Four years ago, I embarked on the Goechala trek with twenty-odd friends. It was my first Himalayan trek and a challenging one at that. After trekking through rain and slush, we reached the Dzongri campsite on Day 4, wet and exhausted.

As I was about to step into my tent for a short nap, I noticed my co-trekker waving out to me from a distance. I walked up to him, and in hushed tones, he told me that he had spotted a bird.

We walked for a few minutes and came upon a clearing. About twenty to thirty feet from where we stood was a bird that took my breath away.

It was the Himalayan Monal. Its brilliant colours sparkled in the evening sun. Electric blues blended into brilliant greens and vivid oranges. We sat there, crouching near the ground as it went about pecking in the grass. My friend started clicking pictures while all I could do was capture the beauty of this bird with my mind’s eye.

Looking back, I feel fortunate that I got the chance to witness this. To date, it remains one of my most memorable moments from the trek.

The Himalayan Monal. Picture by Ajit Hota

Since we often get asked about the best treks for birdwatching, I’m putting this post together on some of the best treks for bird watching, the best time to watch them and some endemic birds to look out for.

I reached out to Ajit Hota and Madhav Anand, well-known bird photographers, and long-time Indiahikes trekkers. We also discussed different aspects of this topic with Jothiranjan, our resident photographer.

We spoke to them about their top Himalayan treks for bird watching, what makes these trails unique, and tips for bird photography while trekking.

Why are we more likely to spot birds on a Himalayan trek than any other tourist spot?

With over 900 avifauna species, the Himalayas is a biodiversity hotspot. In fact, 80% of the bird species found in India call the Himalayas home! But, have you wondered how the region came to be so rich in bird species, given its harsh terrain and weather conditions?

A 2018 Zoological Survey of India points out multiple factors:

1. The presence of different varieties of intact forests that are important for breeding.
2. The presence of wetlands at higher altitudes and river ecosystems at the lower levels.
3. Access to agricultural land, which helps provide birds with food, especially during winters.

Ajit expands on this. “Most trek routes pass through minimal or no population or any other disturbances. As a result, bird species thrive in those regions due to abundant food, natural forests, and no threats or disturbances from humans”, he explains.

With such incredible biodiversity, Himalayan treks present the perfect chance to catch sight of some rare birds.

For the sheer variety of species that reside in these regions, these trails are our top picks for bird watching. 

This was a unanimous choice for all of our experts! It is one of the best treks to spot the strikingly beautiful Monal. Our founder, Arjun Majumdar, who has been on this trek three times, concurs, “Every time I have done this trek, I have seen Monals very close to the trail.”

On any given day on this trek, you can spot anywhere from 70 to 100 types of birds, largely due to its location inside the Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary.

From the exquisitely patterned Snow Patridge to the colorful Kalij Pheasant, and from the cerulean blue shaded Verditer Flycatcher to the delicately shaded pink browned Rosefinch, the trek is a gold mine for bird lovers and photographers.

| Birding hotspots on the Deoriatal - Chandrashila trek: 

- The Deoriatal Lake and the trek from the lake to Syalmi
- The section above Bhrujgali to halfway up the Chandrashila Peak is the perfect stretch to spot Monals and Snow Partridges.

For a more comprehensive list of the birds you can spot on the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek, click here.

While most trekkers head to Sandakphu for views of the Sleeping Buddha, and the chance to weave in and out of Nepal, the trek is also a bird watcher’s delight.

Rufous-bellied Woodpeckers, the Crested Honey Buzzard, Spotted Laughing Thrushes,  Fire-tailed Myzornis and a mind-boggling variety of birds have been observed here.

The Sandakphu - Phalut trek is located inside the protected Singalila National Park, known for its biodiversity. Close to 300 species of birds have been recorded in this region!

