HOLI &
WARRIOR HORSES
Photo Tour
24 FEB - 05 MAR, 2026
HOLI & WARRIOR HORSES PHOTO TOUR
25 Feb - 05 Mar, 2026
10 Days/ 09 Nights
Led by: Abhishek Hajela,
A Nikon Award-winning & National Geographic Traveller Photographer
$ 3850 Per Person (twin sharing)
DEPOSIT: 20%
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $950
DOMESTIC AIR: $280
Group Size 06 - 08
Holi is the Hindu festival that welcomes the Spring and celebrates the new life and energy of the season. Although Holi has religious roots, not much religious activity is involved in its celebration. Holi is the most energetic Indian festival, filled with fun and good humour; even the strict rules of separation between castes are abandoned. Holi is also called 'The Festival of Colors', and people celebrate the festival by smearing each other with paint, and throwing coloured powder and dye around in an atmosphere of great good humor. Holi is seen by some as the Hindu festival that is nearest in spirit to St. Valentine's Day.
Holla Mohalla is a Sikh festival celebrated in the month of Phalguna , a day after Holi. An annual festival held at Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, Hola Mohalla was started by the tenth Sikh Guru, Gobind Singh, as a gathering of Sikhs for military exercises and mock battles on the day following the festival of Holi. It reminds the people of valour and defence preparedness, concepts dear to the Tenth Guru who was at that time battling the Mughal empire. On this three-day festival mock battles are held followed by music and poetry competitions. The Nihang Singhs (members of the Sikh army that was founded by Guru Govind Singh) carry on the martial tradition with mock battles and displays of swordsmanship and horse riding. They perform daring feats, such as Gatka (mock encounters), tent pegging, bareback horse-riding and standing erect on two speeding horses.
Trip Highlights:
A Burst of Color: Experience the joyous chaos of Holi in a unique setting, capturing the explosion of powdered dyes and the pure, uninhibited joy on the faces of locals.
Immersive Portraiture: Move beyond the crowds to create intimate, powerful portraits of the Nihangs in their ceremonial dress and magnificent turbans, revealing their individual stories.
Sikh Warrior Heritage: Photograph the powerful martial arts displays of the Nihang Sikhs, showcasing their traditional fighting skills, weaponry, and incredible strength.
A Study in Contrasts: Explore two dramatically different festivals: the playful, vibrant anarchy of Holi and the disciplined, awe-inspiring power of Hola Mohalla.
The Thundering Cavalry: Get exclusive access to capture the incredible sight of mounted warriors on horseback, a breathtaking display of horsemanship and spiritual discipline.
Unseen India: Go beyond the typical tourist path to photograph a side of India that is not on any standard itinerary, providing you with a truly unique and authentic visual narrative.
Itinerary At a Glance
24th Feb: Arrive in Delhi
25th Feb: Delhi to Mathura, Holi
26th Feb: In Mathura, Holi
27th Feb: In Mathura, Holi
28th Feb: Drive back to Delhi
01st Mar: Old Delhi Photo walk
02nd Mar: Fly to Chandigarh and drive to Anandpur Sahib
03rd Mar: Anandpur Sahib
04th Mar: Back to Delhi
05th Mar: Departure
Detailed Itinerary
24th Feb: Arrive in Delhi
On your arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our representative who will escort you to your hotel and assist in checking in.
25th Feb: Delhi to Mathura
This morning after breakfast, we will start our 3½ hrs drive to Mathura, which will be our base for next four days during Holi celebrations. This is a perfect opportunity to take some stunning, colorful images. On arrival you will be assisted with check-in at the hotel. After lunch get ready to photograph some of the most vibrant and striking images as we take you to Barsana to witness the festival of colours – Holi.
Thousands of people from across India came together in Mathura and near by villages where the festival of color is celebrated with great fervor. Holi marks the end of winter and beginning of spring. The festival begins with Lathmar Holi played in Barsana, a small village in Mathura. Lathmar Holi usually begins around a week before the main Holi day. During the Lathmar Holi celebrations, women from Barsana village wait with wooden sticks to beat the men who come from the adjacent village of Nandgoan, the hometown of Lord Krishna.
Hindu Mythology says that Lord Krishna along with his friends visited Barsana, Radha's village (Radha was Lord Krishna’s girlfriend), to tease her and other gopis (girls) by throwing colored water on them. In retaliation, Radha and gopis chased him and his friends to beat them up with sticks.
Even today, people from Nandgoan and Barsana follow the ritual. Men soaked in colored water arrive in Barsana and tease women by singing provocative songs. The women then beat them with sticks (lathis) and men use shields to protect themselves. Holi is celebrated for more than two weeks in Vrindavan and Mathura, where lord Krishna was born and grew up.
Later in the evening, we will return to hotel for dinner and overnight.
Overnight at the Mathura
26th and 27th Feb: In Mathura
We will spend the days taking some amazing images of the Holi celebrations in nearby villages and temples.
