12-day Transformative Holi India Adventure in Rajasthan 2024

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This adventure tour is coed and need not be only solo travelers.

The tours are open to friends and partners.   Just let us know if you would like to room together.

I am a small creator brand with a YouTube channel and I’m offering these small group trips for those who are interested in traveling with me and meeting other like-minded travelers.

Do I book my own flights?

Yes. You must book your flights To and From the start and end of the tour. You can come as early or leave as late as you please at your own expense.  I like to compare prices between Google Flights and Skyscanner (here are my booking tips).

I reserved my spot. Should I book my flight now?

I know you’re excited to travel and I’m excited to have you on my tour! But we need a minimum in order to run this trip.  Once I have cleared that minimum, you’ll be notified ASAP that it is okay to book your trip. At the very latest, I should know 45 days before the tour date.

Is India safe?

Being a solo female traveler myself, initially I wanted to do a women’s only group trip because I know many women feel overwhelmed by what they’ve read in the media about India in regards to sexual harassment. However, I’ve realized that male travelers can feel intimidated by India as well.

This is why I am partnering with a local tour operator company, that is own and operated by two Indian women in Delhi. They offer specialize in safe and responsible tourism in India. But I cannot guarantee guests’ independent choices of activities during their free time or outside the tour environment.

If I didn’t feel India was safe, I would not lead a group tour to this country. Nor would I return to travel it solo, as many times as I have and most of the time I’ve traveled very locally via trains, buses and metro. However, travel is unpredictable and any trip has the potential to go awry, as we are at the mercy of flight cancellations, weather, traffic, festival season, COVID, etc… This is why we make trip insurance compulsory.

It’s advised to always check your government website to read the latest news or travel warnings on India and research the latest travel scams.

Do I need to get trip insurance?

1000% Yes! Without it, you cannot join this adventure. Your trip insurance must cover all the trip dates and you will be asked to show proof and your policy number.

Your insurance policy must cover India. If you’re uncertain, then ask your insurance provider.

I recommend you get trip insurance that covers trip/ flight cancellations, delays, medical and emergency coverage, as well as quarantine/cancellation in the case of COVID. While India has medical facilities comparable to the west, we will be in remote areas for part of the time. You may want to make sure your insurance covers things like medivac.

You are welcome to use your preferred travel insurance company if it covers India. Most credit card travel insurance policies, tend to be basic, so you will need to call and ask your credit card company about their policy.

You can also use this recommended trip insurance finder tool  to do your own policy comparison according to your budget.  I use World Nomads for all my international trips which entail adventure activities. They cover adventure activities and destinations that many other trip insurances do not.

Is there a waitlist?

If the tour is sold out, I have a waiting list. Sometimes, travelers cannot attend at the last minute and must give up their spot. The spot will go to the next in line on the waitlist. If a traveler does not pay their spot within 45 days of the tour start date, the spot will be released to the waitlist.

Do I have to share a room?

The tour price is based on double occupancy, which means, I will try my best to pair you, with a guest of similar gender and age

 If you wanted your own room, we have a single room option for an extra fee.

While every effort is made to confirm the accommodation mentioned in the final itinerary, we reserve the right to change accommodation. If we do so, an equal or better standard with no additional cost to you.

For Holi season dates, top hotels can fill fast and depending upon how long it takes to greenlight, my first picks can be booked quickly.  This is why it’s imperative to book quickly. If India is on your bucketlist and you’re on the fence, fill out my form and ask your questions so you can make a well rounded decision. Also, watch my itinerary video and some of my YouTube trip guides ( linked down below)

Can I stay in India longer (after the tour)?

Absolutely! There are many adventures to be experienced in India. Our partner operator can help you book your onward travels for an extra fee. And I’m hoping after traveling India with me, you’ll feel acclimated and confident to have your own adventures afterward. You will also have a Facebook group to connect with your fellow travelers in advance .

Is my deposit non-refundable?

