Arrive to Indira Gandhi International Airport 

NOTE we will collect you from the airport whatever time you arrive - day or night. 

There is no programme on Arrivals Day - our guests come from all over the world.

You room is available from Hotel Check-in Time - typically 2.00pm.

Sightseeing Delhi and gently easing our way into India. 

Lakshmi Narayan Temple- you always visit the Gods before a new undertaking and this temple, built by the Industrialist Birla in the 1930’s has a lovely feel. To the left of the main temple is a small description of the significance of the sacred swastika, it is an important Hindu symbol which is good to grasp at the outset as you see it everywhere and it can be a shock for Westerners (and the true depth of perversion of the Nazi’s use of it can be understood).

Raj Ghat- to pay our respects at the cremation site of Gandhi, the beloved hero of India

National Craft Museum - a wonderful display of textiles and many other craft items in a traditional style building. 

Often there is an artisan market there, too, a chance to meet the makers.

In the afternoon we will deep dive into an amazing fabric market - lots of beautiful cloth.

In the evening we will share a celebratory Welcome Dinner together.

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We are leaving Delhi today and staying in a beautifully restored 15 Century Fort.

Time to work with Victoria, time to explore and feel like Rajasthani Royalty.

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We are heading into the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, long known for its beautifully painted havelis.

A haveli is a wealthy merchant’s home – built with thick double walls and arranged around an internal courtyard, designed to keep life cool and private in an unforgiving climate.

Status was often expressed through paint. Walls covered in intricate frescoes, each one telling a story. Today, many lie neglected, their colours fading and plaster peeling, but there are still remarkable survivors – some crumbling, some carefully restored, all with a certain magic.

We are staying in an 18th Century Castle tonight.

We'll explore some of the beautiful painted mansions and find a nice place in the garden to work with Victoria.

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The area is fascinating, so we will stop to check out another mansion or two before we head onto Jodhpur.

Jodhpur is a rugged desert town, home to one of the most magnificent forts of India, rising high on a rocky bluff, below it spreads the famous blue-painted old town.

We’re staying in the heart of the old city, where it’s easy to wander out to the Clock Tower Market, sift through second-hand textiles, and explore the town’s beautifully restored stepwell.

Tonight, dinner is on a rooftop, with the fort looming above us.

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Off early to Meherangarh, the mighty Fort of Jodhpur is our awe-inspiring start to the day. This fort is all you have ever dreamed of as a castle on the mountain top from fairy tales.

Pushkar is special as one of India's oldest, holiest cities, renowned for hosting the world’s only dedicated Brahma Temple and the sacred Pushkar Lake, surrounded by 52 bathing ghats. 

It is a relaxed place and we will spend a few days catching our breath, working with Victoria, wandering the village and visiting our blockprint workshop.

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We are visiting The Stitching Project  this morning, our wooden blocks will be ready to collect and you will be given 2 m of khadi cloth [hand spun, hand woven cotton cloth] to use in your printing workshop.

Time in the afternoon to work with Victoria on your Memory Quilt Project and to explore Pushkar Market

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We will stop in at Bagru on the way to Jaipur ithis morning, it is a village that specialises in indigo and block print.

We'll have the chance to print mud resist and dye cloth in indigo - once washed out where the mud is will be white. 

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Today we will drive out to the old capital of the kingdom Amber.

Anokhi Textiles have retsored a beautiful old Haveli [rich man's mansion] and created a wonderful museum of block print.

Just down the road id an Escheresque looking Stepwell - always fun to visit.

Later we will head back into Jaipur for lunch at The Anokhi Cafe and will check out Nila House - it has wonderful textile exhibitions on.

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Sanganer Village is the major hub for block print textiles. Initiated in the 17th Century by royal decree it's fine cloth and blockprint textiles were highly desired by Europe.

Today it is still busy and has a fascinating wash unit to visit - the type of place you need to see to understand.

Also the textile industry a cotton rag paper indistry emerged useing offcuts from textile production. w We will check out a hand made paper unit.

Then we are heading to Ranthambore and tiger safaris this afternoon.

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Sunrises calls with another chance to hunt for tigers, then back to our safari camp [cosy tents with en-suite bathrooms] and breakfast.

Today we will visit the women of Dastkar Ranthanbore to hear of their work creating fair paid employemnt for women, and stitch and maybe sing with them.

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Leaving the forests behind we will head to Agra.

In the afternoon we will visit a family who counts 8 generations making Gold Work embroidery, see some of their work and try our hand at a workshop with them

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Early start to visit the Taj Mahal always glorious and even better before the crowds arrive.

The onto Delhi and time for last minute shopping before we meet for our Farewel Dinner.

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Departures from Indira Gandhi International Airport 

NOTE - We will drop you to meet your flights day or night. 

Your hotel room is available until hotel check-out time.

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Physical Fitness for Sightseeing.

This adventure is crafted for enthusiastic, active travellers with a good general level of health and mobility.

To make the most of your experience, you’ll need to be comfortable walking for 3–4 hours a day — sometimes over uneven ground, up hills, and climbing a few flights of stairs.

You may also find yourself getting in and out of local transport and navigating the occasional over-the-bath shower.

