NORTH INDIA TEXTILE & CULTURAL JOURNEY

Rajasthan – Madhya Pradesh – Uttar Pradesh

New Delhi – Jaipur – Pushkar – Agra – Orchha – Khajuraho – Varanasi – New Delhi

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Join our next small-group guided journey: 8–22 October 2027

Or arrange the journey privately on a date that suits you.

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Discover a different side of India through textiles, traditional crafts, local food, historic architecture and encounters with the people who keep centuries-old traditions alive.

We invite you to travel beyond the usual tourist routes and experience India through its colours, fabrics, flavours and craftsmanship.

The journey takes us from the lively streets of Delhi and the Pink City of Jaipur to the holy town of Pushkar, the Taj Mahal in Agra, the historic palaces of Orchha, the temples of Khajuraho and finally the spiritual atmosphere of Varanasi.

Along the way, textiles and traditional craftsmanship are an important part of the experience.

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Highlights of the journey

• Discover the traditional mud-resist Indigo block-printing technique in Bagru

• Take part in two different block-printing workshops in Rajasthan and create your own scarf

• Visit the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing in Jaipur

• Explore the historic Amber Fort and the colourful streets of Jaipur

• Experience Pushkar and its sacred lake, ghats and temples

• Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri

• See the Taj Mahal at sunrise

• Explore the palaces and temples of Orchha

• Enjoy a hands-on Indian cooking class with a local family

• Visit the famous temples of Khajuraho

• Experience Varanasi and the River Ganges

• Take a boat ride on the Ganges and witness the evening ceremony

• Meet local families working with traditional handlooms and Indian silk

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This is not simply a sightseeing tour. It is an opportunity to look behind the scenes, meet local people and gain a deeper understanding of the skills, traditions and everyday life that make India so fascinating.

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YOUR JOURNEY THROUGH NORTH INDIA

Friday & Saturday – Arrival in New Delhi

Your journey begins in New Delhi.

Airport pick-up is included, including arrivals around midnight on Friday.

If you prefer to arrive earlier, we can also arrange an additional hotel night on request.

On our first day, we will explore the old part of Delhi on foot, discovering some of the city’s historic streets and lively neighbourhoods.

In the evening, we meet for a welcome dinner – a relaxed opportunity to get to know one another and start our journey together.

Included: breakfast & dinner

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Sunday – Delhi to Jaipur

After breakfast, we leave Delhi and travel towards Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan.

The journey takes approximately five hours. On the way, we make a stop at Galtaji, also known as the Hanuman Ji Temple, a fascinating temple complex surrounded by the Aravalli Hills.

We arrive in Jaipur in the afternoon.

The evening is free to relax or explore the city independently.

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Monday – Jaipur & Bagru Textile Experience

Today is dedicated to one of the special highlights of our textile journey.

We travel to Bagru, a traditional textile-printing centre just outside Jaipur, where we learn about the fascinating technique of mud-resist Indigo block printing.

You will have the opportunity to see the process from close up and try the technique yourself. During the workshop, you can create your own printed scarf to take home as a personal memory of Rajasthan.

In the late afternoon or evening, you may wish to experience a Bollywood film at the famous Raj Mandir Cinema in Jaipur.

An Indian cinema visit is an experience in itself – lively, colourful and often very different from watching a film back home!

Evening free

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Tuesday – Amber Fort, Anokhi Museum & Jaipur

We begin the day with a visit to the magnificent Amber Fort, one of Rajasthan’s most impressive historic sites.

Afterwards, we continue to the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, where we discover more about India’s rich tradition of block printing and textile design.

In the afternoon, we explore Jaipur, including the famous Hawa Mahal from the outside and some of the colourful streets and neighbourhoods of the Pink City.

Evening free

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Wednesday – Jaipur & Block Printing Workshop

Today we return to textiles for another special workshop.

You will have the chance to see another side of traditional block printing and try your hand at creating your own design.

The remainder of the day is free.

You can continue exploring Jaipur, browse the markets and shops, or simply enjoy some time relaxing at the hotel.

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Thursday – Jaipur to Pushkar

After breakfast, we leave Jaipur and travel to Pushkar.

The journey takes approximately three to four hours.

Pushkar is one of India’s most important pilgrimage towns. Its sacred lake is surrounded by numerous ghats and temples and is deeply connected with Hindu traditions.

According to legend, Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower here, creating the sacred lake. Pushkar is also home to one of the world’s few temples dedicated to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation.

In the afternoon, we take time to wander through the town, visit the ghats and explore the colourful market.

Evening free

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Friday – Pushkar to Agra

Today is a longer travel day as we make our way towards Agra.

The journey takes approximately seven to eight hours, with an opportunity to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the magnificent former Mughal city and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We continue to Agra and arrive in the evening.

