12/30 November 2011. 18 nights. 6 places only.

At last, we are able to offer our long awaited trip to India – and it promises to be something very special. It will be led by Colin Summers, whose experience of dealing with the people of India, and travelling in that country, will be invaluable. This 18 nights trip will provide variety of people and landscape, from the second largest city Kolkata, to spiritual Varanasi and to the Himalayan areas of Darjeeling and the lesser-known Sikkim, where entry is by permit.

The trip will start in Kolkata (Calcutta), India’s second largest city, in which we will experience life there first hand and up close, where the bustling streets and alleyways will provide countless opportunities for the camera. From there, we will travel by overnight sleeper to the fascinating Varanasi, situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, where people pray, bathe, do their laundry and burn the dead on the renowned ghats. From sunrise to sunset, there will be much to take in!

The next stage will be a flight to Bagdogra, from where we will go by jeep up the winding hill road to Darjeeling. This former British hill station straddles a steep mountain ridge covered in tea plantations. Here we will find ourselves surrounded by people from all over the eastern Himalayas, including Tibetans, who find refuge in the city. The views down the mountain valleys, often with mist, are magnificent and on clear days the peaks of Kanchenjunga can be seen.

From Darjeeling, we will travel by road to the once independent kingdom of Sikkim, known as one of the last Himalayan ‘Shangri-La’s’. Permits are still necessary to enter this area close to the Chinese border and these will be obtained in advance. The population of this tiny state are very friendly and with its beautiful mountain vistas and fresh clean air, it is the perfect place to spend a few days prior to flying back to Kolkata and home.

This is not a ’whistle stop’ tour and three full days will be spent in each location to give plenty of time to absorb the atmosphere of each place and take photographs. Allowing for flights and internal travel, the whole trip will be for 18 nights.

Colin Summers is an experienced traveller and documentary photographer, and has spent a great deal of time in the Far East and Asia. He has recently completed a commission for Lepra in India. His people relationship skills will ensure that we have the very best opportunities for photography in an unobtrusive way, which is one reason why the number of participants is being kept to just six. Unlike some other operators, who take far larger groups, our photography will be less invasive and there will be much more time for personal attention and guidance.

Please see Colin’s web site www.colinsummers.com/gallery for some of his pictures from India.

Price £2495 (deposit £500). Single supplement £450. 6 places only.

Cost includes all accommodation (B&B basis,) internal flight and all travel in India, but excludes flight to/from India. Cost of meals is not included. The supplement for single occupation is high as most hotels charge for the room, whether occupied by one or two people.