Ajit suggests visiting during the months following winter. He says, “During the rhododendron blooming season, the highest number of bird species can be sighted.”

| Birding hotspots on the Sandakphu - Phalut trek:

- The Jaubhari base camp
- The Tumling campsite
- The trek from Tumling to Kalipokhri

This is one of those rare treks where you will find a variety of birds almost throughout the journey — right from lower altitudes all the way to the top. Himalayan Monals, Snow Pigeons, Tibetan Snowcocks, Fire-tailed Sunbirds, and many Yuhinas species have been spotted on this trek.

The reason for this is the remarkably diverse terrain of Goechala. From thick forests to trails lined on either side by rhododendron trees to barren meadows at the higher altitudes, Goechala is a trek with incredibly varying landscapes. 

| Birding hotspots on the Goechala trek: 

- All campsites are rich in the number of bird species that can be found, primarily Tshoka, Dzongri, Thansing, and Samiti Lake.
- Blood Pheasants and Himalayan Monals can be seen at Dzongri.
- Tibetan Snowcock, Grandalas, and many other birds can be found at Samiti Lake

No doubt, the treks mentioned above are outstanding just for the sheer number of birds you will get to see. But the Dayara Bugyal trek isn’t too far behind.

The majestic Shikra, the bright Himalayan Blue Tail, the Indian White Eye, Scarlet Minivet, and the beautiful Indian Paradise Flycatcher are just some of over 40 species that can be spotted on or near the trails.

Dense oak and maple forests and the presence of water bodies provide the right conditions for birds to flourish, especially during mating season. 

| Birding hotspots on the Dayara Bugyal trek:

- Birder Madhav points out that the first couple of campsites on this trek, Raithal, and Gui, are set around farmland. The easy availability of food makes spotting a good variety of birds possible at lower altitudes itself. 

For more information on the birds you can spot on this trek, take a look at the beautiful images that Madhav captured on his trip to Dayara Bugyal last year.

From spotting Himalayan Woodpeckers to Eurasian Jays to Himalayan Tits, the Brahmatal trek is yet another wonderful Himalayan adventure to embark upon for birding enthusiasts.

“But the reason to sign up for the Brahmatal trek is the chance to spot and capture images of the largest predatory birds of the region, the Himalayan Griffon or Vulture,” says Madhav.

In fact, on his last Brahmatal trek, Madhav had 12 separate griffon sightings!

| Birding hotspots on the Brahmatal trek: 

- The Gujreni campsite, which is your Day 2 campsite (only during winters), is surrounded by rhododendrons and oak trees and a great place to spot birds such as the Blue-fronted Redstart, the Asian-barred Owlet, and the Solitary Snipe.
- Expect to spot predatory birds at higher altitudes en route from Tilandi to Brahmatal.

Jothiranjan also recommends the Chirbatiya trek, a short weekend trek in Uttarakhand that is perfect for those who are new to bird watching and bird photography. His other top picks are Phulara Ridge, Kuari Pass, and Gidara Bugyal.

Top 12 most interesting birds to look out for while on a Himalayan trek

1. The Himalayan Monal - Probably the most well-recognized bird due to its vibrant feathers, it’s found in elevations from 7,000 to 15,000 ft.

Himalayan Monal spotted on the Deoriatal - Chandrashila trek. Picture by Ajit Hota

2. Himalayan Woodpecker - Recognized by a constant knocking sound. Spot them at altitudes ranging between 4,900 and 10,500 ft.

Himalayan Woodpecker seen on the ground. Picture by Ajit Hota

3. Tibetan Snowcock - They are found above the tree line, at altitudes over 12,000 ft. During winters, they descend to lower altitudes.

Tibetan Snowcock on the boulders of the Goechala trek. Picture by Sahana

4. Himalayan Griffon - With a wingspan of up to 10 feet, they are the largest and heaviest birds found in the Himalayas. They can be spotted at altitudes ranging from 3,900 to 18,000 ft).

A flock of Himalayan Griffons on the Sandakphu - Phalut trail. Picture by Jay Gandhi

5. Snow Partridge - Beautiful striations characterize this bird that is found in the higher altitudes of the Himalayas.

A Snow Partridge moving swiftly on the Deoriatal - Chandrashila trek. Picture by Ajit Hota

6. Verditer Flycatcher - Recognized by its distinct copper sulphate color and black eye patch. They often perch themselves on exposed tree branches waiting to catch flying insects.

A haven for birders, the Deoriatal - Chandrashila trek is full of birds, like this Verditer Flycatcher. Picture by Ajit Hota

7. Fire-tailed Sunbird - A long red tail and a colorful plumage distinguish this bird. Often found in rhododendron forests feeding on insects and nectar.

Fire-tailed Sunbird spotted on the Goechala trek. Picture by Sahana

8. Eurasian Jay - Found in thick oak and beech forests. A noisy species, they can be identified by their distinct screech.

Dayara Bugyal is also a terrific trek for bird watchers. Eurasian Jay spotted on the trail. Picture by Madhav Anand

9. Great Barbet - A colorful bird that can be spotted in forests up to 9,800 ft.

The Singalila National Park rich in avifauna and this Great Barbet is a proof! Picture by Ajit Hota

10. Yellow-billed Blue Magpie - Commonly found in flocks at elevations lower than 10,000 ft.

Belonging to the crow family, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie is a common sight amidst the rhododendron trees of the Deoriatal - Chandrashila trek. Picture by Ajit Hota

11. Himalayan Tit - A distinct crown and striking yellow and black pattern helps in identifying this bird.

One of the smallest birds in the Himalayas, tits come in a variety of colours. This is a Great Tit spotted on the Deoriatal - Chandrashila trek. Picture by Ajit Hota

12. Satyr Tragopan - Yet another colorful bird found in moist oak and rhododendron forests with dense undergrowth.

Probably the most colourful bird after Himalayan Monal, the Satyr Tragopan is a rare bird to spot! Picture by Ajit Hota

March to May (spring) and September to November (autumn) are the best months to spot birds. 

This corresponds with the migration and breeding season, which translates to higher bird activity and increased chances of spotting them. 

Spring is also the peak Rhododendron blooming period and one of the best times to go bird watching in the Himalayas. 

According to Jothiranjan, the golden hours to spot birds are the morning hours of 6 to 8 am and the early evening hours of 4 to 6 pm. These are the hours when birds are at their most active, which increases your chances of spotting them.

Since these hours are also times that you are most likely to be at the campsite, you can consult your Trek Leader on the best spots in and around the grounds to observe these feathered friends.  

 1. Your camera and lens - Beginners can start with a 70-300mm lens, while those more experienced will prefer to take a 200-500 mm, 400-600 mm, or 150-600 mm lens.
2. Binoculars - With at least 12x zoom.
3. Monopod/Tripod - While not a must, it can be useful at campsites where you will often have enough time to observe and capture images of the birds around.

1. Read up before you head out - Arm yourself with knowledge regarding bird species found in a particular region and their characteristics and keep a field guide handy. eBird.org provides a comprehensive database of birds from around the world with details and images of each species. 

2. Be weather-wise - While you are likely to spot birds at higher altitudes during the warmer months, birds descend to lower altitudes searching for food and more pleasant temperatures during the colder months. E.g., Fire-tailed Sunbirds, Fire-tailed Myzornis, and even Himalayan Monals can be seen at lower altitudes during winter. 

3. Camouflage yourself - Dark, dull or earth-colored clothes that blend into the surroundings are best for birding.

4. Silence, please - This is the golden rule of birdwatching! Birds are extremely sensitive to noise and movement so maintaining silence is an absolute must. 

5. Maintain distance - Madhav recommends a distance of at least 20-30 m. Move slowly to not startle the bird. Never follow or chase a bird.

6. Avoid nesting pictures - Birds can get nervous and even abandon their nest if they sense a threat near their nests.

7. Avoid using mating calls - While serious birders use this technique sparingly, these tactics can often agitate birds.

8. Avoid using flash - Instead, up the ISO setting on your camera. 

That brings us to the end of this guide on bird watching on Himalayan treks. 