Evening free

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Saturday – Agra to Orchha

We start the morning early with one of the great highlights of the journey: a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal.

This world-famous monument is particularly beautiful in the early morning light, before the crowds arrive.

Afterwards, we continue towards Orchha in Madhya Pradesh. The journey takes approximately five to six hours.

Orchha is a peaceful historic town known for its impressive palaces, temples and riverside setting.

Evening free

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Sunday – Orchha & Indian Cooking Experience

Today we discover Orchha and its impressive fort complex.

Later, we visit a local vegetable market together to buy the ingredients for our cooking class.

A local family will then welcome us into their home and introduce us to the preparation of authentic Indian dishes.

This is a very personal experience and a wonderful way to learn about Indian food, family traditions and everyday life.

After lunch, you can explore Orchha independently.

Evening free

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Monday – Orchha to Khajuraho

In the morning, we continue our journey towards Khajuraho.

After arriving, there is time to explore the town and visit the famous temples of Khajuraho, renowned for their extraordinary stone carvings and architectural details.

Evening free

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Tuesday – Khajuraho to Varanasi

Today we have a full travel day as we make our way to Varanasi.

The journey takes approximately nine hours.

Varanasi, situated on the banks of the River Ganges, is one of India’s oldest and most sacred cities. For centuries, pilgrims have travelled here to bathe in the holy river and take part in religious rituals.

The famous ghats stretch along the Ganges, each with its own history and purpose.

We arrive in Varanasi and have the evening free.

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Wednesday – Varanasi, Local Market & Ganges Boat Ride

In the morning, we visit a local vegetable market to purchase ingredients for our final cooking experience.

Later, we have time to explore Varanasi.

In the evening, we take a boat ride on the River Ganges and experience the famous evening ceremony from the water – a memorable and atmospheric moment of the journey.

Evening free

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Thursday – Varanasi & Traditional Handloom

Our final full day in Varanasi gives us the opportunity to discover another important part of India’s textile heritage.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel. Our luggage can remain safely in the bus while we continue exploring the city.

We visit local families involved in traditional handloom production, including the making of Indian silk saris and scarves.

This private encounter allows us to see the craftsmanship up close and learn more about the people and techniques behind these beautiful textiles.

In the evening, our driver takes us to the railway station, where we board the overnight train back to Delhi.

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Friday – Departure / End of the Journey

We arrive back in Delhi and the tour comes to an end.

If your international flight departs late in the evening and you would like to have a hotel room during the day, we can arrange an additional hotel night on request for an extra charge.

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PRIVATE JOURNEYS & INDIVIDUAL BOOKINGS

Would you prefer to travel at your own pace?

This journey can also be organised as a private trip on dates of your choice.

Individual travellers, couples, families and private groups are welcome.

The itinerary can be adapted to your preferred travel dates and group size.

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For 1–6 guests, we offer individually calculated, tiered pricing depending on the size of your group.

For 7–15 guests, a preferential fixed group price is available.

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Your journey is organised as a private and personal experience, accompanied by a trusted guide from our Indian family. This gives you the opportunity to experience India not only as a visitor, but with genuine local insight and hospitality.

For an especially personal experience, the tour can also be led by Sunil Chindalia and Anja Vanal on request.

 

A JOURNEY FOR PEOPLE WHO LOVE TEXTILES, FOOD & CULTURE

This tour is ideal for travellers who want to discover India beyond monuments and standard sightseeing.

You will meet craftspeople, print your own textiles, learn traditional cooking, visit local families and explore some of North India’s most remarkable forts, temples and historic cities.

Come with us and discover Rajasthan and beyond – one textile, one meal and one unforgettable place at a time.

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Included in the tour price:

• Transfer from Delhi airport to the hotel on the day of arrival and departure

• All overnight stays in clean mid-range hotels with private bathrooms and, where possible, in heritage hotels

• Breakfast and lunch on travel and workshop days

• Dinner instead of lunch on the arrival day and on the last day before departure • All transportation costs within India, including road tolls and fuel

• All entrance fees to temples and forts, including camera fees

• All workshop fees

• Welcome dinner and farewell dinner

• Bottled water throughout the journey

 

Not included in the tour price:

• Flight ticket to India

• Travel insurance

• Visa for India

• Dinners (except arrival and farewell dinner)

• All beverages

• Tips for hotel staff

• Tips for driver (approx. 500 INR per person/day)

• Laundry service

• Personal expenses such as shopping

 

AFTER REGISTRATION IS CONFIRMED, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN OFFICIAL INVOICE WITH ALL PAYMENT DETAILS.

PAYMENT CAN BE MADE VIA BANK TRANSFER.