Wednesday 10 February 2027
Check in for the overnight flight to Kolkata, ready to begin an extraordinary textile and rail adventure across India.
Thursday 11 February
Arrive in Kolkata, the vibrant “City of Joy”, and transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Ease into the journey with a gentle heritage walk, savour local favourites such as chai and butter buns, then glide along the Hooghly River on a sunset cruise beneath the magnificent Howrah Bridge. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Friday 12 February
Step aboard Kolkata’s historic tram system, a graceful echo of the city’s old-world charm. Later, travel by metro to meet artisans from the Crafts Council of West Bengal for an intimate Kantha embroidery demonstration, with time to admire and browse beautifully handcrafted textiles. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Saturday 13 February
Experience Kolkata’s colour, artistry and soul, beginning at the atmospheric flower market beneath Howrah Bridge. Continue to Kumartuli, the traditional potters’ quarter, before visiting Mother Teresa’s House, the Victoria Memorial and a specialist Kantha centre showcasing Bengali stitchwork at its most refined.
Sunday 14 February
Fly to Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and a mesmerising centre of spirituality, scholarship, silk weaving and craft. Transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Monday 15 February
See Varanasi at its most spellbinding with a sunrise boat ride on the sacred River Ganges, followed by a gentle drive past Banaras Hindu University. Enjoy an unhurried afternoon, with an optional textile workshop, before returning to the ghats by cycle rickshaw for the unforgettable evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Tuesday 16 February
Begin the day with an optional yoga session before visiting the Varanasi Weavers & Artisans Society for a silk brocade weaving demonstration and workshop. Later, meet a long-established weaving family for a privileged glimpse of working looms, luminous silks and centuries-old craftsmanship. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Wednesday 17 February
Board the sleek Vande Bharat Express from Varanasi to Lucknow, enjoying comfort, attentive hospitality and a full meal service on board. On arrival, transfer to an iconic hotel for a three-night stay. (B, D)
Thursday 18 February
Explore the royal elegance of Lucknow with a guided visit to the grand Bara Imambara and its famous Bhul Bhulaiya maze, the ornate Chota Imambara and the historic La Martiniere College compound. Return to the hotel by late afternoon. (B, D)
Friday 19 February
Visit SEWA, the Self-Employed Women’s Association, for an engaging Chikankari embroidery workshop with local artisans and trainers. Afterwards, explore Lucknow’s lively markets, sample its celebrated cuisine and stroll through Hazratganj, the city’s elegant historic shopping district. (B, D)
Saturday 20 February
Enjoy a leisurely morning and the option of a further textile workshop with our expert. After lunch, fly to Chandigarh and transfer to your hotel in time for dinner. (B, D)
Sunday 21 February
Visit Chandigarh’s imaginative Rock Garden before transferring to Kalka to board your privately chartered vintage railbus. Journey along the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla Railway, winding through mountain scenery, tunnels and bridges, with a picnic lunch served on board. Arrive in Shimla and transfer to your charming colonial hotel for a three-night stay. (B, L, D)
Monday 22 February
Discover Shimla’s refined colonial character with a visit to the former Viceregal Lodge, now the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, followed by a relaxed walk along The Mall, The Ridge, Scandal Point, the Gaiety Theatre and Christ Church. Dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
Tuesday 23 February
Savour a restful morning at the hotel, with time to enjoy the spa or heated indoor pool. In the afternoon, join a Himachali knitting workshop with local women, celebrating the region’s vibrant mountain craft traditions. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Wednesday 24 February
Travel from Shimla to Chandigarh by road, pausing for a relaxed lunch at a mountain valley resort. Continue by train to Amritsar, with luggage transferred separately by road for added ease. Arrive by late evening and transfer to the hotel. (B, D)
Thursday 25 February
Visit Amritsar’s luminous Golden Temple complex and the poignant Jallianwala Bagh memorial, then wander through colourful bazaars filled with textiles, juttis, local crafts and rich Punjabi flavours. In the afternoon, witness the stirring Wagah Border ceremony before returning to the hotel by early evening. (B, D)
Friday 26 February
Enjoy a relaxed morning before a village-style Phulkari embroidery demonstration and workshop, celebrating Punjab’s bold floral stitchwork and expressive colour. Later, visit the striking Khalsa College building and the moving Partition Museum. (B, D)
Saturday 27 February
After breakfast, transfer to Amritsar airport for the return flight to the UK, taking home a rich collection of memories, stories and textile inspiration from this exceptional journey.
What’s included?
Domestic flight check-in baggage allowance is limited to 15 kgs but we will have you covered up till 20 kgs. Please note that carriers, flights times and train times are subject to change.
On a daily basis, meals provided are shown with the following key: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
Prices
Per Person on twin/double sharing basis.
Ground only price £ 5,645
Single supplement £ 1,740
Book now by clicking the link to booking form by clicking here Or email us on [email protected] for any clarification!
Check in for the overnight flight to Kolkata, ready to begin an extraordinary textile and rail adventure across India.
Thursday 11 February
Arrive in Kolkata, the vibrant “City of Joy”, and transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Ease into the journey with a gentle heritage walk, savour local favourites such as chai and butter buns, then glide along the Hooghly River on a sunset cruise beneath the magnificent Howrah Bridge. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Friday 12 February
Step aboard Kolkata’s historic tram system, a graceful echo of the city’s old-world charm. Later, travel by metro to meet artisans from the Crafts Council of West Bengal for an intimate Kantha embroidery demonstration, with time to admire and browse beautifully handcrafted textiles. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Saturday 13 February
Experience Kolkata’s colour, artistry and soul, beginning at the atmospheric flower market beneath Howrah Bridge. Continue to Kumartuli, the traditional potters’ quarter, before visiting Mother Teresa’s House, the Victoria Memorial and a specialist Kantha centre showcasing Bengali stitchwork at its most refined.
