Capture the Soul of the Himalayas
Frontiers Beyond is proud to partner with visual artist and documentary photographer Ryan Jakubek for an immersive, 17-day journey through the raw landscapes of Ladakh. This isn’t just a tour—it’s a masterclass in visual storytelling. From the high-altitude solitude of Zanskar and Hanle to the vibrant rituals of Buddhist festivals, you will traverse less-travelled paths Ryan has documented since 2019.
Moving beyond simple “capture,” this expedition treats photography as a fine art form. Through nightly seminars and one-on-one mentorship, Ryan draws on his background in printmaking and exhibition to help you refine your creative process and build a cohesive body of work. Join us to explore the world’s highest passes and transform your photographic practice in one of the most inspiring settings on Earth.
Overview
| Date | Friday July 17 to Sunday August 2, 2026 |
| Duration | 16 Nights / 17 Days |
| Start / End | Leh Ladakh |
| Price (Double Sharing) | $3,800 per person (Double/Twin Sharing Basis) |
| Price (Single Sharing) | $4,500 per person (Single Sharing Basis) |
| Deposit | $1,000 |
| Group Size | Maximum 08 Participants |
| Expedition Highlights | Ladakh 2026 |
- Expert Artist Residency: 17 days of immersive mentorship under visual artist Ryan Jakubek, focusing on photography as a fine art form through daily evening seminars and one-on-one creative guidance.
- The Zanskar Sani Naro-Nasjal Festival: Exclusive access to a rare, annual two-day Buddhist festival featuring sacred cham dances and costumed performances in the heart of Zanskar.
- World’s Highest Motorable Roads: A high-altitude odyssey across legendary passes, including Khardung La (5,359m) and Umling La (5,799m)—the highest paved motorable pass on Earth.
- Premier Astrophotography in Hanle: Two nights in the dark-sky sanctuary of Hanle, offering world-class opportunities to capture the Milky Way and celestial vistas.
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Scouting: Access to insider locations and less-traveled routes discovered by Ryan during years of independent fieldwork since 2019.
- Diverse Himalayan Landscapes: From the turquoise waters of Pangong Tso and the high-altitude salt flats of Tso Kar to the lush Balti village of Turtuk near the Pakistan border.
- Cultural Immersion: Stay in a curated mix of boutique hotels, traditional homestays, and eco-resorts, combined with visits to iconic monasteries like Thiksey, Diskit, and Zangla Palace.
- End-to-End Creative Workflow: Go beyond “the shot” with discussions on sequencing, editing for exhibitions, and professional strategies for presenting your portfolio to galleries.
- Small-Group Intimacy: A limited-capacity expedition ensuring a personalized experience, deliberate pacing, and rigorous location scouting.
- Comprehensive Logistics: All inner-line permits, monument fees, airport transfers, and expert ground transport are fully managed by Frontiers Beyond.
Itinerary:
Day 1 – Friday, July 17 – Leh Arrival
Arrival in Leh, transfer to hotel with check-in, initial welcome briefing, submission of identification documents for permit applications, walk to Leh Main Market for lunch and supplies including Ladakh capable SIM cards and pharmacy for back up altitude medication (if not procured in advance). Ending with an evening meet-and-greet and first evening seminar/briefing
Day 2 – Saturday, July 18 – Leh Acclimatization and Thiksey Monastery
Morning follow-up after a good night’s rest with monitored acclimatization, altitude medication for those who need it, in the afternoon last chance for shopping in Leh for any supplies or accessories, followed by a short drive to and walk through the stunning Thiksey Monastery nearby Leh. We return for dinner in Leh and a nightly photographic seminar.
Day 3 – Sunday, July 19 – Leh to Turtuk via Khardung La
First full day of road travel with multiple stops for photography including several while crossing one of the highest motorable passes in the world (Khardung La at 5359m). Stopping for lunch and a visit to the sand dunes in Hunder. Reaching the village of Turtuk for a special dinner of Balti cuisine
Day 4 – Monday, July 20 – Turtuk Exploration Day
Short road trip to Tyakshi village (near the Pakistan border) with a walk through the village before returning to Turtuk for lunch, followed by an optional short uphill hike to Turtuk waterfall among fresh apricot trees and excellent views of the valley. Returning to the guesthouse and having a second Balti dinner.
