INDIA Photographer s India: Featuring the Pushkar Camel Fair A Photo Cultural Journey with Lewis Kemper

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1 INDIA Photographer s India: Featuring the Pushkar Camel Fair A Photo Cultural Journey with Lewis Kemper October 20 - November 2, 2017

INDIA Photographer s India: Featuring the Pushkar Camel Fair A Photo Cultural Journey with Lewis Kemper The Indian sub-continent is more than a repository of an ancient civilization; it is a lively

2 INDIA Photographer s India: Featuring the Pushkar Camel Fair A Photo Cultural Journey with Lewis Kemper The Indian sub-continent is more than a repository of an ancient civilization; it is a lively and ever-changing work in progress. Visit a bazaar and groups of women in saris of seemingly impossible combinations of magenta and turquoise vie for visual attention with their sisters in silk of purple and yellow. Every surface is used to catch the eye: Overripe heroes and heroines loom in enormous proportions from film billboards; mud walls are decorated with traditional geometric patterns; camel pelts are clipped to produce swirling paisleys; cattle horns are painted and decorated with brass bells; cycle rickshaws are covered in painted parrots, landscapes and slogans and decorated with chrome studs. Even the natural world is filled with an exuberance of peacock, elephants and tigers. After exploring and photographing historic Delhi, our next highlight will be photographing the religious city of Varanasi on banks of the Ganga River, teeming with pilgrims from all over India. We then head to the heart of Rajasthan visiting the colorful annual camel fair at Pushkar and the pink city of Jaipur. Of course, no photography trip to India is complete without visiting the the monument of love, the Taj Mahal, where we have two sunrises and two sunsets to view and photograph the monument from various angles. One of our favorite regions, Rajasthan is a wonderful destination both, for the photographic enthusiast and the ardent traveler. This Photo Tour to Northern India is designed to have ample time exploring and photographing the various sites at the right time of the day.

Y O U R J O U R N E Y DEPARTURE DATE(S): OCT 20 - NOV 2, 2017 RECOMMENDED FOR: Travelers with a passion for photography who want to view India through the lens of their camera and capture

3 Y O U R J O U R N E Y DEPARTURE DATE(S): OCT 20 - NOV 2, 2017 RECOMMENDED FOR: Travelers with a passion for photography who want to view India through the lens of their camera and capture unforgettable images. HIGHLIGHTS: Discover the holy city of Varanasi Sunset boat ride on the Ganga River Visit the Taj Mahal Explore the pink city of Jaipur Two days enjoying the revelry of the Pushkar Camel Fair ACCOMMODATIONS: 2 nights at The Taj Palace 4 nights at Gateway by Taj 2 nights at Jai Mahal Palace 2 nights at Ananta Spa & Resort have been built on this site, by Hindus, the Mughals and the British, each adding their own flavor. In a matter of minutes you can be transported from a sprawling, elegant garden city to the ancient twisting alleyways of Old Delhi. On your tour of Old Delhi, you will head out to explore this exotic locale with its narrow dirt roads, its myriad people and inexpensive and colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has always been famous. Driving past the Red Fort, you trade your motor vehicle for a bicycle rickshaw, which will take you into the heart of Chandni Chowke (the silver square - so named because of the silver merchants). Negotiating alleyways, which seemingly get narrower and narrower you end up at the Jama Masjid, the largest Muslim mosque in India. This afternoon we have time to explore New Delhi. Our guide will point out the Raj-era architecture in the city center, including the renowned India Gate and Edwin Landseer Lutyens and Herbert Baker s monumental governmental building on the Raisina Hill. From there, visit Humayun s Tomb, where the 2nd Mughal Emperor is interred. This magnificent building was to serve as an inspiration for the Taj Mahal. The tomb is an exquisite example of early Mughal architecture. At the end of a successful photography day we will be treated to a sumptuous Welcome Dinner. Day 3 FLY TO VARANASI (The Taj Palace; B, D) After an early breakfast, we will be transferred to the airport for our flight to Varanasi. Day 1 WELCOME TO DELHI You will be arriving at Delhi s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Proceed through Immigration and Customs to the Arrivals area, where you will be met by a Destination Himalaya representative and transferred to our group hotel. Day 2 EXPLORE DELHI (The Taj Palace) Even when Bombay and Madras were mere trading posts and Calcutta a village of mud huts, Delhi had been the seat of an empire for five hundred years. Through the centuries, eight cities Varanasi is a holy city, its life dedicated to Siva. Like Jerusalem, Rome, and Athens, Varanasi is one of the world s ancient living cities. Nineteenth-century missionary M.A. Sherring was overwhelmed by the antiquity of Benares (Varanasi) when he wrote: Twenty five centuries ago, at least, it was famous. When Babylon was struggling with Nineveh for supremacy, when Tyre was planting her colonies, when Athens was growing in strength, before Rome had become known or Greece had contended with Persia, or Cyrus had added luster to the Persian monarchy, or Nebuchadnezzar had captured Jerusalem, and the inhabitants of Judea had been carried into captivity, she had already risen to greatness, if not to glory.

