Informal Photo Tours

A Photographers Journey

14 day Photo Tour | 31 Aug-12 Sept

2 night Taj Mahal Option | 12-14 Sept

Liv

e &

Bre

ath

e L

ad

ak

h 2

014

Putting you in the Picture. Experience re-

mote village life, enjoy photography adven-

tures 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, dai-

ly 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 high-

lights that they will take home with them...

Memories of those majestic Himalayas, heart-

felt 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 Pro-

fessional Photographer, Sue Tanian, for infor-

mal one on one and group tuition for entire

trip with the assistance of a local English

speaking guide. Notes accompany our custom-

ised itinerary which is designed with photogra-

phers in mind to make the most of a need for

unhurried travel, learning time and lighting

conditions. A general level of fitness is re-

quired to make it more enjoyable. Landscapes,

people, environmental portraits and architec-

ture 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 allow-

ing 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 are

the feature sessions organised through-

out the tour where you will get the op-

portunity to meet, talk with and photo-

graph individual people of Ladakh who

have their own stories to tell…....

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.

Live & Breathe Ladakh is for all experi-

ence levels with an aim to encouraging Begin-

ners to Intermediate photographers with an

emphasis on learning how to capture your im-

ages 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 ad-

vantage of trav-

elling with other

photographers

alike which only

helps to further

enhance your

learning experi-

ence. Cultural

awareness and

sensitivity will

be reflected in all that we do.

It is the ideal combination of holiday, learn-

ing 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!

COMMENCE LIVE & BREATHE LADAKH | A PHOTOGRAPHER’S JOURNEY

*Meet at tour accommodation Sunday night

Day 01| Delhi, India | 31st Aug | Sun

On arrival at Delhi International Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to a hotel in Del-

hi for overnight stay

Stay: Delhi

Day 02 | Leh | 1st Sept | Mon

Early morning transfer to Delhi airport to board the flight to Leh which takes just under 1.5hrs flight time. Flight Details: Air India/ AI 445 Departure from Delhi: 06:25 A.M. Arrival in Leh: 07:50 A.M. On arrival at Leh airport, you will be assisted and transferred to the proposed hotel. Full day to rest and relax to acclimatize to the high altitude and rarefied air. Enjoy the typical traditional mudbrick architecture of the region and the rambling alleyways in the Old Town area. A few days in this area will make things a little easier for altitudes on the passes later.

Stay: Leh.

Day 03 | Leh | 2nd Sept | Tues

Today after a leisurely breakfast, you will be driven on an introductory tour of Leh market. Highlights of the day:

Ø Ancient Leh Market Ø Local women selling fresh vegetables on the footpath with traditional dress Ø Visiting the Old ancient alleys with old architectural buildings Ø Sunset view from Shanti stupa

Stay: Leh

Day 04 | Leh | 3rd Sept | Wed

Visit for Early morning prayer ceremony at Thiksey monastery Today after early tea/coffee, we are driven to Thiksey monastery situated towards the East of Leh picturesquely on a hill-lock, which also houses a two story stucco statue of Maitreya Buddha seat-ed 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 pray-ers 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. After breakfast, you will be driven two kilometres ahead of Thiksey monastery for a photo halt along the banks of River Indus and then you will drive to visit Hemis monastery another 30 kilo-metres southwest of Thiksey; Hemis is the largest and the wealthiest monastery in Ladakh. Hem-is festival is considered amongst the biggest and most famous of the monastic festivals, and is dedicated to Padmasambhava. Every 12 years, the gompa's means a (monastery) greatest treas-ures, a huge Thangka, is ritually exhibited. After that, return to visit Shey monastery, Shey was the summer capital of Ladakh in the past. The palace, mostly in runs now, ws built first in 1655, near Shey village, by the king of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal, also know as Lhachen Palgyon. It was used for a summer retreat by the kings of Ladakh.

The Shey monastery was alos built in 1655 on the instructions of Deldan Mangyal, in the memory of his late father, Singay Namgyal, within the palace complex. The monastery is noted for its giant copper with gilded gold statue of a seated ShakyamuniBuddha. Shakyamuni Buddha is so named since Buddha was the sage (muni) of the Sakya people who resided in the Himalayan foothills and their capital was Kapilvastu. It is said to be the second largest such statue in Ladakh. Later in the afternoon a walk through the market of Leh. Rest of the day at leisure or an optional walk towards the surrounding areas. Highlights of the Day:

Ø Early morning prayer ceremony at Thiksey Monastery Ø Photo stop along the Indus River Ø Hemis Monastery, explore the daily life of the monks Ø Shey; a walk into the village lifestyle Ø Evening witness the Ladakh Festival

Stay: Leh Day 05 | Uleytokpo | 4th Sept | Thur

Depart Leh to Alchi en route Nimoo village– Uleytokpo: After breakfast, we depart for Alchi, en route we halt to photograph the confluence of River Indus-Zanskar visit Nimoo Village one of the finest villages best to explore on foot through the alleys through old houses and alleys with locals working fields, as we continue we will be picked up at a certain place to continue our drive fur-ther. We also visit the famous Alchi monastery world’s famous monastery built in the 11th century. Alchi monastery is very different from the rest as it has a fusion of Tibetan and Kashmiri Art (Please note: Photography inside the monastery will be prohibited). We then drive to Uleytokpo Camp for a hot Lunch, afternoon at leisure, late in the afternoon we are driven to visit Ridzong Nunnery; the only nunnery in Ladakh also known as Chomoling. Highlight of the day:

Ø Drive on the Leh – Srinagar highway Ø Halt at the confluence of River Indus and Zanskar Ø Capture the ruins at Basgo monastery Ø Beautiful landscape all throughout Ø Explore the Saspol village

Ø Alchi, Ridzong & Likir the two picturesque monasteries

Stay: Uleytoko Resort

Day 06 | Tingmosgham | 5th Sept | Fri

Uleytokpo to Tingmosgham visiting Lamayuru: Today after early breakfast, we will drive on Srinagar-Leh highway and then continue to drive to Lamayuru. Upon arrival, we will visit La-mayuru village situated on a foot of the Monastery Please note: It’s not necessary to visit the monastery, but the drive en route offers some of the amazing landscapes of the mountain gorges; ruined monastery and more…. Lamayuru Monastery, founded in 11th century perched on a spur high above the valley bottom just off the main road; it is one of the most spectacularly picturesque monastery in central Ladakh and is believed to be the oldest in central Ladakh and to have been the holy place of the Bon-chos the advent of Buddhism. We then return to Leh taking the same Srinagar-Leh highway to our Tingmosgham village. Tingmosgham village is the largest village in Sham valley (Lower Ladakh) Tingmosgam is well famed for its monastery, and is perhaps the most affluent village in the sham valley for its apricots, apples, nuts and beautiful houses.

Upon arrival, an optional walk of Tingmosgham village. Highlights:

Ø Explore the Lamayuru village with its beautiful landscape Ø At Tingmosgham; the most beautiful and the largest village in Sham valley Ø The Picturesque Lamayuru monastery on a hill top. Ø Different angles to click the monastery with Moon land

Stay: Tingmosgham

Day 07 | Leh | 6th Sept | Sat Tingmosgham to Tia village to Leh: This morning, you will relish a typical local breakfast in a Ladhaki Kitchen with a local family. Following a delicious breakfast, proceed on a visit to the oldest village in the region, Tia village which is 500 years old located on a hill with very interest-ing 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. Highlight: The local breakfast in a local kitchen After that, we return to Leh taking the similar route, with optional halts.

Stay: Leh Day 08 | Deskit Village | 7th Sept | Sun Nubra Valley: (Leh – Hundar (3152 meters) via Khardung la (5570 meters) – Dis-tance 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 Nu-bra 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. Includes a walk to the local market of Deskit and Hundar villages

Stay: Deskit Day 09 | Nubra Valley | 8th Sept | Mon Nubra Valley: Our next day, includes a drive towards Turtuk village, the last village on the Paki-stan-India boarders, which has been opened to the international tourist since two years only. The resident of Turtuk are mainly Nurbaksh Muslims though are very shy of the camera but they have a beautiful village situated on a plateau. (Since the area has just been opened to the for-eign 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. Overnight at the hotel in Nubra valley.

Stay: Nubra Day 10 | Leh | 9th Sept | Tues Leh: Drive back to Leh and stay overnight.

Stay: Leh

Day 11 | Pangong | 10th Sept | Wed

Pangong: Today you will be driven to Pangong Lake, is the largest and an extraordinary lake sit-uated at an altitude of 4300 meters, it is reached after crossing the Chang la pass (5320 meters) and driving along the dusty track. The lake is surrounded by snowy mountains mirrored in its crystalline waters shimmering in an amazing range of blues and greens. On arrival, we will spend some time in order to allow you explore the lake and to click as many photographs to carry back home the memories. En route visit the Nomads with herds of Yaks & Pashmina sheep’s also explore the Tangtse village. The main highlight: Pangong Lake late in the evening and early morning and a walk along the lake side.

Stay: Pangong Lake in a Tented camp Day 12 | Leh | 11th Sept | Thur Drive back to Leh and stay overnight

Stay: Leh Day 13 | Delhi | 12th Sept | Frid Leh – Delhi: Transfer to Leh airport to board the flight to Delhi. Flight Details: Air India/ AI 446 Departure from Leh: 11:10 A.M. Arrival in Delhi: 12:30 A.M. Pick up and transfer to your hotel. Remaining day is proposed at leisure. Our car will be at your disposal for any possible tours. Or continue on to Agra if doing the Taj Mahal Option.

Stay: Delhi or Taj Mahal Option Day 14 | Departure | 13th Sept | Saturday Transfer to airport for your flight or continue on to Agra if doing the Taj Mahal Option. As weather conditions can affect flights in this region it is best to not schedule your flight until this day.

Taj Mahal Option! Day 14 | Agra | 13th Sept | Sat Agra: Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal with a guide. Wow! Later, take a tour to the historical Agra Fort. Day is free to take a walking tour of the town including notable attractions. Street walking later for some night shots. Day 15 | Agra | 14th Sept | Sun .Agra- Delhi- Departure: Another visit to Taj Mahal to see this amazing wonder of the world from another perspective. Later, drive back to Delhi and transfer to the international airport to board the connecting flight to Australia. This ends our amazing journey!

Ladakh

Delhi

Agra

INDIA

Live & Breathe Ladakh 2014 ~ A Photographer’s Journey

Tour Price

14 day Photography Tour $4668 USD

16 day Option Photography Tour $5148 USD

Single Supplement $ 510 USD for 14 day option

Booking confirmed upon payment of deposit.

Please note prices are in USD due to fluctuating exchange rate

Includes all accommodation, meals, transfers and sightseeing in private vehicle, English speaking

guide on complete disposal in Ladakh , 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), assistance at arrival and departure points

Does not include: International airfares, visa, 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. We will be taking it easy the first 2

days upon arrival in Leh to help acclimatise.

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 pro-

vides a printer friendly version of your itinerary.