Based on my experience in traveling for more than 25 years, this is my list of best places for landscape photography tours in India.
I have another article on best places for astrophotography in India.
Landscape Photography Tour in Ladakh
Ladakh is a landscape photographer’s paradise. Nowhere in India will you find landscapes like that.
Ladakh, a jewel in the crown of India, is a paradise for landscape photographers.
Ladakh is basically a desert and the rugged and barren landscape makes it very spectacular. It also has some beautiful lakes.
When you go to Ladakh, you will be completely overwhelmed. Every place looks very beautiful. The Pangong lake, Nubra Valley, the Hunder sand dunes, there is so much.
I have to admit that when I went to Ladakh for the first time I overshot.
Landscape Photography in Spiti Valley
Spiti Valley is my second most favorite place in India for landscape photography. Being the neighboring areas of Ladakh, the landscape is quite similar - barren and rugged. Here also, the clouds create the play of light and shadows.
The scenic location of the monasteries like Key monastery and Dhankar monastery makes for very interesting foreground for landscape and astro photography .
The Chandratal lake is the icing on the cake. Though little difficult to access because of the bad roads and high altitude, its worth going there.
Landscape Photography Tour in Zanskar Valley
Zanskar Valley is located in the southern part of Ladakh. It is less travel but that does not mean it is less beautiful. It is very rugged with remote villages and beautiful landscapes. There are some out of the world places in the Zanskar valley which is where every landscape and astro photographer dream to be.
Mount Gonbo Ronjyon, the Phuktal or Phugtal monastery, the Drang Drung glacier, the twin lakes at Pensi La pass - Tsat Tso and Lang Tso are the highlights of this circuit. Apart from this, there are innumerable places where you can stop and do landscape photography.
Landscape Photography Tour in Kashmir
Kashmir is known as paradise on earth and offers great opportunities for landscape and Astro photography. The beautiful meadows, the flowing streams and the mountains in the background makes for picture perfect shorts.
The beauty of Kashmir is different in different seasons. If you come during the fall you get to see the fall colors and if you come in winters you will see All the places covered with snow.
The Dal lake in Srinagar is a great starting point. I have taken many beautiful pictures there.
There are other places like the Gurez Valley, Doodhpathri, Pahalgaum, Sonmarg which are quite beautiful.
Landscape Photography Tour in Rann of Kutch
Though there is a wide variety of pictures in terms of landscape photography in the Rann, being there at the White Rann and the salt field itself is mind blowing.
With cattle herders in the foreground, the vast expanse of land is an amazing sight to see.
Landscape Photography Tour in Munnar
Munnar is a popular Destination for general tourists but for landscape photographers also there is a lot to do. The challenge here is to find a vantage point. Once you find a place, go there early morning. You will see how beautiful it looks with beautiful play of light and shadows. And the sun’s rays falling on the green tea gardens with the misty environment makes it look so beautiful.
The layers of mountains one after the other makes interesting pictures. Using the winding roads with a colourful car in the foreground, added another layer.
Landscape Photography Tour in Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
Ziro is one of the offbeat places in Arunachal Pradesh. Its a very picturesque valley known for its paddy cultivation and open landscapes. The bamboo houses in the fields make great pictures.
Ziro is more famous for the annual music festival, but for landscapes, I prefer to go at a time where there are less people, so basically, except the period of the festival.
Landscape Photography in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang is another place in Arunachal Pradesh in the North Eastern part of India.
It is an an elevation similar to Leh but here the landscape is different. There are many opportunities for landscape photography on the way to Tawang. There are many small villages on the way but these lesser known places are quite picturesque.
During the winter, most of the places are covered with snow and makes the place look quite different compared to summer.
Tips for photographers
My Ladakh Pictures
See my pictures of Ladakh in better resolution here.
My Zanskar Valley Ladakh Pictures
See my pictures of Zanskar Ladakh in better resolution here .
(for computer users)My Kutch Pictures
See my pictures of Ladakh in better resolution here .
(for computer users)Note: If you want a customized tour anywhere in India focused on Photography, I will be happy to organise it for you.
Thanksgiving
Thanks to all the participants who join me for the tours.All rights reserved. No copying without permission of the author Saurabh Chatterjee