Live & Breathe Ladakh Kashmir 2014 Informal Photo Tours A Photographers Journey 21 day Photo Tour 1-22 Sept Taj Mahal Kashmir Ladakh
Experience Enjoy Evolve Embrace Immerse yourself...and your camera...in a land with breathtakingly rugged scenery in this high altitude desert with it s jagged mountains. Combine your love of photography and travel to meet the Tibetan peoples where Buddhism is a way of life under the crystal blue skies of northernmost India. Putting you in the Picture. Experience remote village life, enjoy photography adventures with camera in hand to capture amazing scenes as they unfold before us. Colourful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, shy smiles from the children, bustling life in the streets of Leh, spiritual temples oozing with atmosphere, stunning snow-capped mountains with rugged gorges and valleys, daily activities spilling out onto the paved alleys, sipping cold beers on the rooftops, meeting and photographing people who are the essence of Ladakh, inhaling the aroma of spices, watching life go by all around you, barley fields and flowing streams, and rustic architecture. Take Home with You. What I love about travel is that each person has their own highlights that they will take home with them... Memories of those majestic Himalayas, heartfelt moments, happiness, hard life and havoc, harmony, history and an all-time high from your travel experiences both in life and in your images you have captured that will stay with you for a long time to come on our fully guided Live & Breathe Ladakh journey with Informal Photo Tours. Planned for Photographers. Small group travel of 6-12, fully guided with Australian Professional Photographer, Sue Tanian, for informal one on one and group tuition for entire trip with the assistance of a local English speaking guide. Notes accompany our customised itinerary which is designed with photographers in mind to make the most of a need for unhurried travel, learning time and lighting conditions. A general level of fitness is required to make it more enjoyable. Landscapes, people, environmental portraits and architecture will keep us busy. This is not a trekking tour but there is walking involved carrying your camera bag, drink and snacks. We will have our own private vehicle and driver allowing us more freedom, efficiency of time and flexibility. Special Feature. And as if visiting Ladakh s stunning sights to keep your cameras busy isn t enough an absolute highlight of Live & Breathe Ladakh/ Kashmir are the feature sessions organised throughout the tour where you will get the opportunity to meet, talk with and photograph individual people of Ladakh who have their own stories to tell...
Live & Breathe Ladakh/Kashmir is for all experience levels with an aim to encouraging Beginners to Intermediate photographers with an emphasis on learning how to capture your images with the best use of your camera and compositional skills. Sue has been conducting workshops for over 15 years. Camera type does not matter...this is about learning to use what you have to make the most of you the photographer! Photos are formed before your finger hits the button so learning to see will open up a whole new world of creative thinking! And is that what that button does! Sessions are optional and informal, relaxed and fun with free time for those who wish. Non photographers very welcome indeed! Ladakh is such a mix of life, hustle and beauty that you will come away with some amazing pictures of this country and it s people in your heart and in your camera!! What a wonderful classroom we will have! You will have the added advantage of travelling with other photographers alike which only helps to further enhance your learning experience. Cultural awareness and sensitivity will be reflected in all that we do. It is the ideal combination of holiday, learning and travel where I look forward to sharing my passion for photography with you in this amazing place. Travel in Ladakh is not luxury travel. Life and conditions are not as we know it here but all you need is a sense of adventure, a sense of wonderment with new experiences, and a sense of humour! Live & Breathe Ladakh/Kashmir!
