Pangong Tso | Photography Tour | Ladakh| UFO Adventure Travel
Contact Us | +91 9756600449 | [email protected]

Difficulty

Easy

Max. Altitude

4350m

Duration

9 Days

Best Time

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sept,

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You can download our complete tour details and guide for OPT HUNDER & PANGONG TSO. Also, you can schedule a callback from UFO Adventure Travel.

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Tour description

This unique photography tour will take you through a sensory experience second to none. Starting in Leh with an introduction to photography, the tour ends after a week exploring the alpine dunes of Hunder and the high altitude lake Pangong Tso. We begin our journey with the Ladakh Festival in Leh showcasing the dance and colors of the local culture . Here you will be privileged to see monks, believers, performers and people from all over Ladakh as they participate in this festival, held annually in the city. Moving north, we visit the sand dunes of Hunder and the Monastery at Diskit. We camp and walk through some of the most magnificent scenery and visit the border village of Turtuk. We end the week with the 4350m high altitude lake of Pangong. With almost 60% of the lake in China, it is almost 604 sqkm in size. This great adventure follows in the footsteps of many explorers and is a magical week of discovery, learning and above all, Ladakhi hospitality.


Virtual tour of
OPT HUNDER & PANGONG TSO

Is this Holiday for you ?

On this holiday we will be constantly at an altitude of more than 3500m. Therefore, it is essential that you acclimatise well in order to make the best of the week. You will be advised by the UFO guide and mentor to rest and keep your body hydrated as much as possible on the first day of arrival. Your oxygen levels will be monitored from time to time to check on the level of acclimatisation. There is fair bit of walking to be done every day, and we would encourage you to do a bit of walking/running and breathing exercises to enjoy this photography expedition to the maximum. There is no level of restrictions and anyone with a camera and a genuine interest in photography are welcome. If you have no camera and no interest in photography, you are welcome nonetheless. We will guide you as to what personal gear and camera equipment you should be carrying to capture the best images at the stunning locations we have for you. The UFO mentor has prepared a curriculum which we will try to follow. However, the UFO mentor can change the curriculum according to his or her perspective as and when the situation may arise.

Capture the splendour of the Ladakh Festival

Explore the wild plains of the alpine desert of Hunder

Witness the beauty of Pangong Lake

Practical mentoring in photography





  • 9 Days, 8 nights hotel
  • 8 breakfasts, 8 dinners
  • Max group size: 10
  • On the high plateau of Ladakh, the maximum daytime temperature low down on our trip (and at Leh) will be around 15°C, with night-time lows below 0°C. At high altitude, the sun has a very strong effect and at the height of the day it will feel hotter than the indicated temperatures. Ladakh is not adversely affected by the monsoon and we can usually expect stable, weather. However, mountains do generate their own weather systems and some rain or wind cannot be ruled out.

Please contact [email protected] for quotes.

