We will leave early for a sunrise shoot along the riverbanks, capturing the morning light from a boat as birds glide over the water, an inspiring start to the day.

Following breakfast, we’ll visit one of Delhi’s historic step wells and the famous Dhobi Ghat, great spots for storytelling frames and environmental portraits. We head into the heart of Old Delhi for environmental portraits and dynamic street photography in Chandni Chowk. The main street remains as vibrant and crowded today as it was in the 17th century when Shah Jahan built it. One of the oldest and busiest markets in the world, Chandni Chowk is a playground for photographers – full of color, chaos, character, and endless scenes waiting to be captured.

We continue our exploration with a visit to a traditional Vegetable Market and the bustling lanes surrounding Jama Masjid Market. These areas offer fantastic opportunities for raw, authentic street moments with textures, tones, and human stories at every corner. (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, including a visit to the charming villages near the Taj Mahal along the banks of the Yamuna River, an opportunity to capture authentic rural life with the Taj as a distant backdrop. (B)

We begin our day in Agra with dawn photography at the Taj Mahal, capturing its ethereal marble glow as the first light touches the monument. After this magical session, we’ll take a serene boat ride (subject to weather conditions) on the Yamuna River, an unforgettable vantage point for soft, reflective compositions of the Taj, framed by the gentle mist of early morning.

Returning to our hotel for breakfast, we will then check out and continue our Mughal journey with a visit to the mighty Agra Fort. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this red-sandstone stronghold houses elegant palaces, courtyards, and pavilions that echo the grandeur of the Mughal dynasty. Its walls offer sweeping views back towards the Taj Mahal, adding beautiful photographic depth to your storytelling.

After exploring the fort, we begin our drive to Jaipur. Known as “The Pink City,” Jaipur is chaotic, colorful, and endlessly charming. Bright turbans blaze a trail through bargain-filled lanes, shimmering saris flutter in the breeze, and the energy of daily life creates stunning photographic moments at every turn. (B)

We begin our day at Jaipur’s early-morning flower market, a vibrant, fragrant burst of colours, characters, and textures that’s perfect for street photography and environmental portraits. The market comes alive at dawn, offering beautifully candid scenes of vendors, buyers, and heaps of fresh marigolds and roses.

From here, we make our way to Jaipur’s iconic Hawa Mahal, the delicate pink sandstone façade that rises like a honeycombed palace above the old city. Bathed in soft morning light, this is one of Jaipur’s most photogenic landmarks, offering stunning street views and architectural details ideal for wide shots and tight compositions. Next, we head to the majestic Amber Fort, a hilltop masterpiece of Rajput architecture. Its sweeping courtyards, mirrored halls, and ancient gateways create a rich canvas for capturing both grand scenes and intricate details. The fort’s elevated vantage points also offer panoramic views across the Aravalli hills.

Later, we will visit a beautifully preserved stepwell for a model shoot. The geometric lines, descending staircases, and clean symmetry of the structure provide a visually striking setting, made even more dynamic with a model to add scale, movement, and storytelling to the images.

We end our day at the enchanting Water Palace (Jal Mahal), floating dreamlike in the middle of Man Sagar Lake. In the golden evening light, the palace glows softly across the water, creating a serene and atmospheric finale to a visually rich day in Jaipur. (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)

We begin our morning exploring some of Jodhpur’s most atmospheric markets, a lively maze of spice stalls, textile shops, metalware artisans, and everyday activity. These markets offer endless photographic possibilities: vibrant colours, expressive portraits, busy hands at work, storytelling scenes, and layers of movement that capture the real pulse of the Blue City. Whether you love shooting candid moments, detailed close-ups, or wide environmental frames, this is one of the best places to document authentic city life.

After lunch, we’ll drive 22 km out of the city to Bishnoi Village, an essential experience for anyone interested in culture and rural photography. The Bishnoi people are known as devout protectors of nature, preserving wildlife and the environment with deep reverence. Here, you’ll witness the traditional Marwar lifestyle with mud homes, local crafts, herding scenes, and warm interactions with the community. It’s a window into Rajasthan’s original heritage and an opportunity to photograph rural life in its purest form.

We return to hotel and enjoy our dinner together. (B)

Our morning begins with a visit to Chandelao Village, an ideal setting for authentic rural photography. Here, daily life unfolds at a gentle pace, women drawing water, artisans at work, livestock moving through dusty lanes, and traditional mud homes bathed in warm morning light. It’s a beautiful opportunity to capture intimate portraits, rustic textures, and the timeless charm of village Rajasthan.

After lunch, we head into Jodhpur’s most iconic treasure: the Blue City. Its narrow, winding lanes painted in vivid indigo create a stunning backdrop for a curated photoshoot with local models. From textured blue walls to sunlit stairways and hidden courtyards, every corner offers a cinematic frame. This session blends portraiture, culture, and colour, a perfect way to wrap up our time in Jodhpur. (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 here. (B)

We begin our day with a sunrise shoot over the serene Gadissar Lake. You’ll truly marvel at how such a vast waterbody exists in the heart of the desert. The small pavilions dotting the lake like tiny islands create a beautiful foreground, while the soft pink sky reflects gently across the still water. We return to hotel for breakfast.

Post-breakfast, we take a slow walk through the bustling Fort Market for candid frames, cultural moments, and everyday life scenes that bring Jaisalmer’s charm alive. We continue into the narrow bylanes of the imposing Jaisalmer Fort, locally known as Sonar Quila. Rising dramatically from the sands, this golden fortress blends seamlessly with the desert hues. As the light shifts through the day, the ramparts, havelis, temples, and palaces glow in warm shades, creating an almost surreal experience. The fort still breathes history: intricate merchant homes, ancient security structures, and old residential clusters stand as a reminder of its strategic place on the old caravan trade routes.

After lunch, we drive towards Khuri Village, a quieter pocket of the Thar, ideal for documenting village life, traditional homes, and soulful portraits of the local community. The slower pace here offers authentic interactions and intimate photographic moments. (B)

After breakfast, we’ll spend the morning exploring the local markets, capturing everyday life, vibrant colors, and authentic street scenes. After lunch, we will sit together for an image review session, discussing compositions, techniques, and ways to elevate your storytelling.

In the afternoon, we venture into the tribal villages of the Thar Desert, home to nomadic communities whose language, lifestyle, and traditions are distinct from the rest of Rajasthan. These nomadic groups travel for their livelihood, with many working in nearby sandstone quarries, herding camels, sheep, and goats, or practicing centuries-old trades. Among them are salt traders, fortunetellers, acrobats, storytellers, snake charmers, healers, tattoo artists, and skilled artisans, each offering remarkable photographic opportunities.

We’ll then enjoy a private desert photoshoot with female models and camels, using the soft golden-hour light to create dramatic silhouettes and sweeping portraits across the dunes.

Anthropologists have identified nearly 500 nomadic groups in India, comprising around 80 million people. The Thar Desert is home to several of these communities, each with its own traditions, crafts, and way of life. During our visit, you’ll have the chance to encounter some of these unique groups firsthand – people whose stories, faces, and daily rhythms offer rare and meaningful photographic moments. It’s worth noting that the Thar is unlike other deserts around the world, with remarkable biodiversity and a vibrant cultural tapestry that makes every interaction feel special and unforgettable.

In the evening, we gather for a memorable Farewell Dinner, celebrating our incredible 12 days together and the unforgettable images we’ve created along the way. (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)