Nature · Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
Photographing the high road to Baba Mandir
The 18 km from Tsomgo to Baba Mandir climbs through some of the most open country on the Gangtok road: switchbacks, snowfields, yak pastures and long ridgelines. How to get good pictures while respecting military rules.
Photo: Sagnik Pal · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Beyond Tsomgo the forest thins out and the road climbs over open slopes towards the junction at about 4,000 m. In April and May, snow walls line parts of the road; in October and November the grass turns gold and the sky is often clear. Yaks graze near herders' huts in summer.
This is a militarised area. Never photograph Army camps, vehicles, soldiers, bridges or installations, and never fly a drone. Ask your driver where stopping is allowed: many bends are narrow and stopping blocks convoys. Safe pull-outs near the junction and near Tsomgo are the usual places for photographs.
Light is best in the first hours of the morning, before cloud builds. Use a polariser for the deep blue sky, and keep batteries warm in an inside pocket, as they drain quickly in the cold. Above all, do not let photography stretch your time at altitude: keep moving slowly and keep to schedule.
Good for
Questions travellers ask
Before you book
Can we use a drone near Baba Mandir or Tsomgo?
No. The Tsomgo, Baba Mandir and Nathu La area is a militarised border zone, and drones are strictly prohibited without special government permission, which tourists do not get. Flying one can lead to confiscation and legal trouble. Use a phone or camera from permitted spots only.
Where can we stop for photographs on the Baba Mandir road?
Stop only where your driver says it is safe and allowed, usually at wider pull-outs near Tsomgo and near the Baba Mandir junction. Many bends are narrow, and stopping can block Army convoys. Never photograph military camps, vehicles or soldiers.
When is the best light for photographs on the Tsomgo road?
Early morning, roughly 7–10 am, usually gives the clearest skies and softest light. Cloud often builds by noon, especially from May to September. October and November are the most reliable months; April and May are best for snow and some flowers lower down.
Also in Baba Harbhajan Singh Mandir
More hours worth planning
Monasteries and shrines
Visit the shrine of Baba Harbhajan Singh
Pay respects at the Army-run shrine to Sepoy Harbhajan Singh, who died near Nathu La in 1968 at 22. See his quarters …
Culture
The old Baba Mandir bunker on the Silk Route
On the Old Silk Route side, beyond the new shrine, stands the original Baba Mandir, built at Harbhajan Singh's bunker. It is …
Wellness
A gentle high-road day for seniors
How we plan Tsomgo and Baba Mandir for older travellers and anyone worried about altitude: a later start, more stops, short visits …
Price your own route
Tell us dates, people and budget. We send a day-by-day plan with every cost shown. StartNot sure where to start?
We match districts to your month, your budget and the people travelling with you. StartAsk the Gangtok desk
An itemised quote within one working day. No payment to start. StartGet my price
Tell us your dates and your budget
Who is travelling, when, and roughly what you want to spend. The Gangtok desk replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and an itemised price.
- No payment to start
- Permits handled through registered partners
- Every hotel, car and fee listed