JAISALMER
ASTRO Photo Tour
Tour Dates
26th - 29th April 2025
Duration
3 Nights / 4 Days
Group Size
Min 3 pax | Max 7 pax
Tour Price
RS. 34,000/-
(Price includes pickup
&
drop from Jodhpur)
Overview
Jaisalmer is located in northwestern state of Rajasthan. The surrounding arid regions of the Thar Desert contribute to its unique landscape. The landscape includes Khejri tree, sand dunes and traditional mud houses which makes our astrophotography images very unique.
Special Note: The visibility of Milkyway totally depends upon the weather conditions as the weather has really become unpredictable in recent years.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS:
01
Star filled night skies
02.
Off-camera flash self portraits
03.
Complete advance Milkyway and Startrail editing workflow
04.
A high quality printed guide book
Who Should
Join This Tour?
If you are fascinated by unique landscape, night sky objects and Milkyway this tour is designed for you. This is an advance level photo tour, which covers advance Nightscape photography and advance editing techniques. If you want to build a strong astrophotography portfolio then this photo tour is the right choice for you. Even if you are a beginner you can join this tour as we have ‘Personal Pre Tour Support’ which clears all level of difficulties before we begin the tour.
Even if you are a beginner you can join this tour as we have ‘Personal Pre Tour Support’ which clears all level of difficulties before we begin the tour. Individuals who are not photographers but avid nature-lover can also join our photography Tour to experience nature at its purest form.
Why
Choose Us?
Ashish Kamble is a professional photographer and educator working in photography industry since 2009 (15 years). He has trained more than 900 students (B.M.M & B.A.F.T.N.M.P) in his teaching career as a visiting faculty in colleges affiliated under Mumbai University and in his own Institution ‘LotusBeam School of Photography’. His teaching experience helps every tour participant to clear their doubts from basic to advance level. To add further support we have specially designed a Personal Pre Tour Support policy at no additional cost.
Our maximum group size is 7 participants for this tour, which allows us to give personal individual attention throughout the tour. Our mentor Ashish Kamble has explored Jaisalmer at ground level and is familiar with the locals and locations which will help us to get the perfect shot. We try our level best to create artistic images by adding off-camera flash or low level Lighting techniques, which helps our participants to create distinct looking images. We also cover advance post processing session which is an essential part of astrophotography as it helps the participants to bring their visuals into reality.
Personal Support
Pre-Tour
If you are a complete beginner in photography and you want to clear your technical doubts, a personal 1-1 meeting will be arranged via phone call if requested by you. If you still don’t feel confident, then an online video call will be arranged to clear all your doubts and we will make sure you are technically prepared for the tour.
Post-Tour
After the tour finishes if you have any further doubts related to post processing we clear them. Once a part of Indian Photo Expeditions, you get a life time support to clear your general doubts related to photography on prior appointment basis.
Ashish Kamble
Tour Mentor
An award-winning photographer and photography educator based in Mumbai, India. He specialises in Astrophotography and off-camera flash portraits. Read more about Ashish on his website.
Tour Itinerary
IMPORTANT NOTE: The starting point is Jodhpur because in April the Jaisalmer airport is closed down because the tourist season ends in first week of March. If you are starting from Jaisalmer railway then the charges will be lesser.
Day 1:
Jodhpur to Jaisalmer Sand Dunes
Pickup at around 8:30am from Jodhpur airport/railway station. It is around 6-7hrs drive to reach Jaisalmer from Jodhpur. Check-in in our rooms and rest. After evening tea we will start with Introduction to Milkyway photography and get familiar with camera setup and settings. After dinner we will start our journey to reach our first destination, which is around 1 or 2 hrs drive.
Day 2:
Traditional House - KUD
Early morning we will return back to our property. Freshen up – have breakfast and then sleep. After lunch we will start with basic editing session. After dinner we will start our journey to second location which is around 1 and half hour drive.
As the temperature goes above 39 degrees, we avoid outdoor activities and travelling in daytime. If any one wants to travel in day time they can do it on their own risk and expense.
Day 3:
Sand Dunes
Early morning we will return back to our property. Freshen up – have breakfast and then sleep. After lunch we will start with advance editing session. After dinner we will start our journey to third location which is around 1 or 2hours drive.
As the temperature goes above 39 degrees, we avoid outdoor activities and travelling in daytime. If any one wants to travel in day time they can do it on their own risk and expense.
Day 4:
TOUR ENDS HERE
After breakfast we start our return journey to Jodhpur airport/railway station. Check out time will be at around 8:00am. We request you to book train/flight tickets which starts after 5:00PM.
