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HOLI FESTIVAL OF COLORS

Vrindavan, Barsana, Agra & Delhi

RAJASTHAN

VARANASI

GUJARAT

STREETS OF INDIA

HOLI

KERALA

Holi – The Magical Festival of Colors.

India is well-known for overloading the senses. The tastes, sounds, smells, crowds and sights are everywhere you turn. Our 8-day Holi Festival of Colors Photo Tour and Cultural Adventure is all about overwhelming your senses, and overwhelmed you will be. We begin in Delhi and then immerse ourselves in 4 days of Holi celebrations in two of the most important Holi cities, Vrindavan and Barsana. We will also visit the iconic Taj Mahal during this trip. 

Holi is a traditional Hindu festival which celebrates the beginning of spring as well as the triumph of good over evil. This joyous festival is known around the world for the colored powders that revelers throw on each other, leaving festival-goers coated in color by the end of the day. Holi is one of the biggest Indian festivals celebrated, and has a special place in Indian culture. People from around the world visit India just to be a part of this mesmerizing festival. Holi in Vrindavan is especially famous because of its unique celebration. Famous for being the land of Lord Krishna, the region of Braj attracts pilgrims from all over India, and the world during Holi due to its special cultures and traditions.

This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light, but to aid you in mentally visualizing a scene before capturing the decisive moment. Our aim is to raise your awareness and spark your creativity, so that you not only go home with images to be proud of, but use your new found skills to improve and expand your photographic technique in general. Apart from the technical aspect of learning your camera settings and capabilities, you will learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image by using your own creativity. 

In addition, you will become knowledgeable on how to survey the landscape, utilize and approach your environment, photograph people indigenous to the region and the cultural considerations and challenges of photographing in a foreign country. Our time together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas and great fun. We cannot think of a better country to express your creativity than India.

Holi is a traditional Hindu festival which celebrates the beginning of spring as well as the triumph of good over evil. This joyous festival is known around the world for the colored powders that revelers throw on each other, leaving festival-goers coated in color by the end of the day. Holi is one of the biggest Indian festivals celebrated, and has a special place in Indian culture. People from around the world visit India just to be a part of this mesmerizing festival. Holi in Vrindavan is especially famous because of its unique celebration. Famous for being the land of Lord Krishna, the region of Braj attracts pilgrims from all over India, and the world during Holi due to its special cultures and traditions.

This adventure is designed not only to guide you to the most photogenic locations carefully planned for the best light, but to aid you in mentally visualizing a scene before capturing the decisive moment. Our aim is to raise your awareness and spark your creativity, so that you not only go home with images to be proud of, but use your new found skills to improve and expand your photographic technique in general. Apart from the technical aspect of learning your camera settings and capabilities, you will learn how to turn an ordinary image into an extraordinary image by using your own creativity. 

In addition, you will become knowledgeable on how to survey the landscape, utilize and approach your environment, photograph people indigenous to the region and the cultural considerations and challenges of photographing in a foreign country. Our time together will include individual and group discussions, inspiring ideas and great fun. We cannot think of a better country to express your creativity than India.

Group Size

4-8 Guests

Experience | Difficulty

  • Beginner, amateur, enthusiast and semi-pro photographers
  • DSLR or mirrorless camera
  • Active and adventurous schedule
  • Travel by private vehicle and train
  • Minimal elevation changes and lots of walking

Weather | Sun

March – Temps 91/61 F | 33/16 C  Sunrise 6:47 | Sunset 6:47 (18:47)

Includes

  • 8 Days
  • Travel, street and portrait photography
  • Professional photographer | guide
  • Local Guides and Fixers
  • Photo walks & discussions
  • Small group size (4-8 guests)
  • 4 & 5-star accommodations
  • Breakfasts
  • 5 Meals
  • Airport transfers
  • Local transportation – Modern A/C car
  • Entry fees

Travel Information

Arrival & Departure Airport: Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, India (DEL)
Our adventure begins at 3 PM on the first day and ends in the morning on the last day.
Travel Visa: A visa may be required depending on your nationality. Go to Visa Map to find out.

Accommodations

Delhi – The Imperial or similar
Vrindavan – Nidhivan Sarovar Portico, or similar

Helpful Links

The Imperial Hotel New Delhi – by Michael Chinnici
Indian Women and their Love Affair with the Saree – by Renu Choudhary
6 Amazing India Photo Adventures – by Michael Chinnici
Taj Mahal Photo Tips – by Ian Robert Knight
> 7 Must-See Festivals in 2020 – By Erika Suban

Holi Festival Prices & Dates

Holi Festival & Varanasi Prices & Dates

Photographer Leader

Photographer Leader

PRIYANK TYAGI

March 7-14/18, 2025
February 24 – March 3/7, 2026

*All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in upscale boutique hotels in the 4 and 5-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels that offer cultural, historic, and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. In Cuba, we stay in upscale family-owned Casas (bread & breakfasts). On all of our tours, breakfast is almost always included, but not guaranteed. Meal categories listed include (B) for breakfast, (L) for lunch, and (D) for dinner.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

HOLI FESTIVAL OF COLORS 8 DAYS

Day 1 | Delhi

We meet at our hotel in Delhi in the mid afternoon, where we will have group introductions and discuss the days ahead. We will talk about our individual photographic styles, preferred subjects, techniques and level of experience. We will also talk about what to expect over the coming days, and how to achieve our photographic goals.

