India Group Trips I & II October + November 2023.

Come and join our India Group Trip and travel with us to meet the people that make our journeys so special! 

One of our favourite things is being able to share travel with others – and we do it differently.

Experience our favourite India destinations! Travel in a small, friendly group.  Visit the famous sights and let us introduce you to our local friends that make our India experience unique!

As you arrive, we’ll be there.  We’ll walk you through the buzz of Delhi; ride with us on camels into the desert and sleep under the stars.  We will travel together on the famous trains of India, visit the Pink City of Jaipur and Taj Mahal.  And your journey with us will support the small guesthouses, local businesses and friendly locals that we’ve got to know.

  • Update: This trip was AMAZING! We had two fantastic India Group Trips in 2023. Read all about it here.
India Group Trip October November Away with the Steiners.
Welcome to Incredible India.

This time we want you to come away with us.

We do travel differently.

And this year we are celebrating FOUR YEARS of full-time travel!

We are here to host and travel alongside you in India and share all the best bits with you. Because India is a place that we keep returning to…

Your India Group Trip Itinerary

A glance at your itinerary for our India Group Trip. You can see the complete adventure below.

  • Day 1 – Arrival in Delhi
  • Day 2 – Jaisalmer
  • Day 3 – Overnight Camel Safari
  • Day 4 – Jaisalmer
  • Day 5 – Overnight Train 
  • Day 6 – Jaipur 
  • Day 7 – Jaipur  
  • Day 8 – Agra
  • Day 9 – Taj Mahal
  • Day 10 – Delhi
  • Day 11 – Departure

Keen? Have questions? Or ready to join us?

Email us at awaywiththesteiners@gmail.com and let us know YOU want to come!

We will get back to you ASAP if there’s a spot available for you. Or if you have any questions we are looking forward to hearing from you.

** ONLY 10 GUEST SPOTS AVAILABLE **

Exploring India is full of wow-moments.

So what’s included?

  • 10 nights of accomodation 
  • Domestic flight Delhi (DEL) to Jaisalmer (JSA)
  • Overnight camel safari
  • Overnight train
  • All breakfasts
  • 9x Dinner
  • 9x Lunch
  • Entry fees for tourist sites

And what is NOT included?

  • International flights
  • Visa
  • Travel insurance (however, we can help you with that at no extra cost)
  • Single supplement – prices are based on a twin-share room. (A private room will cost $250 USD extra).
  • Snacks and drinks
A first night in Delhi.

THE COMPLETE ADVENTURE

Day 1 – Arrival in Delhi

In the evening, we will have a welcoming dinner to get to know each other while we discuss the upcoming adventure.

  • Overnight in hotel, Delhi.

Day 2 – Fly to Jaisalmer

On the second day we will take a domestic flight with SpiceJet to the beautiful Rajasthani desert town of Jaisalmer; known as the Golden City.  

We will arrive in Jaisalmer for a welcome lunch on the rooftop overlooking the Golden City and Jaisalmer Fort and take a wander into the village for a first look at rural India. 

  • Overnight in guesthouse, Jaisalmer.
Visit Jaisalmer on our India Group Trip.
Jaisalmer, the Golden City (with all the colours of India).

Day 3 – Overnight camel safari 

After breakfast we will visit the local market to stock up on anything you might need for today’s adventure and to meet local chai walah, Natti who makes the best chai in Jaisalmer.  

A light lunch at the guesthouse and we will depart for the Thar Desert where our camels will be waiting.  Trek out into the desert on camels to reach our camp for the night.  Enjoy nomadic hospitality of dinner cooked over the fire.   

  • Overnight in the desert sleeping underneath the stars. 
Camel Safari Jaisalmer
Heading out into the That Desert.

Day 4 – Return to Jaisalmer 

Wake up in the desert for a hot chai and breakfast cooked on the fire. Ride your camel back to the nomad village and from there we will take a jeep back to Jaisalmer.

What an adventure!

The afternoon and evening is free time today to rest, wander the village, shop or whatever you wish. 

  • Overnight in guesthouse, Jaisalmer.
An early cup of delicious chai in the desert.

Day 5 – Jaisalmer Fort and overnight train to Jaipur

Enjoy a relaxing morning at the guesthouse. After a late breakfast we will wander through town with a guided tour of the Jaisalmer Fort.

