India is without a doubt a country of sensory overload in a vibrant way, from the moment we stepped off the plane and into the chaos of New Delhi’s streets, we knew we were all in for a ride of our lives. Between the extreme heat, the pollution, the sheer amount of people and seemingly organised chaos; India is seriously exhilarating. From the beautiful Haveli’s and the tranquil Chambal Safari Lodge we have experienced generous hospitality from every single person that we have encountered along the way all with a beaming smile upon their beautiful faces.
India has a rich and diverse culture which expresses itself through history, celebrations, food, music, art and architecture. The curries are the reflection of India's culture and we tasted many along our way. Cows lazily wander the streets oblivious to the vehicles honking their horns to move them off the roads. The colors of India are reflected in the woman’s vibrant saris, temples and street markets adorned with marigolds and roses in vivid shades of orange and pinks.
From the crazy rickshaw ride through the streets of New Delhi to the look on the sisters' faces when they first witnessed the Taj Mahal, no two experiences were the same in India.
We experienced delicious Indian cuisine, drank countless Masala Chai, wandered through narrow bazaars, shopped for handicrafts, celebrated the Holi festival in Jaipur by smearing coloured powder on strangers faces and greeted them with “Happy Holi”, we enjoyed a wildlife walk and experienced a river cruise in Chambal witnessing the endangered gharial (small crocodile) and incredible birdlife, we explored breathtaking city palaces and forts all over India and learnt about India’s rich history, we watched the sunrise over the Taj Mahal and heard about Emperor Shah Jahan love for his wife, Mumtaz Mughal, we visited a perfume distillery in Kannauj and made our own signature fragrances.
Our foodie walking tour in Lucknow took us through the old town to the famous kebab restaurant, a biriyani eatery and a sweets shop. We discovered the heritage architecture in Lucknow, from the grand gateways of Bara Imambara to the ornate structure of Rumi Darwaza, inspired by a Constantinople gate.
We thought our time in India couldn’t get any better but each day another new exceptional experience was waiting for us.
We were fortunate to go into homes to observe weaving and silk embroidery demonstrations showing us the exquisite craftsmanship and traditional art form that has been favoured by royalty since ancient times.
Our morning boat ride on the sacred Ganges River was a magical adventure for us all as we watched the dawn sun-rays light up the temples and ghats along the riverbank. We witnessed a hive of activity and colour as the Hindus bathed to remit all of their sins, and pay homage to their ancestors and gods. The experience was mesmerising and will be etched into our minds forever.
Namaste is an expression of appreciation and respect towards another person. The meaning of this word flowed onto this very special group of sisters. They shared their stories, they supported each other, they laughed and they had endless conversations over Masala Chai
About the Author: Hayley Morris
The founder of Sisterhood Womens Travel and owner of an award winning travel agency - “I’ve been in travel for over 17 years and identified the need for a touring company to provide fully inclusive, interesting tours just for women". One of the things I love about travelling with a group of inspiring women is that we are all brought together to share a passion for travel and to see our amazing world in the company of friends, what better way to travel!
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