north india photography tour

8/12/2019 North India Photography Tour

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North India Photography TourEscorted small group tour for photographic enthusiasts of all abilies

October 18 -November 3, 2014

Escorted by Susan Swindells

India is one of those places that once visited gets into your heart and wont letgo. Im proof of that, having been to India four mes previously. If you share a

love of travel, photography, and culture why not join me for this Incredible India adventure.

Tour Inerary

Saturday October 18: DELHI

Welcome to India! Delhi is a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new - colourful bazaars, stately

Brish boulevards, palaces, forts, towers, temples and tombs. We will be met on arrival at the internaona

airport and escorted to our hotel. Overnight Maidens Hotel or similar

Sunday October 19: DELHI

Our adventure begins in Old Delhi, with a visit to the Jamma Mosque, built in 1650, this is the heart and sou

of the area . We begin our photographic exploraon with a tour through the narrow winding streets bursng

with people and shops selling all descripon of goods. This aernoon we explore some of the more modern

parts of the city along with a visit to the Qutub Minar, a stunning 240-foot minaret the tallest in the world

Overnight Maidens Hotel or similar

Monday October 20: DELHI MANDAWA (BY SURFACE 280 KMS / 7 HRS)

Aer breakfast we travel overland to Mandawa; a fairly long but fascinang drive to this bustling lile marke

town. Aer checking into our hotel well enjoy a late aernoon walking tour. Seled in the 18th century, Man

dawa was the stronghold of rich merchants who built palaal mansions and decorated them with exquisitepainngs and murals. Overnight Castle Mandawa or similar

Tuesday October 21: MANDAWA

Today we explore the Shekhawa region vising some of the marvelously painted havelis and small towns of

the area. The enre Shekhawa region radiates with once grand houses covered in detailed artwork and fres-

cos. Part of the fascinaon is the variety of subject maer detailedeverything from mythology, religion, and

somemes new invenons the arsts had never seen but only heard about. Overnight Castle Mandawa


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Wednesday October 22: MANDAWA BIKANER (BY SURFACE 180 KMS / 5 HRS)

Aer breakfast we drive to Bikaner and check into our hotel located in a peaceful seng outside the city . This aer-

noon well explore the old city en-route to vising the village of Deshnok, home to the Mata Karni temple. This 600-

year-old temple is devoted to Karni Mata who believed her family would be reincarnated as rats and are therefore wor-

shiped. The rat temple is an important pilgrimage site, and while it may seem unusual to Western eyes is devoutly

believed by pilgrims. Overnight Gajner Palace or similar

Thursday October 23: BIKANER

Aer breakfast we visit the magnicent Junagarh Fort built by Raja Rai Singhji, who ruled Bikaner, from 1571 to 1612.

This aernoon we enjoy a jeep safariat Gajner Wildlife Sanctuaryhome to a number of wild animals including deer,

antelope, blackbuck, desert foxes and wild boars. Tonight we dress up for the biggest fesval in India, the Fesval of

Lightsand visit a local family to discover & celebrate the fesvies of Diwali in their home. Overnight Gajner Palace or

similar

Friday October 24: BIKANER JAISALMER (BY SURFACE 333 KMS / 6 HRS)

Today aer breakfast we drive to Jaisalmer and en-route enjoy a short tour of the famous Jain temples of Osian. There

is something truly magical about Jaisalmer. The walled citadel seems to rise out of the Thar Desert like a mirage from

the "1001 Nights". Once a staging post on the trading routes west, it is a spectacular sand coloured fortress that turns

golden in the seng sun. Unlike other forts we have seen, this is a living fort and not a museum. Within its walls well

nd a merry jumble of buildings, alleys, animals, humans, shops, cafes, wonderful golden havelis and numerous neJain temples. Overnight in Fort Rajwada or similar

Saturday October 25: JAISALMER

Aer breakfast we spend the day exploring Jaisalmer, founded by Prince Jaisal in 1156. Untouched by me, Jaisalmer,

with its golden walls, narrow streets and exquisite havelis, has a medieval ambience. The fort, oen referred to as the

