India small group tour for families

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

Efforts to Reduce Flying
We aim to minimize our carbon footprint by reducing internal flights where possible. While this tour mainly uses private vehicles for road journeys, we’ve incorporated local transport options like the Delhi metro, providing an immersive travel experience and a more sustainable way to explore the city.

Use of Shared Local Transport
To reduce CO2 emissions per person, we include shared local transport during the tour. For example, the Delhi metro offers travellers an authentic, eco-friendly way to get around, while connecting with the local way of life.

Human-Powered Transport
Travellers will have the opportunity to explore key destinations on foot, ensuring a more immersive and sustainable experience:
• Old Delhi Walking Tour & Rickshaw Ride (Day 2)
• Mughal Heritage Walk in Agra – supporting local communities (Day 3)
• Village Exploration in Dolphur (Day 4)
• Jaipur City Tour (Day 8)
• Optional Cycling Tour in Delhi (Day 10)

Advising Customers on Sustainable Travel
We encourage responsible travel through practical tips, including:
• Reducing plastic waste – Guests are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles.
• Choosing eco-friendly products – We recommend biodegradable sun creams and shampoos.
• Minimizing energy use – Simple actions like turning off lights and AC when not needed.
• Opting for lower-emission flights – Travellers are advised to consider airlines with lower CO? emissions.

Vegetarian & Vegan Meal Options
Vegetarian food is widely available and deeply rooted in the local cuisine, making it easy to enjoy plant-based meals throughout the tour. While vegan options may not always be explicitly listed due to dairy being a staple in many Indian dishes, we recommend informing guides of dietary preferences in advance. On day 3, a special evening option is available, where you can join a Hindu family for a Vegetarian Thali cooking lesson and meal.

Locally Sourced & Seasonal Food
This tour offers authentic Indian meals, often sourced locally:
• Street food tour in Delhi – showcasing fresh, local flavours.
• Home-cooked meals with local families – prepared with regional ingredients.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Supporting Conservation & Protected Areas
The tour includes entry fees to Ranthambore National Park, covering two shared safari game drives. These fees directly support wildlife conservation, anti-poaching initiatives, and habitat restoration. Additionally, by using local guides in the park, the tour ensures that revenue benefits surrounding communities and conservation projects.

Providing Information on Reducing Environmental Impact
We encourage responsible travel by advising guests on:
• Reducing plastic use, including carrying refillable water bottles.
• Respecting wildlife, avoiding loud noises, and not disturbing animals.
• Supporting local economies, choosing handmade crafts and locally sourced food.

Expert Nature Guides & Local Knowledge
• Our Ranthambore safaris are led by experienced local naturalists, who have in-depth knowledge of the park’s ecosystem and wildlife.
• Local guides in other locations, such as the Mughal Heritage Walk in Agra, provide cultural and environmental insights.
• Our tour leaders are all local experts, ensuring an authentic and knowledgeable experience.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Locally Owned Accommodations
The heritage hotels are often converted from former palaces or merchant houses, offering historical charm. Notably, a homestay-style property in Jaipur adds a more intimate, local experience where travellers can immerse themselves in the culture.

Local Guides: The tour employs local, English-speaking guides throughout, ensuring a deep connection with the culture and history of the regions while directly supporting local employment.

Craft and Cooperative Markets: In Jaipur, travelers will explore vibrant bazaars, witnessing traditional crafts such as gemstone cutting, jewelry making, silverwork, and textile weaving. A hands-on block-printing workshop provides an opportunity to engage with local artisans and support their craft.

Village Visits: The Mughal Heritage Walk in Agra takes visitors through the village of Kachhpura, offering insights into rural life and cottage industries like leather shoe-making, a key local trade. In Dolphur, travelers will experience the rhythm of rural Indian life by strolling through markets, observing traditional crafts, and engaging with locals, far from typical tourist routes.

School Visit in Agra: Travelers will visit a local school, where children can interact with Indian students their own age. This unique cultural exchange allows for the sharing of games, songs, and stories while providing insight into India’s education system. Our school visits are carefully planned to benefit students, in terms of education and resources, while minimizing class disruptions. They take place during term time, with visits limited to once a month for smaller schools, and for larger schools, we work on a rotational basis to avoid repeated disruptions to any single class. Tourists are always accompanied by a teacher, and any gifts must be pre-approved to ensure they meet the school's needs.

Cultural Engagements: In Jaipur, travelers will enjoy a home-cooked dinner with a local family, learning the secrets of Indian cuisine through an interactive cooking demonstration. Additionally, an optional Vegetarian Thali cooking lesson with a Hindu family in Agra offers another opportunity to engage with locals while exploring traditional Indian food.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Local Employment: The majority of staff on this tour, including local guides, are from India, ensuring that local expertise is utilized. Specifically, local guides and tour leaders are employed in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore, and other regions, offering insights into the culture, history, and customs of the places visited.

Additionally, the tour directly supports local communities, such as the villagers of Kachhpura, who are involved in the Mughal Heritage Walk, providing employment opportunities and infrastructure development through a partnership with a local NGO.

To further enhance community engagement, the tour includes homestay experiences and cooking classes with local families, offering guests an authentic cultural exchange while providing income to hosts. These experiences, such as a home-cooked dinner and interactive cooking demonstration in Jaipur, as well as a Vegetarian Thali cooking lesson with a Hindu family, allow travelers to connect with locals while supporting small-scale, family-run enterprises.

Empowering Marginalized Communities and Promoting Diversity: This tour supports marginalized communities by promoting local industries and providing income-generating opportunities. For example, the Mughal Heritage Walk employs local villagers, showcasing their traditional cottage industries like leather shoe-making. Additionally, the tour includes opportunities for travellers to interact with local schools and families, bridging cultural divides and fostering inclusivity.

Accessibility Considerations: This tour may not be entirely suitable for people with limited mobility or vision/hearing impairments, as some activities, such as the Mughal Heritage Walk and safaris in Ranthambore National Park, require walking and navigating rugged terrain. However, the itinerary does include comfortable accommodation and private transport, which could assist those with limited mobility. Please inform us in advance of any specific requirements so we can make the necessary arrangements.