NORTHERN INDIA PHOTO TOUR

2018

Raymond Gehman has 30 years of experience traveling as a National Geographic photog-rapher, and now he wants to take you! This photo workshop is perfect for any photogra-pher. You may not be at the level of a National Geographic photographer, but when you finish this two-week tour of India you will feel like one! Let Raymond help you see life and photography in new and unusual ways. He will be right there with you, ready to answer questions, offer technical advice, and suggest different artistic approaches. Also, the day is not over when the sun sets: during the evenings Raymond will be available to discuss your images and work out technical bugs and offer ideas that will boost your photographs to a higher level.

Photography Tour of

Northern India

WithNational Geographic photographer

Raymond Gehman

www.raymondgehman.com raymondgehman@comcast.net (717) 377-6721

RAYMOND GEHMAN TOUR LEADER AND TEACHER

For Professional PhotographersRaymond knows you don’t need instruction but you do want to be at the right location at the right time of day. Furthermore he knows that you are interested capturing the decisive moment. If the shooting is good at a partic-ular location there will be no rush to move to the next location.

For Serious Amateur PhotographersRaymond has taught hundreds of photographers how to take their craft to the next level. Raymond will be available to everyone on the trip for instruction while shooting through critiquing in the evening. For those uncomfortable with group critiques Raymond will schedule a one-on-one session as the need arises

Extra Touches- Raymond will have several backup drives available for your extra backup. After you have made your selects, give Raymond a thumb drive and your images will be kept safe for 30 days after the trip.

- Need a side trip or have a special subject? Kipling can make it happen.

- Want a model or props give us advance notice and it probably be made to happen.

PRAISE FROM RAYMOND’S FORMER STUDENTS

“Let’s see, what do we call a genius with a camera? Oh yes a Raymond. Someone that can see things I cannot see even in a black and white place like Iceland. Any trip with Raymond is an experience. You will become a better photographer almost by osmosis; he’s that good.” - Jimmy K

“Raymond, I much enjoyed the chance to shoot with you at your recent workshop. I have been review-ing my photos this morning and found a few gems. With your help I captured images that I would have missed. Using shutter priority, fill flash, bracketing, panning for motion, freezing action with fast shutter speed all helped. Thanks so much. I am in Florida until May and I hope I will have a chance to work with you some more in the coming months.” - Jim Q

“I wanted to send a personal thanks on behalf of my mother, Marilyn Brownell, and myself, for the re-cent workshop on photographing garden environments. Her interest in photography is something that is keeping my mother going (she’ll be 87 in a few weeks) and your class re-awakened all the reasons she loves photography and finding new ways to look at things. I enjoyed your teaching approach and got a lot out of the class as well. You especially reminded me how to look beyond the obvious when telling a visual story, and that was reflected in all of the work done by your students.” - Lisa B

DAY 1Delhi

Saturday, February 17, 2018

After breakfast we will take photographs in Old Delhi. In the 17th century, the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, made his capital in this area that broadly covers present-day Old Delhi. He maned it Shahjahanabad. Today, it is one of the city’s most crowded, chaotic and captivating areas, with a dazzzling orchestra of sights, smells, and sounds.

Starting at the eastern (Red Fort) end of Chandni Chowk, is the 16th-century Digambara Jain Temple. The focal devotional room (first floor) has images and statues of revered Jain figures such as Lord Mahavira and Lord Parasnath.

Next we will capture images at the bazaar along Dariba Kalan Road. It has a focus on jewellery—mainly silver, but also some gold and costume jewellery. Next we will go to the Kinari Bazaar. This bubbly bazaar specializes in wedding paraphernalia, such as glittering tinsel decorations and ornate bridal accessories.

In the afternoon we will photograph the Tomb of Humayun. This is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Hu-mayun in Delhi, India. The tomb was commissioned by Humayun’s first wife Bega Begum in 1569-70, and designed by Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, a Persian architect chosen by Bega Begum

Later we will go to the Qutab Minar. It is the tallest brick minarety in the world and the second tallest minar in India. Inside the tower, a circular staircase with 379 steps leads to the top.

ARRIVAL DAY Arrive Delhi

Friday, February 16, 2018

After breakfast we go to the airport for the flight for Varanasi. We will be met on our arrival and transfered to the hotel.

Varanasi is referred to as ‘the city of temples and learning’. The holy city of Varanasi (Benaras), one the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, is situated on the banks of the river Ganges.

