Pushkar Photo Tour
Pushkar Photo Tour
30th Oct – 2nd Nov 2025
View Dates & Prices
Group Size
8 Participants
Location
Rajasthan, India.
PUSHKAR PHOTO TOUR – OVERVIEW
Experience India’s biggest tribal festivities of more than 100-year-old Pushkar Mela. The Pushkar photo tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the colour, spectacle, and carnival of one of the last great traditional fairs, which brings livestock, farmers, traders, and villagers from all over Rajasthan. Pushkar is not a place, it’s an experience in itself and no words can ever justify the experience one has in Pushkar Mela.
EXTENSIONS:
Jaisalmer Extension – 2 Days extension to the Golden City of Jaisalmer and the sand dune of Thar Desert.
PUSHKAR PHOTO TOUR – OVERVIEW
Experience India’s biggest tribal festivities of more than 100-year-old Pushkar Mela. The Pushkar photo tour is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the colour, spectacle, and carnival of one of the last great traditional fairs, which brings livestock, farmers, traders, and villagers from all over Rajasthan. Pushkar is not a place, it’s an experience in itself and no words can ever justify the experience one has in Pushkar Mela.
EXTENSIONS:
Jaisalmer Extension – 2 Days extension to the Golden City of Jaisalmer and the sand dune of Thar Desert.
TOUR LIMELIGHT
- Four days of enthralling experience of capturing the beauty and rustiness of Camel Fair at Pushkar.
- Two days exclusive photo shoot in the Golden City of Jaisalmer.
- Special attraction (Pushkar) – Experience the adrenaline rush during the camel safari under the starry night. Sunset and sunrise on the dune, campfire along with local folk songs, dinner under the starry night.
- Special attraction (Jaisalmer) – Morning and evening sand dune shoot with local people and camel.
- Street Photography shooting people dressed in vibrant clothes on the streets of Pushkar.
- For photographers, it is an unparalleled & unforgettable experience to capture the vibrancy of the entire state of Rajasthan in one place. The frame captures the culture, religious legacy, rural flavor, and rustic core natural beauty.
- Shooting tribal portraits of beautiful old-aged people will add a very good collection to your portfolio.
ITINERARY
Day X
Pre-tour briefing about the attractions of the tour, safety precautions for the equipment and photographer during the tour, travelling instructions to/from your city to Pushkar etc. These discussions can be made via WhatsApp group, e-mail, or telephone after the reservation of a seat.
Day 1
Arrive in Pushkar (by air/bus/train). Proceed to the hotel. Introduction. Spend the day exploring the Pushkar Mela area around the Mela ground. Very special Sondha Arati shoot at Varah Ghat.
Day 2
5:00 AM Early morning shoot near Savitri Temple when groups of camels, herders, horses, nomads, farmers and traders arrive at Pushkar.
9:00 AM Come back to the hotel for Breakfast.
1:30 PM Lunch
4:00 PM Start for camel safari. Shoot sunset on the dune. Campfire in the desert enjoying local folk songs. Dinner in the desert. Sleep under the stars the entire night.
09:00 PM Dinner
Day 3
5:00 AM Sunrise shoot in the desert with camels.
9:00 AM Breakfast.
1:30 PM Lunch
3:30 PM Proceed near Savitri Temple to shoot panoramic views of the Pushkar Lake, a top view of the entire mela ground, and sand dunes.
09:00 PM Dinner
Day 4
5:00 AM Camel shoot during sunrise.
7:30 AM Shoot at horse-trading area.
9:00 AM Breakfast, winding up session after certificates distribution.
11:00 AM Check out and the tour comes to an end.
EXTENSIONS
Jaisalmer Extension – 2 Days extension to the Golden City of Jaisalmer and Thar Desert.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EXTENSION STARTS BEFORE THE MAIN TRIP. To join the Pre Extension, you’ll have to reach Jaisalmer by 27.10.2025 afternoon and check in at our pre-booked resort at Khuri village.
Pre-Extensions:
Day 1
Early morning we’ll go to the top of the sand dunes with a jeep to shoot the sunrise of the Thar desert with camel and local people.
Evening sunset shoot at sand dunes of Thar desert with camel and local people. Night stay in a hotel at the sand dune near Khuri village.
Day 2
After breakfast proceed to visit Sonar Kella (Jaisalmer Fort). Evening visit to sunset point to shoot illuminated Sonar Kella. After dinner take some rest at the hotel then proceed to the railway station and proceed to Ajmer city.
At night 02:40 AM we board the train and proceed to Ajmer.
DATE
30th October to 2nd November 2025
Pre-Extension (Jaisalmer) 28th to 29th October 2025
PRICE
| Date | For Indian Participants | For Foreign Participants |
| 30th Oct - 2nd Nov 2025 | Tour Pricing | Tour Pricing |
| Double Occupancy | Rs 38000 | 800 USD |
| Single Occupancy | Rs 48000 | 1200 USD |
| 28th - 29th Oct 2025 | Pre Extension Pricing | Pre Extension Pricing |
| Double Occupancy | Rs 24000 | 600 USD |
| Single Occupancy | Rs 28000 | 750 USD |
*Limited seats on a first come first serve basis.
**Please read all details on this page and Detailed Terms and Conditions, disclaimer/undertaking in the Registration cum Booking Form.
Understand the Pushkar Camel Fare to connect with your subject
The Pushkar Fair is one of India’s more than 100-year-old largest camel, horse, and cattle fairs held in the town of Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. It is an annual fair celebrated from the Kartik Ekadashi to Kartik Poornima, the full moon day (the 15th) of Kartik (October–November) in the Hindu calendar. The full moon day, known as Kartik Poornima, is the main day of the fair and is associated with the legend of the Hindu god Brahma creating the Pushkar Lake. It is a day when numerous people take a holy dip in its sacred waters. Pushkar Fair holds the record as the world’s largest camel fair, attracting around 50,000 camels, horses, and cattle, along with over 400,000 visitors who gather for approximately fourteen days. Apart from the buying and selling of livestock, it has become an important tourist attraction drawing thousands of visitors from all over the world.
The original purpose of the Pushkar Camel Fair was to attract local camel and cattle traders to engage in business during the auspicious Kartik Purnima festival. Today, the Pushkar Mela captivates travelers with its awe-inspiring celebrations, including vibrant cultural and musical events, thrilling camel safari tours, and stays in traditional yet modern camps. Aside from livestock trading, the fair also features various cultural events and activities. Visitors can witness traditional Rajasthani music and dance performances, camel races, horse shows, and even participate in competitions like the “longest mustache” contest, which showcases the region’s unique cultural heritage.
One of the highlights of the Pushkar Camel Fair is the religious aspect. Pilgrims and devotees gather at Pushkar’s sacred lake to take a holy dip during the auspicious Kartik Purnima. It is believed that bathing in the lake during this time cleanses one of the sins and brings blessings. The fair is not just a commercial and cultural event but also a photographer’s paradise. The vibrant colors, bustling markets, and unique experiences offer endless opportunities for capturing memorable moments. Overall, the Pushkar Camel Fair is a blend of trade, culture, spirituality, and entertainment, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic Rajasthani experience.
Gallery
MEET YOUR MENTOR
Apratim Saha
Apratim Saha is the ideal mentor for the Pushkar Photo Tour, having successfully led numerous tours in Pushkar for the last 12 years years. With extensive experience in organizing workshops and photo tours, he is well-connected with many local people and camel herders, allowing him to guide you to the core of the fare. Moreover, his in-depth knowledge of people photography enhances the overall tour experience.
Internationally renowned photographer Apratim Saha has been living his dream of travelling to various countries for his photographic assignments and workshops for the past three decades. Apratim is a contributing photographer for National Geographic, Getty Images, and Stocksy United. He is a Canon Brand Ambassador and the Global Brand Ambassador and Mentor for Datacolor, Nisi, Godox, Vanguard, Dxo, and Blackrapid.
He has over 38 years of experience, from traditional film to digital photography. He is a commercial photographer specializing in people photography, portraiture, lifestyle & editorial clients. Read More…
MEET YOUR MENTOR
Apratim Saha
Apratim Saha is the ideal mentor for the Pushkar Photo Tour, having successfully led numerous tours in Pushkar for the last 12 years years. With extensive experience in organizing workshops and photo tours, he is well-connected with many local people and camel herders, allowing him to guide you to the core of the fare. Moreover, his in-depth knowledge of people photography enhances the overall tour experience. Internationally renowned photographer Apratim Saha has been living his dream of travelling to various countries for his photographic assignments and workshops for the past three decades. Apratim is a contributing photographer for National Geographic, Getty Images, and Stocksy United. He is a Canon Brand Ambassador and the Global Brand Ambassador and Mentor for Datacolor, Nisi, Godox, Vanguard, Dxo, and Blackrapid. He has over 38 years of experience, from traditional film to digital photography. He is a commercial photographer specializing in people photography, portraiture, lifestyle & editorial clients. Read More…
FAQs
Can I join this trip as a non-photographer?
