Spiti Photo Journey 2012

8/2/2019 Spiti Photo Journey 2012

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Spiti Overland Photography Tour

6th July 15th July

Capture the imposing mountains, restless rivers and the nothingness of the

desert mountain region of the Middle Land the land between Tibet and

India.

Join the Photography Onthemove team to absorb the simplicty of the culture,

camp at lonely unexplored viallges and traverse through some of the highest

motorable roads in the world.

Make Spiti Your Story this July!

This is a guided photo-journey with a very small group of travel-photography enthusiasts.

The good part if that 10 days gives everyone to learn at their own pace. Beginners as well as

advanced photographers can learn at their own speed with the instructors. Read more to seehow you can enjoy this the most!


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Whats in Store for Me?

The idea is to get intimate with the local culture, terrains, people and all things Spiti instead

of a touristy trip! Throw caution and comfort to the winds and enjoy the simple living! This

would mean a lot of travel on road, sleeping in Non AC accommodations and sometimes

camps. Treat this like an exploration trip (where you are also sharpening your photography

skills) and not a holiday!

From a workshop point of view, you can look at this trip from 3 angles Beginner Level

Photographer, Need Advance Guidance & Im ONLY there for the Trip!

Im an amateur photographer/ I just picked up an SLR/ I want to hire an SLR

and learn: We will have a specialized travel photographer on the trip who will guide folks

who want to start from scratch! This means you can learn all about handling your SLR

camera, light (Aperture, shutter speed, ISO), White Balance, Care, Lenses, Framing,

Composition and more. We will have regular review sessions so that you spend these 10 days

getting absolutely comfortable with SLR photography.

I already know the basics, what next? Were pretty experimentative & flexible with the

needs of the group. For people who want to go beyond the SLR & photography basics, we

delve into HDR, use of flashes in outdoors situations and even time lapses! But it could also

be anything new the group/individuals are interested in learning. This is usually a lot of fun

.Check out this video from our photo journey from Ladakh last year -

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150327487805380&set=vb.183869825743&typ

e=2&theater

I just want to soak in the mountains: So while some of us get occupied with the

cameras, this will be a good time for the travel only crowd to take in all they can from thisfantastic place. Carry your point and shoot (join us only for the framing and composition

part of the workshop)! Catch up on a good book, take a short hike, chat with the locals..

whatever your heart pleases.


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Itinerary

Day 1 6th July, Friday

Delhi - Kalka- Narkhanda

We take the Shatabdi train from Delhi to Kalka this morning at 7.40 a.m. The exact place to

meet at the station will be co-ordinated with you closer to time. Incase we are unable to getthe Shatabdi booking, there is another earlier train in the morning. This will be

communicated well within time. It also means that you should plan to be in Delhi the

previous night. Let us know if you need help with accommodation we can arrange this at a

separate cost!

We arrive in Kalka by afternoon and head straight to our first stop Narkhanda. We

meander into our first tryst with the mountains. Be greeted by the panoramic view of the

Western Himalayas, a great beginning to the changing topography you are going to

experience in the next few days.

It will be a long day of travel so we can get out of the towns early. We will need all the restafter we settle into a small hotel in Narkhanda.

We may stop in a place called Fagu instead of Narkhanda, depending on the availability of rooms.

Both are spectacular.

Day 2 7th July, Saturday

Narkhanda to Sangla (Approx 6-7 hours)

We drive along the restless but fantastic rivers Baspa and Sutlej! The Kinnaur valley slowly

changes colours. Apple orchards spread themselves close to local homes. We arrive at our

camps in Sangla by afternoon and relax by the river.

We start with a basic introduction to photography & also some practical exercises to get you

more comfortable with your SLR. Time to give a rest to the bones around a bon-fire in the

evening!


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Day 3 8th July, Sunday

Sangla

Take in the slow Sangla life the whole of this day! To acclimatise ourselves for higher

altitudes, we will take some walks in the village or relax by the river.