  • Photography Mentor
  • Local Ladakhi guide
  • Leh Airport transfers as described
  • All land transport involved in the itinerary
  • All accommodation as described
  • Meals as per the Meal Plan
  • All permits and entrance fees
  • Oxygen tank (for emergency only)
  • All costs are applicable for double occupancy
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas
  • Some meals as per the Meal Plan
  • Airport transfers other than those described
  • Tips for local staff including the local guide and drivers
  • Miscellaneous expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc
  • Personal camera equipment & gear
  • Flights and airfare
  • A single group transfer will be arranged from Leh Airport to the hotel in Leh. This transfer will meet the arrival of the flights from Delhi at 1030hrs. At the end of the trip there will be a single group transfer from the group hotel to Leh Airport at 7 am. This transfer will be after breakfast on Day 8 of the trip itinerary. A representative of our local agent will assist with the transfers between the airport and the group hotel. If the arrival transfer does not work with your flight, you will need to make your own transfer arrangements at Leh Airport. Should you require an airport transfer, these can be arranged by the hotel reception staff or alternatively please contact the UFO office.
  • During this trip the group will spend 7 nights in Leh, Tsokar and Tsomoriri at a tourist hotel. All accommodation is allocated on a twin sharing basis. If you are travelling by yourself you will be paired up with another single client of the same sex. All accommodations used by UFO adhere to hygiene and comfort norms. For Hotel prices and single supplement costs please contact UFO office.
  • At around 8 a.m. breakfast will be under way with the wakeup call at 7 am for that important first cup of tea or coffee. You will have plenty of time to get up and pack your day bag which you will be carrying with your essentials for the day. Your camera equipment, a wind cheater or water proof jacket, personal snacks, 2 litres of water packed lunch when provided will probably be the contents of your bag. Most of the travelling will be done on wheels with our taxi taking you from one destination to another every day. However, everyday there will be some amount of walking that will be required to get the best shots on your camera. Lunch will either be at the hotel/camp that we stay in or a local restaurant that we take you to. There will be some days that packed lunch will be given to you. We will also stop for tea every evening at a local shop or hotel/camp at 4 pm as per the itinerary. Dinner is served between 7-8 pm and is a great time of day for reliving the events of the trip so far and for general socialising. After dark, the temperature starts to fall and everyone will soon be tucked up in their beds
  • Meals will be a mix of local and comfort food. Breakfasts will consist of bread, cheese, honey, jams, fruit, tea and Nescafe alongwith eggs, paranthas,etc as served by the hotel we stay at. Lunch will be taken on the road at some restaurant as desired by the group. Dinner will usually be a soup followed by lentils, vegetable curry and meat as available. 2 bottles of mineral water will be provided everyday of the trip. Vegetarians can be catered for.

ITINERARY FOR THE TREK

DAY 1

MEET AT THE GROUP HOTEL IN LEH.

Meet at the group hotel in Leh. A single group transfer at 10.30 am from Leh Airport to the group hotel in Leh is provided. The first day is reserved for acclimatization and you will be advised to rest and drink water as much as possible. In the evening will be a short orientation session where the group gets to know each other as well as discussing camera equipment and itinerary. Lights out after dinner as we will have an early start the next day.



  Accommodation
Hotel in Leh
  Meals
D
  Curriculum
Get to know your group and equipment

DAY 2

EXPERIENCE LADAKH FESTIVAL AND ACCLIMATIZATION WALKS

We will make an early start after tea and breakfast and head to Leh city center to catch the beginning of the Ladakh Festival. The procession of performers, monks and people is a stunning blend of dance, color and life of the local culture. After we have witnessed the procession we will tour the old Leh city circuit. We will amble through small alleys and lanes behind the city Jama Masjid, with old mud-brick Ladakhi houses with eroded chortens and visit the LAMO Center (Ladakh Arts and Media Organization) residing in a 17th century mansion. You should be ready for quite a bit of walking as that is the best way to witness the life in this ancient city and acclimatize 



  Accommodation
Hotel in Leh
  Meals
B,D
  Curriculum
Basics of exposure. Focus on colors and composition

DAY 3

LEAVE FOR HUNDAR, NUBRA VALLEY

We head north to Hundar in the Nubra Valley. Situated in the valley where the Shyok river meets Nubra or Siachen river, Hundar is famous for the its cold desert landscape where sand dunes meet snow capped mountains. We will visit Hundar Monastery in the day and capture the sunset over the dunes. Dont miss out on catching the Bactrian camels that walk about the valley. If the weather is clear, the Mentor can decide to hold a night photography lesson. We will stay the night at Hundar.



  Accommodation
Hotel/Homestay in Hundar
  Meals
B,D
  Curriculum
Basics of exposure.

