Solo in Style: Culture and Colour of North India Small Group Tour
Specially curated for Solo In Style members
February 2 – 13, 2025
Join us on this specially curated tour of North India – designed exclusively for Solo in Style by India for Beginners. Together, we will discover the beauty, food, culture, and incredible diversity of India. Our trip will take in the major sites of Delhi, Jaipur, and of course Agra and the Taj Mahal, as well as a wildlife safari in Ranthambore tiger reserve and a stay at a 200-year-old castle. Plus, we will enjoy many unique and authentic cultural experiences, curated especially for the Solo in Style group. Deborah Ives, Founder of Solo In Style, is delighted to be joining the tour.
Like all Solo in Style tours, we will be a small group of maximum 12 women, with everyone enjoying their own room (single occupancy).
NOTE: Please read our Terms and Conditions thoroughly before booking.
TOUR Dates: February 2 – 13, 2025, 11 nights / 12 days
TOUR COSTS:
Per person for single room: $5,500.00 USD
TO BOOK:
Contact [email protected] for information regarding booking the tour and payment due dates or fill out the form below.
India for Beginners tours
India for Beginners is a woman-owned company that specializes in helping women travel safely and well in India. It was founded in 2019 by Canadian travel blogger Mariellen Ward of Breathedreamgo.com, who has travelled solo extensively in India over many years and now lives in Delhi. India for Beginners tours are designed around relationships — the relationships our team has nurtured with people they have met on their extensive travels across India over many years. The local experiences we recommend both support the community and offer you memorable experiences of incredible India.
To find out more about India for Beginners, please read about our Travel Philosophy and check out some of our glowing Testimonials.
About Deborah Ives
Deborah has always loved to travel and when she found herself suddenly divorced aged 50, her response was to go it alone. It was scary, fabulous, and empowering, in equal measure, and she was instantly hooked. As a solo female traveller over the age of 50, a huge and growing demographic, Deborah felt ignored by the travel industry. This prompted her to create Solo In Style with the idea of connecting like-minded women to encourage and support one another with their solo travels. Alongside a successful 30-year career in marketing, fine wine & culinary arts, Deborah, now aged 64, continues to expand Solo in Style globally to support and encourage as many women as possible to fulfil their solo travel ambitions.
Culture and Colour of North India
This tour of North India will take in the major sites of Delhi, Jaipur, and of course Agra and the Taj Mahal, as well as a wildlife safari in Ranthambore tiger reserve and a stay at a mediaeval castle. Plus, we will enjoy many unique and authentic cultural experiences, curated for the Solo in Style group.
India
India is one of the world’s most fascinating travel destinations. A billion people, an ancient and unbroken culture, a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds, smells … and one of the fastest changing societies on earth. There is nothing like your first visit to India. You find out fast that Incredible India really does accurately describe a place that is unlike anywhere else. All of the best India travel tips on earth can only go so far when you’re hit with the sensory overload and culture shock that comes with tourism to India. You may never feel so alive, may never make so many travel memories, and may never again have such a life-changing and transformative trip.
Itinerary
Day 01: (Sun. Feb. 2, 2025) – Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and there will be a private chauffeur-driven car to take you to the hotel. Rest, acclimatize, and get over jet lag.
Dinner at hotel.
Day 02: (Mon, Feb 3) – Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning, visit Humayun’s Tomb, one of Delhi’s three UNESCO World Heritage sites
Afternoon: Lunch and shopping at Khan Market, followed by a visit to Lodhi Garden and a drive through Lutyens’ Delhi including India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Delhi
Delhi is the capital of modern India. It’s a massive megalopolis, one of the largest cities on earth, and also one of the most historical. Since ancient times, when it was known as Indraprastha, humans have inhabited this site, on the banks of the Yamuna River. Delhi has been the capital of at least seven major civilizations, and each has left behind a trail of monuments. Delhi boasts three UNESCO World Heritage sites and thousands of other monuments. It’s also a cultural and culinary capital, and a shopping paradise — the city is dotted with markets of all kinds.
