India Women's Adventure

Tour Highlights:

Aside from the vibrant towns, opulent forts and palaces, delicious flavours and vast landscapes, the people of india will captivate you.  This tour places a particular focus on local life through the eyes of Indian women.

• Visit rural desert village Chandelao Garh, where a local project employs provides female artisans with employment and education while preserving traditional craft practices. Check out their handicrafts and hear their stories.
• Take jeeps into the Thar Desert and enjoy a traditional Kalbeliya dance performed by local women at a desert camp. Spend time with the dancers while the men prepare dinner.
• Visit a local woman’s home to choose a saree to wear when you visit the Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world inspired by the extraordinary love of an exceptional woman.
• Explore the highlights of Jaipur and get to know your female driver on a rickshaw tour.  This excursion is provided by a non-profit providing employment to women from low-income households.

Sample Group Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Delhi, India

Namaste! Welcome to India. Today is entirely at your leisure until you meet your group tonight to enjoy your first taste of India’s famous cuisine together at a local restaurant. Meals included: Dinner

Day 2: Delhi – Jaisalmer

Depart in the early hours to board a train to Jaisalmer. This full day journey includes plenty of time to meet entertaining chaiwalas (tea vendors), food vendors and chat to locals.  Travel on trains in India is part of the unforgettable experience. Arrive in Jaisalmer late this evening.

Day 3: Jaisalmer – Thai Desert

After breakfast, travel by jeep to the Thar Desert and spend the day exploring the rolling sand hills before arriving at your desert camp.  At your camp you have the chance to meet locals – the men prepare a traditional Rajasthani dinner, while you enjoy a traditional female Kalbeliya dance performance – where long skirts replicate the movements of a serpent, representing the snake charmer’s role in traditional Rajasthani society. Your camping overnight is very basic sleeping under the stars, with a windbreak shield set up against the sand dune and basic toilet facilities. Meals included: Dinner

Day 4: Thar Desert – Jodhpur

Drive back to Jaisalmer and explore the city on a walking tour of this storied desert city. The citadel was built by Rawal Jaisal of the Bhati Rajput in 1156 AD. Strung between the former trade routes of the Great Thar Desert, Jaisalmer had a prosperous past. Return to your hotel and transfer to the train station to board a train to Jodhpur, arriving in the evening. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 5: Jodhpur

Head straight to the striking Mehrangarh Fort that towers over the city. and enjoy a guided tour exploring ornately decorated palaces and visit one of Rajasthan’s most interesting museums. Travel to the Sadar Bazaar in the Old City for a guided market tour and the opportunity to taste local delicacies such as a lassi (drink) and dal baati (a traditional Rajasthani delicacy, lentil and bread dish) – classics of Indian cuisine. The rest the evening is free to explore Jodhpur’s old city at your leisure.

Day 6: Jodhpur – Chandelao Garh

Drive to the village of Chandelao Garh and get your bearings during a walk through the village, then visit Sunder Rang (meaning beautiful colours), a project that employs local (mostly women) artisans, and keeps traditional craft practices alive. Meet the ladies who work here,  learn about the project’s impact on their lives, their families and the wider village. The beautiful vibrant pieces crafted here that are in contrast to the surrounding desert landscapes. Tonight is at your leisure to explore more or relax at your heritage accommodation.

Day 7: Chandelao Garh – Nimaj

Start the day with a yoga session,before driving to Nimaj – a small town in the Pali district of Rajasthan. After a traditional welcome by local women, take a guided walk around the village to get a sense of small-town Indian life. This evening, join local women for a special night of festivities. Learn about the art of rangoli, where colourful patterns are made with various materials, join your hosts for traditional henna painting and watch a lively dance show. Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8: Nimaj – Jaipur

Travel by road to Jaipur – the capital of the Rajasthan region. On arrival, take an orientation walk around the city including streets buzzing with camel carts, rickshaws, trucks and bicycles to explore bazaars bursting with colourful goods, handcrafted textiles, folk art and the local speciality of semi-precious stones. Then you will be treated to a beloved part of Indian culture in a Bollywood film at the Raj Mandir Cinema.  This Art Deco-style building is one of Jaipur’s most popular spots and has played host to many movie premiers. Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9: Jaipur

This morning, take a rickshaw ride around Jaipur to see the highlights of the pink city and get to know your female driver. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the Amber Fort – one of Jaipur’s most recognisable landmarks. This red sandstone and marble palace overlooks Maota Lake, has plenty of history to learn about as well as picturesque sights. Tonight visit a local home in Jaipur for an evening of fun and feasting. Learn about the meals they make at home then sit down for a tasty dinner. Meals included: Dinner

Day 10: Jaipur – Agra

Travel by public bus to Agra. Stop at the home of a local woman who will help you choose the perfect saree, show you how it’s worn and help you dress up with an armful of glittering bangles and a matching Bindi in the traditional style, ready for a sunset visit to India’s most iconic landmark – the Taj Mahal. Spend time wandering around the pristine grounds and watching the setting sun illuminate the stunning marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan in his favourite wife’s honour. An incredible sight.

Day 11: Agra – Delhi

Depart Agra and take a train to the capital city of Delhi (approximately 4 hours). Discover Old Delhi on a walking tour, for some parts of the tour you can ride the metro in a women’s only carriage, giving a unique insight into how local women travel around Delhi. Take a traditional cycle rickshaw ride through Indian traffic around Chandni Chowk marketplace, an adventure in itself!. Visit Delhi’s oldest and largest mosque – Jama Masjid and see a Sikh temple to experience the spiritual side of this bustling metropolis.  Late this afternoon visit Dilli Haat market where artisans from across the country are invited to showcase wares for 15 days at a time, see crafts of various corners of India on display in one place. This market is also home to a tempting array of food stalls, you could try momos from Sikkim, spicy chicken from Nagaland or kebabs from Jammu.

Day 12: Depart Delhi, India

Your India trip comes to an end today.  There are no planned activities on your final day.

We have a number of other suggested independant India vacation itineraries, we can also tailor a trip for you.  Here are some ideas:

The Golden Triangle – 6 Days  Delhi, Agra and Jaipur

India Culture & Wildlife – 8 Days Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore and Jaipur

Ancient India – 10 Days  Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Taj Mahal, Orchha, Khajuraho, Varanasi

Forts and Palaces of India – 10 Days  Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur and Udaipur

India North to South – 12 Days  Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Cochin & Kerala

Highlights of India – 11 Days  Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Goa, Mumbai