Rajasthan - A Photo Tour Through The Back Of Beyond
This trip is tailor-made for photographers. Details about the trip are mentioned in
the introduction. One thing that needs highlighting here is that the distances between the
destinations are very short, thus cutting down journey time between destinations. Besides
this, the shorter distances between places would allow us to get off our bus and walk for
sometime for the countryside - say an hour at a time before the coach comes round to pick
us up. This is very helpful for photography because there is nothing more frustrating than
sitting in a bus and see a cracking picture go by. With shorter distances will not put
pressures of time for covering distances and thus will give more photographic opportunity
on the way. Actually it is quite surprising that while travelling from one place to
another, we could get some smashing pictures of rural life.
Day 01 : Arrival / Delhi
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and traditional welcome with garlands. Transfer to
Hotel The Connaught. Afternoon guided tour of Old and New Delhi. The highlight of this
tour would be a cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling streets of Old Delhi.
Overnight at Hotel The Connaught
Day 02 : Delhi / Jodhpur
This is a free day to relax. For those interested, a visit to the popular wholesale
fish market can be organised. There could be some nice pictures here. Fish of all shape
and varieties are placed here in heaps and when once sold to the retailer he carries them
into a basket over his head. In the evening we connect an overnight train - Mandore
Express (D - 2030; A - 0545 next day). We would have air-conditioned upper category
sleeper berth with blankets and pillows.
Overnight on Train
Day 03 : Jodhpur / Luni (39 Kms)
Early morning arrival. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to Ajit Bhawan
Palace Hotel for breakfast and rest room facilities. After breakfast we leave civilisation
behind and drive to incredible dessert country to Luni. We would stop a few times for
pictures and rural life. Upon arrival we check into Fort Chanwa, meeting and interacting
with the locals and taking their pictures and their lifestyles.
Overnight at Fort Chanwa
Day 04 : Luni / Rohetgarh (30 Kms)
After breakfast we would drive to Rohetgarh. We would partly walk the distance taking
pictures of rural Rajasthan on the way. Upon arrival we check into the Rohetgarh Fort. The
afternoon is free to explore the Rohet village. Actually, on this trip each individual
would have the chance to take pictures at there own pace and of things they like without
worrying about holding up the group. They can be with a group and still retain their
individual approach their individual approach to photography.
Overnight at Rohetgarh Fort
Day 05 : Rohetgarh / Sardar Samand (27 Kms)
Again we walk / ride through fascinating countryside to Sardar Samand. We check into
Sardar Samand Palace, again a former palace of medieval Indian regal charm converted into
a modern hotel. Afternoon we walk through the - lanes of Sardar Samand - watch out for the
camel cart or the stray cows.
Overnight at Sardar Samand Palace
Day 06 : Sardar Samand / Khejarala (85 Kms)
Journey through fascinating dessert country to Khejarala, stopping several times for
pictures of Camel herds shepherds with flocks of sheep etc. upon arrival check into
impressive and majestic Fort Khejarala. The afternoon we visit the Khejarala village
walking through the winding and narrow pathways. The local school, the jewel's shop and
the potters village are worth a special mention.
Overnight at Fort Khejarala
Day 07 : Khejarala
This morning we visit the extremely primitive and extremely colourful village of the
Bishnoi tribe. Their primitive dwellings, theirs wells and their lifestyles are centuries
beyond our time. We would then visit Pipar (20 Kms) to witness block printing on cotton
fabrics - all done by hand.
Overnight at Fort Khejarala
Day 08 : Khejarala / Nimaj
Fascinating drive with several picture stops through dessert country brings us to
Nimaj, which is one of Rajasthan's more backward areas. Upon arrival check into Nimaj
Castle.
Overnight at Nimaj Castle
Day 09 : Nimaj
With its fascinating millet fields, mud plastered or cow dung plastered huts, narrow
pathways, pavements vendors etc. Nimaj is a fascinating little village. We would spend
this day exploring the village.
Overnight at Nimaj Castle
Day 10 : Nimaj / Jodhpur (80 Kms)
We depart late afternoon for Jodhpur. Upon arrival we check into legendary Ajit Bhawan
Palace Hotel, which is an ethnically designed traditional resort and where the Maharaja
still resides.
Overnight at Ajit Bhawan Palace.
Day 11 : Jodhpur / Agra (Overnight Train)
Morning tour of the massive and impregnable Jodhpur Fort - the largest of its kind in
Rajasthan. In the afternoon we have a horse carriage ride to the Clock Tower Bazaar which
is a very colourful and busy wholesale and spice market. Evening connect Howrah Express
train to Agra (D-1715 A-0535)
Overnight at Train
Day 12 : Arrival / Agra
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to hotel Holiday Inn. Morning at
leisure. Afternoon excursion to Fatehpur Sikri. Special magic show of typical Indian
tickets would be performed specially for our group before dinner.
Overnight at Holiday Inn
Day 13 : Agra / Delhi
Guided tour of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. After breakfast guided tour of Agra Fort.
Following lunch, we drive back to Delhi for our final overnight at hotel The Connaught.
Overnight at Hotel The Connaught
Day 14 : Delhi / Departure
Transfer to the International airport to connect onward flight.
END OF TOUR
We also offer customized tours to destinations in Rajasthan. We will be happy to
customize this tour for you to suit your interests and convenience. |