The deposit reserves your space, due to the fact this tour date is so near,  is refundable for the first 15 days. After that, it is non-refundable. and the remainder of payments are due 45 or 60 days before departure.

If a traveler does not pay their spot within 45 days of the tour start date, their spot will be released to the waitlist guests.

There is nothing I want more than to provide you with a memorable trip experience. The reason tour deposit is nonrefundable is that the moment you book a spot, there are expenses that go into holding your spot: from payment processing fees, securing our rates with local vendors & hotels, administrative fees and more.   I’d like to keep running these adventures and make them high-quality and enjoyable experiences for all, so I appreciate your understanding  and respect of my strict policies.

*However, in the case this adventure trip does not make its minimum to operate, your deposit will be refunded – minus processing fees.  This is also why we recommend you pay via bank transfer to avoid costly credit card fees.  Please read my T&Cs .

 What type of hotels are we staying in?

We’re staying in proper 3-4* hotels, with one being a glamping experience. Our goal is to secure my first pick of hotels but my operator has many secondary choices that are quite bougee as far as comfort and decor go.  Hotels are subject to change. If that happens, one of equal or better standard will be given.  But I still would like to get as many folks on board early so we can book our hotel spots ASAP, especially as Holi is peak season.

You will get full details when we are close to a greenlit trip and upon final payment.

Will there be downtime on this tour?

Although we have quite a few experiences you will want to participate in,  we’ve created spots for leisure time and spaces in the itinerary for you to explore your own meal options.

Do I need a Indian Tourist Visa?

Yes. You will need this before you board the plane to India. You cannot fly without it. However, if you get the Indian evisa this is relatively quick. Visa Fee depends upon your country.

How to make payments?

This adventure trip is right around the corner so this adventure trip’s payment requirements are specific to this trip (vs my general T&Cs).

Payments are split into two installments: a deposit to reserve your spot and a final payment for the balance. Failure to meet that deadline may see your place on the trip cancelled.

While this adventure makes its minimum to operate, I request :

1. Put only a deposit down to reserve your spot and not full payment.

2. When this trip is greenlight, I will send an email to pay the remainder.

3. Final payment is due 45 or 60 days before trip’s start (depending upon the time this trip is greenlit).

4. If you absolutely want to join, but you need your payment split up, let me know and i’ll see what I can do.

Do you accept credit cards?

Yes. Keep in mind, credit card processing fees will apply and they tend to be quite high. I recommend paying by bank transfer if you want to avoid high payment processing fees on your end.

When will we be notified if the adventure will go through?

I’ll notify all guests as soon as we secure our guest minimum and at least 60 days before our trip start.

Special diets

Please let me know of any special dietary restrictions at booking. Our tour manager and local experts will be informed and this will help them find suitable restaurants and/or substitutes when ordering.  Curious if you can handle Indian food? Here is a blog post decoding Indian Food and a guide on Food Tip Safety. Although our  tour leader will lead us to safe food experiences, hygiene in India is iffy.

How does this adventure trip make a positive impact?

We want your travel money to go where it matters, supporting programs that genuinely make a difference in the world and in Indian tourism.

We’ve teamed up with a female-owned and operated tour company, and our tour leader is also a woman. This choice is significant because it brings a different vibe to our experiences—more nurturing and aligned with causes important to sustainable tourism, GRRRLTRAVELER, and Christine. To find the right operator, I explored options in the sustainability sector, mostly dealing with men. The interactions were sometimes pushy or lackadaisical. Women in the industry bring a unique sensitivity and often work harder due to the challenges of male-dominated spaces. We’re in good hands.

Being committed to sustainable tourism and positive impact, we’re scrutinizing the authenticity of our activities, the ethics of our vendors, and their responsibility. For our rural visits, safari, and glamping in Jawai, we’ve chosen a locally-owned business that employs the local community. This is crucial as it provides opportunities for local youth who might otherwise need to move to a big city.

