India Photo Tour: Four Stops of Light Photography Tour & Expedition to India

Four Stops of Light: Photo Tour & Expedition, India
Includes Udaipur, The Pushkar Camel Fair (Rajasthan), Delhi, Agra & Varanasi
Oct - Nov 2009

The 2009 Four Stops of Light India Photography Tour & Expedition brings you face-to-face with an amazing visual feast featuring some of the best cultural, architectural & travel photo opportunities that India has to offer.

This Photo Tour & Expedition to India covers the best of colonial & Mogul-era Delhi, colorful Rajasthan (Udaipur & The Pushkar Camel Fair), & Agra's Taj Mahal - four stops of (or should we say, for) light on our photography tour & expedition to India - an endless number of photographic opportunities awaits you. Push it one stop and include Varanasi & make it five stops - contrast enough to document the best of India.

Nature of Trip : This photographic trip to India aims to get you to the right place at the right times of day (and at times, night) so as to enable you to make the images you've always wanted to make.

This trip falls into the category of a "photography tour & expedition". As such, scope for photographic instruction is limited, unless specifically requested for in advance. Of course, all participants are free to to pick the tour leader's brains on things photographic between the morning & afternoon photo-shoots.

Being a photo tour, this trip is mainly aimed at photographers who are reasonably comfortable with the photo making process. Absolute beginners are better off attending our photography workshops in India.

If you are comfortable with your gear, but need photographic instruction on topics such as the intricacies of exposure, metering modes, exposure modes, composition etc., you are welcome to join this trip - let us know in advance that you do need instruction and we'll ensure you'll be up and shooting like a pro by the end of this trip.

Objectives :

The objective of The Four Stops of Light India Photo Tour & Expedition, 2009 is to enable participants to experience & photograph the incredible cultural & architectural diversity that India has to offer.

Starting from Delhi and its ancient forts and exotic markets, this photo tour & expedition to India makes its way through colorful Rajasthan, stopping to photograph the lakes & palaces of Udaipur before arriving at the The Pushkar Camel Fair.

From Pushkar the expedition moves on to Agra to photograph the Taj Mahal. The tour then returns and ends in Delhi. It is from these four amazing destinations that the name of this photographic trip is derived.

Those opting for the additional "1 stop push" (the Varanasi Extension) then travel onwards to photograph the ancient city of Varansi - the very soul & essence of India. The photography trip ends on its return to Delhi.

What to carry :

From a photography viewpoint - a wide lens for environmental portraits & scenics, and a longer lens zooming up to 100mm (great for standard portraits as well as close-up story telling details) will do the trick. A longer lens will also allow you to indulge in some "stand-off" shots in other areas. Tripods are recommended for the days when we shoot just after the sun goes down.

Given the number of photographic opportunities on this trip to India, we suggest that you carry sufficient media to last you for the entire duration of this trip. Of course, a laptop or other form of digital storage to transfer your digital images onto at the end of every day would be ideal.

For those of you planning to shoot on film (slide film, we presume. Yes, even we still do that at times!) be aware that the chance of finding slide film in all the areas we will visit are rare. You'll have to carry your film from wherever it is you're traveling, or stock up in Delhi. If you need any assistance on this front, please let us know.

Health pre-requisites & Insurance :

There are no specific health concerns to be kept in mind while on this India Photographic Tour apart from the regular bit about vaccinations, anti-malarial drugs etc. Please consult your doctor for details.

Nevertheless, it is always prudent to carry health insurance wherever you are traveling, and we recommend that all our participants do so.

Itinerary :

Day 1 (25th October) - Delhi : Arrive in Delhi by international flight just prior to midnight on the 24th, or shortly after midnight on the 25th. Since we don't want you disturbed by guests arriving after you've checked in, you'll have a single room to yourself upon arrival.

Our India Photo Tour begins with some early morning photography in select parts of Delhi. Head back to our hotel for breakfast and transfer to twin-sharing accommodation. Late afternoon street photography again. The day's photographic highlights include Delhi's Red Fort, Chandni Chowk & The Jama Masjid. (B, L, D)

Day 2 (26th Oct.) - Udaipur : Fly to Udaipur, one of the most romantic places in India. Known as the city of lakes and palaces, Udaipur is a city replete with beautiful palaces & havelis, mostly clustered around the picturesque Lake Pichola. Late afternoon street photography, followed by a visit to our vantage point across the lake to photograph the City Palace by twilgiht. (B, L, D)

Day 3 (27th Oct.) - Udaipur : Early morning street photography , also visit some of the ghats to photograph the palaces in the lake. After breakfast head off to the City Palace for our guided tour. Of course, photography is our objective!

With its ornate turrets & canopies, fabulously carved balconies, brilliant miniature paintings, & refreshing gardens (and a million other trappings that can only be associated with royalty), our visit to the City Palace will help you gain an insight into the opulent lives & customs of the Maharanas (Great Kings of Rajasthan), apart from providing ample opportunities to make some great photographs. Later in the day we will also embark on a tour of a palace or two set on the lake itself, apart from a visit to view the King's collection of antique cars. (B, L, D)

Day 4 (28th Oct.) - The Pushkar Camel Fair : Board our air-conditioned vehicles to travel the 300 km journey to Pushkar - site of the famous Pushkar Camel Fair. Late afternoon familiarization trip to the fair grounds.

