Our Tour Options in India
From the ancient Golden Temple to the sacred site of Sarnath, tours of India are a great way to discover the country’s many sacred holy sites. Our tours are designed to promote interfaith understanding, and travellers say that our guides’ genuine understanding of Eastern and Western cultures promotes tolerance and respect throughout all of our trips.
Join us on a trip to Delhi’s famous Chandni Chowk market, Gandhi’s cremation site, the Taj Mahal, and many other spiritual sites. All of our tours in India emphasise India’s coexistence of different faiths and introduce you to cultural experiences that reflect the country’s many contrasts.
TYPES OF TOURS WE OFFER
Our pre-planned tour itineraries take you to India’s many holy sites and landmarks, with everything planned in advance by our experienced team. You’ll enjoy an expert-led tour of India’s heritage that’s ideal for travellers who want an authentic experience on a well-structured trip.
If you’d like a more personalised itinerary to specific locations or sites in India, our customisable tours can be tailored to individual requirements. We’ll have a detailed discussion with you and then plan a unique tour that includes visits to the places you most want to see. From a street food tour to meditation and yoga, we’ll consider everything from your budget, how long you’d like to stay in India, to the type of accommodation you prefer to make your trip a once in a lifetime experience.
Join our pre-planned Faith Tour of North India, a pilgrimage to many of the region’s religious sites. Led by our knowledgeable guide, you’ll visit the sacred Varanasi and river Ganges, a holy Buddhist and Hindu site, to observe Aarti prayer rituals before travelling to the Himalayas, home to the Buddhist spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.
To experience India’s many different faiths, join the Great Faiths of India tour. You’ll travel to Mathura, the birthplace of Hindu god Lord Krishna, experience a Palki ceremony at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and explore the bustling city of Delhi.
Travel to South India on our Temples, Ashrams and Churches tour. Visit the World Heritage-listed temples at Mahabalipuram, San Thome Basilica and St. Thomas Mount, and relax in the peaceful backwaters of Kerala.
Designed and led by guides with extensive educational experience, our Tours for Teachers are focus on developing and deepening religious education knowledge. On these escorted tours, you’ll learn about India’s religions and history, explore traditional markets and visit local families for an Indian cooking class. We also offer tours for students that include cultural experiences like Kathakali dancing and the tea factories of Kerala, as well as opportunities to volunteer at a local Indian charity.
Our educational Textiles of Gujarat tour takes you to the state of Gujarat, India’s second-biggest producer of cotton textiles. A heritage walk through the old quarter of Ahmedabad takes you to the area’s ornamental facades, artisan workplaces, and Hindu and Jain temples. You’ll also experience a desert safari across the Little Rann of Kutch salt marshes, visit textile villages along the marshes and learn about their cultural heritage and history.
For teachers or group travellers, A Taste of Delhi introduces you to India’s capital. You’ll visit religious sites across the city, including the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid, and the Red Fort, and there’s also a chance to see the Taj Mahal in Agra, Pradesh.
Led by experienced yoga teachers and guides, our yoga and meditation tours combine travel and yoga in beautiful locations. Experience yoga and meditation retreats, explore the Golden Triangle of Delhi, and learn about the traditional Indian treatment of Ayurveda.
Whether you choose one of our group tours or a tailor-made trip, most of our curated tours of India last at least two weeks. This allows you plenty of time to understand the practices of different faiths and traditions and interact meaningfully with local communities that share their lives and customs.
PERSONALISED TOURS OF INDIA
From exploring Sufi shrines and Christian churches to Sikh Gurdwaras, our curated tours of India are customised to you and your group’s preferences, personal beliefs and backgrounds. Guided by experts with decades of experience, you’ll discover different religious and cultural traditions at sacred holy sites across India, and meet with local faith communities.
If you’re a scholar, teacher or religious leader, our educational tours of India offer unique insights into the education system in India. Our knowledgeable guides come from academic backgrounds and have an in-depth understanding of the UK and Indian education systems. They will show you the similarities between Eastern and Western education, helping you understand how Indian education can influence your teaching strategies. You’ll learn how educational policies are set up, visit schools, see how interfaith harmony is developed through education and return home with new ideas, inspiration and resources for your classroom.
Our tailor-made pilgrimages are created in close partnership with church and faith leaders and education experts for a personalised tour designed for your preferences and beliefs. Taking place at specific times of the year, these pilgrimages focus on your religious interests and background, and every detail is customised to you, giving you a personalised spiritual experience. From tickets and accommodation to travel and meals, everything is organised by us and we provide ongoing support throughout your tour, ensuring a smooth trip from start to finish.
We have many years of experience arranging tours for visitors who would like to work with a local Indian charity. These packages are based on what your group would like to achieve and can be a mix of holiday and charity work or solely focus on volunteering. Each trip is customised to your interests and is a meaningful way to experience Indian culture whilst giving back to local communities.
For food and cooking enthusiasts, we can plan a street food tour.
Perhaps you’d like to visit bustling street markets and food stalls to enjoy local dishes, such as samosas and delicious Indian sweets, or maybe you’re a keen cook looking to take part in a traditional Indian cooking class. However you’d like to experience Indian cuisine, we will put together an itinerary that combines cooking and food-tasting alongside historical and cultural Indian food experiences.
If you’re looking for inspiration, read about some of our upcoming tours. They offer everything from touring spice plants and tea plantations to martial arts and theatre performances. You’ll also discover different faiths and traditions and gain first-hand experience of local practices. We aim to give you an authentic Indian cultural and religious experience, and our years of experience bridge the gap between Eastern and Western faiths and cultures.
We understand that travel is a personal experience, and we take the time to understand your interests and preferences before creating a customised itinerary or discussing suitable tour options. This ensures that all of our pre-planned tour itineraries and tailor-made tours match your unique ideas, beliefs and interests.
ABOUT SOUL OF INDIA
Founded by friends Yasin Zargar and Kenneth Wilson in 1998, we have decades of travel industry experience and focus on interfaith understanding and collaboration. Born and raised in India before moving to the UK, Yasin has a deep understanding of the cultural similarities and differences between India and the UK. This firsthand knowledge is the cornerstone of our tours, offering authentic, interesting experiences in areas of India that few tourists get to experience.
Our tours are based on cultural tolerance and respect, and our expert guides take you beyond sightseeing. You’ll have a chance to interact with local communities to discover and share values, traditions and beliefs on a trip that promotes interfaith dialogue while exploring India’s faiths and traditions.
