COUNTRY: India PHOTO TYPE: Birds LENGTH: 7 days SIZE: 8-15 guests DATES: November 12-18 2023 PRICE: £ 2 495 or USD 3 395
Join one of the UK’s foremost bird photographers, David Tipling, and Amateur Photographer to one of the world’s best bird parks, Keoladeo National Park in India.
You have also the opportunity to join us on the post tour to Pench National Park and experience the mighty tigers of India.
The journey starts a couple of weeks after the monsoon when the park is in full bloom and many species are breeding. The photo opportunities in the national park’s beautiful landscape are endless. We focus 100% on bird photography in the wetlands and the subjects are everywhere. Among other things, we will photograph the Indian ibis stork, the world’s largest crane, the sarus crane, eagles, owls and much more. David is involved throughout the journey to develop you as a bird photographer through challenging photo assignments, personal guidance, and inspiring lectures. As a bonus, we will also visit Agra to photograph the Taj Mahal in the beautiful evening light.
If you would like you can also join the post tour to Pench National Park to experience and photograph the mighty tigers of India.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Keoladeo with its huge range of birds.
- Opportunity to photograph nesting ibis storks.
- Chance to photograph the world’s largest crane, the sarus crane.
- Snake-neck birds that catch fish.
- The National Park’s herons in their magnificent plumage.
- Good chances to photograph three different species of kingfishers.
- Personal local guide to help you find the birds.
- Evening photography at the Taj Mahal.
- Luxurious accommodation right next to the park.
- Personal guidance from leading UK bird photographer David Tipling.
- Challenging photo assignments and constructive image criticism.
- Inspirational lectures.
COUNTRY: India
PHOTO TYPE: Birds
TRIP LENGTH: 7-10 days
GROUP SIZE: 8-15 guests
DATES: November 12-18. 2023
PRICE: £ 2 495 or USD 3 395
Join one of the UK’s foremost bird photographers, David Tipling, and Amateur Photographer to one of the world’s best bird parks, Keoladeo National Park in India.
You have also the opportunity to join us on the post tour to Pench National Park and experience the mighty tigers of India.
The journey starts a couple of weeks after the monsoon when the park is in full bloom and many species are breeding. The photo opportunities in the national park’s beautiful landscape are endless. We focus 100% on bird photography in the wetlands and the subjects are everywhere. Among other things, we will photograph the Indian ibis stork, the world’s largest crane, the sarus crane, eagles, owls and much more. David is involved throughout the journey to develop you as a bird photographer through challenging photo assignments, personal guidance, and inspiring lectures. As a bonus, we will also visit Agra to photograph the Taj Mahal in the beautiful evening light.
If you would like you can also join the post tour to Pench National Park to experience and photograph the mighty tigers of India.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Keoladeo with its huge range of birds.
- Opportunity to photograph nesting ibis storks.
- Chance to photograph the world’s largest crane, the sarus crane.
- Snake-neck birds that catch fish.
- The National Park’s herons in their magnificent plumage.
- Good chances to photograph three different species of kingfishers.
- Personal local guide to help you find the birds.
- Evening photography at the Taj Mahal.
- Luxurious accommodation right next to the park.
- Personal guidance from leading UK bird photographer David Tipling.
- Challenging photo assignments and constructive image criticism.
- Inspirational lectures.
DESTINATIONS
DESTINATIONS
AGRA
The city of Agra is a must when visiting India. This is due to its many magnificent buildings from the Mughal era, mainly the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, both of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world, is a mausoleum built by the ruler Shah Jahan out of love for his wife. The construction, which is made of marble, took over 22 years to complete and the result was a building that even today, 400 years later, is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Apart from its fantastic design and perfect symmetry, the Taj Mahal is also known for its elegant domes. Agra Fort is a historical monument built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. It is known as the ‘Red Fort’ because it is built of a kind of red stone. The fort covers a radius of three kilometres and within this you will find some of the most exquisite architecture from the Mughal era.
KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK
Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) is located about 55km from Agra and is a 29km² bird sanctuary that hosts thousands of birds, especially during the winter months. The park has a unique mosaic of habitats that include wetlands, forests, shrubs, and grasslands and that supports a fantastic diversity of both plant and animal species. The park has over 350 bird species, which include 42 species of birds of prey and nine species of owls, which means that the park can be considered one of the richest in birds in the world. In addition to this, the park is home to 34 species of mammals, 22 species of reptiles as well as amphibians, fish, butterflies, dragonflies and over 30 spider species.
ITINERARY - BIRDS OF INDIA
ITINERARY - BIRDS OF INDIA
November 12 – 18, 2023
DAY 1 – WELCOME TO INDIA
We gather in Delhi in the morning where you will be met by a guide from Zoom Photo Tours and our naturalist who will be with us throughout the trip.
The first stop on our journey is Agra, where David Tipling will join us for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the mythical Agra Fort before it’s time for the highlight of the day, the Taj Mahal. In the beautiful evening light, we get to take a close-up photo and experience this fantastic monument. As the sun slowly descends towards the horizon, the marble that covers the building changes to different colours.
After this we check in at our hotel followed by a nice welcome dinner at the hotel. While we enjoy all the fantastic dishes that Indian cuisine has to offer, David will tell you a little about what we should think about during tomorrow’s first session in one of the world’s best bird paradises. (L, M)
DAY 2 – TAJ MAHAL AND KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK
Early morning, we leave the hotel to be at the entrance to Taj Mahal to experience the moments when the sun slowly rises over the monument and its marble shifts colour. To experience this is a memory for life.
We then go back to the hotel for breakfast followed by check-out and then onward to the main destination of the trip, Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, which in the coming days will give us lots of fantastic photo opportunities. On arrival we check in at our hotel located close to the mail gate to the national park. After lunch we leave for our first tour into one of the world’s best bird parks, Keoladeo National Park. At the entrance each one will get their own rickshaw driven by a local driver/guide who knows the park and its birds. This means that you can make stops whenever you want.
During the afternoon and the coming days, you will explore Keoladeo’s beautiful surroundings, and have a fantastic opportunity to develop your bird photography under the guidance of the UK’s foremost bird photographer.
DAY 3-6 – KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK
On each of these days your rickshaw will take you around this bird paradise together with the experienced and knowledgeable cycling guides. After a while on the long road that stretches through the wetlands, the landscape opens and we are surrounded by a beautiful swamp landscape where the photo opportunities increase the further into the park we go. Opportunities are everywhere and some of the species we will photograph are the mighty Indian ibis stork, the sarus crane, snake-necked birds and owls. The trees are full of life and the activity is immense when the young of storks, herons and several other species are to be fed. Clashes often occur among the birds as the colonies are filled with different species. This increases our chances of getting unique and fast-paced action shots.
The experience of looking out over the wetlands and waiting for the perfect photo moment is as peaceful as it is exciting, and it is important to always have the camera ready as the subject can appear at any time.On a couple of days, if the water level allows, we will go out with boats in the still morning air. Slowly we glide through the morning fog and out into the wetlands where completely new perspectives and photo opportunities await.
During all our photo sessions, David will be on hand to provide personal guidance. We will also have joint photo stops out in the field where David inspires by ‘hands on’ practice, showing us his thought processes in his image creation.
When we are not photographing, we will spend a lot of time on image editing and joint image displays with constructive image criticism. On the last night will have a nice farewell dinner with local musicians. (F, L, M)
DAY 7 – DEPART HOME
The morning for relaxation. After lunch, return to Delhi for further transport to the UK on your own. (F, L)
November 12 – 18, 2023
DAY 1 – WELCOME TO INDIA
We gather in Delhi in the morning where you will be met by a guide from Zoom Photo Tours and our naturalist who will be with us throughout the trip.
The first stop on our journey is Agra, where David Tipling will join us for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the mythical Agra Fort before it’s time for the highlight of the day, the Taj Mahal. In the beautiful evening light, we get to take a close-up photo and experience this fantastic monument. As the sun slowly descends towards the horizon, the marble that covers the building changes to different colours.
