Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!
The thought of Mardi Gras in New Orleans conjures up images of parades, beads, doubloons, food, drinks, crowds, and more. It can be as refined or chaotic of an experience as one can imagine. Every effort has been made to avoid the craziness that comes with Mardi Gras, and instead offer an organized VIP experience of outstanding meals, private venues, a Carnival Ball, an excellent hotel, and, most importantly, the opportunity to participate in one of the top Mardi Gras parades. This will be a weekend that you talk about for years to come, and for all of the right reasons.
This boutique hotel is a local gem that exudes a chic and sophisticated ambiance. Located in the heart of the city's vibrant Central Business District, this stylish hotel blends historic charm with modern amenities. Each room is decorated with artful touches, offering a cozy and comfortable retreat for guests to unwind after exploring the lively New Orleans streets.
Enjoy a private dinner at a world-famous restaurant located on Royal Street in the French Quarter. This renowned establishment is celebrated for its Creole cuisine and Bananas Foster dessert. This restaurant was one of the five 2022 James Beard Award Finalists for Best Restaurant in the USA.
Experience the excitement of Mardi Gras on Canal Street as you join the crowds to watch the Endymion Parade roll by. Endymion is one of Carnival's 'Super-Krewes,' established in 1974. It boasts extravagant floats and celebrity guests. Be prepared for a festive atmosphere and to embrace the spirit of New Orleans' iconic Carnival celebration.
Begin the day with a private brunch in Jackson Square, right in the heart of the French Quarter. Relax on a balcony with a view of the iconic St. Louis Cathedral, surrounded by the vibrant and historic atmosphere of the streets below you.
Ride through town in style, as a fleet of bicycle taxis take you through the bustling streets to St. Charles Avenue in Uptown.
The bike taxis will drop off at a boutique hotel on St. Charles Avenue. Here you will receive a special wristband that allows you access to the charming hotel for food, drinks, and restrooms during the afternoon parades.
Free time to watch parades and explore St. Charles Avenue, Magazine Street, and the Uptown neighborhoods.
Enjoy a private dinner at a spectacular restaurant with contemporary Louisiana cuisine. Known for its rich flavors and an inviting atmosphere, this is the perfect meal to get your exciting Sunday night started.
Experience the Mardi Gras magic from a VIP grandstand for the incredible Bacchus Parade. Get ready for an exciting bead-catching adventure as you watch the impressive floats and bands march past in a whirlwind of lights and energy!
Head over to the Orpheus staging area to prepare for the grand event. You'll pick up your costume and load up your throws for an unforgettable ride on the float tonight. It's about to get real!
Take this time to rest up and eat an early dinner on your own.
It's time for the highlight of the weekend and a once-in-a-lifetime experience! Roll down St. Charles Avenue, at night, surrounded by lights, laughter, music, and more. Throw beads, cups, and doubloons until your arm hurts. It's game time!
After the unforgettable ride in Orpheus, the float will take you straight into the Convention Center, where you'll disembark and head to the VIP section for the Orpheus Captain's Ball. Enjoy delicious food, refreshing drinks, and dance the night away until the early hours of Mardi Gras Day.
Sleep in late and walk a few blocks to this beloved hole-in-the-wall eatery. Treat yourself to a traditional Southern breakfast of grits, biscuits, red beans, crawfish étouffée, debris, or shrimp creole. It's the perfect spot for comfort food after a big night.
Please email us at info@kairostours.com or call us at 512.596.1642 for more information.
Unlike other student travel companies, Kairos Tours provides complete financial transparency.
Clients receive a detailed line item breakdown of expenses, including all available receipts. We account for every dollar spent. Kairos Tours never marks up an expense or charges a ‘percentage of spend’ fee – keeping all interests aligned.
We don't ask for your budget, we create your budget with you.
All of our trips are fully customizable - this sample itinerary is simply a starting point to give you a sense of what is possible! We are happy to tailor every detail to fit your group’s unique needs, interests, and preferences.
Is there a minimum number of guests required for this trip?
There’s no minimum number of participants required, but please note that the fewer people in the group, the higher the price per person. Larger groups help keep individual costs lower by sharing fixed expenses like transportation and guides.
What information will be provided before the trip?
Each traveler will receive a complete, dynamic itinerary that includes travel logistics, hotel details, tours, entrance information, meeting points, and more—everything you need to feel fully prepared.
Will there be a group meeting before departure?
Yes! We’ll schedule a pre-trip meeting (either in person or via Google Meet) to go over final details, answer questions, and ensure everyone is ready and excited.
Does Kairos Tours provide a Tour Director?
A Tour Director can be arranged to accompany your group upon request. Please note this may affect the overall cost of the trip.
Will the itinerary change from what’s currently listed?
Kairos Tours will make every reasonable effort to provide this trip in accordance with the descriptions provided. Although it is unlikely that we will have to make any changes to your reservation or cancel confirmed reservations, we reserve the right to do so should it become necessary or advisable, in our sole discretion. We’ll always prioritize the best possible experience for your group!
Are trip prices guaranteed?
All pricing is based on current estimates and subject to change due to factors like group size, travel dates, currency exchange rates, and seasonal variations.
Are meals included in the trip price?
Lunches and dinners are typically not included in the trip price, allowing for flexibility and the opportunity to explore local dining options. Personal incidentals, such as snacks, souvenirs, and optional activities, are also the responsibility of each traveler.
What if there are unexpected delays or issues?
Kairos Tours is not responsible for costs or disruptions resulting from circumstances beyond our control, such as flight delays, changes or cancellations, injuries, weather, war, natural disasters, strikes, social discourse, pandemics, etc., and/or other unforeseeable matters.
My name is David Mebane and I am a lifelong traveler that experienced my first international trip as a 2nd grader, and I haven’t stopped since. I founded Fat Tire Tours in Paris, France in 1999 and love showing people around the City of Light. That passion has grown to include other incredible destinations around the globe, and is the genesis for Kairos Tours. I don't know every destination on the globe, but I do know several well, and I love to take people with me to create experiences and memories that last a lifetime.
I live in Austin, Texas with my wife Kelly and our son Weston and daughter Caroline. However, we spend as much time as we can elsewhere since there is nothing better than an adventure with family and friends.
New Orleans, affectionately known as the "Crescent City" for the graceful bend of the Mississippi River it hugs, is a place where every wrought-iron balcony and cobblestone street carries the weight of three centuries of colorful history. Founded in 1718 by French colonists and named for the Duke of Orléans, the city passed between French and Spanish rule before becoming part of the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. This layered heritage, French, Spanish, African, Caribbean, and American, forged a culture found nowhere else on Earth, one still visible in the architecture of the French Quarter and felt in the rhythms of daily life.
This remarkable city has long been a global birthplace of music and celebration. Wander through the French Quarter, where jazz first spilled out of dance halls and street corners in the early 1900s, shaping a sound that would travel the world. Explore the storied streets of Congo Square, where enslaved Africans gathered on Sundays to play music and keep traditions alive, planting the seeds for the city's musical identity. From the brass bands that still parade through the streets to the Creole and Cajun flavors simmering in kitchens across the city, New Orleans has always been a place where cultures collide and create something entirely new.
Today, New Orleans remains an unrivaled hub of music, food, and celebration, drawing visitors eager to experience its infectious spirit. The soulful sound of a trumpet drifts from an open doorway, while beignets and chicory coffee invite a slower morning, and the mighty Mississippi rolls past, just as it always has. New Orleans is more than just a city of festivals and flavors; it's a living, breathing testament to resilience and joy, a place where the past dances hand in hand with the present, offering an unforgettable journey into the heart of American soul.
