Tripology

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India: The Pushkar Fair: Photography and Culture Tour

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Detailed Trip Description

Pushkar, an important religious place for Hindus, is hugely known for the Pushkar Fair where the mass trading of camels takes place, and is the spotlight of an Indian holiday. During this period the population of 14,000 swells to over 200,000 while the festival hosts over 50,000 camels, which are sold, raced and decorated. Our tour leader, John Buck, a world renowned photographer, is leading our small group on a mission to capture this historic event with digital photography techniques...his goal: to teach our travelers how to take extraordinary travel photos. Our itinerary also has you learning hands on in Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and more. Upon returning from this tour, your knowledge of photography will stay with you for a lifetime, just as this Indian adventure will stay in your mind, heart and soul a lifetime.

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Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - Delhi

 
Arrive Delhi.
Airport Transfer

Welcome to colorful India! Your personal guide will meet and you and the other members of the group and arrange for the transfers to the hotel. Most flights arrive late, so prepare for a good night sleep after check in.

Hotel

Overnight at hotel.


Day 2 - Delhi

 
Sightseeing

For our photo-enthusiasts, this is day one in this amazing city, and your tour leader will wake up early for the first opportunities to capture Delhi in her own glory, in her own reality. Mornings are the perfect time to study shadows, and enhance your photographs with the effects of lighting. John generally wakes early to not miss such a gift from this time of day.

Sightseeing

Head back to the hotel for breakfast, then proceed for full day city tour of Delhi visiting Old and New Delhi. In New Delhi, visit “Qutab Minar” – a tower built in the early 13th century to commemorate the victory of Islam over Hindus.

Sightseeing

You will also visit and photograph the Humanyun’s Tomb – also known as the forerunner to the Taj Mahal. Humanyun launched a great Mughal architectural legacy. Even the Taj, which was built by Humanyun’s great grandson, was inspired by it.

Sightseeing

Later drive through the Embassy area, the Government buildings and Connaught Place – the heart and main shopping district of the capital. Afternoon, cross the city into the walled gates of Old Delhi including visit to “Jama Mosque”, take a rickshaw ride through the fabled area of “Chandni Chowk”. Then drive past the Red Fort – built by Shahjehan, the builder of Taj Mahal in Agra. Also visit Raj Ghat to pay homage to the Father of Indian Nation – Mahatma Gandhi. All sites will offer opportunities to study light, shadows and composition.

Hotel

Overnight at hotel. ( B )


Day 3 - Delhi

 
Delhi to Pushkar: The Journey is part of this day’s Adventure!
Train

Wake up early to board our train, which will transport us to Ajmer. An extraordinary breakfast is provided on board as we ride Business Class on the famous Shatabdi Express.

Bus

Once we arrive, around 1:00pm, we will have time for a light lunch, and some fast photo opportunities before we proceed to Pushkar by private deluxe, motor coach.

Sightseeing

A photographer’s paradise, Pushkar is an amazing city full of shrines and temples, and is a sacred town for the Hindus as a result of the story of Brahma. Brahma was cursed by his wife because of which, he is worshipped nowhere else in India. While temples to Vishnu and Shiva abound, the third of the trinity goes unrecognized. Legend has it that at Pushkar, where a lotus fell from Brahma’s hands, a lake sprang up, and so here Brahma is worshipped. At the heart of Pushkar is the Brahma Temple, made from marble, with Brahma’s vehicle, the turtle, cast in silver at its entrance. At the booth of the temple is the Lake surrounded by bathing Ghats. Here you can sit and meditate while the faithful take a dip. The charm of this sleepy, lakeside settlement so captivated the great Indian poet, Kalidas, that it found a place in his classic, Abhigyan Sakuntalam.

Camping

This evening we move on to the Pushkar Fair Ground. As we arrive, we are checked-in to luxury tents on the Fair Ground.

Relaxation

Rest of evening at your leisure, allowing you to mingle with locals, and observe or even participate in various cultural and fair activities. The annual event of the Pushkar Fair provides for unique visual composition for any photographer…beginner or novice! Count on this being a quest of a lifetime. Overnight at tents. ( B, D )


Day 4 - India

 
The spectacular Pushkar Fair.
Sightseeing

Early morning photographic session with John before returning to camp for breakfast. This day is at your leisure, however the group may want to create some “check in” points throughout the day to discuss photo opportunities or to make time to visit with John about particular techniques and artistic viewpoints.

Arts, Crafts and Antiques

Enjoy this day to see various cultural and trading activities at the Pushkar Fair, understanding that is tiny town grows from a mere 14,000 to a massive 200,000 during this event! A spotlight of one's Indian holiday, the festival hosts around 50,000 camels, which are sold, decorated, shaved and raced. The show goes on for a whole week as travelers continue to join in the fun, which includes a number of cultural competitions.

Camping

Overnight at the Camp. ( B, L, D )


Day 5 - India

 
The spectacular Pushkar Fair.
Food and Dining

Another early morning photographic session with John before returning to camp for breakfast.

Arts, Crafts and Antiques

Now in the peak of this spectacular festival, every moment of this day is an extraordinary photo opportunity rich with color and artistic expression. Take this day to heart and your mind’s eye…embrace all the various cultural and trading activities at the Pushkar Fair. You will have ample of opportunities to click and shoot the colorful festival, as this festival is a photographer’s delight. Tonight we have an almost full Moon to light our desert sky.