Birding enthusiast or not, tell us about your most memorable bird spotting incidents or encounters while on a trek in the comments section below.

Birds Spotted on the Dayara Bugyal Trek

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If bird watching in the Himalayas is your primary reason to trek, this guide is a must read on how you can watch these beautiful creatures!

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There are photographers and then there are those photographers whose work reflects an unequivocal passion for their craft. Nature lover and mountaineer, Nitish Waila is one such nature and adventure photographer, whose work falls in the latter category. Having been commissioned by Indiahikes to present the Gaumukh Tapovan trek from the perspective of his lens, the talented Nitish tells the Indiahikes trekking community why Gaumukh Tapovan is one of the most beautiful Himalayan treks.

“It so happened that although I was assigned to take photographs of the Gaumukh Tapovan trail, I have also wanted to go there for a long time now. So you could say that it was mutual. I was really looking forward to capturing the Shivling peak up close, which is one of the biggest peaks every mountaineer would like to trek,” says Nitish.

But once Nitish embarked on the trek, he soon discovered that every day of the Gaumukh- Tapovan trek offered something uniquely special that appealed to his photographic senses. “After touching base at Gangotri, we commence the trek on the following day to Chirbasa. What is beautiful about this day is the stark contrast in landscape you get to witness. The entire trail from Gangotri is very dry and I would even go to the extent of saying that it is like the Ladakh of Uttarkhand. But the moment you reach Chirbasa, it is as if some magical tapestry has been unfurled and you find yourself surrounded by these towering chir trees or pine trees which are so glorious and majestic to behold.

“For a moment you wonder whether you have chanced upon a mirage after trekking along the arid landscapes, but the refreshing, distinctive scent of the pine trees makes you realise that the vibrant green canopy before you, is indeed real. I got some great clicks of our tents aglow against the backdrop of the horizon, just after sunset. It is also one of the days where you can just sit beside the river near the campsite and do some soul searching while admiring the understated beauty of the sombre pine trees,” says Nitish

Day 3 of the trek from Chirbasa to Bhojbasa is considerably a short one, spanning all of 5 km and Nitish couldn’t be happier, as the Bhojbasa campsite served him a glimpse of the intimidating mountain peaks, he has a predilection for. 

“It is from the Bhojbasa campsite that you get to see Gaumukh for the first time and the Bhagirathi massif above, which is every nature photographer’s delight. What makes it even more surreal is knowing that you ae witnessing and photographing these magnificent peaks at a place of historical importance, where all the rishis of yore used to stay for a year and meditate. It is also famous for the Bhojpatra trees or silver birch trees, the bark of which served as parchment for the first ever recorded edition of the Hindu epics like the Ramayan,” says Nitish. 

However, according to Nitish, it is day 4 of the Gaumukh Tapovan trek from Bhojbasa to Tapovan that conjures up views that a photographer’s dreams are made of. He says,“Day 4 is indeed the most beautiful day of the Gaumukh Tapovan trek. I captured most of my images on that day. Just 1 or 2 kms into the trail, you can see Shivling on the right. The trail till Gaumukh is nothing to speak of but once you reach Gaumukh, it is just the best feeling.” You are amazed and intimidated in equal measure because there you are, a human being, the crème of civilization, reduced to a mere ant in the face of this huge glacier; the biggest one in India if I may add. This glacier just seems like it stretches on forever.

“Since we had snowfall the previous night we could see the glacier in its pristine white and icy blue glory, untainted by the murky patches of moraine. We were also treated to a panoramic view of Shivling, Bhagirathi and Gaumukh huddled together. Another spectacular sights are the numerous pools of glacial water bodies originating from Gaumukh being lit up in resplendent shades of turquoise blue and muted emerald by the sun’s rays. The views are aplenty. Even once we reach the Tapovan campsite since you can capture Shivling, Meru and Bhagirathi in a single frame. We were blessed with a full moon which enabled me to click some great night shots of the campsite and the mountains bathed in the luminescent moonlight,” says Nitish.

