A special treat for photography and Indian culture enthusiasts! Celebrated once every 12 years, Kumbh Mela is an event for which the photographers from all over the world have been waiting for over a decade! You will experience a galaxy of Indian ascetics (including the naked Naga Baba), yogis and pilgrims, as well as extraordinary ceremonies and rituals.
An event that ignites the senses of photographers, vloggers and travelers. Celebrated once every 12 years, it is the largest religious gathering in the world. During almost two months over 100 million people join the celebration and on the most important days up to 50 million pilgrims mass at one place at the same time.
The festival takes place in the city of Prayagraj, where the two holiest rivers of India: Ganges and Yamuna meet. A ritual ablution in such place, according to the pilgrims beliefs, has an superior impact on their lifes, especially if carried out on specific days from the point of view of astrology. During our trip, we will be able to observe one of the most important ablutions which are famous for the ascetic representatives of Naga Baba sect. These curious sadhus walk around naked and rub their bodies with ashes.
For four days, we will be photographing various rituals, visiting pilgrims’ camps and portraiting the festival participants.
We will be staying overnight on the festival place, in luxurious tents, equipped with comfortable beds and private bathrooms. Moreover, a full board (vegetarian) will be provided during the holiday.
At first glance it may seem like a city of death. This is one of the holiest places in India, in which every Indian wish to die. Funeral pyres are burning on the banks of the Ganges River 24 hours a day. We will have the unique opportunity to participate in this shocking spectacle. Moreover we will also attend the evening offerings to the goddess Ganga – Aarti, take part in a service in a Shiva temple and explore the holy city through its narrow, winding streets full of ascetics, sadhus, pilgrims and backpackers.
Varanasi has a unique atmosphere that is difficult to describe. On the one hand, it is noisy and touristy and on the other – full of mysticism. Therefore it has the ability to attract visitors like a magnet and make them never get enough of its extraordinary mixture of impressions. This is one of the best places for street photography in India!
During our visit, Varanasi will be outstandingly crowded with sadhus who stop there on their way to (or back from) the Kumbh Mela festival.
A group of Hindu ascetics known as Aghori are famous for their curious practices that many find terrifying and mysterious. Aghori often live near cremation sites, where they perform their rituals using human bodies. They practice puja by sitting on corpses, talk to the spirits of the dead and use human skulls as drinking bowls. What is probably the most shocking about Ahgori members, they eat human flesh, which is why they are often referred to as cannibals.
Aghori are devoted believers of god Shiva. In order to follow Shiva, they cover their bodies with ashes from crematoria. Like other sadhus, they strive to get free from the cycle of reincarnation. To achieve it, they try to get rid of human emotions such as anger, avarice, obsession, fear, hate and carnal desire. They believe that living among the dead helps them to vanquish their weaknesses while eating human flesh lets them overcome disgust.
Although their practices are considered controversial by most Hindus, Aghori hold an important place in the hierarchy of sadhus. It is widely believed that they are able to practice black magic – remove spells and drive away evil spirits.
We will meet the Aghori in Varanasi, where we will have a unique opportunity to understand their lifestyle and take extraordinary photographs.
A city considered by many to be a mecca of street photography. There is so much going on in Kolkata that you don’t know where to point the lens. Among the countless interesting places in the city, I have chosen the crème de la crème – the best photographic areas that guarantee great photos. We will go to Kumartuli – a district of sculptors who make huge statues of gods day and night in tiny workshops or right on the street. On College Street we will see the largest second-hand book market in India. Hundreds of stands and tens of thousands of books, arranged in high piles, make an incredible impression. We will also visit the fascinating flower market and the adjacent coast. There we will meet Kushti wrestlers, worshipers washing themselves in the Hugli River and children playing around them. We are also going to visit districts full of markets and interesting streets. Passing the Home for the Dying founded by Mother Teresa, we will reach the temple of the most terrifying Hindu goddess – Kali. We will also experience the nightlife of Kolkata while visiting Park Street full of neon lights and bars.
A city that will immediately affect all our senses. We will delve into Old Delhi full of shops, numerous craftsmen, street food and, of course, holy cows. We are going to visit the stalls at Chandai Chowk and Sadar Baazar, walk around gathas on the banks of the second holiest river in India – the Yamuna, take part in the training of Kushti wrestlers, explore the potters’ village and admire the extremely picturesque artists’ district – Lodhi. Its beautiful murals serve as a great background for street shots. A real kaleidoscope of colors, smells and sounds is waiting for us. We will definitely find many photography opportunities there!
Accommodation: 3* and 4* hotels, luxury tented camp during Kumbh Mela festival.
Please note that Indian hotel standard may differ from Western hotels with the same star rating.
Price based on double occupancy (twin beds rooms). You will be paired with a same sex roommate.
There is an opportutiny to book single rooms:
Main Tour – single supplement: EUR 500
Golden Triangle extension – single supplement: EUR 200
Transportation: between cities we will travel by private cars as well as by a plane (domestic flights). On the locations we will use public transport like metro or cabs and rickshaws.
Price includes:
Price excludes:
Includes theoretical and practical classes. I adjust the level of advancement individually to each participant, so no matter whether you have just started taking photos or already know the basics – I will take care of your development.
You will learn the rules of composition so that you can set the frame correctly. I will teach you how to use scene elements to achieve the intended outcome. We will watch and analyse photos of awarded photographers as well as discuss your photographs taken during the trip. However, we will focus mostly on practice. We will try all types of travel photography – reportage, portrait, landscape and street photography. The course also includes pre-trip consultations on equipment and photography basics.
If you cancel at least 90 days before departure, you will receive a full refund. If there is less time to departure, a certain amount will be deducted from the costs incurred. You will find detailed information in the ‘Terms of Participation‘.
Of course! Unless you have any health contraindications, there is no age restriction. Just keep young at heart! People of all ages travel with me and we get along with each other smoothly.
Each participant is covered by high-class travel insurance.
You can also consider individual cancellation insurance, thanks to which you will receive a refund of travel costs in the event of cancellation due to health or unforeseen reasons.
A set of preventive vaccinations is recommended for each trip. These include vaccines against: typhoid, tetanus, diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B.
Additional recommendations for particular destinations can be found here.
I also recommend consulting a travel medicine doctor and starting vaccination cycle at least one month before departure.
No, we travel with large luggage only to a taxi, bus or other means of transport. When we arrive at our destination, we always leave our luggage at the hotel and explore just with the essential equipment.
For this trip, I recommend a backpack as there are often no sidewalks and the roads are full of potholes. Dragging a suitcase in such contidions may be inconvenient. In addition, a backpack is easier to fit into local vehicles (especially tiny rickshaws).
No, the price includes all expenses on local transportation, but you need to pay for travel to and from India on your own.
Yes, you need to reach the departure point (Kolkata) on your own. Then you will be picked you up from the airport. You will also travel back home on your own (the departure airport is Delhi). I will take care of the tickets for domestic flights.
Absolutely! I adapt the level of shared knowledge to the participants and treat everyone individually. I may even start with presenting the very basics of the camera operation. Then I will gradually introduce the more advanced issues on how to chose a frame properly as well as discuss some special effects. I will also provide training materials before the trip so that you can prepare in advance. During the trip participants don’t compete with each other, we will focus on mutual support and inspiration. Also the more experienced often help the beginners.
Of course not! Many professionals travel with me. They take a great advantage of the trip to gain materials which are then published in newspapers and magazines. Even if you are already an advanced photographer, the tour program will definitely give you many opportunities for taking great shots or creating your own material. I will help you with implementing your ideas as much as I can.