Golden Fort because of the color of the stone, encloses palaces decorated with delicate lace worked screens, carved

doors and oral carvings. and elaborately carved 12th to 16th century Jain temples. Later in the day well drive out of

town to Sam Dunes and enjoy a unique camel excursion on the sand dunes. Staying to watch the sun set should pro-

vide some spectacular photo opportunies. Well return to the hotel late in the evening. Overnight Fort Rajwada or

similar

Sunday October 26:

JAISALMER JODHPUR

(BY SURFACE 280 KMS / 6 HRS)

Aer an early breakfast we connue on to Jodhpur known as the Blue City and once the capital of the former princely

state of Marwar. It was founded in 1459 and is now the second largest city in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is a marvelously me-

dieval city. While the graceful palaces, forts and temples bring alive the historic grandeur, exquisite handicras, folk

dances, music and brightly coloured saris lend a romanc aura to the city. This evening we visit the Clock Towerand

colorful Sardar Marketnearby. Narrow alleys in the market lead to bazaars selling texles, anques, silverware , spices

and handicras. Overnight Ranbanka Palace or similar

Monday October 27: JODHPUR

No trip to Rajasthan is complete without a visit to a Bishnoi village. Perhaps the worlds rst environmentalists, the

Bishnoi have a long history of protecng the sacred khejri treesomemes with their lives. En route we hope to enjoy

a view of the migratory Demosil Cranes. This aernoon we visit the massive Meherangarh Fort, a living tesmony of

the military might of the Rajputs. A bird's eye view of the city from above the fort is fascinang. Overnight Ranbanka

Palace or similar


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Tuesday October 28: JODHPUR PUSHKAR (BY SURFACE 215 KMS / 04 HRS)

Today we connue overland to Pushkar, a holy place with a beauful lake surrounded by dozens of temples.

This aernoon we will have me to explore the town and immerse ourselves in India's Pushkar Fair, as Asia's

largest camel and livestock market springs to life in this sleepy, picturesque, lakeside town.

Dinner and overnight Aaram Bagh or similar

Wednesday October 29: PUSHKAR

Pushckar is an ancient religious town in the Thar Desert and provides an almost surreal backdrop for theunique camel fair. Photographing the Pushkar Fair is an once-in-a-lifeme event. You'll feel as though you've

stepped back in me as you walk among camel herders and their encampments among the rolling sand

dunes. Dinner and overnight Aaram Bagh or similar

Thursday October 30: PUSHKAR JAIPUR (BY SURFACE 140 KMS / 3.5 HRS)

Aer breakfast we drive overland to Jaipur. Rajasthans capital is also known as the Pink City, and an excel-

lent place to enjoy shopping and people watching. This aernoon starts with an excursion to Amber Fort

perched high on top of a hill. On the way back to the city we will make a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal

(Palace of Winds). This evening we experience a Bollywood Film at the Raj Mandir Movie Theatre , widely ac-

claimed as the most magnicent cinema hall in Rajasthan. The lobby is stunning with chandeliers, and pink

walls, but the fun is enjoying a lm with locals (hardly maers that we wont understand a word!).

Overnight Jaipur Trident or similar

Friday October 31: JAIPUR

Aer breakfast this morning we visit the City Palaceand impressive Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observa-

tory built in the early 1700s. Aerwards we travel to nearby Sanganer known for its exquisite Jain temples.

Sanganer is also an important centre for handicras with hand-printed texles that are internaonally

famous. If luck is with us, we may be able to photograph beauful brightly colored fabric drying in the sun

near the river. Overnight Trident Jaipur or similar

Saturday November 1: JAIPUR AGRA (BY SURFACE 232 KMS / 6.5 HRS)

Today we drive to Agra and en-route visit Fatehpur Sikrian eerily abandoned capital from the Mughal Empire

between 1570 and 1586. Akbar built this city to celebrate the birth of his son and future heir to the throne.

Sadly, it served as capital for lile more than a decade, eventually abandoned for lack of accessible water.

Agra is home to Indias most famous monumentthe spectacular Taj Mahal. This evening we drive to across

the Yumma River and photograph the Taj Mahal from a less visited, but very picturesque seng.