After this we check in at our hotel followed by a nice welcome dinner at the hotel. While we enjoy all the fantastic dishes that Indian cuisine has to offer, David will tell you a little about what we should think about during tomorrow’s first session in one of the world’s best bird paradises. (L, M)
DAY 2 – TAJ MAHAL AND KEOLADEO
Early morning, we leave the hotel to be at the entrance to Taj Mahal to experience the moments when the sun slowly rises over the monument and its marble shifts colour. To experience this is a memory for life.
We then go back to the hotel for breakfast followed by check-out and then onward to the main destination of the trip, Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, which in the coming days will give us lots of fantastic photo opportunities. On arrival we check in at our hotel located close to the mail gate to the national park. After lunch we leave for our first tour into one of the world’s best bird parks, Keoladeo National Park. At the entrance each one will get their own rickshaw driven by a local driver/guide who knows the park and its birds. This means that you can make stops whenever you want.
During the afternoon and the coming days, you will explore Keoladeo’s beautiful surroundings, and have a fantastic opportunity to develop your bird photography under the guidance of the UK’s foremost bird photographer.
DAY 3-6 – KEOLADEO NATIONAL PARK
On each of these days your rickshaw will take you around this bird paradise together with the experienced and knowledgeable cycling guides. After a while on the long road that stretches through the wetlands, the landscape opens and we are surrounded by a beautiful swamp landscape where the photo opportunities increase the further into the park we go. Opportunities are everywhere and some of the species we will photograph are the mighty Indian ibis stork, the sarus crane, snake-necked birds and owls. The trees are full of life and the activity is immense when the young of storks, herons and several other species are to be fed. Clashes often occur among the birds as the colonies are filled with different species. This increases our chances of getting unique and fast-paced action shots.
The experience of looking out over the wetlands and waiting for the perfect photo moment is as peaceful as it is exciting, and it is important to always have the camera ready as the subject can appear at any time.On a couple of days, if the water level allows, we will go out with boats in the still morning air. Slowly we glide through the morning fog and out into the wetlands where completely new perspectives and photo opportunities await.
During all our photo sessions, David will be on hand to provide personal guidance. We will also have joint photo stops out in the field where David inspires by ‘hands on’ practice, showing us his thought processes in his image creation.
When we are not photographing, we will spend a lot of time on image editing and joint image displays with constructive image criticism. On the last night will have a nice farewell dinner with local musicians. (F, L, M)
Sarus Crane
DAY 7 – DEPART HOME
The morning for relaxation. After lunch, return to Delhi for further transport to the UK on your own. (F, L)
ITINERARY - TIGERS OF INDIA
ITINERARY - TIGERS OF INDIA
POST TOUR – November 18-21, 2023
For those of you who in connection with the trip also want to take the opportunity to experience India’s famous tigers, we are happy to be able to offer this exciting additional event.
Extend your trip in India and photograph the mighty tiger in one of India’s foremost national parks. For a few days we explore Pench National Park, where in beautiful surroundings you can photograph everything from tigers and leopards to wild dogs and many different species of deer.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- 6 safaris in one of India’s foremost tiger parks, Pench National Park.
- Good chances to photograph tigers and leopards.
- Pench’s beautiful and hilly surroundings.
- The rich wildlife with gaur, wild dogs, wild boar and much more.
Pench National Park
The national park is nestled in the southern parts of the Satpuda Hills and is named after the river Pench which meanders through the park from north to south. The undulating topography contains vegetation that stretches from moist, sheltered valleys to open, dry deciduous forest. The park is dominated by a relatively open landscape, mixed forests, and open grassy areas. Over 1,200 plant species have been registered from the area, including several rare and endangered plants as well as plants of ethnobotanical significance. The area has always had a rich wildlife. Pench Tiger Reserve is especially known for its deer, wild dogs, wild boar, leopards, wolves and of course tigers.
Itinerary
DAY 1, ARRIVAL AT PENCH – SAFARI
Early in the morning you leave Bharatpur and head for Delhi airport where the flight to Nagpur awaits. In the afternoon we arrive at Pench National Park where we check in at our first class hotel, Tuli Tiger Corridor****, followed by a late lunch before it’s time for our first safari.
