Our Experience India Tour encompasses charm, culture and care over 4 wonderful weeks where you will be able to see the sights, learn about the real India and get a taste of volunteering. The tour encompasses many different experiences including: a visit to a number of famous Indian landmarks, including the Taj Mahal; a chance to learn Bollywood dancing, yoga, Indian Cooking and Henna painting; a camel safari in the desert; trekking in the Himalayas and visiting the cultural sights of Goa.

Project Facts

• Duration: 9, 19 or 28 days
• Cost: £1095 for 9 days, £1495 for 19 days, £1715 for 28 days
• Requirements: age 18+
• Location: Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal) Jaipur, Pushkar, Himachal Pradesh, Palampur, Dharamsala, Goa.
• Tour activities: Visiting local landmarks, Bollywood dancing, Indian cooking, camel safari, trekking in the Himalayas, night trek and camping tour
• Project Availability: One tour each month. Start day is always a Friday. Contact us for details.

What is included

• Accommodation: Hotels, guesthouses, volunteer camps (same gender, up to 4 per room).
• Food: All meals mentioned in the itinerary
• Airport pick up from Delhi Airport and drop off at either Delhi Airport (19 Day Tour) or Goa Airport (28 Day Tour)
• Training: Pre-departure information pack and onsite orientation provided
• Support: 24 hour support
• All transport and activities outlined in the itinerary above
• English speaking guide
• Bollywood dancing class or Indian dressing workshop or Henna painting workshop

What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
• Entrance to historical monuments such as the Taj Mahal
• Elephant ride charges in Jaipur

Day 1 – (Friday) Arrive into Delhi airport. Transfer to hotel and overnight in Delhi (no meals).
Day 2 – Delhi. Sightseeing tour of Delhi (breakfast).
Day 3 – Delhi to Agra. Your journey will take you 250kms over 6 hours where you’ll visit the Taj Mahal (breakfast).
Day 4 – Agra to Jaipur. Your jorney will take you 250kms over 6 hours where you can check out the sights of Jaipur (breakfast).
Day 5 – Jaipur. Visit Amber Fort, ride an elephant and take a rickshaw ride through the busy markets and experience the real ‘Pink City’ (breakfast).
Day 6 – Jaipur. Spend some time shopping in the local Bazaars and choose a set of activities from learning Bollywood dancing, learning about typical and traditional styles of Indian dress, learn the Indian art of Henna painting (breakfast).
Day 7 – Jaipur to Pushkar. You will be travelling 150kms over 4 hours where you will then go on a camel safari through the Thar Desert before camping for the night in Pushkar (breakfast & dinner).
Day 8 – Pushkar to Jaipur. You will travel 150kms over 3 hours where you will visit Holy Lake and Lord Brahma’s temple. For those booked on to our 9 Day Tour, you will depart back to Delhi today and stay overnight before your flight home on Day 9 (breakfast).

9 Day Tour – Programme Ends

Day 9 to Day 10 – Jaipur to Himachal Pradesh. You will transfer via train to our camp in the beautiful mountain town of Himachal Pradesh (breakfast).
Day 10 – Arrive early to Himachal Pradesh and transfer to Palampur. You will be travelling 100kms over 4 hours.
Day 11 – Transfer to Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama (breakfast).
Day 12 – Visit Main Temple, local markets and cafes (breakfast).
Day 13 – Early trek with Tibetan walking guides for about 13kms. The camping spot will provide a beautiful view of the snow capped Himalayas (breakfast).
Day 14 – Return to Dharamsala and transfer back to Palampur to join the other volunteers (breakfast).
Day 15 – Day 16 – Volunteer within the local community painting and helping to redecorate (breakfast).
Day 17 – Train from Himachal Pradesh to Delhi (breakfast).
Day 18 – Arrive in Delhi and visit a local hotel to relax and freshen up. In the late afternoon you will catch an overnight train from Delhi to Goa. For those booked onto our 19 Day Tour, you will be transferred to your Delhi accommodation where you will spend the night and transfer to the airport either this evening or in the morning of Day 19 (no meals).

