Zanskar – brilliant star-lit mountain landscapes in the Himalayas

As we drove higher and higher–well above 12,000 feet–there was a visible change in the geographical features. The brown slopes of the mountains that adorned a hat of snow on the peak morphed into all-white walls bifurcated by a rough patch of road that allowed us an access. Below us, at the bottom of the valley, melt-water gushed away, making a long journey into the plains that nurtured the civilization of a billion people. Up here, the only sound of life came from the inhabitants of our own car, save for an occasional yellow-billed chough that flew past or a cuddly-looking marmot that scooted away on our arrival. Glaciers dotted the landscapes, adding more force to the river that skirted past their mouths. The enormous tall massifs covered with snow hurt our eyes, and yet, pleased our souls through a sense of calm and magnanimity effused from them. Someone in the car said, “we have reached heaven”. I could not help but nod silently. I did not want to speak up and break the indulgent muses of my mind.

zanskar landscapes

It was a summer afternoon and we were driving towards Penzi-La, the mighty pass that rose above 14,000 feet to partition the valleys of Suru and Zanskar. I was leading a photography tour comprising a dozen trigger-happy people who were willing to go through any struggle to be a part of this gigantic landscape. For past three days, we had come away from the networked world and were camping amidst high mountains, disconnected from everything else but the grandest showcase of nature. We had traversed in the shadow of Nun and Kun mountains, both massive projections from the ground that climbed well above 20,000 feet, covered in megatonnes of snow that shined in the bright mountain sun.


Hornbill Festival – a primer

Sometime in March, I gave a talk on Hornbill Festival for a bunch of travel enthusiasts in Bangalore. The slides are now available for public viewing. See the entire slideshow below or visit http://www.slideshare.net/arunchs/hornbill-festival

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Some of you may be aware that we conduct photography tour to North-East India during Hornbill Festival every year. Do join me for the 2016 edition in December. See details and join me on this photography tours at www.darter.in/photography-tours/travel/photography-in-north-east-hornbill-festival/