After breakfast, we head out to capture environmental portraits and general street photography in Old Delhi’s Chandni Chowk. The main street of Old Delhi is as crowded today as it was during the time of Shah Jahan who built the market in 17th century. Apart from being one of the most popular streets in the world, it is also the oldest and busiest market of Delhi. Chandni Chowk is a great place for photographers as the hustle and bustle of the market makes for very interesting photographs. Capturing the colors, sounds and sights of the lively market will be a challenge for any photographer. Located nearby is Khari Baoli (the spice market), which will be a great site to capture the colors, textures and patterns of the local produce sold. 

After lunch we will head out for some interesting architectural photography. Located in South Delhi in Chhatarpur, the Shri Adhya Katyani Shakti Peeth Mandir is the largest temple complex in India. Created completely out of marble, this is a stunningly beautiful temple that will fill any photographer’s heart with delight. Some great religious and architectural photography can be done at this location. In the evening we will head out for some low-light shooting to capture the atmosphere in Old Delhi’s neighborhoods before returning to our hotel. (B)

In the morning, we will leave for Agra – the site of the world famous Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal of Agra is one of the Seven Wonders of the World, for reasons more than just looking magnificent. It’s the history of Taj Mahal that adds a soul to its magnificence: a soul that is filled with love, loss, remorse, and love again. This fascinating monument is an example of how deeply a man loved his wife, that even after she remained but a memory, he made sure that this memory would never fade away.

After arriving at our hotel, we will head out to explore Agra. Our day will also include a visit to the Dayal Bagh temple, which has some of the most intricate marble carvings found on the globe, the Agra Fort and the beautiful Shah Burj. Agra has various masterpieces of architecture, which make for wonderful backgrounds for portraits of the locals, as well as detailed shots of the buildings themselves. (B)

Dawn photography at the Taj Mahal. After breakfast, we will drive to Jaipur. After sampling some of the cuisines of Rajasthan for lunch, we will head out for a late afternoon visit to some of Jaipur’s markets and bazaars. Jaipur, also known as “The Pink City” is chaotic and congested, though it still has a habit of tickling travelers pink. Stunning hilltop forts and glorious palaces fit like footprints from a rich royal past, brightly colored turbans blaze a trail through brilliant bargain-filled bazaars, and fluttering saris catch the eye.

After checking into our hotel, we will head towards Jaipur’s most distinctive landmark. The Hawa Mahal is an extraordinary, fairy-tale, pink sandstone, delicately honeycombed hive that rises a dizzying five stories. It was constructed in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the life and processions of the city. Inside it’s barely a building at all, only around one room deep, with narrow, delicately scalloped walkways. It’s still a great place for people-watching from behind the small shutters. The top offers stunning views over Jantar Mantar and the City Palace one way and over Siredeori Bazaar the other.

After sampling some of the cuisines of Rajasthan for lunch, we will head out for a late afternoon visit to some of Jaipur’s markets and bazaars. Architecture plays a big part in our stay in Jaipur, and we will be visiting various sites in the late afternoon light. (B)

Day five focuses on street photography, environmental portraits, and architecture in Jaipur. Included in our day is a visit to the impressive City Palace which is located right in the center of the Old City. A complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings, the outer wall was built by Jai Singh, but within it, the palace has been enlarged and adapted over the centuries. There are palace buildings from different eras, some dating from the early 20th century. Despite the gradual development, the whole complex is a striking blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.

Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, an observatory begun by Jai Singh in 1728, which resembles a collection of bizarre sculptures. The name is derived from the Sanskrit Yanta Mantr meaning ‘instrument of calculation’, and in 2010 it was added to India’s list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Bapu Bazar is a famous market in Jaipur and there are other markets located nearby: Indira Market, Nehru Market & Sanjay Market have a unique style where all the shops are of the same size & style. The whole market is very symmetrical and a particular street is known for a specific item. Finally, we’ll visit a local step well for a model shoot, and the Monkey Palace, an abandoned palace overrun by hundreds of monkeys, before we end our day. (B)

After breakfast, we depart for our drive to Jodhpur. We’ll stop at small villages along the way where we’ll also enjoy an authentic Rajasthani lunch. We arrive in Jodhpur (the blue city) by the mid to late afternoon. Upon arriving we will check-in to our hotel and enjoy dinner followed by some night street photography around the markets. (B)

A full day of exploration in Jodhpur city which includes Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, and Old Town.

