A Photographic Exploration of Indiawith John IsaacNov 11-24, 2015 |
 © Vincent Versace |
Double Occupancy: $7,270 • Single Occupancy: $9,472
Space Limited to 12 participants.Summary of Costs & Inclusions
Custom land cost per person: $7,270.00
Single supplement: $ 2,202.00
CUSTOM LAND COST INCLUDES: All meals as designated in the itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner); hotels as shown based on double occupancy; airport transfers as indicated; all transfers to and from hotels as indicated for planned activities and sightseeing tours-entrance fees, domestic permits; all applicable service charges and taxes (excluding some international or domestic airport departure taxes); predeparture materials including a customized Travel Guide containing destination information, travel tips, and cultural primer; limited travel insurance coverage including emergency medical evacuation coverage up to $200,000 per person, and in-country emergency medical expenses up to $5,000 per person.
CUSTOM LAND COST EXCLUDES: Any item not specifically included in your program including all snacks, extra personal beverages & bottled water, etc. other than during designated meals, alcoholic beverages; passport and visa fees, video fees, excess baggage fees, laundry, phone calls, internet and any other items of a personal nature not specifically indicated; tips for your guide, ground staff, drivers, hotel porters and other service staff; ADDITIONAL INSURANCE OF ANY KIND, including trip cancellation/interruption/delay, air ticket cancelation, additional medical, and lost baggage insurance; any and all expenses resulting from delays arising beyond our direct control due to bad weather, trail, river, sea, and/or road conditions, sickness, civil unrest, government action; or any other transportation delays for any reason beyond our direct control; optional activities, free-day activities, including any additional stopover arrangements not specifically included in the itinerary. We can make additional arrangements for you. Extra charges will apply.
ADDITIONAL TRAVEL INSURANCE (not included): We highly recommend purchasing additional insurance, including trip cancellation. We recommend Travel Insurance Select (TIS). To be eligible for maximum benefits, you must purchase within 2 weeks of paying your initial deposit. Visit http://www.asiatranspacific.com/insurance to learn more.
AIR COST INCLUDES*:
INTERNATIONAL AIR: There is no international air included in this trip cost.
INTERNAL AIR: Delhi - Varanasi on Jet Airways (9W) - Economy class. Varanasi - Delhi on Spicejet (SG) - Economy class. Jodhpur - Delhi on Jet Airways (9W) - Economy class.
* All airfare is subject to change until ticketed. We will always do our best to confirm the most desirable seats on internal and/or international air (if ticketed by ATJ). Confirmed seat assignments are never guaranteed and can be changed at the discretion of the airline. Often with minor schedule changes, seat assignments are cancelled by the airlines. Please feel free to contact the airlines on your own to check on your seat assignments
If your itinerary includes airline tickets issued by ATJ you will be required to provide us with your first, middle and last names, as well as your birth date, exactly as it appears on your passport. Failure to provide us with the correct information may result in significant penalties and increased fares. In addition, ATJ will administer a $75 per person surcharge for any changes made after airline tickets have been booked.
VISAS - CUSTOM TRAVEL: VISA FEES ARE NOT INCLUDED in your trip cost. You are welcome to obtain the visa on your own or through our recommended service provider G3 Visas & Passports (visit http://www.asiatranspacific.com/visas for links to their site and select 'Asia Transpacific Journeys Custom Traveler' to print all required forms). Following are requirements for your program for U.S. citizens (different regulations may apply for other nationalities). All visa information is subject to change.
• India - Pre-arranged. India requires a visa to be pre-arranged.Description
There is no such thing as ‘being prepared’ for India. It is a place to turn all your concepts upside down. It’s an avalanche of perceptions. Curry, clove, chilli, paprika, chai, lassi, incense, garbage, pollution, sacred cows, rickshaws, camels, carpets, fine silk, super detailed saris, extremely intricate architecture, poverty, wealth, happiness, sadness, beautiful, ugly, calm and chaotic. All in a fraction of second.
The cities of northern India hold a lot of significance to a visitor, whether it is in terms of history, tradition, nature, culture or adventure. From the golden cities of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra and Jodhpur, the cities of northern India have become a hot favorite with travelers and photographers from all parts of the world. Delhi offers a rich blend of the classic and the contemporary .Mughal monuments like the Red Fort and the Jama Masjid and the buzzing marketplace of Chandni Chowk are the some of the photographic highlights of Delhi.