Overnight Trident Agra

Sunday November 2: AGRA

We rise early this morning to enjoy sun rise at the Taj Mahal . Oen considered the pinnacle of Mughal art in

India, the Taj was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. There are few words that

can describe the magnicence of this monument. Aerwards we return to the hotel for breakfast and latervisit the massive Agra Fort.The fort, built between the 16th and 17th centuries was primarily used as a mili-

tary structure, but Shah Jahan upgraded it to a palace which later became his prison aer his son Aurangzeb

seized power. Overnight Agra Trident or similar

Monday November 3: AGRA DELHI (BY SURFACE 203 KMS/05 HRS)

Aer breakfast we depart overland to Delhi and the Indira Gandhi Internaonal Airport to check in for your

onward ight.

END OF TOUR


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About the Tour:

With a love of India and a background in photography, Ive carefully designed this small group tour with photography

enthusiasts in mind. Youd dont have to be a photographer to join us though. This small group, privately guided tour is

about the whole journey; the people, the food, the scenery, the magic , the ambience and the opportunity to capture

images as we experience it all.

Our lodging has been carefully selected (many fabulous heritage hotels ) and with two night stays at each locaon we

will have me to enjoy our surroundings. Daily breakfasts are included, as are all the sightseeing and entrance fees

menoned in the inerary. Also included will be as much or as lile photography coaching as youd like on tour.

A complimentary, pre travel preparaon workshop will be provided. Im happy to share both travel and photography

ps, insights and advice that Ive gained from my past trips to India. I can also walk you through the India visa process.

Addionally a post tour wrap up recepon and photography show is planned. Youll have the opportunity to parcipate

as we present some of our favorite images to the public. Its great fun to see the result of your work, nished , en-

larged and on display (two images per traveller will be included at no cost). With your permission, these prints will

then be raed o with all proceeds going to Asha Ka Jharna, a non prot organizaon assisng children with special

needs in rural Rajasthan.

Past travellers comments :

``Thank you so much for planning and escorng a fantasc India Experience holiday. It was far beyond my expecta-

ons`` Jean Knopp

``We both want to tell you what an unbelievable trip you put on for us. You need 10 stars by your name. We felt we got

wonderful value for our money and the learning experience will never be forgoen. This had to be without a doubt

probably the most outstanding trip we have ever taken, demanding but worth every moment and every cent. Thank you

again Susan for the best trip ever`` Joan and Ron Dowson

``We are wring to express our appreciaon of the photography tour that you arranged. Gerry and I enjoyed the tour

with all the interesng sights, types of accommodaon and acvies everyday. It`s dicult to respond to friends and

family when they ask about our favorite part of the trip as there were so many wonderful experiences . We had a won-

derful me, and if you are organizing any more photography tours in the future we would like to have to opportunity to

join you.`` Jacqui Wilson and Gerry Croucher


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Pricing details North India Escorted Photography Tour

October 18 -November 3, 2014

Price per person, based on twin share $3375.00 USD

Single supplement $1300.00 USD

(Internaonal airfare is not included, but will assist guests in nding the best ight)Inclusions:

Arrival meeng and transfer to hotel

16 nights accommodaon on twin sharing basis at listed hotels or similar

16 buet breakfasts and 2 dinners (Pushcar)

Transportaon as per inerary in an air condioned vehicle

Local, English speaking tour director

Cycle rickshaw ride in Old Delhi

Jeep safari at Gajner wildlife sanctuary

Camel ride at Sam dunes near Jaisalmer

Jeep transportaon to Amber Fort

Bishnoi village excursion

Sightseeing and entrance fees as per the inerary

Not included :

Internaonal airfare

Meals not menoned as being included

Items of a personal nature

Tips and gratuies

Camera / video fees

Oponal tours or extensions

Travel insurance

Visa Costs

A $550.00 per person non refundable deposit is required to conrm your space .Balance due 75 days

prior to departure. Out of country medical insurance is mandatory to join our group. Cancellaon

insurance is recommended. This is a customized tour and therefore non refundable. For more infor-

maon please contact Susan at [email protected] 250-595-1181.

Marlin Travel in Cadboro Bay 2564 Sinclair Road Victoria BC V8N 1B8 250-595-1181

north india photography tour

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