DAY 4

DAY TRIP TO TURTUK

After early tea and breakfast, we witness the early morning prayers at Diskit Monastery, the oldest Gompa in Nubra Valley. Founded in the 14th century, the monastery belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and has glorious views of the Nubra Valley on the monastery ceiling. We leave for a 2-3 hour drive to the border village of Turtuk. One of the gateways to Siachen Glacier, it is one of the few places where you can witness the Balti culture. Beyond Turtuk is the Pakistan controlled Gilgit-Baltistan region. We head back to Hundar by the evening to review our photos and get some hot tea and dinner.



  Accommodation
Hotel/Homestay in Hundar
  Meals
B,D
  Curriculum
Shutter speed

DAY 5

DRIVE TO PANGONG TSO (High Grassland Lake).

After a filling breakfast, we visit the 32 m tall impressive Maitreya Buddha near the Diskit Monastery. Regarded as the Future Buddha in the Tibetan literature, Maitreya, will appear on Earth in the future, achieve complete enlightenment and teach the pure dharma. We then leave for Pangong Tso while via Shyok village. Situated at about 4350m, Pangong covers an area of almost 604 sqkm and extends between India and China. It is home to many migratory birds and freezes completely in the winter. The lake is in the process of being ratified under the Rumsar convention as a wetland of international importance. We will try and reach the lake by lunch which will give you ample time to explore lake shore and take in the stunning sunset views over the lake.



  Accommodation
Hotel/ Fixed camps in Pangong Tso
  Meals
B,D
  Curriculum
Aperture

DAY 6

DRIVE BACK TO LEH

After morning tea and breakfast, we drive back to Leh. It will take us 5-6 hours to get back to the city but the views on the drive are glorious and will keep you captivated. Evening is at leisure for everyone and we will do a review of the work in the past few days.



  Accommodation
Hotel in Leh
  Meals
BLD
  Curriculum
Combining ISO, Aperture, Shutter speed

DAY 7

THIKSEY MONASTERY AND SHEY VILLAGE

We will make an early start after tea and breakfast to catch the morning prayers at Thiksey Monastery. Affiliated to the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, it is situated on a hill in Thiksey village and is noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. After getting the blessings of the monks, we walk to Shey where a picnic lunch will be waiting for us. After lunch, we rest a bit and visit the Shey Palace and surrounding areas. You will be given sometime to yourself where you can explore the palace on your own and maybe a small assignment by the Mentor. A fixed time and place will be decided where the group will meet later and then head back to Leh.



  Accommodation
Hotel in Leh
  Meals
B,D
  Curriculum
Review

DAY 8

LEH PALACE, TSEMO GOMPA AND SHANTI STUPA

We will visit the old markets and the 17th century Leh Palace. We continue to Tsemo Gompa, right next to the Palace and then move on to the busy market streets of Leh. After Lunch we head to Shanti Stupa. You will be given sometime to yourself where you can explore the palace on your own. A fixed time and place will be decided to re- group and then head back to the hotel.



  Accommodation
Hotel in Leh
  Meals
B,D
  Curriculum
Field day with assignments

DAY 9

DEPARTURE DAY

After an early breakfast we transfer by private vehicle to the Leh Airport for your onward journey. However, if you would like to extend your visit in Leh to visit the Pangong Tso, Nubra Valley or any other areas, please contact our team of adventure travel consultants.



  Meals
B

Why trekkers love us?

We did Markha Valley in Ladakh with UFO. Really appreciated that we got a porter when no one else had. UFO was flexible and reduced our 6 night version to 5 nights while out on the trek. Was very simple and easy. The friendly counsel they give is worth the slightly higher fees to have the peace of mind of having someone to call to talk about your trek, before, during, and after, to plan the next ! I would definitely use UFO again when traveling to a new or unfamiliar destination.

Kahran Singh

We had a great holiday with UFO on the Mardi Himal trek in Nepal. The arrangements of the pickup, hotels and lodges were top notch. We could follow our pace and make slight changes to the plans which helped us pace our trek. After a good experience with UFO on Kashmir Great Lakes, this was another great trek! I would highly recommend UFO for your trekking adventures.