Commence Live & Breathe Ladakh/Kashmir A Photographer s Journey Taj Mahal Day 1 Delhi-Agra 2nd Sept Tues Arrive Delhi and take a drive to Agra for our amazing start to the trip to see the Taj Mahal the next day. You will love exploring where life spills on to the streets everywhere. Stay: Agra Day 2 Agra 3rd Sept Wed Agra: Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal with a guide. Wow! I cannot describe this experience.you will have to see if for yourself. Later, take a tour to the Red Fort. World Heritage nature site for birds is nearby. Street walking later for some night shots. Stay : Agra Day 3 Agra 4th Sept Thurs Another early morning to visit the Taj Mahal but with a difference this time... see this amazing wonder of the world from another perspective. Truly a special experience. Later, drive back to Delhi and transfer to our train to Amritsar...a delightful addition to our itinerary. Stay: Amritsar Day 4 Amritsar 5th Sept Frid The Golden Temple is the most visited site in all of India so we may have to get our elbows out but the shimmering golden Sikh temple reflecting in the surrounding waters will not disappoint. Walk the bazaars. And the Border Ceremony...well I am not going to tell you too much about this one but I will say you will certainly be entertained! Get those cameras ready! Night ceremony at temple. Traditional dining. Stay: Amritsar
A Photographer s Journey Kashmir An opportunity to experience the little travelled areas of Kashmir is a true highlight of our Live & Breathe Ladakh journey. The Kashmir valley is a surprise with a cultural mix to explore. Famous Mughal gardens, vibrant mosques, placid lakes that reflect the mountains, cheery boats to-ing and fro-ing, amazingly beautiful historic buildings, an imposing18 th century fort, old town lanes to wander and of course the famous traditional houseboats from the Raj era which must be experienced. And then of course the stunning drive to Kargil..yes, long and tiring (200km), but takes you through breathtaking mountain passes with Scottish like scenery and views that will keep you in awe. But don t let me tell you everything! A real sense of discovery awaits you here. This is an outline of our trip which then connects to Ladakh. Day 05 Kashmir-Srinagar 6th Sept Saturday Morning to explore before catching our flight to Srinagar. Our houseboat awaits! Shikara boat ride across Dal Lake to capture life and culture of the Kashmiris. Stay: Houseboat, Dal Lake Day 06 Pahalgam 7th Sept Sunday Early morning shikara ride to vegetable and flower market. Visit 1100 yr old temple ruins. Hike thru local communities and spend a pleasant evening with our host who is an avid photographer. Day 07 Srinagar 8th Sept Monday Stay: Pahalgam Travel to Aru Valley to be treated to beautiful scenery that will keep your cameras busy! Explore! Sunset by boat on Nageen Lake. Stay: Srinagar
Day 08 Srinagar 9th Sept Tues Morning tour of old town including visit to Jama Masjid, Kashmir s biggest mosque. Enjoy the famous Mughal gardens and hilltop temple. Stay: Srinagar Day 09 Srinagar-Kargil 10th Sept Wed Leave Kashmir now on our long and spectacular mountain drive which is our stepping stone to Ladakh! I dare you not to drop your jaw on this section! Lovely valleys, Tibetan high platueaus, snow peaked mountains. Have your coats ready! Stay: Kargil Day 10 Kargil-Tingmosgham 11th Sept Thur Continue the drive to see villages and a picturesque ancient monastery perched on a crag overlooking the Indus river. You are now in central Ladakh. Stay: Tingmosgham
Day 11 Dah Hanu 12th Sept Fri A Photographer s Journey Ladakh Today you will meet a unique community in a beautifully preserved Aryan village. This area is famous for harvesting of flowers, tomatoes, apricots, walnuts and vines. Traditional dress is worn along with smiles and the Dards are a proud people. Stay: Tingmosgham Day 12 Leh 13th Sept Sat This morning, you will relish a typical local breakfast in a Ladhaki Kitchen with a local family. Visit the oldest village in the region, Tia village which is 500 years old located on a hill with very interesting architecture. The building houses the entire village comprising of 200 families. The layout is like a maze where you need to manoeuvre your way through winding tunnels which suddenly open out into a courtyard with houses opening out into the courtyard. Depart for world famous Alchi monastery with it s fusion of Tibetan