Holi, the festival of colors, is celebrated all around the world, but the biggest and most colorful gathering takes place in Mathura and Vrindavan of Uttar Pradesh, India. This is the only destination that witnesses an extraordinary vibrancy of culture & colors during this festive season. In this expedition not only drops you into the chaos of the action in the Braj region with an opportunity to capture Holi festival’s stunning images, but you will also explore Agra’s Taj Mahal one of the seven wonders and the Rajasthan’s UNESCO World heritage sites including Jaipur, Jodhpur & Jaisalmer.
This trip was designed to give experienced photographers the best opportunity to capture stunning images at the Holi Festival and Rajasthan. In the Holi images like the ones on this page require being in the thick of the massive crowds, as well as being covered with colored dust, water, and dyes. We have a very experienced ground team with extra local guides who have years of experience maneuvering through the crowds, gaining special access, and finding ways to get you in the best spots and out of the crowds for a breather. Should you wish to pull back from the crowds and shoot from the rooftop view, our ground team will be there to assist you.

DAY 01: Arrival New Delhi, India

Upon arrival into New Delhi International Airport, you will be met and greeted by our representative and privately transferred to the hotel. This afternoon Introduce with our Photo guide, Ms. Tania Chatargee. then followed by your first photoshoot at Delhi city street photography surrounding area of your hotel, or if you need rest you can rest at the hotel. We all meet for a special Welcome Dinner & Enjoy the slideshow presentation by Tania Chatargee, and a detailed briefing about the Holi Festivals and what we will be experiencing during this exciting trip. We will have plenty of time to prepare for a wonderful day in Delhi. This will give us the opportunity to get into the rhythm of India and work out any problems with our gear or techniques before heading into the craziness of one of the most exciting festivals in India.

Photoshoot: Street Photography.
Meals included: Dinner. ( Local Luxury Restaurant)

DAY 02: Old Delhi & Yamuna River Ghat

At the morning will head out to explore Old Delhi with its narrow dirt roads, its myriad of people, and its colorful bazaars that keep alive the traditional workmanship for which Delhi has been famous. We will enjoy a Heritage walk in the heart of Chandini Chowk the silver square, navigating between alleyways which seemingly get narrower and narrower, ending up strolling through the fascinating vendor section. We move next to Jama Masjid, a red sandstone mosque built-in 1656 AD. after that we head towards Yamuna Ghat (the bank of river Yamuna). The daily hustles in the market areas, the religious lifestyle of people and old monuments in contrast with modern architecture will provide you ample scope for street photography. After lunch, we will drive to Agra.

Photoshoot: Old Delhi, colorful Bazar, street & Yamuna River Ghat.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

DAY 03: Taj Mahal

At the morning photo shoots inside and around Taj Mahal (one of the Seven Wonders of the World) with a model in Indian traditional attire. The Taj Mahal is one of the most photographed places in the world. Later visit Agra Fort. – one of the grandest forts in India. Spot beautiful demonstrations of Marble inlay work dispersed all around the city. Relish the ancient artistry of local artists of Agra. Later in the evening and saunter through the inviting Mehtab Bagh and bask in the mesmerizing view of the Taj Mahal at sunset. After that, we will drive one and half hour to arrive Vrindavan. Tonight during dinner, we have a short briefing, about preparation & prepare the camera for the Holi Festival. After dinner, our tour leader will help you to prepare your camera.

Photoshoot: Tajmahal & Agra fort.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

DAY 04: Barsana Lathmar Holi

This morning you will rise for an early breakfast and then head to Barsana to experience the riot of colours of Lathmar Holi. Let the colors start flying, along with the opportunity to create some of the most vibrant and striking creative images you can imagine! Thousands of people from all across India will gather in the nearby villages to celebrate with intense passion and chaos. This Holi celebration is the fight between friends of Krishna and Radha.
When the men from Nandgaon Village reach Barsana, they throw colors on the women, who fight back with batons. The men are well padded because they cannot hit back and can only try to keep the women off by sprinkling colored water on them. If a man gets trapped, he is made to dress like a woman in a sari with all cosmetics and then must dance like a woman. The objective of the men is to install a flag on the temple of Radha at Barsana and claim victory. Each year, new methods are employed to outsmart each other, so every celebration is full of surprises, is unpredictable, and is thrilling to capture!

Photoshoot: Lathmar Holi, Radha Krishna friends fighting.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

DAY 05: Women-folk in colors at Sirji Temple of Nandgaon

This morning you will rise slowly, today we will explore the Sirji Temple of Nandgaon for Samaj Celebration. Today the men of Nandgaon reciprocate and drench everybody specially the women-folk in colors of kesudo, naturally occurring orange-red dye and Palash and the women of Nandgoan beat the invaders from Barsana. In the evening, we will again retreat to the tranquility of our luxury accommodation to recover and engage in lively discussions about all the action of the past two days, preparing for the huge festivities tomorrow.