Encapsulating the essence of India’s Hindu religion, Varanasi has sustained a way of life unlike any other in the country and offers the photographer a unique perspective into the soul of India. The centuries old spiritual practices performed on the picturesque river ghats (steps) make Varanasi amongst the most sought-after destinations in India.

In the afternoon we will visit the Markets and Temples. The narrow lanes alongside the ghats bustle with activity of all sorts. Here you’ll find the ubiquitous tea vendor dishing out his milky fare in earthenware cups. Walk ahead and you’ll find customers bargaining with the flower seller over the price of garlands for the temple deity. Small shops sell colourful sarees ... there is an unhurried pace to life here that will give us ample opportunities to photograph a true exotic marketplace in the heart of India.

In the evening we will watch and photograph the thousand-year-old Aarti Ceremony during which worshippers pray near the water by the light of candles and lanterns.

DAY 2Fly Delhi to Varanassi

Sunday, February18, 2018

DAY 3Varanasi

Monday, February 19, 2018

Before breakfast we will ride in a boat at Varanasi Ghats where you can photograph the practices that give a people a sense of collective identity. Varanasi epitomises India’s Hindu faith and culture. Central to that culture are places where people tend to congregate; in Varanasi it is the river ghats.

For thousands of years, devout Hindus have flocked the ghats every morn-ing to bathe in the holy river and absolve themselves of their sins. For thousands of years, priests have ceremoniously lit lamps every evening and performed elaborate rituals in worship of the holy rivers. Life in Varanasi revolves around the river and the stone steps (ghats) that lead to it.

After breakfast, we will go to the Sarai Mohana villages of Varanasi that are well known for their silk weaving. The Banarasi sarees made by these weavers are among the finest in India. They are known for their gold and silver brocade, zari fine silk and opulent embroidery. and worn by In-dian women on the occasions of festivals, in a marriage party.

Evening again, you will witness and pho-tograph the thousand-year-old Aarti Cer-emony in River Ganges.

Later back to hotel for overnight stay. Overnight at hotel.

DAY 4Fly Varanasi -(Delhi)- Udaipur

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

In the morning there will be an opportunity to return to the ghats for some final shooting. After lunch we fly to Udaipur via Delhi. We will be met at Udaipur and transfered to the hotel.

DAY 5Udaipur

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

After breakfast we will begin the day photographing the historic temples at Lake Pichola before taking you into the heart of the city.

In the city we will photograph the artisans and bustling market. The Rajas-thani artisans are well-known for their exquisitely crafted pieces of jewellery. The intricate designs of the trinkets are inspired by the beautiful architec-ture of the past era. The wares of bamboo craftspeople and ingenious potters make for great photo subjects as well.

In the afternoon we will go to Udaipur city. Here we will get an insight into the life of the city’s locals. We will visit the Heritage Building at Gangaur Ghat, the Jewellery and Fabric market, the Mochiwada (shoe market), the Utensils market, the Sabzi Mandi (vegetable market), the Kumbharwada (Potters Colony), the Wariyon ki Ghati (ghat of the leaf workers), and the Kasara ki Ol (metal-workers Market).

In the evening we will share a boat ride at Lake Pichola.

DAY 6Udaipur – Ranakpur - JodhpurThursday, February 22, 2018

After breakfast we will drive to Jodhpur. Enroute we will stop to photograph the Ranakpur Tem-ples which lie in the Ranakpur Village of Pali district in Rajasthan. The temple was named after the renowned ruler of Mewar, Rana Kumbha.

This temple is world famous for being one of the five most important Jain shrines in India. Built of light colored marble, this temple instills awe with its engraved designs and grandeur. The main hall has twenty four towered halls with eighty domes supported by four hundred pillars.

There are more than 1,444 marble pillars embellished with complex carvings and each pillar has a different design hence, none of the pillars are identical. One might get surprised at the sight of the inscribed nymphs playing flute in different dance poses at a height of 45 feet.

Another focal point is a stunning marble piece which has 108 snake-heads and various tails carved into it with such intricacy that it is impossible to find the end of the tails. In addition, these pillars change their color changes from golden to pale blue as the light falls on them.

In the main prayer hall, there are two large bells of which create a melodious and symphonic sound.

This temple is adorned with twenty unique cupolas and arcades. The idol of Tirthankara Adi-nath has four faces, each facing a different direction which reflects the belief that he rules the main four directions of the world. The ceilings of the temple are tastefully adorned with geomet-ric patterns and foliate scrollwork.

