Join me on a cultural and wildlife trip like no other, as we combine the largest spiritual gathering on earth with off the beaten path sites in India that most never get around to visiting. These experiences will be photographically productive and unique like no other.

This trip combines four aspects of India: the largest pilgrimage and gathering in the world, a visit to Varanasi to follow the faithful to the Ganges River, a safari to see the one-horned rhinoceros and a cultural visit to Kolkata. The trip is followed by an optional tiger safari to round it all out.

The biggest religious ceremony in the world, known as Kumbh Mela (Festival of Urn), occurs four times every twelve years and is organized in rotation among four places where drops of the sacred nectar spilled over. A mass pilgrimage for the Hindu community of India, the Kumbh Mela is one of the largest congregation of sages, yogis, ascetics, mendicants, men, women and children on the planet. The Kumbh Mela is not just a mere festivity like Diwali or Holi but holds lot of importance for people in India, as this event gives them a golden opportunity to take a holy dip in the sacred water and wash away all the sins they have committed in the past. People come from different parts of the country to be a part of this sacred ceremony.

We have combined the Kumbh with the sacred and ancient city of Varanasi, as well as with Kaziranga National Park, where we can find and photograph the one-horned rhinoceros.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Experience The Kumbh Mela, the largest gathering of humans on earth. More than 200 million people met at the Kumbh in 2019.
We have a private, luxury camp setup for our time at the Kumbh Mela, as well as private spiritual guides to show us the best experience during the festival. We have sadhus staying at camp with us, giving us the perfect opportunity for portraits in a controlled and less chaotic environment
Kaziranga National Park for the one-horned rhinoceros in the state of Assam
We will spend time touring Kolkata, capital of West Bengal
A visit to the holy city of Varanasi, along the Ganges River
Round out your trip with a Tiger Safari extension that will begin with an easy drive to Bandhavgarh National Park

Is this trip For you?
This trip is for those who understand and know what the Kumbh Mela is and how unique the event is. It can stretch the patience of seasoned travelers, so this trip is not for sissies and whining is not going to win any friends on this trip. Come with a good attitude, gratitude to be there amongst the religiously faithful and see where it takes you. Photography will be available all around you, but you need to be patient for the right moment when your subjects recognize that you have gratitude and appreciation for being there. I have combined this trip with a trip to Varanasi, which is another ‘have to see’ destination for those who want the best cultural photography in India. And if that wasn’t enough we have added Kaziranga for one-horned rhinos and some time in Kolkata (Calcutta) for even more sightseeing.

The Schedule

January 8, 2025 - Arrive Delhi, India

On your arrival in Delhi you will be met by our local representative, who will assist you with your bags and will drive you to your hotel for the night, which is about 15 minutes away from the airport. You will be assisted with your check-in, and depending on the time of day when you arrive you can lounge by the swimming pool or enjoy a nice meal. The group will likely have a welcome dinner tonight if you have arrived in time.

Overnight The Oberoi

January 9, 2025 - Delhi and Old Delhi

After breakfast we will casually explore Delhi and its history with the Mughal Empire. We will head to Old Delhi and tour by rickshaws and visit Jana Masjid, the largest mosque in India and take a look at the Red Fort, once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire. We will walk through the streets and markets of this 17th century imperial capital city, where we see all of the foods and fragrances of spice markets. These narrow streets have so many stories from centuries past…

A ride in the old city market, laid out by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, will give you an experience you won’t forget. Afterwards we will continue to New Delhi, where we will visit Humayun’s Tomb, see India Gate, Parliament House and the President’s residence. These sights will give you a good understanding of what modern India is all about.

Overnight at The Oberoi

January 10, 2025 - Delhi to Kaziranga

Today we are flying from Delhi to Guwahati, a quick 2 hour flight to a completely different region of the country and in the shadow of the Himalayas. When we land we will be greeted by our drivers and will drive through the countryside to Kaziranga National Park, the only natural habitat of the Great Indian Rhinoceros, otherwise known as the one-horned rhinoceros.

Karizanga National Park is in the state of Assam, India, which is also known for its black tea production. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage site, which hosts two thirds of the world’s population of great Indian rhinoceros and was also declared a tiger reserve in 2006. The park is home to large breeding populations of Asiatic Elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer, and also an important bird area. It is also home to a variety of migratory birds, water birds, predators, scavengers, and game birds.

As well as the Indian rhino, the park contains about 35 major mammals, including wild elephants, tigers, small population of hoolock gibbon, capped langur, bristly hare, hog badger, otter, leopard, wild boar, sambar, swamp deer, hog deer, muntjac, water buffalo and gaur.

Overnight at Diphlu River Lodge

January 11 and 12, 2025 - Kaziranga

Morning and afternoon jungle safaris in Kaziranga National Park, taking in the unique flora and fauna of the area. We will have the opportunity to also leave the park area to see and photograph the regional tea plantations.

Overnights at Diphlu River Lodge

January 13, 2025 - Kaziranga to Kolkata

We have a drive from Kaziranga to Guwahati, where we will board our flight to Kolkata. Our flight arrives into Kolkata in the early evening.

