Current Photo Tours 2013 Schedule

        - India Photo Tour - February 3rd to 17th, 2013        

                   - Ireland Photo Tour - August 17th to September 1st, 2013                  

India Photo Tour - "Tradition, Culture, Wildlife and Beauty"

The timeless beauty of Incredible India awaits the adventurous and creative eye of the photographer.  Bounded by the majestic Himalayan ranges in the north and edged by an endless stretch of golden beaches, India is a vivid kaleidoscope of landscapes, magnificent historical sites and royal cities.  Combine that with her colourful people, festivities and rich cultures, then India through the lens offers endless opportunities. 

It will be great to share the beauty of India with the photographers and guests that will be joining us on this tour.  This trek will offer up many different types of photography and photo opportunities as I have selected a very good cross section of locations that we will be visiting during the tour.  Urban life comes alive with the Maha Kumbh Mela festival in Allahabad, and we will be there to capture it.  Flying from Delhi to Varanasi to experience and capture this once every 12 year pilgrimage will be an experience of a lifetime.  The beautiful landscapes and wildlife will add the perfect mix to this photo adventure.  

    India’s age-old motto is “Athithi Devo Bhava” ... Where the a guest is treated as God.  I look forward to experiencing India a living heritage with you in February.

                                                                                                           James Cowie

 

MAHA KUMBH MELA FESTIVAL ...

This tour includes internal return flights from Delhi to Varanasi and three days photographing the Maha Kumbh Mela Festival.

The Maha Kumbh Mela (gret urn fair) is the greatest festival in the Hindu religious calendar.  It is a holy gathering and festival at the Ganges river, the holiest of rivers in India.  The festival last's 42 days, every 12 years.  We have scheduled our visit during the highlight of the festival which brings together the faithful from all across India, businessmen, priests, farmers, widows ... the dates are determined by the allignment of the planet and the stars.  The locations are where the gods are believed to have accidentally spilled drops of water from an urn containing the nectar of eternal life.  This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience to behold and photogaph.

We will be flying return from Pearson International Airport in Toronto via Amsterdam to Delhi via KLM Airlines.  Arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport, our first day will be spent photographing and exploring the culture and urban life of Dehli.  

Divided into Old and New Delhi each region offeres up distinctive differences. While in Dehli we will visit the Red Fort, which is the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire.  We will also have opportunity to visit largest mosque in India, and the bustling and colourful market of the Old City will round off our visit.

Maha Kumbh Mela Festival family bathing

After two nights in Delhi we will transfer to the Delhi airport for our flight to Varanasi.  Our afternoon will be spent having a photo shoot at Sarnath. Sarnath is 10 kms from city centre and symbolizes the birth of Buddhism.  It was here the Lord Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community.  The caring works that can be found here date back to 3rd centrury B.C. to 12th century A.D.  While in Varanasi we will be staying at the Radisson hotel.

Early the next morning we will photogaph and experience sunrise on the Ganges River.  We will do this via a boat ride down the river.  This is a soul stirring experience as you witness the performance of various rituals in the background of the rising sun.  We will spend time on walking photo trek arond the city photographing the narrow streets which have been preserved as they were 100's of years ago. 

While in Varanasi we will hold a photo shoot at the Durga Temple, better know as the Monkey temple on account of it's population of residing monkeys.  We will also be visiting Vesheshwar one of the most sacred spots in the city. We will have plenty of culture, people and tradition to capture during our visit.

Jama Masjid, Mosque, Delhi

The following morning we will drive to Allahabad Kumbh Mela and check into our Luxury Tented Hotel.  The Kumbh Mela festival dates back to ancient times and and we will be on hand for the next few days to experience and capture the pilgramage in it's fullest.  This is an experience of a lifetime.

Maha Kumbh Mela Festival

Flying Varanasi to Delhi we will then travel via our motor coach to Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan, it is also know as the "Pink City".  This city is an abode of extensive boulevards and beautiful gardens.  While in Jaipur we will be staying at the Orchid Hotel.  

While visiting the Jaipur region we will ascend to the Amber Fort by Elephant. The former capital of the royal Rajputs.  This hill top fortress is located 11 km north of Jaipur and will offer up many interesting photographs.  We will also be visiting Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a five storied structure of pink sandstone with honeycombed windows.  It was built in 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down unseen by the world.

Elephant journey to the top of Amber Fort, Jaipur

The next leg of our journey takes us to Ranthambore for the safari portion of our tour to photograph the tiger on three game drives within the 410 kms of Rathambore National Park.  The three outings over the next couple of days will serve up opportunity to photograph the tiger, leopard the elusive jungle cat,, hyena, jackal, fox, and the samber deer which is the pride of the park. 

