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India: Pushkar Camel Fair & the Taj Mahal
Nov 3 - 17, 2013 with Photojournalist Karl Grobl,
Optional Extension Nov 28 - Dec 3, 2012

The Pushkar Fair is, in itself, enough to justify an expedition, but on this trip we will also be visiting other fascinating destinations such as Delhi, Jaisalmer, Jaipur and Jodhpur. To top off our adventure we will also visit and photograph the Taj Mahal. We'll begin in Delhi, the heartbeat of Northern India, where we'll have time to explore ancient forts, wander the markets, and experience the history surrounding both the old and new sections of the city.

Jaisalmer, rising out of the heart of the Great Indian Desert is the quintessential India of your dreams. With the oldest living fort in the world, the city is a mass of intricately carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. It's temple , fort , and palaces are all built of beautiful yellow stone. Exploring this fascinating city could be a photo destination in and of itself. Jaipur is known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink stone, painted in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples, and lush gardens.

Sitting at the edge of the Thar desert, Jodhpur is dominated by a massive fort, topping a sheer ridge right in the middle of town. Jodhpur is affectionately referred to as the "Blue City" because of the indigo-colored house lining the fascinating winding streets of the old town. These can be seen from the ramparts of the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, which looms high above the buzzing city.

Located far from the cities and paved roads, our luxury encampment at Manvar allows us to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the Indian desert, while being in close proximity to fabulous photo opportunities. In the evening, after a dusty hard day's jeep safari we retreat to Manvar to enjoy delicious Indian cuisine and a wonderful culture and dance performances under the stars. Luni is a feudal town where centuries old traditions still permeate the local lifestyle. Like looking through a window into history, Luni and the surrounding Bishnoi villages provide yet more fascinating, photogenic locations.

To top off this experience of a lifetime, we'll explore and photograph the incredible Taj Mahal, the brilliant white marble jewel of India. Built by Shah Jahan, taking 22 years to complete, the Taj is a marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.

To see Karl's video slide show of the 2008 tour click here

To watch Karl's slide show video of the 2007 tour click here . . . . .

To watch Karl's slide show video of the 2006 tour click here

To view some of Karl's India images click here

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Itinerary

Day one (Nov 3) :  Arrive from your flight to Delhi (or driving from Agra if on
extension). You will be transported from the airport to our hotel in downtown Delhi. We'll have an orientation meeting and go to dinner.
We'll spend the night in Delhi.

Day Two: After breakfast we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi, visiting such sights as the Qutab Minar - 237 feet high and one of
the most perfect towers in the Persian world. In the afternoon cross over to Old Delhi to photograph interesting mosques, monuments
and forts relating to its chequered history as the capital of Muslim India between the 17th and 19th centuries. The tour includes a visit to
the Jamma Mosque, built in 1650. During the tour you'll have the opportunity to ride on cycle rickshaws. This is a great way to explore
and photograph the hustle and bustle as well as the color of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling
all description of goods. We'll spend the night in Delhi. . . . . . . . . . . . Dag

Day Three: In the morning board our flight to the Blue City of Jodhpur. Upon arrival we'll check into the legendery Ajit Bhawan Hotel.
Built exclusively for Majaraja ir Ajit Sing, it is vibrantly alive with the personalized hospitality provided by the late Maharaja's family who

still lives there. In the afternoon we'll have a guided tour of the Blue City of Jodhpur. We'll visit the massive fort, royal palaces, the armory
and Jaswant Thada - the Royal Crematorium. We'll spend the night in Jodhpur.

Day Four: In the morning we'll have a sunrise shoot of the amazing Blue City. After some free time, in the afternoon we'll photograph
and explore another part of the city. We'll spend the night in Jodhpur.

Day Five: In the morning we'll drive through desert country to Jaisalmer, stopping along the way at roadside tea shops for impromptu
photo sessions or at a school if class is in session. Depending on road conditions, we may arrive in Jaisalmer early enough in the afternoon
to sneak a quick look at the Jaisalmer Fort, with its exquisite carving on yellow sandstone.The Golden City of Jaisalmer is a testimony of a
by-gone era. At sunset we'll move from the fort to the outskirts of town to photograph a golden sunset at the nearby Cenatophs.
We'll spend the night in Jaisalmer.

Day Six: In the morning we'll have a sunrise shoot of the Jaisalmer Fort, then tour the residential portions of the fort where one third
of the population of the old city lives. The design of the houses and the lifestyles of the people occupying them remain as they were a
couple of centuries back. We'll also witness the ornate havelis of this ancient citadel. Later in the day we go on an excursion to the
fascinating desert village dunes of Khuri. The friendly locals will invite us into their simple mud homes with earthen floors and no
electricity or running water. Here the women walk two kilometers to the well and carry the water home on their heads. It is here that
we'll explore the desert on camel back. We'll photograph silhouettes of the camels in the desert with the backdrop of the setting
sun. The stillness of the desert, the clear sky, local Rajasthani music and the general atmosphere make the place a very romantic
experience. We'll spend the night in Jaisalmer.

Day Seven: Today we wake up early to phot ograph sunrise overadisar Lake then return to our hotel for breakfast. After breakfast
we drive to Manvar . Upon arrival we check into our luxurious, permanent tents, located right in the heart of the Great Indian
Thar Desert. Our accomodations offer a rare opportunity to enjoy Rajasthan's desert life, culture, wildlife and beauty. We'll be treated to a
sunset jeep safari and then a fireside cultural performance. We'll spend the night at Manvar Desert Resort (Tented Camp).