Overnight at Glenburn Penthouse

January 14, 2025 - Kolkata

From three swampy villages on the Ganges delta, bought by the East India Company in the seventeenth century, Kolkata grew to become the first capital of British India 100 years later. It was from here that the British ruled a large part of South East Asia for two centuries. Following in their footsteps, the Bengali aristocracy and middle class came to settle in the then-wealthy, now-crumbling neighborhoods of north Kolkata. Kolkata is loud and full of energy; in addition to the incessant honking of trucks, buses, cars, trams, bikes and rickshaws was the jangly Indian pop music blaring from every radio, clanging church bells marking the hour, in competition with various calls to prayer, plus the constant hassling cries of traders and rickshaw drivers. But that’s Kolkata once you have got the hang of it, it's very difficult to stop because, in the process, you are making friends, showing your appreciation, gently humbled and having the time of your life.

Today we are going to have an amazing tour of the city, walking down streets, peeking into buildings, visiting the colorful flower market as the city wakes up. This is the city tour you have been waiting for. We will visit Mother Theresa’s home in the afternoon, as well as her Missionaries of Charity. Her modest tomb and spartan room where she lived and died embodies her life’s work, with its simplicity and dedication to only helping the poor and needy.

Overnight at Glenburn Penthouse

January 15, 2025 - Kolkata to Varanasi

We have a morning flight from Kolkata to Varanasi, arriving around lunchtime. Varanasi, also known as Beranas, is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Its prominence in Hindu mythology is unrivaled. Mark Twain wrote that “Beranas is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together. The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth.

As sun goes down, we have an evening visit to the Ganges for the prayer ceremony. Here you will witness religious rituals being performed - a truly unique experience. The evening begins with a slow upriver float from our hotel as the sun cascades across the city skyline. The priests who are performing the ceremony will begin by lighting up the multi-tiered ceremonial brass lamps and a well-synchronised and rhythmic chanting of the holy mantras. Other priests will begin waving the incense sticks to worship Mother Ganga.

Our hotel is one of the oldest structures in the city and is the best hotel in the city. The pace was recently converted into a boutique hotel and is praised for its striking architecture and design and was built more than 200 years ago.

Overnight at Brijrama Palace

January 16 - Varanasi and Prayagraj for the Kumbh Mela

Get up early at dawn for an amazing boat journey. Spiritually enlightening and fantastically photogenic, Varanasi is at its brilliant best by the ghats, the long stretch of steps leading down to the water on the western bank of the Ganges. You will observe the living traditions of one of the oldest religions. You will be amazed by the color palette that surrounds you like the red and golden color of the water of the Ganges, temples, ‘ashrams’ and pavilions.

After our boat ride we venture again down the banks of the river. Much less crowded than the evening before, we make it back to witness the morning Aarti (prayer). A fraction of the people compared to the night before, and hence, we can get up close to these priests. At times, you will also hear students of music chanting hymns, while the priests are performing the morning rituals.

We get back on our boat and cruise down to Kedar Mandir. As Varanasi wakes up, you will see many priests coming to the banks for their rituals and many children taking their morning bath. Yoga is a common practice early in the morning and we will see many priests practicing it along the river bank. We will arrive at Kedar Ghat from where we will visit Kedar Mandir. The temple can be identified from its red and yellow steps and it is more popular amongst the locals than tourists. Although, there are thousands of temples in Varanasi, this would be a great introduction to temple structures.

In its traditional ‘gymnasiums’ wrestlers continue to practice millennia-old moves with single-minded devotion. The day starts with a prayer at the small Hanuman shrine, before warm-up begins in earnest with a range of kushti equipment. Young boys wear stone rings that act as weights around their necks. Some finish a lap of cartwheels along the periphery.

After breakfast we will drive to Prayagraj and to the Kumbh Mela, approximately 2 hours away.

Prayagraj is a beautiful city situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati. The city draws attention of pilgrims and heritage lovers from all over the world as it opens the traveler to a world of mythological and spiritual wonders. For the Mughals, the city had a great strategic importance to control their empire, and it also became a prominent administrative hub for the British era. Prayagraj is one of the destinations which holds the Kumbh Mela, the largest religious gathering in the world which is celebrated for forty days.

A mass pilgrimage for the Hindu community of India, the Kumbh Mela or Kumbh fair is rumoured to be one of the largest congregation of sages, yogis, ascetics, mendicants, men, women and children on the planet. But every sixth year after a Purna Kumbh Mela sees an Ardh Kumbh Mela taking place. In the Hindi language the word "Ardh" stands for "half" and "Mela" means "fair". The "Ardh Kumbh Mela" is called so because it is held at the sixth year and marks the halfway stage between the celebration of the Purna Kumbh Melas every 12 years. The Ardh Mela (half Fair) takes place six years after the Maha Kumbh at Haridwar & Allahabad only. Kumbh Mela derives its name from the immortal - Pot of Nectar - described in ancient Vedic scriptures known as the Puranas. Kumbh Mela literally means festival of the pot or a festival celebrating the appearance of the pot of nectar. During the festival, Hindus consider Allahabad as India's religious capital and more than ten million people dip into the holy Ganga, in order to purify body, mind and soul and wash off their sins. On the eve of such a bathing day, the town vibrates in hectic religious fever and the centre stage of the Maha Kumbh Mela is occupied by the sadhus who belong to dozens of Hindu sects.