Mark Twain in his Following the Equator observed: Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together!

To die in Kashi (Varanasi) insures release, or moksa, from the endless karmic cycle of rebirth and suffering. Varanasi is India in microcosm, both the beautiful and the repellant.

4 Mark Twain in his Following the Equator observed: Benares is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend, and looks twice as old as all of them put together! Varanasi is the center of Hindu culture; like Jerusalem it is seen as a holy land and has survived the centuries because of its sanctified place in Indian religious life. To die in Kashi (Varanasi) insures release, or moksa, from the endless karmic cycle of rebirth and suffering. Varanasi is India in microcosm, both the beautiful and the repellant. This afternoon we begin our exploration of Varanasi by visiting the ghats for which the city is so justly famous. At sunset we will have the wonderful experience of a sunset boat ride on the Ganga River, during which we will witness the evening arthi. Day 4 EXPLORE VARANASI We will rise early this morning to take our sunrise boat ride on the Ganga past the ghats. Here, pilgrims gather on the steps that lead down to the river to bathe in the waters of the sacred river as the city begins to come alive in the magical misty light of dawn. You will walk through the streets and visit some of Varanasi s many temples before returning to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, we take a short drive to Sarnath. It was here at the Deer Park of Sarnath that Sakyamuni Buddha, having achieved enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, delivered his first message of the middle path to final nirvana. Also of interest are excavated pillars from the time of the Maurya Dynasty ( B.C) and stupas from as late as the 12th century. These were unearthed during the British archaeological explorations in 1836 and are housed in the museum on site. Day 5 FLY TO AGRA We have one more sunrise to photograph along the banks of the Ganga, before being transferred to the airport for our flight to Agra. On arrival in Agra, you will check in to your hotel and then make our first visit to the Taj Mahal to photograph the renowned architectural treasure at sunset. The Taj Mahal, the most famous Mughal monument, constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, is the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Built in 1631 to enshrine the remains of his queen, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal took 17 years, 20,000 workers, and a king s treasury to build. Mark Twain wrote about the Taj saying For ever and ever the memory of my first glimpse of the Taj will compensate me for creeping around the globe to have that great privilege.

While Theo Cruz reflected The only way I could escape the feeling of being in a dream was to close my eyes.

Experience the Taj up close, and watch the light play on its magnificent lines from other parts of the city; sometimes the reflection of the Taj in the Yamuna River seems as spectacular as the

Drive over the Yamuna River to visit the forerunner of the Taj Mahal the elaborately ornate Itmad ud Daula.