19 Day Tour – Programme Ends

Day 19 – Day 20 spent travelling to Goa on the train (no meals).
Day 20 – Arrive in Goa and transfer to Colva/Majorda (dinner only).
Day 21 – Visit Goa’s local sights including some famous churches (breakfast).
Day 22 – Visit the famous Palolem Beach and Cotiago Wildlife Sanctuary, South Goa (breakfast).
Day 23 – Visit gardens famous for its Indian Spice Plantations (additional entrance fee). You will also visit the Dudhsagar Falls on the border of Karnataka and Goa with a drop of over 600m! (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Day 24 to Day 27 – Free time to relax and explore Goa! (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Day 28 – Thursday departure for your flight from Goa Airport (breakfast)

Delhi

A city of contrasting emotions, sounds and scenes, Delhi can be challenging and confronting to the first time visitor. But don’t let this put you off, as in amongst the hustle and bustle of the city, there are captivating monuments, museums and great places to eat. During your tour, you will visit some of the most important cultural symbols of India. You will drive past the impressive India Gate, Parliament House and President’s Palace. You will also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial built in honour of Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation for India. While in Delhi, you will learn a little more about Mahatma Gandi’s life and philosophy as well as visiting Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and a Sikh Temple to learn about the youngest religion of the world while absorbing some of the unique atmosphere around the beautiful and holy shrine.

Agra - Taj Mahal

During your trip you will have the opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. Described as the most famous of Indian heritage of all time and known as an essential symbol of love and romance, the Taj Mahal is known the world over. Many have tried to sum up the Mughal mausoleum with Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore calling it ‘a teardrop on the face of eternity’ and Rudyard Kipling attesting it to ‘the embodiment of all things pure’.

Jaipur

Jaipur is located within the area of Rajasthan. Know internationally as the Pink City, Jaipur was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose hill forts and palaces still hold importance today. The Pink City, so called because of the beautiful colour of the stone used exclusively to build the walled city, Jaipur is now known as one of India’s most exciting destinations due to its unique blend of modern and authentic Indian culture.

Pushkar - Camel Safari

This sacred town is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus, built around a holy lake and many ancient religious temples. In the surrounding area, the streets are full of charming bazaars selling Rajasthan’s finest textiles and handicrafts. Pushkar is one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus, all over India and is home to the only temple of the ‘Creator’ God, Brahma and you will visit Lord Brahma’ temple. The town itself boasts small lanes, colourful markets, but most importantly, the steps to the Holy Lake and about 500 temples. While in Pushkar you will also take a camel safari atop the “ship of the desert” going through sandy ravines and local villages where you can absorb the harsh yet colourful landscape of the Thar Desert.

Himachal Pradesh – Palampur

You will be spending time in the pretty town of Palampur, in the heart of the Kangra Valley within the Himachal Pradesh province. Himachal Pradesh is India’s northern most state covered by the spectacular Himalayan Mountains. The literal translation of the state’s name is The Land of Snowy Mountains. The main feature of Himachal is its stunning geography, with wide variations in altitudes ranging from low hills to high mountains, lakes and flowing rivers. Like many other Indian states, Himachal Pradesh is a multiregional, multicultural, and multilingual state, guaranteeing a balanced immersion into India’s way of life.

Dharamsala

Dharamsala is also situated in the region of Himachal Pradesh and is the capital of the exiled Tibetan government and centre of Tibetan Buddhist culture, adds another cultural dimension to the already culturally packed region. Dharamsala is also home to the “Dalai Lama” and the Main Temple. His Holiness Dalai Lama’s house is in the neighbourhood of this Main Temple and in the surrounding area there are local temples, markets and famous cafes. Dharamsala is also the basis with which you will begin your guided Tibetan Trek where you’ll walk through mixed forests of deodar, oak and rhododendron. The camping spot for the night will give you a panoramic view of the snow capped mountain peaks of the Himalayas.

Goa

Goa, a former Portuguese colony, is well known for its beautiful beaches and luscious palm trees and has a distinct cultural vibe with its own unique music, food and climate. You will primarily be based in the Southern region of Goa, near Majorda beach but will have the opportunity to explore the region with you adventure tour. The region is visually stunning, with its silvery sands and tall palm trees and is one of the best yet least explored regions of Goa.