[robimahanta]

In August'23, I set out on a Ladakh adventure driven by the promise of spotting the elusive Palla’s cat, India’s smallest wild feline, in Hanle. Joining me was my friend and TBHPian justwheels for this birding and wildlife escapade.

Keeping it light, I carried just one camera with a 600mm telephoto lens; landscapes and travel moments were captured on my phone.

Beginning our journey in Leh, we explored the local sights, savored delicious food, and took an afternoon ride on a Royal Enfield Himalayan, reaching Zanskar Valley’s Sangam and enjoying Shanti Stupa’s evening views.

Leh from the plane




Leh Market


Empty stretch towards Sangam


First look of sangam


With the Himalayan


Sangam scape


The fraud of Magnetic Hill


Hall of Fame


Shanti Stupa at night


Leh view from Shanti Stupa


Leh Market in the evening


Dinner at Tibetan Kitchen, quintessential thupka and momo






Day two led us to Shey Marshes and Sindu Ghat, chasing unique bird species. On day three, our quest continued toward Nubra, exploring Warila and Karu, with stops for birding and wildlife encounters along the way.

Sindhu Ghat


Shrey marsh


View from our room in Agham


Some lovely landscapes






Wari La


View from the high passes






Sanning for wildlife


Beautiful flowers with mountains in the background


Some Yaks


Chilling by a lake

[robimahanta]

Some Monastery scapes








Trying out long exposure with the iphone 11







Fresh veggies from the garden in our homestay


One of the many large army convoys we came across


At the highest fuel bunk


Our rental ScorpioN


Flowers galore

[robimahanta]

Our trail eventually brought us to Pangong Lake via Chang La pass, and we continued to Hanle via Chushul, anticipating Palla’s cat sightings.

Beautiful Pangong






From our homestay at Merak


A lovely rainbow


After a couple of days immersed in Hanle’s beauty, our return journey unfolded through Tso Kar and Tang Lang la.

Pristine tarmac near Hanle


Hanle Scapes




Lake in Hanle


Hanle Monastery


Hanle Observatory


Cannot leave hanle without seeing the milky way, took a friends wide angle lens for a few minutes to make some images. We were too tired to spend more time to perfect the night sky images





Came across many Maruti Jimny's in Ladakh


An amazing Mercedes Unimog being driven by an European couple






Beautiful Tso Kar






Tanglang La Pass




Some food pics from our trip, mostly we stuck to momos and thupka

[robimahanta]

Now that we are done with all the phone images, let me share the bird and other wildlife images of this unforgettable Ladakh expedition from the telephoto lens.

Eurasian Eagle Owl


Finch




Great crested grebe


With chick


Finch


Black necked crane






Hill pigeon


Little owl with prayer script


Chinese Ruby throat




Brown Accentor


Tibentan Sandgrouse






Eurasian Skylark


Golden eagle


Finch

[robimahanta]

Humes Short Toed Lark


Horned lark


White browed tit warbler in flight


Golden eagle taking off


Chinese Rubythroat




Serin


Horned lark


White Browed tit warbler


Mountain Chiff Chaff


Chukar partridge








Red fronted Serin




Robin accentor


Mountain Chiffchaff


Red Billed Chugh


Himalayan Snowcock


Tibetan Partridge


Eurasian Wren


Blue throat


Lammergeier in flight


Hill pigeon




Rosefinch

[robimahanta]

Upland Buzzard


Lammergeier profile


Ibis Bill Camo


Ibis bill


Northern Raven


Eurasian Wren


Citrine Wagtail


Dippeer


Snowcock


Eurasian magpie


Carrion Crow

[robimahanta]

Pika


Air time


Tibetan wild ass (Kiang)




Tibetan Wolf




Blue sheep




Marmot Wrestling


Marmot


Tibetan sand fox

[robimahanta]

Finally, some images of the main attraction from the trip. The Pallas's Cat.
The smallest wild cat from India.

Side light


Portrait


Out in the open


Jump


Solo climb


The 3 kids


Family portrait


Camo


In sequence


Air time


Bonding


Temple Twinning



Thats all for now. Thanks for your time.

[KarthikK]

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

[Zinger_Winger]

Originally Posted by robimahanta

Finally, some images of the main attraction from the trip. The Pallas's Cat.
The smallest wild cat from India.

I'm a simple man. I see a Manul, I become a cringe baby.

Exceptional trip! Exceptional photographs, amazing food!
These sort of trips are exactly what folks yearn for.
Kudos to you, kind sir; for sharing your experience with us!

[vsathyap]

W-O-W! Let me be the first to congratulate you on a stunning collection of pictures! The wildlife pics are icing on top of the landscape pictures. Its been a while I visited Ladakh and looking at your pictures makes me want to get back to the mountains again!

Stunning - Stunning set of pictures again! You must have had real patience with a heavy 600mm lens and getting those steady shots - and holding one's breath while pressing the shutter would have been an exercise at those altitudes! Take a bow sir!

[reignofchaos]

Beautiful photos! Especially of the Pallas's Cat family.

[RunGaDa]

Awesome job. Pictures, travelogue all very well done. It’s a must visit.
Congratulations on your trip and thanks for sharing it with us.

[Kashi053]

Robi, another unique travelogue. Admire your passion for wildlife photography and knowledge you have about them. Thanks for sharing.

[bblost]

Wow.

I am unable to actually pen down anything to express just how awesome this thread is.

Did I say wow, let it me say it again a couple of times...

WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW