RAJASTHAN, HOLI FEST, VARANASI
10 - 24 March 2024
Some people travel to get lost, some people travel to find themselves; whatever your motivation, a trip to India is still a powerful experience of personal transformation.
India fascinates, it attracts; at times, it angers, but it never leaves one indifferent.
India always welcomes with open arms.
On this extraordinary journey, we will immerse ourselves in the beauty of its breathtaking landscapes; in the kaleidoscopic celebration of life that the Indian people lead in their daily lives; in the charm of its ancient cities, Delhi, Jaipur and Agra; in the enchantment of the colourful streets of Jodhpur. We will come into contact with the deep spirituality of Varanasi, a city sacred to Hindus along the sacred Ganges River. We will participate in the joyous and colourful celebration of the Holi fest.
"A journey of a thousand miles always begins with the first step."
LAO TZU
THE TRIP TO INDIA
"Namasté means: 'I honour in you the place where the whole universe resides. If you are in that place in you, and I am in that place in me, we are one'.
India is not a promise; it is a lure. It has reasons that reason ignores.
15 intense days in this extraordinary and magical country.
We will immerse ourselves in the beauty of India's breathtaking landscapes; in the kaleidoscopic celebration of life that the Indian people go about their daily lives; in the charm of its ancient cities, Delhi, Jaipur and Agra; in the enchantment of the colourful streets of Jodhpur. We will come into contact with the profound spirituality of Varanasi, a city sacred to Hindus along the holy river Ganges. We will participate in the joyous and colourful celebration of the Holi fest.
Our main tool will be the camera.
A photographic journey is a complete experience that involves the eye, the mind, the heart; it allows you to hone photographic skills while exploring new places, cultures and landscapes; it is an opportunity to experiment with new photographic techniques.
In India, photography can become a form of creative meditation.
On this journey, we will also learn to tune speech to the ability to look.
That is why our luggage will not lack a notebook, next to the camera.
"Your journey begins now"
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
DATES
10 March to 24 March 2024
DURATION
15 days, 12 nights
PARTICIPANTS
Max. 15 participants
TEACHER NIKON SCHOOL
Emanuele Carpenzano
PRICE
For bookings by 31 December
€ 3.590,00
For bookings after 31 December
€ 3.950,00
PRO PRICE INCLUDING WEBINARS
For bookings by 31 December
€ 3.750,00
For bookings after 31 December
€ 4.100,00
DISCOVER THE DETAILED PROGRAMME
DAY 1
10 MARCH. MILAN-DEHLI
Group arrival at Malpensa
17:30 check-in at the Air India counter
20:00 departure for New Delhi
flight duration: 7h 30min
Meals and overnight stay on board
DAY 2
11 MARCH. NEW DEHLI
Arrival is scheduled in Delhi at 08:00 hours.
Transfer by private minibus with chauffeur to the hotel.
On the way, visit the Qutub Minar complex.
Accommodation in The Suryaa Hotel.
Visit to India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun's Tomb.Visit to the colonial-era government buildings; the Hindu temple 'Birla Mandir' and the Sikh temple 'Gurudwara Bangla Sahib'.
Dinner, wrap up for the day and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3
12 MARCH. DELHI-JODHPUR
Breakfast at the hotel
Transfer by private minibus to the domestic airport.
Departure for Jodhpur 'the blue city' by Air India flight at 12:55 pm. Expected arrival in Jodhpur at 14:20.
Upon arrival, transfer by private minibus to Hotel Pal Garh / Hotel The Ummed.
In Jodhpur, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, the Jaswant Thada.
Return to the hotel for dinner, wrap up for the day and overnight stay.
DAY 4
13 MARCH. JODHPUR
After breakfast, the whole day is dedicated to photographic exploration in the Brahmin quarter, walking through the narrow alleys full of life and the houses dyed blue, which will become more and more frequent until we are totally immersed in this colour.
Return to Hotel Pal Garh / Hotel The Ummed
dinner, wrap-up of the day and overnight stay
DAY 5
14 MARCH. JODHPUR-JAIPUR
Breakfast at the hotel
Overland departure by private minibus to Jaipur, the Pink City.
