ITINERARY

October 15th

Today you arrive at the Delhi Airport and transfer to the hotel.

October 16th

Today, after breakfast, we will have a panoramic tour of both Old and New Delhi. We will start our tour in Old Delhi, where we will drive through the narrow lanes and bustling streets, taking in the sights and sounds of the spice, lace, and textile markets on rickshaws.

Afterward, we will take a drive through New Delhi, where we will enjoy a panoramic view of the President's House, India Gate, and many other government buildings.

Following the drive, we will visit the world-famous Craft Museum and marvel at the exquisite crafts of India. Later, we will return to our luxurious hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

https://nationalcraftsmuseum.nic.in/about-us

October 17th

Embark on a journey to the city of Agra today, where the world-renowned Taj Mahal awaits you. After breakfast, we will travel by coach and check into a hotel that is conveniently located near the Mahal.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the history and beauty of the Taj Mahal, a symbol of eternal love that has captured the hearts of millions. Our expert guide will take you on a tour of this magnificent monument, sharing fascinating details and stories that will leave you in awe.

Don't forget to take group photos or have personal photos by expert photographers to capture the memories of this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Later, indulge in the exquisite art technique of marble inlay work that is famous in Agra.

As the day draws to a close, return to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, reflecting on the beauty and wonder you experienced. 

October 18th

Begin your day with a visit to the iconic Red Fort and a Gold Embroidery Museum.

The Red Fort, also known as Lal Qila in Hindi, is situated in Old Delhi and is considered one of India's most prominent and historically significant monuments. The Red Fort was once the dwelling place of the Mughal emperors, who ruled over a significant portion of the country.

You can explore the private apartments, which are a series of pavilions connected by a water channel known as the Stream of Paradise (or Nahr-i-Behist). The fort is a blend of Mughal, Persian, Timurid, and Hindu traditions, which is evident in its design.

Even today, much of the Red Fort remains intact, and its decorative aspects have been preserved.

Take a break at the hotel in the afternoon before embarking on an exciting rickshaw ride through Kinari Bazar in Agra in the late afternoon. Explore the bazaar and find unique laces and breads while enjoying the ride.

End your day by witnessing a spectacular theatrical show about the making of the Taj Mahal. Return to the hotel for a group dinner and reminisce about the unforgettable experiences of the day.

October 19th

Embarking on a journey after breakfast, we'll set out to the beautiful city of Jaipur. Along the way, we’ll have lunch at a local cafe before continuing toward our destination. Upon arrival, we'll check into the luxurious Crown Plaza Hotel where we will be spending the next seven nights. In the evening, we'll have the opportunity to witness the awe-inspiring Holi fire ceremony in a local neighborhood before returning to the hotel for a welcome dinner.

October 20th

After having breakfast, you will embark on a journey to the village of Sanganer, where you will witness the incredible skill of block makers and see a paper factory in action. You will be amazed by the unique craft that takes place in this village, particularly the Sanganeri prints which are known for their intricate designs and fine lines that make them appealing to everyone. Handblock prints are especially superior and have been part of our heritage for five centuries.

Jaipur is a town that values its old traditions, heritage, and diverse cultural forms. This is where you'll find Sanganeri prints, which have been connected with the people for 100 years. Sanganer is a small town situated a few kilometers away from the old Jaipur, which was established in the 16th century by the king of Mewar, Maharaja Rajput Raja Rana Sanga. With time, it grew as a printing center of India due to its enrichment of intricate detailing of handblock printing. The Sanganeri prints have been around for 300 years and have witnessed the establishment of Jaipur.

In the afternoon, you'll have the chance to participate in two craft workshops. The first workshop will be led by a master artisan who will teach you the beautiful folk-style art of Indian "Kantha" quilting. The second workshop will focus on the techniques and colors of block printing and tile painting. You'll be able to create your own cloth piece and a tile to take home with you.

As the day comes to an end, you'll return to your hotel filled with inspiration and a newfound appreciation for the art and craft of Sanganer.

October 21st

After an early breakfast, we will drive to the extraordinary Amber Fort. During our drive, we will learn more about the city of Jaipur as we pass by many iconic structures and places. As you catch your first glimpse of Amer Fort sitting perfectly atop the rugged hills of Aravalli, you will immediately be swept off your feet.

The Amer Fort, also known as Amber Fort, is a palace like no other. It is a gorgeous piece of ancient architecture that has stolen the hearts of many travelers from around the world, and rightly so. It is becoming more beautiful as time passes. Amer Fort is the perfect fusion of the finest Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture - a UNESCO World Heritage Site dreamland of pastel-hued sandstone and licks of white marble, enchanting courtyards, gardens to frolic within, intricate archways overhead, flowing serpentine staircases, endless floral patterns adorning the walls, and some seriously good-looking gates.

