Taj, Temples & Tigers

A Photo Cultural Journey with photographer Lewis Kemper

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.

Although their emphasis is on photography, our Photo Cultural tours are suitable for any adventurous traveler looking for a vacation that is out of the ordinary. In addition to our photography expert, the tours are also fully escorted by a cultural guide and tour leader.

Outline Itinerary – 2012

Day 1: November 18 — Depart U.S.
Depart your home city on an overnight flight to Delhi.

Day 2: November 19 — Arrive Delhi, India
Arrive Delhi late in the day. Met on arrival and transfer to our hotel. The Shangri-La

Day 3: November 20  — In Delhi
In the morning we have an orientation meeting over breakfast, then visit sites in “Old” Delhi, followed by sites in “New” Delhi.
The Shangri-La (B, L, D)

Day 4: November 21 — To Jamba
Fly to Jodhpur and drive to the heartland of the Bishnoi tribals in Jamba. Stay at the Dera Sand Dune Retreat, built on top of a 130-foot stabilized sand dune with panoramic views of the Thar Desert. Dera Sand Dune Retreat (B, L, D)

Day 5: November 22 — In Jamba
We have the full day devoted to exploring the photographing the traditional Bishnoi tribes.
Dera Sand Dune Retreat (B, L, D)

Day 6: November 23 – To Pushkar
One more sunrise to to photograph the dunes before starting our 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 7, November 24 — In Pushkar
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 from the mid-day sun.
Private Tented Camp (B, L, D)

Day 8: November 25 —To Jaipur
Morning to further photograph in pushkar before driving to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. This afternoon we will visit the City Palace and Jantar Mantar in the “Pink City.”
Oberoi Trident (B, L, D)

Day 9: November 26 — In Jaipur
This morning we head out to catch sunrise on the Hava Mahal, then continue to the Amber Fort and the old city’s colorful bazaars.
Oberoi Trident (B, L, D)

Day 10: November 27 — To Ranthambore Tiger Reserve
Drive to Ranthambore National Park, one of India’s great wildlife parks and home to the majestic Indian Tiger.
Naharagarh Lodge (B, L, D)

Days 11 & 12: November 28 & 29— In Ranthambore
Sunrise and sunset safaris in 4-wheel drive vehicles into Ranthambore National Park, as we photograph India’s unique flora and fauna, and seek the elusive tiger.
Naharagarh Lodge (B, L, D)

Day 13: November 30 — To Agra
Depart early morning for Agra. En route we stop to photograph the Ghost city of Fatepur Sikri. We will be at the Taj Mahal for sunset.
Oberoi Trident (B,L,D)

Day 14: December 1 — To Agra
Sunrise on the Taj. Also photography Itmad-ud-daula and then the Taj form across the river at sunset. Being our last full night in India, we gather tonight for a festive farewell dinner.
Oberoi Trident (B,L,D)

Day 15: December 2 — Morning in Agra/To Delhi
Another opportunity to photograph the Taj at sunrise. We have the rest of the morning in Agra to further explore and photograph the city. In the afternoon we drive to Delhi and after dinner transfer to the International Airport for the overnight return flight to the USA.
(B,L,D)

Day 16: December 3 — Arrive USA

To book this trip please call us at 1-800- MY INDIA.

Lewis Kemper

Lewis Kemper has been photographing the natural beauty of North America, and its park lands for over 29 years specializing in nature and outdoor photography. His work has been exhibited and published in magazines, books, and calendars worldwide.

Lewis teaches photography for many organizations including Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Santa Fe Workshops, Lepp Institute and BetterPhoto.com. He is the author of The Yosemite Photographer's Handbook, and The Yellowstone Photographer's Handbook. His work has been published in numerous books including publications by The Sierra Club, The National Geographic Society, Little Brown, APA Insight Guides, Sequoia Communications, Prentice Hall, Hyperion Books, Companion Press, Cachuma Press. Currently Lewis is a contributing editor to Outdoor Photographer and PC Photo magazines.

Lewis photographs in color using 35mm and 4 x 5 cameras. He has been named to Canon USA’s elite group of photographers, The Explorers of Light. Canon USA has selected 62 photographers to represent Canon and its photographic products.

For more on Lewis, please visit his 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.

At Pushkar Fair

Sunset at Pushkar Fair

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

Qutab Minar, Delhi

AThe dunes beyond Dera

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Taj Mahal, Agra