[Maddy3008]

It has been almost 20 days since we have returned but the excitement of been there done that has not died down. This trip to Ladakh was a long time due and we were all very very excited. The passengers were my family (wife, son and I) and family friends - total 6 (4 adults and 2 kids). We did not have enough leaves for an end-to-end drive. Hence, we decided the following itenary:

• Day 0 & 1: Pune to Leh by flight & Rest at Leh
• Day 2: Leh local sightseeing
• Day 3: Leh to Drass and back to Kargil
• Day 4: Kargil to Leh
• Day 5: Leh to Nubra valley
• Day 6: Nubra valley to Turtuk and back
• Day 7: Nubra valley to Pangong Tso to Leh
• Day 8: Rest Day at Leh
• Day 9: Leh to Tso Moriri
• Day 10: Tso Moriri to Leh
• Day 11: Leh to Pune by flight

Since there are innumerable travelogues covering a lot of Ladakh, let me skip a few details and focus on the photography related preparations for this trip. Since I have not done a lot landscape photography, I wanted to make this trip a photo-journey and try to capture the best images that I could. This travelogue is also more a photolog than anything else.

Books:

1. Photographs from the edge by Art Wolfe: I started reading this book without knowing who Art Wolfe is. This book just has photographs clicked by Art on his various trips and provides an insight into the composition techniques he used to bring the photograph up to the mark where it can be included with other great photos from the artist
2. Waiting for the light by David Noton: This book had a great start, a great end and everything in between. I learnt the most from this book and David provided invaluable insights into how he manages to capture the most stunning landscape images and the equipment he uses along with right techniques.
3. Canon EOS 6D II camera manual: An absolute must read for anyone (for the camera they are carrying)
4. Creating HDR photos - The complete guide to High Dynamic Range Photography: This book specializes in creating HDR images. I was not aware of the capabilities of HDR and reading this book surely provides an interesting option for capturing landscape images.

Equipment:
This is the list of equipments I carried for the trip. Almost all of these were procured online.

1. Camera: Canon EOS 6D II
2. Lenses: Canon EF 24-105 F/4L IS USM II, Canon 70-300 F/4.5-5.6, Sigma 150-600 F/4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM
3. Tripod: Benro
4. Tripod Head: Gimbal head
5. Arca swiss plates (70mm and 150mm)
6. Rain and Dust cover for camera and camera bag
7. Canon battery for 6D II (extra)
8. RS-80N3 remote shutter cord
9. Filters: Circular polarizer (Hoya 58mm and 77mm diameter), Snap-on filter set (1,2,3 stop ND filter, 1,2,3 stop graduated ND filter)
10. Canon camera bag
11. Misc: Camera charger, USB transfer cord, SD cards (64 and 32 GB)

Videos:
I saw a lot of youtube videos, specially around landscape photography and a few from Morten Hilmer for picking the right equipment for the right use along with help on the pros and cons of each option.


Day 0 and 1: Pune to Leh and Rest at Leh

Our flight from Pune was at 1.30 am and we left home at around 11pm. The airport is a 15 min drive from our homes and we reached there in no time. It was 22-May and the election results are supposed to be declared tomorrow. Everyone was talking about their predictions and reasons. Never before have I seen so much security at the airports. We were a bit early and the queue for luggage check-in wasn't huge. After a 30-min wait for the counter to open, we quickly checked-in our luggage and went for security checks. My tripod was asked to be opened. I was asked to either leave the tripod behind or do a check-in. I decided to go for the check-in option. I returned to the check-in counter and saw a huge queue. I requested a few airport personnel from the airline and they kindly allowed me to break the line and check-in my tripod. I was also issued a new boarding pass. I returned to the security check counter and this time the guard found something fishy in my shoe. I was asked to remove the shoes and scan them separately. All this while, my mind was stuck at the tray where I had emptied my camera bag and all its contents - big and small. I was afraid I was definitely going to lose something in the crowd, chaos and the back-and-forth. Luckily, this time I was allowed to go through and spent another 15 minutes arranging the stuff inside the camera bag.


We are a group who loves to drive. As a result, we are also accustomed to carry a lot of stuff that a car can accommodate. When we packed for Ladakh, we had to keep in mind the restrictions that will automatically come because its not a door-to-door drive. Even then, we had a lot of luggage. The flight to Delhi was uneventful. However, we did not realize the distance between two terminals at Delhi was a lot. We reached Delhi at around 3.30 am, and our next flight was at 6am. We looked around and found that a bus takes you around different terminals. We stood in the queue and waited. When the bus finally arrived, it was 4am already and it was filled to the brim. The typical struggle of getting into a crowded bus ensued and finally when the bus started moving, we realized that the ladies had not managed to board this bus. However, all luggage was with us. The bus took us around on the empty Delhi roads (being early morning), and we finally managed to get down at the next terminal. Meanwhile, the ladies had managed to get into the next bus and by the time everyone reached the next terminal, it was 4.45am. We started to move briskly. This time, I did not take a chance and checked-in the tripod as well. I had also removed my shoes before getting into the security check. This time it was a breeze.


