India Art Adventure Rajasthan

Experience the phenominal colour and beauty of Rajasthan, India

Saturday 28 October – Monday 13 November 2023

Visiting 7 of India’s most magnificent and iconic cities

Delhi ~ Agra ~ Jaipur ~ Bundi ~ Pushkar ~ Jodhpur ~ Jaisalmer

Visit to the Taj Mahal plus

Celebrating the Diwali Festival of Light

Small group max 12 participants

Begins and Ends in Delhi

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About Rajasthan…

The most northern state of India, Rajasthan boasts a rich cultural heritage, a profusion of color, vast deserts, opulent palaces and ancient fortresses. Cows meander the streets holding up traffic while carts piled high with vegetables and spices are taken to market.

From the humblest roadside chai stall to the most opulent palace, with some of the most lavish moustaches imaginable, Rajasthan is colorful, vibrant, extravagant and endlessly fascinating.

Imagine this…

• Immersing yourself in India’s incredible culture, being transported back in history to the times of the Maharajah.

• Viewing magnificent palaces and forts, ornately decorated and masterfully built.

• Riding a camel into the Thar Desert to sing and dance with the Kalbeliya Gypsies around the campfire.

• Participating in the Diwali Festival of Light in the Golden City of Jaisalmer.

• Creating your own unique travel journal of your exciting adventures, even if you think you’re not an artist!! You will be taught ways to let your natural creativity flow, guided by artist Natalia Fidyka.

• Sharing this journey with a team of inspiring, caring, uplifting women leaders.

• Taking time out from your adventure to relax, contemplate, journal and be pampered.

• Being filled with joy as you immerse yourself in this experience with a small group of art adventurers.

• Experiencing a tour that has been thoughtfully curated with the perfect blend of art, culture, textiles, adventure, site seeing, shopping and tasty cuisine.

• Returning home with your heart and soul filled with happiness and gratitude.

These are just some of the experiences you can expect during this adventure tour of Rajasthan!!

Hosted by tour manager Andrea Fowler, retreat artist Natalia Fidyka, wellness coach Rahima Richardson and local Indian tour guide Kamlesh Vyas.

Tour map…

Destinations…

• Delhi, where we will stroll through the local produce markets, take a rickshaw ride through the busy streets and market alleys of Old Delhi and visit the famous Spice Market filled with glorious, pungent aromas.

• Agra, home of the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the ‘new’ seven wonders of the world. Located on 42 acres of sprawling lawns and gardens we will visit at sunrise to watch the changing light on this ivory-white marble jewel of Muslim art.

• Jaipur, the Pink City due to the unique color of its buildings. Here we will design our own wood block to have carved and spend time creating art in our journals. We’ll explore Nahargarh (Tiger) Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind) and the nearby village of Bagru. A night out at the Bollywood Theatre will be an exciting experience.

• Bagru, a small village where traditional wood block printing has been practiced for hundreds of years, will provide an opportunity to mingle with traditional artisans and print your own unique scarf with traditional wood blocks.

• Bundi, characterized by its step-wells and blue houses that line the streets and narrow lane ways of this town, boasts a magnificent ancient palace set into the hillside overlooking the lake below. Faded yet magnificent murals adorn its walls and ceilings.

• Pushkar, the Holy City, is a sacred pilgrimage site. Here we will visit the sacred ghats, stroll the markets plus paint and relax in the grounds of our Heritage Hotel. We’ll hike up Pushkar Hill to watch the sunset and explore Sadar Bazaar, a 1km long market with small shops either side selling clothes, jewelry, leather products, handicrafts, rose products & the best quality Indian essential oils.

• Jodphur, the blue City, home to Mehrangart Fort, a former palace set on a rocky outcrop overlooking the walled city below. In addition to the Fort we will visit the bustling streets of Jodhpur, the clock tower markets, a specialty spice shop then dine at a roof top restaurant with magnificent views.