and Kashmiri Art. See Basgo palace on the way to Leh. Stay: Leh Day 13 Leh 14th Sept Sun Visit for very early morning prayer ceremony at Thiksey monastery situated towards the East of Leh picturesquely on a hill-lock, which also houses a two story stucco statue of Maitreya Buddha seated on a lotus, upon arrival we witness the monks gathered in the assembly hall for the Morning for a Prayer Ceremony, which begins before sunrise at 6AM, we hear the monks chant their prayers with the beats. After that you will be guided to visit the other parts of the monastery followed with a breakfast at the Thiksey monastery restaurant. Drive ahead of Thiksey monastery for a photo halt along the banks of River Indus and then visit Hemis monastery another 30 kilometres southwest of Thiksey; Hemis is the largest and the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. Later in the afternoon a walk through the market of Leh. Walk thru the old palace alleys and visit Shanti sutpa for view the sunset. Stay: Leh Day 14 Nubra Valley 15th Sept Mon *Farewell to those on the 2 week option :(...the tour will continue in Ladakh as you are transferred to airport for flight to Delhi. There will be a driver with your name on a placard in Delhi and you can visit some tourist attractions or spend time shopping in the bazaars. You will then be transferred to international airport to depart for Australia. Nubra Valley: (Leh Hundar (3152 meters) via Khardung la (5570 meters) Distance 144 kilometers; Average driving time 4 to 5 hours): Morning depart towards Northwards across the Khardung La the highest motorable road in the world, after a brief halt at the pass, we continue our drive to a different landscape. We arrive at the village of Hundar in Nubra Valley. Hundar village, this is the most amazing drive along the sand dunes and the Shyok River, which are very rare to see a combination of a river and the sand dunes. Upon arrival at Hundar, we visit the Double Hump Camel Breeding Center. This camel is the principal animal of inner Asia used especially on the Northern part of the route beyond Karakoram Pass. We then drive to Deskit village, which is the largest village in Nubra Valley. It is also the headquarters of the present administrative setup of Nubra valley. We also visit a hilltop that offers a grand view of the Nubra Valley towards the North. We then drive downhill to visit the Deskit Village. Walk to the local market of Deskit and Hundar villages. Stay: Nubra Valley Day 15 Tingmosgham 16th Sept Tues Our next day, includes a drive towards Turtuk village, the last village on the Pakistan-India boarders, which has been opened to the international tourist for two years only. The resident of Turtuk are mainly Nurbaksh Muslims though are very shy of the camera but they have a beauti-
ful village situated on a plateau. (Since the area has just been opened to the foreign tourist, the locals are quite shy of photo therefore, to avoid any offence your guide will speak to them in local language and coordinate the same). We then return to Nubra. Stay: Nubra Valley Day 16 Leh 17th Sept Wed Take the time to enjoy our drive back to Leh Stay: Leh Day 17 & 18 Leh-Tsomoriri Lake 18th Sept Fri Leh Chumathang Village (3950 meters) Distance 128 Kilometers to Tsomoriri Lake (4520 meters); Distance 100 kilometers: After breakfast, we drive on the highway, along the bank of River Indus, connecting Leh to Manali. Travel through lush green fields, monasteries, and schools etc. of Shey, Thiksey, Karu and Upshi villages. Our journey continues along the left bank of river Indus as it snakes its way through a gorge between the Ladakh and Zanskar ranges and crossing small settlements to reach Chumathang village. Chumathang Village famous for its hot (sulphur) spring. We continue our drive towards Tsomoriri Lake. During our drive to Tsomoriri we come across different landscapes with colourful mountains as our backdrop and driving among the Nomadic tented camps situated along the Thatsang Karu Lake. There we get a unique chance to mingle with the nomadic crowd to learn more about the Ladakhi gypsy tribe. Continue our drive on our way to Tsomoriri Lake leaving the nomadic settlements behind. As we approach closer to the Lake, we take a brief halt on a ridge for photo stop, where one gets the first glimpse of the turquoise-colored lake. Drive for 20-25 minutes along the lake before reaching our campsite. Rest of the day is