Photo Safaris - India—Palace On Wheels


		Dates	Mar 16–27, 2008
		Leaders	Joe Van Os, John Shaw, Adam Jones and Raj Singh
		Fee	$7,995 from New Delhi, India
		Deposit	$400
		Limit	50
			Terms and Conditions

The subcontinent of India lies in south Asia between Pakistan, China and Nepal. To the north, it is bordered by the world's highest mountains. In the south, plateaus, tropical rain forests and sandy deserts are bordered by palm-fringed beaches along the Indian Ocean. Side by side with the country's incredible topographical variations is its rich cultural diversity—the result of the proximity and coexistence of a remarkable number of tribes and eastern religions.

For March 2008, we’ve chartered half of India’s premier train—the Palace on Wheels. This is

absolutely the best way to experience and photograph a broad cross section of the cultural and architectural wonders of Rajasthan, India’s most colorful region. Join us onboard as the train travels to many of the state’s princely cities: Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.

Rajasthan is one of India's brightest jewels, a vast desert province where Rajput princes ruled for centuries in extravagant pomp and splendor. The Rajputs were great patrons of art and architecture—the finest examples being their forts, temples and palaces known by their ornately sculptured construction. Today, the region is endowed with a great many crafts and performing arts.

The Palace on Wheels offers a luxurious and comfortable journey to see the wonders of Rajasthan. Its carriages are a modern version of an opulent train that belonged to a maharaja—with all the grandeur and charm. Each salon is a combination of four air-conditioned, twin-bedded chambers with attached private bathroom and shower. Each carriage has its own mini-pantry and lounge to ensure availability of snacks and beverages, and 24-hour attendants at your beck and call. The dining car serves gourmet Continental, Indian and Rajasthani cuisine.

By chartering half the train we will have seven contiguous carriages and a dining car for our group, exclusively. We’ve chartered our own air-conditioned motor coaches at each destination allowing us to be out early for photography—shooting on our own schedule at each stop. Unlike other travelers, we won’t visit every gift shop and rug emporium we encounter on our route.

The trip is relatively fast paced—we visit a new city each day while on board the train. We travel overnight and, by the next morning, arrive at our new shooting location. The train’s itinerary eliminates "travel days," the long transfer periods between hotels and airports, airport X-ray machines, and airline hassles with carry-on camera gear. Doing this trip by aircraft would take almost twice as long! And, when we board the Palace on Wheels, we only have to unpack once!

Unlike staying within the tourist-oriented compounds of luxury hotels, the Palace on Wheels traverses a broad spectrum of the Indian countryside, and we’ll see a multiplicity of peoples and cultures from the train. Our trip coincides with the annual Hindu Holi Festival—the festival of colors, celebrated every March on the day after the full moon! After your enrollment, we’ll also offer several pre- and post-trip extensions that will provide even more unique photo opportunities.

Day 1
Depart from home.

Day 2 (Mar 17, 2008)
Arrive in New Delhi after midday and transfer to the luxurious Oberoi Hotel. Dinner orientation meeting. (D)

Day 3
We visit Old Delhi and the Jamma Mosque. We’ll drive through fabled Chandani Chowk, the main area of the old city and photograph the Red Fort, constructed by the creator of the Taj Mahal—Shah Jahan. (BLD)

Day 4
Photograph New Delhi, one of the most historic and photogenic capitals of the world. Two of its monuments—the Qutb Minar and Humayun's Tomb—are World Heritage Sites. We board the Palace on Wheels this evening. (BLD)

Day 5
We wake up in Jaipur—the "rose-pink capital" of Rajasthan surrounded on all sides by rugged hills crowned with forts. We photograph the Amber Fort, the astronomical observatory, the Wind Palace, Hawa Mahal and the City Palace. (BLD)

Day 6
We arrive in Jaisalmer, a romantic and unspoiled gem of a city that dates back to 1156 AD. Surrounded by a sandy plain, Jaisalmer is known as the "golden city" because of the way the setting sun shines on the yellow stone ramparts of its spectacular fortress. (BLD)

Day 7
Next morning the Palace on Wheels arrives in Jodhpur, a city ringed by a high stone wall with seven gates and several bastions. This second largest city of Rajasthan, founded in 1459 AD, stands at the edge of the Thar Desert. The massive fort, topping sheer rocky hills, dominates the city. (BLD)

Day 8
We stop briefly this morning to visit Ranthambhor National Park. Due to the short time and vehicle logistics this will not be a good shooting opportunity, but will provide a great overview of the habitat and wildlife of India’s most famous tiger park. We travel during daylight hours and arrive in late afternoon at the hilltop fortress of Chittorgarh in time for evening light. (BLD)

Day 9
Udaipur is a beautiful city on the banks of Lake Pichola. White marble palaces glisten from tiny islands in the lake. Crowning the surrounding ridges are turrets and cupolas of the City Palace. (BLD)

Day 10
Early next morning, the “Palace” arrives in Bharatpur, the capital of Maharaja Suraj Mal. After breakfast we’ll have a short visit to the world famous bird sanctuary, Keoladeo Ghana National Park. We drive to Agra to photograph the most beautiful edifice in the world, the Taj Mahal. Long after sunset we return to the train and head for Delhi. (BLD)

Day 11
The "Palace" returns to Delhi and we transfer to our airport hotel for dayrooms until tonight’s flights or join a post-tour extension. (BLD)

Day 12 (Mar 27)
Arrive home.



	Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc. P.O. Box 655, Vashon Island, Washington USA 98070 Phone: (206) 463-5383 Fax: (206) 463-5484 Email: info@photosafaris.com Copyright © 2008, Joseph Van Os Photo Safaris, Inc.