Today is relatively quiet, considering the fair - and its associated mayhem - hasn't yet begun. But, you'll still be overwhelmed by the sheer spectacle that your eyes behold. Be selective in the photographs you make; there's a lot more the next few days have to offer. Stay in swiss styles tents at Pushkar. (B,L,D)

Day 5 - 7 (29th Oct. - 31st Oct.) - Pushkar : Up by the crack of dawn every day to head off to the fair grounds for photography. As the days go by, the crowds will increase; gypsies, traders, snake charmers, locals in brilliant turbans & sarees and almost everybody else are going to flocking this ancient town. And of course, the camels. Subjects enough to satiate any photographer.

Apart from photographing at the fair grounds, we'll also photograph in and around the narrow streets of the town itself. The town will be taking on an increasing carnival atmosphere, and we'll keep our eyes peeled for special events that may be on the cards such as a turban-tying competition or a camel race.

Come late afternoon and we'll head back to the fair grounds to make images in the golden light again. On certain days, we may stay back well after the sun goes down to make images as the locals light up their camp fires. (B,L,D)

Day 8 (1st Nov.) - Agra : Early morning photography at Pushkar, then drive to Agra - site of that Great Monument to Love - The Taj Mahal. Built in the 17th century by the Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, the Taj Mahal is acknowledged as the world's most perfectly proportioned monument.

Built by over 20,000 workers over a 21 year period, the Taj Mahal is the most beautiful of The Seven Wonders of The World - we will spend the late afternoon and the time around sunset today photographing the Taj Mahal (B,L,D)

Day 9 (2nd Nov.) - Agra : Photograph the Taj Mahal at the time of sunrise. Post breakfast, we head off to the Agra Fort. Evening photography again at the Taj. (B,L,D)

Day 10 (3rd Nov.) - Delhi : Breakfast early, then head to Delhi. The afternoon is free for you to pack or explore some of Delhi on your own. Early farewell dinner at the hotel, followed by airport transfers to catch your homeword bound flights, most of which depart shortly after 11pm on Tuesday the 3rd of Nov., or shortly after midnight on Wednesday the 4th of Nov. (B,L,D)

+ 1 Stop - Varanasi Extension

Day 11 (4th Nov.) - Varanasi : Mid-morning flight to Varanasi - the holiest of holy places for Hindus. Upon arrival, transfer to our hotel. Late afternoon we head off to the famous ghats for photography. Witness and photograph the ritual aarti on the River Ganges as the sun goes down. (B,L,D)

Day 12 (5th Nov.) - Varanasi : Photograph the throngs of worshipers (from our private boat) who visit the ghats every day to pray to the the rising sun and the river goddess - a sight never to be forgotten. Late afternoon street photography in the marketplace, followed by photographing the evening aarti - this time from our boat. (B,L,D)

Day 13 (6th Nov.) - Delhi : Early morning photography on the river ghats at Varanasi before catching our flight back to Delhi. The tour ends on our arrival at Delhi Airport from Varanasi (B, L)

Dates :

Four Stops of Light India Photo Tour : October 25th - November 3rd, 2009.

+ 1 Stop Varanasi Extension Photo Tour : November 4 - 6, 2009

Pricing :

Four Stops of Light India Photo Tour

Per person, sharing Twin Accommodation
6 participants: US $ 4250
8-9 participants: US $ 3950
Single room supplement: US $ 1800

Note that there is a $ 250 discount ($ 125 each) for any two people signing up together for this trip.

+ 1 Stop Varanasi Extension Photo Tour

Per person, sharing Twin Accommodation
3 participants: US $ 1375
5+ participants: US $ 1200
Single room supplement: US $ 195

Both tours are limited to a maximum of nine participants.

The cost covers twin occupancy accommodation in comfort hotels and swiss style tents, portage at hotels (up to a max. of two bags per person), domestic flights & ground travel as outlined in the itinerary, admission and camera fees (still cameras only) at sites we visit listed in the itinerary, meals as detailed in the itinerary, mineral water with meals.

Not included in the price are international flights (to & from India), beverages, laundry, tips, cost of film or developing, media backup costs (for digital shooters), personal expenses, camel rides, video camera fees at sites, excess baggage fees for flights and any other costs that are not listed above. Photographers are expected to carry their own cameras, lenses and other photographic gear & media and are responsible for the safety of the same.

Not included in the price are beverages, laundry, tips, cost of film or developing, media backup costs (for digital shooters), personal expenses, camel rides between Hunder & Diskit, and any other costs that are not listed above. Photographers are expected to carry their own cameras, lenses and other photographic gear & media and are responsible for the safety of the same.

Booking terms & conditions :

To book this trip please contact us.

Quality accommodation in the regions we will visit is limited at the time when this trip is scheduled; it is imperative that your down & final payments for the tour are received well in advance so as to enable us to book your slot and accommodation.

A registeration deposit of $ 800 (non-refundable) is needed to confirm your reservation and block a seat for you. The remainder of the total payment is due by the 10th of August, 2009. Failure to remit the remainder of your total tour payment by the due date will be treated as a cancellation in writing.

Payments can be made either via Paypal or Wire Transfer (or via a Demand Draft / Banker's Cheque if paying from within India)

If you choose to cancel prior to the 10th of August, 2009 - your total tour payment remitted to us minus the registration deposit will be refunded , less a 3.9% transaction fee if you've paid using a credit card via Paypal. Cancellations are not possible after the 10th of August.

Should we choose to cancel a trip on our own accord, your deposit will be refunded in full.

To book this trip, please email us at info@nevillebulsara.com