Even the rest day at Tapovan is certainly worth the stop. “We climbed for 2 hours and reached 14, 800 feet, from where we got an up-close view of the striking Meru Glacier, which is a mountaineer’s dream. Meru has a few hanging glaciers protruding from the main glacier which makes for some very good pictures.  I fulfilled my prime motive as a photographer here by clicking Meru and Shivling together. Even the Niltal lake nearby is a photographer’s spot. Although it was frozen in July, it’s vivid blue colour and picturesque setting made for a great click,” says Nitish. 

During the course of Nitish’s assigment, Trek Leader Aashay Surve was able to gauge his unadulterated love for nature and the mountains. “Nature is at the core of Nitish’s soul and that’s reflected in everything, be it in his pictures, the way he talks about the mountains and his demeanour itself. He exercises so much patience and precision when it comes to clicking pictures, so much so that he nearly risked his life towards the end of the trek while trying to capture the perfect picture,” says Aashay. 

Aashay narrates an incident which proves that Nitish is truly an adventure photographer. “While descending from Chirbasa on day 7, we spotted around five groups of blue sheep walking up and down the trail. Blue sheep are the food of snow leopards which roam these parts. That part of the trail is especially dangerous as it is prone to rockfall and on that particular day, stones were clattering downhill on account of the wandering blue sheep,” says Aashay. There was a sheep sitting on a large rock above him and Nitish was waiting for the perfect moment to capture the silhouette of the sheep’s horns against the sky. It was unwise to stay there, but he waited there patiently for a while and just as he clicked the picture, a small stone flew past his neck at tremendous speed. “Even the smallest stones can do a lot of damage in rockfall areas. But Nitish wasn’t perturbed by that, he was just ecstatic that he got the shot,” says Trek Leader Aashay.

For infusing such a genuine love for nature into every frame he clicked, Nitish was given the Spirit of Trekking Award and the ace photographer hopes that his pictures would give people the much needed motive to enrol for this breath-takingly beautiful trek. 

“I hope I have managed to weave a beautiful story through my pictures which would prove engaging enough to all the trekkers out there to witness Gaumukh Tapovan first-hand. But I will be remiss not to mention that Gaumukh is a mesmerising trek no matter whether you are a photographer or not. It is one of those treks that really helps you establish a true connection with nature and just bask in the beauty of that unspoken bond,” says Nitish.  

Once you sample the views and the tranquil moments Gaumukh has to offer, you might just be tempted to spend a good part of your year in the mountains thereafter. One would have to experience it to understand what I am talking about. 

The Gaumukh Tapovan Trek Through The Eyes Of A Photographer

We are all photographers. We take pictures almost all the time. And we often wonder how we can become better at trek photography.

Digital photography has made the art of photography a lot easier than before. It gives us the freedom of trial and error until we get the best result. Yet, you can get a lot more than you bargained for by just learning a few things.

So in this article, I’m going to share with you some tips to click better pictures.

The best camera is the one you have with you right now. I am serious.

People see “photography” as the price of the camera and the number of lenses they have. But photography is not always about these. In fact, camera envy could be the one thing holding you back from taking better pictures.

A smartphone camera with a good photographer can produce better results than the costliest camera with an amateur. Learn the basics. Know how Shutter speed, Aperture, and ISO affect your pictures.

To put it simply, shutter speed is the amount of time the camera shutter stays open. DSLRs have varying shutter speeds starting from 1/8000 of a second to 30 seconds (more than 30 seconds in BULB mode).

To Shoot moving subjects, you should use higher shutter speeds, depending on the speed of the subject.

Using low shutter speed also helps in getting more light to fall on the sensor.

See the above pictures for example. The first picture is taken with a 20 seconds shutter speed, which lets the camera sensor capture the flow of water for 20 seconds. The second picture on the other hand was shot on 1/390 seconds shutter speed. This is higher than the speed of water flowing and so you have a sharp image of the stream.

