Kutch Astro Landscape Photo Tour
Kutch Astro Landscape Photo Tour
26th – 30th April 2025
View Dates & Prices
Group Size
8 Participants
Location
Kutch, Gujarat, India.
TOUR OVERVIEW
Are you eager to delve into the world of Astro Landscape Photography? Unlock the secrets of capturing the ethereal beauty of GOLDEN and BLUE HOUR LANDSCAPES, immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of NIGHTSCAPE IMAGERY, master the art of STAR TRAILS and LIGHT PAINTING, and unveil the mesmerizing allure of TIME-LAPSE sequences and the MILKY WAY GALAXY dancing across the night sky. This transformative ASTRO LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY photo tour offers an immersive experience designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the celestial wonders above.
TOUR OVERVIEW
Are you eager to delve into the world of Astro Landscape Photography? Unlock the secrets of capturing the ethereal beauty of GOLDEN and BLUE HOUR LANDSCAPES, immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of NIGHTSCAPE IMAGERY, master the art of STAR TRAILS and LIGHT PAINTING, and unveil the mesmerizing allure of TIME-LAPSE sequences and the MILKY WAY GALAXY dancing across the night sky. This transformative ASTRO LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHY photo tour offers an immersive experience designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the celestial wonders above.
TOUR LIMELIGHT
- 4 nights at Shooting Locations.
- Shoot MILKY WAY, MAGNIFICENT STAR TRAILS AND GOLDEN AND BLUE HOUR LANDSCAPES, TIMELAPSE, TIME BLENDING, EXPOSURE BLENDING, ETC.
- Field guide from composition, and gear settings to test shots.
- Daily review of fieldwork.
- Multiple Post Processing sessions.
- One Day Pre-Tour Class In Nakshatrana.
- LIFETIME POST-PROCESSING SUPPORT.
- Participants’ images will be displayed in a special gallery on the Exposure SOP website and with the participant’s review, social media handle and DP.
- A soul-enriching exploration and photographic journey of mystical significance.
- Pre-Tour briefing about the entire photo tour.
- 100% refund, if we cancel the photo tour for any reason (After deducting the bank transaction charges).
- Transaction and gateway charges will be charged to the participants.
ABOUT THE KUTCH
Kutch, located in the far west of Gujarat, India, is a region with prehistoric roots and ties to the Indus Valley civilization and Hindu mythology. Officially spelled Kachchh, its capital is Bhuj. Covering 45,674 km², it is India’s largest district. The highest point in Kutch is Kala Dungar (Black Hill) at 458 meters (1,503 ft). Surrounded by the Gulf of Kutch and the Arabian Sea to the south and west, and the Great and Little Rann (seasonal wetlands) to the north and east, Kutch is effectively an island. The name “Kutch” refers to its intermittent wet and dry conditions, with the Rann of Kutch being a shallow wetland that floods during the rainy season and dries out otherwise. Kutch is ideal for capturing diverse landscapes and nightscapes, with many areas offering Bortle 2 skies.
This five-day, four-night photography photo tour will enhance your skills in landscape and astro-landscape photography. You’ll also master golden and blue hour techniques, focus stacking, time blending, exposure blending, light painting, time-lapse, and nightscapes. Capture impressive images for your portfolio and gain valuable insights from experienced mentors while interacting and learning in a supportive environment.
ITINERARY
Pre-Tour: Participants will receive detailed briefings on attractions, safety, and equipment via WhatsApp, email, or phone. A virtual meeting 20-25 days before the trip will allow for introductions and Q&A.
Day 1 (26.04.2025)
Depart Bhuj Railway Station at 9 AM for Nakshatrana (52 km, approx. 1.5 hr). Check in at JP Resort, followed by lunch and a theoretical session on astro-landscape photography. After resting, we’ll head to Laiyari Riverbed around 9 PM to shoot the Milky Way. The core will be visible from 11:05 PM to 4:58 AM.
Day 2 (27.04.2025)
Return to the resort after the night shoot, rest, and have breakfast. Post-processing class before and after lunch. After dinner, travel to Banni Grassland for another Milky Way shoot, with visibility from 11:01 PM to 4:57 AM.
Day 3 (28.04.2025)
Travel to Bhuj (52 km, approx. 1.5 hr) and stay at Ryan Resort. After lunch and a post-processing class, head to Kadiya Dhro (35 km, approx. 1 hr) for night photography. The Milky Way core will be visible from 10:57 PM until sunrise.
Day 4 (29.04.2025)
Depart for Dholavira (130 km, approx. 2.5 hr) after breakfast. Check-in at Rann Resort and rest. Shoot golden hour and blue hour landscapes, followed by dinner. Head out at 10 PM for Milky Way photography, with the core visible from 10:53 PM to 4:55 AM.
