Current Photo Tours 2012 Schedule

   - India Photo Tour - November 18th to December 1st, 2012

              - Polar Bear Photo Tour - October 27th to November 1st, 2012  

                     - Holiday Photo Tour Frankenmuth - Sunday December 9th, 2012

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

India Photo Tour - "Echoes of Culture, Tradition and Beauty"

February 3rd to 17th, 2013 please click on this link for information and booking.

India Photo Tour - "Incredible India ... Echoes of Culture, Tradition and Beauty.  A journey of photography and majestic discovery."

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, misty mountian retreats, colourful people, rich cultures and festivities.  The timeless beauty of Incredible India awaits the adventurous and creative eye of the photographer.

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 an amazing cross section of locations.

I'm very excited to have made arrangements that our group will have the opportunity to photograph the Taj Mahal under the full moon, and to have set up a visit to Ranthambore National Game Park to photograph the Bengal Tiger. We will have a total of three games drives while visiting Ranthambore.

On this tour we will be flying from Pearson International Airport in Toronto via Amsterdam then on to Delhi.  For this tour we will be flying via KLM Airlines. Arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport, we will spend our first day 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.  The bustling and colourful market of the Old City will round off our visit.

Columns of Red Fort Delhi India

We will travel from Delhi by train to Ajmer.  While in this region we will be spending time photographing the many temples, observing the pilgrims that come from many places to take a holy dip in the scared lake of Pushkar, and the fun and festivities of the Pushkar Camel Festival.  There are over 400 temples in Pushkar.

Pushkar is centred around water, Pushkar's lake is surrounded by ghats full of bathing Indian folk.  The story goes that Brahma dropped a lotus flower to earth and where it landed the holy waters of Pushkar were formed.  Encompasing the ghats is a vibrant market, adding to the energy of this bustling town.

We will then travel from Pushkar to Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan, is 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 ascent 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 ve 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.

Assending the stairs to the hill top of Amber Fort,

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 photography the tiger, leopard, hyena, jackal, fox, the elusive jungle cat, 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.

Game drive Ranthambore National Park

After a two day game reserve experence we will depart the Ranthambore region and travel to Bharatpur.  Our journey will take us to Keoladeo Ghana nationa park, which is known for being one of the most outstanding wetlands reserves in Asia.  Declared a bird reserve in 1956, and a national Par in 1982 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Our tour of the Keoladeo national Park will be on rickshaw (3-wheel cycle) with our guide and of course the right combination of light and patience to photograph the many species of birds.  The park is spread over a 20 km area and nestles more than 350 species of aquatic birds.  Some of the species are the Sarus, Sibeerian White Crane, Open billed storks, and painted storkes. Many of these birds migrate in the winter from Siberia, Afganistan, China and Turkmenistan.  While in this region we will be staying at the Laxmi Vilas Palace.

Images from Keoladeo Ghana National Park and Bird Sanctuary,

 Departing from the beautiful wetlands we will begin our journey to Agra, en route we will stop at Fatehpur Sikri (Ghost Capital), 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.  Sadly the city only survived a little over a decade due to lack of water.  

Our trek today will take us to Agra which is beautifully situated on the banks of the river Yamuna.  This region is most notably known for the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.  All three are UNESCO World Heritage sites.  

In the evening we will embark for a sunset and full moon photography session at the Taj Mahal.  We have selected this time of day at the Taj Mahal because dusk brings a mystique to this structure offering up many photo opportunities and challenges to capture this world renowned building as only photographers can.  As the dark skies of evening take over, the Taj Mahal becomes an ornament decorated by the full moon adding another dimension to our images.

We will return the following morning for sunrise photogaphy, capturing the morning mist along the river.

We will complete our vist to Agra by visitng the Agra Fort and do a walking tour of the market place.  While in Agra we will also have some free time for additional photography and exploring.

The following day we will begin our journey back to Delhi and then 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 will be lows of 12C and highs of 27C. I look forward to you joining us on this photo adventure to incredible India".  

                                                                                                                    James,

Your tour includes: 

• Round trip via Ayr Coach Lines to Pearson International Airport, Toronto
• Departures from London and Woodstock,
• Round trip Airfare via KLM Airlines,
• Accommodations while in India,
• Breakfast and Dinner included each day of the tour,
• Lunch included on day 5 and day 9,
• All airport and hotel transfers,
• Luxury air conditioned motor coach and local guid while in India,
• Any local admissions to monuments as mentioned in itinerary,
• Elephant ride at Amber Fort, Jaipur (elephants subject to availability)
• Train fare from Delhi to Ajmer by AC Chair Car Executive Class,
• Rickshaw ride on the streets of Chandi Chowk, Old Delhi
• Camel ride at Pushkar Camel Festival
• Horse cart ride from parking area to Taj Mahal gate, Agra,
• 3 game drives in Sawai Madhopur (Rathambore National Park)
• Rickshaw ride in Keoladeo national Bird Sancturary, Bhaaratpur,
• Access to private lounge Delhi Airport, prior to return flight departure,
• Tour hosted and escorted by photographer James Cowie,

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

** 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.

Booking space for this tour may be done online by selecting India Photo Tour Register on this page or by contacting James Cowie at 519-679-8520 ex 2223 or toll free 866-614-7717 or by email jcowie@carlsonwagonlit.com or Shari Parker at 519-679-8520 ex 2231or toll free 866-614-7717 or by email s.parker@carlsonwagonlit.com

                        

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