After breakfast, we spend time understanding various other aspects of photography. Thismight require some right brain digging . Its also a very visually stimulating session which

could leave you with some inspiration for the rest of the trip!

Day 4 9th July, Monday

Sangla to Nako (Approx 6 hours)

We start early this morning to Nako village. This is where

the lush topography changes to bare enormous mountainsof the Lahaul and Spiti Valley. Nako is best known for its

lake and monastery. Its an easy going village with

traditional houses.

We will also plan a review session (over beer) with

everything youve learnt & clicked so far. For advanced

photographers, we could try our hand at some HDR this

evening!

We will stay in camps or a guest house this night.

After this point, we hit higher

altitudes every day, going as

much as 15500 feet. Though

we go slowly enough to

acclimatize you well, some

people tend to suffer from

sickness. The trick is to keep

yourself hydrated. We do not

recommend eating medicines

like Diamox etc. If you want,

you may consult your

physician if you want to take

an medication


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Day 5 10th July, Tuesday

Nako Tabo -Kaza (Approx 6 hours)

Tabo houses one of the oldest

monasteries of the region. It is situatedon the banks of Spiti river and lies at a

height of 10,000 feet. The monastery

here was built in 996 A.D and has

the original murals still intact. There is

also a new section to explore. Though

you cant click much inside, the outside

of the monastery is beautifully bleak and

makes for some great creative shots.

After a short stop at Tabo monastery and

grabbing some nice hot black tea, wehead to Kaza our halt for the next few days. This central town of Spiti valley is nestled in the

middle of vast mountain ranges along the Spiti River. Typical white traditional houses,

monasteries, craft shops and a slow paced hill life awaits us here.

Along the way we could experiment with more HDR & maybe some time lapses!

Day 6 11th July, Wednesday

Ki and Kibber

Today we head out for a

day trip to Ki and Kibber,

both known for their age

old monasteries and hard

living at 14500 feet above

sea level. The Ki

monastery is almost as old

as the Tabo mastery and

has a friendly set of monks

who reside there. Feel freeto interact with them and

spend some time inside. A

fantastic view of the valley

is worth capturing from

here. After lunch, we head

to Kibber home to the highest post office. How about sending some post cards from here to

friends and family?

Along the day we do a lot of landscape & people photography. We can experiment with some

more time lapses depending on the movement of the clouds.

We head back to Kaza for the night.


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Day 7 12th July, Thursday

Langza

A name that we stole for

Cheers, the Onthemove team

always says Langza now

before every drink ofcourse

the fact that this little village is

high in the mountains,

helped! A jeep trip to Langza

this morning! The mountain

range of Chocho Khang Nilda

stands resiliently against the

cold windy weather just abovethe village, where we camp

tonight or stay in homestays.

Hope its a perfectly clear night for some night photography!

Day 8 13th July, Friday

Komic Kaza

Next morning we drive to another monastery at a vantage point Komic. At 15,550 feet, this

is said to be one of the highest villages in Asia.

We spend the evening at Komic to learn and experiment with studio flashes along the

backdrop of the evening sky!

After seeing the monastery, we drive to Kaza for the night.


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Day 9- 14th July, Saturday

Kaza Naggar (Approx 9 hours)

This day, we will mostly be on the road.We make a

quick halt at the famous Kunzum pass and leave the

exotic terrain of Spiti and enter the lower hills of

Himachal. We stay the night at one of our favouriteplaces ever the village of Naggar. The idea is to avoid

the summer rush of Manali and leave from a quieter and

scenic place also the Naggar Guest house is home

away from home! We take the much deserved rest for

the night and then explore Naggar the next day.

Day 10 15th July, Sunday

Naggar - Delhi

Naggar is about 22 kms from touristy clichs of Manali but still has lots to explore. We take a

short hike to the Krishna temple and see Roerichs house museum. Time to take in the crisp

village air and the goodies from the local German bakery, before we hit the city life!

Well do another review session today, recapturing & reviewing everything were experienced

over the 10 days!