5 While Theo Cruz reflected The only way I could escape the feeling of being in a dream was to close my eyes. We will wander with our guide into the inner chambers of the planet s most famous and most entrancing of this monument to love. Experience the Taj up close, and watch the light play on its magnificent lines from other parts of the city; sometimes the reflection of the Taj in the Yamuna River seems as spectacular as the monument itself. Day 6 EXPLORE AGRA This morning you will rise early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. After breakfast at the hotel, set out to explore Agra. Drive over the Yamuna River to visit the forerunner of the Taj Mahal the elaborately ornate Itmad ud Daula. In memory of her father, this mausoleum was built by Queen Nur Jahan in 1622, and is a perfect example of the fine inlaid stonework and translucent marble screens that Agra is so famous for. Many historians believe that this monument was the inspiration for Shah Jahan to build the Taj and is often described as the petite Taj. After lunch, visit Agra Fort, built by Akbar as his citadel over the years in the finest architectural style. It is an almost perfect fusion between military might and lavish beauty. The fort, approachable through its two lofty main portals on the west and south, was successively occupied by three great Mughals Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan each of whom made significant structural contributions to this complex. Shah Jahan died here, imprisoned by his son, gazing at the Taj Mahal he had built in memory of his wife. We will also have the opportunity of photographing the Taj from across the river at sunset, before returning to our hotel. Day 7 FLY TO JAIPUR After breakfast we depart Jaipur for Agra. En route, we will stop at Fateful Sikri, Akbar s eerily abandoned city, full of elegant small palace structures carved from red sandstone. An hour outside of Agra, Fatepur Sikri was built as the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1570 and Akbar built the city to celebrate the birth of an heir (the future Emperor Jehangir). On arrival in Jaipur, we will be met and transferred to our hotel. Jaipur, the Pink City, is the home of the Rajputs, a group of warrior clans who ruled this part of India for a thousand years, Jaipur was built in 1727 by the warrior-astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh-II. The city is laid out as described in the ancient Hindu treatise on architecture, Shilpa-Shastra. Battlement walls with seven gates encircle the old city; broad avenues divide it into neat rectangles. Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City due to the rose-colored sandstone of the buildings in the old walled city. This afternoon we will venture into the heart of old Jaipur, within the old city walls, to wander and explore the vibrant bazaar a great place to photograph, find a bargain or perhaps a wonderful treasure! (Jai Mahal Palace; B)

Day 8 EXPLORE JAIPUR This morning we tour the Amber Fort and Palace, stopping on the way to photograph and watch the sun light up the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds, photo at left).

6 Day 8 EXPLORE JAIPUR This morning we tour the Amber Fort and Palace, stopping on the way to photograph and watch the sun light up the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds, photo at left). The fort is a beautiful and very well preserved 16th-century structure, built on four levels and surrounded by ruins. It was the location for the Mira Nair movie Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love. We will have the opportunity to ride an elephant to the top of the fort, just as the Royals did years ago. We then visit the City Palace, where the present Maharaja resides. There is a Mughal art museum, housing a lovely collection of Rajasthani & Mughal miniature painting. Part of the complex is an outdoor 18th-century astronomical and astrological observatory (Jantar Mantar) with several incredible sundials (accurate to 0.2 seconds) and very modern-looking astrological markers. Day 9 TO PUSHKAR (Jai Mahal Palace; B) After breakfast we begin our drive three hour to Pushkar. All meals in Pushkar are vegetarian due to the religious nature of the gathering and no alcohol is served. Although the local chefs try to cook a variety of vegetarian dishes, they are hindered by a lack of fresh produce. After checking into our hotel, we make our first visit to the camel fair. The fair is reputed to have in excess of a hundred thousand head of camels, cattle, goats and horses. The gathering takes place for farmers and nomads to trade or purchase livestock. The balance of the day is spent exploring and photographing the fair. Days PUSHKAR CAMEL FAIR (Ananta Spa & Resort; B, L, D) Like the rest of India, festivals play a major role in the Rajasthani way of life, and today you partake in one of the most important, definitely the most dramatic and colorful festivals of them all - the gathering at Pushkar. All over India temples abound dedicated to two of the Indian Trinity of creation: Vishnu the preserver, and Shiva the destroyer. At Pushkar is the sole temple dedicated to the all-powerful Brahma the creator. To bathe in the ghats at Pushkar offers great sanctity. Around the eleventh full moon of every year (Hindu lunar calendar) is a week long festival when everyone in Rajasthan congregates at Pushkar bringing with them, camels to barter with, goats and cows to trade, pottery, jewelry and other fine handicrafts to sell. It is indeed a time of festivity, of music and dance, of trade and barter, and of religious observance. We have two full days to explore and photograph Pushkar, watch the local horse and cattle show, sunset on the camel camps, sunrise at the bathing ghats, the dance dramas - there is activity round the clock. Day 11 TO DELHI AND DEPART (Ananta Spa & Resort; B, L, D) We have our last sunrise shoot before we start our journey back to the USA. Mid-morning we will drive (3 hours) to Jaipur for our flight to Delhi We will be met on arrival and transferred to the Pullman Hotel, located 5 minutes from Indira Gandhi International Airport, where we have day rooms. You will be transferred to the International Terminal for in time for your outbound flight form Delhi. (Day Rooms at The Pullman; B) B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner Nomadic Expeditions reserves the right to change the above itinerary if necessary. ABOUT YOUR TRIP LEADER: LEWIS KEMPER Lewis Kemper has been photographing the natural beauty of North America, and its park lands for over 29 years specializing in nature and outdoor photography. His work has been exhibited and published in magazines, books, and calendars worldwide. Lewis teaches photography for many organizations including Palm Beach Photographic Centre, Santa Fe Workshops, Lepp Institute and BetterPhoto.com. He is the author of The Yosemite Photographer s Handbook, and The Yellowstone Photographer s Handbook. His work has been published in numerous books including publications by The Sierra Club, The National Geographic Society, Little Brown, APA Insight Guides, Sequoia Communications, Prentice Hall, Hyperion Books, Companion Press, Cachuma Press. Currently Lewis is a contributing editor to Outdoor Photographer and PC Photo magazines. He has been named to Canon USA s elite group of photographers, The Explorers of Light. Canon USA has selected 62 photographers to represent Canon and its photographic products. An excellent photographer, Lewis is a skilled teacher, and will assist you in every way, enabling you to bring home wonderful memories, suitable for framing.

