Magical Rajasthan & the Pushkar Camel Fair | Wild Photography Holidays - Photography & Adventure Travel

Magical Rajasthan & the Pushkar Camel Fair

Highlights include…

• The Pushkar Camel Fair
• Dramatic Hindu ceremonies
• Jodhpur’s ‘Blue City’
• Eagles of Mehrangarh Fort
• Historical step wells
• Superb street and portrait photography
• Historic palaces, forts and temples
• Jaisalmer & Thar Desert
• Luxury Desert Camp
• Flower markets and bazaars
• Udaipur romantic ‘Venice’ of India
• Aravelli Hills & Jain temples
• Leopard safari
• Two included flights in India

Introduction

Join Wild Photography Holidays in Rajasthan, “Land of Great Kings”. Our varied journey will take you through some of the most magical, vibrant, and photo-friendly places you could ever wish for with the added bonus of the Pushkar Camel Fair, one of India’s biggest and best Melas. Our hotels is Rajasthan are all delightful peaceful havens steeped in tradition and stylish comfort. This photographic tour has been designed carefully to minimise the long journeys that are often common in this vast state. We fly from Delhi to Jaisalmer on Day 2 and from Ajmer to Delhi on Day 15, this saving many hours of driving.
Our first stop is in Jaisalmer which is located in the vast Thar Desert. The city fort is a living urban centre with about three thousand people residing within its fortified walls. It is honeycombed with narrow winding lanes, lined with houses, temples and bazaars. The golden hues of the fort particularly at sunset adds to its photographic appeal. Exploring Jaisalmer Fort is a journey into the heart of Rajasthan’s rich history and culture. Our first night will be spent in a luxury desert camp close to Jaisalmer where all rooms have en-suite bathrooms and we can easily explore and photograph desert life.
Jodhpur the “Blue city” and gateway to the Thar is our next location. A striking fort, step wells, winding lanes of blue houses, Eagles and bustling bazaars afford us a wide variety of photographic subjects. En route south to Udaipur we make a one night stop in the scenic Aravelli Hills where we will encounter one of India’s most beautiful Jain temples. These hills are also home to much wildlife including Leopards, a safari to see these graceful big cats is included.
Following Ranakpur spend three nights in our penultimate location, Udaipur, the romantic ‘Little Venice’ of Rajasthan. Now we will be able to relax enjoying the many lakeside locations, temples, striking ceremonies and vibrant street life on offer. Our Rajasthan tour culminates with four nights in Pushkar to witness the significant and celebrated Pushkar Camel Fair, one of the continent’s last great traditional melas, the largest of its kind in the world; a spectacle on a truly epic scale.
Our photographic journeys in incredible India are the result of the many years we have spent travelling and making pictures in this extraordinarily diverse and mystical land. We provide an opportunity for our guests to travel with professional photographers, interact with local people and to experience the wild and wonderful culture and landscapes of India. Guests can expect to return home having had great holiday with a great portfolio of images topped off with a bunch of fabulous memories and some new like-minded friends. Namaste!

Guides & Tutors

The tour will be led by Geraldine Westrupp and Martin Sammtleben.

Daily Itinerary

For full details please download the trip description PDF

Day 1: Delhi

Arrive in Delhi and transfer to our city hotel which is well situated in a good location. If you want to add on a couple of days before the trip starts or after it finishes, enquire at the time of booking. We will meet as a group for the first time today at 19:00 for introductions, a trip briefing & dinner at the hotel.
Hotel Delhi (D)

Day 2: Fly to Jaisalmer, Thar Desert

This morning we drive to Delhi Airport for a morning flight across Rajasthan to Jaisalmer, (The Golden City). On arrival we will transfer to a luxury camp in the Thar Desert. Surrounded by huge hills and sand dunes we will be well placed to explore and photograph life in the desert. We will travel using camels and vehicles suitable for the terrain. At Khuri Village we will experience the hospitality and cultural experiences that are so much a part of Rajasthan. Our tented accommodation has en-suite bathrooms.
Desert Camp (B,L,D)

Day 3,4: Jaisalmer and the Thar Desert

After breakfast we will further explore further Thar local village life before taking the short drive to our Jaisalmer city hotel. Jaisalmer is home to a magnificent fort that is a living urban centre, with about 3000 people residing within its walls. It is honeycombed with narrow winding lanes, lined with houses and temples. The fort’s golden hue, particularly at sunset, adds to its allure. Exploring Jaisalmer Fort is a journey into the heart of Rajasthan’s rich history and culture. We will spend the afternoon of Day 3 and the whole of Day 4 photographing and exploring. Our locations include iconic step wells, Gadisar Lake at sunrise, The Golden Fort at sunrise and sunset. Arguably the men of Jaisalmer wear the biggest turbans in India and the women the most beautifully coloured saris.
Jaisalmer Hotel (B,L,D)

