Ladakh is reached by flight from Delhi or by road from Manali (450 kms). I flew from Delhi (Deccan Air has the cheapest fares - around Rs 15000/-). The best time to visit Ladakh is July/ August/ Sept/ Oct - the rest of the year all passes are snowed-in and access is very difficult if not totally impossible.
Other than layers upon layers of warm clothes and fit physical heath, no special preparation is needed to visit Ladakh. To travel in the area, no special equipment is required either. When you arrive in Leh which is at an altitude of 14,000 feet above sea level, you will be required to stay in Leh for altitude acclimatization. This takes 2 days and is mandatory.
The ample opportunity for photography, together with bright light for most of the day, and clean air conditions, all guarantee that you will return with lots of great photographs!
I would like to also share here some of my earlier shots taken on the banks of the Kabini River: a pair of elephants digging up fresh grass, a lone stork surveying the river... Needless to say there are no elephants in Ladakh. At least none that caught my attention!
The Nubra is a lush valley right in the midst of Ladakh's high altitude desert. The sand dunes are truly picturesque and in stark contrast to the snow top peaks of Manali. The Kardung La Pass is the highest motorway road in the world! People too are very friendly and make good subjects for portrait and head shots.
I shot with my Nikon D80 DSLR body and a wide zoom Nikkor lens. For me the rule while travelling is to travel light and while photographing, to keep it simple!
