Beautiful Kashmir is often called “Heaven on Earth.”
The lively, ancient town of Srinagar, where we will be based, is known not only for its breathtaking beauty but also for its rich culture, exquisite handicrafts, and wonderfully welcoming people.
We’ll be staying on Sukoon, simply the most exquisite property on Srinagar’s Lake Dal: a historic, elegant houseboat with beautiful décor, top-notch service, and excellent food. We will be taking daily excursions on the lake, in the old city, and up into the mountains.
Sukoon has only four guest rooms, and the group is extremely small — just six to eight guests total.
One of the four guest rooms is a particularly beautiful royal suite, which will be offered to the earliest confirmed booking.
We will be a very small group of no more than eight guests. All levels of photographers are welcome, including iPhone/smartphone-only users.
Along with myself, we have a wonderful producer and terrific photographer, Abhi Hajela, as well as our knowledgeable local guide, Shaneel Wangnoo. On some days, we may also be joined by an additional guide-translator.
We will be travelling by boat and in comfortable SUVs.
Upon arrival in Delhi on April 5, we will provide one airport transfer from the airport to The Imperial hotel, or similar.
(We strongly encourage guests to arrive a day or two early to get over jet lag and rest up a bit. Early arrival nights can be arranged.)
Our group departure from Delhi to Srinagar is scheduled for April 6, when we will check into our elegant houseboat.
On April 15, guests will depart as a group from Srinagar to Delhi and check into the Novotel, or similar, for departure later that evening. Most international departures will be after midnight, hence on April 16. Flights home should not be booked to depart before 10:00 pm on April 15.
"I have participated in all of Catherine's photo workshops, but the Kashmir Luxury Workshop was on another level! It changed me and my photography! Catherine made sure we visited the most beautiful places at just the right time and light. One image I made of a young Kashmiri girl went on to win multiple awards and be exhibited in many galleries. By slowing down and spending real time with people in their homes and environment, my portraits completely shifted. Catherine provided a beautiful balance of instruction, in-the-field guidance, and thoughtful critiques. If you go, be prepared for the experience of a lifetime!" — Carol Thomas, guest, Kashmir Luxury Workshop, 2025
EXPERIENCES MAY INCLUDE
• Photographing the Old City of Srinagar, filled with spice markets, ancient trades, a centuries-old mosque, beautiful old architecture, and lunch at a classic Indian restaurant that has been there since the '40s.
• An early morning shoot on Lake Dal with two brothers whose two boats are filled with flowers, as we go across the lake to their home, photographing them picking flowers, arranging their boats with flowers, and capturing their family life.
• A day with semi-nomadic gypsies in their village brightly colored, traditional houses, at the foot of the Himalayas; observing all sorts of countryside activities with cows, horses, and sheep, corn, inside by the hearth, sweet lovely children…. beautiful people. We'll have a picnic lunch by the river.
• Dawn photography at a floating vegetable market; as well as a lively street market on the lake, surrounded by the snow-covered mountains.
• A day with a papier-mâché family learning how they create their art, brought from Persia centuries ago. We’ll enjoy a magnificent "Wazwan" lunch prepared by a local chef, whose techniques we can watch as he prepares and cooks. This place is also a great place to shop! (I bought a few dozen papier-mâché boxes, trays and plates, enough to fill a huge duffel bag!)
• A morning at the pigeon market (a fascinating, ancient sport) and then tea with a gracious and hospitable "modern" family.
• Late afternoon at a Mughal garden, with its fountains, view of the lake, and all sorts of people enjoying the peace and flowers of the garden.
And of course, as always, there will be great photography learning on location, in group projections, and in private critiques!
WHAT IS INCLUDED
A 12-day workshop (10 days in Kashmir, 2 days in Delhi) with National Geographic photographer Catherine Karnow
Maximum number of guests set to 8
Delhi-based producer and local guides in Kashmir
One night at The Imperial hotel, or similar, in Delhi upon arrival
One night at the Novotel, or similar, upon departures
One group airport transfer on the official arrival day
Airport transfers on the official departure day
Comfortable on-the-ground transportation
Accommodation on Lake Dal's most luxurious houseboat
All curated Experiences
All meals in Kashmir
All admissions
Group projections
Private critiques
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
International Airfare
Group flights between Delhi & Srinagar (approximately $350)
Visa to India
Tips and Gratuities
Alcohol
COST
UPDATE: Availability:
Only two shared rooms remaining.
Shared accommodation rate
$11,250 per person
Early confirmation | Valid for registrations confirmed by April 30, 2026
$10,550 per person
Single occupancy supplement
$2,520
A minimum of 6 participants is required for this workshop. If the minimum is not met, participants will be notified at least 4 months prior to departure, and workshop fees will be fully refunded. Guests’ international airfare is not included.