Both images are good in their own ways, but the slower shutter speed image by Vignesh is adding a wow factor.

Note: For shutter speeds less than 1/30 seconds you must use a tripod or keep the camera steady somewhere.

Aperture can be described as the opening in your lens. It defines the amount of light entering the sensor at a particular point of time. Most lenses have apertures varying from 4 (f/4) to 22 (f/22). There are also lenses that provide 1.2 – 1.8 widest apertures. 

Aperture also adds depth to the picture. All the background blur as seen in DSLR pictures is provided by wide apertures like 1.4, 1.8 and 2.8.

Coming to treks, photography here is mainly about landscapes. In order to make the image sharper, chose a higher aperture number like f/11 or f/16. Higher the f-number, narrower the aperture, and sharper the image.  

Consider these pictures from the Sandakphu Trek.

Using a narrow aperture leads to limiting the amount of light entering the sensor. Hence you should use a slow shutter speed in order to balance the exposure.

It took me at least 1 year to understand the basics of my camera and I still feel there are more to learn. So keep experimenting with all the settings and don’t try to understand everything by just reading the basics. Even if you are shooting in Auto mode, have an idea of the Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO.

ISO is a measure of the camera’s ability to capture light. For low light situations, keep your ISO high to make your sensor more sensitive to light. 

Finding the correct ISO can be tricky. Modern DSLR cameras have ISO ranging from 100 to 6400 (and 25600 in professional cameras). A low ISO like 100 is less sensitive to light but captures more details. As you go up in the ISO range, your image loses details and you can see a gradual increase of noise (grains) through the range.

Cameras like Canon 700D, 1100D, Nikon D3200 etc that come under the entry level cameras start producing noise around ISO 800. Medium range cameras Canon 7D, 6D can give you good results even at ISO 1600.

Professional Cameras such as Canon 5D mark4, Nikon D810 will give you decent pictures at ISO 3200-4000. Then there are cameras which give really good low light results like Sony A9, you can go to ISO 12800 and still manage to get sharp images. 

Most photographers develop a High-ISO fear once they know more about ISO details. In low light, you will have to either increase your ISO or reduce your shutter speed. Lowering your shutter speed might lead to shaky pictures if you don’t have steady hands or a tripod.

So do not be afraid of the noise in your picture. Make your ISO high if you don’t have enough natural light. Sometimes noise can add drama to the photograph. It’s about the content and the composition. Select your ISO according to the content. The camera settings are just there to help you capture the moment.

A normal daylight image can be shot with ISO 100, whereas a night shot of stars needs ISO of around 1600 or higher.

The first image is a night shot and hence a high ISO like 1600. We need the sensor to be more sensitive to light in such situations. The second picture is a daylight picture. Hence the photographer was able to go to a lower ISO like 100.  

Getting a perfectly exposed picture lies in the balanced use of these settings. Shutter Speed, Aperture, and ISO together decide the exposure of an image in a given lighting condition. Understand these, experiment with each setting and your path to becoming a better photographer can be simplified.

In photography, composition is the placement or arrangement of the subject and other visual elements in your picture. A slight change in the angle, height or depth can make a lot of difference in the composition of the image. Try giving a little attention to the composition of the image while photographing. Understand how colours, texture, symmetry, patterns and leading lines affect your image. 

The Rule of Thirds is the most popular composition rule. Consider breaking your image vertically and horizontally into thirds making 9 parts in total.

Aligning the subject with any of these guidelines or the intersection points brings more interest in the subject than just randomly placing the subject in the centre. This can also be done while cropping, But you have to have the idea in your mind and leave only minor adjustments to Photoshop. 

There are alternate rules to Rule of thirds like the golden Ratio rule, Golden Spiral Rule, Diagonal rule etc. But all these rules go along with each other most of the time.

Leading lines and S curves can be used carefully to bring interest towards the subject in photography. These lines help in creating a perspective in the picture. They give the viewer an idea about the geography of the location. Leading lines to a subject have always proved to bring more interest to the subject.

