Marwaris & Holi Festival

Unforgettable photo adventure in incredible india

1.3.2020-11.3.2020 ( +two travel days 29.2.2020 + 12.3.2020)



Incredible India - a land full of surprises and wonders, where even the horses are magical. With their turned in and elf like ears Marwari horses have a special appearance. Experience them in their home land, the semi-desert of Rajasthan. According to legend, Marwaris are decadence of god – and indeed their character and aura seems to be not from this world. Once warhorses of the maharajahs, they seem fearless and even take up with elephants. With their energy and toughness they are perfectly adapted to life in the barren semi-desert. And at the same time, they are full of gentleness. They are full of contrasts and full of magic, as well as their homeland. On our photo tour we invite you to immerse into this magical world.

 

Spend 11 memorable days alongside people sharing the same passion that you do. Share experiences and enjoy the luxury and special atmosphere that makes Mandawa Safaris' programs so special. The Mandawa

Photo Safari in cooperation with Picstories by mmk offers excellent photo shootings with noble Marwari horses, which will give your photo portfolio the very special something. Rounded off with a well chosen sightseeing program in Udaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner, a ride on the wonderful Marwaris that once carried kings and queens on their backs and India's colorful Holi festival.Experience the atmosphere of a traditional Holi festival in an Indian village and become part of the contest of colours and joy in castle Mandawa. A travel experience of a special kind. With memories for a lifetime.


Program*

Arrivalday29. February 2020:

Today the adventure will start. Please make sure your flight arrives in the night of 29th February to 1st March (flight not included in the price). Most flights from Europe arrive in the night. You will be picked up at the airport and the driver will bring you to the hotel where you will spend the rest of the night and recover from the flight.

In case your flight arrives earlier, your room will be available from the afternoon on. You are also welcome to expand your trip and book a night in Advance to explore Delhi on your own. Additional nights can be booked with Mandawa Safaris.

Day 1 to 3:

Recovered from the long distance flight and after a delicious breakfast, we are ready for the adventure. We will firstly return to the airport to catch

a flight to Udaipur (dometic flight is not included in the price; we will let you know which flight to book; cost round about 50 Euro)  Udaipur is considered the most beautiful city of India and the Venice of the East. Located on the shores of the lakes Pichola and Fateh Sagar, the silhouettes of magnificent palaces and havelis are reflected in the water. In the small, winding streets of the city, you immediately

immers in the hustle and bustle of India and it will feel like being taken back to another time when Maharajas were still ruling and Udaipur was the capital of the kingdom of Mewar. There could not be a better starting point for the journey to get addicted to the magic of India. During our stay we will discover the sights of the city and will shoot with enchanting Marwaris at different locations.

 



Day 4 to 6:

Next our journey leads us to Jodhpur. Jodhpur is the second largest city of Rajasthan - colorful and lively. Jodhpur is also called the blue city. Many

facades are coloured in blue. Originally, the color marked the houses of Brahmins, members of the highest caste. Today, people from other castes also

paint their houses in blue, giving the city its name. Jodhpur is also know for the Jodhpur breeches that originally came from here and then conquered the

world. In Jodhpur we will once again shoot Marwaris and explore the sights of the city.

 

 

Day 7:

Futher on we travel to the heart of the desert of Thar, to Bikaner. The city used to be an important trading outpost of the Silk Road. You can still glimpse the splendor of bygone days. But not only palaces will bring out your amazement. We will also visit one of the most most bizarre sight of India: the rat temple. The Karni Mata Temple is home to several thousand rats. Those are considered sacred. And if you see one of the rare white rats you are particularly lucky.

They are said to bring good fortune.



Day 8 to 10:

From Bikaner we finally drive to Mandawa – home of our hosts. In the historic castle of Mandawa we can feel home away from home for the next couple

of days. Mandawa counts 25,000 inhabitants. In India its considered to be a small village. And compared to the other cities we travelled before it indeed

almost feels tranquil. It is an ideal place to relax at the end of the journey and to let all the impressions of the journey sink in. Nevertehless shootings

won’t be neglected. Most of my Marwari pictures are taken in Mandawa. And you should also have the opportunity to shoot the wonderful Marwaris of Mandawa Safaris in different locations. On a half-day ride we will also experience the Energy of the horses from their backs. they will carry us through the sand of the semi-desert, apparently without getting tired at all. Non-riders can either join the tour by jeep or use the time to relax in the hotel or explore Mandawa. In Mandawa the highlight of the journey is also waiting for us: the Holi Festival. It traditionally starts with a fire ceremony, the Holi Burning. Followed by the colourful Holi the next day. We will dive into tradition and heaps of color.

Day 11:

Then it is time to say goodbye again. In the afternoon we will drive from Mandawa to Delhi from where you will catch a flight back home in the

night. Please note: Your return flight from Delhi should depart in the night of 11th to 12th of March between 11pm and 4am (flight not included). If you decide to fly on the 12th of March, we will gladly arrange an extra night for you near the airport (not included in the price).
You also have the opportunity to
individually extend your trip for one or two nights and to travel to Agra to see the world-famous Taj Mahal for example. Mandawa Safaris can arrange such extensions for you on extra charge.