In the evening we enjoy our Welcome Dinner at one of Delhi’s finest restaurants, where we can sample various dishes that India is renowned for. (D)

Day 2 | Delhi - Vrindavan

We are up early to give you a taste of Old Delhi before our departure to Vrindavan. We’ll begin at a hidden produce market where merchants are known for their exceptional fruits and vegetables. This is one of our favorite spots to shoot locals. Next, you’ll experience the chaotic streets of Old Delhi, sure to overwhelm you. The teeming bazaars of imagination lie in Old Delhi, the city of the Mughals, established in the 17th century and still largely Muslim. We’ll return to our hotel for breakfast, checkout, and drive to Vrindavan. 
 
Vrindavan is a city located on the banks of River Yamuna and is a major place of pilgrimage in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. The festivities which take place here, reach a fever pitch when Lord Krishna devotees descend on this temple town to celebrate the festival in a unique, traditional style on the streets and the various temples dotting the landscape. An estimated 500,000 pilgrims reach Vrindavan every year to play Holi. The occasion is celebrated with immense zeal and fervor, reliving the glorious legends of love associated with Radha and Krishna. Just imagine the photographic opportunities. In preparation for this, we get together in the evening for a demonstration of camera packing and shooting during Holi. (B, D)
 

Day 3 | Vrindavan - Barsana - Vrindavan

Today, we will drive to Barsana, the birthplace of Lord Krishna’s beloved Radha. This beautiful village is known for celebrating some of the interesting forms of Holi. Yes, you heard it right! Holi is not just played with colors, but also flowers, watercolors, and with a variety of mythical role plays. One such celebration is ‘Laddu Holi’ that we will witness today. 
 
You can expect a huge gathering of devotees dancing and singing and throwing colors at each other. Along with colors, the priests in the temple throw laddu, an Indian sweet, that has been offered to the deities. Such unique and peculiar transitions are one of the highlights of the Holi festival. We will be photographing the celebrations both on-street and inside the temples of Barsana. (B, D)
 

Day 4 | Vrindavan - Agra - Vrindavan

Today we are up before dawn, as we begin our visit to one of the 7 Wonders of the World, The Taj Mahal, which is the acclaimed symbol of love. As the sun rises, we will be photographing the iconic Taj Mahal from different vantage points. This grand mausoleum was built in 1653, by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and today is considered the pride of India. It’s the history of the 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. We make the best use of the early morning low light to get different perspectives of the Taj. This heritage monument is perfect for photography experiments such as playing with reflections, composing abstract angles and shooting in monochrome. (B, D)

Day 5 | Vrindavan - Nandgaon - Vrindavan

Yet another unique and interesting Holi celebration is Lathmar Holi which is considered playful and mischievous. As legend has it, it is said that Krishna and his friends were playfully chased with sticks by Radha and her mates on being teased. Hence, came the ‘Holi of sticks’ or ‘lathmar Holi’. 
 
We will drive to the village of Nandgaon, where Lord Krishna had lived and experience the exuberance of this playful festival. You can see men being chased by women with sticks and watercolor as part of the celebrations. (B, L)

Day 6 | Vrindavan - Banke Bihari Temple

After breakfast, we explore the land of Lord Krishna, on this auspicious festival of Holi. Today’s Holi festival photography session will be focused on capturing scenes in and around the Banke Bihar Temple in Vrindavan. Devotees and pilgrims from across the country come to Vrindavan to play Holi at one of the foremost temples devoted to Lord Krishna. During the festivities, the idol of Bihariji (another name of Lord Krishna, to which the temple is dedicated) is adorned in white clothes and is brought closer to the devotees to let them play Holi.
Celebrations commence by throwing flower petals (phool in Hindi) on each other and the priests too, shower petals on devotees. The vivid colors from rose, marigold and lotuses give a different picture to Holi than usual. However, this is a very short celebration after which the regular colts are used. The celebrations reach a fever pitch in the background as people dance to the songs being sung in the background. (B)

Day 7 | Vrindavan - Delhi

Today, on our last full day of the tour, we will spend our morning hours, photographing the temples of Vrindavan. The week-long celebration of Holi slowly comes to an end. The joy and harmony in practicing the cultural heritage are evident on the faces of people celebrating this larger than life festival. We will capture the reminiscing lanes and parts of Vrindavan. The Holi festival photography is more than capturing pictures; we become part of a grand celebration of the Indian community and cherish the moments of festivity with locals. 
 
