Bird-Photo-Tours Asia Ladakh trip has been designed specifically around obtaining images of three difficult-to-photograph birds: (i) Himalayan Snowcock (ii) Tibetan Snowcock and (iii) Tibetan Sandgrouse. Even seeing these birds can be tough but obtaining close photographic encounters can be exceedingly challenging. Bird-Photo-Tours Asia Ladakh expedition aims to put the bird photographer into a position where photographers can enjoy close encounters with each of these species with a high chance of obtaining portrait-quality images. Having spent considerable time in Ladakh enjoying pleasing images of these birds on numerous occasions, Bird-Photo-Tours Asia has accumulated significant local experience to put the bird photographer in prime position to enjoy close photographic encounters with these birds.
But this trip is not only about these three species. Ladakh is situated on the western edge of The Tibetan Plateau and has landscapes which are simply stunning and must surely rank as one of the outstanding locations in Asia. With wide-open habitats, fabulous light, and a high diversity of specialist Western Himalayan birds that have carved a living for themselves in such a unique environment, Ladakh has so much to offer the bird photographer. Fabulous images can be enjoyed of a supporting cast of birds that includes Chinese Rubythroat, Mountain Chiffchaff, Blanford’s Snowfinch and Tibetan Lark. With guesthouses literally on or adjacent to the photographic locations we will enjoy photographing birds around dawn and dusk breaking at midday when the light is at its harshest to download and edit images and rest and recuperate, providing ideal logistics for obtaining high-quality images of the Birds of Ladakh.
Tanglang La: Himalayan Snowcock / Tibetan Snowcock / White-winged Redstart / Horned Lark / Rufous-breasted Accentor / Twite.
Tso Kar: Tibetan Sandgrouse / Ground Tit / Streaked Rosefinch / Great Rosefinch / Blanford’s Snowfinch / Bar-headed Goose / Northern Raven.
(i) Guiding Fees (ii) Ground Transportation (iii) Domestic Flights (iv) Accommodation (v) Meals (vi) Entrance Fees (vii) Hide Fees.
(i) International Flights (ii) VISA Fees (iii) Travel Insurance (iv) Tips for Local Guide (v) Items of a Personal Nature.
Pricing is based on 2-4 participants. Solo travellers, i.e. tours with 1-PAX only, are subject to an additional Single Participant Surcharge.
Days 1-4 Leh District, Leh Town [3N, 2D, 2S]: Arrive at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh Ladakh, check into guesthouse [Overnight: Leh Town]. Photographic Targets: Mountain Chiffchaff / Ibisbill / Bluethroat / Indian Golden Oriole / Hume’s Whitethroat / Common Rosefinch.
Days 4-8 Leh District, Tanglang La [4N, 3D, 7S]: Afternoon drive 1.5 hour to Tanglang La. Photographic Targets: Himalayan Snowcock / Tibetan Snowcock / White-winged Redstart / Horned Lark / Rufous-breasted Accentor / Twite.
Days 8-11 Leh District, Pangong Lake [3N, 2D, 9S]: Morning drive 5-hours to Pangong Lake. Photographic Targets: Chinese Rubythroat / Tibetan Partridge / Tickell’s Leaf Warbler / Ground Tit / Waders.
Days 11-15 Leh District, Hanle [4N, 3D, 7S]: Morning drive 4-hours to Hanle. Photographic Targets: Eurasian Eagle Owl / Tibetan Lark / Hume’s Short-toed Lark / Great Rosefinch / Black-necked Crane / Black-winged Snowfinch.
Days 15-20 Leh District, Tso Kar [5N, 4D, 9S]: Morning drive 4-hours to Tso Kar. Photographic Targets: Tibetan Sandgrouse / Ground Tit / Streaked Rosefinch / Great Rosefinch / Blanford’s Snowfinch / Bar-headed Goose / Northern Raven.
Days 20-21 Leh Ladakh [1N, 0D, 1S]: Morning drive 5-hours to Leh Town for flight departures the following day [END].
[Key: N: Night / D: Full Day / S: Session / Half-Day]
Nick Ludovic Green has spent much of his life travelling and photographing birds across Asia and Oceania, developing a depth of field experience that few bird photographers achieve. Over more than 15 years in the region, Nick has led 150+ bird photography tours in 35 countries, carefully designing each itinerary to give photographers the best possible access to light, behaviour and habitat.
Through extensive long-term travel, Nick has photographed 2,500 bird species across Asia and Oceania, many at portrait-quality standard. In China alone he has documented over 1,200 species, working in every province and returning repeatedly to key locations to refine photographic opportunities, an experience that directly benefits photographers travelling with him.
His longer bird photography expeditions include a four-month journey across Melanesia, a three-month traverse of Xinjiang Autonomous Region in China's western frontier, and a four-month Himalayan journey from Kashmir, Ladakh and Bhutan to Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. These extended field projects have helped build deep regional knowledge and trusted local relationships.
Nick’s images have been published internationally, and his methods reflects a long-term commitment to careful, respectful bird photography. On tour, he is known for his organized, supportive approach and practical in-field guidance, helping bird photographers of all levels improve their work whilst enjoying unhurried time amongst the region’s most sought-after species.
(i) The guesthouses are all in close proximity to the bird photography locations (ii) Walking is at a light pace (iii) There is no requirement to hike nor climb. (iv) Many of the locations are at altitude from 3,500-4,500m (v) There is no camping. Summary: because this trip is at altitude, it has been therefore been graded as 'Medium'.