Sunday 14 February
Fly to Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and a mesmerising centre of spirituality, scholarship, silk weaving and craft. Transfer to your hotel for a three-night stay. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Monday 15 February
See Varanasi at its most spellbinding with a sunrise boat ride on the sacred River Ganges, followed by a gentle drive past Banaras Hindu University. Enjoy an unhurried afternoon, with an optional textile workshop, before returning to the ghats by cycle rickshaw for the unforgettable evening Ganga Aarti ceremony. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Tuesday 16 February
Begin the day with an optional yoga session before visiting the Varanasi Weavers & Artisans Society for a silk brocade weaving demonstration and workshop. Later, meet a long-established weaving family for a privileged glimpse of working looms, luminous silks and centuries-old craftsmanship. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Wednesday 17 February
Board the sleek Vande Bharat Express from Varanasi to Lucknow, enjoying comfort, attentive hospitality and a full meal service on board. On arrival, transfer to an iconic hotel for a three-night stay. (B, D)
Thursday 18 February
Explore the royal elegance of Lucknow with a guided visit to the grand Bara Imambara and its famous Bhul Bhulaiya maze, the ornate Chota Imambara and the historic La Martiniere College compound. Return to the hotel by late afternoon. (B, D)
Friday 19 February
Visit SEWA, the Self-Employed Women’s Association, for an engaging Chikankari embroidery workshop with local artisans and trainers. Afterwards, explore Lucknow’s lively markets, sample its celebrated cuisine and stroll through Hazratganj, the city’s elegant historic shopping district. (B, D)
Saturday 20 February
Enjoy a leisurely morning and the option of a further textile workshop with our expert. After lunch, fly to Chandigarh and transfer to your hotel in time for dinner. (B, D)
Sunday 21 February
Visit Chandigarh’s imaginative Rock Garden before transferring to Kalka to board your privately chartered vintage railbus. Journey along the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla Railway, winding through mountain scenery, tunnels and bridges, with a picnic lunch served on board. Arrive in Shimla and transfer to your charming colonial hotel for a three-night stay. (B, L, D)
Monday 22 February
Discover Shimla’s refined colonial character with a visit to the former Viceregal Lodge, now the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, followed by a relaxed walk along The Mall, The Ridge, Scandal Point, the Gaiety Theatre and Christ Church. Dinner at the hotel. (B, D)
Tuesday 23 February
Savour a restful morning at the hotel, with time to enjoy the spa or heated indoor pool. In the afternoon, join a Himachali knitting workshop with local women, celebrating the region’s vibrant mountain craft traditions. Dinner and overnight at the hotel. (B, D)
Wednesday 24 February
Travel from Shimla to Chandigarh by road, pausing for a relaxed lunch at a mountain valley resort. Continue by train to Amritsar, with luggage transferred separately by road for added ease. Arrive by late evening and transfer to the hotel. (B, D)
Thursday 25 February
Visit Amritsar’s luminous Golden Temple complex and the poignant Jallianwala Bagh memorial, then wander through colourful bazaars filled with textiles, juttis, local crafts and rich Punjabi flavours. In the afternoon, witness the stirring Wagah Border ceremony before returning to the hotel by early evening. (B, D)
Friday 26 February
Enjoy a relaxed morning before a village-style Phulkari embroidery demonstration and workshop, celebrating Punjab’s bold floral stitchwork and expressive colour. Later, visit the striking Khalsa College building and the moving Partition Museum. (B, D)
Saturday 27 February
After breakfast, transfer to Amritsar airport for the return flight to the UK, taking home a rich collection of memories, stories and textile inspiration from this exceptional journey.
What’s included?
- Accommodation in carefully selected luxury city-centre hotels.
- Daily buffet breakfast and dinner, plus one lunch during the Kalka–Shimla rail journey.
- All road transport by deluxe air-conditioned vehicles with experienced drivers.
- Exclusive privately chartered vintage railbus from Kalka to Shimla.
- Rail journeys and excursions as detailed in the itinerary.
- Rail travel in available classes, 2AC or 3AC, for the Varanasi–Lucknow and Chandigarh–Amritsar sectors.
- Domestic economy flights for the Kolkata–Varanasi and Lucknow–Chandigarh sectors, with 20 kg per person checked baggage allowance included.
- Accompaniment by a UK-based textile expert throughout the tour.
- Services of a Darjeeling Tours Limited Tour Manager.
- Hands-on textile workshops in Kolkata, Varanasi, Lucknow, Shimla and Amritsar.
- Tips throughout the tour, excluding the Tour Manager, arranged on your behalf.
- Authentic local insight and carefully chosen cultural experiences throughout the journey.
- Personal and incidental expenses are not included.
Domestic flight check-in baggage allowance is limited to 15 kgs but we will have you covered up till 20 kgs. Please note that carriers, flights times and train times are subject to change.
On a daily basis, meals provided are shown with the following key: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner.
Prices
Per Person on twin/double sharing basis.
Ground only price £ 5,645
Single supplement £ 1,740
Book now by clicking the link to booking form by clicking here Or email us on [email protected] for any clarification!