7 LAND PRICE 6 7 Participants: $5985 per person 8 10 Participants: $5645 per person Single Supplement: $1400 (if you require single accommodation on tour) Internal India Airfare: $215 per person Economy Class Delhi Varanasi Agra; Jaipur Delhi LAND PRICE INCLUDES: Accommodations as listed above, based on double occupancy and inclusive of all taxes and service charges Internal India airfare (Delhi-Varanasi-Agra; Jaipur-Delhi) All meals after arrival in India to departure from India (Breakfast Day 3 Dinner Day 13) All ground transportation in India using air-conditioned vehicles Sightseeing as noted with experienced English-speaking local guides Sunrise & sunset visits to Taj Mahal All entry fees at all temples, museums, and monuments on sightseeing excursions All arrival/departure airport/hotel transfers Services of photography expert Mr. Lewis Kemper Services of senior local city guides Gratuities to local staff (local city guides, drivers, hotel staff, porters etc.) Govt. Service Taxes as applicable LAND. PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: International airfare, departure taxes and en route stopovers to and from Asia Certain Lunches and Dinners as listed in the above itinerary Gratuities to Trip Leaders Items of a personal nature, such as alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls, etc. WHY TRAVEL WITH NOMADIC EXPEDITIONS? Unrivaled Expertise Nomadic Expeditions was founded in Nothing can compete with the experience we have attained over 25 years of designing luxury adventure travel to Asia. While each trip we design is slightly different than its predecessor, our breadth of knowledge, network of contacts, and experience in the field is unrivaled. Our People We hire the best in the business to create and execute memorable journeys for our clients. From our Expedition Specialists in the United States, Ulaanbaatar, Lhasa, and Thimpu who turn wish lists into reality to our English-speaking, professionally trained guides who share their extensive knowledge of the culture and natural history of our destinations, our staff is what makes Nomadic Expeditions successful. Passion for Travel While our journeys open your eyes to a whole new world of experiences, we understand that choosing to book a trip with us requires time spent away from friends, family, and work. Your time is precious and we take that to heart. It s why we design journeys that go beyond a checklist of attractions. When you travel with us, we want you to remember drinking tea with a nomadic family or digging for fossils with a renowned paleontologist. We imbue our trips with encounters, whether it s with a local resident, a high-ranking government official, or a renowned wildlife conservationist, so you take home more than a set of photographs to frame on your nightstand. Our Philosophy Nomadic Expeditions was founded on the principle of treading lightly long before sustainable travel was a buzz phrase. Every expedition is undertaken with the greatest respect for the lands we explore and the local people we meet. Those who travel with us do so with the assurance that the preservation and protection of the ecosystems and cultures we visit is of the utmost importance to us, both as individuals and as a company. Respect for the places we travel to is at the heart of everything we do, but over our 25 years we have realized additional opportunities where we can lend a hand. We have gone beyond simply treading lightly and have wholeheartedly partnered with local communities and regions. Read more about our sustainable practices and philanthropic efforts here. Still camera and video fees Trip cancellation, travel delay or baggage insurance. Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond Nomadic Expeditions control We would love to share this exceptional adventure with you! Our Expedition Specialists are available from 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM EST, Monday thru Friday Nomadic Expeditions Inc., 1095 Cranbury-South River Road, Suite 20A Monroe Twp., NJ USA Phone: or Fax: info@

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