Lighting The Himalayas: Parked Tents, Stars in the Night Sky

The expedition team camps at Rangdul, Ichar on their way to Phugtal Monastery.

Restless beneath the glorious sky of Ladakh, our second camera person Piyush Raj was unable to sleep. So he stood outside the Rangdum Monastery with a camera, to create a moment of magic.

The camp site at Rangdum village resembled a mirage in the middle of a desert. Tents were parked at the foot of the hill which houses the Rangdum monastery on top.
At an altitude of 12000 feet, the air was dry and thin. But the view of snow-capped mountains made it worth the effort.
Once the sun descends into the horizon, stars shine like diamonds in the night sky owing to Ladakh's clear air.

The Ichar Camp was more than comfortable. Each tent was shared by two people and the temperature did not drop drastically enough for us to complain.
This camp site was set up an hour's hike away from the Ichar village. The bright blue tents and tall trees at the bank of Tsarap River made for a comfortable stay at night.
Women Cha village greet the change-makers with a local brew called ‘Chang'.