Absolutely! If your significant other wants you there by their side, or if you simply want to join without a camera, you’re more than welcome. This photo tour is designed to be an immersive experience for everyone and we have hosted many non-photographers on previous photo tours.
During my previous trips to Pushkar, I spent many hours just spending time with camel herders, and local people and walking alongside them rather than shooting photographs. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of things to occupy your time as a non-photographer.
What kind of things should I bring?
This is not an especially cold-weather trip so you don’t have to bring warm clothing. But in the early mornings, it will be slightly cold. So it’s better to bring light warm clothes like a windcheater.
This is a suggested packing list to make your trip a fulfilling and comfortable experience.
- Backpack or suitcase
- Comfortable light boots for walking
- Sunglasses
- Suncare cream
- Wet tissues
- Insurance confirmation copy
- Emergency contact number
- Carry your essential and basic medicines for headaches, fever, stomach upset, etc.
- Extra battery for the camera
- Adequate storage media
- Windcheater
Suggested Equipment
You should bring cameras, a laptop (for editing in free time), and extra batteries for the camera these kinds of things instantly spring to mind. Once you confirm your booking with a 50% deposit, we will send you all the information you need to fully prepare yourself for this epic journey.
This is just an idea about the suggested camera and accessory:
- One or two DSLR or Mirrorless (Full Frame or Crop Sensor) cameras. If you use a full-frame DSLR or mirrorless camera, for much of the time, when photographing devotees or sadhus, you will want to cover focal lengths of around 24-70mm or 24-105mm. A 16-35mm in full-frame camera is also a very good choice. However, a kit lens (18-55/3.5 or 4.0) will also work.
- If you bring a good quality bridge camera instead of a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it will be best if it has an optical zoom of 18-20x or more, combined with a reasonable wide angle at the other end of the zoom range.
- Protector for your lens.
- Extra battery for your camera and external hard drive with adequate space and card reader
- Adequate memory card.
- A Computer with photo-processing software [Lightroom, Photoshop]. (If you do not have this software, don’t worry we’ll provide it.)
- A tripod is not essential due to the large crowds, but if you wish, you may carry one to experiment with slow shutter speed shots
How fit do I need to be to join this photo tour?
Normal physical fitness will be enough to join the Pushkar Photo Tour. However, it’s important to note that the area that we’ll cover is large and you’ll need to be in good walking shape as you may need to walk up to3 to 4 kilometers per day or even more.
Climate
At the end of October and throughout November, the weather remains pleasant during the day, with maximum temperatures around 25°C. Nights can be quite cool, with minimum temperatures ranging between 12°C and 15°C.
What should we expect?
- It will be very crowded during Pushkar Camel Festival.
There could be dust and smoke around the camel and horse grounds.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
What is included in the price of this trip?
- Accommodations in luxury AC double bedded room in a Hotel for three nights and four days situated just opposite Brahma Temple. But we have the option of Single Occupancy also, please check the price. The hotel is located 5 minutes walking distance from Pushkar Lake and Mela Ground. Actually, you’ll be staying inside the Mela area.
- Three times Tea, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on all days including non-alcoholic drinks. Pure veg food will be provided.
- Expert guidance on street, portrait, rituals, and coutural photography with a particular emphasis on the Pushkar Mela Celebrations.
- Experience a camel safari in the desert, witness stunning sunsets and sunrises on the dunes, and enjoy campfires accompanied by local folk music and traditional tribal dances.
- Three times Tea, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner on all days. Pure veg food will be provided.
- The fee includes all payments for models and desert night model dancing.
- Packaged drinking water will be provided throughout the trip.
- All local transport related to the trip Itinerary.
- Mentor’s fee.
What is not included?
- International flights.
- Visa, Air taxes, Airport taxes.
- Your personal travel insurance
- Any pick-up and drop to and from the station/airport to the hotel.
- Gifts, personal treats
- Any tips
- Laundry services
- Medical expenses
- Anything else other than mentioned in includes.
- All expenses of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, telephone bills, etc.
Important points to be noted
- The tour is designed from Pushkar to Pushkar.