The flight to Leh started at 6am and almost all of us fell asleep immediately. We woke up in just a bit, and looked out of the window to see the mighty Himalayas. We had begun our descent. From about 25000 feet, it seemed as though the plane will scrape the top of a mountain. The descent and the braking thereafter was loud and quick. We had finally reached Leh !

After a short drive from the airport, we reached our homestay and fell asleep after breakfast. The entire day was spent either sleeping, watching TV, clicking photographs or playing some board games.

Fantastic view from homestay


This is a leaf of a plant inside the house !


Black-billed Magpie (they seemed to follow us everywhere)


Day 2
The next day was a local sightseeing day. We all woke up early and witnessed our first morning light glory.

Early morning light on Stok-kangri range


We were staying very near to the Shanti Stupa, and hence decided to walk up the hill where the Stupa is. The early morning walk was surreal with breathtaking views of Leh city and Indus river valley.

Fitness enthusiast! I was amazed at how easy this guy had made it look. Running uphill at 11000 ft, this guy managed to make at least 10 rounds up & down hill before I stopped counting.


Glorious sunrise over the Leh city


The beautiful Shanti Stupa


Leh city, Stok-kangri and the majestic views


Peace & tranquility


A monk walks around the Shanti Stupa, stopping after each round at the base of the stairs


A cute dog, with its winter clothing still intact. Almost all animals in Ladakh had the winter fur layer intact so far. They said the winters were long this year


After coming back down the hill, we had some breakfast and started our day long excursion around Leh.

First stop was Hemis monastery.

The bridge which connects Hemis to Leh Manali highway.


With lots of prayer flags and a strong breeze, the fluttering of the prayer flags had produced a nice rhythm, although the tempo was a bit too high. The presence of the flags always provided a nice contrast to the otherwise staple coloured landscape.


Budhha statue at Hemis gompa. The statue itself is at a different height than the entry to the monastery.


Prayer wheels. The wheels should be rotated clockwise as told to us.


Prayer flags at Hemis. The flags are supposed to be put up in such a way that the blue colour flag end is always slightly above the other end. The five colours signify different elements of nature starting with sky, air, fire, water and earth (in that order of the colour)


Hemis village. The Hemis national park famous for sightings of the endangered snow leopard derives its name from the monastery in the village.


A lucky shot. There were so many visitors inside the monastery that I thought it was impossible to get a picture without someone photo-bombing your shot. However, it is now proven that patience pays rich dividends !!


After spending some time within the monastery premises, visiting the nooks and corners of the building, we decided to get going. Lunch was planned to be quick. Wish it was. However, we decided to get into a local eatery on the highway and try the local dishes - thupka, momos, mokthuk. If that wasn't enough, we also tried the chef's capabilities to cook parathas, rice and daal. We had eaten like its the end of the world and this is it!


Ladakh is probably one of the few landscapes that allows a photographer to capture snow and ice, tall mountains, flat desert (sand), river, sunshine, clouds and trees - all very contrasting elements of nature in the same frame. The next stop provided me an opportunity to demonstrate this. Have a look











Thiksey Gompa

[Maddy3008]

Day 3 & Day 4 - Leh - Drass - Kargil - Leh

If I have to point to one drive I can never forget, it will be the Leh-Kargil-Leh drive. We visited the Kargil war memorial in Drass, stayed overnight at Kargil and drove back to Leh the following day. We did not stop for any breaks while going towards Kargil. On the way back, it was landscape overdose

First stop - Mulbekh:



























Second stop - Namikla pass:

[Maddy3008]

Day 4 continued

Third stop - Fotula












Lamayuru seen in the distance:














Why me !!




















Does that wall look like the Great wall of China








Roads in heaven

[Maddy3008]

Day 4 continued

Fifth stop: Alchi gompa














There's something in my eyes !!




More landscapes :









Indus and Zanskar river sangam:







Magnetic hill




Day 5 - Leh - Khardungla


















Reached Khardungla










Stalagmites of ice




Hats off to the BRO for maintaining the roads in such remote places:

[Maddy3008]

Day 5 - Nubra valley




Shyok river





Diskit gompa




Karakoram range in the distance








Diskit village














Hunder village








Time for some reflection








Bactarian camel (double humped camel)









Travellers on the old BRI (belts and roads initiative)








Tobacco eater perhaps !



Diskit seen from Hunder

[Maddy3008]

Day 6 - Nubra - Turtuk - Thang - Nubra

Thang is the last village on the northern border of India near the LoC. This place was not in our plan originally, but we decided to go for it based on recommendation of our cab driver.

Petrol pump at Nubra




Road to Turtuk






Can you spot a bridge ?






Tea and samosa stop on the way














Awesome roads..







..That end abruptly




Wish it was me !



Reached Turtuk



K2 as seen from Turtuk



Road to the border




Cafe at Thang. The road to reach here is pretty interesting. It is really an eye opener to take a look at the will power of Indian Army to man such treacherous places.




