Child monks, stunning mountains and fearless tribesmen: The most breathtaking travel photos of the year revealed

  • Intrepid Travel received more than 7,000 submissions from 3,000 photographers in its annual photo contest
  • Sujan Sarkar won the competition with his breathtaking snap of children playing at a river in Cooch Behar, India
  • Other stunning submissions included shots of child monks, a mountain in Switzerland and a cold monkey

By Chris Kitching for MailOnline

Published: 01:57 EST, 9 October 2015 | Updated: 08:55 EST, 9 October 2015

A stunning snap showing children playing with an umbrella in ankle-deep water has been named the year’s best travel photograph.

The riverside shot was taken by photographer Sujan Sarkar in Cooch Behar, India, where he came across the youngsters as they splashed water at each other and leaped off a log.

Mr Sarkar’s photo is backlit by ‘subtle whimsy and moody colours’, helping him to earn the top gong in Intrepid Travel’s annual photo contest.

The Melbourne-based adventure travel company said it received more than 7,000 submissions from 3,000 photographers from all over the world.

The competition was stiff, with Mr Sarkar’s photo being picked ahead of spectacular shots of child monks in Bagan, Myanmar, a soaked monkey clinging to a rock in Japan, and a mud-splattered man participating in a bull race in Padang, Indonesia.

Other stunning snaps include a fearless man taking part in a land diving ritual in Vanuatu and the breathtaking mountain scenery at Bachalpsee Lake in Switzerland.

For winning the contest, Mr Sarkar receives bragging rights and AUD$3,000 (approximately £1,400 or USD$2,200) worth of travel.

Photographer Sujan Sarkar won Intrepid Travel's competition with this shot of children playing at a river in Cooch Behar, India

Photographer Sujan Sarkar won Intrepid Travel's competition with this shot of children playing at a river in Cooch Behar, India

Finalist Scott Laird had two photos that made Intrepid's short list, including this snap of child monks at Bagan, Myanmar

Finalist Scott Laird had two photos that made Intrepid's short list, including this snap of child monks at Bagan, Myanmar

This incredible image of a cold and wet monkey emerging from the water and clinging to a rock was snapped in Japan by Michael Haikal

This incredible image of a cold and wet monkey emerging from the water and clinging to a rock was snapped in Japan by Michael Haikal

The Taj Mahal, in Agra, India, served as the stunning backdrop for this image of a man sweeping the floor, taken by Matt Sims

The Taj Mahal, in Agra, India, served as the stunning backdrop for this image of a man sweeping the floor, taken by Matt Sims

Sam Creek travelled to Vanuatu to photograph land diving, where men jump off wooden towers with their ankles wrapped in vines

Sam Creek travelled to Vanuatu to photograph land diving, where men jump off wooden towers with their ankles wrapped in vines

Genevieve Schneider snapped this stunning mountain scene at Bachalpsee Lake, a popular hiking spot for visitors to Switzerland

Genevieve Schneider snapped this stunning mountain scene at Bachalpsee Lake, a popular hiking spot for visitors to Switzerland

Photographer Scott Laird's second photo to be named a finalist shows child monks running at a temple in Mingun, Myanmar

Photographer Scott Laird's second photo to be named a finalist shows child monks running at a temple in Mingun, Myanmar

This photo by Chee Keong Lim shows a mud-splattered man racing two bulls in a traditional race at Padang, Indonesia

This photo by Chee Keong Lim shows a mud-splattered man racing two bulls in a traditional race at Padang, Indonesia

Tourist Larissa Grieves captured this mesmerising shot, showing water reflecting off the top of a bridge, on a canal in Venice, Italy

Tourist Larissa Grieves captured this mesmerising shot, showing water reflecting off the top of a bridge, on a canal in Venice, Italy

Intrepid Travel received more than 7,000 submissions, including this amazing snap by Allister Munro in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Intrepid Travel received more than 7,000 submissions, including this amazing snap by Allister Munro in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Sunrise proved to be an opportune time for Pradeep Raja, who photographed this cow herd walking through the fog at Bagan, Myanmar

Sunrise proved to be an opportune time for Pradeep Raja, who photographed this cow herd walking through the fog at Bagan, Myanmar

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