Atul Goyal

I wanted to introduce my 9 year old girl to trekking & camping and make it like a yearly family ritual. We finally decided to the 3 day- Benog Tibba trek in Uttarakhand. UFO team made this experience for us very memorable. They were very particular about small things & coordinated everything so well. UFO team took excellent care of us.

Roopali Rawat

Schedule a callback in next 4 hour?

Our representative will get back to you within next 4 working hours and solve all your queries about Goecha la trek

Frequently asked questions

How do we travel to Ladakh?

There are three ways to reach Ladakh- a) you can take flight from Delhi to Leh from major airlines such as Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Indigo and Go Airlines. b) You can take road journeys either from Manali or Srinagar. It takes 2 day journey (474 kilometers) from Manali to Leh with a night stopover in Sarchu. On the other hand, Srinagar to Leh will take 2 days (434 kilometers) with a night halt at Kargil. All the roads remain open from May to October.

What are the symptoms of High Altitude sickness? How long does it take to get acclimatize in Ladakh?

Some common symptoms of high altitude sickness include giddiness, loss of appetite, lack of sleep and difficulty in breathing. The best way to acclimatize in Ladakh is a natural rest for at least 48 hours, keep yourself well hydrated and & eat well. Even then it depends from person to person as to how long it takes to acclimatize before trekking in the Himalayas.

Am i fit enough for an adventure in Ladakh?

Anyone with an enthusiasm for the outdoors, different cultures and overseas travel and is prepared to be open minded and flexible. Our trips are fun and informal and attended by a wide range of people. We offer a range of trips which are all graded for difficulty to help you choose your holiday, if you would like advice please get in contact us at. You will always enjoy your trekking holiday in Ladakh better if you have a good level of fitness. Running, cardio vascular exercises or playing sports always helps.

What kind of food is provided during the trip?

Breakfast and Dinner during the stay will be at the hotel/resort that we stay in. It is mixture of local, continental and comfort food. Lunch is usually on the go at the local restaurant or packed, as we will be in the field.

What kind of accommodation is available in Ladakh?

There are various price points in Ladakh for accommodations. From homestay/guesthouses to boutique hotels to luxury hotels and camps, travelers can pick and choose according to the budget. We usually choose  A class and luxury hotels with their facilities and services comparable to any 3-4 star hotel. Hotels in Ladakh are designed with traditional architecture of the region and feature good sized rooms equipped with modern amenities. 

How difficult is the holiday?

On this outdoor photography holiday, we will be constantly at an altitude of more than 3500m. Therefore, it is essential that you acclimatize well in order to make the best of the week. You will be advised by the UFO guide and mentor to rest and keep your body hydrated as much as possible on the first day of arrival. Your oxygen levels will be monitored from time to time to check on the level of acclimatization. There is fair bit of walking to be done every day, and we would encourage you to do a bit of walking/running and breathing exercises to enjoy this photography adventure to the maximum.

Do i need to be a photographer to join this Outdoor Photography holiday?

There is no level of restrictions and anyone with a camera and a genuine interest in photography are welcome to join our Hemis Festival photography tour. If you have no camera and no interest in photography, you are welcome nonetheless. We will be more than happy to have your spouse,partner, friend or family join us on this holiday.

What camera equipment do i need to carry for the trip?

We will guide you as to what personal gear and camera equipment you should be carrying to capture the best images at the stunning locations we have for you. The UFO mentor has prepared a curriculum which we will try to follow. However, the UFO mentor can change the curriculum according to his or her perspective as and when the situation may arise.

Camera Lens - A wide angle (17-40/ 35/ 24-105 or any other that you may already have)

50 MM lens

Battery charger with Spare batteries - please keep in mind that batteries drain faster in the cold and we may not have access to electricity at all times)

Battery Pack (not necessary)

Camera Cleaning equipment

CF cards/ SD cards

Hard Disk for back up

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