the land of ladakh
join us...
on an immersive journey into mountainous plains, deep valleys
& monasteries where time stands still
When: August 3rd - 15th 2025 (13 Days)
Who: Tour leaders ~ Lynn Gail and Seng Mah
Where: Exploring Ladakh's ancient Silk Route
Level: Beginner to experienced photographer
Fitness: Photographic pace
Sleeping: A mixture of traditional hotels, LUNGMAR Remote-luxury Camp, and a Lake-side camp.
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Wander the roof of the world
Ladakh - the land of high mountain passes
Our carefully planned itinerary weaves its way through India's most far-reaching landscape. It's where ice-capped mountains create spectacular backdrops to Tibetan Buddhist monasteries adorned with spiritual prayer flags. The unforgettable terrain is dotted with whitewashed stupas, spinning prayer wheels, and religious buildings decorated with age-old murals. Yet to be consumed by mass tourism, Ladakh is a destination where outsiders are welcomed with open-arm hospitality. You'll meet the humblest of people as you spend time connecting and learning about their ancient traditions and beliefs.
This journey is designed for photographers wanting to improve their travel photography and explore new ways of connecting to a part of the world where a people still practice passed down generations-old beliefs. Throughout the expedition we will teach you new skills on how to shoot and enhance a wide range of travel imagery. The immersive nature of the tour will challenge you to photograph from an emotive level through connecting with subjects not found anywhere else in the world.
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DAY 1 : DELHI - LEH
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Fly to the old silk route town of Leh, nestled in the mighty Trans-Himalaya.
Upon arrival, you will be met by your Tour Leader and transferred to your hotel. You must rest all day to acclimatize to high altitude. This necessitates limiting your activities today to properly acclimatize.
Leh, the capital of Ladakh, was an important stopover on trade routes along the Indus Valley between Tibet to the east, Kashmir to the west, and also between India and China for centuries. The main goods carried were salt, grain, pashm or cashmere wool, charas or cannabis resin from the Tarim Basin, indigo, silk yarn and
Banaras brocade.
DAY 2: EXPLORE LEH
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After an early breakfast, drive down to the monastery of Thiksey to attend morning prayers. This is a beautiful and calming experience steeped in the tradition of the Gelugpa, or yellow hat order, of Buddhism.
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After the morning prayers have concluded, drive around the beautiful Indus valley to view the monastery of Stakna towering above meandering Indus. Then drive to the monastery of Matho to view a different order of Buddhism, and take in the sights of the Indus valley from a high vantage point. Rest at your hotel after lunch before heading out to view a sweeping sunset from the Shanti Stupa, or peace pagoda, built by the Japanese, with commanding views of Leh and the Stok Range.
DAY 3, 4, 5, 6: NUBRA VALLEY
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Cross the high pass of Khardung La, one of the highest motorable roads on earth and descend into the famed Nubra Valley, overlooking the Ladakh Range, the Saltoro Range, and the high Karakorum Range.
Nubra is a melting pot of the Central Asian culture of Xinjiang, just across the mountains in China, the Muslim influences of Baltistan (now mostly in Pakistan), and the Buddhist history of Tibet that infuses so much of Ladakhi daily life. It is the perfect blend of landscapes and portraits for the photographer.
Using the village of Sumur as a base, you will explore Ladakhi culture, silk route history, and some of the impressive local monasteries. Over three days in Nubra valley, you will visit remote villages, including Hunder and Deskit, explore high altitude sand dunes and be awed by surrounding towering mountains.
We will visit an old caravanserai, a remnant of the days of the silk route for some portraits. Sumur and Teggar were the last major villages that silk route caravans encountered before crossing the Karakorum pass into the region known as Yarkand, south of Xinjiang in China. You'll visit some fascinating traditional houses in the area.
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DAY 7 & 8: SHANG VALLEY
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Cross the high pass of Wari La (5,312m) and descend into the Indus Valley. Cross the Indus and enter world famous Hemis National Park, abode of snow leopards. Here we’ll stay at the LUNGMÄ€R Remote Camp, a beautiful property with 5 rooms. Spend the day relaxing after a long journey and a productive photography session in Nubra. On the next day explore the villages around the LUNGMÄ€R for more portraits, landscapes, and a look at sheepherding life.
