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– Beautiful, hand-picked accommodation in boutique luxury and heritage properties (twin share or single room with supplement, depending on your travel preference)

– All on-the-ground transport within India, including airport transfers, luggage assistance, and private air-conditioned vehicles throughout

– All activities, entrance fees, and expert English-speaking guides at monuments and experiences listed in the program

– Daily breakfast and dinner

– All tipping, so you don’t need to worry about it

– Daily bottled water and hand sanitiser

– Your dedicated tour leader, Ali, with you every step of the way to ensure everything runs smoothly

No, international flights aren’t included. Everyone has their own travel style — some prefer to use frequent flyer points, others are sticking to a budget, and some might want to fly Business Class. This way, you have the freedom to choose what works best for you.

Yes. Arrival and departure airport transfers are included when you are arriving and departing in line with the tour itinerary and staying at the designated tour hotels booked through Trunk.

If you choose to book your own accommodation or create an independent extension outside the Trunk program, airport transfers are not included for those dates.

Yes. All travellers must organise their own Indian visa before joining a Trunk trip. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in India.

You can apply online via the official Indian e-Visa website:
www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

Please note: the website can be a little clunky, so we recommend allowing plenty of time to complete your application.

Trunk doesn’t process visas directly, but we recommend Visa Genie if you’d like professional support. Visa Genie is UK-based but provides services worldwide.

Website: www.visagenie.co.uk/india/e-tourist-visa

Use the code trunkindia for 20% off their service fee

Yes. Comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for all Trunk travellers. This is to protect you in case of illness, injury, lost baggage, or other unexpected disruptions.

We’ll ask for a copy of your policy and proof of coverage when you make your final payment, to ensure everything is in place before the tour begins.

We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance at the time of booking, as this can cover unexpected emergencies or the need to cancel your trip.

Please note that Trunk deposits are non-refundable, and our cancellation policy is strictly applied.

At Trunk, we don’t do cookie-cutter luxury. Our hotels are a handpicked mix of heritage gems and boutique hideaways — some luxurious, some quirky, all rich in character. They’re chosen for their charm, comfort, and the unforgettable sense of place they offer.

These aren’t all five-star hotels — and that’s intentional. If you’re looking for uniform, high-gloss luxury, this may not be the tour for you. But if you value warm hospitality, beautifully styled spaces, and a truly personal experience, then Trunk is exactly what you’re looking for.

Each stay is part of the journey — authentic, welcoming, and one-of-a-kind. Just like the rest of your Trunk tour.

Trunk tours are deliberately small, with a maximum of 14 guests. This allows us to travel smoothly as a group while creating a warm, friendly atmosphere and a truly personal experience for everyone.

To secure your place on a Trunk tour, a non-refundable deposit of AU$950 or AU$1000 (depending on your trip) is required. Once we’ve received your deposit, you’ll get a booking confirmation along with our Terms and Conditions of Travel.

Here’s how the payment schedule works:

120 days before the tour – 50% of the total tour cost is due

60 days before the tour – The remaining 50% is due

If your final payment isn’t received by the 60-day mark, Trunk may treat your booking as cancelled.

We completely understand that plans can change, but please note that cancellations must be made in writing, and the following charges apply:

Up to 61 days before departure – Loss of deposit

Between 60 and 30 days – 50% of the total tour cost

29 days or less before departure – 100% of the total tour cost

We strongly recommend arranging comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking, so you’re covered in case of any unexpected changes.

Once your deposit is received, Ali begins carefully planning your trip. This includes gathering passport and flight details, coordinating room arrangements, and paying small deposits to hotels to secure your bookings. It also covers the time and care Ali puts into creating a seamless and personalized experience for you.

Because each tour is small and tailor-made, your deposit is non-transferable — it can’t be shifted to a future trip — as the planning and costs associated with your booking begin as soon as the deposit is received.

Trunk India is a small, independent business offering boutique tours with a personal touch. Your deposit plays a vital role in helping us operate sustainably and continue delivering the thoughtful, tailored journeys we’re known for.

The internal flight included on the North India tour is fixed and booked as part of the group itinerary.

If you choose to change or opt out of this flight, the cost is non-refundable, and you will need to organise your own onward travel and airport transfer.

If you’d like Trunk to arrange this for you, this can be done at an additional cost.

You can choose from two accommodation options:

Travel with a buddy (twin share) – Share a twin room with a travel companion you book with (for example: a friend, sister, mother/daughter).

Private room – Pay the single supplement and enjoy your own room for the entire tour.

Please note: We don’t offer room matching for solo travellers. To book at the twin share price, you’ll need to travel with—and book alongside—your own companion.

Ali is the founder of Trunk and the heart behind every tour.

She’s been travelling to India since the age of thirteen, originally assisting her mother, who ran tours across the country for nearly twenty years. After a successful career as a touring musician, Ali returned to her roots and launched Trunk in 2017.

With deep connections to wonderful hotels, restaurants, local artisans, expert guides, and trusted drivers, Ali curates each journey with care and creativity to give guests a rich, authentic experience of India.

As your tour leader, Ali’s role is to ensure everything runs smoothly and to make the trip as joyful, comfortable, and memorable as possible. She’s there not just to manage the logistics, but to offer support whenever it’s needed — whether that means adjusting plans, reading the mood, or making sure you get a little quiet time if the day feels long.

If something isn’t quite right, Ali encourages guests to speak up — she’ll always do her best to help. Sometimes she can solve it on the spot, and sometimes it’s simply India being India, but either way, she’ll be right there with you.

She’s your behind-the-scenes organiser, your in-the-moment problem solver, and always, your biggest ally on the road.

We travel between cities by private, air-conditioned bus — it’s comfortable, spacious, and even has Wi-Fi. Drives typically range from 2 to 6 hours, and they’re a wonderful part of the journey. Travelling by road lets you see the real India — passing through villages, countryside, and bustling towns along the way.

We take regular breaks to stretch, enjoy a chai or coffee, snack on local treats, and snap a few fun photos. It’s also a great time to relax, listen to music, catch up with friends back home, or just soak in the ever-changing scenery. Many guests find these road trips to be unexpectedly peaceful, memorable highlights of the tour.

We recommend carrying around 2,000 rupees (roughly $40 AUD) per day. This should comfortably cover your lunch, occasional tuk-tuk rides, extra drinks, snacks, and little treats like chai or sweets along the way.

While many boutiques and markets do accept card payments, some still prefer cash — especially smaller vendors and roadside stops. It’s always a good idea to have some rupees on hand each day.

You’ll also need your physical bank or credit card — phone tap payments don’t always work reliably in India.

The main out-of-pocket expenses on tour are lunch, alcohol, and any extras like shopping, massages, laundry, or souvenirs. We occasionally chip in as a group for a tuk tuk ride too — it’s all part of the fun!

Trunk tours are designed for women aged 18–80, and our groups are always a wonderful mix of ages, fitness levels, and life stages.

A good general level of mobility and fitness is important. We explore cities and villages on foot, often walking for extended periods throughout the day. In India, surfaces can be uneven, and many of the beautiful heritage hotels and monuments have stairs (often without lifts).

You don’t need to be super-fit or athletic — but you do need to be comfortable walking, standing, and climbing stairs at a relaxed but steady pace. If you can manage day-to-day walking, enjoy being on your feet, and don’t mind stairs, you’ll be absolutely fine.