• Jaisalmer, the Golden City, is home to what’s thought to be the only “living fort” in the world. Blessed with many spectacular temples these stunning structures show the devotion of Hindus and Jains toward their religion. In addition to visiting temples and the intricately carved stone buildings of Jaisalmer, we will take a camel ride into the Thar desert for singing and dancing with the Kalbeliya Gypsies. Diwali celebrations will also take place during our stay in Jaisalmer.

Tour package inclusions…

• Airport pickup and drop off at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

• 16 days /16 nights fully escorted Tour of Rajasthan.

• Visits to 7 of India’s most magnificent cities.

• Delhi ~ Agra ~ Jaipur ~ Bundi ~ Pushkar ~ Jodhpur ~ Jaisalmer.

• 16 nights’ accommodation in mostly Heritage Hotels of India. Mid-range accommodation of 3-4 star with spacious gardens or common areas to relax. Mix of old and new, some once homes of Maharajas others a newer replication with traditional features. Western bathroom facilities at all hotels.

• 16 breakfasts with your choice of Indian, cooked western or continental.

• Visit to forts, palaces, museums and historic step wells - Nahargarh (Tiger) Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind), Mehrangarh Fort, Jaisalmer Fort, Albert Hall Museum (optional), Jantar Mantar Observatory (optional).

• Art workshops with creative art facilitator Natalia Fidyka to fill your journals with a personal take home souvenir of your trip to India. All your necessary art materials provided.

• Mini pampering sessions with wellness facilitator Rahima Richardson with choice of head, neck, shoulder, hand or foot massages.

• Visits to artisans’ workshops including but not exclusive to - wood block carvers, ‘Chippa’ wood block printers, dabu resist printing, indigo dyeing, blue pottery.

• Designing of your own wood block to have carved.

• Printing of your very own unique scarf using traditional wood blocks with the help of local craftspeople.

• 4 days in the Golden City of Jaisalmer during the Diwali Festival of Light, the most important Festival on the Hindu calendar.

• Camel safari into the Thar Desert for dinner under the stars and fireside singing and dancing with the Kalbeliya Gypsies.

• Private group transport in an air-conditioned 24-30 seater bus. Other modes of transport include private vehicle, motor cycle, cycle rickshaw, auto rickshaw, tuk-tuk, camel and train.

• Train or domestic plane for final sector of the tour for return to Delhi from Jaisalmer.

• Traditional, delicious, vegetarian Indian cuisine with other options available.

• Bottled water in all vehicles and hotels.

• English speaking native Indian tour guide.

• Medical assistance available via our tour guide.

• Maximum group size of 12 participants.

What’s not included in tour cost

• Return flights to and from Delhi

• Meals other than breakfast. A contribution to a meal kitty of AU$250-300 covers all meals plus tips to hotel staff.

• Alcohol consumed and beverages outside of mealtimes.

• Gratuities for tour guide and driver at end of tour.

Travel requirements

• Comprehensive travel insurance. (Refer to T&Cs for full requirements)

• Valid Passport with minimum of 6 months to expiry at conclusion of tour.

• Indian tourist visa

• International Covid Certificate

Fitness recommendations

• Ability to walk a distance of 3-4 kilometers a day at a comfortable pace.

• Capable of climbing a minimum of 2-3 flights of stairs.

• Prepared for walking on uneven pavement and rough road surfaces.

• Aware that on occasions you may need to use non-western style toilets.

• Physically active and in good health.

• Sense of humor!!

Dates and cost

Saturday 28 October – Monday 13 November 2023

Small Group Max 12 participants

Begins and ends in Delhi

AU$6495 (private room) for 16 nights

Bring a friend and SAVE AU$800 per person

AU$5695 (twin share) per person

Payment plans available.

Book early to avoid disappointment!

Reservation and deposit

To reserve your place, payment of an $800 non-refundable deposit is required. The balance must be paid two months prior to commencement of the tour that is, on or before Friday 26 August, 2023.

