High Himalayan Photography Workshop 2023

UPDATE: WE HAVE ADDED A VEHICLE TO THE TRIP SO THAT ANYONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE A MOTORCYCLE LICENSE BUT REALLY WANTS TO JOIN THE TRIP IS NOW ABLE TO (see price adjustment below). WE ALSO HAVE A LAST MINUTE CANCELLATION SO WE HAVE 1 SPOT REMAINING. PLEASE EMAIL IF YOU ARE INTERESTED. 

Last summer I embarked on a solo motorcycle adventure through the High Himalayan region of Ladakh, India along the Tibetan Plateau. My trip was so extraordinary that I decided I would love to share it with like-minded adventurous individuals who are interested in improving their photography skills. So, this September 12, 22, 2023 I will be guiding a 10-day photography/adventure workshop in this incredible region. I am partnering with a local motorcycle company that has specialized only in Himalayan motorcycle tours for the last 25 years. They have an exceptional reputation and have helped me design a custom trip that will allow us to explore and access some of the world’s most stunning landscapes and ancient villages that are rich with Tibetan Buddist culture. 

This photo tour is for all photography enthusiasts who have an adventurous spirit and a desire to challenge themselves and learn new skills.  We will embark on a photographic adventure to some of the most beautiful places in the Ladakh region.  On this journey, you will learn everything related to photographing unique landscapes and cultures while having the bonus adventure of exploring this incredible landscape by motorcycle. 

If you ask me, it’s because it is simply amazing. It checks a lot of boxes for me: remote, incredibly beautiful, culturally rich and it has such a unique magic to its landscape and people that I can’t quite explain. I have traveled the world many times over and my time in the Ladakh region has been easily one of my favorite places to explore. My personal feelings aside, Ladakh, known as the “Land of High Passes” is famously considered to be one of the most beautiful regions in northern India that borders Tibet. With its snow–capped mountains, deep valleys, and crystal–clear lakes, Ladakh is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.  On this tour, we would like to invite you on a very special journey, where our motorcycle route will take us through some of the world’s highest mountain passes and pristine landscapes. We will explore ancient monasteries, camp with nomads and enjoy breathtaking high-altitude lakes nestled among the high Himalayan mountains. Traveling by motorcycle is extra special because it will not only provide an incredible adventure component but more importantly allow us to slow down and immerse ourselves as much as possible in the culture and life in the countryside. 

This photo tour is for all photography enthusiasts who want to improve their ability to take beautiful images. Participants should have basic knowledge of their cameras (digital SLR or mirrorless) and equipment including basic post-production software. During the 10 days, you will explore parts of Ladakh, shooting, collaborating, discussing and learning. We will cover the theory of image-taking, planning and post-processing. We start with the theoretical and technical basics and apply them in the wonderful and breathtaking Ladakh region. We will also cover workshop modules such as image editing, composition, onsite critiques, and much more! The goal of the trip is to have a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and return home with unforgettable memories, new skills and great photographs.

As for the motorcycle component, all levels of riders are welcome and the professional guides that will be on the trip are there to help. You DO need a motorcycle license but you DO NOT need off-road experience before coming. It helps, but it’s not necessary. To join this workshop, you do require a strong sense of adventure, flexibility, stamina and most of all curiosity. You need to be comfortable getting dirty and dusty and have a decent fitness level. Most days we will be covering long distances (between 2 to 6 hours on average), stopping along the way whenever something is interesting to see or people to meet. We will work with available daylight which means that some days we will be busy late into the day. A positive attitude and a willingness to give things a try is mandatory. My partnering company takes riders up to 70 years old so age or fitness level is not paramount but attitude is everything.  

The majority of this trip is not hard riding. There will be some sections that will challenge you but I specifically chose a route that is doable for everyone while at the same time offering some challenging sections to allow people to get out of their comfort zones and learn some skills.

If, after reading this you feel a strong urge to join, I can guarantee that you will see some of the most beautiful landscapes, meet some of the most hospitable and kind individuals and have one of the best trips of your life.

