Destinations: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur
Travel Style: Workshop
Accommodation: Hotels and guesthouses
Dates: November 17-24, 2019
Group Size: Min 12, Max 24
Age Range: 18 to 65+
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Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Arrive to India
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Arrival Airport: Delhi International Airport (DEL)
Welcome to India! In a country that offers so much to see and do, we'll start exploring right away. On your first day, you'll visit Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), explore Old Delhi via rickshaw, see Raj Ghat (a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi), and tour Haus Khas Village.
In the evening, we'll eat our first delicious dinner and get to know the group. And if you'd like to walk through Pahar Gang (a local street market), you can join a few others for the excursion!
Accommodation: Maidens Hotel or similar
Day 2: Agra
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After eating breakfast, we'll meet up with our guide to drive to Agra. We'll arrive just in time for lunch, then take a tour of Agra Fort.
Once a small village on the banks of the Yamuna, Agra was transformed by two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan, into the second capital of the Mughal Empire – Dar-ul-Khilafat, or ‘seat of the Emperor’ in the 16th and 17th centuries. A world of contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys, bustling streets and small buggies, Agra retains the irresistible charm that made this the favorite city of the Mughals.
At the end of the day, we will visit a marble and inlay stone cutting factory with a demonstration, which will really add to our appreciation of the Taj Mahal on the following day. We'll return to the hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening.
Accommodation: Trident Hotel or similar
Day 3: Agra (Taj Mahal) to Jaipur
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We'll wake up bright and early for a sunrise tour of the most opulent wonder of the modern world: the Taj Mahal. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the Taj Mahal's white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1,000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, and a close-up inspection of its marble inlay work will take your breath away. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture.
We'll return to our hotel for breakfast and an early check-out, then we'll set forth with our guide for Jaipur. Along the way, we'll stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri (a fort palace that was once the capital of the Mughal Empire).
Upon arriving in Jaipur, we'll freshen up, begin exploring the city (which is known for its arts and crafts, jewelry, fabrics, and stonework), and eat a delicious dinner.
Accommodation: Shahpura House or similar
Day 4: Jaipur
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After breakfast, we'll get to know Jaipur better on a guided city tour. We'll visit Jantar Mantar (an 18th-century observatory), the City Palace (now a museum housing many treasures), and Hawa Mahal (the Palace of Winds). Around noon, you'll have the chance to eat lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we'll take an excursion to Amber Fort, a sprawling complex of courtyards, halls, and battlements. Don't forget your camera or your sense of wonder!
We'll return to the hotel for dinner, then enjoy free time in the evening.
Accommodation: Shahpura House or similar
Day 5: Jaipur (Jewelry and Textile Workshop)
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After another delicious breakfast, we'll spend an amazing day learning about and experiencing the art of jewelry making. We will get the chance to spend the day working alongside local artisans in the market in Jaipur.
We'll eat lunch in local restaurants of your choosing, then spend teh afternoon touring local markets and learning from artisans. We'll have a hands-on experience with carpet-weaving and textile work.
In the evening, we'll eat dinner, then enjoy free time to reflect on all we've learned and (if you wish) spend a little more time in the streets of Jaipur.
Accommodation: Shahpura House or similar
Day 6: Jaipur to Jodhpur
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We'll eat breakfast together, then set forth with our guide to visit the city of Jodhpur. Upon arrival, we'll check in to our hotel, spend time exploring the city, and feasting on another delicious dinner.
Accommodation: Indana Palace or similar
Day 7: Jodhpur
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After eating breakfast, we'll set out to explore the Thar Desert, visiting local weavers, potters, and tribal shepherds (the Bishnois). India’s first conservationists, the Bishnois have a reputation for defending trees to the death. They refuse to harm animals or fell trees, only collecting wood once it has fallen to the ground.
We'll return to the city around midday and eat lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we'll visit the mighty 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort (Citadel of the Sun), which dominates Jodhpur and is one of the largest forts in India. We'll also visit Jaswant Thada, a pillared marble memorial to the popular ruler Jaswant Singh II.
