When I graduated from Business School, I opted for a special gift: not an attache case or fancy pen. I opted for a trip to India. Films like “Gandhi” by David Attenborough and A Passage to India by David Lean displayed uniquely Indian scenery of hills and palaces, camels and cows, colors of silk and spices. Backgrounds included the tempting markets of bangles and semi precious stones, textiles, pottery and gold jewelry. There were unusual characters and wandering animals. Uniforms both simple and regal. Faces from the steppes and the jungles. Visit India with The Women’s Travel Group! The photos below are from many different India trips we offered. We are experienced and know our way around India.
Travel to India is especially fantastical during festivals. Festivals are prepared months in advance. You might enjoy a wedding in your hotel – almost a private festival. You might spot a decorated elephant on the road- a rural festival. You might pass a painted Holy Man or a wandering flower headed cow. Festivals abound and we chose to go during a major one with the best weather in India: Diwali. Diwali is the festival of light, a victory of good over evil. There are fireworks, lit lanterns, special meals, decorated sidewalks and floors. Towns celebrate with parades and fairs. There is even delicious crunchy, fried and stuffed Diwali candy. Diwali has the benefit also of its timing; good weather for Rajasthan
It is hard to pick top places in India; the country is large with vastely different ares. For a first trip, one should visit Delhi with both its 15c history and its British raj atmosphere. Delhi is the capital and power center of the country. A rickshaw ride through markets and a music dance performance at your first dinner is almost too much stimulation in one day. Much of Delhi is grandiose with wide boulevards and huge marble buildings; with forts, temples and tombs in between. A minaret soars and a market is endless. For Diwali you will work alongside a local family as they light candles and lanterns and prepare your Diwali dinner.
Jaipur has its pink stone and princely buildings, gardens and again, markets surrounded by ancient walls. You are now in a movie set with hands henna’d and local music in your ears. When I was there with our group, we swooned over the pink buildings first painted so for Queen Victoria. From spacious public squares are tiny streets lined with jewelers and stone merchandise. (Much at bargain prices).
You will visit Amber Fort on hills above Jaipur. We travel outside Jaiput to nearby towns famous for their crafts and quaint village life. Don’t take your eye off the road as we travel; serendipity is women working fields in bright silk saris, working animals of all sorts. You might pass a parade which is a wedding or a funeral where men carry a gilded body on a plank.
You might find flower petals on your hotel room floor or a basket of local snacks. Definitely stop at an ayurdevic pharmacy to try and buy their products.
The apogee is, of course, Agra and the Taj Mahal at sunrise or any other time. Yes it is as glorious as expected. And yes you will take too many photos. There is also the Islamic Agra Fort and more to see in Agra. We will walk with local women and hear their stories. You depart from India, with memories and a keen of how little you know about the non Western world. You will also have difficulty getting your suitcases closed.
For the nervous traveler: food is clean and safe. We supply bottled water. Hotels are the high standard you expect. Bathrooms are available on the road. Roads are modern as are the airports. People speak English. Women are valued and respected. You will want to return. Contact us for a spot on our small group India trip in 2025. 646 309 5607. We do air, insurance and everything but pack for you.
