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Experience Our India

Our customized, private insider tours of India feature our favorite places and experiences in the country.

Breathtaking view...

Seeing the Taj Mahal from afar and then up close to admire the beautiful and stunningly intricate marble inlay studded with gems.

Over-the-top luxury...

Rajasthan is home to some of India’s most opulent and regal luxury hotels, including many inside former palaces.

Indian home cooking at its best...

Artisans of Leisure can arrange private cooking classes or meals in homes around India, including with the former personal chef of the Maharana of Udaipur in Rajasthan or with a Parsi or Brahmin family in Mumbai.

Colorful cities...

Discover three distinctly vibrant cities in Rajasthan—Jaipur (The Pink City), Jodhpur (The Blue City) and Jaisalmer (The Golden City)—and see for yourself how they got their colorful names.

Best cure for jet lag...

A dip in the swimming pool at The Imperial New Delhi, which is fed by burbling fountains and has a stylish checkerboard design on the bottom.

Food from north to south...

India’s vast culinary repertoire is highly regional: the north specializes in fluffy breads and buttery curries, while the south excels in rice, fish curries and coconut-based dishes. Consider experiencing the full spectrum of Indian cuisine during a two- or three-week journey through the country.

Peaceful place...

We love Lodi Gardens, a park in an exclusive and leafy section of Delhi. It’s a perfect place to have a picnic or relax in open green spaces dotted with picturesque 15th-century ruins.

Aah, Udaipur...

One of our favorite places in India is Udaipur, a city in Rajasthan. We love exploring the whitewashed backstreets, discovering the haveli architecture, taking a cruise on the romantic lake and shopping for local folk art.

A spiritual experience...

Artisans of Leisure can arrange private boat rides along the Ganges River in Varanasi at dawn and sunset to observe the unique religious ceremonies that take place along the riverbanks.

An interesting temple visit...

Have us arrange for you to visit a Sikh temple in Delhi to learn about this fascinating religion and perhaps dine on fragrant vegetarian dishes prepared by community members for the public each day.

The lure and lore of Gandhi...

A visit to the National Gandhi Museum in Delhi is a very moving experience. It features interesting exhibits and a vast collection of memorabilia related to the Indian icon.

Architecture lovers...

Will love visiting havelis (traditional mansions) in Rajasthan with expert private guides to learn about the dazzling traditional architecture. A highlight is the magnificent Juna Mahal, a palace dating from the 13th century.

On the Backwaters...

Consider a luxury cruise on the Backwaters of Kerala to observe daily life among the waterways of South India. Float through coconut groves, visit local villages and enjoy traditional dance performances.

Unique UNESCO-listed temple art...

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments in Madhya Pradesh has some of the world’s finest examples of erotic temple art. The Ajanta and Ellora Caves in Maharashtra contain centuries-old Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain temples and monuments cut into and carved from the rock.

Goan specialties...

We love seafood-laden Goan cuisine, which has rich Portuguese influences and relies on ingredients like cashews, coconut milk, tamarind and chilies. Don’t miss bebinca, a dense, coconut milk-based layered dessert.

Get away from it all...

Consider a stay at Ananda in the Himalayas, a luxury retreat where you can enjoy yoga, meditation and Ayurvedic spa treatments surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery. The restaurant offers delicious balanced meals that cater to all types of specialized diets.

Favorite fruit...

The Alphonso mango has a sublime flavor that surpasses any other mango. It’s primarily grown in western India and available roughly from April to June.

Jewish heritage...

Artisans of Leisure can arrange visits to synagogues and old Jewish neighborhoods in Mumbai and Cochin, two Indian cities with rich Jewish histories.

Memorable moment...

Touring Delhi’s endless bazaars by rickshaw with an expert insider guide, and stopping to browse the best stalls for spices, bangles, textiles and more

Romantic Jaisalmer...

The desert town of Jaisalmer is dominated by the hilltop Golden Fort, which looks like a monumental sand castle. After exploring its bastions and backstreets, we recommend spending a night at a luxury tented camp in the Thar Desert, such as The Serai, Jaisalmer, a Relais & Chateaux-affiliated property.

On safari...

Look for tigers, leopards and monkeys while on safari at camps such as Aman-i-Khas and The Oberoi Vanyavilas in Ranthambore National Park; Pashan Garh in Panna National Park; and Jawai in the wilds of Rajasthan.

Churches and cobblestones...

The atmospheric churches and convents of Old Goa were built during the Portuguese colonial period and are now listed by UNESCO. Nearby are the cobblestone streets of Panjim, one of Goa’s most charming towns.

Golden hour...

From Amanbagh resort in Rajasthan, take a late afternoon jeep ride through local villages, and watch as light from the setting sun filters through dust raised by animals being herded home. Perhaps even stop for a cup of chai with a local family.

Consider...

Combining India with nearby Sri Lanka, Bhutan or Nepal.

Best shopping...

Antique furniture, colorful rugs, vintage Mughal jewelry and accessories, saris, custom marble inlay tables, textiles decorated with tiny mirrors, contemporary paintings, miniature paintings, inexpensive bangles from bazaars and exquisite jewelry from leading jewelers.

Experience Our India.

Contact Artisans of Leisure to start planning a private, customized tour.

India in Photos

  • Just Back: India in Style
  • A Private India & Bhutan Tour: Our Travelers Share Their Photos
  • Travelers on an Artisans of Leisure Tour in India
  • Just Back: India & Nepal
  • India in Photos

View more photos...

India on Our Blog

  • A Day with Dabbawallas in Mumbai
  • Decorative Arts Touring at the City Palace in Udaipur
  • Luxury Tented Camps in Remote Northern India
  • A Private cooking Class in Chennai, India
  • Juna Mahal: Incredible Frescoes in a Former Palace Outside Udaipur, India
  • Must Try: Private Yoga Lessons When Traveling
  • Varanasi: One of India's most spiritual destinations
  • A conversation with the Amanbagh's Robyn Bickford
  • Consider visiting Nepal when in nearby India or Bhutan
  • Philanthropic travel in India
  • Must Buy: marble inlay in Agra, India
  • The Lodhi Gardens: an urban retreat in Delhi
  • A love of lentils in India
  • Must Stay: Finally, a luxury hotel in Varanasi

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In the Press

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  • Conde Nast Traveler
  • The New York Times
  • Wall Street Journal
  • CNN
  • Travel + Leisure
  • Town & Country

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Testimonials

My clients said it was the absolute best trip they have ever taken; it was flawless and fabulous. You delighted my clients in ways not previously attainable by other tour operators...
~ C.S., Seattle, WA

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