Day 5 – Tuesday, July 21 – Turtuk to Sakti via Wari La
Second major road-travel day, returning through Nubra Valley and stopping at Diskit Gompa before taking the stunning and less frequented crossing Wari La (5312m) to Sakti village
Day 6 – Wednesday, July 22 – Sakti to Merak via Chang La
Third road-travel day through another stunning and less frequented crossing Chang la (5360m), with a visit to Tangtse Gompa, before tracing the shores of the legendary Pangong Tso to Merak village.
Day 7 – Thursday, July 23 – Merak to Hanle
Continue along the south shore of Pangong Tso with a clear view of Chinese administered Aksai Chin, arriving at Hanle Gompa for a visit through the iconic monastery ruins, checking and taking dinner, setting up for one of the best astrophotography opportunities in the world with Hanle’s clear night sky
Day 8 – Friday, July 24 – Hanle to Umling La via Photi La and back
This exploration day which returns to Hanle contains our highest altitude exploration of the expedition and takes us as close as is permitted to the border with China. Note also that because we are returning to the same location, the road-trip is optional and may be substituted for a rest day by those who need it. The day begins with rapid ascent across one of the most stunning passes in the entire region: Photi La (5524m) before continuing to the highest paved motorable pass in the world Umling La (5799m, subject to military permission). We close this with a second opportunity for astrophotography.
Day 9 – Saturday, July 25 – Hanle to Thukje
A morning view from Hanle Gompa before breakfast and checkout, followed by either a more relaxed day (after three huge ones), or an alternate route if permissions allow taking us through Chumur base and along Tso Moriri east coast before arriving in Thukje. In Thukje we explore the remains of the high-altitude salt lake Tso Kar “The White Lake”. This will be the highest elevation we sleep at: in preparation for tomorrow’s crossing of the traditional highway and high passes that separate Ladakh from Himachal Pradesh and the rest of India.
Day 10 – Sunday, July 26 – Thukje to Jispa
In many ways our most “epic” day, charting a traditional course through the mountain range separating Ladakh from Himachal Pradesh and the rest of India. This is a historic journey taken by many, and the diversity of landscape we will see is unmatched. With stops it will be a full day with plenty of photo opportunities before staying in Jispa village, which will feel much greener and forested than the landscapes we’ve witnessed up until this day.
Day 11 – Monday, July 27 – Jispa to Padum via Shinku La
After a short stay in Himachal Pradesh near the border, we are heading right back into Ladakh state: but this time to Zanskar! This new road includes a stop for what many see as the single most beautiful mountain in the entire region: Gumbok Rangan. We continue along the winding road (which includes a few rough spots and water crossings before entering into the enormously wide Zanskar valley.
Day 12 – Tuesday, July 28 – Zanskar’s Sani Naro Nasjal Festival
After nine days of tracing Ladakh’s border areas with Pakistan, China, and Himachal Pradesh, we find ourselves at its centre during an extraordinarily special time. The Sani Naro-Nasjal festival lasts two days and features traditional, authentic performances by Buddhist monks for the local people of Zanskar. As outsiders we must be deeply respectful of their local traditions and coordinate with the organizers to find the best positioning from which we can photograph this once-per-year event. After all the epic landscapes we’ve seen, this is our chance to connect with the spirit and culture of the region so rarely visible to visitors. This event will be the highlight portraiture opportunity of our exhibition, and it will last most of the day.
Day 13 – Wednesday, July 29 – Padum to Zangla
The second day of the festival is often a bit more subdued than the first which can greatly benefit us photographers who may be forced to work in a tight space as the local audience members can be packed right up to the performance area. After this second day of performance which typically ends a bit earlier than the first day, we take a short road trip day exploring the most jaw-dropping monasteries and viewpoints Zanskar Valley before heading to Zangla village where the ancient palace of Zanskar is majestically perched on a steep cliff.
Day 14 – Thursday, July 30 – Zangla to Photoksar
In the morning we will visit Zangla Palace and experience the history of this ancient palace lookout. After, this will be the most adventurous day of our expedition. We exit Zanskar via a new, partially completed road that includes several off-road patches but takes us through a truly rare path. Every view on this day’s road may be as exciting as some of the top highlights that came before it. Travelling this route as Zanskar valley narrows into a dramatic gorge is awe-inspiring. After comes a series of steep passes in quick succession before arriving in Photoskar – which may be our most “remote” location we stay during this expedition.
