Photo Routes Kinnaur-Spiti Photography Expedition
Join the Photo Expedition led by T. Narayan and Sanjay Sharma and learn their world-famous approach to nature photography. This course will shape the way you look through the lens as well as how you look at your photographs. Travel with Photo Routes to some of their favorite spots in Kinnaur-Spiti valley and learn everything from how to capture the expanse of a landscape to photographing the smallest detail. Inspite being very distinct in nature both the valley’s provide some breathtaking opportunities to capture Landscapes, People, Wildlife, Rivers Lakes etc. Every turn in this inhospitable terrain provides you with a unique experience. Work in the field with Photo Routes and learn the finer points of maximizing early morning and late afternoon light. We will shoot at some of the most beautiful locations in Kinnaur, and Spiti and spend most of the daylight hours photographing in the field and schedule photo critiques in the evening.
Expedition Dates:
20th Apr to 28th Apr 2019
DAY 1 :
DELHI TO NARKANDA - 417kms, 9 hrs
Depart Delhi early morning for Narkanda. Check in at Agyaat Vaas. Overnight at hotel.
Narkanda is a hill station located just 1.5kms from the famous Hatu peak.(10,122 ft) Agyaat Vaas is an environment friendly and ecologically balanced retreat situated close to famous Hatu Peak surrounded by pine trees, flora & fauna, overlooking snow-capped mountain ranges and rare wild life.
DAY 2 :
NARKANDA TO SANGLA - 160kms, 4.5 hrs
After B/F, drive from Agyaat Vaas to Sangla. Check in at Kinner Camps, Sangla. Explore the surroundings around the camp.
Enjoy soup around a campfire followed by dinner. Overnight at Kinner Camps Sangla
DAY 3 :
SANGLA VALLEY
After breakfast, drive to Chitkul (23km), the last Indian village on the Tibet border & walk to Nagasti, the last civilian point (2.5km).
Come back to camp for lunch. Post lunch go for a short treks to Hurba, famous for its spring water sources. Overnight at Kinner Camps, Sangla.
DAY 4 :
SANGLA TO TABO - 180 kms, 5hrs
Drive to Tabo via Nako which is slated to be declared a heritage village and is built around a small lake. It has an important Buddhist Gompa which is 1000 yrs old & a small Temple. A footprint like impression on a rock is ascribed to the saint Guru Padmasambhava.
After lunch we enter spiti valley With few signs of vegetation, the Spiti landscape renders visitors speechless with the harsh raw beauty of its landscape. Rudyard Kipling describes Spiti in “Kim” in these words: “At last they entered a world within a world – a valley of leagues where the high hills were fashioned of the mere rubble & refuse from off the knees of the mountains…surely the Gods live here.”
Reache Tabo by late evening for night stay.
Tabo is the seat of one of the most famous Buddhist Monasteries regarded next to the Tholong Gompa in Tibet. It is also known as ‘Ajanta of Himalayas’. It was constructed in 996 AD; not just in Spiti but in the whole of the Tibetan Buddhist world is called Chogs – Khor [‘Doctrinal Circle’ or ‘Doctrinal Enclave’]. It is a complex that holds 9 Temples, 23 Chortens, a Monk’s Chamber & an extension that houses the Nun’s Chamber. On the sheer cliff-face above the enclave are a series of Caves, used as dwellings by the Monks & includes an Assembly Hall. The Monastery contains large number of Scriptures & Pieces of Art, Wall Painting & Stucco. There is also a modern Gompa & Painting School founded by the Dalai Lama.
On the way visit the ancient village of Tabo which is situated on the left bank of the river Spiti.
DAY 5 :
TABO TO KAZA - 48kms, 2hrs
After late breakfast start the drive to Kaza. Enroute, stop at Dhankar Gompa, the traditional Capital of Spiti.
The Gompa overlooks a stunning valley. The hill-top Fort that overlooks the Spiti Valley also used to serve as a jail in old days. Today, more than 160 Lamas reside here. A Statue of Dhyan Buddha where four complete figures of Buddha sit back to back is the main attraction of this more than 7th Century old Monastery.
Arrive at Kaza & check-in to your hotel. Dinner & O/N stay.
DAY 6 :
KAZA
After early B/F by 07 AM; excursion to Ki Monastery.
