This tour showcases India's complexity and diversity of culture, religion, architectural style, language and cuisine. On this tour we will explore six of India's most important cities, each one telling a different story about India. In Kolkata and Agra we will gain insight into where India has been, in Bhubaneshwar and Delhi we will see where India currently is, and in Varanasi and Mumbai we will begin to understand where India is going.

4 nights in Kolkata, staying at the quaint and colourful Corner Courtyard. Kolkata is a city of art, film and literature - it is where India's contemporary art scene kicked off. It was also one of the first bases for the British East India Company (Calcutta Presidency), and at one point served as the country's capital, through walking tours we will explore the effect the British had on the city's architecture. Kolkata is the city of the Goddess Kali, so we visit a temple or two of hers. She is very different from the rest of the Hindu pantheon of Gods and is worshipped differently; she still receives live sacrifices of animals. The city is also the last one on the holy river Ganges before it joins the Bay of Bengal, and we take guided walks through the houses and streets by the river which are crowded with history (yes, and people!).

4 nights in Bhubaneswar, staying at the fun and sculpture filled Mayfair Lagoon. Though Bhubaneswar is the capital city of Orissa, the city's pace is relaxed and a great contrast to Kolkata and Delhi. The temple architecture and stone carvings are the focus here, and we will visit one of the few temples to the Sun God at Konark. Shiva is the main deity here. Handicrafts and arts are a primary focus and we get the opportunity to explore that, and for those interested, to do some serious shopping.

4 nights in Delhi, staying in the inner southern suburb of Defence Colony at a BnB called the Colonel's Retreat. In New Delhi, we will see Mughal influences, and a more modern version of Hinduism - with a dash of Hindu fundamentalism in the Akshardham Temple. We will explore the British Lutyens government buildings in red sandstone, and go for a tour of the Rashtrapathi Bhavan (the President's residence). For those who enjoy shopping, there is lots to see and buy here. From the crowded streets of old Delhi with its silver and spice markets to the modern and large shopping malls with designer Indian stores to the Burberrys and DKNYs of International fame. During our time in Delhi, we will try out some delicious and rich Mughal cuisine and North Indian Dhaba (street) cuisine.

1 night in Agra, staying at TajView Agra. We make a quick detour for an overnight visit to Agra to see the Taj Mahal, and visit the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. This side trip also provides an opportunity to experience all that is Indian Railways and its stations without spending 8-20 hours on a train!

3 nights in Varanasi, staying at the Taj Ganges. Mark Twain once described Varanasi as "older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together." Dubbed by Prime Minister Modi as "India's holiest city," we will spend our time here understanding why exactly Varanasi occupies such a unique and unparalleled place in the Hindu imagination. However, as we will discover, Varanasi is not merely the city of Hindus as Buddhists and Muslims have also had a long and complex relationship with the city. We will walk along the river and through the backstreets of the city to discover the robust Muslim undertones of this city. While in Varanasi, we will also have the opportunity to visit Sarnath, the place where Buddha first taught the Dharma.

5 nights in Mumbai, staying at Taj Landsend. After experiencing the political, religious, spiritual, and artistic side of the country, you now get to see its very cosmopolitan side. Mumbai is a city of migrants, and one of the most multicultural places in the world. Mumbai is the home of Bollywood, amazing cuisines blending the west and the east, and street food. We will walk the streets to explore and understand the city's layered Jewish, Catholic, Hindu and Indigenous histories. We will catch local trains and auto rickshaws to get around and walk through some of Mumbai's oldest and most beautiful suburbs. We will also get the chance to see the oldest running film in the world and dine at one of India's most celebrated restaurants.