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Day Eight: A leisurely day is spent in the desert. We'll enjoy a camel or jeep safari to local villages in the middle of the desert. We'll
also have some time for photography discussions and rest. In the evening we'll be treated to yet another memorable cultural
performance of dance and music under the stars. We'll spend the night at Manvar.

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Day Nine: After breakfast we'll drive to visit the Bishnoi Village, where centuries old traditions still permeate the feudal lifestyles. We'll

witness an opium ceremony, a ritual by which guests are welcomed. Colorfully attired men and women carry on their chores and traditions

in their mud-floored village huts. In the afternoon we'll continue on to Luni, where we'll spend the night at Fort Chanwa.

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Day Ten: In the morning we'll drive to Pushkar where we'll check into our Swiss Tents (with hot water provided in buckets, flush
toilets, and several hours of electricity each evening). We'll have two days here to witness the amazing spectacle called Pushkar. There
will be plenty to photograph - the countless camels ambling their way across the golden sands of Rajasthan, horses marching towards
the site of the fair with their masters and an assemblage of numerous cows and sheeps, men with large colorful turbans, women
wrapped in exquisite jewelry from head to toe and children dressed in their colorful traditional attire. We'll spend the night in Pushkar.

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Day Eleven: We'll have the whole day to wander and photograph Pushkar. The fair is initially devoted to the trade of camels, sheep,

horses and cows. Their owners, dressed in colorful attire use all of their persuasive skills to sell them at the most competitive prices.
The festival also offers the women an opportunity to purchase a huge variety of jewelry items. There are also stalls where colorful
clothing is sold as well as tattoo shops, jugglers and fire dancers. As the fair nears its climax, various competitive events are held, such
as camel races, musical chairs, and beauty contests. All in all it makes for a photographer's delight. We'll spend the night in Pushkar.

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Day Twelve: After a leisurely breakfast we'll make the three hour drive to the city of Jaipur. The people here are known to
be dynamic and colorful, and a walk through the lanes here is a walk through history. Here pink turbans jostle with saffron odhinis
(ladies' scarves), and camel buggies and elephants are as commonly found as cars and buses. In the afternoon we'll go for a walking
tour of Jaipur and its colorful bazaars. We'll spend the night in Jaipur.

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Day Thirteen: In the morning we'll visit and photograph Amber Fort, the hilltop fortress / palace 7 miles north of Jaipur, which was
the former capital of the royal Jaipur. We'll also visit the Hwa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a five-story structure of pink sandstone with
delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. In the afternoon we'll go on a tour of the Observatory and
photograph the fascinating structures. We'll spend the night in Jaipur.

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Day Fourteen: Today we drive to Agra with a possible stop in Fatepur Sikri. We'll check in to our hotel then head out for an evening
river shoot at the Taj Mahal. We'll spend the night in Agra.

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Day Fifteen (Nov 17 ): We'll start the morning with a sunrise shoot at the Taj Mahal before heading back to Delhi to meet
international departure flights.
or.........continue on the optional extension to Haridwar and Amritsa (After arrival in Delhi we'll be transported to our hotel) .

Nov 17 - 22

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Day 15 ( Nov 28 ):  Arrive from Agra . You will be transported to our hotel in downtown Delhi.
We'll spend the night in Delhi.

Day 16 : Early morning, transfer to the train station to board our train to Haridwar. Upon arrival in Haridwar we'll transfer to
Haveli Hari Ganga, a beautiful heritage "Haveli" (mansion) situated on the banks of the Holy Ganga. This evening we walk across the bridge
to witness the fascinating Ganga Aarti invocation. The golden reflection of floral diyas in the River Ganges is the most enchanting sight in the
twilight during the Ganga Aarti ceremony at the ghat. The synchronised chanting of prayers that takes place during the Aarti is avery uplifting
experience. We'll spend the night in Haridwar.

Day 17 : After breakfast we explore the un-ending list of attractions in Haridwar including Har-Ki-Pauri, and several Hindu temples and
ashrams. More thatn the architectural designs, it is the spiritual ambience of the place that is so striking. The Daksh Mahadev Temple is an
ancient shrine situated to the south of Kankhal town. Other important places to visit are the Sapt Rishi Ashram, the Kanva Rishi Ashram, the
Bharat Mata Temple, Maya Devi Temple, Bhimgoda, and Shanti Kunj. We'll spend the night in Haridwar.

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Day 18: In the morning we will return to Delhi by train, and board a flight to Amritsar. We'll spend the night in Amritsar.

Day 19: Amritsar is home to the Sikh religion and Sikhism's holiest shrine, the Golden Temple. The Golden Temple is an amazing
gold-plated gurdwara which seems to float in the middle of its holy pool. The gold temple is a sight that rates alongside the Taj Mahal.
We will visit the temple before sunrise to witness the ceremonious pilgrimage that takes place each and every day. In the evening we
will drive the 35 km outside of Amritsar to Wagah for the fascinating and unusual Wagah Border Ceremony. We'll spend the night in Amritsar.

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Day 20 ( Dec 3 ): Return to Delhi by train. Upon arrival in Delhi, tranfer to airport hotel to eat, then rest and relax in the lobby before
you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight (or check in if you would like to stay for a night).

"If there is one place on the face of the earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very
earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India" -Romain Rolland-

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