Day 5 (30.04.2025)
After breakfast on the final day, check out of the resort at 10 AM and travel to Bhuj Railway Station (130 km, approx. 2.5 hr) for your journey home.
Note: Locations may change due to unforeseen circumstances, but alternative locations will be provided at no additional cost.
Date
26th April 2025 to 30th April 2025
Price
| Date | Price (For Indian Participants) | Price (For Overseas Participants) |
|---|---|---|
| 26th - 30th April 2025 | Rs 40000 | 480 USD |
**Please note that Astro Landscape Photography totally depends on local weather conditions, and the weather is unpredictable, though we hope that we’ll get a clear sky starting of the March.
***Please read all details on this page including the Terms and Conditions on the website.
Gallery
Meet your mentor
Rajat Malakar
An IT professional working in IBM India, as an Application Architect Rajat is a Travel and Landscape Photographer. He started learning Astro Landscape Photography in 2018 out of curiosity. Since then, he has gone through several online studies/tutorials on Astro Landscape photography and practiced & learned a few different techniques for shooting the Milky Way, Star Trail, and a Starry Landscape. As he has grown up as a photographer his interest carried on to Landscape Photography also. His works have been published on many International and National Photography platforms like ViewBugs, and 500px. He has been published online in Photography Group Magazine and he recently received multiple awards in an exhibition organized by a Photography Group. He has contacted many workshops in the eastern Himalayas and the participants are extremely happy with the learning. Rajat has created an AI-based chatbot BOT which is integrated with the Facebook messenger app to help beginners in Astro Landscape photography. The AI Agent responds to any queries on Night Photography by providing a detailed response by including external links/tutorials like YouTube. The AI Agent is available here: https://www.facebook.com/TheM31
Mrinmay Nayek
Hailing from the vibrant city of Kolkata, Mrinmay found himself drawn to the serene landscapes of Siliguri in 2011, where he embarked on a journey as a faculty member for Geography at a Higher Secondary School. Armed with a Masters in Geography and Education, as well as a PG Diploma in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems, he quickly established himself as a scholar in his field. Despite his academic success, Mrinmay harbored a deep-seated passion for photography since childhood. In 2018, he decided to pursue this passion wholeheartedly by joining ‘Exposure – The School of Photography’. With dedication and perseverance, he immersed himself in the intricacies of photography, mastering the technicalities and terminology of the art. Specializing in Astro Landscape Photography and Street Photography, Mrinmay quickly gained recognition for his unique vision and skillful execution. Within just five years, alumni from the inaugural batch of Exposure’s photography program have gone on to become faculty members themselves, a testament to Mrinmay’s mentorship and guidance. Mrinmay’s work has been featured in numerous National and International photography exhibitions, showcasing his talent and creativity to a global audience. He has also conducted multiple successful workshops on Astro Landscape Photography for Exposure, sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring photographers eager to learn from the best.
Meet your mentor
Rajat Malakar
An IT professional working in IBM India, as an Application Architect Rajat is a Travel and Landscape Photographer. He started learning Astro Landscape Photography in 2018 out of curiosity. Since then, he has gone through several online studies/tutorials on Astro Landscape photography and practiced & learned a few different techniques for shooting the Milky Way, Star Trail, and a Starry Landscape. As he has grown up as a photographer his interest carried on to Landscape Photography also. His works have been published on many International and National Photography platforms like ViewBugs, and 500px. He has been published online in Photography Group Magazine and he recently received multiple awards in an exhibition organized by a Photography Group. He has contacted many workshops in the eastern Himalayas and the participants are extremely happy with the learning. Rajat has created an AI-based chatbot BOT which is integrated with the Facebook messenger app to help beginners in Astro Landscape photography. The AI Agent responds to any queries on Night Photography by providing a detailed response by including external links/tutorials like YouTube. The AI Agent is available here:
Mrinmay Nayek
Hailing from the vibrant city of Kolkata, Mrinmay found himself drawn to the serene landscapes of Siliguri in 2011, where he embarked on a journey as a faculty member for Geography at a Higher Secondary School. Armed with a Masters in Geography and Education, as well as a PG Diploma in Remote Sensing and Geographical Information Systems, he quickly established himself as a scholar in his field. Despite his academic success, Mrinmay harbored a deep-seated passion for photography since childhood. In 2018, he decided to pursue this passion wholeheartedly by joining ‘Exposure – The School of Photography’. With dedication and perseverance, he immersed himself in the intricacies of photography, mastering the technicalities and terminology of the art. Specializing in Astro Landscape Photography and Street Photography, Mrinmay quickly gained recognition for his unique vision and skillful execution. Within just five years, alumni from the inaugural batch of Exposure’s photography program have gone on to become faculty members themselves, a testament to Mrinmay’s mentorship and guidance. Mrinmay’s work has been featured in numerous National and International photography exhibitions, showcasing his talent and creativity to a global audience. He has also conducted multiple successful workshops on Astro Landscape Photography for Exposure, sharing his knowledge and expertise with aspiring photographers eager to learn from the best.