At night, we take the AC Volvo from Naggar to Delhi. It is expected to reach in the morning

at about 6.00 a.m

_______________________________________________________________

How to Register:

Payment - The cost of the trip is Rs 45000/-

Please deposit cash/drop in a cheque/make an online transfer as per below details & let usknow on [email protected]. Call +91-99806 55944 for any queries.

Bank: ICICIA/C Name: Photography On The MoveA/C No: 625405500175A/C Type: CurrentRTGS/NEFT/IFSC CODE - ICIC0006254

Chamrajpet Branch Bangalore

Cost Includes:1. Food All meals included.2. Accommodation on Twin Sharing Basis at a guest houses/ home stays/ hotels/camps.3. Permits, entries etc4. Transportation cost Innova/ Scorpio/ Xylo or other such vehicles. Not more than 5

passengers per vehicle.5. Train and Bus tickets.6. The Workshop itself!

Cost Excludes:1. Any Kind of Extra Meals / Drinks Ordered.2. Insurance, Tips, Porters, Phone Calls.3. Any Kind of Personal Expenses.4. Any Kind of Expense for Loss / Misplaced / Theft of personal belongings.5. Any Kind of Drinks (Aerated, Alcohol, Mineral)

The loo situation in the hills

is not great! Any stops that

we make on the road will

have makeshift loos. Its allwith some crispy cold wind!

We are sure you will enjoy

the experience :)


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More About the Trip:

1. This trip is designed to develop your photography skills and explore the relatively untouchedpart of India. We have put in serious amount of time and effort to find the right place to make

this trip as hands-on as possible and provide as many opportunities for your learning

endeavour. Please make the most of it.

2. All sessions (indoor/outdoor) will be interactive and group based which enables theparticipant to learn from other students work too; it will be combined with demonstrations byour expert, post field - review and critique sessions.

3. Please keep in mind that we are going here as travellers, not tourists. We would love you tointeract with local communities and respect their environment. Do not litter or disturb the

flora & fauna.

4. You would be required to adhere to the facilitator's decisions at all times during the program.You will at no time act on your own decisions and thoughts until and unless called for.

Everybody would be briefed at the beginning of the program. We would request you to abide

by them.

IMPORTANT

Documents -This being a long trip, we need a copy of your passport ( International

Travelers) & PAN Card ( Indian travelers) to get permits. Please submit these by 15 th June at

the latest.

Must Pack:

1. Warm clothes. It gets as low as 5 degrees.2. Comfortable walking shoes.3. Your own towels we are staying in lodges and homes of locals. They may not be able to

provide facilities like hotels.

4. Sun protection- cap, glasses, sunscreen5. Mosquitoe Repellant6. Torch this is mandatry!7. Medicines-(in case of specific health problem). We will be carrying basic medicines.

Other optional Gear:

Sleeping bag: Some are comfortable in their own bags. Highly Recommend

Photography Gear: This trip will give you an opportunity to explore and utlise your photography

equipment to the fullest. Apart from your kit lens, any Wide, Tele, Macro lenses and Off camera

flashes ( if you have) will be useful. Also bring your tripod if you have ( this will be needed for time

lapses). Do not stress about carrying too much equipment, as we will be in cars throughout and you

will not have to carry this on yoruself.

Note: The Personal Information and Expectations Form will be sent after registration.


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Terms & Conditions:

We will require an advance of 100% of the amount during the time of booking. No refund will be issued if cancellation is effected within 25 days prior to the program date.

We will charge 100%. 90% refund will be issued if cancellation is effected between 26 and 35

days prior to the check-in date. 75% refund will be issued for all cancellations effected beyond36 days.

Acts of God we are not responsible for the weather, rains, riots, floods, volcanoes, land-slides and similar or bands that may occur during the outing.

Medical Costs In case there are any mishaps, we are not responsible for the medical-costsother than initial first aid and transport from site to nearest medical facilities.

The trip will be held only if there are a minimum of 6 participants. Incase the trip is can-celledby us, the entire amount will be transferred back to your account. The maximum number ofpeople for this will be 6.

Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to badweather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.