While in this region we will be staying at the Dev Vilas Resort, a very comfortable way to experience safari life.

Opportunity to photograph the tiger during 3 game drives

After our two day game reserve experience we will stop at Fatehpur Sikri (Ghost Capital) enroute to Agra.   The early abandoned capital of the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586.  Akbar built this city to celebrate the birth of his son and future heir to the thrown, Emperor Jahangir.  Akbar is believed to have been illiterate, taking interest in the arts and architecture; Fatehpur Sikri is one of his masterworks.  Fatehpur Sikri only served as the capital for a little more than a decade and was eventually abandoned for lack of accessible water.

We will continue our drive to Agra, which is beautifully situated on the banks of the river Yamuna.  It achieved it’s prominence as the capital of the Mughal emperors from the year 1526 to 1628, and today remains a major destination in India because of its many splendid Mughal era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage sites.  Upon arrival to Agra we will check into our hotel.  While in Agra we will be staying at the Clarks Shiraz Hotel.

Sunrise Taj Mahal

We will also have an early morning sunrise photo shoot of the famous 17th century masterpiece Taj Mahal.  Perhaps the most perfect architectural monuments in the world.  It was built in the memory of the beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal one of the greatest kings Shahjehan of the Mughal Empire.

We will visit the Agra Fort or the Red Fort.  This impressive fort was built by Akbar between 1565 to 1573 A.D.  The fort represents Mughal architecture at its peak.

Then back to Delhi and to the airport for our return flight back home.  We have made arrangements after airport check in for our guests to use a private lounge that offers many comforts including Wi-Fi, complementary food, beverages and plenty of space to relax prior to our evening flight.

"India is a country rich with beauty and history, the land of culture and traditions.  Each lacation has been selected to offer you the ultimate photographic opportunities.  India's native language is Hindi, but a good majority of the folk speak english and are always happy to help. The average temperature during our visit  lows of 10C and highs of 25C.  I look forward to you joining us on this photo adventure to incredible India".

                                                                                                               James

Our India Photo Tour is $5990.00 CAD per person plus air taxes of $720.00, this is based on double occupancy, single supplement is an additional $1595.00.  Package price includes KLM International flights and internal India flights from Delhi to Varanasi. This tour price is based out of Toronto.  If departing from another city please contact us for pricing.

Includes:

• Round trip motor coach via Badder Coach to Pearson International Airport, Toronto,
• Departures from Sarnia, London, and Woodstock,
• Round Trip Airfare via KLM Airlines,
• Round Trip Airfare Delhi to Varanasi for Maha Kumbh Mela Festival 
• Varanasi boat tour on the Ganges 
• All Accommodations while in India,
• Breakfast and Dinner included each day of the tour,
• Lunch included on day 5, 6, 7 and day 8,
• All airport and hotel transfers,
• Luxury air conditioned motor coach and local guide while in India,
• Mineral water during the tour on the motor coach
• Any local admissions to monuments as mentioned in itinerary,
• Elephant ride at Amber Fort, Jaipur (elephants subject to availability)
• Rickshaw ride on the streets of Chandi Chowk, Old Delhi,
• Camel cart ride from parking area to Taj Mahal gate, Agra,
• 3 game drives in Sawai Madhopur (Rathambore National Park)
• Access to private lounge Delhi Airport, prior to return flight departure,
• Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie

** Schedule may vary according to weather and travel conditions.

** Guests must have a valid passport, your passport must be valid for a min of 6 months after your return travel date, and a valid India tourist visa for entry.  

Tour Exclusions:  Any item not listed on the itinerary, gratuities to India guide or driver, India visa or visa fee, personal insurance coverage, alcoholic beverages, and laundry.

A non refundable deposit of $875 CAD is required at time of booking, balance of $5835.00 CAD due on Dec. 1st, 2012.  After deposit payment you may also select the payment option of $1945 Sep 1st, 2012, $1945, Oct 15th, 2012 and 1945 Dec 1st, 2012.  We recommend the purchase of travel and health insurance as tour takes us out of the country. Health insurance is highly recommended.

Booking space for this tour may be done online click here for our registraton page, by contacting James Cowie at 519-679-8520 ext. 2223 or by email jcowie@carlsonwagonlit.com or Shari Parker at 519-679-8520 ext 2231 or by email s.parker@carlsonwagonlit.com  Online booking is available on this page by selecting India Photo Tour Register.

 Link to Registration

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