On arrival accommodation at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel / Hotel Sunday.
Afternoon by private minibus visit to the famous monkey temple (Galta Ji Mandir).
Return to the hotel for dinner, wrap up for the day and overnight stay.
DAY 6
15 MARCH. JAIPUR
visit to the 'pink city', the capital of Rajasthan.
Early in the morning, visit the vegetable and fruit market.
Following this is a visit to Amber Fort, 11 km from Jaipur. The last part of the ascent to the fort is done on the back of placid elephants.
Afterwards, a visit to the city proper: 'Hawa Mahal' the Wind Palace, a 90-foot high gnomon, the Jantar Mantar Observatory, where the 'Sancrat' is located, and finally a visit to the City Palace.
At the end of the visit, a walk through other local markets in Jaipur.
Wrap-up dinner of the day and overnight stay in Hotel Holiday Inn Express / Hotel Sunday
DAY 7
16 MARCH. JAIPUR-ABAHNERI-FATEHPUR SIKRI-AGRA
Breakfast at the hotel departure by private minibus to Agra.
First stop in Abhaneri, a small village about 95 km from Jaipur on the road to Agra. This village has one of the most impressive wells in all of Rajasthan. The Chand Baori (the well) is 20 metres deep and has about 11 levels of steps.
Second stop in Fatehpur Sikri to visit the world's most perfect ghost town, which Emperor Akbar had built after the birth of his son and which was later abandoned due to lack of water.
Arrival in Agra and accommodation in Hotel Clarks Shiraz for dinner. Wrap up for the day.
DAY 8
17 MARCH. AGRA-VRIDAVAN
After breakfast, visit Agra and its famous monuments.
Visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1631 in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
At the end of the tour check-out from the hotel and visit the Mausoleum of Itimad-ud-Daulahal.
Departure overland by private minibus to Vrindavan, one of the sacred cities of the Hindus, linked to the cult of Krishna (125 km, approx. 2 hours).
Dinner, wrap up for the day and overnight stay in Hotel Nidhivan Sarovar Portico
DAY 9
18 March VRIDAVAN-BARSANA
After breakfast, transfer to Barsana village for the Lathmar Holi festival.
Lathmar Holi (Holi of Sticks) is a Hindu festival celebrated in the twin cities of Barsana and Nandgaon. Every year, the men of Nandgaon visit the town of Barsana and the women chase them away (playing) with sticks (i.e. lathi) and colours. The whole atmosphere is extremely festive and cheerful, folk songs are sung and Thandai, a traditional drink, and sweets are served.
The photographic opportunities are endless and everywhere and it will be hard to stop shooting!
In the evening return to Vrindavan for dinner, wrap up for the day and overnight stay in Hotel Nidhivan Sarovar Portico
DAY 10
19 March VRIDAVAN-NANDGAON-VRINDRAVAN-VARANASI
After breakfast, transfer to the village of Nandgaon, where the Lathmar Holi is celebrated. The men, arriving from Barsana, dye the women with colours, while they hit them with twigs.
In the evening, return to Vrindavan for dinner at Hotel Nidhivan Sarovar Portico.
At 22:30, transfer to Mathura railway station and departure by train at 23:15 to Varanasi (6 stops in between - duration 15h 20min), overnight on board.
*In case of exhaustion of seats on board the train check-out from the hotel before going to the Nandgaon village and at about 15:00 transfer to Delhi airport to catch the 20:00 flight to Varanasi, arrival in Varanasi expected at 21:15.
DAY 11
20 MARCH. VARANASI
The train is scheduled to arrive in Varanasi at 14:35.
On arrival transfer to Ganges View Hotel, afternoon at leisure for personal activities.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
In case of arrival in Varanasi by internal flight: breakfast at the hotel and morning at leisure for sightseeing in Varanasi and personal activities.
Afternoon visit to the Ghats and participation in the evening prayer at the GANGE (VIP seats, behind the priests doing the prayer).