Pretty self-explanatory !!




If you look at the bigger picture by clicking on it, notice the vertical lines forming the fenced part of LoC. It is about 1/3 from the bottom edge of the pic.



A showcase Indian bunker from the inside




Back to Nubra. View of the valley from our homestay. A sandstorm was building up.

[Maddy3008]

Day 7 - Nubra to Pangong Tso to Leh

We were going to the famous Pangong Tso today. The roads were mostly fine except a few patches.










A yak. Here yak is the lifeline for people. Yak is used for milk, cheese and transport




A marmot, cross between a rabbit and a squirrel. Marmot is also a native animal here.





Landscapes once again




A tibetan wild ass






More views














Pangong Lake. To say the camera can never do a full justice would be an understatement. We spent about an hour at the lake. It was sunny and the flat stones and pebbles at the shore were enticing to play with. My son and I could manage a throw with 8 water bounces


























On the way back, we stopped for a quick photo of the Stakna monastery.




Stok-kangri range again

[Maddy3008]

Day 8 - Rest day at Leh

Today was the birthday of my friend's daughter who were traveling along with us. We celebrated it at the Chopsticks at Leh for some authentic Ladakhi food. Afternoon was spent shopping for some souvenirs and fridge magnets. A day well rested, we also bought some warm clothes and reinforcements like woollen socks for Tso Moriri.

Day 9 & 10 - Leh to Tso Moriri and back


Tso Moriri has been designated as a Ramsar site (birding site). We saw a lot of water birds like hens, coots, geese.


The lake:





















The place was very very cold and windy. We played some cards sipping on hot water before dinner.

The night was sleepless due to altitude, and we left early after a quick breakfast. The return drive was used for catching up on the lost sleep.

Day 11 - Leh to Pune

We boarded our return flight from Leh with a halt at Delhi and reached home by 8 pm.

This Ladakh trip was truly a special one for all of us. We celebrated three birthdays - my wife, my friend's wife and friend's daughter. We also made a list of the future trips to Ladakh - Road trip in own car, A biking trip, Zanskar valley trip, Manali - Leh highway, Hemis national park (snow leopard trails).

With a promise to return again to Ladakh, I end my photolog and hope you enjoy watching the pictures as much as I enjoyed clicking, processing, compressing and writing about them.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

Beautiful photographs, Makrand.

[SJM1214]

Nice Photographs, Thanks for sharing. I must say some of the photographs are clicked from some very interesting spots. For example, I loved the photo which covered Lamayuru Monastery and Moonland in a single frame.

[Max63]

Beautiful photographs, In fact I am planning to do it again some time next year. Last year I did Zanskar, Nubra, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri via Chushul and Hanle. Its landscapes and the mountain deserts are so beautiful that one feels to visit again and again. Drove from Mumbai.


Keep revving,

Subrata

[DreamsUnlimited]

Beautiful pictures!
This is one land we never get tired of no matter how many travelogues come up, it has almost become an addiction!
I am also planning a similar trip (fly direct and explore locally) due to lack of enough free time to do end to end driving.
Thank for sharing.

[dsnaveen21]

Awesome pics there, we also went last year (august month) with the same kind of itinerary.

[Maddy3008]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

[b]Thanks for sharing!

Beautiful photographs, Makrand.

Thanks !

Originally Posted by SJM1214

Nice Photographs, Thanks for sharing. I must say some of the photographs are clicked from some very interesting spots. For example, I loved the photo which covered Lamayuru Monastery and Moonland in a single frame.

Thanks SJM1214 ! Yes, tried a few different points of view apart from those commonly clicked as suggested by a lot of pros out there. Glad you liked them.

Originally Posted by Max63

Beautiful photographs, In fact I am planning to do it again some time next year. Last year I did Zanskar, Nubra, Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri via Chushul and Hanle. Its landscapes and the mountain deserts are so beautiful that one feels to visit again and again. Drove from Mumbai.


Keep revving,

Subrata

Thanks Subrata ! I wish to drive one day too. The landscape is so unique it was hard to come up options that are similar that have all types of natural formations. Only beach was missing .

Haven't been able to come up with anything yet, Andes or New Zealand may come close.

Originally Posted by DreamsUnlimited

Beautiful pictures!
This is one land we never get tired of no matter how many travelogues come up, it has almost become an addiction!
I am also planning a similar trip (fly direct and explore locally) due to lack of enough free time to do end to end driving.
Thank for sharing.

Thanks and Welcome to Team-BHP. Glad you liked the pictures !

Originally Posted by dsnaveen21

Awesome pics there, we also went last year (august month) with the same kind of itinerary.

Thanks Naveen !

[Dhar's]

@Maddy3008
Fantastic photographs. Loved it all. Especially the slow shutter on praying wheels (with one stationary wheel) and two more photos from the Hunder landscape.

Looks like you were staying somewhere near Nature's Land where I stayed last year.

Rated 5 stars!