Tour Price
Min 3 pax and Max 7 pax
Rs. 34,000/-
(Price includes pickup & drop from Jodhpur)
THE COST INCLUDES
- All meals, starting from Day 1 lunch to Day 4 breakfast (Available after 7:00AM)
- Local transportation required during the tour
- Photography mentorship fees
THE COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Additional beverages, snacks which you order on your own etc.
- Travel from your location to Jodhpur and Jodhpur to your location.
- Anything that is not mentioned in the Inclusion list.
Requirements
TOOLS/GEAR REQUIRED BY PARTICIPANTS:
- DSLR or Mirror less camera
- Ultra Wide or Wide angle (14mm, 16mm, 20mm) with aperture f/2.8 or less
- Sturdy Tripod with ballhead
- Wired / Wireless Camera trigger (Optional)
- Head lamp/Torch (Optional)
THINGS TO CARRY:
Personal hygiene and care products, Medicine etc.
Payment Policy
₹ 22,000/- needs to be paid to book your seat.
₹ 12,000/- needs to be paid before 30 days from the tour date.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
- 50% refund of full fees if cancellation is made 45 days prior to the date of the tour.
- 30% refund of full fees if cancellation is made 30 days prior to the date of the tour.
- 25% refund of full fees if cancellation is made 20 days prior to the date of the tour.
- NO refund if cancellation is made 15 days prior to the date of the tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) Is the price negotiable?
The tour pricing has been finalised after considering the logistics, thus the pricing is final and not negotiable.
2) What will be our mode of transport?
From airport to Jaisalmer: If the group size is 3 pax then we travel by sedan car. If there are 6 pax or more than 6 pax we will travel by tempo traveller to reach Jaisalmer.
From property to photography spot: As we will be staying in extreme remote area, the only mode of transportation available here is 4×4 open jeep or Bolero.
3) Does one need to be fit to join your tour?
No you don’t have to be fit, as we don’t involve any long hike or trek in this Photo Tour. But yes, if you do basic exercise or walking before the tour starts it will benefit you. It involves long hours of standing for photography, if you have any back issues you can carry foldable stool.
4) What about accommodation?
We will be staying in a homestay which has rooms equipped with AC and decent amenities.
5) What type of food will be served?
We offer veg/non-veg food for this tour.
6) Does it involve hiking or trekking?
Our vehicle will drive you till the photography spot which doesn’t require any long trekking or hiking. But it might include small hikes to nearby areas to find better composition. We personally don’t recommend individuals to wander alone far at night, as the area is surrounded by snakes and scorpions. But just incase if you liked some near by location you can do small hike at your own risk, we won’t be involved in any type of additional support in whatsoever circumstances.
7) How are the road conditions?
We will be staying in arid region which doesn’t have proper tarmac road connectivity so majority of our journey will be on rough terrain and sand filled patches.
8) Does it really get hot at daytime?
The temperature sometimes crosses 42 degree thus we don’t recommend to travel in afternoon, at night the weather is pleasant.
9) Can any one join your tour?
If you are an avid nature-lover and stargazer you will enjoy our photo tour. But the complete tour is designed from photographers perspective, so we don’t take random leisure stops.
10) The Mentor can communicate in which languages?
Hindi, English and Marathi.
Terms and conditions:
Personal Belongings and Responsibility
- Participant(s)/Guardians should understand the risks involved in any long journey activities before enrolling.
- In case of any injury, sickness, accident, death or any other casualty or loss or damage of valuables or luggage or any equipment; organisers, volunteers or experts or any other person involved wholly or partially, either individually or jointly with Indian Photo Expeditions shall not be responsible in any manner for the same and no claims of participants, parents, guardians, relatives or friends of participants will be entertained.
- In case of any medical emergency while on tour, any expenses for the arrangements, medical treatment, will be solely borne by the participant.
- If a participant is found trying to make any changes in the existing itinerary or found misbehaving with any one will be asked to leave at his own expense.
- Incase of road block/traffic or bad weather conditions there will be change in the itinerary which be will made only by the organiser. There will be additional charges to be paid incase we change the itinerary which will be paid by the participant equally.
- During the Workshop, the decision of authorised representative of Indian Photo Expeditions shall be final and binding on all participants.
- Be courteous to your mentor and other participants for smooth stress free tour experience. Any discomfort please share with the mentor, we will try our level best to solve it in our capacity.
- The participant should make the payment only once he has gone through all terms and conditions and is willing to abide by them.
SMOKING AND ALCOHOL
- Drinking is strictly prohibited on this tour.
- Smoking in your leisure time is allowed, but strictly prohibited when on field with other participants or in common room.
- Possession of illegal drugs, weapons and other illegal substances is strictly prohibited during the tour. If found breaking this rule, participant will be expelled from the Workshop/Tour and NO REFUND will be provided