The most magnificent fort in Jodhpur is the Mehrangarh Fort. It is situated on a 150m high hill. Rao Jodha, the then chief of Rathore clan, constructed it in 1459. There are a number of attractions within the fort like several palaces, galleries, a museum, temples and so on. Nothing beats the view of the Blue City from Meherangarh Fort. A winding lane leads up the 125-meter high hill, upon which the ancient fortress is built. The walls are 36 meters high in places, providing additional elevation to appreciate just how many of the houses in Jodhpur are blue. Not all cities deserve their sobriquets, but anyone looking out over the flat roofs of Jodhpur, from the perspective of the Meherangarh will realize that the term “the blue city” is well deserved.

Jaswant Thada lies next to the Mehrangarh fort complex. It is constructed of white marble and was built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Some rare portraits of the former rulers of Jodhpur are also displayed here. Later in the afternoon, we will casually explore the old city. (B) (L)

After breakfast, we will go to Bishnoi Village, located 22km outside Jodhpur city. Bishnoi Village is a must. The villagers of Bishnoi are hardcore worshippers of nature. You’ll experience the amazing cultural life of Marwar – the original community of Rajasthan. You’ll gain insight into what life in rural Rajasthan is like.

When we return to the Blue City we’ll focus on the older quarters of Jodhpur. Here, we will witness the centuries-old protection of Meherangarh Fort, whose foundations were laid on the orders of the city’s founder, Rao Jodha, in 1459. Later we will take you to Chhipawadi, inside Jalori Gate which is famous for its colorful people. The people are engaged in the profession of applying colors to any type of cloth. Chhipa means to print and so the place is now called Chhipawadi and the people are known as Rangraze. (B)

After breakfast, we’ll drive to Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer is a former medieval trading center and a princely state in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, in the heart of the Thar Desert. Also known as the “Golden City,” it’s distinguished by its yellow sandstone architecture. Dominating the skyline is Jaisalmer Fort, a sprawling hilltop citadel buttressed by 99 bastions. Behind its massive walls stand the ornate Maharaja’s Palace and intricately carved Jain temples.

Upon arriving in Jaisalmer we will check in to our hotel and enjoy dinner. In the evening we will do a sunset shoot of Jaisalmer Fort. (B)

Today we begin the day with sunrise shoot over beautiful Gadissar Lake. You will wonder how so much water came into this desert. The little pavilions forming tiny islands offer a beautiful foreground against the pink sky reflecting in the water. After we’ll return to our hotel for breakfast.

After, we’ll explore the narrow streets of the dominating Jaisalmer Fort. Locally known as Sonar Quila – rising from the sand, the mega structure that merges with the golden hues of the desert ambiance and the setting suns in its most colorful shades gives it a wonderful look. It’s simply magical, the bastions envelop whole townships that consist of the palace complex, various security sources, and the havelis of rich merchants carved with an incredibly light touch. Several temples and the residential complexes of the armies and traders are placed strategically on the trade route, from where the ancient caravans passed en-route passing all the riches for the prosperity.

Later in the afternoon, we will drive to the Sand Dunes. Upon arrival, we will check into a desert camp. The dunes are among the largest that you will see. We’ll explore photographing the local people, camels, and the dunes, especially as the sun gets low on the horizon and bathes the golden sand in its golden rays. We’ll be traveling in the desert by jeep (and optional, by camel). After the sunset, we head back to Jaisalmer. (B)

After breakfast, we’ll spend the morning visiting the local markets. After lunch, we will review the images.