With Jawai becoming popular for leopard safaris, big outside brands are entering, posing a threat to local businesses and potentially changing safari practices to be more commerce-driven. Our focus is on supporting the local community, not just hiring them for menial jobs but promoting them to authoritative positions.

We’ll also delve into the empowering work of NGOs like Sheroes Cafe, Pink Rickshaws, and Wildlife SOS. Women’s voices are often marginalized in India, and by supporting more female-driven businesses, we aim to increase the visibility and numbers of Indian women in the tourism industry, challenging the prevalent patriarchal power dynamic.

Christine is passionate about wildlife and animal rescue, so we’re visiting Wildlife SOS to raise awareness about these critical issues. Tourism in India often exploits animals for entertainment, treating them as commodities. Our goal is to change this narrative by exposing travelers to a community working for wildlife welfare. You’re welcome to contribute and spread the values and stories we experience.

All the artisans, performances, and craft workshops we introduce you to have been thoroughly researched and vetted for high quality and authenticity. Any shopping you do directly supports the communities we visit, with neither the local operator nor GRRRLTRAVELER receiving any commissions from these vendors.

Through my PAWSitive Impact Promise, GRRRLTRAVELER will donate $2 per day from each guest to Tails of Compassion, a sanctuary specializing in handicapped and senior dogs. Supporting animal rescue causes is my personal mission.

These are just a few ways we’re contributing to positive tourism in India. Join us in making a meaningful impact!

What if I need to cancel my booking?

Please read our Terms & Conditions in full.

PAWS-itive Impact Promise

In my travels to India, one thing always stands out to me as needing help– India’s street dogs. Two dollars a day isn’t much but with enough travelers and days, it adds up and it makes a difference to rescue organizations!  For each guest, I will donate $2/day to the incredible organization below.

Tails of Compassion; Delhi, India

Tails of Compassion is a sanctuary for handicapped and senior dogs.  Their sanctuary space, continued care and intake of adorable but un-adoptable pups are reliant upon public donations.

It is unlikely these dogs will be adopted due to their handicap, which requires much ongoing care and maintenance. I visited this organization in September 2023. The staff is remarkable in providing care to the dogs and the organization goes out of their way to provide fun and care for special needs dog. Moreover, each dog is an inspiring example of how we should not let limitations stand in our way of living our best life.

Follow Tails of Compassion on Facebook or Instagram for daily inspiration and your dose of silly pups! Donate and visit them on your next trip.

India is where GRRRLTRAVELER and my solo adventure life was born and my story started from a scam tour that I took from Delhi. Traveling it solo transformed a seemingly negative experience into a magical one, such that I did not stop traveling it. Today, India is one of my favorite countries to return to, so I’m thrilled to share it with you! India’s heart beats in its hospitable people, delectable cuisine, stunning temples, forts, and palaces, and the joyous celebrations that echo everywhere. It can also feel unpredictable and old, and like a guru, it teaches you to deal with and accept change, if not flexibly mold yourself around events.

It was the first country I knew I wanted to do a group trip to, because it’s often misunderstood due to negative media.

India is quite large, diverse and colorful. I love that you can see India celebrated through its everyday lifestyle in altars, prayer offerings, spices and the warmth of locals.

I’ve traveled India as a solo female several times, with trips that last anywhere from two weeks to three months. And I always come home feeling like it was not enough. If I’m traveling to other countries after it, they often pale in comparison to India, because no country will feel as adventurous or thrilling to me.

I’ve traveled it via train, government bus, VIP buses, jeep taxis, rickshaws, tuk tuks, I even hitchhiked on a high school bus. I enjoy traveling it overland.  My favorite FILMED India road trip journey I went from Sikkim  to Varanasi, where I used up to 9 different types of transportation.  Some of my favorite cities are not filmed for YouTube; just blogged about.

Embrace the thrill of India, and let the colors of India and Holi paint your most unforgettable journey. Don’t miss out on the transformative experiences that await you. Embrace the wanderlust, book your adventure with me today, and let your India dreams finally take flight.

Watch past India trip guides on YouTube