 

* Program might be subject to change in case of need




Mentored Photo Safari with Picstoriesbymmk

This Photo Safari is composed and mentored by Miriam Melanie Köhler alias Picstories by mmk. She is an equine and animal photographer from Germany. She has already travelled to India for eight times. Her Marwari calendar 2018 got an award as best animal calendar of the year.

 

“I invite you to discover the magic of India and the Marwaris with me. Immerse yourself in a world that simply captured me. I have created a special journey for you for 2020 that will lead you to a selection of the most beautiful places in Rajasthan. During exceptional shoots, you will have wonderful Marwari horses in front of the camera. The images will be an eye-catcher in your portfolio, that’s for sure. Moreover you will return with wonderful memories of an unforgettable journey amongst like-minded people."

 

More about Picstories by mmk:
www.picstoriesbymmk.com
www.facebook.com/picstoriesbymmk



Package & Price

11 days packed with exiting photoshoots, sightseeing program , ride on Marwari horses and uncountable memories for a lifetime and nearly as many photos for your portfolio
11 nights accommodation in beautiful and partially historic hotels mostly with pool

full board with delicious meals suitable for vegetarians and non-vegetarians

water during transfers, ride and shootings

selected admission fees for sights, transfer as written in program

 

Not included: flights to and from India; flight to Udaipur; visa; personal travel insurance; personal expenses; drinks in hotels, alcohol, tips, additional entry fees, additional  travel components

Language: Englisch and german speaking contact person during the journey

 

Group size: You are travelling with people who share the same passion than you and that you can share your photography experience and enthousiasm with. Maximum group size will be 6 photographers. the small group size ensures best shootings opportunities for you. Minimal number of participants: 3

 

Special offer for this Photo Safari !!!

 

Earlybirds can assure their space for this incredible journey for only 2190 Euro per person. (valid for all bookings until 30.11.2019)

Regular price for all bookings from 1.12.2019 onwards: 2390 Euro per person

Single room on request; extra charge for single room: 560 Euro per person

 

Additional  options and travel components:

 

Non-photographers as travel companions:
You have a friend or partner who would like to join but who is not into photography? For non photographers joining this Photo-Safari we give a discount of 300 Euro. Please be aware that non photographers will not be allowed to take any pictures during the organized photoshootings. Nevertheless they are most welcome to join the shootings and of course they will participate in the rest of the pogram.

 

Theory instruction:

You wanna refresh your knowledge about equine photography? Or you are even new to equine photography? An optional theory instruction (2 hours) will give yout the opportunity. So even participants with less of eqine photography experience will get the best out fo the shootings. I share my knowledge with you and give you some information about the particularities of Marwaris pictures. During these two hours you can also ask me whatever you wanna know and you will be ready for the shootings to follow. During the whole trip all participants are also invited to share their experience amongst each other. Lets share our knowledge, have a look at pictures togehter and talk about our workflow and edditing.

Cost for the additional theory instruction: 80 Euro to be payed in advance. 

 

Additional days:

You wanna expand your journey? Mandawa Safari can provide you with diffrent packages. For example you can visit the world famous Taj Mahal in Agra or do some sightseeing and shopping in Agra. Price depending on package. 



Booking Conditions & General Business Terms

A booking of the photo safari is formally binding. To secure a place in this photo safari you need to pay a deposit of 790 Euro.

 

Cancellation: 

Deposit is non-refundable

Any cancellations after 29.1.2020: the entire price has to be paid to the organizer. The participant is free to find a substitute participant for the photo safari.
Any cancellation has to be written via email to: mandawasafari.office@gmail.com

We recommend a travel insurance.

 

There is a minimum number of 3 participants for this photo safari. In case of less participants until 15.1.2020 , the organizer is free to cancel the trip. In case of cancellation due to lack of particpants all deposit will be refunded. Please be aware that the organiser is not responsible for and will not cover any expanses like non-refundable flight tickets etc. in case of cancellation due to lack of participants. Before booking a non-refunable flight we recommend you to ask us if the minimum number of participants is booked.

 

If the accompanying photographer is out of action due to health reasons or other issues, and will not participate in the photo safari at all, the photo safari will nevertheless take place. Fpr compensation the participants will be given a discount of 300 Euros.

 

Disclaimer: Participation in the photo safari is at your own risk. For personal injury and property damage, any liability for any negligent conduct is excluded. Each participant is responsible at own risk for any accidents during arrival and departure and during the event. The organizer recommends all participants to take out a travel insurance. To maintain safety, each participant undertakes to fully obey the instructions of the organizer.

 

Exploitation rights: Photos taken during the Photo Safari are freee for personal use as well as for commercial use. All images need to be tagged with:   [own photographers credit] taken during Photo-Safari with Picstories by mmk & Mandawa Safari

In case you need any model or property releases for commerical use: Any model or property release rights are to be obtained separately from the respective photographer and are not compensated with the participation in the journey. The organizer assumes no liability for any violation of rights by a photographer. There is no claim for model or property releases. 

 

Participating in the photo safari, all participants agrees that Mandawa Safaris and Picstories by mmk use photos showing the participant for reporting and promotional activities related to this and further Photo Safaris.