NAMASTE WELCOME TO INDIA
Delhi (1)
Sunday 12th October
Namaste and welcome to INDIA!

Our tour begins this evening at 6pm. We will meet at our hotel allowing you to enjoy a chai, shake off any jet lag and relax while we wait for all our international friends to arrive. In the evening, we’ll come together for a welcome meeting and casual dinner to get to know each other before our magical adventure begins. We will send you information closer to your departure with airport transfers included in tour. Please plan to arrive in Delhi no later than 2pm.



Accommodation : 5 star hotel
Eros Hotel New Delhi or similar
Meals included : Dinner


Optional activity : If you arrive early a Delhi day tour is available 10am-3pm. Includes Humayan Tomb, Lodhi garden, Lodhi street art, Agersen Ki Baoli, drive through India Gate and Khan market for lunch and a bit of shopping. ($90AUD)


HUSTLE BUSTLE OF OLD/NEW DELHI
Delhi (2) Monday 13th October
Today we will do all things Delhi! Lets start with a BANG! Our guide will lead us through the sights and sounds of this ancient city on a rickshaw and walking tour, guided through the lively sights and sounds of this historic city. Our adventure begins at the bustling Old Delhi market, where we’ll navigate the intricate alleys, stopping at a chai stand to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy some tasty local street food for lunch. Afterward, we’ll visit the magnificent Jama Masjid, the oldest mosque in Delhi, followed by a trip to the Sheeshganj Gurudwara to enrich our understanding of the Sikh faith.

Accommodation : 5 star hotel Eros Hotel New Delhi or similar
Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch
Sightseeing : Old Delhi tour, Jama Masjid and Sheeshganj Gurudwara

THE TAJ MAHAL
Agra (1) Tuesday 14th October
We’re starting off the day bright and early, catching the morning train to Agra, which is one of my favorite travel experiences with breakfast on the train. Today, we’ll dive into our tourist adventures by visiting two UNESCO World Heritage sites. First up is the magnificent Red Fort, a 16th-century Mughal fortress made of sandstone. In the noon, we’ll marvel at the breathtaking Taj Mahal, India’s most iconic monument and a timeless symbol of love. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who commissioned this masterpiece, famously remarked that it made “the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.”

Accommodation : 5 star hotel Mercure Grand Hotel Agra or similar
Meals included : Breakfast
Sightseeing : Red Fort and Taj Mahal

THE PINK CITY
Jaipur (1) Wednesday 15th October
Hopping on our private air-conditioned bus we’re heading to the stunning Pink City of Jaipur. Upon arrival, we’ll check into our charming heritage haveli, giving you some time to unwind before we explore the vibrant streets filled with marble and stone artisans, metal craftsmen, and the bustling spice market on a guided walking tour. For dinner, you have the option to dine at our hotel’s garden restaurant or join the group for a meal at one of Jaipur’s scenic rooftop eateries.

Accommodation : Heritage haveli, Arya Niwas or similar
Meals included : Breakfast
Sightseeing : Walking Pink City tour

SUN AND MOON AND QUILTING WORKSHOP
Jaipur (2) Thursday 16th October
Today is going to be full! Full of fun :) the morning is planned for a sightseeing must, the 18th-century astronomical observatory, Jantar Mantar, home to 19 fascinating astronomical instruments, including the world’s largest stone sundial, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then we’ll head to Nila House, a wonderful non-profit initiative dedicated to craft, design, sustainability, and community empowerment. There, we’ll join a textile and embroidery workshop led by local craftswomen. The theme for our workshop will be confirmed closer to date, our last experience focused on Kalbelia Gudri Quilting. To wrap up the day, we’ll stop by for some local shopping.

Accommodation : Heritage haveli, Arya Niwas or similar
Meals included : Breakfast
Sightseeing : Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal
Workshop/art : Embroidery/textile workshop

Optional activity : Sunrise Hot Air Balloon ride over mountains of Jaipur ($280 USD)

WOODBLOCK AND THE AMBER PALACE
Jaipur (3) Friday 17th October
This morning, we’re heading to Bagru, a village famous for its hand woodblock printing. We’ll begin with some chai and a guided tour through the alleyways and studios to learn about the various printing processes. With the help of the skilled Bagru artists, you’ll get to use traditional techniques and print your own tote bag or scarf using blocks of your choice. Afterward, the family will treat us to a family Indian lunch. Then we’ll make our way to the Amber Palace, built from pale yellow and pink sandstone, and white marble, the top spot to visit in Jaipur!