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Day 9, 10, 11: TSO MORIRI LAKE and NOMADS
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After a relaxed breakfast, you’ll drive to the village of Korzok, perhaps the highestaltitude village in the world that is inhabited year round. Korzok is nestled by the stunning lake of Tso Moriri at 4,500 meters and is one of the headquarters of the Changpa nomads of the region. You will stay in a luxurious mobile camp by the lake.
The stunning landscape is home to families of pastoral nomadic Changpa that have reared pashmina goats and livestock in the region for millennia. Pastoral nomadism has played an important role in shaping world history. The periodic interaction, cooperation, and conflict between Central Asian nomadic tribes and the sedentary peoples that shared their borders played critical roles in the development of trade routes, the
transfer of ideas between East and West, and the spread of technology across the world.
Nomadic life is often romanticized, usually with representations of freedom, wanderlust, and being
beyond society’s obligations. In reality, the lives of these nomads are harsh, difficult, and dangerous. They follow migration routes that are centuries old, moving in between pastures and meadows that have been divided and assigned to different families. They walk the same path that their ancestors trod, moving their herds of Pashmina goats, sheep, yaks, and horses in cyclical journeys season after season. Losing animals to predators like snow leopards, Tibetan wolves, and lynxes are a sobering reality. They camp in stone-walled
structures called rebos and spend cold winter nights in canvas tents.
The village of Korzok, by Tso Moriri lake also has one of the highest situated monasteries in the region. This monastery follows the Drukpa system of Tibetan Buddhism. You’ll get privileged access at the monastery and can shoot in different locations with a few monks. Here we camp besides Tso Moriri Lake in a luxurious mobile camp for 3 nights.
Day 12: RETURN TO LEH
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Cross Taglangla La, one of the highest passes in Ladakh open to civilian traffic, and descend into the Indus valley. It’s about 5 hours driving to Leh if road conditions are good. Spend a free relaxing afternoon in Leh.
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Day 13: FLY TO DELHI
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Today we say farewell after connecting to the Ladakhi people in what can only be described as an incredible and immersive journey through some of the world's most extraordinary terrain.
Abdul Rashid
Abdul Rashid will be our cultural guide and fixer for all our photographic requirements. An expert guide, he is a mountaineer, photographer, and Voygr’s Himalayan expert. Originally from a small village in Nubra Valley, he speaks 8 languages, and has successfully helped clients summit the tallest peaks in Ladakh, during his 20-year career as a mountain guide.
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Rashid has led expeditions for explorers and adventurers across the Himalayas.
He specializes in organizing logistics, location scouting, and expeditionary requirements for various photography and filming clients. Previous high profile clients have included both National Geographic and The Discovery Channel. Rashid lives in Leh with his family.
Tour pricing:
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Tour Cost: AUD $13,750 twin share Add $2,200 for single supplement
Numbers – Minimum photographers: 6. Maximum photographers: 8.
Photography ability: Beginner to advanced
Please note: A deposit of AUD$2,000 secures your place on the tour.
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The small print (made large)
Tour includes:
• Airport transfers in Leh with meet and greet.
• All meals - breakfast, lunch, dinner.
• Alcohol included when camping in Voygr’s camps.
• All road transport across Ladakh.
• All tourism permits.
• All entrances.
• All guiding.
• ​Photographic critique and tuition.
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Tour excludes:
• Any flights.
• Alcohol anywhere besides Voygr’s camp.
• Travel / medical / trip cancellation / comprehensive travel insurance( Policy number REQUIRED)
• Items of a personal nature e.g. curios, souvenirs, beauty treatments, telephone calls.
• Tips/ Gratuities
• Camera insurance and equipment.
• Excess baggage claim.
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For terms and conditions covering the Ladakh tour, including cancellation fees, please make sure you read through our T&C’s policy, available on request, and sent on booking your place on the tour.