India: Tribal Culture, Rural Villages & Traditional Life with Karl Grobl – January 2027

Join us for a remarkable two-week photography adventure through the heart of tribal India. Led by photographers Karl Grobl and his long-time assistant, Digvijay Singh. This journey takes us far beyond the tourist trail — into ancient villages, desert landscapes, and traditional communities where life moves to the rhythm of the seasons. We’ll share chai with herders, meet artisans in their workshops, and photograph vibrant markets and quiet moments alike. Karl and DV will be by your side, helping you find the right light, the right composition, and the decisive moment — ensuring every day brings not just great experiences, but portfolio-worthy images.

Day 1: (Jan. 14) Arrival in DehliWelcome to India! Upon arrival, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Take it easy today — recover from your flight and get ready for the adventure ahead. Karl and DV will host a casual orientation session to review the itinerary, gear tips, and shooting strategies for working respectfully and effectively in tribal villages. Following our orientation meeting, we’ll share a delicious meal. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2: (Jan. 15) Delhi → Vadodara → JambughodaAfter breakfast, we fly to Vadodara, then take a scenic two-hour drive to Jambughoda, surrounded by forests and dotted with small tribal villages. Late in the afternoon, we wander nearby hamlets — a gentle start to our photography journey. We will capture the golden light filtering through the trees as children play and women return from the fields. Karl and DV will be there to help you spot compositions that tell quiet, authentic stories. Overnight in Jambughoda.

Day 3: (Jan. 16) Rathwa Villages & Pithora Art
Today is devoted to exploring the Rathwa Bhil villages, known for their sacred Pithora paintings — intricate murals created as offerings to their deities. These vivid works cover the walls of homes, telling ancestral stories through color and symbol. We’ll meet artists and elders who invite us to photograph their work and rituals. Overnight in Jambughoda
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Day 4: (Jan. 17) Jambughoda → Dasada (Rann of Kutch)
We drive to Dasada, gateway to the surreal Little Rann of Kutch. The landscape shifts from green forest to vast open plains — a photographer’s dream of geometry, texture, and light. In the afternoon, we visit Rabari and Banjara villages — nomadic herders with striking clothing and proud traditions. Expect rich opportunities for portraiture as Karl and DV help you work with available light, respectful interaction, and storytelling through your lens. Overnight in Dasada.

Day 5: (Jan. 18) The Salt Desert – Wildlife & Culture
Before dawn, we head into the Rann — the horizon glowing pink as salt workers start their day. The mirror-like flats offer reflections and minimalistic compositions. Later, we search for Asiatic Wild Asses, desert birds, and more portraits of life in the salt country. Back in the villages, we meet the Mir community, photographing scenes of daily life — women spinning, men tending herds, and children curiously following our cameras. Overnight in Dasada.

Day 6: (Jan. 19) Dasada → Poshina via Modhera & Patan
A full day’s drive to Poshina, with two fascinating stops along the way. First, we photograph the Sun Temple of Modhera, where morning light bathes 1,000-year-old carvings in golden tones. Then, at Patan, we visit Rani-ki-Vav, an astonishing stepwell, and the Patola silk weavers, whose double-ikat process makes for mesmerizing close-up photo studies. Karl and DV will help guide your compositions and exposure for working in mixed light — from temple shadows to bright courtyards. Overnight in Poshina.

Day 7: (Jan. 20) Tribal Traditions of Poshina
A full day of immersion in Bhil and Garasia culture. The Bhil villages are known for their terracotta armies — hand-sculpted figures offered in gratitude to local gods. We’ll photograph them in the soft morning light under ancient trees. In the afternoon, visit the Garasia tribe — among the most colorful in western India. Their homes are full of life and laughter, with women wearing dresses embroidered with their names. These are spontaneous, joyous encounters that yield powerful, human photographs. Overnight in Poshina.

Day 8: (Jan. 21) Poshina Market & Drive to Bhenswara
Morning at Poshina’s lively market — a feast of color, texture, and expression. This is street photography, tribal-style: traders in turbans, women in mirror-work skirts, and silver bangles flashing in the sun. Karl and DV help you anticipate decisive moments amid the bustle. Later, we drive to Bhenswara, a quiet Rajasthani village where we stay in a charming 18th-century palace surrounded by rolling hills. Overnight in Bhenswara.

Day 9: (Jan. 22) Bhenswara – Village Life & Craft Traditions
We explore the villages around Bhenswara, meeting shepherds, potters, and woodcarvers whose traditions stretch back generations. We’ll photograph daily work scenes — smoke from cooking fires, drying grains, the rhythmic motion of craftsmen at their tools. Today, Karl and DV help you focus on storytelling composition — layering, context, and capturing emotion. By day’s end, you’ll have a collection of powerful, intimate moments. Overnight in Bhenswara.

Day 10: (Jan. 23) Bhenswara → Jojawar
Drive to Jojawar, a small town nestled in the Aravalli hills. In the afternoon, we board a local passenger train through the scenic Khamli Ghats — a journey full of life, from waving farmers to kids leaning out of the carriages. It’s real India, raw and unscripted — a wonderful playground for candid travel photography. Overnight in Jojawar.

Day 11: (Jan. 24) Jojawar – Village Safari & Rajasthani Life
A full day exploring the rural countryside around Jojawar by jeep. We’ll meet farmers, potters, and herders, photographing the rhythm of village life — oxen plowing fields, women carrying water, children laughing as they chase goats. Later, we’re invited into a family home to view a traditional Rajasthani cooking experience — a chance to photograph and taste the local cuisine. Overnight in Jojawar.

Day 12: (Jan. 25) To Udaipur via Eklingji & Nagda
Drive to Udaipur, pausing at Eklingji and Nagda, two exquisite temple complexes filled with intricate carvings and the murmur of worshippers. The play of light and shadow through temple corridors offers dramatic photographic opportunities. By afternoon, we reach Udaipur, the “City of Lakes.” A sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola delivers reflections of palaces glowing in the evening light — a perfect end to the day. Overnight in Udaipur.

Day 13: (Jan 26) Udaipur – Palaces, People & Reflections
We spend the day exploring Udaipur’s cultural treasures — City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and Sahelion-ki-Bari gardens. Between landmarks, we’ll photograph local street life — spice sellers, sari shops, and quiet moments by the ghats. Late afternoon, we drive to Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) to capture the sunset over the lakes. Tonight is our farewell dinner, we’ll enjoy a delicious meal, then review highlights and share our favorite images — each one a memory of the people, light, and traditions we’ve come to know during the past two weeks. Overnight in Udaipur.

Day 14: (Jan. 27) Fly to Delhi & Depart
A relaxed morning for last-minute shots of Udaipur’s narrow lanes and pastel reflections before our flight back to Delhi.