In the evening, we'll stop by the century-old clock tower, experience the sights and smells of Sardar Market, and return to our hotel for dinner and some well-deserved rest.
Accommodation: Indana Palace or similar
Day 8: India / Home
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After breakfast, you may spend the last few hours in India at your leisure. Our hotel's check-out time is 12 p.m., after which we'll meet up with your driver for transportation to the airport. We'll fly to Delhi, then catch our connecting flights to return home, where we'll captivate our friends and families with stories about our unforgettable days in India.
Departure Airport: Delhi International Airport (DEL)
This Acanela Expedition © is the perfect fusion between comfort & adventure. Embark on this small group exploration and have hands-on encounters with local people and cultures, while experiencing all the historical & culinary highlights along the way.
About Sarah Jane Adams
Sarah Jane Adams (@saramaijewels) is a qualified gemologist, diamond grader, and jeweler by trade. She travels the world in search of precious stones and inspiration for antique inspired pieces for her wholesale jewelry label, Saramai.
Sarah was pushed into the limelight when her daughter uploaded a photo of her in a red Adidas jacket to Instagram with the hashtags #mymumiscoolerthanme and #advancedstyle. It went viral and was followed by campaigns, press, and photo-shoots. Sarah offers an exciting alternative to society’s expectations of older women, what they are expected to wear, and how they are expected to act.
What Sarah Says About the Trip:
“My style has developed according to the experiences I’ve had, the places I’ve been and the people I have connected with. I like to combine pieces from the different stages in my life, be they punk, street, gypsy, vintage, traveller or a mix of all the above. What does my chronological age have to do with how I dress? Our clothing is indeed a second skin. Inside my clothes, and inside my body, I am ageless.
As a child in England, I had a secret shoe box filled with old things: pieces of pottery, clay pipes, coins, tokens, and trinkets I discovered in our recently plowed back-garden. These objects fascinated me because of the stories I felt they could tell, and soon they became my very own talismans. In my teens, I began exploring the markets of London. In the '70s, Portobello Road was my playground, where I found the exotic, the inspirational, the bizarre.
Later, when I traveled to distant lands, I was delighted to realize that just like me, people around the world had a quest for beauty and meaning, and I was enthralled with the symbolism found in jewelry everywhere.
I collected many objects as I traveled, and to support myself, I traded my way around the world — swapping, buying, and selling, unwittingly gathering information along the way.
Eventually I landed in Australia, soon becoming one of the biggest wholesalers of antique jewelry to the trade in Australia.
Saramai pays homage to the master jewelers from centuries past. Inspiration is drawn from craftsmen and women who, over time, have understood the meaning of beauty and wearability. I have been dealing in antique jewelry and designing jewelry for all my life.
On this trip, we will visit gem-cutting factories, gem merchants, and retailers, and I will explain the design and make process. We will also visit artisans who hand-make jewelry, using both traditional and modern methods of manufacturing, which I will also explain.”
Dates & Prices
From $2,900 / person | Comprehensive package including boutique accommodation for all nights, in-country transport to activities, expert guides and culinary instructors, all activities, and meals as listed on itinerary. *International airfare and visa fees are not included.
+ Single Supplement: $300
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Frequently Asked Questions
+ Is India safe for female travelers?
Yes!
+ What does my trip cost include?
Your trip cost includes your accommodations, professionally guided activities and experiences, transfers, and meals (as indicated in the itinerary). You will need to purchase your airfare separately (contact us for an airfare quote) and arrange your travel visas separately (see VisaHQ for more information).
+ What is the best way to contact the in-country team?
The best way is to download WhatsApp, a messaging system used by all of our international partners. Their numbers are listed on the itinerary.
+ What should I pack for this trip?
Great question! Please see our blog article for a complete packing guide.
+ When is the best time to visit India?
The best time to visit India is from October to March. India is large with diverse weather patterns. The Himalayas stop cold winds from reaching most of India, so winters remain warm and summers can get very hot. Luckily, our workshop falls in the sweet spot — we'll be visiting in mid-November!
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