EXOTIC INDIA PHOTO TOUR                     
with Ashish Bahl and Lisa DuBois
Nov 7th-21st 2010

Cost: $5550 includes all ground transportation in a deluxe mini-coach, all 14 nights hotel accommodations, airport transfers, Flight Delhi-Varanasi-Delhi, all breakfasts and dinners, entrance-fees at tourist sites (excluding video camera fees), and local guides, Train fees Delhi-Amritsar-Delhi.

The price is based on double occupancy.
Single occupancy is available (add 1120$)

Included: One session of Authentic South Indian Kerala ayurvedic massage in Delhi  

LAST DATE OF REGISTRATION IS August 20th 2010

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INDIA: India is amazingly beautiful and offers a rich and magnificent history that dates back 5000 years. India is home to the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. 18 languages are officially recognized in India of which Sanskrit and Tamil share a long history of more than 5,000 and 3,000 years respectively. These are just a few of the facts that make India one of the most captivating places to visit in Asia. We will be visit the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and 7 fascinating cities Delhi, Varanasi, Amritsar, Agra, Pushkar, Vrindavan and Sarnath. These cities are located in four different states, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Punjab. You will create memories that will last forever.

New & Old Delhi: Delhi is an extraordinary city with dual qualities. It is both Traditional and trendy. You will see Rickshaws & businessmen carrying briefcases and cell phones. Situated in the heart of New Delhi is India Gate, the national monument of India and one of the largest war memorials. Delhi is home to the largest spice market in all of Asia, the bustling Khari Baoli bazaar, operating since 17th century. Khari Baoli is a street in Old Delhi, and is known for its wholesale market selling of all kinds of spices, nuts and herbs.

Banaras/ Varanasi: Varanasi has a special aura that is felt immediately upon arrival. According to the Hindu mythology, Varanasi is the sacred place where the soul is liberated from the human body. Ghats of Ganga and sacred temples are perhaps the holiest spot of Varanasi.This unique place blends the spiritual and physical with ceremonies and continuous cleansing rituals on the edge of the Ganga River. The water is believed to cleanse mentally and physically and absolve one of all sins. For thousands of years people have been visiting this river to offer morning prayers at sunrise and sunset. Sarnath is located north-east of Varanasi, Birthplace of Buddhism. Buddha delivered his first teachings in this location. Dhamek Stupa Sarnath temple is The Holist temple for Buddhist in India.
Chat pooja: Chat Pooja is one of the most auspicious transcending & annual gatherings in India. After an all night fast the women devotees gather before sunrise and wait in waist level water with offerings of fruit, candles and incense for the sun to rise. The fast ends at the first peek of the sunrise.                           

Rajasthan - Pushkar Fair: Experience the Pushkar Fair - one of the most colorful & fascinating festivals in India. The fair is a large gathering of camel traders – gypsies - merchants and adventure seekers from around the world. The colors are vivid and the energy is always exciting. Camels camel carts are adorned and available for rides.  Each year, traders begin the journey to Pushkar across the golden sands of Rajasthan and assemble to participate in this week-long fair. Families dress up and come to live – work and play for the duration of the fair. The local gypsies and snake charmers come for dancing and impromptu performing. It is an occasion for Hindu pilgrims to converge for a holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake to "wash away the sins of a lifetime" and pay obeisance at the only Brahma temple in the world. Pushkar begins on Kartik which coincides with the bright half of the moon during the months of October-November. Go back in time as you walk down the busy streets of Pushkar and shop at this very old market place. For photographers this is an excellent opportunity to get the photos of a lifetime.

Agra - Taj Mahal and Fatehpur sikri: Agra is home to the Taj Mahal & Fatehpur Sikri. The Taj Mahal is one of the New Seven Wonders of the world, and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra. It is the renowned mausoleum of Shah Jahan's favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Mughal Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri about 35 km from Agra, and moved his capital there. It was later abandoned; the site displays a number of buildings of significant historical importance.

Vrindavan: Vrindavan is known as the homeland for Lord Krishna [God of love] and considered to be an extremely holy place by all traditions of Hinduism.Vrindavan is the center of learning and Krishna worship. The evening aarti near river Yamuna is again a life long spiritual experience.

Amritsar: Amritsar is one of the oldest and fascinating cities in India, located in the heart of the state of Punjab. The Golden Temple is revered as the most beautiful and most sacred temple for Sikhs worldwide. It is said, the first time you look at the golden temple, you will be blessed for a lifetime. The night – lighting @ the golden temple is a breathtaking sight. Every night, the Granth Sahib is carried in procession along this bridge to its "bed" in the Akal Takht, the seat of the Sikh parliament (built in1609) and all male pilgrims and visitors get chance to actively participate in the veneration of the Holy Book and each man shoulders the heavy palanquin for a few seconds before passing it along, forming a human conveyer belt. We will be at the Golden temple during the week of Guru Nanak Parkash Divas birthday of the founding father of Sikhism. The Wagah Border is located at a distance of 28 kilometers from Amritsar. It is the only border crossing between India and Pakistan. We will witness the “lowering of flags” ceremony there which happens every evening between Border security force of India and Pakistan Rangers.

 

FOR WHOM IS THIS TRIP SUITABLE?

This trip is for everyone, you do not need to be a photographer to fully enjoy all that we have to offer. Our Philosophy is to combine a once in a lifetime experience with excellent opportunities to capture the best photographs of people and places in India.

Photographers continue to come from around the world, to be mesmerized by the beauty and diversity of exotic India since the invention of the camera. The workshop is for beginner’s professional photographers and anyone in between. We will assist you, regardless of your level of expertise with camera settings, composition and many tips on how to get the best photographs.
* Everyone has their own viewpoint: although we will be photographing the same subject matter the photographs will look different.
Bring extra memory cards and dust cloths. Don’t bring canned air, it is not allowed through customs.

Adventure seekers are enthralled by the diversity in customs, food and dress among the 29 states in India. As we travel from state to state you will see, hear, smell and taste the differences.
 
Spiritual travelers visit the divine temples and holy places enjoying the opportunity to be a part of the many sacred ceremonies.

You will receive Individualized attention. Don’t miss out on a “once in a lifetime experience’’. You will immediately know when you arrive that you are in good hands.

Prior to the trip we will answer any questions or concerns you have by calling our

New York number +1-718 671 3028 or India number +91-9811887654

 

Optional: There is always the possibility of memory cards getting lost or corrupted, we can provide a back up for all your photos in CD/DVD format for the duration of the trip. There is a small fee for this service.

Best time of the day to photograph:
We focus our attention on photographing during the times of the day when the lighting is best. This is early in the morning and in the late afternoon. Every day is coordinated with this rule in mind. We also photograph at night. You may bring along a tripod or use a high ISO setting on your camera.

Location is key: The places listed on our itinerary were chosen to explore the essence of Indian Culture with visits to temples, markets and other places of historic interest. We will visit Exciting Annual Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan.

Size of the group: We will not accept more than 10 people for this workshop. It is impossible to give individualized attention to each traveler in a large group of people. We travel everywhere together, and we are familiar with all Indian traditions and protocol.
Age: You must be 21 years or older to take this workshop.