Arrive at any time; your arrival transfer is included through Women With Wheels, a G Adventures-supported project.
Activity: The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you're back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Activity: Transfer by a G Adventures-supported project, Women With Wheels. This program provides safe and reliable transport for travellers, while providing a dignified livelihood for local women who once lacked financial opportunities.
Accommodation: Best Western International Maharani Bagh (or similar)

Set out to discover Delhi, the capital of India, which consists of two cities: historic Delhi and New Delhi, built by the British in the early 20th century. Explore New Delhi's lively Paharganj district with a youth guide from the G Adventures-supported City Walk project, and hear about how the program provides opportunities to disadvantaged street youth. Then delve into the narrow, winding lanes of Old Delhi on a rickshaw, visiting the 17th-century Jama Masjid—the largest mosque in India—and the Sikh temple Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib.
Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Activity: Explore the streets of Delhi with a youth-led tour guide from the G Adventures-supported City Walk project. As a former at-risk youth, your local guide will have a unique perspective on the city and can provide more information on the life of a child in India. The guided tour helps support the guide's college or university tuition. Please note that City Walk is closed on Sundays and holidays and this activity will not run on those days.
Activity: Visit historic Old Delhi. Explore Jama Masjid, the "Great Mosque," and enjoy its massive courtyard, which can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. Also, visit the ancient Sikh temple of Gurdwara SisGanj, which was established in 1783.
Transport: Keep it clean and green on the busy streets aboard a pedal-powered taxi.
Activity: Visit Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This tall minaret was built in 1192 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, and is a stunning example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture. Walk through the surrounding ruins and check it out for yourself.
Accommodation: Best Western International Maharani Bagh (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast

Fly to ancient Varanasi, one of Hinduism's holiest cities, located on the banks of the Ganges River. Sit down at one of the picturesque ghats or steps that run along the river and enjoy a talk by a local scholar about Varanasi's spiritual and social significance. Later, embark on a boat ride on the sacred Ganges, where more than a million pilgrims come each year to purify themselves and perform funeral rites for loved ones. Observe the evening aarti or prayer ceremony, and join pilgrims as they float candles and flower offerings down the river.
Transport: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Activity: Enjoy a boat ride on the sacred Ganges River, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Participate in a candle and flower ceremony while on the water.
Activity: While in Varanasi, sit down for a talk with a scholar at the picturesque ghats (stairs) of the Ganges. Discuss the river and the spiritual and social role it plays in daily life here.
Accommodation: Hotel Surya (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast

Rise early to catch the sunrise over the Ganges on a boat cruise, and witness the morning rituals and prayers that take place along the river. This afternoon, visit the Sarnath archaeological site, set in the middle of a vast park, where Gautama Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon.
Transport: Keep it clean and green on the busy streets aboard a pedal-powered taxi.
Activity: Catch the sunrise from a boat cruising the sacred Ganges River, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Witness locals participating in dawn rituals of bathing and burning at the river.
Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Activity: A day of exploration begins with a tuk-tuk ride from Varanasi towards Sarnath, where your local guide awaits. One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, Sarnath is the birth place of Buddhism where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. For nearly 1700 years the site remained a centre for great learning, a place of pilgrimage, and a Vihara (Monastery) for monks and scholars. Guided by a local expert, discover the archeological ruins of the monastery, the ancient Dhamek stupa. Explore the museum at Sarnath and the sacred Maha Bodhi Tree. Visit temples constructed by the buddhist people of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Japan. Stop to admire the Buddha statue located at the Thai Buddha vihara. Some eighty feet tall, it is considered to be the tallest standing Buddha statue at Sarnath. After three hours of guided exploration, your guide will bring you back to your awaiting tuk-tuks bound for your hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Surya (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast

Travel to Lucknow, the former capital of the Muslim nawabs of Oudh, who were known as great patrons of art, architecture, dance, and music. Explore the imposing Bara Imbambara complex, an 18th-century Shia Muslim shrine which includes a mosque, a grand hall, ornate courtyards, and gateways. Then set out on a food tour of Lucknow with an expert local guide, sampling dishes that were developed for the royal family and delectable street eats—from spicy kebabs to a variety of curries, breads, and sweets.
Transport: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.
Activity: Explore the heritage quarters of this beautiful capital of the central Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Visit the imposing Bara Imambara, walk around Chota Imambara monument, Rumi Darwaza gateway and the Husainibad picture gallery.
Activity: Visit the famous Shia Muslim shrine located in Lucknow. With ornate Mughal architecture, this massive shrine is a striking sight to behold.
Activity: Enjoy a food walk with a local expert guide in the old city. Fast becoming a foodie destination, Lucknow is known for its cuisine and traditional roadside kitchens, serving up what is considered some of the best eats in India. Learn about the traditional techniques of grilling and secret spices, which were historically developed for the royals of Avadh. Watch local chefs, called "Bawarchi Tola" prepare local specialities from their street kitchens and sample some of the best dishes in the region from sweets, to curries, and breads, and spicy kabobs of all kinds.
Accommodation: Best Western Lucknow (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast   Dinner

Travel by private bus to Agra, a former capital of the Delhi sultanate as well as the Mughal Empire. Settle into your hotel and spend the evening at leisure.
Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation: Da Bungalow (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast

This morning, visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, this iconic mausoleum was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Later, travel to Ranthambore National Park—the fabled wildlife reserve that is said to have inspired Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.
Activity: Here's one to cross off your bucket list: a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Take a guided tour of India's most famous landmark and an icon of Mughal architecture. Built by the emperor Shah Jahan as a testament of his love to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this stunning white marble structure draws visitors from all over the world.
Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation: Pug Mark (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast   Dinner

Spend the day exploring Ranthambore National Park, which once served as the private hunting ground of the maharajas of Jaipur. Set out on morning and evening safaris with local rangers in search of monkeys, deer, sloth bears, leopards, and, if we're lucky, the elusive Bengal tiger. Wander amid the ruins of the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort and visit the Trinetra Ganesha Temple, dedicated to the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesha.
Activity: We have two safari drives today to explore Ranthambore National Park - one in the morning and another in the evening.
Activity: Ranthambore was once the private hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur, and its rich heritage manifests itself in its many chhatris, forts, and and hunting lodges that give the park its heritage status. Walk through the ruins of the old fort and visit the Ganesh Temple, a popular spot with locals for worship, dedicated to the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh.
Accommodation: Pug Mark (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast   Dinner

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan, which boasts beautiful palaces and temples and many atmospheric markets. Spend the evening at leisure.
Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation: Hotel Madhuban (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast

Explore Jaipur, known as the "Pink City" for its rose-coloured buildings. Take a tour of the sprawling Amber Fort, the former residence of Jaipur's Rajput rulers; and visit Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds, a stunning five-story sandstone building with distinctive honeycombed windows. Discover the rich collections of the City Palace museum, and stop by the 18th-century royal observatory known as Jantar Mantar. This evening, enjoy a culinary experience with a local family, including a visit to a market and a cooking demonstration and meal in their home.
Activity: Explore this magnificent fort overlooking an artificial lake, famous for its unique mixture of Hindu and Muslim architecture. The Fort's sandstone walls are perched on a hill almost blending in with the terrain, besides perfectly reflecting in Maota Lake creating a mirage effect (and perfect photograph). Wander through the halls, courtyards, and palaces inside and admire the intricate details.
Activity: Explore the courtyards, gardens, and buildings that make up the City Palace. Located in the heart of the Old City, it is a striking blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. Visit the palace's museum to look at ancient carriages and the former maharaja's gold-embroidered wedding outfit.
Activity: Visit the Jantar Mantar observatory for a guided tour and explore the collection of astronomical instruments housed there, some dating back to 1727.
Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Activity: Visit the local vegetable and spice market with a local family to learn about popular ingredients in Indian cooking. Return to the family's home where we prepare a meal together and discuss the role of spices and base ingredients such as lime, yogourt, and mango in indian cooking. After enjoy our dinner with the family.
Accommodation: Hotel Madhuban (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast   Dinner

Travel to the Hindu pilgrimage site of Pushkar, a holy lake ringed by stone ghats, or steps, that lead into its sacred waters. Take an orientation walk along the spectacular lakefront to the 14th-century Brahma Temple. Continue to Dungriya Khurd Village, where we will spend the night in a luxurious resort camp. Glimpse rural Rajasthani life as we chat with villagers as they go about their daily tasks. During an immersive dining experience this evening, sample traditional rural cuisine, learn local customs, and gain insights about sociopolitical influences here.
Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Activity: Learn about village life, its governance and chat with the local residents as they go about their daily tasks with local experts. Enjoy interaction with the village governing councils and other village elders, learning about the visible societal change and education system in rural India. Also, enjoy an immersive Rajasthani dining experience; sample and learn about rural cuisine and local specialities, dining customs and etiquette, the proper dress attire and discuss the socio-political life of rural India.
Activity: Join your CEO for an orientation to explore key parts of this desert city, including beautiful lakes and ghats. Visit the famed Brahma temple, meet a local pandit and understand/take part in the ancient rituals
Accommodation: Camp Landsend (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast   Dinner

Today, we make our way to Udaipur, dubbed the City of Lakes. Take an orientation walk through the timeless streets and bustling bazaars of this romantic city; then hop on a boat to explore Lake Pichola, taking in stunning views of the marble palaces which appear to float above the tranquil waters.
Activity: Sit back and relax on this amazing boat tour on Pichola Lake. The views of the city and gorgeous palaces, including City Palace, cannot be beat.
Transport: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation: Aaram Mahal (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast

Set out to discover Udaipur, once the capital of a princely state. Visit the exquisite City Palace—the largest palace complex in Rajasthan—to get a glimpse of how the royal family used to live; and step into Jagdish Temple, which pays homage to the Hindu god Vishnu. This evening, stretch out at a relaxing yoga class.
Activity: Visit Rajasthan's largest palace to get a sense of how royalty lived. Take in the view from one of its many intricately-decorated balconies, with one side facing the stunning Lake Palace.
Activity: Visit the intricately-carved Jagdish Temple, which pays homage to Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation. Make sure to take a peek at the black stoned image of Vishnu that's housed inside the shrine.
Free Time: Opt to take a boat ride on the lake.
Activity: Stretch and hold poses in this gentle but effective form of exercise.
Accommodation: Aaram Mahal (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast

Fly to Delhi for your final evening in India, and opt to join your group for a farewell dinner.
Transport: Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Free Time: Opt to join the CEO for a farewell India feast.
Accommodation: Best Western International Maharani Bagh (or similar)

Meals:   Breakfast

Depart at any time.
Activity: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

Meals:   Breakfast