Situated at the foot of steep ridges & on the left bank of river Spiti is the Ki Monastery which is the Biggest Gelupa Sect Monastery in Spiti. It’s hilltop position points to a post 13th Century construction. The three storied structure consists largely of storage rooms at the bottom level while the middle floor houses the Dukhang – the Assembly Hall & the uppermost floor has another Temple & Head Lama’s Quarters on the one side of an Open Terrace. The greatest wealth of Ki Gompa lies in its collection of ‘Thangkas’ salvaged with difficulty from the devastating raids of the Dogars & the Sikhs in the 19th Century. Hundreds of Lamas receive their Religious Training in this Monastery & it is famous for its ancient Murals & Books. From here a scenic drive takes you into the Pasture Country of Kibber. From Kibber, the Pastures are spread over hundreds of square kilometers. Return back to Kaza for Dinner & O/N stay.
DAY 7 :
KAZA to SANGLA (225 kms, 8hrs)
Stop enroute at scenic viewpoints for some photographs.
DAY 8 :
SANGLA TO NARKANDA - 180 kms, 7hrs
After B/F, check-out from the hotel & drive to Narkanda.
Leisure walks with photo critique session around a bonfire in the evening. Dinner & O/N stay.
DAY 9 :
NARKANDA to delhi (404kms, 9hrs)
Early morning after breakfast we start our return to Delhi and the trip ends.
Cost of Photo Expedition Rs. 56,500/- EX.Delhi
Register
The price includes:
Star accommodations on Twin sharing Basis Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Comfortable Transportation 4×4 transportation where needed Fee for the Guide and local help Water light refreshment
Doesn’t include:
Health and travel insurance
Beverages alcoholic or non alcoholic
Also not included: extra costs due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control. *Prices & Itinerary are approximate (Prices, flow/sequence of itinerary or daily events are approximate) and subject to change. There can be itinerary variations until 15 days before departure due to group size, road conditions, weather or decision of driver, guide or escorts
Booking/reservation detail:
Rs.25,000 per person non-refundable deposit is required in order to guarantee hotel space. Final payment would be due in our hands 15 days prior to departure. Payments have to be by check or Cash; no credit cards. In case of cancellation,* the following penalties would apply:
If you need to cancel your reservation, the cancellation would have to be in writing and would be valid as of the day of receipt in our office. at which time the following fees apply:
- 20 days or more before departure: 100% of cost
- 15 days or more before departure: 50% of trip cost fee
No refund thereafter
CANCELED EXPEDITIONS: In the event of insufficient tour sign-ups, Photo Routes Photography Tours & Workshops reserves the right to cancel any given trip. In that event 100% of moneys received will be returned. However, Photo Routes Photography Tours & Workshops is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.
* Right of admission Reserved
Join the Photo Expedition led by T. Narayan and Sanjay Sharma and learn their world-famous approach to nature photography. This course will shape the way you look through the lens as well as how you look at your photographs. Travel with Photo Routes to some of their favorite spots in Kinnaur-Spiti valley and learn everything from how to capture the expanse of a landscape to photographing the smallest detail. Inspite being very distinct in nature both the valley’s provide some breathtaking opportunities to capture Landscapes, People, Wildlife, Rivers Lakes etc. Every turn in this inhospitable terrain provides you with a unique experience. Work in the field with Photo Routes and learn the finer points of maximizing early morning and late afternoon light. We will shoot at some of the most beautiful locations in Kinnaur, and Spiti and spend most of the daylight hours photographing in the field and schedule photo critiques in the evening.
Expedition Dates:
20th Apr to 28th Apr 2019
DAY 1 : DELHI TO NARKANDA - 417kms, 9 hrs
Depart Delhi early morning for Narkanda. Check in at Agyaat Vaas. Overnight at hotel.
Narkanda is a hill station located just 1.5kms from the famous Hatu peak.(10,122 ft) Agyaat Vaas is an environment friendly and ecologically balanced retreat situated close to famous Hatu Peak surrounded by pine trees, flora & fauna, overlooking snow-capped mountain ranges and rare wild life.
NARKANDA TO SANGLA - 160kms, 4.5 hrs
After B/F, drive from Agyaat Vaas to Sangla. Check in at Kinner Camps, Sangla. Explore the surroundings around the camp.
Enjoy soup around a campfire followed by dinner. Overnight at Kinner Camps Sangla
SANGLA VALLEY
After breakfast, drive to Chitkul (23km), the last Indian village on the Tibet border & walk to Nagasti, the last civilian point (2.5km).
Come back to camp for lunch. Post lunch go for a short treks to Hurba, famous for its spring water sources. Overnight at Kinner Camps, Sangla.
DAY 4 :SANGLA TO TABO - 180 kms, 5hrs
Drive to Tabo via Nako which is slated to be declared a heritage village and is built around a small lake. It has an important Buddhist Gompa which is 1000 yrs old & a small Temple. A footprint like impression on a rock is ascribed to the saint Guru Padmasambhava.