In the afternoon we will explore the tribal villages that dot the landscape of the Thar Desert. These villages consist of nomadic people who speak a completely different language. Nomads are known as a group of communities who travel from place to place for their livelihood. Many here work in the nearby sandstone quarries, manage camels, and herd sheep and goats. Some are salt traders, fortunetellers, conjurers, Ayurvedic healers, jugglers, acrobats, storytellers, snake charmers, animal doctors, tattooists, grindstone makers, or basketmakers.

All told, anthropologists have identified about 500 nomadic groups in India, numbering perhaps 80 million people, or around 7 percent of the country’s billion-plus population. It is worth mentioning here that the Thar Desert is not like other Asian/Arabian, African, American and Australian deserts. It has rich bio and animal diversity making it extremely unique.

In the evening we celebrate our amazing 12 days together with our “Farewell Dinner”. (B) (D)

After our morning breakfast, we depart for Jaisalmer Airport for our flight to Delhi where we will bid you farewell. If you are continuing on to our Varanasi Extension, we will be staying in Delhi overnight before departing for Varanasi.

We urge you to extend your stay in India and make good use of everything you will learn on our photo adventure. (B)

After an early breakfast, we transfer to the airport to catch our flight for Varanasi. After checking into our hotel, we visit the Sarnath (the Deer Park) where the Buddha preached his first sermon and Sarnath Museum. In the afternoon we’ll set out to explore the amazing alleys and streets of Varanasi.

In the evening we will board a private boat to witness and photograph the thousand-year-old Aarti Ceremony during which worshippers pray near the water by the light of candles and lanterns. This is an experience you will never forget. (B)

Today we are up early to take a sunrise boat cruise on the River Ganges, and the opportunity to capture vivid photographs of devoted Hindus bathing in the river. These photos of Hindus offering their prayers against morning sunlight make the journey quite rewarding. After we return to our hotel for breakfast.

Next, we will experience an emotional visit with the Widows of Varanasi. Varanasi may be colorful and move at a frenetic pace, but the city harbors a darker secret – it is home to 38,000 widows, a marginalized and forgotten population, of which the majority live in poverty. Abandoned in the city and shunned by society, many seek refuge in the different ashrams for widows. When widows are thrown out of their households, they come to Varanasi because it is a holy city. It is the favorite city of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva, and they believe that if they die there they will go straight to heaven. Widows call it Moksha – when the final release from reincarnation is gained.

A significant portion of the widows in Varanasi are aged between 20 and 45, along with elders. Poverty and disease, including HIV infection, are some of the main reasons young women are being widowed at such a young age. But cultural practices, namely child marriage, are a major driving force behind this problem in India. Girls are often married at an early age, sometimes as teenagers to much older men. When the men die, the women are left as widows. India has the highest number of child brides in the world. Poverty, dowries, gender expectation, tradition and a lack of educational opportunities for girls are the reasons behind this problem.

Our afternoon and evening will be spent exploring and photographing more of Varanasi. In the evening we will witness one of the Aarti prayer ceremonies taking place along the banks of the Ganges. You’ll be able to get up very close to the high priests waving Yak-tail fans and performing rituals during the ceremonies. (B)

Today we begin even earlier. Our guide meets us at our hotel before sunrise, so you can witness the amazing spectacle which takes place on Varanasi’s waterfront at the start of every day. The principal attraction of Varanasi is the long string of bathing ghats, which line the west bank of the River Ganges. Ghats are the steps which lead down to the river from which pilgrims make their sin-cleansing dip in the holy river and on which bodies are cremated. A boat ride on the Ganges at dawn, when it is full of pilgrims, is an amazing experience, and our guide can explain to you the various rituals taking place.

Leaving the boat after passing the most important Ghats, we will continue on foot for a fascinating exploration of the narrow lanes of the Bengali Tola area of Varanasi, one of the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth. Here we will pass countless small temples, shrines, and traditional shops. Our guide will provide a unique insight into this most fascinating of cities, which would otherwise be incomprehensible to the outsider. Along the way, we’ll set up several photo sessions with local Sadhus.

In the evening we enjoy a wonderful “Farewell Dinner” at a favorite Varanasi restaurant. (B) (D)

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to board our return flight to Delhi for your connecting flight home or book a later departure hotel room and rest up. (B)