Arrive in Kannur. Please arrive before 4 pm to ensure that you are in good time for the initial briefing and we might go out for a shoot at night.
Theyyam is an ancient ritual celebration that happens across the villages of North Kerala. The performer propitiates the deity by entering into a trance and dancing feverishly on the premises of a temple. The costumes and make-up are very vivid and sometimes frightening. The performances are in an open theatre and are often accompanied by various musical instruments and vocal recitations. Some Theyyams are very intense and may often involve jumping across fire or dancing with lamps on the body. There are a variety of Theyyams celebrated (some say up to 350 different ones). Each is different from the next and they are celebrated across the Malabar region of Kerala.
This is a spectacle to be celebrated by photographers too! The colours and lighting can be mind-boggling and the variety of situations makes it very interesting. Your Darter Photography mentor will accompany you through the tour and help you make the best of Theyyam celebrations. Join us on this epic celebration in Kannur and make some incredible photographs! And, of course, great friends and memories for a lifetime.
Kannur, Kerala, India
CNN - Kannur International Airport
January 30, 2027
February 03, 2027
Suitable to Local Culture
INR 62,150 /Per Person
All applicable taxes.
Accommondation on single occupancy by default.
All meals (Dinner Day 1 & Breakfast Last day)
Tranportation during trip
Scuedule Group Peakup from Airport
Local Expert/Guide during the tour
Photography Mentor.
Travel from your location to Kannur and back.
Lunch on Day 1
Addition beverages, snacks and bottled water.
Travel Insurance
Arrive in Kannur. Please arrive before 4 pm to ensure that you are in good time for the initial briefing and we might go out for a shoot at night.
We will be visiting several Theyyam celebrations during the course of these three days. The schedules of Theyyams can be very fluid. Some of them often run late into the night and even early hours of the morning. On these three days, we would be shooting depending on Theyyam’s schedules during the day and at night. Be prepared for an erratic sleep schedule!
The tour ends after breakfast today.
This photography tour is designed for photographers of all levels, both amateur and serious, who wish to photograph the Theyyam festival. As with all our tours, the group size will be limited to ensure that a Darter Photography expert can interact closely with every participant.
Beginners as well as serious photographers benefit from our personalised attention to photography sessions and on-field assistance. Non-photographers interested in exploring and experiencing are welcome too.
Note that the participants are not required to be experts in photography or carry professional equipment.
Non-photographers who are keen to witness and experience the festival are also welcome to join the group.
Non-photographers who are keen to witness and experience the festival are also welcome to join the group.
However, non-photographers should note that our itineraries are designed keeping photography in mind. We are generally slower than typical travel itineraries and don’t make a long sightseeing list. Please note that we do not offer separate pricing for non-photographers.
Yes. If you are keen to see and experience the Theyyam festival, you are welcome to join this group. Please note that we do not offer separate pricing for non-photographers.
Kannur is highly accessible, featuring the Kannur International Airport (CNN) with domestic and international flights, the well-connected Kannur Railway Station (CAN) for major Indian cities, and extensive road networks, including NH-66 and a major bus terminal at Thavakkara.
– 25% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations earlier than 60 days before the start of a tour.
– 50% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations between 59 days and 45 before the start of a tour.
– 80% of the tour fee is charged as a cancellation fee for cancellations between 44 days and 31 days before the start of a tour.
– No refund for cancellation within 30 days of the tour start date or for a no-show.
Cancellations have to be communicated via email to photography@darter.in. The date of email receipt in our account will be used to apply the cancellation policy mentioned above.
Few people can boast of having travelled the high Himalayas like Manish has. For more than 15 years, he has explored these mountains extensively on foot, on bicycles and on two and four wheels, often making his own path. He is a versatile photographer with a history of creating brilliant images of culture, heritage and landscapes.
Photography holidays to interesting and often isolated places where you get up close with traditions, festivals, and the everyday life of people with strong bonds to their roots.
Manish Lakhani
+91 99988 66669Shreeram MV
+91 97400 83260
Thanks Manish for organising a smooth and hassle-free trip as always. Also, thanks to everyone for making it such a memorable experience. Looking forward to meeting you all sometime soon.
Thank You Manish ji for all guidance . This trans will continue next few months with post processing . A very cool trip .
Thanks to everyone on a memorable trip.
It was a very memorable trip - for the mesmerizing theyyams and all you amazing people!
Thank you Manish for all your efforts in arranging this!
Thanks Manish for the great experience at my home town. Learned a lot about Theyyam and Insights on Photography from you. Hope to join more trips with you.It was great experience knowing each of you from different places and countries. We all had a great time.
All good check in as always Manish thanks for the great experience really enjoyed my time.