Significance of Kumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is not just a mere festivity like Diwali or Holi but holds lot of importance for people in India. People look up to Kumbh Mela & Ardh Kumbh with highest regard, as this event gives them a golden opportunity to liberate themselves from the miseries and sufferings of life. It enables them to take a holy dip in the sacred water and wash away all the sins they have committed in the past. People come from different parts of the country to be a part of this sacred ceremony. It is believed that taking a holy dip in water paves way for attainment of Moksha.

On arrival, settle into your private camp with time at leisure before an informative briefing on the days ahead.

Overnight at our private luxury camp

January 17-18, 2025 - Kumbh Mela

Three full days and three nights are spent experiencing the Kumbh Mela, its meaning and relevance, rituals and understanding why millions of people who journey here from all walks of life in what is the ultimate spiritual quest. You will experience one on one time with Sadhus, witness holy spiritual leaders with their disciples taking a dip in the Ganges. Even if you have never been to India, and are eager for an extraordinary experience, then this festival is right for you. It has been described as the ‘Burning Man of India’.

We have the guide of all guides during out time at the Kumbh. Lakshmi Singh is not only our host at our private camp, but she is also our private guide to explain everything we are seeing and feeling. Lakshmi is a spiritual disciple of two great Advait philosophy masters. Over the last 22 years she has devoted herself to her gurus and her personal spiritual journey.

Lakshmi’s own journey began as princess from the royal family of Tikari in Bihar, her father who was the last Maharaja brought up Lakshmi with an exposure to the adventurous Royal lifestyles of ballroom dancing, hunting and the finest education and from there Lakshmi went on to work with in the world of exploration tourism that was just beginning in India and Nepal. She spent many years establishing and operating high-end luxury camps and tours

Overnights at our private luxury camp

January 19 - Prayagraj to Delhi (unless continuing on with our Tiger Safari Extension)

A morning flight will take you back to Delhi, where you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel, until your flight back home. Relax, recount all of the amazing experiences you have just encountered, and fly back home this evening or tomorrow.

January 20 - Delhi to Home

Fly home at any time in the night or tomorrow. We will handle all transfers to the airport for you

Tiger Safari Extension - January 19-24, 2025 - Please join us in Bandhavgarh National Park for a post-trip tiger safari

January 19 - You will take a private road transfer today from Prayagraj to Bandhavgarh National Park, which will take around 6 hours. We have Wifi in our comfortable and safe Toyota minivans, so sit back and relax as we drive you through the Indian countryside. Overnight at Bandhavgarh Jungle Lodge

January 20 - Tiger Safari day, with both morning and afternoon game drives

January 21 - Tiger Safari day, with full-day safari permits arranged. These permits allow us to go into any zone, all day long, and we can enter and leave Bandhavgarh early and stay later than other people

January 22 - Tiger Safari day with morning game drive. Wednesday afternoons in all tiger reserves in the area are closed

January 23 - Tiger Safari day, with full-day safari permits arranged. These permits allow us to go into any zone, all day long, and we can enter and leave Bandhavgarh early and stay later than other people

January 24 - after our morning safari drive we will drive back to Jabalpur to fly back to Delhi. Overnight at JW Marriott

NOTE: Customized extensions to this safari, including the Taj Mahal can be arranged for you.

The Cost

The cost of this all-inclusive trip is $16,950 per person. This fee includes all in-country ground and air transportation as well as hotel accommodation (double occupancy) and all meals.

Due to the limited number of spaces available, if a solo guest is willing to share a room and we can match with another guest of the same gender, we will do so. If a solo guest is unwilling to share, then a single supplement will be charged $2,800 (please contact us if you would like to have your own accommodation as we have a very limited number of single slots available).

The Tiger Safari Extension will be $6,900 per person sharing and a $800 single supplement

Please note: We will attempt to adhere to this itinerary as much as possible. However, certain conditions (political, climatic, environmental, cultural, or wildlife migrations) may necessitate changes in the itinerary. We reserves the right to alter any itinerary at any time, if necessary. We will attempt to notify participants of changes as far in advance as possible. Costs incurred by such changes will be the responsibility of the participant.

What Do I Do Next?
This group will be super small so space is limited. If this exciting trip has your name on it; if you're excited by the thought of becoming a member of this trip, then now is the time to register. Remember, there will be limited space available for this workshop. When they're spoken for, that's it. If you have any questions before registering, send us an e-mail with any inquiries to hello@andybiggs.com.

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Kumbh Mela Festival and Kaziranga, January 2025

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

The Schedule

The Cost

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