ARRIVAL IN INDIA

Welcome to India! You will fly into the Delhi International airport but the trip won’t start until you arrive in Leh. You will need to book a hotel in Delhi. I recommend staying a night in Delhi before catching a domestic flight to Leh so you can have some time to get some rest. I will be providing some hotel/sightseeing recommendations in a more detailed trip itinerary as the workshop date gets closer.

DAY 1 – DELHI TO LEH

Welcome to the Himalayas! We will pick you up from the Leh airport during the day and then there will be a welcome dinner that evening where you can meet the rest of the riders/photographers on the trip. Leh, the capital and largest town of Ladakh, was once an important junction on the famous Silk Route. Also known as the “Land of High Passes,” the town have a very quaint feel and is blessed with beautiful landscapes and cliff-hanging monasteries. It is inhabited predominantly by Buddhists, whose extraordinary way of life can be witnessed in the many monasteries in and around Leh. The most imposing and major attraction of the town is the Tibetan-style Leh palace, a sturdy fortress that was built in the 17th century.

Try to get here early if you can and spend a day just relaxing and getting used to the higher altitude. There is a lot to see around Leh. Visit the palace and fort or just relax at the main market watching the world go by.

DAY 2 – LEH – LAMAYURU

We will spend the first day on the motorcycles on an easy ride to the village of Lamayuru. This is an incredibly beautiful village and the famous monastery, built in the 10th century once housed over 400 monks. To this day, it remains one of the largest and the most ancient Buddhist convents of Tibetan tradition in India. It is located on the banks of the Indus River amidst the rugged mountains of Ladakh. The monastery’s architecture is unique and renowned for its scenic beauty. The complex consists of several shrines, chortens and monks’ residences. Lamayuru is also famous among Buddhists for its ancient murals and wall paintings and houses a collection of thangkas, statues, scriptures and frescos.

DAY 3 – LAMAYURU TO LEH 

We will head back to Leh via a different route that will take us to the remote villages within the Dah Hanu Valley. The Dah Hanu Valley is a beautiful, remote valley located in the Kargil district of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is known for its breathtaking scenery, with high mountains and lush green meadows. The valley is home to the nomadic Brokpa tribe, who are of Aryan descent and are known for their unique language and culture and beautiful people to photograph.

DAY 4 – LEH TO DEBRING CAMP

DAY 6 – TSO MORIRI TO PANGONG LAKE

This is a great day of adventure riding and is one of the more desolate but beautiful rides in Ladakh. After breakfast, we will leave the Tso Moriri camp and continue to the highest saltwater lake in the world, Pangong Tso, which is half bordered by India and half by Tibet. It is one of Ladakh’s most visited lakes and for a good reason… its spectacular blue color and breathtaking views of the high mountains of the Himalayas leave you speechless. This remote tent camp lies along the water’s edge and will allow us to explore and photograph this incredible landscape. 

DAY 7 – PANGONG LAKE TO NUBRA VALLEY

Leaving Pangong lake, we will have an easy ride into Nubra Valley. We pass through the beautiful tiny hamlet of Shyok Village which is one of the old caravan routes connected to the old Silk Road. You can photograph the famous two-humped Bactrian camels and visit the Diskit Monastery.

DAY 8 – NUBRA VALLEY

We will spend a whole day exploring this incredible place. We’ll visit small villages where we can walk around and engage with locals, witness people kneeling before prayer wheels, and explore the unique street photography. We will also visit the Hunder Monastery, where we can photograph Buddhist novices studying.

DAY 9 – NUBRA TO LEH

Today is the final day of our trip and it won’t disappoint. Leaving the valley, we ride up over one of the highest motorable roads in the world, Khardung La 17,582 ft (5,359 m). Have your photo taken at the top and ride above the clouds, looking out over the tips of the Himalayas.

DAY 10 – LEH – DEPARTURE

Today we say goodbye and drop you at Leh airport if you are flying out. The flight out of Leh is one final highlight, as you get to see just how majestic the Himalayas (which you have just ridden on an Enfield motorcycle) are from the air.