Filled with anticipation, we drive through the gates in Pench National Park where we are met by a green and very hilly landscape that offers new photo opportunities beyond every corner. We might stop to photograph a herd of langurs jumping from branch to branch so that the foliage shakes or, if we are lucky, we may come across a herd of wild dogs running on the road just a few metres in front of us. Filled with lots of impressive experiences and pictures from our first safari, we return to the lodge where dinner awaits. (F, L, M)
DAY 2-3, SAFARIS IN PENCH
In the coming days we explore the park and its surroundings. In the cool morning air, we move through the dense vegetation and see the sun rise between the trees. In the mountainous areas, it is important to keep an eye on the steep slopes. With a little luck we might see a leopard basking in the warm morning rays of the sun. Back after the morning safari, before lunch there is the opportunity to relax by the pool before we head out on the day’s second safari. From our open jeeps it is important to constantly pay attention to sounds and movements among the trees; suddenly a warning sound may be heard from inside the forest and it is with excitement we can follow how the sound gets closer and closer and as from nowhere we see how a tiger slowly comes walking down the slope towards us and, just a few metres in front of our jeeps, crosses the road and as quickly and silently as it appeared it disappears into the teak trees again. (F, L, M)
DAY 4, SAFARI. TRANSFER TO AIRPORT.
After a final morning safari filled with great photo opportunities, we leave Pench and head back to Delhi for further transportation on your own. (F)
POST TOUR – November 18-21, 2023
For those of you who in connection with the trip also want to take the opportunity to experience India’s famous tigers, we are happy to be able to offer this exciting additional event.
Extend your trip in India and photograph the mighty tiger in one of India’s foremost national parks. For a few days we explore Pench National Park, where in beautiful surroundings you can photograph everything from tigers and leopards to wild dogs and many different species of deer.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- 6 safaris in one of India’s foremost tiger parks, Pench National Park.
- Good chances to photograph tigers and leopards.
- Pench’s beautiful and hilly surroundings.
- The rich wildlife with gaur, wild dogs, wild boar and much more.
Pench National Park
The national park is nestled in the southern parts of the Satpuda Hills and is named after the river Pench which meanders through the park from north to south. The undulating topography contains vegetation that stretches from moist, sheltered valleys to open, dry deciduous forest. The park is dominated by a relatively open landscape, mixed forests, and open grassy areas. Over 1,200 plant species have been registered from the area, including several rare and endangered plants as well as plants of ethnobotanical significance. The area has always had a rich wildlife. Pench Tiger Reserve is especially known for its deer, wild dogs, wild boar, leopards, wolves and of course tigers.
Itinerary
DAY 1 (18/11) – ARRIVAL AT PENCH – SAFARI
Early in the morning you leave Bharatpur and head for Delhi airport where the flight to Nagpur awaits. In the afternoon we arrive at Pench National Park where we check in at our first class hotel, Tuli Tiger Corridor****, followed by a late lunch before it’s time for our first safari.
Filled with anticipation, we drive through the gates in Pench National Park where we are met by a green and very hilly landscape that offers new photo opportunities beyond every corner. We might stop to photograph a herd of langurs jumping from branch to branch so that the foliage shakes or, if we are lucky, we may come across a herd of wild dogs running on the road just a few metres in front of us. Filled with lots of impressive experiences and pictures from our first safari, we return to the lodge where dinner awaits. (F, L, M)
DAY 2-3 (19-20/11) – SAFARIS IN PENCH
In the coming days we explore the park and its surroundings. In the cool morning air, we move through the dense vegetation and see the sun rise between the trees. In the mountainous areas, it is important to keep an eye on the steep slopes. With a little luck we might see a leopard basking in the warm morning rays of the sun. Back after the morning safari, before lunch there is the opportunity to relax by the pool before we head out on the day’s second safari. From our open jeeps it is important to constantly pay attention to sounds and movements among the trees; suddenly a warning sound may be heard from inside the forest and it is with excitement we can follow how the sound gets closer and closer and as from nowhere we see how a tiger slowly comes walking down the slope towards us and, just a few metres in front of our jeeps, crosses the road and as quickly and silently as it appeared it disappears into the teak trees again. (F, L, M)
DAY 4 (21/11) – MORNING SAFARI. TRANSFER TO AIRPORT.
