Thar Desert Photography Expedition

This Expedition takes us to the heart of the Great Indian Desert, in western Rajasthan, the second largest state in India. Also known as Thar desert, this mighty expanse of fixed and shifting dunes, rocky outcrops and salt pans extending for over 446,000 square kilometers between India and Pakistan, is one of the driest and most inhospitable places on earth.

Against the muted hues of this scorched landscape, over the centuries, the people of Rajasthan have developed a sophisticated language of colour denoting castes and tribes. The contrast between the arid backdrop of the Thar desert and the intensely saturated colours of its cities and people makes Rajasthan an immensely photogenic destination.

At the start of the Expedition, we travel to the sacred town of Pushkar to witness Holi, the Hindu “Festival of Colours” that marks the arrival of spring. During Holi, all distinctions of caste, class, age and gender are eclipsed as people celebrate the festival by smearing each other with paint and throwing coloured powder at one another in the streets. Joyous, boisterous and dazzling, Holi is a visual feast not to be missed.

Moving on from Pushkar, compelling photographic opportunities will await us as we thread our way through the desert to the remote town of Jaisalmer, in the westernmost corner of Rajasthan. Its imposing sandstone bastions rising sharply against the vast, open vistas of the Thar desert, the “Golden City” shimmers like a mirage. Founded in 1156, Jaisalmer was once a major halting point along the trade routes between India and the rest of Asia, its exquisite temples and lavish mansions - havelis – a reminder of the wealth accumulated by its merchants through taxation of silk, spices and precious stones that were carried across the desert on camel back.

Shadowing the ancient trading routes that traverse this part of the desert, our journey will also take us to the magnificent fortified town of Nagaur, whose fort is considered by many to be the best example of Bhumi Durg - land fort - in Rajasthan, and Bikaner. Perched on a rocky outcrop emerging from the desert, Bikaner was originally an oasis town and remains to this date far off the beaten tourist track. Bikaner’s 16th century Junagarh Fort is one of the finest in western Rajasthan.

Some of the best photographic opportunities are found in the tiny villages that are sprinkled across the desert, where traditions have remained unchanged for thousands of years. Photographing in these areas is as rewarding as it is challenging. The heat, dust and harsh light conditions, are only some of the obstacles we will have to negotiate to capture images in this environment. Even more challenging, perhaps, is the natural shyness of most desert dwellers. The development of different techniques with which to approach and photograph the people of this very traditional region of India is a key aspect of this Expedition.