The city of light, Varanasi is situated in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is famed with the western banks of the River Ganga and is renowned as the one of the oldest living city of the world. . Your trip to Jodhpur is definitely going to be a wonderful experience, as there are a number of photographic attractions in Jodhpur for you to capture. From grand Rajput-Mughal architecture to picturesque lakes, there is a lot in store for you. Agra offers the Taj Mahal, also known as the 7th wonder of the world, which was built by Emperor ShahJhan as gift of love for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Every year, in November, in the Indian state of Rajasthan, thousands of people and camels make a trip to the small town of Pushkar for the annual Pushkar Mela, or Pushkar Camel Fair. Known as one of the oldest and largest camel fairs in the world, Pushkar has grown to become an important photographic stop to any visit in Northern India in the fall.
Join with the PALM Beach Photographic Centre for the photographic journey of your life! Sign up now as these trip fill up rapidly. The maximum number for this adventure is 12 people.
Biography
JOHN ISAAC has enjoyed success as a professional photographer for 30 years. His passion for his craft and ability to capture that passion through a viewfinder has resulted in his images appearing in advertisements, including Olympus, as well as books, magazines, and other literature. As a photographer for the United Nations, and heavily involved with UNICEF, he visually documented his travels to more than one hundred countries to help raise awareness of the many struggles and triumphs that occur in our ever-changing world. Throughout his storied career he has received numerous National and International Awards.
Itinerary
Saturday, Nov. 11, 2013
Meals Provided: None
Welcome to India. Upon arrival in Delhi this evening, clear Immigration and Customs. Proceed to the arrival area and meet your driver and transfer to your centrally located hotel for a much deserved night's rest.
India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines the ancient with the modern. Amidst the spiraling skyscrapers are remnants of a bygone time with many old monuments standing as reminders to the city’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling through Delhi is of a spacious city with tree-lined avenues and forested parks.
Overnight at the Crown Plaza (Deluxe Room) - New Delhi
Sunday, Nov. 12, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital, Delhi. It was the magnet that drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and finally the British, all of whom contributed to its glorious but turbulent history. The fascination for Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again, rebuilding it at least seven times. Today, the twin cities of Old and New Delhi still hold a fascination for Indians and tourists alike as the cultural and political capital of the largest democracy in the world.
This morning after breakfast, depart on a photographic exploration of Old Delhi including the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques. Built from 1644-58, the red sandstone mosque appears to look proudly over the Red Fort, and from the courtyard there is a memorable view of the Red Fort through the arcade. People stream in and out of the mosque continually and the presence of a nearby bazaar means that the area is rarely quiet.
Enjoy lunch at Veda. Afterwards either on foot or aboard rickshaws, wander along the crooked streets of Chandi Chowk, Old Delhi's colorful shopping bazaar. It's quite an experience as you get thrown into the congestion and colorful crowds of this shopping bazaar. It's sure to be a highlight!
Return to the hotel late this afternoon followed by our first dinner in India.
Overnight at the Crown Plaza (Deluxe Room) - New Delhi
Monday, Nov. 13, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
Following a leisurely breakfast transfer back to the airport for your flight to Varanasi. Also known as Benares and Kashi, the "City of Light" is one of the oldest cities in the world.
Fly Delhi to Varanasi on Jet Airways 9W 2423, departing 10:40, arriving 11:55
Economy Class
On arrival transfer to the hotel for check-in and lunch at our hotels Chowk restuarant. After getting settled depart on an afternoon photographic exploration of the city. Varanasi's principal attraction is the long string of ghats or steps, which line the west bank of the Ganges. There are around 100 ghats in Varanasi, each with its own significance. Most Indians believe that anyone dying on the banks of the river, in Varanasi, attains instant 'moksha' or enlightenment.
This evening, witness the three-millennia-old aarti ceremony that takes place at the Assi ghat each evening. This blessing is an offering to the gods, in which Hindu holy men light candles and oil lamps, play music, ring bells and chant. Respectful visitors are welcome to witness these ancient rites.
Tonight's dinner will be at Varuna the hotel's specialty Indian restaurant.
Overnight at the Taj Gateway Ganges (Executive Rooms) - Varanasi
A haven of peace and tranquility in the frenetic holy city of Varanasi, the Gateway Hotel offers elegance and timeless hospitality set amidst 40 verdant acres of garden.
Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
A ritual cleansing in the holy waters of the Ganges at Varanasi absolves the believer of all sins. It is the aspiration of every devout Hindu to die and be cremated at the ghats (stepped riverbanks) thus ensuring release from the cycle of rebirth. On any given day thousands flock to the river to perform ablutions.
