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India—and especially the province of Rajasthan—is chaotic and colourful. While the country is laden with lavishness, it can also exasperate and confound the unprepared traveller. This all-gay tour of India fills a decadent 12 days with a 7th Wonder of the World, the Pink City of Jaipur and huge clouds of colour that define the world-famous Holi Festival. Please stand by for fiery feasts, local accommodations and a truly unique culture.
Namaste! Welcome to New Delhi. Rebuilt seven times over the centuries, today Delhi marries modern hustle with historic highlights. After clearing customs and immigration at DEL Airport, an Out Adventures rep will transport you to our hotel. We’ll have a kickoff meeting this evening at 5PM, followed by a decadent Welcome Dinner.
For the first full day of our tour we’ll begin in Old Delhi with a visit to Jama Mosque. One of the world’s most beautiful Muslim temples, it was built by Shah Jahan in 1656. We’ll enjoy a walking tour as well as briefly drive past Red Fort. With our appetites revved up, a traditional Kashmiri lunch awaits, then we’ll hit up Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi before enjoying another walking tour. We’ll be sure to swing by Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati Bhawan) and India Gate (this war memorial honours 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in WWI). This evening we meet with a prominent journalist and LGBTQ+ activist at the hotel, then he joins us for an optional dinner.
The day kicks off with a 4.5-hour drive to Agra, the second capital of the Mughal Empire. After checking-in and grabbing a bite, we’re off to Agra Fort, an imposing structure nearly two miles long. Featuring palaces, audience halls and mosques within, it flaunts both Islamic and Hindu architecture. Today’s final stop is the world’s ultimate tribute to love. Lacy white and mesmerizing, the Taj Mahal was built by the Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal, his favourite wife. Tonight’s dinner is included at the hotel.
At sunrise we’ll visit Taj Mahal to soak in one last view of this magnificent wonder. If this day falls on a Friday the site will be closed and we’ll visit Mehtab Bagh, a garden complex across the Yamuna river from the Taj Mahal. After breakfast and checking out, we’ll drive to Jaipur, stopping along the way for lunch and an incredible photo opportunity at Chand Baori, the largest stepwell in the world. It was originally built in honour of the Goddess of Joy and Happiness. This evening we’ll enjoy a group dinner at the hotel followed by free time to explore.
Enjoy a full day in the Pink City of Jaipur (the rosy glow arose thanks to a visit from King Edward VII in 1876 – almost all of the city was freshened up with a coat of paint). We’ll take a guided tour this morning, visiting City Palace where we’ll even get to enter the royal family’s private chambers. Other stops can include the city’s Observatory as well as Hawa Maha and the Johari Bazar. This evening we discover the city’s main attraction: Amer Fort. Overlooking Maoto Lake, the fort is famed for its decorative Hindu style and immaculate landscaping. We’ll arrive at dusk to ensure epic photos of the structure lit up. After we’ve explored the landmark we head off for a delicious al fresco dinner.
Enjoy a leisurely morning before we depart the hotel to visit the stunning Nahargarh & Jaigarh Forts nestled atop the Aravalli range. From here, cast your view on the city below, and imagine yourself as a Maharaja centuries ago. We’ll return to the hotel in time for an optional lunch and free time. This is a great opportunity to get some shopping done in the city. Early this evening we’ll have dinner at the hotel and rest up for our long journey tomorrow morning.
Today we journey to Jodhpur, about an 8-hour drive away. After checking in to our 5-star hotel, you’ll have some time to relax before dinner at the hotel.
A full day of sightseeing awaits, beginning with a visit to the royal cenotaphs (tombs) and Jaswant Thada, a memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, on the banks of a nearby lake. To wrap up the morning we visit the majestic Mehrangarh fort, where we’ll enjoy an optional lunch after the tour. We’ll have a bit of free time at the hotel before driving approximately one hour to Rohet where we’ll learn more about the Bishnoi tribes on a village safari, even visiting their homes and partaking in their customs. Dubbed the ‘Premier ecologists of the world’, the Bishnoi have protected nature for more than 500 years, and have ensured the survival of species like the Black Buck antelope. We’ll enjoy an exclusive and private dinner tonight in the dunes, with local folklore to accompany the night’s sky.
