Experience India on a women-only adventure - 2021 DATES

Itinerary

1. Day

   1

   Delhi

   Delhi, India

   

   Your India Women's Expedition will begin with a welcome meeting held at the hotel at 5pm. After the welcome meeting, your local leader will take your group for an amazing home cooked family dinner

   Accommodation - Hotel Moonlight or similar

   Meals - Dinner
2. Day

   2

   Tour Delhi by rickshaw and train to Jaisalmer

   Delhi, India

   

   Today you'll start the day with an excursion into the sights and sounds of Old Delhi! Set off on India's famed Cycle Rickshaw Ride through chaotic streets, such as the famous Chandni Chowk. Make a visit to the Jama Masjid, Delhi's oldest mosque and one of its most impressive buildings, then visit the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) to learn about the Sikh religion.

   In the afternoon board an overnight train to Jaisalmer. Make friends with entertaining chaiwalas (tea vendors), food vendors and enjoy conversations with the locals to pass the time and make this an unforgettable experience.

   Accommodation - Overnight train to Jaisalmer

   Meals - Breakfast
3. Day

   3

   Jaisalmer

   Jaisalmer, India

   

   The next morning you'll arrive in Jaisalmer. You'll have a chance to grab some breakfast before heading out on a jeep safari in the Thar Desert. The Thar Desert cover 200,00 square kilometres, so while you won't get to see it all, you will spend the day exploring the rolling sand hills before arriving at your desert camp. Here you'll meet some local men and women - the men will head off to prepare a traditional Rajasthani dinner for you, giving you a chance to get to know the women. They will also put on a traditional Kalbeliya dance performance for you, a traditionally female dance where women in long skirts replicate the movements of a serpent, as a representation of the snake charmer's role in traditional Rajasthani society.

   Accommodation - Overnight camping

   Meals - Dinner
4. Day

   4

   Jaisalmer Fort guided tour

   Jaisalmer, India

   

   After breakfast at the desert camp, you'll make the one-hour drive in your jeep back to Jaisalmer. From here you'll have a chance to check in to your hotel and freshen up before heading to Bellissima, a shop which sells embroidery, paintings, bags, rugs, cushion covers and all types of Rajasthani art made by local women. Your leader will explain how the proceeds from Bellissima assist underprivileged women from surrounding villages, including those who have divorced or been widowed - situations which still carry a lot of stigma for Indian women. After this, you will head to the Jaisalmer Fort for a guided tour, before enjoying a free evening.

   Accommodation - Hotel Nachana Haveli or similar

   Meals - Breakfast
5. Day

   5

   Jodhpur Old City

   Jodhpur, India

   

   Today you'll get up early and drive to Jodhpur (six hour journey approximately). Once you arrive in Jodhpur, you'll head straight to the striking Mehrangarh Fort that towers over the city. Explore some of the ornately decorated palaces and visit one of Rajasthan's most interesting museums to learn about battles past. From here you'll make your way to the Sadar Bazaar in the Old City for a guided tour of the market and the opportunity to taste some local delicacies like lassi and dal baati, both classics of Indian cuisine for a good reason - they're delicious! You may like to spend the rest of the evening exploring the Old City and your local leader will be able to recommend great places for dinner.

   Accommodation - Mandore Guest House or similar

   Meals - Breakfast
6. Day

   6

   Jodhpur shopping

   Jodhpur, India

   

   After breakfast you'll head out to spend the day at Sambhali Boutique, an outlet for the clothes, accessories and handicraft items produced by the women in the Sambhali Graduates' Sewing Centre. Sambhali Trust is a non-profit charitable organization based in Jodhpur, with a focus on the development and empowerment of women and girls in Rajasthan, many of whom have come from abusive marriages or difficult family situations. You'll have the chance to meet some of the women and hear their stories over lunch, as well as purchase a variety of handmade Indian and western style clothes and accessories - the perfect souvenir or gift for those back home. After a full day out, enjoy a free evening in Jodhpur.

   Accommodation - Mandore Guest House or similar

   Meals - Breakfast
7. Day

   7

   Nimaj walking tour

   Nimaaj, India

   

   Drive towards the interiors of Rajasthan and visit Nimaj (approximately two hours' drive). A relaxed and quiet place, Nimaj is the opposite of a tourist trap and the perfect place to spend a day unwinding. Take a walking tour of the town with your leader, then spend the afternoon and evening as you please. Perhaps chat with the locals and learn more about their day to day life, take a stroll or relax with a book under the shade of a tree.