After a final morning safari filled with great photo opportunities, we leave Pench and head back to Delhi for further transportation on your own. (F)
PHOTOGRAPHER
PHOTOGRAPHER
DAVID TIPLING
David Tipling is one of the world’s most widely published wildlife photographers, renowned for his artistic images of birds. His many bird books have been published all over the world. In 2018 David’s combined book sales topped 300,000 copies worldwide. David writes regularly for various magazines, including Amateur Photographer.
His many accolades include a coveted European Nature Photographer of the Year Award for work on Emperor Penguins, and in North America, Nature’s Best Indigenous Peoples Award for his pictures of Mongolian eagle hunters.
ACCOMMODATION
ACCOMMODATION
PRICES, FACTS & BOOKING
PRICES, FACTS & BOOKING
PRICES
Main tour – Birds of India
Price for Amateur Photographer subscriber: £ 2 495 or USD 3 395
Price for non-subscriber: £ 2 780 or USD 3 770
* Buy an Amateur Photographer subscription to get access to the magazine at a great price and save a lot of money on the tour. Get your subscription here
The price includes:
- Transports according to the attached programme.
- Bottled water in connection with all bus transports.
- Accommodation with part in a twin room at presented hotels.
- Meals according to programme (F=Breakfast, L=Lunch, M=Dinner).
- Photo activities according to programme.
- Entrances to the Taj Mahal and to the Keoladeo National Park.
- Access to your own rickshaw in Keoladeo National Park.
- Boat trips in Keoladeo National Park (subject to water availability).
- Participation of David Tipling throughout the trip.
- Lecture and image editing under the direction of David Tipling.
- An experienced English speaker.
- All tips except for the nature guide.
- Hotel and other local taxes.
Excluded:
- Flight to Delhi in India.
- Any other item not mentioned as included.
- Single room supplement: £ 360 or USD 490
- Tip to local guide. About USD 10/ day.
- Drinks, in addition to what is stated under ‘Price included’.
Post tour – Tigers of India
Price for Amateur Photographer subscriber: £ 1 450 or USD 1 980
Price for non-subscriber: £ 1 650 or USD 2 180
* Buy an Amateur Photographer subscription to get access to the magazine at a great price and save a lot of money on the tour. Get your subscription here.
The price includes:
- Roundtrip flight Delhi-Nagpur*.
- Transports according to program.
- Accommodation with part in a twin room a presented lodge.
- Meals according to programme (F=Breakfast, L=Lunch, M=Dinner).
- Photo activities according to programme.
- Entrances to Pench National Park.
- Chauffeur-driven jeeps in the park.
- Local rangers in the park.
- Hotel, airport and other local taxes.
Excluded:
- Single room supplement: £ 215 or USD 290
- Tip to local guide. About USD 10 / day.
- Drinks, in addition to what is stated under ‘Price included’.
* Note! Only 15 kg of check in baggage and 7 kg of hand baggage is allowed on domestic flights. Excess baggage charge is approx £ 5 or USD 7 / kg per flight.
TRANSPORTATION
Flights to Delhi take place on your own. You should not arrive in Delhi later than 08:30 on November 12 and do not book a return trip earlier than 21.00 on November 18/21.
To get a good start for the tour, we recommend that you arrive the day/evening before and spend the night in Delhi. If you want help with hotel booking and international flight, state this when you make the booking on the booking page, contact us by phone +46 470 466 40 or email us at info@zoomphototours.com
FACTS
Target group: Photographers interested in developing their knowledge of bird photography.
Min / max number: 8/14.
Calculation rate: USD 8.70 (per Jan 12, 2022)
Other: For more information
PHOTO GEAR
- Your digital camera.
- Telephoto lenses preferably up to 500mm.
- 70-200mm.
- Wide angle, for example 24-70mm.
- Single or tripod stand.
- A computer with Photoshop or Lightroom.
- Extra batteries, chargers etc.