Camping

Overnight at the Camp. ( B, L , D )


Day 6 - Jaipur

 
Pushkar - Jaipur.
Private Car Service

We will depart from Pushkar today, but first we again start our day with an artistic journey, a curious mind. Who are these people? The farmers. The camel traders? Can you capture their essence in portrait photography? Spend the morning with John gaining insight on how to portray these faces best on film. After breakfast, we say good-bye to the sights and sounds of the fair, and travel again on our Private, deluxe motor coach to Jaipur…a 4 hour journey, but we make an en route stop at a Rajasthani Village for photography of the village houses and its local people with their unique way of life.

Sightseeing

Once we arrive mid afternoon in Jaipur, we check-in at the hotel and have the rest of the day free to explore the “Pink City” and the Rajasthan State Capital. Wonderful photo opportunities dance around us as we take a scroll in the busy local market.

Hotel

Overnight at hotel. ( B )


Day 7 - Jaipur

 
Food and Dining

Breakfast at hotel.

Sightseeing

Morning excursion to Amber Fort – The ancient capital of the state. excursion to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the State until 1728. Visit the Jagmandir of the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and Temple of Kali. Take a ride on gaily decorated elephant to the ramparts of the Fort. Later sightseeing tour of Jaipur city. Among the principal sights are the Jantar Mantar of the Observatory, The Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal, the City Palace & Museum. Jaipur is also a major center of precious and semi precious stones, jewelry, cotton textiles and the typical Blue Pottery.

Hotel

Overnight at the hotel. ( B )


Day 8 - Jaipur

 
Jaipur - Nahargarh Biological Park - Ranthambore.
Food and Dining

Early morning session with John before breakfast at hotel.

Safari

Mid morning check out, before preparing for our transfer and drive to Nahargarh Biological Park, a 10 kilometer long eco-trail elephant safari has been developed in the sanctuary for the tourists to enjoy wild animals in their natural habitat. This sanctuary that spread over an area of 7.2 square kilometer is home to some of the very rare species of animals such as the Bengal tiger, Leopard, Asiatic Lion, sloth bear, caracal, several species of deer, gharial, crocodile, and provides one of the finest tiger reserves in the country. Ranthambore was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and became part of Project Tiger in 1973, and is famous for its tigers as it is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild. The tigers can be easily spotted even during the day. Late afternoon arrive in Ranthambore, and transfer to hotel at.

Hotel

Rest of evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel. ( B, L, D )


Day 9 - India

 
Ranthambore.
Safari

Early morning “Game drive” to the park for peak times of day with light.

Food and Dining

Back to hotel late morning for breakfast, and a chance to rest and relax.

Safari

After lunch, enjoy 2nd game drive to the park. Full day to photograph on your own, or work with John on framing, color, depth and more.

Hotel

Overnight at hotel. ( B, L, D ).


Day 10 - Agra

 
Ranthambore - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra.
Sightseeing

Early morning session working with visuals close to home before grouping together for breakfast at hotel.

Private Car Service

Midmorning check out, and then enjoy a leisurely morning drive to Agra.

Sightseeing

En route visit Fathepur Sikri – the mysterious Ghost city founded by the Mughal Emperor “Akbar The Great” in the late 16th century and once capital of the Mughal Empire. Among the principal attractions of Fatehpur Sikri are the large audience halls, palaces, the Mosques, the tomb of Salim Chishti, The Panchmahal, and the Buland Darwaza, Which is among the biggest gates in Asia. On This day will provide ample of local life and artisans at work to photograph, as our private guide knows the ins and outs of this destination!

Private Car Service

Continue to drive towards Agra – town of world famous Taj Mahal.

Hotel

Arrive and check-in at the hotel.

Sightseeing

Prepare for a sunset photo lesson with the Taj Mahal as the subject! Overnight at hotel. ( B )


Day 11 - Delhi

 
Agra - Delhi.
Sightseeing

Early morning exploring and shooting before breakfast at our hotel. Again we are off for a visit to the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan, this beautiful mausoleum is built of pure white marble and is an architectural marvel. He built Taj in the memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.

Sightseeing

Later visit “Agra Fort” – this immense fort and palace was the seat of power for four generations of Mughal emperors, and is a site to see with its maze of courtyards, mosques, and private chambers. Time with John today will provide skills for excellent composition as we look through our lenses to create a different “perspective” on things!

Private Car Service

Late afternoon our guide drives us to Delhi.

Food and Dining

Our highlight tonight is the camaraderie to share at our farewell dinner.

Hotel

Overnight at hotel. ( B, D )


Day 12 - Delhi

 
Depart for home
Sightseeing

Early morning allows time for exploring on your own before meeting the group later in the morning for breakfast.

Sightseeing

Afterwards, we take a temple tour of Delhi visiting the Hindu Laxmi Narayan Temple, followed by a Sikh Temple (Gurudwara), the newly built and one of the largest temples in the world, the Akshardam Temple and the Lotus temple of the Bahai Community.

Airport Transfer

The rest of this day is at your leisure as we say goodbye to friends and prepare for the evening departure transfer to the airport for your flight back home. ( B )


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