This will be the perfect opportunity to learn about this historic golden city of India as well as make the most of some beautiful souvenir shopping in the Fort market place.

Rest in the afternoon and we will checkout of the guesthouse after dinner to board our overnight train to Jaipur.  This is one of the highlights of the adventure! 

  • Overnight on train to Jaipur.
Getting comfortable on the overnight train experience.

Day 6 – Arrive in Jaipur 

Wake up for breakfast on board the train and enjoy a cup of hot chai while the sun rises in India blurring by outside. 

After arriving in Jaipur we will go straight to our accommodation – a traditional Haveli style family hotel – by tuktuk.

There will be the option to rest for the afternoon and meet for dinner or to take a short afternoon excursion in the main street of Jaipur; try traditional henna for the ladies or experience a roadside barbershop cutthroat shave for the men.

  • Overnight in traditional Haveli, Jaipur.
Riding around Jaipur in a rickshaw on our family India Group Trip.
Riding around Jaipur in style.

Day 7 – Day tour of India’s fabulously Pink City

Often called the Pink City, Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan has been invariably on the wish-list of every travel enthusiast.

Jaipur has majestically (pink) architecture, cultural vibrancy and scenic beauty that give the Pink City its claim to fame – and we are going to spend the day exploring Jaipur on tour by tuk-tuk.

Visit the famous Amber Fort, Jal Mahal (water palace), Abhaneri Stepwell, the beautiful Hawa Mahal (wind palace) and we are going to take you – by tuktuk – to the best and most famous lassi wallah in Jaipur! 

  • Overnight in traditional Haveli, Jaipur.
Visiting the incredible Amber Fort on our family India Group Trip.
Inside the incredible Amer Fort.

Day 8 – Train to Agra

India’s best train trips are known as a journey to the soul of this sub-continent.  And today we take another famous and fabulous train ride from Jaipur to Agra.  

Arrive in Agra and travel by rickshaw to our homestay for the next two days.  Meet Ranjana, our host Mum for an option unique Indian cooking class. 

  • Overnight in Agra. 
Take India trains on our group trip in Rajasthan.
Riding on India’s trains is always a highlight of the India-adventure.

Day 9 – Visit the Taj Mahal and famous Red Fort

Welcome to the Taj Mahal. (We couldn’t possibly take you to India without sharing with you India’s most wonderous sight!).  It is even more incredible in person.

Wake up before sunrise for the awaited iconic visit to the famous Taj Mahal.  This will be an early start to beat the crowds for a unique tour without rush around this marvellous beauty. 

Return to the homestay for a cooked breakfast with the option to rest for the afternoon or head out again by tuktuk to visit the brilliant Red Fort. 

  • Overnight in Agra.
The beautiful Taj Mahal at sunrise.

Day 10 – Train to Delhi

Depart from Agra for one last ride on India’s iconic trains heading back to India’s capital city of Delhi.  Taxi to our hotel in Old Delhi with the chance to explore Main Bazaar on our doorstep for any last minute shopping and souvenirs.  

Say goodbye with a farewell dinner.  

  • Overnight in hotel, Delhi.

Day 11 – Back home and transfer

After enjoying breakfast altogether, we will take care of your transfer to Delhi International Airport. 

Thank you for a fabulous India group tour!

India Group Trip FAQ

We’ve got your most common FAQ’s all answered here below.
Once you register and make a deposit for the trip you will receive a welcome email with further details and a compete itinerary. We will schedule a Zoom video call to meet with you, clarify the itinerary and go over any additional questions you have.

Accommodation in India. Which hotels do we stay in?

We will disclose and share the details of each hotel with you privately after booking.

However, be assured (and excited) that each accommodation we handpick for their exceptional customer service and culture. And for each accommodation place in India we have previously stayed there ourselves.

Can I arrive early and book additional nights at our group hotel? 

We will confirm and identify the hotel and included contact information once we have all bookings made in the event you want to book additional nights.

Is a visa required for India? 

Yes. Almost everyone needs a visa to visit India, but for most nationalities tourist visas are easy to obtain.  Citizens from 164 countries can apply for an e-Visa before travelling to India, via an online form.  

We can assist you with this application and process as no extra cost.

Do you recommend travel insurance? 

Yes, definitely.  

This is a trip requirement for booking. Your travel insurance must provide coverage against personal accident, death, medical expenses and emergency repatriation.