   Accommodation - Nimaj Palace or similar

   Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
8. Day

   8

   Jaipur Walking Tour

   Jajpur, India

   

   Today hop back in your private vehicle and make the (five-hour journey approximately) to Jaipur, the capital of the Rajasthan region. In the evening, explore Rajasthan's capital on a walking tour. A friendly busy town crammed with palaces and bazaars full of jewelry, textiles and folk-based arts, Jaipur is a favorite for many travelers.

   Accommodation - Hotel Arya Niwas or similar

   Meals - Breakfast
9. Day

   9

   Amber Fort

   Jajpur, India

   

   This morning you'll take a guided tour of the Amber Fort, one of Jaipur's most recognizable landmarks. The red sandstone and marble palace is set high on a hill overlooking the Maota Lake, and there is plenty of history to learn about as well as picturesque sites to see.

   In the afternoon, head into town for a memorable rickshaw ride with The Pink City Rickshaw Company, a not-for-profit organisation that aims to provide a new aspirational employment opportunity to 200 women from low income households in Jaipur. See the highlights of the city and get to know your amazing female driver at the same time as you travel through the streets.

   After that visit Ganeshayam Textiles for the tailoring experience Indian Materials and shop for local handcrafts and clothes.

   Accommodation - Hotel Arya Niwas or similar

   Meals - Breakfast
10. Day

    10

    Ranthambore National Park

    Ranthambore National Park , India

    

    In the morning leave Jaipur and drive towards Ranthambore National park for a wildlife experience (five hours approximately). Ranthambore National Park is one of the premier national parks of India - a place where nature has reclaimed ancient fortresses and temples, and that is also is teeming with wildlife to spot. You will make a couple of Game Drives during your stay here, with hopes of getting a sighting of the majestic Bengal tigers that survive among the ruined forts and temples, stalking through the jungle. Game drives take place early in the morning and in late afternoon, as this is when animals are most active.

    Accommodation - Raj Palace Resort or similar

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
11. Day

    11

    Ranthambore Jungle Safari

    Ranthambore National Park , India

    

    This morning, you'll rise early and proceed for the Jungle Safari in the National Park by shared Jeep. After your sunrise safari, return to the hotel for breakfast. This afternoon you'll experience another Jungle Safari in the National Park by shared Jeep, in the hopes of spotting wildlife including Royal Bengal tigers, Ranthambore's fiercest predator, sloth bears, leopards, striped hyena, crocodiles, Indian wild boar and sambar deer.

    Accommodation - Raj Palace or similar

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
12. Day

    12

    Agra and the Taj Mahal at sunset

    Agra, India

    

    Today you'll make the four-hour journey to Agra in your private vehicle. Your first stop will be a visit to the home of a local woman, who will help you choose the perfect saree and show you how it's worn. She'll also help you dress up with an armful of glittering bangles and a matching bindi in the traditional style.

    This evening, take an unforgettable sunset visit to the Taj Mahal - the Monument of Love and a flawless architectural creation. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and transported by a fleet of 1,000 elephants.

    Accommodation - Royal residency or similar

    Meals - Breakfast
13. Day

    13

    Agra Fort and Sheroes Hangout

    Agra, India

    

    Agra's not just all about the Taj Mahal, it's also home to one of the finest looking forts in India, a Friday Mosque and royal tombs. Sitting along the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra Fort is part stronghold, part palace and part prison.

    After visiting the fort, you'll make your way to Sheroes Hangout, a café run by female acid attack survivors. This entrepreneurial café gives survivors a chance to earn a livelihood by themselves and provide them with opportunities to socialise with other women and guests. Join the survivors for some coffee and snacks as they share the story of Sheroes Hangout and discuss many of the issues around acid attacks in India.

    Following your visit, you'll continue the drive towards Delhi (four hours approximately).

    Accommodation - Swati Deluxe or similar

    Meals - Breakfast
14. Day

    14

    Depart Delhi

    Delhi, India

    

    Today is the final day of your women's expedition in India. There are no included activities planned, so you're welcome to check out of the hotel any time before midday.

    Meals - Breakfast