- This Pushkar 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 tour has been specifically designed for photographers. Non-photographer spouse/friend may be accommodated on the expedition 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 and time inconsistency might lead to some changes.
- Please note that costs and dates are subject to change as not all our partner properties have released their rates. Should we need to revise costs, we will endeavour to keep fees and dates as close to the original.
- Please also note that the timings of the rituals can be changed according to the present situation of the festival. The mentor will guide you throughout the trip.
Conditions
- The maximum number of participants is listed under the price section; however, we reserve the right to add up to two to the maximum number of participants for this photo tour.
- Participants will be granted the photo tour based on email confirmation on a first-come, first-served basis.
- We reserve the right to amend, increase, and correct errors in the price of tours.
- Physical Difficulty: Moderate. If you are in reasonable walking shape, you’ll be fine.
Feel free to call +91 8509333385 or WhatsApp at +918900702900 for any further assistance.
Booking
To reserve your spot 50% of the full tour amount is required to pay at the time of your booking. Balance amount to be paid 60 days before the tour. You can pay using the online payment link on our website or ask for the account details or PayPal to transfer the payment. Your reservation may be cancelled if full payment has not been received by the last date specified and communicated. Once the payment is done, please send us a copy of the bank receipt (a screenshot is also fine) of your payment details. Once we confirm your payment, we will send you the confirmation email along with the Rules and regulations of the tour, which makes you, a confirmed candidate for the photo tour.
Cancellation and Refunds
All cancellations must be made in writing (email is acceptable) and will become effective as of the date of the postmark (standard mail or electronic). In the unlikely event, that EXPOSURE has to cancel a tour/workshop for lack of participants, a full refund including the deposit amount will be given. Once the tour begins, there can be no refunds for anything unused, including rooms, meals, flights, tour days, events, or services. Please note the cancellation penalties described below are based on costs incurred by EXPOSURE on your behalf, including non-refundable deposits or payments by agents, hotels, airlines, etc.
In the event of a cancellation or modification of your confirmed booking, Exposure’s Cancellation and Refund Policy for Photo Tours / Workshops will be applicable, and you need to fully agree to be bound by them. Any refunds will be made within 15 working days from the date of written confirmation of cancellation, via the same mode with which the payment was made to us.
Cancellation deductions will be as per the following policy of full fees:
- 40% cancellation of the total fee if cancelled 90 days before the start of the expedition or earlier than the expedition.
- 100% cancellation of the total fee if cancelled 59 days on or before the start of the expedition.
Please read all details on this page and the Detailed Terms and Conditions, Disclaimer / Undertaking in the Registration cum Booking Form.
Deadlines
Registration is open from 15th March 2025 to 15th September 2025 or till the seat reservations end.
How to reach Pushkar?
By Air
The nearest airport from Pushkar is Sanganer Airport at Jaipur at a distance of 146 km (91 mi). Jaipur is well connected with all the major cities in India.
By Train
Pushkar railway station started operations in January 2012 and connects to the nearest large railway station, Ajmer. Ajmer railway junction is connected to almost all cities of India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Indore, Kanpur, Lucknow, Patna, Bhopal, Trivandrum, and Cochin.
By Road
Pushkar is connected with Ajmer by Pushkar road which goes through the Aravalli range. The mountain portion road that separates Pushkar from Ajmer City is locally known as Pushkar Ghati. Pushkar is 11 km (6.8 mi) from Ajmer. The govt. transportation is commonly controlled by Rajasthan Roadways; however, a significant share of the transportation is controlled by private transportation services.
Facilities at the hotel
- Well-furnished AC Rooms
- Swimming Pool
- 24 hours Hot & Cold water
- LED Television & Telephone in all rooms
- Satellite cable network in all room
- Pure Veg. AC Restaurant
- Wi-Fi facilities in the entire hotel
- Doctor on call & taxi on the requirement
- Laundry service / Shoe Polish
- Round the clock well-equipped room service
- Large parking area & Hall
- Currency Exchange
What is included in the Extensions (Jaisalmer) Tour Fees?
- Stay in a resort at Jaisalmer, Khuri village near the sand dune.
- The fee includes all payments for models and camels.
- All local transport related to the trip Itinerary.
- Mineral water throughout the trip.
- Everything inclusions mentioned in the included section of the main Photo Tour.
- 3 AC train fares from Jaisalmer to Pushkar.
TESTIMONIALS
