Discover the heart of India - in style

Updated a month ago

Gazing upon the Taj Mahal in real life for the very first time was the most moving moment for experienced world traveller Priscilla Aster during her travels in India.

"It was at sunrise and the Taj was bathed in the soft morning light," says Ms Aster. "I became quite emotional and in disbelief that I was standing in front of it. It was like being in a postcard; it was stunning and so surreal.

"Another incredible memory is drifting along the Ganges, both in the evening and at sunrise. Witnessing the vibrant evening ceremonies unfolding on the ghats, where the sounds, lights and sacred fires created an unforgettable spectacle. At sunrise, the river was calm and serene, bathed in a soft light."

It's these kinds of magical moments in one of the world's most mesmerising countries that Ms Aster wants other travellers to share. In her role as a product design specialist for Australia's Bunnik Tours, she is the passionate planner behind the family-owned travel expert's new 'India In-Style' small-group tour.

The 20-day tour is the most recent addition to Bunnik's popular 'In-Style' tours, which deliver an elevated level of luxury for their travellers while delving even more deeply into the authentic heart of a destination. With a limit of no more than 16 people, the tours provide a more intimate experience than others can.

"My goal with 'India In-Style' was to create a tour that encompassed the true essence of India, along with a touch of luxury, blending the country's most iconic sites with exclusive and unique experiences," says Ms Aster.

"We tried to go beyond conventional sightseeing, designing a curated adventure that showcases India's history, culture, cuisine, natural wonders, and warm hospitality. All with a sense of comfort and genuine connection."

With its opulent stays, including forts, palaces and luxury tents, spiritual experiences and off-the-beaten-path encounters, the tour is designed to "awaken all the senses and ignite a sense of wonder all while giving a taste of true Indian grandeur and everyday life", she said.

Along with the sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal and floating on the Ganges for Varanasi's powerful evening Ganga Aarti ritual, other highlights guaranteed to leave guests in awe include the thrill and adventure of searching for Bengal Tigers in the wild in Ranthambore National Park (capped by nights of comfort in luxury tents), jumping into the back of a Jugaad (an open-top truck known as the 'Village Mercedes') and riding through the countryside for a fascinating glimpse into the heart of rural India.

There's also a special private evening tour of Jodhpur's magnificent Mehrangarh Fort with the curator, while enjoying a glass of local sparkling wine as you wander through the different halls and galleries, followed by dinner on Mehran Terrace, a river safari in the National Chambal Sanctuary, sharing waters with rare dolphins, crocodiles, turtles, and exotic birds.

And for food lovers, there's the tour's unforgettable farm-to-table nine-course feast at Mharo Khet, an extraordinary farm in a desert oasis that celebrates sustainable agriculture and modern cuisine. Served in the farm's outdoor dining space, nestled in a guava orchard, and made with its fresh ingredients, each dish in the special banquet represents a chapter in the stages of life from playful childhood to reflective eternity.

Ms Aster says India's power to invite "people to see themselves and the world through new eyes" made it such a unique place to explore.

"It offers such opposing contrasts - spiritual and material, ancient and modern, tranquil and chaotic," she said. "Every sense is really heightened. Colours are so much brighter, scents are stronger, and sounds are more resonant. And history isn't confined to textbooks, it's lived out each day in the busy streets, on the many sacred riverbanks, and throughout the large-scale monuments.

"What I most loved was India's ability to surprise and move you. It hits you from the moment you step outside."

Find out more about the new India In-Style tour at bunniktours.com.au