Imagine this: you’re standing on the rooftop terrace of a centuries-old haveli in Mandawa, while the first rays of sun make the desert glow. Around you, you hear the soft sounds of a city awakening, and you realize that this is exactly the moment you always dreamed of, but never thought you’d dare experience.
I want to take you to those moments that lift a journey from ‘just beautiful’ to ‘life-changing.’ Because that’s exactly what happens when you open yourself up to the real magic of Rajasthan, India.
→ RESERVE YOUR SPOT FOR JANUARY 2026 – Order the program
Why This Journey Is Different From All Others
What Makes Our Journey Unique:
- ✨ Dutch guidance – With Jacomijn as an experienced guide, you always have a trusted foundation
- 👥 Small groups – Maximum 15 people for personal attention and genuine connection
- 🎨 Authentic workshops – Learn block printing in Jaipur and cooking in Bundi from local masters
- 🏛️ 15 years of local expertise – Together with Nil, discover the real India, not the tourist version
- 🚫 No mass tourism – Away from the well-known hotspots, to the hidden gems
Tour Overview: Rajasthan – India
- Duration: 14 nights, 15 days
- Region: Rajasthan, India
- Accommodation: Guesthouses/homestays/heritage hotels
- Group size: 6-15 people
- Meals: Breakfast always included, lunch on the road included
Price: €2,495 per person (shared room) / €2,995 (single room)
There are trips you book because they’re practical. And there are journeys that touch your heart because they teach you something about yourself and the world around you. This journey through Rajasthan belongs to that second category.
Together with Nil, my Indian partner who has been developing authentic journeys for over 15 years, we’ve created something special. No rushed bus rides past the well-known hotspots. Instead: personal stories, and the space to truly experience what India has to offer you.
Interested? Yes, I want to receive the day-to-day program
In 2014, I met Nil as an energetic guide in Delhi’s Connaught Place. Five years later, this easy-going young man had realised his dream: a company specialising in authentic textile tourism and the beautiful art of block printing. After all these years, I have complete confidence in Nil’s professionalism and integrity. His eco-focused approach and direct collaboration with local communities make him the perfect partner for my travels.
For Those Who Dare, But Need That Extra Reassurance
Maybe you recognize this feeling. India fascinates you, but the idea of going there alone feels too overwhelming. Too many unknown factors, too much to figure out yourself. But then there’s also that voice in your head saying: “Maybe I’ll never get a chance like this again,” or “Soon I’ll be too old.”
For my first trip through Rajasthan in 2008, I was quite nervous. All the stories about chaos and dirtiness (often from people who had never been there) had left their mark. But after that first day, all my worries disappeared. The warmth of the people, the enchanting scents, colors and sounds surprised me completely positively. Since then, I’ve returned countless times to further discover this fascinating country.
That’s exactly why I created this journey for travelers like you. With me as your Dutch guide, you have someone who understands what it’s like to take that first nervous step into India. Someone who speaks your language and can answer those questions you might hesitate to ask. Combined with Nil’s deep local connections, you get the perfect balance: Westeren comfort meets authentic India.
Why Traveling in a Small Group Is Perfect:
- Dutch guidance for extra security
- You’re not alone with your insecurities
- Others have the same questions and hesitations
- Friendships often form that last long after the trip
- Shared experiences make everything more intense
→ ORDER THE PROGRAM – Request all details
Why Workshops Make the Difference
What makes this journey through Rajasthan truly special is not so much the places we visit, although they’re beautiful, but the people we meet and the experiences we share together.
Your Hands-On Experiences:
- In Jaipur: Learn mud printing and block printing from local artisans
- In Bundi: Cooking workshop in a local kitchen – perfect dal and traditional chai
- In Pushkar: Yoga at sunrise while the city awakens
- Everywhere: Real stories from families, not tourist talk
You feel the texture of the fabric, smell the natural dyes, and suddenly understand why these techniques have been passed down for generations. You not only learn to make delicious dishes, but also why turmeric is used (anti-inflammatory), cardamom (digestion), ginger (for the stomach). Suddenly cooking becomes a lesson in natural medicine.
The Power of Authentic Connections
Nil knows India not just as a guide, but as someone who was born and raised there.
His Local Connections Mean:
- Access to families with the most beautiful stories about their haveli
- Secret spots for sunset without hundreds of tourists
- Temples used by local communities
- Real conversations with locals, not rehearsed tourist talk
- 15 years of trust relationships = doors that open for you
You won’t find those connections in a travel book. They arise through years of building trust, through being genuinely interested in the culture and people.