Photoshoot: Women-folk in colors at Sirji Temple of Nandgaon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

DAY 06: The Most attractive at Vrindavan Holi

After a restful night’s sleep and a warm cup of coffee or tea, we will meet for breakfast and prepare for another amazing day! Bakey Bihari Temple, built by Swami Harida in 1864, is the highly revered shrine of Vrindavan, and is our prime attraction. Common throughout the temple is the chant of “Radhe Radhe”. On Holi, Bankey Bihari is supposed to play Holi, where the whole town of Brindavan gets SUBMERGED in colors and us too if we are in the thick of it all!
We will also get a chance to visit the “widows of Vrindavan” although photographing them is extremely challenging.

Photoshoot: The Most attractive at Vrindavan Holi.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.

DAY 07: Widow Holi of Vrindavan

This morning, we will explore the famous Widow Holi of Vrindavan. Vrindavan is known as the ‘abode of widows’ that shelters them. Breaking the age-old Indian traditions where the widows were barred from participating in Holi festivities, the widows of Pagal baba Widow Ashram at Braj started to play Holi with colors and flowers, singing and dancing in the name of Krishna. After lunch, we will drive to Jaipur heritage city of Rajasthan.

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Photoshoot: Widow Holi of Vrindavan.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 08: Jaipur

After breakfast visit Amber Fort, the former capital of the royal Jaipur then visit the Panna Meena ka Kund stepwell. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajput grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace11 km north of Jaipur. Set on the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, and surrounded by fortified battlements, the palace straddles two sepia-hued tundra hills overlooking Maota Lake, and its sprawling crenelated walls lattice the surrounding hills. Later street photography in colorful markets in Jaipur near Hawa Mahal. After lunch visit Jal Mahal (from outside). Later visit Nahargarh fort. If there is any spot that you have to see at sunset in Jaipur, then it is Nahargarh Fort. The views from the fort are spectacular and look out over the city, pointing West, directly where the sunsets.

Photoshoot:  Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal and Street Photography.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 09: Jaipur – Jodhpur

After breakfast we will drive to Jodhpur, also known as the “The Blue City”, “Sun City” and “Gateway to Thar”, Jodhpur is famous for its Mehrangarh fort, blue houses, temples, sweets and snacks. Apart from the fort, there are multiple temples, lakes, shopping streets that are like a mirage from a bygone era. In the afternoon walk around the Clock Tower market to capture the daily life of local people and  visit Bishnoi Villages and tribes.

Photoshoot: Daily life of Local Peoples and Bishnoi Villages and tribes
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 10: Jodhpur

After breakfast, a leisurely stroll around the beautiful Blue City is the best way to explore Jodhpur’s ancient culture and traditions and street shooting. Later visit Mehrangarh Fort, one of the grandest forts in India. Finally, we find ourselves at the fort itself with its best views over the blue city with soft and mix light.

Photoshoot: Jodhpur’s ancient culture and traditions, Mehrangarh fort and best view of the blue city.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 11: Jodhpur – Jaislamer Golden city

After early breakfast, we’ll drive to magical Jaisalmer Golden city. The drive-in our spacious and comfortable air-conditioned vehicles will be broken up by any interesting photo ops we see along the way. Jaisalmer is a major tourist spot located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan in India. It is known as the ‘golden city’ due to its bounteous golden dunes and castles clad in golden honey sandstone. Jaisalmer is adorned with lakes, ornate Jain temples and havelis. Later start checking out this fairytale city with your senses and through your lenses. This will include the fascinating Jaisalmer Fort from both outside and in.

Photoshoot: Jaisalmer city and  Fort.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 12: Jaisalmer Thar Desert

After breakfast visit some centuries-old havelis (houses). The havelis are famous for their architecture, beautiful balconies, archways and gateways. After lunch, we head out to the Thar desert. The safari guides will ensure that they’ve delivered their guests to the perfect sundowners spot which offers prime viewing of the most idyllic bushveld sunset scenes. There, guests can jump off the Camels and bask in the glow, whilst toasting another perfect day in the Thar Desert. These sundowner spots allow for amazing photographic opportunities too.

Photoshoot: Heritage architecture os Jaisalmer, camel safari at the Thar Desert.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 13: Jaisalmer  to Delhi by Flight

After breakfast visit some tribal villages. Traditional mud and thatched roof houses, local people doing their daily activities are some of the highlights of unexplored India. After lunch, we will back to Delhi by flight. Upon arrival at Delhi you have free time for shopping nearby hotel and you will enjoy the special farewell dinner, review your images by Yousuf Tushar.

Photoshoot:  Tribal villages, traditional mud and thatched roof houses.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 14: Deperture to next Destination

After breakfast preparing to check out the hotel. According to your individual Flight departure time, we will drop you at the airport and bid a fond farewell. We hope your unforgettable memories call you again to this land and show up your India’s great images.

Meals included: Breakfast

You will learn how to