India Women's Adventure

India 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.
• Stay in the rural desert village of Chandelao Garh, where a local project provides female artisans with employment and education while preserving traditional craft practices.

Sample Itinerary (Subject to Change):

Day 1: Arrive Delhi, India

Namaste! Welcome to India and to Delhi. Today is entirely at your leisure until you meet your fellow female travellers tonight to enjoy your first taste of India’s famous cuisine together at a local restaurant.

Day 2: Delhi – Bikaner

Navigate the city’s metro system to discover Old Delhi on a walking tour. You may ride the metro in a women’s only carriage today, giving you a unique insight into how local women travel around Delhi. Take a traditional cycle rickshaw ride through a typical Indian traffic jam in the streets around the bustling Chandni Chowk market. Visit Delhi’s oldest and largest mosque – Jama Masjid and a Sikh temple for a quiet escape from the city to observe the spiritual side of this metropolis. Visit the Dilli Haat market where artisans from across the country showcase their wares for 15 days at a time, ensuring prices are fair and not subject to the inflation of big cities. The market is also home to a tempting array of food stalls, so you may like to take your tastebuds on a trip with some momos from Sikkim, spicy chicken from Nagaland or kebabs from Jammu. Later tonight, you’ll leave Delhi on an overnight sleeper train to Bikaner.

Day 3: Bikaner

Your train arrives in Bikaner early this morning and you will be picked up by tuk-tuks and transferred to the hotel. Later in the day visit Junagarh Fort (built between 1589-1594) a red sandstone and marble fort that is one of the most impressive forts in Rajasthan. Explore the various palaces, courtyards and museums within the fort complex, then hop in the tuk-tuks to visit a local home in the Old Town. Local women will show you how they make poppadums and bhajia. Try savoury snacks, chat with the women and enjoy a cup of chai together. This initiative nurtures the economic capability of women living below the poverty line in rural and urban areas.

Day 4: Bikaner – Thar Desert

This morning, drive towards the Thar Desert for a desert stay experience. Stop in Khichan along the way to freshen up, then continue to the sprawling sand dunes of the Thar. When you arrive, you’ll enjoy high tea surrounded by views of the dunes, snacking on vegetable pakora (fritters) and sipping chai. This evening, you’ll enjoy a candlelit dinner under the night sky, consisting of a traditional Rajasthani thali (platter) served on bajots (traditional low wooden tables). The meal is prepared by women from a nearby village, and you’ll have the chance to help them prepare chapati, pakora, beans, kadhi (a yoghurt-based curry) and some dessert. Spend the night sleeping among the dunes with the starry sky stretching out above you.

During tonight’s desert stay, your luggage will be securely stored in Khichan. The campsite is very basic, with a windbreak set up against a sand dune. You will sleep on a mattress set up on a traditional Indian charpoy with a pillow, sheets and blankets provided. There will be a basic western-style toilet facility onsite. Water and soft drinks are available for purchase.

During the winter months (particularly December and January), temperatures in the desert can drop below zero. Your leader will monitor the weather forecast to decide whether this activity will go ahead. If not, you’ll take a daytrip to the Thar Desert instead of the overnight stay. Some travellers also like to bring a sleeping bag and base layers for camping in the colder months.

Day 5: Jaisalmer

Wake up at your desert camp and tuck into a breakfast of Indian porridge, breads and fresh fruit. Then leave the dunes behind and begin your journey to Jaisalmer, stopping to collect your luggage along the way. After arriving in Jaisalmer have free time to either relax at your accommodation or head out to do some exploring.

Day 6: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur

Head out 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.

Day 7: Jodhpur

Visit 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 8: Jodhpur – Chandelao Garh

Drive to the village of Chandelao Garh and get your bearings on 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 9: Chandelao Garh – Jaipur

Start the day with some yoga at your accommodation. Travel by road to Jaipur (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 specialty 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.

Day 10: 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.

Day 11: Jaipur – Agra

Travel by train 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 of one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’ and watching the setting sun illuminate the stunning marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan in his favourite wife’s honour.

Day 12: Agra – Delhi

This morning you have an option to go back to the Taj Mahal for sunrise (additional expense) or you can explore Agra Fort before heading to Sheroes Hangout – a vegetarian café for lunch. This beautiful café is a one of kind social enterprise providing employment opportunities for women who were the victims of acid attacks. In the early evening leave Agra and hop on a high speed train to Delhi. Check in to your hotel and perhaps head out for a final farewell dinner with your group.

Day 13: 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 sample independent India itineraries, we can also tailor a trip for you.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

The Golden Triangle – 6 Days  Delhi, Agra & Jaipur

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

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

Forts and Palaces of India – 11 Days  Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Narlai & Udaipur

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

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

Southern India – 12 Days  Kerala, Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry