Alternative Rajasthan Photo Tour - itinerary

Join us on a unique 10-day journey through lesser-travelled gems of Rajasthan, timed to capture the spirit and spectacle of the Pushkar Camel Fair—without the crowds.

Day 1:
Arrival in Udaipur
Welcome to Rajasthan! We will arrange for you to be picked up from the airport and transferred to our heritage hotel, with time to relax, freshen up, and start soaking in the atmosphere of this magical lakeside city. Around 6pm, you’ll meet Ash, our tour leader, for a welcome briefing over drinks, while Nathan will join us a little later in the tour after wrapping up a shoot in Agra.

Day 2:
Udaipur — Bijapur
We start our day with a drive from Udaipur to Bijapur (Chittorgarh), which is approximately 110 km away and takes around 2.5 hours. As we make our way along the route, we pass through small villages and rural landscapes, enjoying the traditional Rajasthani architecture and views of the surrounding fields. 

En route, we visit the historic Chittorgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its massive structure and rich history. This sprawling 7th-century stronghold is steeped in Rajput history and makes for dramatic wide-angle and detail shots—ramparts, towers, palaces, temples, and all. We explore its grand palaces, temples, and the famous Vijay Stambh. 

We continue our drive for 45 minutes until we reach Bijapur and check in to our hotel. In the afternoon we visit a local village where the tribes of the Bhil community reside - they are a large tribal group and particularly prominent in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. We spend the early evening walking around the village, as many of the tribesmen spend the day in the woods and return home later in the afternoon or early evening, making it a perfect time to interact with them and take pictures.

Day 3:
Bijapur — Bundi
After breakfast, we set off on a scenic 160 km drive to Bundi, a hidden gem of a town rarely touched by mass tourism but full of photographic charm. Expect layers of pastel blue houses, ornately painted walls, and narrow streets bursting with character. The picturesque town is famous for its stunning architecture, including a variety of palaces, forts and step wells. 

Bundi is home to a bustling bazaar, where we can enjoy an afternoon walk among the pastel blue houses and their ornately painted walls. These create wonderful backdrops for portraiture, and as we walk through the bazaar we encounter many colourful characters who are generally happy to have their pictures taken. 

Bundi is also well known for the Bundi Palace, a grand structure with exquisite murals and intricate carvings, so we finish our day by exploring its vibrant market and stunning architecture.

Day 4:
Bundi
Early this morning, we take a short walk to visit a milk market, where many traders dressed in authentic Rajasthani garb come to sell milk in the wholesale bazaar. While they sip their hot tea, we have the opportunity to interact with them and take their pictures. We can then visit a local stepwell before returning to our hotel for breakfast. 

Later this morning, those who are interested can visit the magnificent hilltop Taragarh Fort, with its sweeping views and atmospheric ruins. From there, we explore the intricate murals and frescoes at Bundi Palace followed by the impressive Raniji ki Baori, one of India’s most beautiful multi-story stepwells with its stunning architecture. 

In the afternoon, we drive about 20 minutes from Bundi to visit one of Rajasthan’s largest wholesale bazaars. Here we can see the bustling crowds, with plenty of local characters, some of whom wear authentic dress including colourful turbans and white dhoti. We can spend a couple of hours here before heading back to our hotel.

Day 5:
Bundi — Pachewar
After a relaxed breakfast, we drive to Pachewar through the scenic countryside. Upon arrival in Pachewar, we check in to the Pachewar Garh Fort, a magnificent heritage property that offers a glimpse into Rajasthan’s royal past, and which will be our home for the next two nights. This restored royal residence oozes character and offers wonderful light and texture for interiors and architectural photography. We spend the afternoon exploring the fort’s grand architecture, intricately designed courtyards, and historic artifacts. 

Later, we visit the centuries-old stepwells and local temples, soaking in the spiritual and architectural heritage of the region. We finish our day enjoying a traditional Rajasthani dinner beneath the stars at the fort.

Day 6:
Pachewar
Today is all about slow travel and authentic encounters. After breakfast, we set out on a village walk, cameras in hand, meeting local artisans, potters, and farmers, many of whom still work using age-old techniques. We can expect a mixture of candid portraits, textured street scenes and of course some spontaneous moments. 

We also visit some nearby lakes, a haven for birdwatchers, with migratory and local bird species in their natural habitat. It’s especially rewarding in the early morning and late afternoon light.

Day 7:
Pachewar — Pushkar
Today, we journey to Pushkar to witness the fascinating build-up to the famous Pushkar Camel Fair, held annually in Rajasthan and one of India’s largest camel and livestock fairs. The fair blends religious rituals with a carnival-like atmosphere, attracting travellers, photographers and traders from across the world.

While the official fair kicks off just after the end of the tour, these final days of preparation offer a far more intimate experience—fewer crowds, less chaos, and better opportunities to connect with traders and capture real stories. We’ll orient ourselves as we weave in and out of the campsites, getting more candid shots and forging the occasional friendship to set up shots.

Day 8:
Pushkar
We spend the day immersing ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the ongoing preparations for the fair, paying particular attention to setting up camp around sunrise and late afternoon. 

Sunrise and sunset are golden hours here — not just for the light, but for the activity. We focus on storytelling: portraits of camel herders, details of camp life, and those fleeting moments that vanish once the spectacle begins. We also look at ways to deepen your photographic narrative — how to anticipate shots, approach subjects, and layer visual elements for impact.

Day 9:
Pushkar
We spend a second day in and around the campsites, building on yesterday’s connections and improving on the lessons learnt from our first day. We can revisit scenes with fresh eyes and refine our best images. We also explore the pop-up markets full of artisans, musicians, and colour, providing an excellent contrast to the dusty camel grounds.

Day 10:
Departure from Ajmer
Today we transfer to the nearby Ajmer railway station in time to catch the train to Delhi, after which we will collect you and take you to the airport for your flight home. Alternatively, you might want to spend a day or two exploring Delhi, and perhaps even cap off your adventure with a visit to Agra to see the magnificent Taj Mahal?