Accommodation : Heritage haveli, Arya Niwas or similar
Meals included : Breakfast, Lunch
Sightseeing : Amber Palace
Workshop/art : Hand woodblock printing

RELAX IN A SMALL RURAL VILLAGE
Bijaipur (1) Saturday 18th October
After a jam packed few days we will welcome a comfy private air-conditioned bus ride to our next destination of Bijaipur in the Vindhyanchal hills where we’ll spend two nights in a 16th-century castle, now a heritage hotel. Classic Moghul architecture of domes and various intriguing nooks and crannies. We’ll have the chance to relax after some busy days, soak in the enchanting atmosphere, beautiful gardens, surrounded by the fortress walls and maybe even take a dip in the castle’s pool before dinner. Yep, you heard that right—it’s a castle!

Accommodation : Heritage property
Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner

Optional activity : Ayurvedic massage (price to be confirmed)

JEEP SAFARI VILLAGE TOUR
Bijaipur (2) Sunday 19th October
This morning is all about recharging and enjoying some free time. You might like to book yourself an Ayurvedic massage, float around in the pool or just wander the local village just outside our doorstep. In the afternoon, we have a sunset jeep safari lined up, where we'll drive through the landscape, visit surrounding farms see what produce is grown. Get some cheeky smiles from the kids who will undoubtedly join us on our adventure running up the road. Watch the sun go down and to top it off, we'll have dinner by the pool, featuring delicious local dishes and freshly made naan from an outdoor tandoor oven.

Accommodation : Heritage property, Castle Bijaipur or similar
Meals included : Breakfast, Dinner

Optional activity : Ayurvedic massage ($tbc)

UDAIPUR, THE CITY OF LAKES
Udaipur (1) Monday 20th October
A 3 hour journey to stunning udaipur, known as the ‘City of Lakes,’ framed by tranquil waters and hills. We’ll arrive just in time for lunch, check into our heritage hotel, and then off on a guided walking tour of the Old City. Intricate carved stone houses, ghats, and old temples lining the banks of Lake Pichola and as we meander through the narrow, twisting streets, it will feel like walking through an art gallery, setting the mood for a tour of a local art school. Now that we’re into the groove of India the rest of the day is yours to explore, enjoy shops, and have dinner. We may choose to dine as a group or our tour guide can provide suggestions for some of our favorite spots

Accommodation : Heritage hotel, Karohi Haveli or similar
Included meals : Breakfast
Sightseeing : Guided walking tour of Old City

Optional activities : Palm reading (1500 inr)

CITY PALACE
Udaipur (2) DIWALI Tuesday 21st October
Today we celebrate Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, one of the most popular and widely celebrated festivals in India. Taking place over 5 days it is met with great enthusiasm and joy as it symbolises the victory of good over evil and light over darkness. Today is day 3, the main day of Diwali celebrated by lighting diyas and candles, bursting firecrackers, sharing sweets and gifts with family and friends, and offering prayers to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Ganesha. Spend the last part of the day learning some secrets of Indian cuisine with a local cooking class shared for dinner.

Accommodation : Heritage hotel, Karohi Haveli or similar
Included meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Workshop/art : Local cooking class

BOAT RIDE LAKE PICHOLA
Udaipur (3) Wednesday 22nd October
We begin our day with a guided tour through the jewel in Udaipur, The City Palace, for me this palace is the one! Full of mirror work and ceramic tiles its a wow around every corner, you can easily loose a whole day here. One of the highlights of my last trip was taking part in a Pichwai. Today, we are fortunate to join a group masterclass focused on the art of devotion through Pichwai painting. I thought Pichwal was miniature sized paintings, but it turns out these are actually large pieces created with incredibly fine brushstrokes. We have a breathtaking evening planned with a boat ride on Lake Pichola followed by a rooftop dinner to celebrate our time together in India

Accommodation : Heritage hotel, Karohi Haveli or similar
Included meals : Breakfast
Sightseeing : City Palace, Boat ride on Lake Pichola
Workshop : Pichwai Masterclass

Optional activities : Ayurvedic massage ($tbc)

EXPLORE LIKE A LOCAL
Delhi (1) Thursday 23rd October
Today we will have the morning free to explore all the things you loved about Udaipur like a local, squeeze in some last minute shopping and we have a group henna planned in the garden then we’ll grab an afternoon flight back to Delhi.

Accommodation : 3 star hotel Ibis Hotel Aerocity or similar
Included meals : Breakfasts
Workshop/art : Henna

TIL NEXT TIME FRIENDS
Departure day Friday 24th October
Our final morning together and our India adventure comes to an end. We will share our breakfast, say goodbyes, and help you on your way. Make sure you swap contact info with all our travelers, an experience like this will no doubt bond you for life. Until next time. Namaste

Included meals : Breakfast

This is a prospective itinerary. It is subject to modest modifications, dependent on local weather, new opportunities, and the desires of the group.