KOLKATA DURGAPUJA AND RURAL BENGAL PHOTO TOUR

 

DURGAPUJA : The Heritage of Kolkata
An Organised Photo Tour by ASP

MENTOR
ARUN SAHA
(Winner of 8th National Photography Award)

Dates :
Arrival: 11 Oct 2026 Afternoon
Departure: 15 Oct Morning
Nearest Airport: Kolkata
Nearest Railway Station: Howrah, Sealdah, Kolkata

TOUR COST AND TERMS:

COST OF THE TOUR :
$1200(Double occupancy)/$1500(Single occupancy) for Non-Indian(foreigner/NRI) participants.
Advance: US$500 While Booking
Final Pay: Will be notified

Overview
 In essence, Durga Puja of Bengal is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of art, culture, and community that encapsulates the essence of Bengali identity and tradition in the most prolific way. Thus by virtue of being the world’s biggest public art festival, it’s included by the UNESCO in its prestigious List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in the year 2021.
Durga Puja in the countryside of Bengal carries a unique essence that is deeply rooted in tradition, community, and spirituality. Unlike the bustling urban celebrations, the countryside offers a more intimate and rustic experience, where the festival is celebrated with a deep sense of reverence and simplicity.

 

TOUR SYNOPSYS:

PORTRAIT, LANDSCAPE, PEOPLE, FESTIVAL, CULTURE, HERITAGE, STREET & HUMANITY

ITINERARY : (05 Days and 4 Nights)

11 Oct 2026: Arrival at Kolkata by noon and report at pre-booked hotel. Spending some relaxed hour in the hotel, we will go out to a nearby cafe and have the introduction session over a cup of hot coffee. Later we will go around with our camera in the street to have the first glimpse of the life of Kolkata through our lens. Later will come back to hotel, have dinner and rest.

12 Oct : Early in the morning we will leave for the countryside for a four hours drive. Upon reaching there, straightway we will start shooting the Durgapuja rituals where the village people will be seen to bring the idol to the worship place from the idol makers covering the village roads, woods and water bodies through the village. After reaching to the temple area, we will shoot the other importantat Puja rituals till evening. At EOD, will have dinner and rest.
13 Oct : Today, early in the morning we will start our shoot with morning rituals of Durgapuja and continue throughout the day. Our Durgapuja in the rural Bengal setup would get over by the evening with a couple of night shoot set ups. At night will rest in hotel after having dinner.

14 Oct : Today, will leave for another village in the morning. Over reaching there, we will shoot village fishermen at work in different waterbodies with different kind of fishnets. Also we will shoot village boys taking bath and playing with buffalos in the river. Our shoot will get over by the evening. We will then head back to Kolkata and stay overnight in Kolkata hotel.

15 Oct : Today after the breakfast, we will officially conclude the photo tour.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICY

If you cancel your registration, then you will be charged according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:

Before 60 days or more: 25%

Between 45-60 : 50%

Between 30-60 days: 75%

Less than 30 days : Non –refundable

Fee Includes :

• • Shared double AC bedroom (same gender participants) in a 3 star hotel in central Kolkata. For a separate room extra charge is applicable.
  • It will cover your main meals (breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner), starting from 11 Oct dinner to 15 Oct breakfast.
  • Mineral  water will be provided
  • Tea/Coffee will be provided with breakfast and in the evening.
  • All local transports related to our tour
  • Mentor’s fee for photography tour and on-field photography assistances.

Fee Doesn’t Include :

• • Train/flight tickets to and from your place.
  • Travel charges for airport/Railway Station/Bus stand pickup and drop.
  • Any additional food items or beverages during meals.
  • Any personal habit, medication or expenses.
  • Anything that not in “Included” list.

What do I get from this photo tour?

1. A thoroughly guided photographic experience by an expert in the field who knows the places and events very well.
2. Slide show presentation of photographs and information of locations and events before each day’s shoot.
3. Guiding all participants about lens requirements, creative composition and camera settings on the field during photo shoot.
4. Everyday review of participants’ photographs.
5. Assisting in possible editing guidance.
6. Guiding participants in finding photographic locations and vantage points for places and events.
7. Helping in finding the local delicacies.

Am I eligible for this tour?
Anyone above 18 years (unless accompanied by a parent or guardian) is welcome to join this photo tour.I am new to photography. Will I join this trip? Yes of course. This tour is for all photography enthusiasts. The more you travel and explore, the more your photographic eye will open. Moreover, our team leaders will ensure to give special attention to the beginners. What equipment is required for this Trip? Well, even the point-and-shoot camera will work fine. If you have a DSLR camera, any zoom lens and a wide-angle lens will work, but preferably a full-frame camera with a faster wide-angle lens will serve best. A laptop with post-processing software, an extension charging board, an external hard drive, and extra memory cards will be helpful.
What is the difference between ASP Photo Tour and other tours?

We are not offering a package tour for general tourists; it is specifically meant for photography enthusiastic people and designed by experienced professional photographers. You will discover the place and learn a lot about this ancient city, its local people and their culture which is an important part of our travel photography. We will try to observe the local people, their daily activities and cultural beliefs and will try to capture those moments using the right compositions and techniques. Our Team Leaders will help our guests to learn camera settings, framing and as well as post-processing. If that’s what is your requirements then surely join us for this exciting photo tour with ASP.

#Under any unavoidable circumstances, if we have to cancel our photo tour, your entire booking money will be refunded. 

DISCLAIMER

• We don’t have any control over weather conditions, pandemics, accidents or any medical emergencies. Under any unforeseen conditions, we may have to change our schedule. We expect your cooperation under such circumstances.
• The tour itinerary is tentative. Change or cancellation of programs may happen for any unpredictable reason.
• In the COVID19 PANDEMIC situation, we expect all our guests to follow the ASP and Govt rules of social distancing and precautions throughout the tour.

For more Details :

Contact(call or WhatsApp) #+91-8605013985

Or mail us at arunsahaphotography@gmail.com

 

Picture Credits: Anirban Pan & Arun Saha