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A journey into the heartbeat of India - the stories of its people -
ending with the Holi Festival in Varanasi.
Overview
THE STORY HUNTERS is designed for curious travellers with a mission: to collect stories as we deep travel into the heartland of India.
Over 2 weeks, and with the help of multiple translators and guides, you will be granted access to the most powerful stories - deep, moving, complex stories - from nomadic Rajasthani gypsies in Jaisalmer; from henna artists with a lineage of thousands of years; from immigrant workers far from their villages and families; from Sufi priests and Sadhus in Varanasi.
The STORY HUNTERS program travels to places that form an epic storyline. The March program has an added bonus oif celebrating the Holi Festival in Varanasi.
The STORY HUNTERS program travels to places that form an epic storyline.
Jaisalmer, close enough to Pakistan that you can feel it, is set in the beautiful Thar Desert, its yellow fort still standing after 700 years.
Jodphur, the 'blue city' of Rajasthan, to calm your eyes after the gold of Jaisalmer.
Varanasi, the great spiritual magnet of Indians wanting to live a holy life now and secure an even holier death by being cremated on the banks of the Ganga.
Delhi, the complex, throbbing seat of government and home to millions.
The Story Hunters picks the jewels out of the Indian cultural treasure trove. Beautiful havelis & hotels give the traveller respite from the movement and energy of India.
India is too extraordinary a place to rush through like a crazed tourist. It demands an intelligence and a perspective, to be able to hear from people whose families are embedded into an ancient story.
Armed with that story, the places come alive with meaning and significance.
"Story Hunters travels into India ... not just across it ... hearing stories that have never been told by people who have never been heard."
Accomodation
Details
DATES - GROUP SIZE Mar 3 - 17, 2025 15 days 12 - 15 pax
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS The Story Hunters is a moderately active program with some walking required in Varanasi and Jaisalmer. Apart form that, some conversations with different Indian people need guidance from participants to avoid culturally inappropriate questions. As a general rule, questions will be asked at the conclusion of sessions and at the discretion of the facilitator.
STARTING DATE & TIME The tour commences in Delhi at the Golden Haveli at 2 pm on Mar 3 - 2025. The tour concludes after breakfast on Sunday Mar 17 - 2025
ADD-ON TOURS The tour starts in Delhi. If you wish to add tours to Agra or any other Indian location you can contact Nimish at Trail Blazers.
ITINERARY Scroll down for a downloadable PDF and flipbook.
TOUR PRICE & INCLUSIONS Price per person (Twin Sharing): USD 6,900 Single Room Supplement (Payable upon booking): USD 2,145 Tour Deposit ( Payable upon booking with balance payable 3 months before departure ): USD 1,725
INCLUSIONS - Programs accompanied by Tour Facilitator, Tour Director plus one other translator/cultural guide plus local specialist guides and cultural interactions in Jaisalmer and Varanasi. - Accommodation on Double/Twin occupancy for 14 nights on bed & breakfast basis. - Meals mentioned in Itinerary. 13 Lunches (Hotels / Local Restaurants) and 14 Dinners at Hotels. - All transfers, excursion & sightseeing by using Ac Deluxe Coach. - Fully curated event that integrates tour theme into the daily itinerary. - Conversations with Bhopa Gypsies. Maganiyar Muslim communities, selected personalities, Sufi priests, Sadhu & Ankara community, tour to Tibetan university, and all other interactions mentioned on itinerary. - Visit to NGO in Jodhpur. - Monuments Entrance Fees. - House boat Ride in Varanasi including musicians. - 4 x Domestic Airfares. Services of TBi’s representatives at Airports. - All currently applicable taxes including Government Service Tax. EXCLUSIONS:- - Alcohol - Laundry bills, telephone calls, Tips, table drinks etc. Travel insurance, visa etc. - Camera fees – still & video. - Flights to and from India - Any other expense which is not mentioned in inclusions.
FULL LIST OF RELEVANT INFO SENT UPON BOOKING. Weather, Visas, what to expect etc.
ABOUT YOUR BOOKING AJA TRAVEL is a new imprint of the market leading Trail Blazer Tours India Pvt Ltd {TBi} owned by the well known Katgara Group, pioneers in the travel and tourism industry. You will be transferred to the booking platform on the parent company website.
Highlights
Hover over photo
Manu Singh
Tour Director - Primary translator
Manu Singh, the AJA Tour Director, is a legendary guide who hails from a small village in western Rajasthan. The journey from that remote desert environment has seen him complete Masters degrees in Tourism and degrees in History and Politics, acquire fluent English and French language skills, travel the world and be invited as a guest speaker in Europe.
He will lead AJA programs with knowledge, skill, empathy and joy. Beyond that he thinks outside the square which is where AJA lives.
Anub Ghatak
Translator and travelling minstrel
Anub is a virtuoso musician and singer with a vast knowledge of the musical folk traditions of India. Beyond that, and why his presence on the Story Hunters is so alluring, he is our travelling minstrel, singing with Bhopa Gypsies and Manganiyar Moslems in Rajasthan, collaborating with musician in Varanasi..
He gives the journey a soundtrack that allows us to experience cultural moments with a musical dimension that resonates with Indian culture. It's one thing to float down the Ganga at sunrise, it's another entirely to do it while listening to 'Here Comes the Sun' sung by Anub and supported by Indian flute and tabla.
Dr Sandip Kewale
Son of Varanasi - expert guide
Dr Sandip is a beloved character in Varanasi. He quite literally opens doors that are never opened to Westerners. Doors that lead to stories of antiquity, belief and extraordinary customs and ritual.
Joining the rest of the team in Varanasi, he facilitates conversations with Sufi priest, Sadhus, wrestlers in the Aklhara temple, Buddhist priests in Sarnarth and the Kinnar - the third gender community. He guides us through backstreets of the ancient city.
Dr Sandip is an accomplished tabla player and an expert in the lives of Hindustani musicians in Varanasi.
When the Indian travel experience is
re-examined with passion & creativity,
AJA is the outcome.