Later, we depart for Delhi where we end our tour with our Farewell Dinner. We will enjoy a wonderful evening of fun and laughter, while we recount our Holi adventures. (B, D)

 

Day 8 | Delhi

This morning we return to Delhi to bid you farewell, unless you are continuing on to the holy city of Varanasi for our 5-day extension. Varanasi marks the end of our 11 straight weeks of Photo Workshop Adventures in India. (B)

 

Add our 5-Day “Varanasi Photo Adventure” after Holi Festival of Colors for 12 amazing days of culture and photography.

And then add our 4-Day “Dubai Photo Adventure” after Holi Festival of Colors & Varanasi for 16 amazing days of culture and photography.

(B) Breakfast, (L) Lunch, (D) Dinner, (E) Excursion

 

May all who come as guests... leave as friends®

 

OPTIONS AND BENEFITS

Pricing

All prices are per person and based on double occupancy. Please select single occupancy for a private room. For your convenience, we offer optional early arrival and late departure accommodations so you can extend your stay before or after the trip. We typically stay in boutique hotels in the 4-star category. Not all destinations offer these types of properties. We look for unique hotels which offer cultural, historic and/or authentic features. Depending on the size of the group, smaller boutique hotels may have limited room inventory. In some countries or in remote locations, we may be limited to lodges or branded chain hotels. Breakfast is included only if included in our room rates.

Private Guided Adventures

We offer amazing private guided photo adventures, cultural tours and vacations for individuals, couples, families and groups. We can customize any of our published adventures, as well as others, to meet your individual needs, schedule, budget and interests. This may include the finest 5-star accommodations, business-class travel, and private guides and fixers who are able to make the impossible possible. If you are not interested in a photo-centric vacation, but you love our approach to private travel, we will be happy to design and deliver an amazing adventure focused on travel, culture and cuisine. Click here to request a quote. Feel free to call us at 1-888-834-0288 or contact us for more information.

Travel Insurance

We offer travel insurance through the internationally recognized Travelex Travel Insurance Company, as well as evacuation and medical transportation insurance through MedJet, one of the best in the industry.

The cost for travel insurance can be as low as 4% of the total trip cost, depending upon age and other factors. Knowing you have trip cancellation coverage can make a big difference should you have to cancel for some unforeseen reason. Travelex Insurance Services is a BBB Accredited business with an A+ rating. Click here to learn more about why you should consider travel insurance.

Rewards Program

Start earning points today and SAVE $200 - $900 off future trips!
Simply register for one of our amazing photo adventures and begin earning points today!

How The Program Works
For every adventure reservation you make with Photo Workshop Adventures, you earn valuable points which you can redeem on your next trip. This is a great way to save up to 8% off future trips. Our Rewards Program is designed with three tiers: Orange, Gold and VIP Members. Points may be applied towards balance payments on your next trip, or you may choose to accumulate points for a free trip in the future.

ORANGE REWARDS
All guests begin with our Orange Rewards Program (Level 1), which earns 4 points for every dollar you spend. You begin earning points immediately after your first trip. A $5,900 spend earns 23,600 points with a value of $236 USD.

GOLD REWARDS
With our Gold Rewards Program (Level 2), you earn 6 points for every dollar you spend. Orange Members who reach 120,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 4-6 trips), automatically move up to Gold Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 35,400 points with a value of $354 USD.

Additional Gold Benefits:

  • Earn up to double points during promotional events
  • Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers

VIP REWARDS
With our VIP Rewards Program (Level 3), you earn 8 points for every dollar you spend. Gold Members who reach 350,000 accumulated lifetime* points (approx. 8-12 trips) move up to VIP Rewards. A $5,900 spend earns 47,200 points with a value of $472 USD, (8+/-% discount).

Additional VIP Benefits:

  • Earn up to double points during promotional events
  • Advance notifications for upcoming adventures and special offers
  • Ability to Gift or Transfer points to others
  • Receive complimentary airport transfers at the destination location*

Redeeming Your Points
Redeeming your points couldn’t be easier. You can always log in to your account to check your points balance. When you are ready to book your next trip, register and pay your deposit. When you go to pay your balance you will be given the option to apply your points and receive a discount.

THINK ORANGE Magazine

Subscribe to our Think Orange Magazine and eNews. THINK ORANGE is a wonderful mix of stories and tips related to travel, photography, adventure, culture, art, technology, cuisine, lifestyle, people and more. Our objective is to immerse you in a world you may only fantasize about. Raise your awareness and inspire your creativity. Perhaps even help make you a better photographer. We deliver similar experiential experiences that our guests enjoy on our photo adventures. Like all of our adventures, our blog is “photo-centric”, while also allowing you to experience all the nuances and cultural aspects of travel and adventure. Welcome to our world. We hope you enjoy. Our eNews is a great way to receive information about upcoming photo adventures, exciting new destinations, photography tips, special offers and more. Subscribe today!

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Give someone you know a Gift Card, good toward any of our Photo  Adventures, Photo Tours, Private Guided Tours, Online Courses, Prints or Merchandize. Our beautifully personalized eGift Cards and Certificates are delivered to you electronically. They are fully transferable and have a 2 year expiration date. They are available in any amount from $100 to $5000. It makes a great gift for anyone who loves photography, travel or adventure. Order now, or email for more information.

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