India ~ November 2025

1st-16th November 2025

India Study Trip

Artists immersion into the otherworldly wonders of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. Draw geometric and biomorphic ornamental patterns and learn from local craftsmen and historic specialists. Travel around rural India visiting craftsmen and spectacular sites of natural beauty. We will visit the cities of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Alwar, Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. The group will reside in 5 carefully chosen exceptional heritage locations including hidden rural retreats, Lakeside Palaces and intricately carved courtyard havelis within desert forts. The experience includes 8+ site visits to the wonders of the world including: The Taj Mahal, the Agra Red Fort, Fathepur Sikri, Jaisalmer Fort, I’timād-ud-Daulah, Johdpur Fort, Bada Bagh and Panda Meena sink well.

The trip includes visits to craftsmen workshops and classes in miniature painting and Jaali Stone carving with local legends.

• Includes tuition, internal transport, site entries and craft activities.
• Part 1 accomadation is full board (all meals), Part 2 is half board (breakfast only).
• Participants are welcome to register for Part 1 or 2, either as private occupancy or single-sex shared accommodation. There is a 10% discount when signing up for the full study trip which includes both Part 1&2 ~ 1st – 16th November 2025

• Open to all abilities.
• Limited places.
• Advanced booking essential.
• All equipment & materials included . 

PART 1 ~ Golden Triangle

8 days – 1st – 8th November 2025 

The Golden Triangle is home to India’s crown jewels, a parade of UNESCO-listed architectural gems that stretch from Delhi to Jaipur and Agra.

The majority of the course will take part in the centre of the golden triangle within the 15th Century Ram Bihari Palace nestled in the Aravalis mountain range and overlooking the lake Siliserh. From here we will draw ornamental patterns and paint with local Indian miniature painting legend Ajay Sharma. We will visit the Amber palace in Jaipur and Alwar lake. We travel across country to Laxmi Vilas Palace from where we will make visits to Fathepur Sikri, Agra Fort, I’timād-ud-Daulah and Shah Jehan’s world-famous monument to love: the mighty Taj Mahal.

PART 2 ~ Rajasthani Desert

8 days – 8th – 16th November 2025 

We will drive from Jaipur to Pushkar, a temple town surround a stunning lake, after visiting the sacred mountain we will venture deep into the Thar Desert to visit Golden City of Jaisalmer, a former medieval trading centre. We will stay in an ancient sandstone Haveli (courtyard house) and take drawing classes inside the intricately carved Jaheritage mandir palace. We will climb up into the Jaisalmer Fort, a sprawling hilltop citadel buttressed by 99 bastions and visit the ornate Maharaja’s Palace and intricately carved Jain temples and vernacular winding labyrinthian architecture covered in stunning Islamic patterns. 

We then ventured deep into the Thar Desert to visit Golden City of Jaisalmer, a former medieval Silk Road trading centre.

We will draw and live together in an ancient sandstone Havelis (courtyard houses). The group will travel via a jeep convoy to the Jaali stone carving atelier’s and then bring blocks of the famous sandstone out into the desert to continue carving them under trees whilst drinking campfire chia with our local camel herder guides. We will watch the sunset and eat a meal cooked under the stars before heading back to the Jaisalmer Fort.

We will awake early for a sunrise drawing class at Gadisar Lake, surrounded by the sounds of ringing cow bells, morning birds and local prayers.

We will drive through rural Rajasthan to Jodhpur, Blue City. We scale the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort set on a rocky outcrop, and concluded the tour at the breathtaking Toor Ji ki Baoli stepwell, where with folded a version on the monument from Paper! 

Full details and program itinerary is sent after registration, it can also be requested by emailing islamicpattern@gmail.com