A weekend Photo Expedition @ Banavasi

This photo expedition offers you an exclusive insider access to some of Banavasi’s most unique and visually compelling places. It will hone your skills, offer insights into photography. To help us and guide us in this expedition, we have with us Sreeya Sen (Photographer). When asked - why this photo expedition? she said "My love for photography is deeply connected with the streak of wanderlust I have within me. My work mainly talks about my travels and the rich experiences, that I encounter while I am outdoors, which I then present to the world to see and hope, that they ‘feel’ just a small part of what my mind has perceived."

On this expedition we will visit special places like the Madhukeshwara Temple built in the 9th century and dedicated to Lord Shiva, meet with skilled potters, stone carvers, wood carvers, and discover the wonder and secrets of the craft world. A visit to the Rani Mahal near the Gudnapur Lake during twilight is a stupendous experience behind the lens. We are not even going to mention the variety in birds!

Guess what? We are not done yet. That’s right! Not till we find ourselves in Mundgod, a beautiful slice of Tibet in Karnataka, that leaves one with a surreal experience.

For whom: Anyone with a camera (over 18) who wants to do more

When: 19th & 20th June 2010

Where: Banavasi, Uttara Kannada District, Karnataka

How Much: Rs.4900/- only per person

For: All meals, stay, transport to places mentioned in itinerary
Not for: tickets to Banavasi, pick up & drop at railway station/bus stop, anything else not specifically mentioned

To know more: writetous@travelanotherindia.com or call +91 9940 559 513

Getting there:
The nearest airports are Hubli which is 100kms away (3 hours) and Dabolim (Goa) which is 245kms away (6 hours) from Banavasi. Taxis can be hired at counters inside either of the airports to reach Banavasi.

The nearest train station is at Haveri (70 km) away. Several trains from Bengaluru and Mumbai stop at this station. A taxi can be organised to pick you up from the station and it takes approximately 1 ½ hours from there. Some of the trains stop here just after midnight and so the ticket needs to be booked for the next day.

KSRTC runs two buses direct to Banavasi from Bangalore. Many more buses are available to Sirsi which is 23 km from Banavasi and there are buses once every half hour. Taxis can also be hired at Sirsi.

Driving up from Bangalore would take seven to eight hours. The route will take you through Tumkur, Tiptur, Arisikere, Shimoga, Sagar on NH 206 and then turn right at Manmane towards Siddapur, Sirsi and finally Banavasi. While turning off the NH206, there are several options; this is merely one option.

Driving down from Pune, take NH4 to Hubli passing through Kolhapur and Belgaum. Turn right off the highway after passing Hubli, towards Sirsi. You will pass the Tibetan settlement at Mundgod on the way. At Sirsi, turn right to Banavasi.

Tentative Schedule

Saturday, 12th June - 2010
8:30 am – Breakfast at Banavasi
9.30 am - An interactive session with Sreeya Sen (Photographer)
1.00 to 2:30 pm – Freshen up and have lunch
2.30 to 3.30 pm – Temple tour
3:30 to 5:30 pm – Craft tour – potter, stone carver, wood carver, pith flower making and bag making unit
5:30 to 7:00 pm – Rani Mahal and sunset at Gudnapur Lake
8:00 pm – dinner

Sunday, 13th June - 2010
8:30 am – Breakfast at Banavasi
10:00 am – Visit to Mr Rauf Sheikh’s farm to see – pineapple, banana, pepper, cocoa
11.30 am – leave for Mundgod (Visit the Tibetan monasteries and have lunch there in Mundgod)
5.00 pm - Sharing of photos and experience with Sreeya Sen and farewell

For more information about Banavasi, refer to http://www.travelanotherindia.com/guestsbanavasi.html