If you enjoy a bit of daily movement and love discovering new places on foot, you’ll thrive on this tour.

Just a friendly heads-up: we need to walk at an average pace - it will not be suitable for those who prefer a slow pace or need frequent rest stops.

Etiquette

• Be mindful when taking photos, especially in temples, on the ghats, or in private spaces. Always consider how you’d feel with a camera in your face.
• That said, many Indian people love a good selfie—say hello, ask politely, show them the photo, and then ask if you can take one of them. Works a charm.

Learning a few local courtesies in the language of the region is always appreciated.

For workshops, an apron is handy for block printing and indigo.

Food

Food is a huge part of culture, and we’re there to try it all. For group meals, we usually order a range of dishes to share, exploring local specialties as we go.

Indian food is cooked from scratch with fresh ingredients, so it’s usually easy to keep track of what’s in your meal. Manufactured products (soy milk, faux meats, etc.) aren’t common.

• Vegetarian – very easy

• Vegan – possible, but a little more challenging

• Chilli-free – not really possible, but we can order mild

• Onion/garlic-free – tricky

• Wheat-free – generally easy

Remember, for Indian cooks “no chilli” feels like “please don’t breathe”—but they’ll do their best!

-Dairy free - can be done becasue we can see what goes into meals

Health

Drink only filtered or bottled water—never from the tap, even for brushing your teeth.

Stay hydrated: aim for at least 2 litres of water a day. 

You’ll feel better and be less likely to get a wobbly tummy.

• See your doctor or a travel medicine specialist before you leave.
• Bring enough medications for the whole trip plus copies of your prescriptions.
• Menstrual products: tampons can be hard to find; pads are readily available.

And don’t forget bug spray.

Money

KNOW YOUR CARD PIN—ATMs will not accept tap.

• There are ATMs everywhere, and it’s easy to withdraw cash once you have your PIN.
• Tell your bank you’re travelling so they don’t block your card for “unusual activity.”
• Travel cards can be handy, but check they work before you leave.
•  Many guests have had good luck with Wise cards.
• Have a backup card tucked away in your suitcase.
• Cash is good as a backup but can be tricky to exchange at a fair rate—ask at the hotel desk.
• Credit cards: less widely accepted, and sometimes incur extra fees.

Currency: Indian Rupee.

Shopping

There will be treasures! Shopping supports the local economy.

If you know you’re interested in something (carpets, spices, textiles), do a little research—knowing prices back home helps.

Bargaining is the norm in markets. If you’re not experienced, Google a few tips and go in with a smile.

NGOs and social enterprises are usually fixed-price.

Suitcase

A normal-sized suitcase plus a fold-up soft bag for extras works best. Big cases are hard to manoeuvre on the bus.

Recommended size for a medium suitcase:

60–70 cm (H) × 40–50 cm (W) × 25–30 cm (D)

or 24–28" × 16–20" × 10–12"

It’s not easy to buy decent luggage at the last minute on the road.

Weather

Days are warm; mornings and evenings can be cool. Layers are your friend. A cardigan and socks are often appreciated.

Power

Power is 240V. European two-pin adaptors are most useful.

The older Indian three-prong plugs are now rarely seen.

Clothing

Lightweight, loose layers are ideal. Three or four outfits are usually enough, and you’ll find plenty to buy along the way.

A scarf is always useful—for cool air-con, temple visits, modesty, sun protection.

For temples, mosques, and other religious sites, wear long trousers or a mid-calf skirt and bring a scarf to cover your head if needed. Otherwise they’ll lend you a cover-up… and it’s usually a polyester sack!

Aim for modest tops: no cleavage. Midriff is surprisingly fine—just look at the aunties in saris!

Leave expensive jewellery at home.

Shoes

Comfortable walking shoes—sneakers or well-strapped sandals—are essential. Footpaths can be uneven and you’ll be too busy looking around to watch every step.

A pair of rubber thongs/flip-flops is great for bathrooms.

Laundry

Any two-night stay is a perfect time to send laundry out. Indian laundry is a joy—washed and ironed, and I’ve never lost a thing.

Fitness

We get on and off the minibus every day. Markets, monuments, and towns all beg to be explored.

You should be comfortable walking for an hour or two, and expect some steps.

Begging

• In general, please don’t encourage begging. 
• Avoid giving lollies, pens, or treats to children—it creates a begging mentality. If you’d like to donate items, we can pass them to a school.
• There’s little pension system: giving a few coins to an elderly or disabled person is a kind and appreciated gesture.
• If you love interacting with kids, a friendly chat, joke, or shared moment is far better than a gift. 
• OR bring a bubble blower - bubbles floating through the air are a universal language of joy.

Tipping

Tipping is customary. Keep small notes handy:

• 20–50 INR for small services (bags, room service, laundry delivery)

• Around 100 INR for guides, performers, or street photo models.

Please also set something aside for our driver—they keep us safe on the roads.

As a guide, think US$2–3 per person per day. Often a group volunteer organises a thank-you at the end of the trip.

Environment

Tread lightly: conserve water and electricity, and carry your rubbish out where possible.

Say NO to plastic.

Please bring a cloth shopping bag.