Early this morning visit the bathing ghats of Varanasi. From a private boat cruising the river, witness the ritual cleansing in the river's waters that is so central to Hindus. The prosaic and the profound, and everything in between, jostle together at the edge of the sacred Ganges River. A cacophonous jumble of merchants, barbers, wandering ascetics and tea stall proprietors provide a backdrop for the extraordinary rites of life and death taking place on the sandstone steps. It is a sublime site.
Transfer directly to the airport for our flight to Delhi and continue to Agra.
Fly Varanasi to Delhi on Spicejet SG 233, departing 11:30, arriving 12:50
Economy Class
On arrival back in Delhi we will immediately depart for Agra enjoying a packed picnic lunch en route.
On arrival in Agra this evening check into our hotel followed by dinner at the hotel's restaurant.
Overnight at the Trident Hotel (Deluxe Rooms) - Agra
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
Early this morning enjoy a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Taking 22 years, 20,000 men and a fleet of 1,000 elephants to build, this monument to love is perhaps the most beautiful structure on earth. There is a quality about the structure which is almost transcendent. It is with a sense of astonishment that one comprehends that the hands of humans have achieved such heights of artistry. It is dazzling at first sight and marvelous upon close inspection. Construction of this monument started in 1631 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, and it was completed 22 years later. The Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. It appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, but it is the close up marble inlay work that is truly astounding.
Early this afternoon depart on a specially planned walking tour of Agra under the guidance of a local guide. It is designed to expose the traveler to the city’s unique urban architectural and socioeconomic character. The walking tour traces the birth of the city when it was the Mughal capital of Akbarabad until present time.
Our walk begins from Agra Fort Railway Station, located in Agra’s "old city," home to some of the city’s best preserved colonial architecture. From the railway station, proceed to the gigantic Jama Masjid and to the Silver Lingam of Mankameshwar Mahadev, passing through narrow lanes with vendors selling religious articles for the adornment of Hindu gods and goddesses. Stop to explore the Spice Market of Rawat Para, with its elaborately decorated façade, before proceeding into the Namak Ki Mandi, where artisans beat gold and silver into foil for Ayurvedic medicinal use.
Return to the hotel with the evening free including dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at the Trident Hotel (Deluxe Rooms) - Agra
Thursday, Nov. 16, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
This morning begin the journey to the remote fort of Ramathra. Stop en route at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted red sandstone ghost city in the middle of the desert, which was built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. Abruptly abandoned after only 14 years of residence when the local wells went dry, its sandstone palaces and mosques are almost perfectly preserved.
Continue your drive to Bharatpur, where you will have lunch before boarding the Kota Jan Shatabdi train to Gangapur, departing at 15:50 and arriving at 17:20. Arriving in Gangapur, meet your car and driver and drive the rest of the way to Ramathra. The fort, the lake and countryside are the three big attractions of Ramathra Fort. Regardless of how much time you have to spend, or how much you wish to do, the adventure is yours. Whether you prefer to take in the fort’s tranquil atmosphere or wish to explore its many natural sites, your hosts at Ramathra promise you a memorable stay.
Overnight at the Ramathra Fort (Suites) - Ramathra
Ramathra Fort features 12 rooms and tents featuring attentive service and royal cuisine as well as unique activities and excursions through the surrounding villages and countryside.
Friday, Nov. 17, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
Following breakfast embark on an exploration of Ramathra beginning with a short morning walkthrough of Ramathra Fort with one your hosts, Ravi or Gitangili, who for the past several years have dedicated themselves to the reconstruction of their ancestral home.
Afterwards depart on foot for an easy two to three-hour walk through the farming village of Ramathra where you will have a chance to personally experience the age old traditions of rural farm-life little changed from centuries ago.
Returning to the fort for lunch there will be time to rest during the warm midday hours before embarking on an afternoon jeep safari through the somnolent, Rajastani countryside with a chance to visit ‘Gujar’ hamlets and explore a cavernous gorge and an old cave temple before returning to the fort for a much deserved night's rest.
Overnight at the Ramathra Fort (Suites) - Ramathra
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
This morning depart Ramathra on the half day drive to Jaipur where we will settle into our hotel on the outskirts of the city with the afternoon free to relax and explore independently.
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. In the 1720s Sawai Jai Singh II began to build the new city of Jaipur. The city turned out to be an astonishing well-planned one based on the ancient Hindu treatise on architecture, the Shilpa Shastra. Different streets were allotted for different professions such as potters, weavers, dyers, jewelers and bankers. Jaipur has a variety of manufacturing industries. It is especially known for its arts and crafts, jewelry, enamel work, hand-printed fabrics and stone sculptures. The sprawling City Palace was an integral part of Raja Sawai Jai Singh II's new city of Jaipur. Today it's a museum that displays art, textiles and armory.
