Images of Ladakh
Ladakh lies nestled in the mountain world of the Karakoram in the north west, the Himalaya in the south west and the Trans Himalaya at its core. The main chain of the Himalaya prevents the Indian summer monsoon from advancing this far. Likewise, the extended cold winter has little snow due to the position of the mountains in the rain shadow.This special interest holiday has been designed to give you the opportunity to capture the spectacular dance celebrations that are held during the Hemis and Lamayuru Buddhist festivals, as well as the centuries-old nomadic life ways that still survive on the high plains of this magical land.
Geared toward digital 35mm photography and beginners through advanced amateurs with the camera, this workshop will emphasize interpretion, rather than mere "documentation" through the lens. The workshop includes additional instruction on downloading, saving, organizing, and archiving images, and on cropping, sizing, and manipulating images on the computer. Participants should bring their own SLR digital camera, laptop computer, and editing software. During your stay in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, you will also be introduced to a unique way of life in a fantastic setting of mountains and centuries old monasteries.
SHEY PALACE (15 km from Leh)
The old 'summer palace' of the kings of Ladakh was built about 550 years ago by Lhachen Palgyigon, the first king of Ladakh. It stands next to the remains of a larger construction on the east side of a hill, which runs south east towards the Indus. From the palace you can see over the fertile Indus plain north east to Tikse Gompa and over the Indus to the Zanskar mountain range. The old Shey Palace has the largest golden Buddha statue in Ladakh in its gompa. The statue is worked out of gold and gilded copper sheets, stands 12 metres high and has blue hair. It was erected by King Dalden Namgyal in the middle of the 17th century. The most important moment in the construction of such a figure is when the eyes are painted in and the statue can 'see'. No artist or monk would dare to look the Buddha in the eye so the pupils are painted over the artist's shoulder, with his back to the idol.
HEMIS GOMPA (43 km from Leh)
Hemis Gompa is famous far beyond the borders of Ladakh for its festival. This takes place every year with mask dances on the 9th to 11th day of the fifth Tibetan month. Hemis also has a gigantic thangka, one of the largest in the world, which is only displayed to the public every 12 years at the Festival. Hemis Gompa is the largest and one of the most important in Ladakh, quite apart from its annual festival. It was founded about 350 years ago by Stagtshang Rinchen, who was invited to Ladakh by King Singe Namgyal.
WORKSHOP TUTOR: DAVID BATHGATE
David Bathgate is a professional photographer and writer who holds a doctorate in ecological anthropology. He has extensive experience teaching digital photography to all skill levels, as well as years of practical experience in the Himalayan region - having led tours and treks, and worked on assignment, in Nepal, Ladakh, Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet, not to mention forays into the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan and Karakoram Range of Pakistan. A frequent visitor to Ladakh, David describes the area as his favourite in the Himalayas. You can visit his website by clicking on this link
These trips can be enjoyed by anyone who leads a reasonably active life. The degree of vehicle support is high, and there are opportunities for rest days. There may be up to 5 hours of walking.
Responsible tourism
We have carefully selected our ground agents for their reliability, quality of service and their likeminded philosophy of supporting the mountain communities and people that make for a special holiday experience.
For further information please telephone 01225 868544 or email info@essential-india.co.uk
Recommended travel guide books: The India Lonely Planet Guide and the Rough Guide to India.
If you wish to pay for all or part of your holiday, please use our new ONLINE PAYMENT SYSTEM or phone us directly on 01225 868544
Scheduled Departure Information
Duration: 14 Days
Dates: Friday 24.06.09 until Thursday 06.07.09 , Saturday 11.07.09 until Friday 24.07.09 , Mid range accommodation: Deposit £300 per person
Cost: £2195 Airline: British Airways or Virgin Atlantic Land only: (excluding flights on BA or Virgin Atlantic) £1715
Car Supplement Cost: N/A
Domestic Flight Cost: N/A
- The listed price is per person for our scheduled departures in twin sharing accommodation.
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- Prices include all Indian Government luxury taxes. If you are a single person booking onto one of our treks or special interest holidays, you do not have to pay a single room supplement. This is only payable if you wish to have a hotel room or a tent (or both) to yourself throughout your tour. The single tent supplement is £40 for the duration of any trek.
- Top range prices are based on your staying in Government approved 5 and 4 star hotels and Mid range prices are based on your staying in 4 star and 3 star en-suite accommodation.
- Train travel is in 1st Air-con carriage (fifties style 4 & 6 berth compartments) or the best available.
- During Christmas and the New Year period, many hotels charge a peak season rate. You also need to be prepared to join in (and pay for locally) any entertainment that may be arranged.
- The busiest periods for the airlines are Christmas/New Yearand Easter, July and August. If you take your holiday during these periods then please book your tour as early as possible.
- Our escorted (Delhi to Delhi) special interest/trekking holidays are based on a minimum of 4 people. The maximum number is 16. If the minimum number is not met then your tour will be led by our qualified English speaking guides and tour leaders in India. We can tailor trek departure dates for a minimum of 2 people travelling together. Details of our trek grading can be found on the 'Indian Himalayas' page of our website.
- We can offer group discounts for six or more people booking together on our fixed departures.
- It is essential that you take out adequate travel insurance if you are travelling to Asia. Essential Travel Insurance Ltd offers wordwide insurance cover at competitive rates.
- The meal plan is based on B&B and full board on our treks and culinary tours.
