Our textile, craft and culture tours have something for everyone.  We travel in small groups of no more than 10 people to ensure that we can experience a different side of travel. Travel, that does not impact on local communities but carefully tip toes into the lives of the communities we visit and shares with its people our shared love of textiles, traditional crafts and culture different from our own.

The beautiful destinations of all of our tour destinations are well known for the skill of their silk weavers, the vibrant and beautiful designs of their fabric and the skills of their traditional crafts.  The warmth and the friendliness of the local people you meet along the way will stay with you long after you leave.

The tours are specifically designed for women who have similar interests and provide a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and share this unique experience with likeminded travellers of all ages.

Below are some of the answers we get asked about our tours.  If you have any questions which are not answered here please don't hesitate to email ngrudgfield@mtatravel.com.au and I will be happy to answer them.


I’m used to travelling independently. Are your group tours really for me?
Our tours are not conventional group tours. You will be travelling with a maximum of 10 other people. They are designed to provide you with a good balance of personal discovery and group activity with like-minded travellers. There is always plenty of time to go off on your own exploring and we understand it is your holiday so if you need some "alone time" just let your tour leader know. 

Who will I be travelling with?
Our travellers are of all ages and from all parts of the world. They share a passion for textiles, culture and a desire to make a difference to the people they meet and to connect with the lives and cultures the places they visit.  Many of our travellers have done a lot of travel in the past but are looking for something that they cant organise themselves and enjoy the company of others with the same interests. The age group of our tour participants ranges from around 45 to 75 years of age.

What if I don't want to participate in the hands-on classes?
On many of our tours we provide a host of hands-on classes and workshops. These are designed for novices and are purely for fun and interaction with the local people. If there are any activities that you don't want to do - just let your tour leader know and they will suggest alternative activities for you to do.

Can husbands or partners join a textile focused tour?
Yes most definitely - although we focus on textiles there is always something else for those not interested to do or see. 

How fit do I have to be to join a tour?
Most tours are suited to anybody of normal fitness and mobility with a desire to get out and experience local culture. Walking and optional trekking may be included in some of our itineraries. Some of our tours may feature drives of more than 5 hours or more basic accommodation, where this is the case the tour dossier will provide details. Each tour dossier contains a section on IS THIS TOUR FOR ME please read this carefully before deciding to book a tour.  Note on our Bhutan tour travellers will need to ensure that they have greater level of fitness due to the high altitude of this destination.

What if I’m a single traveller?
Our groups are a mix of single travellers, couples and friends. We are geared especially for single travellers. If you are a single travelling and wish to share with someone we will endeavour to find someone else on the tour who wishes to share - if there is no one wanting to share the only difference in your cost is that of a single room supplement that we pay to our hotels.

What kinds of accommodation will I stay in?
Our hotels and guesthouses are handpicked by us and all support the same philosophies as we do, with many of them offering trainee ships for local kids. Whilst they do not offer all of the 5 star trimmings they provide a very clean, safe, quiet and relaxed atmosphere so you can enjoy your holiday.  We also ensure that the majority of our accommodation is located in the centre of town so that it is easy for you to explore when you have some time to yourself.  On some tours (Vietnam & Bhutan) accommodation may be in either a home-stay or very basic hotel, if this is the case we endeavour to ensure that clean western style bathroom facilities are available where possible and details are always provided in the tour dossier.

How will I be getting around?
We provide comfortable and air-conditioned private transport which allows us the freedom to stop and snack with the locals, shop with the locals and take those great photo’s along the way. On tours that fly from one country to another these flights will generally be included (see individual tour dossiers)  however departure taxes must be paid by each tour member. On some of our journeys in Cambodia deluxe public buses are used (with all the facilities including a toilet and hostess). We use different modes of transport in some locations such as tuk-tuks, cyclos and boat's these are always detailed in the tour dossier.

Do I need to worry about what to eat and where to eat?
Eating is one of the highlights of travelling throughout Asia and we like to make sure you get to experience as much local flavour as possible. Because we cater for single travellers we like to take the hassle out of eating for you by including some meals in the cost of your tour. We do not include all meals as we know its fun to go off on your own to explore food options.  Your tour leader and guide will provide you with recommended restaurants for meals which are not included on the tour. We often eat at small family run restaurants or restaurants that participate in community training programs, providing skills to local kids and disabled members of the community. All restaurants cater for all tastes! If you have preferences for food, for example vegetarian you just need to indicate that on your booking form and we will look after it for you.  When meals are included in your tour you must pay for beverages and extra's.

Why are group tours accompanied by both western tour leaders and local guides?
A combination of local and western tour leaders helps provide for the very best travel experience. Our local guides are uniquely placed to share personal insights and our western tour leaders have a wealth of travel and volunteer experience to share with you. They are also able to fully appreciate your interests and needs and ensure these are being met throughout your holiday.

Are there any hidden costs?
No, there are no hidden costs. There is no local payment and your tour cost covers everything except: international flights, beverages, personal expenses, meals taken outside the tour group meals, or activities that you undertake to do on your own.  Your entrance fees and classes are always included in your tour price, however there may be additional cost for the use of camera's or video equipment in some of the museums or sites that we visit - these are payable by you if you wish to use your camera or recorder.

Is tipping necessary?
We pay all of our guides and drivers a tip on behalf of the group, however if you are satisfied with your local guides and drivers then a small gratuity is an appropriate way in which to show appreciation.

Should I bring gifts for people that I meet along the way?
This is a purely personal thing, however if you do visit an organisation (eg orphange in Cambodia) during the course of your tour - your tour leader will ask if anyone wishes to donate food or goods to the organisation.  Your tour leader will then organise supplies to be purchased locally based on what they currently need. Bringing goods from home tends to fill your luggage and it is far better to buy goods locally to support the local economy. Pens and school equipment are also far better than lollies or small stuffed animals but you need to assess each situation as it is impossible to give to everyone and it may cause problems in some situations.