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• Beautiful, hand-picked accommodation in boutique luxury and heritage properties (twin share, as per the itinerary)

• 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

• Breakfast and dinner every day

• All currently applicable taxes

• 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, you’ll need to organise your own Indian visa before joining a Trunk trip. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months — that’s a requirement for the visa.

You can apply online here: indianvisaonline.gov.in
(Heads up: the website can be a bit clunky, so pack a little patience and give yourself plenty of time to get through the red tape.)

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.

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.

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!