Also, starting the leading lines from any of the corners brings the viewers to the subject in your photography. 

Leave empty spaces out of your picture. Include only what you think is relevant to your subject. Make a picture with a meaning. 

The most common mistake in photography is the use of unwanted objects. These include irrelevant headspace, meaningless objects and unnecessary contrasting colours in the background.  These take the interest away from the subject and can destroy a photograph. 

Keep your subject inside the frame. Don’t cut off any parts. Go a little wider than the frame you have in mind, so that you have the freedom to do slight straightening and aligning without cutting off any parts. 

You will have to straighten your pictures most of the time to align the horizon. Keeping the horizon straight is another major Composition Rule.

Frames inside your frame. Capturing frames in your picture is another way to go about having a good composition in photography. Find natural frames and shapes from your surroundings. 

An image with a perfect composition need not always follow the composition rules. Being a good photographer means figuring out when to follow these rules and when to break these. It took me a long time to understand composition and that is when I started breaking some of these rules. Believe in your composition, but understand these basic rules and why they are important. 

Create a story in your picture. Let the picture speak for itself.

During treks, lighting is entirely dependent on weather conditions. The challenge is to get the most out of existing lighting conditions. 

Always try to catch the morning and evening light. Morning and evening sun can help in creating brilliant back-lit images. 

Even cloudy days provide dramatic results in photographs. Have absolute control over the light. For landscapes, you can’t change the position of your subject or the light source. So change your position. Shoot from different angles.

Try and use all lighting conditions. If a bright, sunny day is perfect for landscapes, cloudy days can be perfect for portraits. It provides a uniform lighting to your subject.

Understand How Soft light and Hard light affects your photographs. Soft light is the light source that provides no shadows or soft shadows. Hard light, on the other hand, results in hard shadows.

Apart from these basics, a good photograph needs the photographer to be in the moment. Take pictures of anything that impresses you. Take pictures for yourself, not for social media.

There will be moments in your trek where you will be caught up in a beautiful scenery and forget to take pictures. Be in that moment. Take your time to start capturing. Whatever you are shooting, connect with the subject. Let the connection flow through the photograph. You have become a better photographer already.

Showing some of our best Trek photographs.

The Magic of One Lens — Learning from the Mistakes

My first DSLR came with a kit lens. It was a Canon 550D with 18-55mm lens. After two days I bought another lens because it offered more zoom, and I could afford it then. I hardly used the kit lens after that for almost a year. But I kept adding to my collection of lenses. Soon, I bought a 55-250mm, a 50mm 1.8, and a Tokina 11-16mm.

The irony is that I was not able to master any of these lenses. When I finally decided to experiment with each lens separately, I realised that buying lenses without experimenting with my old ones was one of my biggest mistakes in photography.

From the lessons I learnt, I am listing the ways in which using a single lens can improve your trek photography.

Taking one lens reduces the weight of your backpack and saves time on a trek

For the photographers out there, this might sound silly. But believe me, on a trek this matters. The extra batteries will anyway increase the weight of the photography gear that you are carrying. Losing that heavy 70-200mm lens can make a world of difference.

Not just that, it saves all the time you would waste on changing lenses. Very often, you end up spending more time doing this than actually clicking photographs. In the Himalayas, the weather is unpredictable — clouds can suddenly block out views of a pretty lake or a peak.

It could happen in a matter of seconds. Similarly, you don’t want miss out taking a good shot of a bird or other wildlife because you are fumbling with lenses.

See these pictures taken with just a 16mm focal length. Click on them to see them enlarged.

After considering the increase in weight of the backpack, if you still feel that you have to take 2 or more lenses with you, I have more reasons for why you should consider taking a single lens for your trek.

Very often, we have predetermined ideas of which lens to use where. A wide lens for landscapes, a standard prime lens for portraits, a macro lens for flowers, a telephoto lens for wildlife, etc.

Have you ever tried shooting a portrait with an ultra wide angle lens, or a landscape with a telephoto lens?

These ideas come into your mind only when you explore more of each lens.

