Photo Explorer Tours 2007

Festive India
RAJASTHAN EXPLORER
with Blaine Harrington III

January 22 - February 7, 2007

CONFIRMED DEPARTURE -- TWO SPACES STILL AVAILABLE.

Photos © Dennis Cox, Photo Explorer Tours

India overwhelms. For the photographer it is an unsurpassed visual feast and extravaganza of color. The photo opportunites are seemingly endless. For 2007 we are again offering our popular tour through infinitely colorful Rajasthan, "the realm of the rajas". On the way to Rajasthan, a day will be spent photographing New and Old Delhi and a stop will be made in Agra to photograph the Taj Mahal at dusk and dawn, the Red Fort, and Fatepuhr Sikri. The Rajasthan itinerary begins with stops at the scenic Ranthambhore National Park, refuge of the tiger and other wildlife, before moving on to Jaipur, Khimsar, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Rohetgahr, and Udaipur. Featured is the annual Desert Festival with it's plethora of color and colorful Rajasthani characters.

The price for the Rajasthan India Explorer tour, $3795 based on double occupancy, will include all breakfasts and dinners, quality hotel accommodations, air conditioned ground transportation, one domestic flight, admission fees, tips of a group nature, and services throughout of local English-speaking guides. The single room supplement is $1095.

  Photos © Dennis Cox, Photo Explorer Tours

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Rajasthan India Explorer Tour Itinerary in Brief

Monday January 22...Arrive Delhi. Assistance and transfer to Claridges Hotel.

Tuesday January 23...Full day photographic tour of Old and New Delhi.

Wednesday January 24...Delhi to Agra drive, 204 kms, 4 hours. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon city photography to include Agra Fort, Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah. First of two nights at Jaypee Palace Hotel.

Thursday January 25...Photograph the Taj Mahal at sunrise from the bank of the Yamuna River, then procede inside to photograph the Taj in the morning light. Return in the afternoon to photograph along the river bank as the suns sets behind the Taj.

Friday January 26...After breakfast drive to Ranthambhore visiting enroute Fatehpur Sikri in morning light. Drive to Ranthambhore and on arrival, check-in at Rantahmbhore Regency Hotel and go on a wildlife viewing drive if time permits.

Saturday January 27...Ranthambhore morning and afternoon jungle safari drives for photography of the elusive tigers and/or other wildlife.

Sunday January 28...Ranthambhore to Jaipur drive, 185 km/4 hours. Morning drive to Jaipur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Photograph in the city center with it's markets and bustle of colorful activity. First of two nights at the Trident Hilton Hotel.

Monday January 29...In early light, photograph the Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Morning excursion to the Amber Fort. Afternoon city photography of Maharaja's City Palace, the home of the erstwhile royal family, the Observatory, Ram Niwas Gardens, and old part of the pink city of Jaipur.

Tuesday January 30...Jaipur to Khimsar drive, 325 km. Drive to Khimsar and on arrival, check-in at Khimsar Fort hotel for photography of the fort and it's local characters. Evening visit to Panchla Dunes for sunset photography.

Wednesday January 31...Khimsar to Jaisalmer drive, 335 km. After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer, stopping enroute at Osian to visit Osian Jain temples. Arrive Jaisalmer and check-in for first of four nights at Fort Rajwada hotel.

Thursday February 1...Morning photography of Jaisalmer's fort and other sites. Afternoon to visit the Desert Festival followed by evening visit to Sam Dunes for camel photos at sunset.

Desert Festival Photos © Dennis Cox

Friday February 2...Full day of photography at the exotically colorful annual Desert Festival with closing ceremonies at Sam Dunes in the evening.

Saturday February 3...Jaisalmer to Jodhpur drive, 287 km / 5-6 hours. After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur. On arrival, check-in at the Taj Hari Mahal Hotel. Afternoon photograph the fort and a collection of royal centaphs very close to the fort and famous blue buildings of the city.

Sunday February 4...Jodhpur to Rohetgarh, 40 km. Short drive to Rohetgarh and on arrival, check-in at Rohet Garh hotel. Afternoon jeep safari to Bishnoi Tribe.

Monday February 5... Rohetgarh to Udaipur drive, 250 km / 5-6 hours. Drive to Udaipur visiting enroute Jain temples at Ranakpur. On arrival, check-in at the Trident Hilton Hotel for first of two nights.

Tuesday February 6...Udaipur. Morning sightseeing tour of Udaipur including City Palace, Garden of the Ladies, Jagdish temple, Sahelion-ki-Bari (queen's resort for the friends). Afternoon boat cruise on Lake Pichola.

Wednesday February 7...Udaipur to Delhi flight, 1530 to 1640 hours. Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. On arrival, transfer to city center for dinner and later, transfer to international airport for return flights in evening.

BLAINE HARRINGTON, Travel Photographer of the Year for both 2005 and 2006, is a multi-talented photographer who has worked internationally for nearly thirty years. He lives in Colorado, but has been based previously in New York, Paris, Amsterdam and Zurich. Before concentrating solely on travel photography, he worked in fashion, advertising and sports/action. He has covered more than fifty countries, but is best known for his images of Asia and Europe. His photos are used regularly in travel and news magazines (such as National Geographic Adventure, Endless Vacation and Arthur Frommer's Budget Travel), inflight magazines, travel guides (such as Insight Guides and Fodor's), coffee table books, major newspapers, calendars (including India), and in brochures for adventure tour operators. His work has been featured recently in Popular Photography and PhotoMedia magazines.