, inside Thiksey monastery where it is one of the few that allows photographers inside to witness the morning ritual.
The India Ladakh photography tour and workshop starts and ends in Delhi. From here you will be greeted at Delhi airport and then whisked off the next morning on the internal flight to Leh. The evening before will include dinner as well an orientation meeting where you will be taken through the ins and outs of your time in Ladakh.
Transportation throughout the photography tour will be in Toyota Innova cars. These provide an excellent amount of space for our luggage and camera gear. The windows are large and as such will allow you to fully appreciate the surroundings.
During July, the weather in Ladakh is a pleasant 25° to 30°c. The area is also known for its high altitude so we will of course be taking all necessary precautions to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Our route will take us over what is generally considered to be the highest motorable road in the world at 5360m. But don’t worry as most of our time is spent at around 2700 to 3500m.
The photo tour and journey around Ladakh has been planned so that you are acclimatized at a steady pace. We will be monitoring every person to ensure that altitude sickness doesn’t strike.
We will make the very best of the morning and evening light. You will be taken to some of the very best photography locations for the first light and sunset. Our local guide will also be on hand to help with the street and portrait photography that we will encounter.
As with all my photo tours, you will be provided with your own private room with no single supplement charge.
This photography tour of Ladakh will be an incredible photographic adventure that will see you capturing landscapes and the culture that inhabits this truly beautiful area of India.
Arrival into Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
I’ll be meeting you at the airport from your flight into Delhi. From here, you’ll be transferred to our hotel where we’ll spend the night before heading to Leh the next day.
Arrival into Leh, Ladakh
We’ll get up early for the transfer from our hotel to Delhi Airport. We’ll take the early flight to Leh.
The flight from Delhi to Leh gives us breathtaking views across the mountains giving a spectacular introduction to what awaits us on the Ladakh photo tour.
Our first full day will be spent acclimatizing to the altitude which is at 3500m.
In the evening, we’ll photograph from Shanti Stupa.
Leh | Ancient Tibetan Monasteries
Waking up early, we’ll head towards Thiksey Monastery to witness the morning prayer.
Next up, we’ll discover the surroundings of Stakna Monastery.
Drive from Leh to Lamayuru
From Leh, we’ll drive to the stunning landscapes of Lamayuru.
Lamayuru’s landscape is described as the Moon land due to its distinctive lunar-like landscapes that surround it.
Lamayuru to Leh
Having spent the night in Lamayuru, we’ll be early to catch the sunrise across the Moon Land.
Checking-out from our accommodation we’ll drive to Leh and overnight here.
Leh to the Nubra Valley
After a sunrise shoot, we’ll head to the Nubra Valley.
Our drive to the Nubra Valley will see us driving over the Khardung La mountain pass. Rising to 5359m or 17,852 ft, it is one of the highest motorable passes in the world. The drive takes us past the Siachen Glacier.
Discovery of the Nubra Valley
Today we’ll drive to Tangtse Village as well as Shahukul.
Our accommodation for this evening will be in Tangtse which is around 10km from Shashukul village.
Tangtse
For our morning shoot, we’ll participate in the Shashukul Festival.
After lunch, easy we’ll take the 1-hour drive to Pangong.
Panggong
Today, we have a long drive towards the spectacular Tsomoriri lake. The driver in total covers 175km and takes around 6 to 7 hours.
Tsomoriri lake discovery
Our day starts early as we capture the beautiful Tsomoriri Lake. If we’re lucky we may get to see the rare black-necked cranes who frequent the lake.
During the day, we’ll visit the Changpa nomadic people and their Pashmina goat herds.
Tsomoriri lake to Leh
Our Ladakh photo tour continues as we take the drive to Leh via Tsokar Lake then onwards up the Taglangla mountain pass.
The pass rises to 5328m or 17482ft in altitude and offers stunning views across Ladakh.
Continuing onwards to Leh we’ll have opportunities to photograph the stunning landscapes that surround the road.
Leh
Our adventure continues around Leh where we’ll continue to photograph the surrounding area.
Return to Delhi
The last day of our Ladakh photo tour will see us take the internal flight back to Delhi Airport.
Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) is served by a multitude of international flight operators, from budget airlines to the more commercial airlines. It is recommended that you arrive by mid-afternoon, up to around 6PM, as we will have an early flight on Sunday morning.
We will all meet at the arrivals at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) on 4 July 2026. Our hotel provides a shuttle which will then take us to our first hotel, where we will rest, ready for the photo tour to start.
Once we know all attendees’ departure flight times, we can coordinate drop-offs at Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
Yes, you will likely need to apply for a visa before going to India. Only a handful of countries can access the country visa-free or with a visa on arrival. An e-visa can be applied for online through the Indian government’s website before departure, so that the arrival process is quicker.
Altitude sickness occurs above 2500m or around 8200 feet. If your journey goes up too quickly, then there is the risk of altitude sickness occurring, which is why the itinerary takes us up at a gradual pace. Each day, participants’ oxygen levels will be checked to ensure that no one has to be taken back down.
If you’re worried about the effects of high altitude sickness, then you are strongly advised to consult your doctor before going.
Diamox is what many people are prescribed before ascending to altitudes above 2500m. Your doctor is likely to prescribe you 250mg to be taken once a day, along with drinking 2 litres of water throughout the day.
Light walking boots are perfect for the countryside, and lighter shoes will serve you well in the towns.
A wide-angle lens (16-35), medium zoom (24-70), and a longer zoom (70-300) will be ideal to cover most compositional eventualities. Ideally, though, your longest focal length should be 400mm, as well as an extender. The most used will be in the 24-70 range, as a super wide-angle doesn’t always translate, so make sure this focal length is covered. It’s best not to weigh yourself down, so why not bring an airport-style bag for all your kit and a smaller day bag, which you can decant equipment into throughout the day.
Although not essential, it’s a great idea to bring a laptop computer with you so you can discuss imagery with me and others in the group. It really is a great learning experience, so it’s highly recommended to bring a laptop to learn and for personal entertainment.
I try to make a point of tutoring digital photography to all my clients, to help complete the learning process. It really helps to have a computer session when tiredness takes hold, or inclement weather persists.
What’s included in the tour?
Photo tuition from Julian Elliott
Hotel accommodation in single occupancy accommodation and private ensuite bathrooms.
Home stays or luxury campsite in remote locations. Due to some of the locations not having the infrastructure of major cities these are basic but comfortable and allow us to be right where we should be.
Domestic flights to and from Leh
All meals
Airport transfers on arrival in Delhi Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Airport transfers on arrival in Leh
India tour guide fluent in both Hindi and Ladakhi
Ground transportation in private air-conditioned vehicles for listed activities
3 standard meals and non-alcoholic beverages per day
Bottled water
Site entry fees (if applicable)
Model fees (if applicable)
What’s not included
International flights to and from Delhi (DEL) airport
Airport taxes
Entry visa, if required, to India
Early/ late check in/ out service at hotels
Travel insurance and trip cancellation (highly advised)
Medical expenses
Alcoholic beverages, personal expenses such as telephone charges, laundry etc
Tips and gratuities for drivers, guides and hotel porters
Services and transportation are for listed activities only
Charges will be applied for any additional requests
All other services which are not mentioned in the Inclusion section
My tours fill up quickly but sometimes spots open up due to cancellations.
If the tour you are interested in is currently full and you would like to be added to the waiting list then please fill out this form
