India - Gujarat Photography Tour.

The Tour.

Join us on a captivating photographic journey through Gujarat, where ancient stepwells descend into the earth, tribal communities preserve centuries-old traditions, and master artisans practice vanishing crafts. This carefully crafted 11-day adventure takes us from the architectural marvels of Ahmedabad to the remote villages of Kutch, documenting one of India's most culturally rich yet least-photographed regions.

Our exploration begins in Ahmedabad, where the pre-dawn flower market bursts with colour and energy, providing perfect opportunities to capture the vibrant commerce of early morning. We'll photograph the intricate wooden havelis and hidden courtyards of the historic pols during a heritage walk through Old Ahmedabad, culminating at the magnificent 15th-century Jama Masjid with its elegant Indo-Islamic architecture.

The architectural wonders continue with visits to the 11th-century Modhera Sun Temple, featuring intricately carved pillars and the magnificent Surya Kund step-tank, and Rani ki Vav in Patan – a UNESCO World Heritage stepwell descending seven stories into the earth with over 800 exquisitely carved sculptures adorning its walls. In Hodka village, we'll document the iconic Bhunga mud houses, circular dwellings adorned with exquisite mirror work and intricate embroidery that showcase the remarkable artistry of Kutch communities. The opportunity to interact with welcoming villagers provides insights into traditional crafts preserved and passed down through generations.

Our journey culminates in Bhuj, the vibrant cultural capital of Kutch. En route, we'll visit Nirona village to photograph master artisans practicing endangered crafts including Rogan painting, copper bell making, and intricate lacquer work. In Bhuj itself, we'll explore renowned textile centers where celebrated embroidery with mirror work, vibrant bandhani tie-dye, and traditional handloom weaving create mesmerizing visual opportunities.

The journey continues to Jambughoda, where we'll document the ancient art of Pithora painting with traditional tribal families and explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Champaner. This extraordinary archaeological complex showcases grand mosques, imposing fortifications, and ornate pavilions that blend Islamic and Hindu architectural elements – a photographer's paradise of historical grandeur.

The vibrant Kavant tribal market presents exceptional opportunities to capture authentic cultural moments. Here, tribal communities dressed in traditional attire adorned with distinctive silver jewelry gather to trade handwoven textiles, bamboo crafts, and terracotta pottery. This colourful gathering offers intimate access to photograph daily life, traditional crafts, and the genuine spirit of tribal Gujarat.

In the erstwhile princely state of Muli, we'll witness a rare privilege – the sacred evening aarti ceremony personally conducted by members of the royal family. The town's beautifully designed step-well and vibrant handicraft bazaar provide compelling subjects, while the intimate scale allows for authentic interactions with local artisans practicing centuries-old crafts. Our photographic adventure also takes us deep into rural Gujarat at Bajana, positioned on the edge of the Little Rann of Kutch. Here, we'll explore traditional village life at its most authentic, photographing artisans practicing weaving, embroidery, and pottery in settings unchanged by time. The warm hospitality and genuine interactions make this a highlight of cultural immersion.

Throughout the journey, we'll focus on both the grand architectural heritage and intimate moments of daily life that make Gujarat uniquely photogenic: artisans at work in ancient workshops, traditional crafts passed through generations, and the timeless rhythms of rural India. This is a rare opportunity to build a portfolio that captures the remarkable cultural diversity of Gujarat before many of these traditions fade.

Tuition.

On any of our tours, our primary objective is for you to go home with a collection of images that anyone would be proud of. In fact, many of our past participants have gone on to win awards and competitions with photographs taken on our tours.

Ash’s teaching approach, like Nathan’s, is very hands-on, as he believes in learning by doing. He will guide you through technical challenges, provide artistic inspiration, and lead by example in approaching locals for great portraits. You'll be amazed at the striking and authentic images you'll be able to capture.

We also offer Lightroom workshops during our tours, where we cover workflow management and picture processing. We'll show you the tools to take your travel photography to the next level and provide tips on saving your pictures for various outputs like social media, e-books, and printing.

If this is your first tour with us, you can also join Ash’s pre-tour workshop, designed to equip you with essential skills for travel photography. Covering technical competence, creative observation, and ethical responsibility with a focus on people and culture, this workshop is perfect if you’re new to travel photography or need a refresher. The workshop runs on the first day of the tour from around 2-5pm. Enhance your photography skills and capture breathtaking moments to treasure forever. Apply via our tour request form and prepare to take your photography skills to the next level.