Day 5,6: Jodhpur

Today we drive to Jodhpur (4.5 hrs). Approximately halfway we will stop at the village of Kinchen to photograph a unique gathering of Demoiselle Cranes. Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan popularly known as the Blue City. It is often called the ‘Gateway to Thar’ as it is literally on the edge of this vast desert. It is also called the Sun City as the sun shines very brightly almost every day of the year, hence the need for cooling blue houses.
The photographic opportunities are diverse and you can expect to spend a photographically productive and enjoyable time exploring this fascinating city. Many of the cities buildings, including the houses that are packed into the winding backstreets are vivid shades of blue. The old city, is a mis-mash of Brahmin residences, little temples and cobbled streets stretch out to the sixteenth century city wall. Inside the maze of blueness, photographers can delight in the winding, glittering medieval streets which never seem to lead where you expect them to and are populated by colourful friendly residents. The bazaars are scented by incense, roses, delicious frying sweets and samosas. Here we can buy everything from temple decorations and Indian sweets to snuff and saris.
The huge fort of Mehrangarh perched high on a rocky ridge totally dominates the city skyline. It is common to see and photograph a large number of Eagles that gather on most days. We spend three nights here staying in a well-appointed and authentic Haveli hotel with excellent views of the surrounding ‘Blue City’.
Haveli Hotel Jodhpur (B,L,D)

Day 7: Ranakpur

After breakfast we leave for Ranakpur (3.5 hrs). Gradually we leave behind the arid plains of the Thar Desert to encounter the green forested Aravelli hills, lazy rivers and unspoilt local villages. The hills are home to much wildlife including Leopards, a safari to see these graceful big cats is included. We will spend one night in a hotel in the midst of greenery. We will also spend time exploring and photographing some rarely visited local villages. Perhaps the most outstanding and well known feature of Ranakpur is the remarkable Jain Temple. This temple is hidden away and built in the Aravelli Hills. The construction of this UNESCO heritage temple started back in the 15th century and is home to some of the most impressive marble carvings on earth.
Haveli Hotel Ranakpur (B,L,D)

Day 8,9,10: Udaipur

This morning we leave before sunrise for a Leopard Safari. The Leopards live on the periphery and in harmony with the local villagers. We will drive with local spotters who are very familiar with the movements of these graceful big cats. After breakfast we journey for two hours to Udaipur, a magical city that has a romantic setting unmatched in Rajasthan and possibly in all India. Otherworldly palaces, temples, havelis and the lovely Lake Pichola. Lazy travel by boat is common in Udaipur which is often referred to as the ‘Venice of India’. In the town we will be wandering and photographing in a maze of crooked, medieval streets, ancient bazaars and flower markets. In addition to the superb and classic sunsets over Lake Pichola, the country roads and areas surrounding Udaipur are most attractive and populated with small traditional villages. The wooded Aravelli Hills stretch away in every direction.
Lakeside Hotel Udaipur (B,L,D)

Day 11,12,13,14: Pushkar Camel Fair

Today we make our way to the holy town of Pushkar (5hrs). Located on the edge of the Thar Desert, the town is a visually attractive collection of white-washed temples sprawled around the pink-blue waters of the lake that Hindus believe formed when a lotus flower petal slipped from the hand of the God of creation, Lord Brahma. Pushkar is one of the oldest towns in India and its lake can be dated with certainty to at least the 4th century BC. The Pushkar Mela is attended by a vast number of Pilgrims, Sadhus, Holy men, camels, cattle, horses, traders and, according to Hindu belief, thirty three million gods – the entire Hindu pantheon.
Our visit is timed to coincide with the main animal trading of Camels, Horses and assorted livestock that kicks off the Mela. The camel strewn dunes and the non-stop carnival surrounding the serious business of trading makes for rich photography. Pilgrims, villagers, musicians, acrobats and performers mingle together; a pulsating and colourful pageant that is typical of India! As the full moon approaches, scores of pilgrims and orange robed sadhus and Hindu holy men, stream into town to bathe in the waters of Pushkar Lake. We stay for three nights in a peaceful and lovely hotel located right on the holy lake, we could not be in a better position spiritually or photographically!
Lake Hotel Pushkar (B,L,D)

Day 15: Fly to Delhi

Today there will be a single group transfer of one hour to Ajmer Airport for the flight to Delhi where WPH services finish. Guests may be getting a homeward flight or perhaps requiring an extra night in an airport hotel. This is not included in the price of the holiday but we can arrange this with our colleagues in Delhi. Flight timings and weight limits will be sent out when we have confirmed these with our local colleagues.
(B)

A note re driving times: the driving times given do not include any stops for photography or otherwise!

Joining Arrangements and Transfers

Participants generally arrive at different times of the day/night as they will book their own flights opting for the best deals available. Participants should aim to fly in and out of Delhi International Airport as this will tie in with the included transfers. The first night hotel will be available for check-in at mid-day on Day 1. If participants arrive several hours before this they may prefer us to book them in for an early check-in to get some valuable rest. This is not included.

What’s Included

• All meals
• All hotels (14 nights)
• Indian guide English speaking
• Spacious AC transport
• English speaking tour guide/organiser
• Photography tutor/tuition
• All entrance fees
• Camera fees except for any video equipment
• Transfers from Delhi Int. Airport to group hotel (Day 1)
• Flight Delhi – Jaisalmer (Day 2)
• Transfer Jodhpur to Ajmer Airport (Day 15)
• Flight Ajmer – Delhi (Day 15)

What’s Not Included

• International flights
• Travel & medical insurance
• Alcohol
• Food & drinks other than meals
• Tips for local staff
• Indian visa
• Onward transfers from Delhi Airport (Day 15)

Complete Itinerary and Full Details

This page is only a brief summary. A complete itinerary and more details can be found in our trip description PDF
It is important that you read this full day-to-day description and further information for this holiday before making your booking.