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Expert Tips on Trek Photography -- Be a Better Photographer

Drones have completely changed the way we look at landscape photography and videography. They are gaining popularity among photographers because of their ability to shoot from a bird’s eye view. Imagine seeing the Himalayas, or any natural wonder from an aerial perspective; stunning!

Though mountains offer a brilliant opportunity to shoot breathtaking pictures and videos, they are still not a photographer’s favourite destination for drones. Why? Simply because trekking to high altitudes and filming on drone is not easy.

To fly a drone at high altitudes, you need to be creative. Here, you operate under high physical and mental strain. You must also know how to keep the drone safe from rain, snow, dust, debris, and extremely harsh winds.

Drones are fragile. This makes it tricky to carry and fly them on treks. If you own a drone or are planning to buy and use one, these basic pointers will help. 

This can make or break your plans. Make sure you carry only the required equipment. Don’t add unnecessary weight. It comes in the way while handling other equipment. Carry a light and shockproof case too. 

Drone batteries discharge quickly in cold temperatures. So, carry backup batteries and keep them warm by packing them separately, maybe wrap them in woollen socks. This ensures proper insulation.

If available, pack a pair of extra propellers as well. They might get bent or damaged during transit.

Do not count on finding electricity at all the Indiahikes base camps. In remote villages situated at a high altitude, electricity is erratic. And voltage fluctuations make it difficult to charge your drone. So, charge your drone batteries beforehand. You could also charge them on the way to the base camp when you stop for breakfast or lunch. 

Don’t lug your chargers all the way up on a trek. I usually leave my charging hub at the base camp just so I’m not carrying unnecessary weight. Remember, every gram counts. 

Never offload your drone case, even if it is empty. It could get damaged while being transported on a mule.

Here are some things you must do before flying your drone on the trek –

1. Compliance with DGCA and local guidelines

Treks like Kashmir Great Lakes go close to the international border via army checkpoints. Here, it is important to get relevant permissions for using the drone. As rules and guidelines are regularly updated, check for the latest updates on permissions required.

Every minute counts when you have limited drone batteries. This calls for judicious planning. Plan your shots in advance. It saves a lot of battery.

Following points can help with this planning: 

Visualise your shots using Google Earth Pro. 

Get an idea of the altitudes and terrain. 

Speak to your Trek Leaders and trek guides about viewpoints, and other vantage points from where you can shoot a video. 

Drones can fly and transmit footage to a range of 8 kms. But try to stay well within the range limit since larger distances increase the chance of crashing a drone into rocks or trees. In the mountains, recovering a lost drone is almost impossible. So, keep your drone in the line of sight.

The Himalayas are home to hundreds of species of birds. Eagles are the most common. Drones often provoke birds, who tend to chase and attack the equipment. 

Shift your drone to sport mode on the remote. Then increase the altitude (birds cannot gain altitude as quickly as they can lose it by gliding down) and get the drone back as soon as possible.

However, while sport mode increases the responsiveness of the drone, it disables the obstacle sensors. So, be extremely cautious while shifting modes. This also reiterates the importance of flying in the line of sight. Till now I have carried my drone to three Himalayan treks. And I assure you that filming possibilities with a drone are countless, all you need to do is develop your skill and creativity. 

Drones perform well in the city by delivering close to what’s expected. But it isn’t so on the treks because the air at higher altitudes is thinner. To compensate for this change in atmospheric atmosphere, drones utilize juice from the battery. This  substantially reduces the flight time.

Apart from the thin air,  cold temperatures at high altitudes also drain the battery even when the drones are simply idle. 

1. Use a case with thick and tight foam stencils. Tightly pack the batteries into this case.

2. Wrap your batteries in a woollen sock, and store the wrapped batteries in an airtight box. This keeps the battery at a constant inner temperature and insulated from the cold temperature at high altitudes.

Flying a drone at high altititudes is challenging. Here are some tips by our expert on how to tackle the high speed winds, and the cold temparatures.

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