Day 03: (Tues, Feb 4) – Delhi
After breakfast at hotel, a Walking and Food Tour of Shahajanabad (Old Delhi).
Afternoon: Visit to Dastkar Nature Bazaar to see artisans exhibition and sale.
Evening: A sunset walk to the Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world, and dinner at the nearby Qutub Complex, with a stunning view of the ancient tower lit up against the night sky.
Day 04: (Wed, Feb 5) – Delhi to Agra (220 kms / 4 hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, drive to Agra, with a stop at Wildlife SOS elephant rescue centre on the way
Afternoon: Check into hotel and visit Agra Fort.
Day 05: (Thurs, Feb 6) – Agra to Talabgaon (225 kms / 4-5 hrs)
Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, at sunrise.
Return to hotel for breakfast. After checkout, drive to Talabgaon Castle. Lunch on the way.
Rest and relaxation in the evening. Dinner at the hotel.
Taj Mahal
Agra is a large city in north India known for many things, including shoes and sweets, but mostly – of course – as the home of the world famous Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World, is considered to be one of the most beautiful buildings on the planet. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1631 and 1648 for his beloved wife Mumtaz after she died in childbirth, the white marble mausoleum is also known as a monument to love and a “teardop on the face of eternity.”
Day 06: (Fri, Feb 7) – Talabgaon
Morning is free to relax at this beautiful heritage hotel. Later proceed for village safari, and have dinner at the hotel.
Day 07 (Saturday, Feb 8) – Talabgaon – Sawai Madhopur (80 kms/ 2 hrs)
Drive to Sawai Madhopur after breakfast and visit the Dhonk Store and Cafe. Dhonk is a social startup that gives employment to ex-poachers and their families.
Check in at the wildlife lodge and relax until evening. Dinner at the lodge.
Day 08 (Sunday, Feb 9) – Sawai Madhopur
Enjoy morning and afternoon wildlife safaris in Ranthambore tiger reserve. All meals at the wildlife lodge.
Day 09 (Monday, Feb 10) – Sawai Madhopur – Jaipur (175 kms / 3-4 hours)
Breakfast at the lodge. After check out, drive to Jaipur. Check in the hotel.
Afternoon: Explore the Pink City including a visit to the City Palace, Bapu Bazaar for shopping, and Mehndi application.
Evening: Experience a cooking demonstration followed by dinner.
Day 10 (Tuesday, Feb 11)– Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel followed by a heritage walk and photography fun* at Amer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit Anokhi Museum for a block printing demonstration.
*OPTIONAL: A professional photographer can be arranged to do a shoot at beautiful Amer Fort, for an additional cost.
Afternoon: Lunch at Anokhi Cafe and shopping at Anokhi store and other markets of Jaipur.
Evening: Return to the hotel and relax. Dinner at one of Jaipur’s fine restaurants.
Jaipur
The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is known as the Pink City and is home to three hilltop forts, numerous bustling bazaars, and thousands of artisans who make a wide range of products from shoes and jewellery to textiles and pottery. The city was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh and was the first planned city of India. Jaipur is called the Pink City because the old, walled city was painted a pinkish shade in 1876, in preparation for a visit from Edward, Prince of Wales.
Day 11 (Wednesday, Feb 12) – Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel followed by a cycle tour of Jaipur visiting artisans and workshops along the way.
Visit Hawa Mahal, and walk through the streets of Johri Bazaar to reach The Johri Hotel for lunch. Followed by afternoon shopping for clothes and jewellery at recommended stores.
Evening: Visit to Nahargarh Fort to see the sunset over Jaipur, followed by dinner.
Day 12 (Thursday, Feb 13) – Depart Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. After check out, we will transfer you to Jaipur airport for onward journey.
Dates: Feb 2 – Feb 13, 2025.