Overnight at the Hotel
28th Feb: Mathura to Delhi
Today, after our morning shoot, we will head back to Delhi.
01st Mar: In Delhi
We will spend the day photographing the Old City of Delhi.
02nd Mar: Delhi to Anandpur Sahib via Chandigarh
This morning we will fly down to Chandigarh and then drive to Anandpur Sahib — where the very dramatic Holla Mohalla takes place.
The Holla Mohalla is an impressive traditional display of bravery and valor that is a must see.
The ultimate display of machismo - Holla Mohalla, an annual Sikh festival held a day after Holi, has the drama, the sweat and the incredible colours that Indian festivals are known for. With impressive displays of weaponry, archery and wrestling, there's also music, poetry and prayers, singing and chanting. An important part of the festival is the langar (community food) that is served to pilgrims irrespective of their religion or caste. One of the main attractions at the festival are the Nihangs — a prestigious armed sect of the Sikha who wear a striking blend of blue and orange, with thick twisted moustaches and overwhelmingly large and embellished turbans. They also demonstrate thrilling horse riding shows where the riders gallop bareback, performing tricks like riding astride two horses. Holla Mohalla is held at Anandpur Sahib in the state of Punjab, and it is estimated that over 100,000 Sikh devotees attend the festival. This is an amazing festival with great photo opportunities!
Overnight at the Tents
03rd Mar: In Anandpur Sahib
We will start early in the morning to witness and capture the various activities that take place during the festival. We will spend the entire day here photographing this colorful and amazing festival.
Overnight at the Tents
04th Mar: Anandpur Sahib to Delhi Via Chandigarh
After a relaxing morning shoot, later today we will drive to Chandigarh to board the flight to Delhi.
On arrival you will be transferred to you hotel and assisted in check-in. The rest of the evening is at leisure.
You will be transferred to the Airport to board your flight back home!
Tour Fee Includes:
Accommodation for 09 nights on a twin-sharing basis in the specified hotels.
All meals provided.
Accompanying Photographer
Transfers for arrivals and departures, sightseeing tours, and ground transportation will be provided in an air-conditioned Innova or minivan.
Services of a local English-speaking guide during city tours.
All applicable taxes.
Tour Fee Excludes:
Airfare
Any international or domestic flights that are quoted separately are not included in the tour fee.Insurance
Travel and medical insurance coverage is not part of the tour package. Travelers are encouraged to secure their own insurance for adequate protection during the trip.Personal Expenses
Expenses of a personal nature are not covered, including:Gratuities for service staff
Laundry services
Charges for telephone and fax calls
Alcoholic beverages
Fees for photography or videography at monuments
Medical expenses
Any other personal items or services
Tips and Porterage
Gratuities and porterage fees at airports and hotels are excluded.Unforeseen Expenses
The tour fee does not include any additional expenses or changes incurred due to unforeseen circumstances while in India.
Equipment Checklist:
Bring your own laptop and storage media.
Camera body or bodies.
Lenses: a 24-70mm zoom and a 70-200mm zoom are excellent.
Rain and dust cover for your camera and lenses.
Battery charger.
Extra batteries.
Extra memory cards.
Memory card reader.
USB drive for transferring images.
Trip Notes
Visa Requirements
Travelers are required to obtain a tourist visa to enter India, which can be conveniently done online. For more information and to submit your application, please visit this link. Ensure you complete your visa application before your trip to avoid any last-minute issues.
Weather
March in Delhi and around marks the transition from winter to summer, offering pleasant and comfortable weather for travel. Daytime temperatures typically range from 20°C (68°F) to 30°C (86°F), making it warm but not overly hot. Evenings and early mornings remain cooler, especially in desert regions, so it’s best to prepare for some temperature variation. Skies are clear with almost no rainfall, and the dry climate ensures excellent visibility—perfect for sightseeing and photography.
When packing, opt for light, breathable clothing for the day, such as cotton shirts, t-shirts, and comfortable trousers. A light jacket or sweater will come in handy for cooler mornings and evenings. Don’t forget comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the strong daytime sun. A scarf or shawl can also be useful for temple visits or unexpected breezes. With Rajasthan's varied landscapes and vibrant colors, you'll want to be prepared for both comfort and style.
Language
Hindi is the predominant language spoken in North India and serves as the primary means of communication throughout the region. It is the official language of the Indian government and is widely used by a large portion of the population, particularly in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. While Hindi is prevalent, you may also hear various regional dialects and languages, but Hindi remains the common lingua franca for visitors and locals alike.
Currency
The currency used in India is the Indian Rupee, abbreviated as INR, and represented by the symbol "₹." The rupee is issued and regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which is the country's central banking authority. The rupee is divided into 100 smaller units called paise, although paise coins are rarely used in day-to-day transactions.
Coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 rupees, along with smaller denominations of paise. Banknotes come in various denominations, including 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 2000 rupees. When traveling, it's advisable to carry a mix of both coins and banknotes for convenience, especially for small purchases and local transactions.