We also recommend that it covers cancellation, personal liability, loss of luggage and personal effects.

How many people will attend this tour? 

We limit our tours to 10 people to keep it personal and ensure the best experience for everyone.

That meaning, there will be a total of 14 including us.

Is there a minimum group number requirement? 

We do have an 8 person minimum that must be met in order to offer this trip.

  • Note: DO NOT purchase your flights until we have confirmed the trip minimum has been met.

Can children attend this trip? 

Yes! We are a travelling family and we encourage showing your kids the world.

Children can certainly attend but please be aware of the level of physical activity required and emotional exposure expected. Obviously we will assist you with this and we will be traveling with our two children – two experienced, young travellers.

Is there an age range for your trips? 

We are a travelling family! And we don’t see any age limits to traveling.  

For our group trip to India we suggest children are over the age of 8 (Oscar’s age).

But give us a call; we know as parents you are the best judge of knowing your child’s limits.

Is there a discount for children? 

Yes. We would love to inspire other families and parents to travel.  

There will be a $500 USD discount per child up to the age of 12.

Are flights included in the price? 

International flights are not included. But there is one domestic flight from Delhi (DEL) to Jaisalmer (JSU) that is included in your package price.

Please check the ‘included’ details for further specifics.

Which airport should I fly into? 

The closest airport for this tour is Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India.

When is the final payment due? 

The remaining balance must be paid no later than 60 days before the start of the tour.

This is non-negotiable.  If you do not pay the balance of your trip you place will be given to another individual and your deposit will be forfeited. 

How does payment work?

In order to secure your spot on the tour, we require a $500 USD deposit.

Then, the remaining amount should be sent no later than 60 days before the departure date.

Methods of payment will be shared upon booking your spot.

What about the cancellation policy? 

Please refer to our terms and conditions.

Drinking a cup of Indian chai on our family India Group Trip.
A cup of Indian chai (of course!).

Terms and Conditions

Your contract is with Away with the Steiners; a partnership registered in New Zealand.  

The following conditions describe your obligations as a customer when purchasing either an independent tour or a group tour through Away with the Steiners.

Booking Policy

The remaining balance must be paid no later than 60 days before the start of the tour.

In order to book and reserve a spot on the tour, a deposit of $500 USD is required, to be paid within 5 working days from the moment the booking information with all the payment options was sent. 

Minimum Requirements

We do have an 8 person minimum that must be met in order to offer this trip.

Please DO NOT purchase your flights until we have confirmed the trip minimum has been met.

Vaccination Requirements

For guests travelling with us from October 2023, Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are not a requirement to join us.

Please note however that it is the guests responsibility to check and comply with any specific travel vaccination, vaccine and/or booster requirements for the destination chosen.

Cancellation Policy

If the customer wishes to cancel once the deposit was paid, we will try to find a replacement. If we find a replacement, we will give the customer 2 options:

  • 1 – Refund of the deposit minus $250 USD
  • 2 – The customer might use the whole deposit amount ($500 USD) as credit for a future tour.

Note that we will only look for a replacement once the tour is full.

For example, if a tour has a total of 10 spots, but the client decides to cancel when we only filled 6 spots, we will first try to reach 9 customers, the 10th participant being the official replacement of the customer who cancelled.

If no replacement is found, the deposit won’t be refunded. 

Cancelling once the customer has paid the remaining balance

If the customer decides to cancel after paying the remaining balance:

  • 60 to 45 days before the beginning of the tour: full refund minus $500 USD deposit
  • 45 to 30 days before the beginning of the tour: 50% refund minus $500 USD deposit
  • Less than 30 days: no refund.

Cancellation by us

If the India Group Trip needs to be cancelled due to a major force like a global pandemic or any specific event/war/conflict that might affect the customer’s security during the tour or reasons beyond our control, the trip will be postponed.

In this scenario you can opt for a refund less 50% of the initial deposit or preferential booking for another trip.

Planning

Wondering about itineraries?  Questions about schooling?  See our Family Travel Guides and FAQ here

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About Us

We are the Steiners: Sarah, Gavin, Harry and Oscar – a family from New Zealand with a love of travel and adventure together… Especially where it takes us off the beaten track! 

Disclosure

Away with the Steiners uses affiliate links. That means that if you buy something through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. 

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