April was an interesting month for all of us. On one side, the snowy and spring season officially commenced and on the other side, we still had receding snow at higher altitudes. That’s why this month, we have received a wide variety of photos from our trekkers.

We received over 200 entries in April. It was not easy to shortlist Top 10 nominations, as each photo has a strong story behind it. From Summer landscapes to trekkers in action to beautiful sunrise to some amazing portraits, we simply loved going through each photo.

So here, we announce the Winners of the Trek Photographer of the Month in April 2022.

Winner

Avinash Sharma – Pangarchulla Trek

Stunning bird's eye image showing us the pangarchulla summit and massive views of Mt Chaukhambha, Mt. Neelkant and Mt Dronagiri in the background. What makes this image truly rare and unique is that the photograph used a drone to capture this image. We get a clear picture of the massive mountains that we don't witness due to the haze. It's a spectacular image!

We were mesmerized by the view and creative skills required to take this picture. For these reasons, this image is our clear winner. Truly one for the ages!

| Camera Settings: Shutter – 1/1250, Aperture – 2.8, ISO – 200, Focal length – 18mm.

First - Runner up

Srinjana Dhar – Goechala Trek

Goechala's famous forest section- Dense, misty and mythical with the perfect setting of Rhododendrons. I absolutely love this picture. I used to always wonder what the forbidden forest looked like while reading Harry Potter when I was young. For a brief moment, this image took me there!

| Camera Settings: Shutter – 1/1250, Aperture – 2.8, ISO – 200, Focal length – 18mm.

Trekkers' Choice Award

Sanal K M – Dayara Bugyal Trek

This Dayara Bugyal picture shows us the perfect setting for a summer trek. Lush green in front and the snow-capped mountains in the background. This image taken from a trekker's perspective perfectly encapsulates that feeling.

| Camera Settings: Shutter – 1/1250, Aperture – 2.8, ISO – 200, Focal length – 18mm

Nominations

RaviKayasth - Ali Bedni Bugyal

Blooming spring Rhododendrons from Ali Bedni Bugyal. I'll be honest- whenever I see a photo of Rhodos, I get mesmerized every single time. This image shows the different shades of Rhodo colours. We have seen Deoriatal Chandrashila have beautiful rhododendron but Alibedni is equal to it!

| Camera Settings: Shutter – 1/1250, Aperture – 2.8, ISO – 200, Focal length – 18mm

G Hassan Kumar – Goechala Trek

This is a beautiful picture! Trekkers in the foreground and massive Mt Pandim in the background with the perfect golden ratio composition. It shows the perspective of how mighty this mountain really is. The mountains have a way of humbling us, this picture says exactly that story.

| Camera Settings: Shutter – 1/1250, Aperture – 2.8, ISO – 200, Focal length – 18mm

Vishwas Krishnamurthy– Dayara Bugyal

Dayara is extremely famous for its meadows. The sunsets are also extremely beautiful during the summer. Almost a golden aura surrounding it. This picture shows us the endless full green carpet meadows with blooming yellow and pink flowers. You'll experience exactly this on your Dayara Buygal Trek.  

| Camera Settings: Shutter – 1/1250, Aperture – 2.8, ISO – 200, Focal length – 18mm

Arun Kumar – Harkidun

 Harkidun trek is unique in its culture. It has more than 200 years of raw culture. This picture is composed of a beautiful portrait and the eyes tell the story of it. Sun-kissed light falling on an innocent face- Truly mesmerising. One of the best portrait images we have seen in a while.

| Camera Settings: Shutter – 1/1250, Aperture – 2.8, ISO – 200, Focal length – 18mm

Ritabrata Das – Khopra Ridge

We were eagerly waiting to see the pictures from Khopra ridge Trek after a 2-year hiatus! And well, the wait hasn't disappointed us one bit. What a beautiful shot of sunset with the background of the famous fish-tail mountain Mt. Machapuchare. The photographer has captured this with a good landscape and silhouette background.

| Camera Settings: Shutter – 1/1250, Aperture – 2.8, ISO – 200, Focal length – 18mm

Sudeep Mandal – Goechala Trek

As a photographer myself, I want to simply appreciate this capture. This image is special for a reason. We as viewers take this reason for granted. For this beautiful landscape picture- the photographer had to wake up at midnight and trek the whole night to reach the summit just to capture the first sunlight that falls on the Kanchenjunga range. Alpine glow. Epic sunrise. Tearful reflections. Perfect picture!

| Camera Settings: Shutter – 1/1250, Aperture – 2.8, ISO – 200, Focal length – 18mm

Vaisakh – Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek

In the summer season, grasslands turn green along with blooming cloured flowers. This picture encapsulates just that. Trekkers walking on the flower carpet of Ali meadows. Photographer has perfectly captured the composition of flowers and trekkers walking in the background. Expect this setting in most of your time in the Ali meadows!

| Camera Settings: Shutter – 1/1250, Aperture – 2.8, ISO – 200, Focal length – 18mm

Thank you for participating! We’ll be back with more.