Terms and Conditions
- Transportation from Bhuj to Bhuj and Shooting points from Hotel/Homestay.
- First-day Lunch to last-day breakfast. (5 Breakfast, 4 Dinner, and 4 Lunch)
- Accommodations in a Triple Occupancy / Double Occupancy / Camp, Mattress,
Blanket, Sleeping Bags, and Hot Water. - You have to pay extra for Single Occupancy.
- Permits and all entry fees.
- Expert guidance on Landscape and Astro Landscape Photography.
What is not included in the Photo Tour Fees?
- Anything else other than mentioned includes.
- All expenses of personal nature.
- Any other actual expenses would be shared by all participants on an actual basis.
- Pick up & drop from the Railway station/Bus Stand/Airport are not included.
- Occupancy is chosen on a first come first serve basis.
- Additional food or beverages ordered.
Important points to be noted
- The photo tour is designed from Bhuj to Bhuj.
- This photo tour is conceptualized in such a way that personal attention can be given to each and every photographer and for that, the group will be restricted to 8 photographers only.
- This photo tour has been specifically designed for photographers. Nonphotographer spouse/friend may be accommodated on the photo tour but at full cost and on agreeing to stick to the schedule of the photo tour.
- While all care would be taken to stick to the schedule, unforeseen circumstances, time consistency might lead to some changes.
- Please note that Astro Landscape Photography fully depends on local weather conditions, although, we hope that we’ll get a clear sky.
- The mentors will guide you throughout the photo tour.
Deadlines
Registration is open from 25th March 2025Â or till the seat reservations end.
Conditions
Only a maximum of 8 hardworking photographers will be selected for this photo tour. This is not a fancy tour; it’s a hard photo tour and you have to walk, so your physical fitness is very important.
Participants will be granted for the workshop based on email confirmation on a first come first serve basis. Feel free to call +91-8509333385 or +91-9830221895 or +91-9432824306 for any further assistance.
Booking
To secure your position, you must pay a 20,000.00 INR non-refundable deposit. The remaining 20,000.00 INR can be paid on or before 45 days prior to the photo tour, or it can be paid in two installments: 10,000.00 INR before 60 days prior to the photo tour, and the remaining 10,000.00 INR must be paid 45 days prior to the photo tour commencement date. Transaction and gateway charges will be charged to the participants.
Cancellation and Refunds
In the event of a cancellation or modification of your confirmed booking, Exposure’s Cancellation and Refund Policy for Photography Photo Tours will apply, and your agreement to abide by these terms is required. If Exposure cancels a tour/workshop due to insufficient participants, a full refund, including the deposit amount, will be provided. However, once the tour commences, no refunds will be issued for any unused services, including rooms, meals, flights, tour days, events, or other services.
Please be aware that cancellation penalties outlined below are based on costs incurred by Exposure on your behalf, including non-refundable deposits or payments made to agents, hotels, airlines, etc. Refunds, if applicable, will be processed within 14 working days from the date of written confirmation of cancellation, using the same payment method used for the original transaction.
Failure to make full payment by 45 days prior to the photo tour or as communicated to you may result in the cancellation of your reservation, with no refund of the booking amount.
All cancellation notices from participants must be submitted in writing and will be effective as of the date of the postmark (standard mail or electronic).
CANCELLATION DEDUCTIONS WILL BE AS PER THE FOLLOWING POLICY AGAINST FULL PHOTO TOUR FEES:
- There will be no more fees if the cancellation request is sent 61 days before the tour.
- 80% will be deducted – if cancelled 61 – 46 days prior to the commencement of the photo tour.
- 100% will be deducted – if cancelled 45 days prior to the commencement of the photo tour.
* PLEASE READ ALL DETAILS AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS,DISCLAIMER/UNDERTAKING BEFORE BOOKING.
Weather of Kutch
The prevailing climate in Kutch is known as a local steppe climate. In Kutch, there is little rainfall throughout the year. As per the Köppen-Geiger classification, the prevailing weather conditions in this region are categorized under BSh. The average annual temperature in Kutch is 26.4 °C. The rainfall here is around 424 mm or 16.7 inches per year.
The location Kutch is located in a temperate zone, making it difficult to categorize the seasons. The most opportune times to visit are February, March, October, and November.
The clearest month of the year in Kutch is February, during which on average the sky is clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy 87% of the time. The cloudier part of the year begins around June 6 and lasts for 3.2 months, ending around September 13. The cloudiest month of the year in Kutch is July, during which on average the sky is overcast or mostly cloudy 63% of the time.
Testimonials