Per person cost, single occupancy : $5,500.00 USD per person
| City | Hotels | Nights |
| Delhi | The Claridges Hotel | 03 |
| Agra | ITC Mughal | 01 |
| Talabgaon | Talabgaon Castle | 02 |
| Sawai Madhopur | The Earth at Ranthambore | 02 |
| Jaipur | Narain Niwas Palace | 03 |
Hotels
The Claridges Hotel, Delhi
Our favourite hotel in Delhi is The Claridges, a supremely elegant hotel and historic landmark that was built in 1955 in the heart of Delhi. It was designed in a classic style to mirror the Art Deco-inspired white bungalows of Lutyens Delhi. Among other amenities, the hotel features spacious rooms, a gorgeous swimming pool, and lots of dining options, including a tea lounge.
ITC Mughal, Agra
ITC Mughal is one of the top luxury hotels in Agra. The magnificent lobby matches the splendour of the Taj, and the extensive grounds make it a destination hotel / resort. The hotel contains many excellent dining options, plus the gorgeous Kaya Kalp spa, one of the biggest spas in Asia, and one of the best in India.
The Earth at Ranthambore
The Earth features organically designed and built cottages constructed entirely from mud, lime, and wheat husk, with minimalistic usage of concrete. The cottages are built on the principles of sustainability — and also stylish and comfortable.
Narain Niwas Palace, Jaipur
Narain Niwas Palace is a large heritage hotel in the centre of Jaipur with a big pool, lots of varied and interesting rooms, and a fabulous location. The huge property contains within its bounds the chic Bar Palladio restaurant and also Kanota Courtyard, an excellent high-end shopping market.
extension
We can help you with an extension to this tour with a few days in Varanasi, Rishikesh, Udaipur, Goa, Kerala or wherever you want to go in India.
Tour Includes:
- ACCOMMODATION AT SUGGESTED HOTELS OR SIMILAR
- DAILY BUFFET BREAKFASTS
- SIGHTSEEING TOURS AS MENTIONED IN THE ITINERARY
- PRIVATE TEMPO TRAVELER / MINI COACH FOR SIGHTSEEING AND TRANSFERS
- ENGLISH-SPEAKING TOUR LEADER
- RICKSHAW RIDE IN DELHI
- VISIT TO DASTKAR NATURE BAZAAR
- FOOD TOUR OF SHAHJAHANABAD (OLD DELHI)
- A VISIT TO WILDLIFE SOS
- VILLAGE SAFARI AT TALABGAON
- TWO EXCLUSIVE JEEP SAFARIS WITH NATURALIST IN RANTHAMBORE
- ALL MEALS AT RANTHAMBORE LODGE
- COOKING DEMONSTRATION AND DINNER WITH A LOCAL FAMILY IN JAIPUR
- MORNING BICYCLE TOUR IN JAIPUR
- A VISIT TO ANOKHI MUSEUM
- MONUMENT ENTRANCE FEES
- MINERAL WATER AND TISSUES DURING DRIVES
- 24X7 TOUR MANAGER WILL BE AVAILABLE OVER PHONE DURING TOUR
- ALL APPLICABLE TAXES AND SERVICE CHARGES
- ALL ROAD TAXES, GOVERNMENT TAXES AND DRIVER ALLOWANCES
Tour Excludes:
- LUNCHES AND DINNERS EXCEPT WHERE NOTED IN INCLUSIONS
- PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION IN JAIPUR
- PERSONAL EXPENSES
- CAMERA FEES, TIPS ETC.
- INTERNATIONAL AIRFARE
- TOURIST VISA CHARGES
- TRAVEL INSURANCE
- ANYTHING WHICH IS NOT MENTIONED IN INCLUSIONS
Important points:
- Minimum 6 participants needed to operate this tour.
- Hotels mentioned are subject to availability at the time of booking.
- The company assumes no liability for personal losses, medical emergency or other losses
- Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability.
- Taj Mahal remains closed on Fridays.
- Ranthambore National park is closed for safaris on Wednesday.