Heart of Rajasthan Photography Tour (2026)

Embark on a photographic journey to the heartland of Rajasthan, India’s most vivid and vibrant State, and discover warm and welcoming rural and tribal communities.

Tour dates: 22 March – 1 April 2026 (11 days)
Tour led by: Seng Mah with Shivam Pandey and Atik Ahmed.
Minimum 6 guests. Maximum 8 guests.
Pace: Easy to moderate.

The “Heart of Rajasthan” tour invites you to leave the beaten path behind and venture into the heartland of this fascinating region.

Here, amidst the timeless charm of village life, you’ll capture stunning portraits and scenes of daily life that are as authentic as they are visually striking. Connect with tribal goat herders, share stories over chai with turbaned Rajasthani elders, and experience the unique rhythm of life in local villages and towns. Stay in charming heritage forts and palaces that echo with the whispers of history while offering a glimpse into a bygone era.

This tour is designed for photographers who are passionate about people, culture, and storytelling through their lens. If you love portraiture, street photography, and travel imagery, and if you value forging genuine connections with the places and people you photograph, this journey is for you. It’s a chance to move beyond surface-level travel, exchanging fleeting visits for deeper, more personal travel experiences.

For first-time visitors to India, the tour ensures a secure, comfortable, and enriching introduction to this extraordinary country. With the guidance of Atik Ahmad, a Rajasthan native with deep local knowledge, and the support of professional travel photographers Seng Mah and Shivam Pandey, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the unique challenges and rewards of photographing in India.

If you’ve visited India before, this tour offers a fresh perspective and the rare chance to go beyond the familiar. Step away from crowded landmarks and immerse yourself in moments of life unfolding in rural Rajasthan. Instead of jostling for space at monuments, you’ll find yourself welcomed into villages, sharing moments with local families, and documenting the authentic stories of their lives.

This journey is tailor-made for photographers who love creating evocative portraits, capturing cultural nuances, and exploring the pulse of life through street and travel photography. It’s for those who seek more than fleeting moments—those who long to connect meaningfully with the landscapes, faces, and traditions they photograph.

The experiences to be had and the photographs you capture will be truly one of a kind, showcasing the heart of Rajasthan in all its authenticity. Are you ready to experience India like never before?

Tour highlights

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi and Transfer to Jaipur

Your journey begins with a warm welcome in Delhi, followed by a private bus transfer to Jaipur, the Pink City. Settle into a beautifully restored traditional haveli, offering an authentic Rajasthani ambiance. In the evening, dine at a rooftop restaurant with breathtaking views of the Hawa Mahal, the iconic Palace of Winds—a perfect introduction to Rajasthan’s architectural grandeur and a chance for captivating twilight photography.

Days 2–3: Into Rural Rajasthan – Pachewar Fort

Leaving Jaipur behind, we head deep into the heartland of Rajasthan, arriving at Pachewar Fort, your regal residence for the next two nights. This centuries-old fort, still home to Rajasthani royalty, exudes history and charm. Explore the nearby villages and bustling markets, capturing portraits of artisans, shopkeepers, and locals going about their daily lives.

Day 4: Vibrant Pushkar and Kalbeliya Encounters

Our journey continues to Pushkar, a spiritual town set around a sacred lake. Here, we meet the Kalbeliya people, a nomadic community renowned for their mesmerizing dance and rhythmic music. Witness and photograph their whirlwind of color and energy as they share their culture with us. This is a day filled with dynamic portraits and vibrant cultural storytelling through your lens.

Days 5–6: Barli and the Village of Deo Marli

Next, we arrive at Barli, where you’ll stay in another historical fortress palace surrounded by a picturesque village. Barli offers charming streets, hidden alleys, and welcoming locals eager to share their stories. Meander through the village to capture intimate moments of daily life, framed by the rustic beauty of earth-toned homes and clay-tiled roofs. We’ll also visit the Gurjar village of Deo Marli, where earthy textures and the simplicity of rural life provide abundant photographic inspiration.

Day 7: Deogarh’s Meter Gauge Train Adventure

In Deogarh, embark on a nostalgic journey aboard a meter gauge train, a unique travel experience through the rugged rural landscapes of Rajasthan. From bustling train stations filled with local life to the dramatic scenery unfolding outside your window, this 90-minute ride offers countless chances for dynamic and evocative photography.

Days 8–9: Ranakpur – Rabari Communities and Leopard Safari

We continue to Ranakpur, a region renowned for its dense forests and roaming leopards. Spend time with the Rabari people, whose goat-herding way of life is steeped in tradition and resilience. Capture their striking attire, expressive faces, and the rhythm of their daily routines. Venture into the wilderness on a leopard safari, where the thrill of spotting these elusive creatures in their natural habitat adds another dimension to your photographic journey.