Cancellation

In the event you wish to cancel your tour you must inform Andrea Fowler of Ab Fab Andrea Pty Ltd in writing immediately. A cancellation will only be effective when written confirmation of the cancellation is received and acknowledged. Please refer to Ts & Cs for full Terms and Conditions. 

In the event we are unable to run the tour, due to an insufficient number of participants or circumstances beyond our control, you will be informed no later than Wednesday 31 August, 2023.

Please ensure you have comprehensive travel insurance providing you with a refund for tour expenses outlaid should this unfortunate event arise.

Meet our team…

Andrea Fowler -Tour Facilitator

Having travelled to India on eight occasions, her love for India started in 2016 when she went on a group tour with Dawn Meader. It was during this tour she and Natalia Fidyka bonded over art and all things India, and began to dream up this trip.

Andrea became fascinated with the traditional wood block printing process and subsequently returned to have her designs printed. Her fabric and textiles are available under the label Womeki.

Natalia Fidyka - Retreat Artist

An artist, lifelong creative and mid-career psychologist Natalia has been facilitating creativity workshops and retreats for over 10 years. Her workshops are playful, welcoming, rewarding and sprinkled with awakening life metaphors. During her teachings you will be taught how to be a little intrepid and adventurous, on the page and in life.

Natalia travelled to India in 2016 and has since been restless to return; the spiritual traditions, food, colours, and textiles of India offer endless inspiration for writing and painting.

What to expect…

We pile into our comfortable, private tour bus that will deliver us each day to a new exciting location. From our seats we can safely observe (from a distance) the chaos on the roads surrounding us. Horns honk as cars, truck, buses and bicycles converge. Rickshaws and tuk-tuks put along vying for their place amongst the meandering cows and pedestrians. The energy is exciting.

Leaving the chaos behind, we arrive reveling in anticipation for our destination. Slowing down to observe and explore the vivid colors and details of the surroundings, we are delighted with what we see. Walls and ceilings are painted in ornate patterns and designs. The celebration of color and artistry is everywhere. Even the trucks are brightly decorated!!

All our observations form the inspiration and basis of our own creative art explorations. Together we sit down to gently paint our “flights”, Natalia’s signature watercolor process, enjoying watching the colors swirl and dance on the pages. Our journals gradually become full of exciting, unexpected moments, each an expression of our own artistry, inspired by our observations and surroundings.

With each day of travel the vastness of this land becomes apparent, the noise and chaos of the city a notable contrast to the quiet and calm of the desert, lakes and rural landscapes. Whether an artist, textile collector, keen photographer, leisure traveler or cultural enthusiast, you will be inspired and mesmerized by the magnificence of Rajasthan. Sightseeing, cultural experiences, artisan visits and shopping will fill your day before returning to relax in the comfort of your heritage hotel.

Be immersed in…

• an amazing adventure where you will return with a beautiful journal full of art you’ve made yourself, even if you don’t think you’re an artist!! Lead by creative art facilitator Natalia Fidyka you will learn ways to let your natural creativity flow, creating a unique and very special souvenir to take home, reflecting your adventures through India.

• the colour, culture and magnificent of Rajasthan, a land where vibrant, bustling cities and authentic humble villages coexist. Magnificent forts and opulent palaces from past eras stand proud embellished with gob smacking colour and fine artistry.

• thousands of flickering lights surrounding you as you stroll the streets of Jaisalmer Fort dressed in your luxurious, flowing, traditional sari or finest clothes, soaking up the atmosphere of the Diwali Festival of Light in the Golden City.

• a journey shared with caring, uplifting companions who will keep you safe at all times as you venture through this foreign land. With a 4 to 1 ratio you will always have an experienced travel companion on hand to assist, guide, comfort or support you during your adventure..

• memories, returning home with your heart and soul filled with happiness and gratitude after a joy filled experience with a small group of art adventurers, making amazing new friends along the way.