Dinner, wrap up for the day and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 12
21 MARCH. VARANASI
Wake up before dawn for the boat ride on the Ganges River: witness the purification rituals and the pilgrims' offerings to the rising sun.
Walking tour of the ancient city with a stop in front of the Golden Temple.
Return for breakfast followed by a walk around the ancient city of Varanasi.
Afternoon visit to the city and the Ghat to attend the evening prayer.
Return to Ganges View Hotel for dinner, wrap up for the day and overnight stay.
DAY 13
22 MARCH. VARANASI
Breakfast at the hotel.
10 a.m. transfer to Varanasi airport.
Departure for Delhi with AIR INDIA flight at 12:35 pm.
Expected arrival in Delhi at 14:20 hours.
Upon arrival, transfer by minibus to The Suryaa Hotel for accommodation.
Afternoon visit to the Bahai temple 'lotus temple'.
Dinner, wrap up for the day and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 14
23 MARCH. DELHI
After breakfast, visit the old town, a fascinating and picturesque maze of narrow streets, divided into two parts by the Silver Street 'Chandni Chowk', a colourful and lively succession of shops and bazaars.
Visit Jama Masjid, built in 1650, and Rajghat, where 'Mahatma Gandhi' was cremated.
Afternoon visit to the beautiful Lodhi Garden, a special place for Delhi residents to go for gymnastics, yoga and picnics; or to admire the monuments of the Sayyid and Lodhi dynasties that dot the park.
Return to Hotel The Suryaa dinner, wrap up for the day and overnight stay.
DAY 15
24 MARCH. DELHI
Breakfast at the hotel around 10:00/10:30 a.m. transfer by private minibus to Delhi International Airport.
Check-in at the Air India counter and at 14:20 departure for Milan (flight duration 8h40min).
Expected arrival at Milan Malpensa at 18:30.
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
DATES
10 March to 24 March 2024
DURATION
15 days, 12 nights
PARTICIPANTS
Max. 15 participants
TEACHER NIKON SCHOOL
Emanuele Carpenzano
PRICE
For bookings by 31 December € 3,590.00
For bookings after 31 December € 3,950.00
PRO PRICE INCLUDING WEBINARS
For bookings by 31 December € 3,750.00
For bookings after 31 December € 4,100.00
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Air India flight from/to Milan in economy class (including airport taxes)
- Accommodation in double room in hotels mentioned in the programme
- Half-board (breakfasts + buffet dinners in the same hotels)
- Private minibus (A/C) with chauffeur
- Admission to monuments, temples and museums mentioned in the programme
- Elephant back excursion to Amber Fort
- Train from Mathura to Varanasi in AC 3 Tier (3A) class (if available)
- Boat trip on the River Ganga in Varanasi
- Internal flights as mentioned in the programme (economy class)
- All local taxes
- Italian-speaking Indian tour guide throughout the tour in India
- Individual Nikon School teacher support throughout the duration of the Trip
- Shared daily editing sessions
- A copy of the photographic book realised with photos and texts developed by the participants under the supervision of Emanuele Carpenzano, professional photographer and Nikon School teacher, and Letterio Scopelliti, professional journalist writer and photoreporter. (Additional copies may be purchased at the special price of € 30.00 each).
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Preparation and overview webinar on the NikonSchool portal (cost for participants €80.00 each)
- Indian entry visa (€ 40 per person)
- Cancellation + medical insurance medical/luggage (maximum € 000.00) + Kit (€ 130 per person)
- Permits for photographing/filming, to be paid at the monuments;
- Tips, lunches, drinks and personal extras;
- Anything not mentioned under 'the fee includes' and in the detailed programme.
USEFUL INFORMATION
The trip is organised by
TTL-Travelling to learn
Tel. 3936667596
email: info@travellingtolearn.it
in collaboration with
Levador Travel
Tel. 0124.26704
email: tiziana@levadorviaggi.it
in collaboration with
Nikon School
By registering, you will receive the Travel Programme and all useful information by email; you will be included in our spaces dedicated to dialogue with teachers and the organisation.
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