Upon arrival, check in at hotel in Jodhpur

DAY 7Jodhpur

Friday, February 23, 2018

First up, a morning photo shoot of the Blue City - Jodhpur’s Old Town. Here we we will see why Jodhpur is known as “the blue city”. Set apart from the new town, it is the older section of Jodhpur where many of houses are blue in colour. For centuries these houses were protected by the Meherangarh Fort, whose foundations were laid on the orders of the city’s founder, Rao Jodha, in 1459.

Mehrangarh Fort: The most magnificent fort in Jodhpur is the Meh-rangarh Fort. It is situated on a 150m high hill. Photographs of the Blue City from Meherangarh Fort give an overview of Jodhpur and the blue houses of the old town. Nothing beats the view from Mehe-rangarh Fort. The walls are 36 metre high in places, and provide the elevation needed to appreciate just how many of the houses are blue.

Later will wisit Chhipawadi. Chhipawadi is inside Jalori Gate and is famous for colorful people whose life starts with color and ends with color. These people are engaged in the profession of applying colors to any type of cloth along for generations.

Afterwards we will do some street photography at different bazars. At Sarafa Bazar, there are Gold and Silver ornaments. At Tabaco Ba-zar and Ada Bazar there are all types of local perfumes and scents and also a cloth market.

In the afternoon explore Jodhpur city with Holi festival which in-cludes Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada and Old Town.

DAY 8Jodhpur - Jaipur

Saturday, Ferbuary 24 , 2018

After breakfast we head to Jaipur. Upon our arrival in Jaipur we will check in to the hotel and have some leisure time. Later we will do some street pho-tography.

Jaipur was established by Maharaja Jai Singh II (1693-1743) and painted pink by Maharaja Man Singh II when Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. The history of Jaipur lives in its architecture and culture. The city’s use of the color pink is symbolic of the hospitality that reigned in the Rajput culture.

We will visit the impressive City Palace which is located right in the centre of the Old City. A complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings, the outer wall was built by Jai Singh, but within it the palace has been enlarged and adapted over the centuries.

There are palace buildings from different eras, some dating from the early 20th century. Reflecting the gradual development, the whole complex is a striking blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture.

Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, an observatory begun by Jai Singh in 1728. The name is derived from the Sanskrit Yanta Mantr meaning ‘instrument of calculation’, and in 2010 it was added to India’s list of World Heritage Sites.

Papu Bazar is a famous market in Jaipur. There are other markets located nearby: Indira Market, Nehru Market & Sanjay Market. Each has a unique style and all the shops are of the same size & style. Each market is very sym-metrical and each particular street is known for a specific item.

DAY 9Jaipur

Sunday, February 25, 2018

This morning we visit Amber Fort, the former capital of the royal Jaipur. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajput grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace 11 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 cren-elated walls lattice the surrounding hills.

Following lunch, we will visit the City Palace & Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens and the city. The pal-ace lies in the heart of the city and occupies the whole central grid. The fortified wall has seven gates and was built for protection from invading armies and animals that lived in jungles which surrounded the wall at that time.

Next, we visit the Solar Observatory - an astronomical treasure house. The Palace Of Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone has semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city.

DAY 10Jaipur - Agra

Monday, February 26, 2018

After breakfast, we will drive to Agra. Upon arrival check in at hotel.

In the afternoon we will photograph the Taj Mahal from Mehatabh Bagh

DAY 11Agra – Virindavan

Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Early morning in the morning we will photo-graph the stunning sight of the lavish Taj Mahal at sunrise. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal, a poem in white marble, was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his be-loved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Afterwards we will return to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast we will visit the Agra Fort which resonates with rich Mughal architecture. The Fort and Palace are situated on the West Bank of the river Jamuna.

Later in the afternoon we will explore Agra and photograph local life there. In the evening we may elect to return to the Taj Majal if the sky conditions warrant.

DAY 12Virindavan –Holi celebration at Barsana

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Barsana Holi celebrations start about a week before the actual date of Holi. Barsana, a village near Mathu-ra, was the village of Radha. Barsana is the placewhere Radha used to live and Krishna used to visit this place to put color on Radha. It is famous for its lathmar Holi in which women beat men (playfully) with sticks.

Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with non-Hindus in many parts of South Asia, as well as people of other communities outside Asia. In recent years the festival has spread to parts of Europe and North America as a spring cele-bration of love, frolic, and colours.

In the morning we will drive from Agra to Virindavan to begin photographing the Holi festival.

DAY 13Virindavan - Holi at Banke Bihari Temple

Thursday, March 1, 2018

Today we photograph Holi at Banke Bihari Temple

Banke Bihari is the hub of Holi festivities in Virindavan -be-lieved to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna. The event here takes place just a day before the main Holi festival.

The temple opens up its doors to all visitors to come and play Holi with the lord himself. The priest throw colors and holy water and the crowd chants in unison.

Its an unbelievable experience to be a part of this event. This event has mostly males participating but there are some wom-en. You may opt for a calmer experience by attending the fes-tival inside the temple premises or photographing from the periphery with a long lens.

DAY 14Virindavan -Holifestivities in Mathura-Friday, March 2, 2018

On the big Holi day, the biggest festival takes place at the historical Dwarkadheesh Temple in Mathura. We will start the day early at 7am. We will go to to Vishram ghat and catch the process of making Bhang by the priests.

The gates of the temple open at 10 am when there will already be a crowd outside the gates playing Holi and colouring anyone who dares cross the road. Most of it is fun, but things can very quickly get boisterous. Mostly local men and kids partic-ipate, and women are again conspicuous by their absence. Nonetheless, many women tourists do happily join in.

Inside the temple the atmosphere is calmer. Un-like Banke Bihari in Vridnavan, the scale of Holi is smaller and the place is much friendlier. Priest play Dhols (drums) and you can even join the dancing there. Inside the temple, more women play Holi.

DAY 15Virindavan –Delhi

Saturday, March 3, 2018

After breakfast, 4 hour drive to Delhi. Stops will be made for photograpic opportunities along the way.

Upon arrival check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Farewell Dinner and Slide Show

Transfer to International airport to board depar-ture flights.

DAY 16Delhi departure 

Sunday, March 4, 2018

A BRING YOUR SPOUSE OR FRIEND

Travel is more fun with a friend or family member. While this is a photography tour designed for serious photographers, the tour operators know that not every photographer is married to a pho-tographer and spouses don’t like to stand around too long watching other people take pictures. To accomodate such situations, excursions can be arranged to visit Museums, Gardens, Shopping, etc. In addition, Raymond will coach spouses how to shoot like a pro with their smartphone. You don’t have to carry a big DSLR to take great shots. Raymond can show you how.

TRIP PRICING & PAYMENTS

This 16 night tour is priced at $3,950 or approximately USD $250.00/day. Pricing is for double oc-cupancy. There will be a single occupancy surcharge of $1230 or approx $76 per day. Payments, by check, to Raymond Gehman, are required as follows: Payment Due Date Payment Balance DueReserve your spot: $100 $3,850First Installment October 31 2017 $1,925 $1,925Final Payment January 30, 2018 $1,925 $0.00

The tour price was computed using an airfare cost of $330 for the two flights ( Day 2: Delhi to Va-ranasi and Day 5: Varanasi to Udaipur). If the actual cost, which is beyond our control, exceeds this ammount then there may be a surcharge which will not exceed $100.

Cancellations and refunds: The $100 reserve your spot payment is non-refundable. The first install-ment is refundable prior to December 15, 2017. After that date, a refund will only be made if some-one takes your place. The tours ongoing marketing efforts may provide a replacement, however, there is no guarantee. Alternatively, the party cancelling their reservation may designate a replacement. After the final payment is made, there will be no refunds. The tour organizer may have a waiting list replacement, but there are no guarantees. Again, you are free to designate a replacement.

1. Entrance fees for the scenic spots listed in the itinerary. 2. Activities listed in the itinerary. 3. Accommodations: Package price is for double occupancy. Single occupance room supplement is applicable for guests desiring their own room. 4. All hotels in the itinerary serve a complementary breakfast. Lunch and dinner will be extra. Typ-ically they will cost between $8 and $12 apiece. 5. Accompanying English-speaking guide service during the city tours mentioned in the itinerary. 6. Private Transfers between airports, hotels and scenic spots while sightseeing in each city or area by private air-conditioned vehicle with driver. 7. Driver and airconditioned vehicle.8. Flights as listed in the itinerary. Flights: Delhi –Varanasi–Udaipur sector (See Supplement) Please note for all India domestic flights, free luggage allowance is 15 kg for check in luggage and 7-8 kg for hand carry baggage. 9. Drinking water: 2 bottles of mineral water per person per day in the car.