TOUR LEADER
Apart from an award winning photographer, our tours are always accompanied by a tour leader from Zoom with good photo knowledge. Our tour leader will handle all logistics and general matters and make sure you’re having the best possible experience during the workshop.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
For more information about Terms & Conditions click here.
BOOKING
Use the online booking form below and you will receive a booking confirmation right away or you can give us a call on +46 70 180 90 99 or send an email to info@zoomphototours.com
Photo: David Tipling and Hans Elmqvist
PRICE
MAIN TOUR – Birds of India
Price for Amateur Photographer subscriber: £ 2 495 or USD 3 395
Price for non-subscriber: £ 2 780 or USD 3 770
* Buy an Amateur Photographer subscription to get access to the magazine at a great price and save a lot of money on the tour. Get your subscription here
The price includes:
- Transports according to the attached programme.
- Bottled water in connection with all bus transports.
- Accommodation with part in a twin room at presented hotels.
- Meals according to programme (F=Breakfast, L=Lunch, M=Dinner).
- Photo activities according to programme.
- Entrances to the Taj Mahal and to the Keoladeo National Park.
- Access to your own rickshaw in Keoladeo National Park.
- Boat trips in Keoladeo National Park (subject to water availability).
- Participation of David Tipling throughout the trip.
- Lecture and image editing under the direction of David Tipling.
- An experienced English speaker.
- All tips except for the nature guide.
- Hotel and other local taxes.
Excluded:
- Flight to Delhi in India.
- Any other item not mentioned as included.
- Single room supplement: £ 360 or USD 490
- Tip to local guide. About USD 10/ day.
- Drinks, in addition to what is stated under ‘Price included’.
POST TOUR – Tigers of India
Price for Amateur Photographer subscriber: £ 1 450 or USD 1 980
Price for non-subscriber: £ 1 650 or USD 2 180
* Buy an Amateur Photographer subscription to get access to the magazine at a great price and save a lot of money on the tour. Get your subscription here.
The price includes:
- Roundtrip flight Delhi-Nagpur*.
- Transports according to program.
- Accommodation with part in a twin room a presented lodge.
- Meals according to programme (F=Breakfast, L=Lunch, M=Dinner).
- Photo activities according to programme.
- Entrances to Pench National Park.
- Chauffeur-driven jeeps in the park.
- Local rangers in the park.
- Hotel, airport and other local taxes.
Excluded:
- Single room supplement: £ 215 or USD 290
- Tip to local guide. About USD 10 / day.
- Drinks, in addition to what is stated under ‘Price included’.
* Note! Only 15 kg of check in baggage and 7 kg of hand baggage is allowed on domestic flights. Excess baggage charge is approx £ 5 or USD 7 / kg per flight.
TRANSPORTATION
Flights to Delhi take place on your own. You should not arrive in Delhi later than 08:30 on November 12 and do not book a return trip earlier than 21.00 on November 18/21.
To get a good start for the tour, we recommend that you arrive the day/evening before and spend the night in Delhi. If you want help with hotel booking and international flight, state this when you make the booking on the booking page, contact us by phone +46 470 466 40 or email us at info@zoomphototours.com
FACTS
Target group: Photographers interested in developing their knowledge of bird photography.
Min / max number: 8/14.
Calculation rate: USD 8.70 (per Jan 12, 2022)
Other: For more information
PHOTO GEAR
- Your digital camera.
- Telephoto lenses preferably up to 500mm.
- 70-200mm.
- Wide angle, for example 24-70mm.
- Single or tripod stand.
- A computer with Photoshop or Lightroom.
- Extra batteries, chargers etc.
TOUR LEADER
Apart from an award winning photographer, our tours are always accompanied by a tour leader from Zoom with good photo knowledge. Our tour leader will handle all logistics and general matters and make sure you’re having the best possible experience during the workshop.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
For more information about Terms & Conditions click here.
BOOKING
Use the online booking form below and you will receive a booking confirmation right away or you can give us a call on +46 70 180 90 99 or send an email to info@zoomphototours.com
Photo: David Tipling and Hans Elmqvist
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