From Dharamsala to the Pushkar Fair

A Photo Cultural Journey with photographer Brenda Tharp

The Indian sub-continent is more than a repository of an ancient civilization; it is a lively and ever changing work in progress. Visit a bazaar and groups of women in saris of seemingly impossible combinations of magenta and turquoise vie for visual attention with their sisters in silk of purple and yellow. Every surface is used to catch the eye: Overripe heroes and heroines loom in enormous proportions from film billboards, mud walls are decorated with traditional geometric patterns, camel pelts are clipped to produced swirling paisleys, cattle horns are painted and decorated with brass bells, cycle rickshaws are covered in painted parrots, landscapes, slogans and decorated with chrome studs.

On this photographic journey we will take time to experience and photograph the fascinating aspects of daily life in contemporary and traditional India.

Outline Itinerary – 2010

Day 1: November 7 — Depart U.S.
Depart your home city on an overnight flight to Delhi.

Day 2: November 8 — Arrive Delhi, India
Arrive Delhi late in the day. Met on arrival and transfer to our hotel. The Shangri-La

Day 3: November 9  — Delhi to Amritsar
Fly to Amritsar. Sunset photography on the Golden Temple.
The Ranjit (B, L, D)

Day 4: November 10 — In Amritsar
We have the day to explore and photograph the site surrounding the Golden Temple. In the late afternoon we witness the "changing of the guards" at the Indian/pakistan border crossing.
The Ranjit (B, L, D)

Days 5, 6 & 7: November 11, 12 & 13 — Dharamsala
Drive to Dharamsala with village photography en route. Walk and photograph the pilgrims along the kora as they circumambulate HH the Dalai Lama's residence. We will visit the Norbulingka to photograph artisan at work and a nunnery. Also visit the Nechung Monastery and have a special evening with the Kuten - the medium of the State Oracle of Tibet. We will also have the opportunity of listening to and photographing monks during their chanting and prayers.
Chonor House (B, L, D)

Day 8: November 14 — To Delhi
After sunrise photography in Dharamsala we fly back to Delhi. In the afternoon we visit historical sites in Old Delhi.
The Shangri-La (B, L, D)

Day 9: November 15  — To Pushkar
Early this morning we fly to Jaipur and then drive to Pushkar and settle into our private camp. In the afternoon we go on a walking tour of the town and fair grounds. Return after sunset photography.
Private Tented Camp (B, L, D)

Day 10: November 16  — Pushkar Festival
The fair grounds with thousands of camels, horses and cattle, along with the town bazaar are a photographer's dream. We have the whole day to explore and photograph. wE head out pre-dawn to take advantage of the rising sun and will stay out till sunset, just returning to our private camp for lunch and some rest fro the mid-day sun.
Private Tented Camp (B, L, D)

Day 11: November 17 — To Jaipur
After the sunrise photographers are back we have breakfast before drive three hours to the pink City of Jaipur.  We check into our Heritage Palace Hotel and then head out to explore and photograph the teeming life that revolves around the old bazaar.
Jai Mahal Palace Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 12: November 18 — In Jaipur
This morning we photograph the Hava Mahal – Palace of Winds at sunrise, before continuing to Amber Fort. Riding an elephant to the Fort we spend the rest of the morning exploring this wonderful Fort and Palace. We have the afternoon at leisure or the option of heading back to the bazaar.
Jai Mahal Palace Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 13: November 19 — Kalakho
After a leisurely breakfast we drive about two hours into the countryside, and stay at a private retreat on the banks of a monsoon lake at Kalakho. In the after noon we use camels, ox carts to visit the neighboring traditional Rajasthani villages.
Dera Village Retreat (B, L, D)

Day 14: November 20 — Agra
Depart early morning for Agra. En route we stop to photograph the Ghost city of Fatepur Sikri. For sunset we will be at the Taj Mahal and stay photography on the Taj followed by a near full moon rise. Being our last full night in India, we gather tonight for a festive farewell dinner.
Taj Gateway (B, L, D)

Day 15: November 21 — Day in Agra/To Delhi
Photograph the Taj at sunrise. We have the rest of the morning in Agra to further explore and photograph the city.  Late afternoon fly to Delhi and after dinner transfer to the International Airport for the overnight return flight. (B,L,D)

Day 16:  November 22 —  Arrive USA

For detailed day-to-day itinerary or to book this trip please call us at 1-800- MY INDIA.

Brenda Tharp

Brenda Tharp is an award-winning freelance photographer who specializes in location, nature and travel photography. She has llama-trekked, sea-kayaked, flown in helicopters and hot-air balloons, cycled, and hiked to get her photographs. Those images have appeared on the pages of Alaska Airlines, Audubon, Northwest Traveler, Sierra, and Sunset magazines and in books by Chronicle, Michelin, National Geographic, Sierra Club, and others. Brenda co-starred in several episodes of Canon's TV program Photo Safari.

An accomplished writer, Brenda wrote and photographed Creative Nature and Outdoor Photography, Rev. Edition (Amphoto Books), and photographed the award-winning books Muir Woods: Redwood Refuge, and Marin Headlands: Portals of Time, (GGNPC). She has written photography articles for several outdoor photography magazines and online e-zines, including Outdoor Photographer, Photo Migrations, Apogee, and TakeGreatPictures.com.

Brenda is highly regarded as a photography instructor and tour leader. Her passion for traveling and photography combine to make her trips an exciting, enriching adventure.

For more on Brenda, please visit her website.

Please go to our slide show page to see images from Rajasthan and the Pushkar Camel Fair .

Call us toll free at 1-800 MY INDIA (1-800-694-6342) or email us to request a detailed day-to-day itinerary.

Golden Temple, Amritsar

Thangka painter, Dharamsala

At the Pushkar Fair

"How thoroughly I enjoyed the tour of Rajasthan!  It was a visual and photography treat for the senses."
- Anne Ainsworth, IL

At the Pushkar Fair

At the Pushkar Fair

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Taj Mahal, Agra