Set 11km on the outskirts of Jaipur, the huge and well-maintained complex overlooks the Maota Lake and connects to the impressive Jaigarh Fort through a set of underground tunnels. With four expansive sections, we'll spend some time navigating our way through the maze of hallways and cobbled paths, admiring each and every courtyard, opulent royal room, and breathtaking view she has to offer.

In the afternoon, we will visit an Indian carpet weaving factory and also see a precious gem-cutting demonstration.

Later in the day, we will return to our hotel. n the evening, we will gather together and enjoy drinks with Pam Holland.

October 22nd

This morning, we will be visiting the old city of Jaipur to explore the flower and vegetable markets. The market comes to life in the early hours of the morning, and farmers from surrounding villages travel up to three hours to bring their freshly cut flowers to Jaipur. They sell up to 50,000 kg of flowers every day.

It's a cool March morning. The birds are chirping loudly, and the streets are gradually filling up with the usual suspects - laborers waiting sleepily at bus stops, stray dogs, and chai walas with their clinking clay cups. The sun has not yet risen, and the skies are deep blue. As we approach the flower market, we are greeted by a strong floral aroma. Pink roses, yellow and orange marigolds, and white chrysanthemums fill the air. At what looks like the unloading station, men are rushing about, yelling at each other and pointing in different directions. Trucks overflowing with flowers are being emptied, and sacks are being placed on the heads of women in colorful saris, who gracefully balance them and place them on the market grounds. The market is filled with little storefronts, each with a desk, a man equipped with a calculator and notepad, and photos of gods to bless the business day. Outside the storefronts, turbaned men are smoking and waiting for the bartering to begin. Sacks and saris bursting at their knots quickly fill the market, showing little ground beneath them. It's a mesmerizing sight.

After visiting the flower market, we will head towards a large Krishna temple to witness the locals offering prayers and paying homage to their gods. It's a remarkable spectacle, filled with music, vibrant colors, and chanting. We'll then take a rickshaw ride through the old city bazaar to look for local items such as bangles, spices, and fabrics. For lunch, we will be dining at a heritage palace that looks very much like the Marigold Hotel.

In the afternoon, we'll be visiting a garment manufacturer to purchase some more beautiful fabrics and get some garments made. If you have anything you'd like to replicate, bring it along. Pam has designed numerous patterns that look fantastic made in local fabrics.

Later, we'll return to the hotel, and in the evening, we'll meet for drinks and a chat and a local master henna artist will be at our hotel to paint traditional Indian designs on your hands and arms.

October 23rd

After breakfast, we will drive to the famous small village of Bagru to attend an in-depth workshop on Dabu and indigo dyeing. The village of Bagru is located on the Jaipur-Ajmer road and is a paradise for craft lovers. It is renowned for its age-old art of block printing and is significant in the fashion world for its eco-conscious and natural textile dyeing techniques.

During your visit, you can expect to see a row of small businesses set in houses, offering fabrics that are block printed by hand using a carved wooden block. The Bagru print, as it is known, has put the village on the global map. Anything you buy here will be dyed naturally with the help of flowers, vegetables and other food ingredients.

We will have a complete workshop on Dabu printing and indigo dyeing for everyone, with a piece of cloth to make your own design and take it with you. You will also have the opportunity to see the people washing and drying the cloth. Another dyeing technique that we will see is Dabu printing, which involves applying thick mud paste on the fabric to dye it.

We will also visit an embroidery factory to see how they are working on modern machines. Later, we will return to the hotel.

October 24th

Today after breakfast we meet the Mochi Embroidery craftsmen and learn to appreciate their unique art. In the afternoon we will visit a home for young men and boys who have been rescued from child labour.. The rest of the day is at leisure.

October 25th

Today after breakfast we visit the puppet makers and visit their houses in slums. The Putli Bhat community has a long-standing tradition of crafting string puppets that have been passed down for generations. India, and Rajasthan in particular, is renowned for its strong association with this art form. When you visit their homes, you'll find blocks of wood that are used to create the puppet's head, bottles of paint to add color to its features, and stacks of multicolored cloth pieces that are used to fashion the puppet's attire.

The art of kathputli is deeply rooted in the folklore of Rajasthan and is often accompanied by instrumental music and songs. It's a common practice to feature the love story of Radha and Krishna in the play. Crafting a puppet is a meticulous process that involves chiseling the features on a wooden block, applying multiple coats of paint, drawing the eyes, adding the spiral mustache and other features, securing everything in place with nails, and finally dressing the puppet in miniature clothes.

We visit a famous miniature painting school and we learn about this fantastic art of miniature painting by a master artist.

In the evening, we visit a Rajput family and have dinner at their house. We learn about local cuisine and the family structure of a Rajput family.

October 26th

Today after breakfast we shall start our journey by coach to Delhi for transfer for the return flight home.