Today we journey to Narlai, just 3 hours away. This afternoon you are free to enjoy the peaceful surroundings of this tranquil village. Tonight we are treated like royalty as we visit an ancient stepwell and feast on a lavish dinner, surrounded by the twinkling lights of lamps and the stars above us.
We’re off to Udaipur, with a visit to Ranakpur Jain Temple en route. This massive monument on the Magai River was built between the late-14th and mid-15th century AD. It has over 1444 marble pillars—carved in exquisite detail—with no two pillars the same. We’ll have an included lunch, then continue to our hotel on the outskirts of Udaipur where we’ll check in and get ready for tonight when we’ll bear witness to the Holika Dahan, a bonfire ceremony that represents the triumph of good over evil, followed by dinner.
PLEASE NOTE: On occasion the local authorities in Udaipur change the dates for Holika Dahan and Holi. In this event the itinerary will be adjusted to fit with the new dates.
Today is the highlight of our holiday: Holi, the festival of colour! We celebrate the festival at a local Indian family’s private home. Lunch will be served before we let loose—Holi is a free-for-all where participants run around and shower each other with coloured powders and water. After this unicorn of a battle is over, we’ll unwind poolside at the hotel before enjoying an incredible Farewell Dinner.
Today is our final day and we wish everyone safe travels home. From the whole Out Adventures team, we’d like to extend a royal thank you for joining us in India.
Too many highlights to list. I loved Taj Mahal but also loved meandering through the crowds in the old towns. Amazing.
Well planned, excellent guide, life-changing experience, lived up to all my expectations!
India is a difficult country of extremes: extremely beautiful as well as extremely ugly. However, it is for that reason that everyone should experience it at least once in their lives
That Bhuvan is a wonderful guide. The Taj Mahal was amazing. The Holi Festival is a lot of fun
The India Holi Festival Tour was an amazing experience. All arrangements were top-notch. The hotels and meals were all excellent. The trip included a really nice variety of activities. Bhuvan was an amazing tour leader – time and time again, he went well beyond what we were expecting! We will never forget him. And even though it was Frano’s first time in India, he was always there, making sure everyone had what they needed and having a great time. The two of them made the trip unforgettable!
Enjoy luxurious hotels on a gay tour of India with Out Adventures. From award winning heritage hotel to could-be palaces excuding colonial elegance.
Read MoreTime to spill some tea: Pride is *not* the world’s most colourful celebration. That honour belongs to Holi, the Hindu Festival of Spring.
Read MoreOut Adventures’ gay guide to Rajasthan’s colourful capital Jaipur.
Read MoreIn 2009, India’s supreme courts decriminalized homosexuality only to reinstate it in 2013. Today, they’ve decriminalized it again.
Read More8 unique experiences gay travellers will enjoy on Out Adventures’ India: Holi Festival Foray.
Read MoreWhile these trips typically attract gay men, all genders are welcome, and we encourage friends and family to join the fun as well.
Learn MoreAll accommodations on Out Adventures tours include breakfast and are located in areas central to our activities. All amenities are examples only, and may differ from hotel to hotel.
3-Star+: Comfortable lodgings with thoughtfully decorated rooms. Some hotels will have nice amenities such as a restaurant and/or bar, a fitness centre, and even a pool. Customer service is good, and there is usually a concierge.
5-Star: Truly luxurious, beautifully decorated and spacious rooms complete with extras such a bathrobe and slippers, and often including an evening turndown service. Expect premium amenities such as a fitness centre, multiple pools and restaurants, a sauna and/or spa. Customer service is exceptional, always includes a concierge service, and may include butler service.
Learn MoreThis trip is fully booked but cancellations occur. If you’d like to be contacted if space opens up, please click “Book Now”, select the appropriate departure and you will be prompted to provide limited information.
If you are a solo traveller willing to share a room with another solo traveller, please select Shared/Twin Room when booking this tour.
If you are a solo traveller interested in booking a private room, please select single supplement when booking this tour (based on availability). If you are willing to share a room with another solo traveller, please select Solo Shared.
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This trip is available but we are close to departure and will need to confirm services such as hotels and activities before confirming you on the trip. The process can take up to 5 business days. If you are seriously interested in this trip, please complete the On Request Booking form and one of our team members will get back to you with next steps.