Overnight at the Trident (Deluxe Rooms) - Jaipur
Sunday, Nov. 19, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
In Indian tradition, pink is the color of hospitality. Jaipur fulfills this chromatic legacy both aesthetically and in spirit. Most structures are built using the area's indigenous dusty-rose sandstone, while others are painted pink in keeping with a century-old tradition.
This morning, meet our guide for a full-day exploration. Start with the City Palace, the heart of Jaipur which is an exquisite complex of palaces, gardens and courtyards. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armory, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings.
Also explore The Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), an extension of the zenana (women’s quarters) which allowed royal women to observe the city in strict concealment and plush environs. Its elaborate façade of rose sandstone and white marble is more screen than building. Cool breezes from the 900 windows make this structure relatively comfortable in even the hottest weather.
Finish the day at the world-renowned Jantar Mantar, or Astronomical Observatory. It was commissioned by the learned and beloved Jai Singh II, who began work on five observatories throughout India at the age of 20. Based on astronomical treatise from Hindu texts, the Muslim world and both ancient and modern Europe, this massive stone observatory is still functional and extraordinarily accurate. This, the largest of the five, consists of fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, and tracking the movement of planets. The observatory is still used to forecast local weather, make monsoon predictions and cast ritual horoscopes.
Overnight at the Trident (Deluxe Rooms) - Jaipur
Monday, Nov. 20, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
This morning, after breakfast, we'll depart Jaipur on the morning drive to Pushkar, arriving at the height of the festivities. The camel fair draws livestock traders from all over western India, but that isn't all. Like nearly every gathering large and small across the country, the lunar calendar dictates the date of the festival, thus transforming a mere livestock show into an auspicious spiritual confluence of man and beast. There will be mystics and musicians, camel-wallahs and priests, and vendors plying their wares from the far corners of Rajasthan. It's a riot of color and activity, from sacred bathing rituals to camel races. Our tented camp will provide a comfortable and secure haven for our two nights here.
Overnight at the Aagman Tented Camp (Deluxe Tents) - Pushkar
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
Today will be spent photographing, exploring and enjoying the Pushkar Camel Fair.
Overnight at the Aagman Tented Camp (Deluxe Tents) - Pushkar
Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
This morning we will enjoy the festivities before departing on the four hour drive to Jodhpur, the legendary "Blue City." On arrival we will settle into our comfortable hotel with the remainder of the afternoon and evening free to explore on own own.
Overnight at the Taj Hari Mahal Hotel (Superior Rooms) - Jodhpur
This hotel is perfectly located downtown, near the old city of Jodhpur. It features Mandore-style architecture amidst landscaped gardens.
Thursday, Nov. 23, 2013
Meals Provided: B L D
This morning after breakfast, meet our guide for a full-day exploration of Jodhpur beginning with the impregnable and majestic Meherangarh Fort, built by Rao Jodha in the mid-15th century, when the city of Jodhpur was founded as the capital of the Marwar kingdom. Situated on the fringes of the mighty Thar desert, the fort is built on a rocky outcrop, rising 400 feet above the city. It has a labyrinth of palatial buildings built by a succession of Marwar rulers. From the fort's ramparts, you will be able to view the blue-painted Brahmin houses for which the city is famous.
Continue to other palaces including Moti Mahal (Flower Palace), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Sileh Khana and Jaswant Thada, with its rich collection of cenotaphs that house the portraits of the rulers of Jodhpur. Before returning to the hotel in the afternoon, venture out to Mandore where the majestic Hall of Heroes contains sixteen gigantic figures carved out of rock, depicting popular Hindu and folk deities.
Return to the hotel late this afternoon with the evening at our leisure.
Overnight at the Taj Hari Mahal (Superior Rooms) - Jodhpur
Friday, Nov. 24, 2013
Meals Provided: B
Late this morning we transfer to the airport for our short flight back to Delhi on the only direct flight of the day.
Fly Jodhpur to Delhi on Jet Airways 9W 722, departing 12:15, arriving 13:15
Economy Class
On arrival in Delhi this afternoon we will be transferred the short distance to our hotel (Radisson Blu) where day rooms have been reserved until 21:00 this evening.
This evening pick up from the Radisson and transfer back to the airport for our international flights home.