After lunch we enter spiti valley With few signs of vegetation, the Spiti landscape renders visitors speechless with the harsh raw beauty of its landscape. Rudyard Kipling describes Spiti in “Kim” in these words: “At last they entered a world within a world – a valley of leagues where the high hills were fashioned of the mere rubble & refuse from off the knees of the mountains…surely the Gods live here.”
Reache Tabo by late evening for night stay.Tabo is the seat of one of the most famous Buddhist Monasteries regarded next to the Tholong Gompa in Tibet. It is also known as ‘Ajanta of Himalayas’. It was constructed in 996 AD; not just in Spiti but in the whole of the Tibetan Buddhist world is called Chogs – Khor [‘Doctrinal Circle’ or ‘Doctrinal Enclave’]. It is a complex that holds 9 Temples, 23 Chortens, a Monk’s Chamber & an extension that houses the Nun’s Chamber. On the sheer cliff-face above the enclave are a series of Caves, used as dwellings by the Monks & includes an Assembly Hall. The Monastery contains large number of Scriptures & Pieces of Art, Wall Painting & Stucco. There is also a modern Gompa & Painting School founded by the Dalai Lama.
On the way visit the ancient village of Tabo which is situated on the left bank of the river Spiti.
TABO TO KAZA - 48kms, 2hrs
After late breakfast start the drive to Kaza. Enroute, stop at Dhankar Gompa, the traditional Capital of Spiti.
The Gompa overlooks a stunning valley. The hill-top Fort that overlooks the Spiti Valley also used to serve as a jail in old days. Today, more than 160 Lamas reside here. A Statue of Dhyan Buddha where four complete figures of Buddha sit back to back is the main attraction of this more than 7th Century old Monastery.
Arrive at Kaza & check-in to your hotel. Dinner & O/N stay.
KAZA
After early B/F by 07 AM; excursion to Ki Monastery.
Situated at the foot of steep ridges & on the left bank of river Spiti is the Ki Monastery which is the Biggest Gelupa Sect Monastery in Spiti. It’s hilltop position points to a post 13th Century construction. The three storied structure consists largely of storage rooms at the bottom level while the middle floor houses the Dukhang – the Assembly Hall & the uppermost floor has another Temple & Head Lama’s Quarters on the one side of an Open Terrace. The greatest wealth of Ki Gompa lies in its collection of ‘Thangkas’ salvaged with difficulty from the devastating raids of the Dogars & the Sikhs in the 19th Century. Hundreds of Lamas receive their Religious Training in this Monastery & it is famous for its ancient Murals & Books. From here a scenic drive takes you into the Pasture Country of Kibber. From Kibber, the Pastures are spread over hundreds of square kilometers. Return back to Kaza for Dinner & O/N stay.
KAZA to SANGLA (225 kms, 8hrs)
Stop enroute at scenic viewpoints for some photographs.
SANGLA TO NARKANDA - 180 kms, 7hrs
After B/F, check-out from the hotel & drive to Narkanda.
Leisure walks with photo critique session around a bonfire in the evening. Dinner & O/N stay.
NARKANDA to delhi (404kms, 9hrs)
Early morning after breakfast we start our return to Delhi and the trip ends.
Cost of Photo Expedition Rs. 56,500/- EX.Delhi
Register
The price includes:
Star accommodations on Twin sharing Basis Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner Comfortable Transportation 4×4 transportation where needed Fee for the Guide and local help Water light refreshment
Doesn’t include:
Health and travel insurance
Beverages alcoholic or non alcoholic
Also not included: extra costs due to unanticipated changes in your itinerary for reasons beyond our control. *Prices & Itinerary are approximate (Prices, flow/sequence of itinerary or daily events are approximate) and subject to change. There can be itinerary variations until 15 days before departure due to group size, road conditions, weather or decision of driver, guide or escorts
Booking/reservation detail:
Rs.25,000 per person non-refundable deposit is required in order to guarantee hotel space. Final payment would be due in our hands 15 days prior to departure. Payments have to be by check or Cash; no credit cards. In case of cancellation,* the following penalties would apply:
If you need to cancel your reservation, the cancellation would have to be in writing and would be valid as of the day of receipt in our office. at which time the following fees apply:
- 20 days or more before departure: 100% of cost
- 15 days or more before departure: 50% of trip cost fee
No refund thereafter
CANCELED EXPEDITIONS: In the event of insufficient tour sign-ups, Photo Routes Photography Tours & Workshops reserves the right to cancel any given trip. In that event 100% of moneys received will be returned. However, Photo Routes Photography Tours & Workshops is not responsible for expenses incurred by its customers.
* Right of admission Reserved