IN SEARCH OF LIGHT IN INDIA: New Delhi, Udaipur, Bundi, Varanasi with Jennifer Spelman March 5–17, 2019

Embark on a visual adventure that will light up your spirit and your lens with the stunning scenery and sacred culture of Northern India. From palaces to local villages, through ancient cities to religious sites, we move slowly and allow time for our ideas, experiences and perfect light to align. We get

to the heart of each of our destinations by meeting local people, enjoying a cup of chai, and wandering instead of rushing. We put aside notions of traditional travel photography and open ourselves to creating more mindful imagery as we immerse into sacred India.

Our introduction to New Delhi comes from a dynamic speaker who shares the artistic and spiritual traditions unique to Northern India. From there we delve into the pulsing and chaotic Chandi Chowk market to watch merchants haggle over old world goods and spices. We take in the stunning Mughal architecture, taste the incredible cuisine and visit India’s largest Sikh temple.

After two days in New Delhi, a short flight brings us to picturesque Udaipur. Known as the “Lake City,” it is considered the most romantic city in India. For three mornings, we enjoy our breakfast overlooking the shimmering Lake Pichola and get lost within the fantastical City Palace built along its shores. Udaipur’s old city is a charming maze of timeless and winding narrow streets perfect for visual exploration.

© Jennifer Spelman

© Jennifer Spelman

A half-day’s drive from Udaipur brings us to the laidback town of Bundi, where we find respite from India’s typical intensity. The population here is an interesting mix of Hindus, Muslims and Jains all living peacefully together within a town of traditional pastel blue buildings. Few travelers have heard of Bundi, but it’s absolutely worth a visit.

After two nights in Bundi our final in-country flight brings us to the labyrinth of alleyways of Varanasi: the oldest living city in the world and the holiest city in the Hindu tradition. During our final three days , we witness the morning prayers on the banks of the Ganges and discover the faith that fuels more than 2,000 temples. We gain a new perspective as we watch mourners carry their dead to the funeral pyres, and hear the devout echo their emotions through the streets. The smell of incense swirling around every corner encourages you to discover images that represent your own interpretations of what is in and around you. Our adventure concludes with a celebration dinner where we may share our photography and our stories.

Our photographic journey parallels our travels; as we uncover the dynamic layers of India, a new consciousness also appears within our imagery. Join us and redirect your approach to seeing within fascinating and sacred India.

© Jennifer Spelman

© Jennifer Spelman

WHO SHOULD ATTENDParticipants should be in very good health with good stamina and mobility. While the tour itself is not very strenuous, please note that it can involve the following: somewhat long days, a good amount of walking, being in the sun in potentially hot temperatures, long journeys, steep stairs, uneven terrain, early morning wake-ups and other similar scenarios.

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOWParticipants should be technically self-sufficient, as this is not a program to learn how to use your gear or editing software. This a photographic tour, not a photography workshop and there isn’t structured classroom time.There will be an image review session in the middle of the trip and time for help with ideas and techniques on-location.

SPECIAL NOTESParticipants make their own air travel arrangements to New Delhi to arrive in time for the opening reception and dinner on March 5 at 6:00 pm. To avoid jetlag, it is advised to consider arriving a day in advance to rest before the tour begins. Once the trip is confirmed, additional information and travel details will be provided. Enrollment is limited to 12 participants.

PACKAGE PRICE INFO:$6,475, includes double accommodations for 12 nights (ideal for couples and friends traveling together; single supplement available for an additional $850); full breakfast daily, two lunches, and three group dinners; activities and entrance fees for everything on the itinerary; airport transfers; in-country guide; in-country transportation and three flights. Airfare to New Delhi, as well as required trip insurance and Indian visa are not included.

To reserve your space in this India program with Jennifer Spelman, a deposit of $1,000 is required at the time of registration. Please register online or call (505) 983-1400, ext. 111

Minimum enrollment for this trip is 8 participants and the decision to run this trip or not will be made no later than October 9, 2018.

SCHEDULE (subject to change)

March 5th - 6:00 pm Group Meeting & Arrival DinnerMarch 6th - Old Delhi Chandi Chowk MarketMarch 7th - New Delhi Bangla Sahib Sikh temple March 8th - Udaipur Arrival March 9th - Udaipur City PalaceMarch 10th - Udaipur Models & Maharaja Home March 11th - Bundi Old City WalkMarch 12th - Bundi PalaceMarch 13th - Varanasi ArrivalMarch 14th - Varanasi- Old City & Burning Ghats March 15th - Sunrise Ganges River CruiseMarch 16th - Arrival DelhiMarch 17th - Departure from Delhi

© Jennifer Spelman

TRIP CANCELLATION/TRAVEL INSURANCEIt is required that you purchase trip cancellation/travel insurance for your workshop/trip. It is wise to protect yourself against potential expenses caused by unforeseen circumstances that prevent your workshop attendance or require your early departure. If you choose to forego the purchase of trip cancellation/travel coverage, you are personally liable to cover any associated costs or penalties should you need to cancel your workshop outside of SFPW cancellation parameters (up to full value of workshop/trip). We recommend using Travel Insurance Select to purchase this important insurance. Please call 800-937-1387 or visit their web site: www.travelinsure.com/cobrand/select/sfw.

CANCELLATION POLICYWe rely on your attendance to make important arrangements and logistical preparations, so if for any reason you need to withdraw, please notify us in writing (email to info@santafeworkshops.com is okay) before October 9, 2018. At that time we will refund your deposit, less a $500 cancellation fee. The full deposit will be retained for cancellations received between October 9, 2018 and November 6, 2018. Trip balance will be due no later than November 6, 2018. If notification of cancellation is made after this date, we must retain all fees paid. We strongly recommend that you purchase trip cancellation/travel insurance.

ACCOMMODATIONSWe’ll be staying at a variety of accommodations— good budget hotels, unique heritage properties and friendly family-run guesthouses. Rooms will be simple, but comfortable and with attached bathrooms. Traveling around the country, we’ll use a private van for much of the trip, along with a few short flights between destinations.

SAFETY & SECURITYIndia is a lot safer than most people think. The chances of anything happening are very slim as long as you use the same common sense you would use at home. Watch your stuff – Always keep an eye on your stuff and avoid putting a wallet or phone in your back pocket. Keep your purse or shoulder bag on your front hip and make sure the zippers are zipped on your backpack. Simple as that! You can also leave valuables in your room while out and about each day as the hotels we use are all very safe.

PASSPORTYou need a passport to travel to India! Your passport should be valid until at least September 2019 and it needs to have 2 full empty pages. If you don't have enough empty pages or your passport will expire before next September, please plan accordingly to have things updated.

VISASEvery traveler to India needs a visa, however, most nationalities may now get a 60-day “E-Visa”. As a result, you don’t have to go through the process of obtaining a tourist visa from the Indian Embassy in your home country and you can simply take care of the procedures online. Further information to come closer to departure.