Ladakh, India

Location
Bound by two of the world’s highest mountain ranges, the Himalaya to the south and the Karakoram to the north, Ladakh is located in the far northern reaches of India, sitting on the western edge of the Tibetan Plateau at an average altitude of 10,000 feet under crystal-clear skies of the purest azure. The landscape is stark, yet incredibly striking, its dun-colored hills dramatically adorned with whitewashed Buddhist monasteries, many of them ancient.

Tibetan Buddhism is undeniably the focal point of Ladakhi life and is the major attraction for visitors. Many important Buddhist monasteries lie along the valley of the fabled Indus River, which flows into Ladakh from Tibet. Leh, at 11,400 feet, is one of the world’s highest capital cities and the base of operations for exploring Ladakh. To the west of Leh are the monasteries of Lamayuru, Likir and Alchi. Ladakh’s monasteries and palaces house original Buddhist artwork dating back to the 10th century, continuing to preserve a pure form of Buddhism that has largely disappeared from Tibet.

Weather
Ladakh is an arid, high-elevation desert situated in the rain shadow of the Himalayan range. As such, the region is shielded from the heavy monsoon rains that annually visit the Indian plains south of the Himalayas. Average precipitation in Leh is less than one inch per month. The mountain passes in the region can receive heavy amounts of snowfall, however, thus closing access to Ladakh during the winter months. As with any high-altitude locale, Ladakh is subject to changing weather conditions. Winter months see very cold weather and, at times, sub-freezing temperatures. Daytime temperatures start to warm up in May and become pleasant June through October. In these months, it’s best to layer clothing, as temperatures can vary throughout the day. It’s also important to keep in mind the effects of extreme ultraviolet light due to Ladakh’s high elevation.

Photo Experience
Ladakh is a high-elevation location. Bright daytime light yields high contrast between very, very blue skies and the brown color of the topography. Polarizers and split ND filters can be particularly useful. Many photographic opportunities exist. Some favorites are the dramatic mountains, stunning monasteries, many of which are elevated or perched atop hills, and the vibrant colors of local festivals. For a far-off location like Ladakh, it might not be possible to have a full complement of gear, so a good big-range zoom is an especially useful piece of gear to have in the bag.

Best Times
The best time to visit Ladakh is June to October. Weather conditions are pleasant, with daytime average temperatures in Leh in the 70s and nighttime average temperatures in the 40s. Aside from these optimal weather conditions, June to October is the prime time for the wonderful Ladakhi festivals.

Trip Planning: Ladakh is best reached by air from Delhi, as well as overland routes from Himachal Pradesh and Srinagar. Destination Himalaya will lead a group tour to Ladakh, with a special visit to the Hemis Festival, June 18-July 4, 2009. For information on this and other trips to Ladakh, visit www.destinationhimalaya.net/india/ladakh.php.

Essential Gear...

Neutral-density filters are popular with landscape photographers for reducing light to slow shutter speeds. The longer capture time offers extended control over exposure and also provides motion-like effects like water, which can be subtly blurred for a dreamlike effect. B+W offers ND filters in strengths of one and two stops, ranging in diameter from 19mm to 77mm. Contact: B+W (Schneider Optics), (631) 761-5000, www.schneideroptics.com.