PACKAGE PRICE INCLUDES

PACKAGE PRICE EXCLUDES1. Travel insurance, while not included, is highly recommend. 2. Flight/Accommodation/Sightseeing not listed in the itinerary. 3. Visa Fee 4. Tipping: tips to guides, drivers, bellboys, etc.

You can pay more or less depending on their services. We recommend $4-6 per person per day to the driver and $3-5 per person per day to the guide. It is not necessary tip to our airport rep-resentatives however, if you arrive in the wee hours, $2 is appreciated.

5. Personal expenses such as room service, internet charge, laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, cam-era fee in monuments, etc. 6. Optional activities 8. Excess Baggage Charges.

HOTELS

DATE HOTEL TRIP ADVISORRATING

CITY

February 16February 17

Jaypee Siddharth Hotel 4 star DELHI

February 18February 19

Madin 4 star VARANASI

February 20February 21

Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace 4 star UDAIPUR

February 22February 23

Ajit Bhawan 4.5 star JODHPUR

February 24February 25

Four Point by Sheraton JAIPUR

February 26February 27

Four Point by Sheraton 4.5 star AGRA

February 28March 1March 2

Nidhivan Sarovar Portico 3.5 star VIRINDAVAN

March 3 Pride Plaza Aerocity 4 star DELHI

CAMERA GEAR TO CONSIDERCamera Rain Coat - The Holi festival is colorful but messyPolarizer - Sun is really brightMemory Cards - Back-up driveTele-extender - subjects may be far away

SPECIAL CLOTHING• Sun Hats• Outfit for Holi - Your clothes will get wet and colors create permanent stains

VACCINATIONSVisit the CDC website for the latest recommendations and health tipshttps://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/india

MEDICINES TO CONSIDER• good daily probiotic• Immodium• Cipro (ask your doctor, of course)

VISAA thirty day visa is easy and fast to obtain on line but we suggest that you do it nowhttps://www.e-visaindia.org.in

PACKING SUGGESTIONS• Pack light. Professionals like Raymond rarely need more than a roll aboard and their camera bag.• It is going to be warm so cold weather clothes are not necessary• Good walking shoes.

PREPARING FOR YOUR TRIP

www.raymondgehman.com raymondgehman@comcast.net (717) 377-6721

1. The Story of IndiaThe Story of India is one of the most beautiful and praiseworthy documentaries made on India. This BBC documentary series consists of six episodes which beautifully tell the journey of the country since its genesis and how it evolved over the period of hundreds of years.

2. The World Before HerWritten and directed by Nisha Pahuja, The World Before Her is a Canadian documentary film, which studies the contradictory scenario for young girls in India

4. India UntouchedThe malpractice of casteism and untouchability in contemporary India has not subsided over the peri-od of years. That is the exact issue which Indian documentary filmmaker Stalin K. has explored in his documentary ‘India Untouched’.

5. Bollywood: The Greatest Love Story Ever ToldThis documentary shows the power and beauty of Indian Film Industry, Bollywood. It talks about how cinema holds India together and yet tears it apart. Bollywood is not just and industry, it’s a lifeline that pumps blood to over two billion people across the globe.

Historical Fiction• Beneath a Marble Sky by John Shors ... Link: http://a.co/jhIxRUg• The Temple Dancer: A Novel of India (Novels of India) by John Speed ... Link: http://a.co/ezsf7Nb

HistoryIndia Times - A list of 9 books on Indian history

LEARNING ABOUT INDIA BEFORE YOU GO

BOOKS ABOUT INDIA

MOVIES ABOUT INDIA

Kipling India Tours provides services to approximately 25 overseas specialist travel companies, photo tour companies and international photographers. On average Kipling arranges specialized tours for approximately 500 to 600 visitors annually.

Kipling India Travels is an associate company of a Denmark based travel company, Kipling Denmark. Additionally, the company also has an associate company, Explore Himalaya Travel & Adventure, based out of Kathmandu, Nepal. This company focuses on destinations Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet tours. Additional information is available on the following websites.

https://www.kiplingtravel.dk/ https://www.explorehimalaya.com/

NORTHERN INDIA PHOTO TOUR 2018WITH NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPHER RAYMOND GEHMAN

www.raymondgehman.com raymondgehman@comcast.net (717) 377-6721