Day 15 – Friday, July 31 – Photoksar to Leh
The day begins to the nearby Photoskar Gompa, nestled at the confluence above two river valleys. A personal favourite of mine, this day’s road continues the less travelled road through a series of dramatic rock faces in hues of purple, orange, and yellow, before connecting near Lamayuru and the main highway between Kargil to Leh. Once on the highway it’s smooth driving to Leh where we will arrive to celebrate a truly epic journey that has taken us across vast and hidden areas of the Ladakh region. While Leh may have seemed like high elevation when you first arrived two weeks ago, it will now feel like you are coming back down.
Day 16 – Saturday, August 1 – Leh Exploration Day
You’ve seen so much of the Ladakh region and forged a deeper connection with the land and culture of this beautiful and unique place in the world. That bond may inspire you to take a greater interest in what local life in Ladakh’s capital is like. With new eyes we will explore the quiet and beautiful areas of this city with an optional walking tour up to Leh Palace and finishing at Shanti Stupa for a gorgeous sunset view of Leh and the entire Indus Valley. Rest or independent exploration is also an option on your last full day before returning home.
Day 17 – Sunday, August 2 – Leh Exit Day
Flights from Leh airport depart in the morning or early afternoon. We eat breakfast, checkout, and wish each-other bon voyage before arriving at the airport in advance of our flights so we don’t risk missing them.
HOTELS ENVISAGED
| DATES | CITY | HOTELS & RESORTS | NIGHTS |
| 17 – 19 July, 26 | Leh | Ladakh Paradise (Premium Room) | 02 Nights |
| 19 – 21 July, 26 | Turtuk | Virsa Baltistan | 02 Nights |
| 21 – 22 July, 26 | Sakti Village | Fana Resort | 01 Night |
| 22 – 23 July, 26 | Merak | Saser Scenic Resort | 01 Night |
| 23 – 25 July, 26 | Hanle | Hanle House | 02 Nights |
| 25 – 26 July, 26 | Thukje | Thangkar Resort / Tsokar Eco Resort | 01 Night |
| 26 – 27 July, 26 | Jispa | Hotel Ibex / Padma Lodge | 01 Night |
| 27 – 29 July, 26 | Padum | Dee Grand Marq | 02 Nights |
| 29 – 30 July, 26 | Zanla | Gongma Homestay | 01 Night |
| 30 – 31 Aug, 26 | Photoksar | Wantse Home | 01 Night |
| 31 July – 02 Aug, 26 | Leh | Ladakh Paradise (Premium Room) | 02 Nights |
INCLUSION
- Accommodation throughout the itinerary
- Airport transfers in Leh on the scheduled arrival and departure dates
- Transportation throughout Ladakh for the duration of the program
- Daily breakfast and select group dinners
- Photographer-led guidance throughout
- Daily evening seminars with one-to-one feedback
- Inner-line / protected-area permit processing and fees
- Monastery and monument entry fees as outlined in the itinerary
- Local driver and ground-logistics coordination
EXCLUSION
- International and domestic flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Lunches (and meals taken without the group)
- Personal expenses, beverages, laundry, and incidental purchases
- Tips and gratuities
- Camera equipment or gear rentals
- Medical expenses, emergency evacuation, or costs arising from trip interruption
About Ryan Jakubek
Ryan Jakubek (b. 1988) is a Canadian–Slovak visual artist and documentary photographer based in Toronto. He holds a BFA in Image Arts from Toronto Metropolitan University and has completed printmaking residencies in Italy, Spain, and Indonesia. Selected work has been exhibited in public galleries and non-profit institutions, with projects moving from field research into long-form series shaped through sequencing, process, and presentation.
He has returned to Ladakh since 2019 for sustained fieldwork, and he now leads small-group expeditions grounded in continued engagement across the region. Participants can expect deliberate pacing, rigorous location scouting, and structured critique focused on clarity, intention, and story. Alongside his studio practice, he has worked on more than fifty film and television productions, bringing set-level discipline to planning, safety, and logistics. Learn more at ryanjakubek.com