spent strolling by the lakeside and to witness the migratory birds, which flock here during summers to make their nests. Black-necked crane that travels all the way from Siberia is the major attraction. It is believed that the bird is on the verge of extinction and there are only two pairs remaining alive. Brahmani Ducks, Brown headed Gull and other numerous species can also be seen nesting. A naturalist s paradise. Return to our campsite. Overnight on the banks of Tsomoriri in tented camp Stay: Tsomoriri Lake Day 19 Tsomoriri-Leh 20th Sept Sat Tsokar (4530 meters) Polokongka La (4920 meters) & Taglang la pass (17500 feet); Distance 170 kilometers; 7-8 hours: After breakfast, depart for Tsokar (salt lake) driving through the same route and after a descent to Sumdo village, we visit the Tibetan refugee center and the SOS village, after a brief halt we continue taking the roller coaster track and reach Puga village, situated near old sulphur mines after a brief halt, we then continue our drive to Tsokar crossing the Polokongka La. The Salt Lake is surrounded by marshes and produces various kinds of salts, on the northern shore of the lake, the salt is deposited and collected by the Nomads who later trade over Ladakh regions which are mixed to prepare Butter tea known as (Gur Gur tea). The area is rich in wildlife, which includes Kyang (wild ass), red foxes and the rare Snow leopard. We pass through Tsokar and hit the Manali-Leh highway and continue our drive to Leh across Taglang la pass (17500 feet) & Rumtse, Gya & Meeru villages. Stay: Leh Day 20 Stok 21st Sept Sun After a long drive the previous day you will have a leisurely breakfast, followed with a drive to Stok village for a meditation class & practice and then visit the Stok palace museum. Return to Leh for lunch and then explore the old market in Leh. Farewell dinner in Ladakh! Stay: Leh
Day 21 Leh-Delhi 22nd Sept Mon Transfer to Leh airport to board flight to Delhi. Meet our car and driver for the afternoon to take us to Delhi s sights or you may spend some time shopping in the interesting bazaars. Transfer to International airport for flight home. Tour ends :( Day 22 Delhi-Melb 23rd Sept Tues Arrive Melb and the end of an amazing journey to another fascinating part of the world. Ladakh Kashmir Delhi Agra INDIA
Live & Breathe Ladakh 2014 ~ A Photographer s Journey Tour Price 21 day Photography Tour Taj Mahal Kashmir Ladakh $6950 USD Single Supplement $ 510 USD Booking confirmed upon payment of deposit. Please note prices are in USD due to fluctuating exchange rate Includes: all accommodation; all meals in Ladakh; Breakfast & Dinner on houseboat stay; Breakfast during remaining places except Amritsar; transfers and sightseeing in private vehicle, English speaking guide on complete disposal in Ladakh; driver/guide Srinagar; taxes, Professional Photographer with one-on-one and group tuition for entire tour, pre and post tour photo assistance, Feature Sessions, workshop notes, most entrance fees, bottled mineral water during driving and sightseeing, domestic airfare (Delhi-Leh return); train fare; 2 x Shikara boat rides; assistance at arrival and departure points Does not include: International airfares, visa, extra meals, travel insurance (compulsory), beverages, laundry, personal expenditure, activities outside of itinerary, Festival seats, camera entrance charges, cost incidental to any change of itinerary/stay on account of flight cancellations due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks or any other factor beyond our control, tips, gifts, vaccinations & medical. Passport must have more than 6 months validity until expiry. High Altitude is to be taken seriously. Leh is at 3500m and some of the passes up to 5000m so please consult your doctor for information before travelling. For further information please phone Sue on : Mob 0407355670 www.informalphotography.com.au or email Sue at informalphotography@wideband.net.au We can also assist you in flight bookings, visa applications and tour needs. Informal Photography offsets it s air travel carbon usage with a tree planting program and provides a printer friendly version of your itinerary. We are very excited to provide support to the local communities of Nepal with the inclusion of our volunteer project and look forward to your involvement! Informal Photography would like to thank you for supporting a fully Australian owned and operated small business