Day 10: Udaipur – The City of Lakes

Conclude your tour in Udaipur, the City of Lakes, where the shimmering waters of Lake Pichola reflect the romance of Rajasthan. Spend your final evening savoring a lakeside dinner, capturing golden-hour views of the lake and its palaces. It’s the perfect setting to celebrate the memories and photographs you’ve created throughout the journey.

Day 11: Return to Delhi

Bid farewell to Rajasthan as we fly back to Delhi, where you can connect with your onward journey. Depart with a portfolio of stunning photographs and a heart full of stories from this immersive adventure.

About your Tour Leaders and Guide

Seng Mah and Shivam Pandey

Seng is the owner of Venture Photography Workshops and Tours, and has been leading international photography tours since 2014. His love of travel and expertise in teaching photography has seen him take small groups of enthusiastic photographers to countries as diverse as Greece, Italy, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Cambodia, New Zealand and Kenya. The point of difference in these photography tours is Seng’s commitment to teaching and mentoring: he works with guests to help them improve their photography and image-making. He is a well-awarded photographer and photographic judge, and is a committee member of the Pro Photography Western Australia industry group. For more information about Seng, you can visit the About section of this website.

Shivam is owner and operator of Kolkata Photo Tours and India Travel Photography. With his years of experience in guiding photographers across India, Shivam is the perfect collaborator for Seng’s photography tours in India. Seng and Shivam have partnered to run photography tours in Kolkata, Varanasi, Rajasthan, Delhi and Ladakh, and they look forward to showing you the grassroots beauty of rural Rajasthan on this tour.

Both Seng and Shivam believe in and advocate an ethical approach to travel photography: we believe that photography can help us connect with people, cultures and communities and that we should always be respectful and considerate in ensuring that the dignity of the people we photograph is preserved.

Atik Ahmed

Atik is a seasoned tour operator and guide who specialises in travel adventures in Rajasthan. He lives in Rajasthan and knows the state and its people like the back of his hand. Having conducted tours across Rajasthan, Atik has formed close relationships with many communities. He is thus the most ideal guide to bring us close to the lives and traditions of communities and tribes in rural Rajasthan.

Atik’s tours favour connecting with and supporting local communities, and being respectful of local customs and traditions. His business also financially supports local schools and communities in Rajasthan.

Tour Inclusions

• 10 nights accommodation on single occupancy (a double occupancy is available if you are joining this tour with a life partner or spouse who is also a photographer).
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner during the tour.
• Arrival and departure airport transfers (ex New Delhi – assuming arrival on Day 1 of the tour and departure on Day 11 of the tour; if arriving before and departing after these dates, a supplement will be charged for airport transfers).
• Land travel in an air-conditioned mini coach during the tour.
• Bottled water during transfers to destinations within the tour itinerary.
• Services of a local English-speaking guide.
• Entry fees to localities, temples and monuments during the course of the tour.
• Economy air fare from Udaipur to Delhi on Day 11 – 25 kg baggage allowance.
• Photographic support and guidance during the course of the tour.

Tour Exclusions

• Flights to and from New Delhi (tour start and end). If flying ex-Perth, we recommend using Singapore Airlines Perth – Delhi flight (layover in Singapore).
• Airport tax (where applied).
• Comprehensive travel insurance, including medical and evacuation insurance. All participants are required to take comprehensive travel insurance for this tour. You will need to show proof of travel insurance as a condition of participating in this tour.
• Entry visa to India (around USD$25 for an eVisa if you’re an Australian).
• Gratuities and tips.
• Photographic equipment. You will need to bring/supply your own cameras, lenses, tripods, batteries, filters, memory cards and so on.
• Insurance for your photographic equipment while on tour.
• Alcoholic drinks.
• All personal expenses and fees, including laundry, wi-fi, medication, incidental meals and snacks.
• Any travel, transport and fees outside of the tour itinerary.

Tour Price

• AUD$8995 with single occupancy.
• A discount is available if you are attending this tour with a life partner or family member who is also a participating photographer and will be sharing the room with you. Please contact us if you would like this option.

Reserve Your Place

A deposit of AUD$2000 will secure your place on this tour. Deposits are due on reservation, with the balance paid by 31 October 2025. Note that deposits are fully refunded if the tour is cancelled due to not attaining minimum numbers.

For details of the Terms and Conditions of our tours, including cancellation charges, please read our Photography Tours Terms and Conditions.

To join this tour or contact us with your questions, please use the form below or email seng [at] venturephotography.com.au or telephone+61 417 604 614.