→ REQUEST THE PROGRAM – Travel in a small group!
From Delhi to Agra: 15 Days That Stay With You
Your Day-to-Day Highlights:
- Delhi: Heritage tour through Old Delhi and the imposing Red Fort
- Mandawa: Beautiful frescoes and spontaneous encounters in the streets
- Jaipur: Amber Fort where you feel like a Maharaja + block printing workshop
- Pushkar: Sacred atmosphere, yoga at sunrise, true spirituality
- Bundi: Cooking workshop with local family, secrets of spices
- Ranthambore: Chance to see tigers in the wild (no guarantee, but beautiful nature!)
- Agra: Taj Mahal that leaves you speechless, even if you know all the photos
Encounters in the Streets of Mandawa
During a walk in Mandawa, I was spontaneously invited into a candy factory. Children came closer curiously, parents joined the conversation. This is how you experience the real warmth of India, not as a stranger, but as a welcome guest.
In Ranthambore you might have the luck to spot a tiger in the wild. And as the crowning glory, we visit Agra, where the Taj Mahal literally leaves you speechless, even if you’ve seen it a thousand times in photos.
More Than a Journey: A Gentle Transformation
What Really Happens in Those 15 Days:
- You look at the world (and yourself) differently
- Small moments touch you deeper than expected
- Respect for other ways of life becomes natural
- Their humility and gratitude is admirable and confronting
- You come home as a slightly different person
India taught me that having respect for every person is essential, a daily practice that remains a life’s work. Through the openness of Indian people, I saw how beautiful it is when people genuinely approach each other. This ancient culture full of wisdom shows us a different way of living.
Practical: What You Need to Know
1 Registration – 14 Spots Open
Prices & Dates:
- When: January 25 – February 8, 2026
- Price: €2,495 per person (shared room) / €2,995 (single room)
Included in Your Journey:
- Accommodation in charming guesthouses and heritage hotels
- All transport within India
- Dutch and Indian guidance
- WhatsApp group with travel companions and tour leaders
- All local workshops (cooking, block printing, etc.)
- Daily breakfast + lunch on the road
- Access to Nil’s 15-year local network
Not Included:
- Flight ticket (€450-500 – we’ll help you search)
- India visa (E-visa to be requested online)
- Evening meals (gives you freedom to discover yourself)
- Travel and cancellation insurance
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Accommodations with a story: Not star hotels, but places with character. Traditional havelis, family hotels where you’re welcomed as family, heritage properties where every room breathes history.
The Question That Counts
While you’re reading this, you might feel that tingle. That voice saying: “I’d like to do this too.” And maybe also that other voice listing all the reasons why it can’t happen.
Honestly:
- I can’t promise that everything will be ‘perfect’
- India requires flexibility and a bit of courage
- Leaving your comfort zone is sometimes uncomfortable
- But that’s exactly when you come home as a different person than the one who left
The question isn’t whether you’re ready for India. The question is whether you’re ready to surprise yourself.
Because sometimes the most beautiful journey you can take is the journey to yourself.
India transforms your perspective on life in ways you never expect. I understand your fears because I had them myself, but the reality is far more beautiful than any preconceptions. Through my experience and local connections, you’ll have authentic experiences that go beyond mere tourism. You’re not just booking a trip through Rajasthan, you’re opening the door to personal growth, where you’ll learn about respect, gratitude, and an entirely different way of living.
Ready for Your Transformation?
→ REQUEST THE PROGRAM – Start your transformation
Have questions? Send me a message, I’d love to tell you why this journey is so special and help you discover if this is your moment.
What Makes Our Journey Unique:
- ✨ Dutch guidance – With Jacomijn as an experienced guide, you always have a trusted foundation
- 👥 Small groups – Maximum 15 people for personal attention and genuine connection
- 🎨 Authentic workshops – Learn block printing in Jaipur and cooking in Bundi from local masters
- 🏛️ 15 years of local expertise – Together with Nil, discover the real India, not the tourist version
- 🚫 No mass tourism – Away from the well-known hotspots, to the hidden gems
Read Also:
- Tips in Preparation for Your Trip to India
- For Inspiration: Cooking Workshop in Jodhpur
- The Best Place for Tiger Spotting in India