India: Women's Expedition

Namaste! Welcome to Delhi. Your women’s expedition will begin with a welcome meeting at 6 pm at your hotel. Meet your local leader and fellow female travellers and find out what to expect over the course of your adventure. After, get to know your group and enjoy your first taste of India’s famous cuisine over an included dinner at a local restaurant. (D)

It's an early start this morning as we board a 4:30am 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. There’s no food cart on the train, but your local leader will recommend the best snacks for you to buy before you board the train, so you won’t be left hungry.

We'll arrive in Jaisalmer late this evening and check in to our hotel for a good nights rest.

After breakfast jump into Jeeps and head towards the Thar Desert. The Thar Desert covers 200,000 square km, 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, giving you a chance to get to know the women. They will also put on a Kalbeliya dance performance – a traditional 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. (D)

After breakfast at the desert camp, you’ll drive back to Jaisalmer in your jeep. From here, you’ll have a chance to check in to your hotel and freshen up before heading out on a walking tour with your leader to get to know this storied desert city. The citadel was built by Rawal Jaisal of the Bhati Rajput in 1156 AD, and with a history that’s been carefully recorded by the bards of Rajasthan since the 12th century, it’s not hard to imagine what life here once looked like. Strung between the former trade routes of the Great Thar Desert, your leader will share stories of Jaisalmer’s prosperous past. Return to your hotel and transfer to the train station to board the train to Jodhpur, arriving in the evening. (B)

This morning after breakfast, head straight to the striking Mehrangarh Fort that towers over the city. Enjoy a guided tour as you 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 go to the Sadar Bazaar in the Old City for a guided market tour and the opportunity to taste 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.

Say goodbye to Jodhpur and drive to the village of Chandelao Garh. Get your bearings during a walk through the village, then visit Sunder Rang – a project that employs local artisans, mostly women, while keeping traditional craft practices alive. Meaning ‘beautiful colours’, the vibrant pieces crafted by the women at Sunder Rang stand in contrast to the surrounding desert landscapes. More than 30 women are currently employed by Sunder Rang, with an hour of their workdays dedicated to their education. Meet the ladies who work here, browse the beautiful pieces they’ve created and learn about the project’s impact on their lives, their families and the wider village. This evening, take some time to explore Chandelao Garh further or relax at your heritage property accommodation. (D)

Limber up and start your day with a yoga session at your accommodation, then drive by private vehicle to Nimaj – a small town in the Pali district of Rajasthan. After a traditional welcome by the local women, your leader will take you on a guided walk around the village, where you’ll have an opportunity to have a chat with some of the locals and get a sense of small-town Indian life. This evening, take part in a very special women’s-only celebration. Join the local women for a 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. (B/D)

This morning, hop back in your private vehicle and make the journey to Jaipur – the capital of the Rajasthan region. When you arrive, stretch your legs with an orientation walk around the city. Follow your leader down streets buzzing with camel carts, rickshaws, trucks and bicycles and explore bazaars bursting with colourful goods, including handcrafted textiles, folk art and the local speciality of semi-precious stones. After your walk, discover a beloved part of Indian culture as you head out for a screening of a Bollywood film. Visit 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. (B)

This morning, 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 as you zip through the streets. In the afternoon, take a guided tour of the Amber Fort – one of Jaipur’s most recognisable landmarks. The red sandstone and marble palace is set high on a hill overlooking Maota Lake, and there is plenty of history to learn about as well as picturesque sights. This evening, visit a local home in Jaipur, where you’ll be welcomed for an evening of fun and feasting. Chat with your hosts about their lives, learn about the meals they make at home then sit down for a truly tasty dinner. (D)

Today you’ll make the trip to Agra on board a public bus. 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, ready for your 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.

Leave Agra behind and hop on a train bound for Delhi (approximately 4 hours). Back in the country’s capital, navigate the city’s metro system in the morning and discover Old Delhi on a walking tour. For some parts of the tour, you may ride the metro in a women’s only carriage, giving you a unique insight into how local women travel around Delhi. Hitch a traditional cycle rickshaw ride through a typical Indian traffic jam in the streets around Chandni Chowk marketplace. Visit Delhi’s oldest and largest mosque – Jama Masjid. Duck into a Sikh temple for a quiet escape from the city and observe the spiritual side of this bustling metropolis.

Late this afternoon pay a visit to the Dilli Haat market, where artisans from across the country are invited to showcase their wares for 15 days at a time, ensuring prices are fair and not subject to the inflation common in big cities. Visitors are exposed to the culture and crafts of various corners of India, all on display in one place. 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.

This evening, perhaps join your group for a final dinner in Delhi and take the chance to look back on all you have seen and done on your journey.

Today is your final day in India. There are no included activities planned, so you’re welcome to check out of the hotel any time before midday. If you’re departing later, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel until your flight. If you want to stay an extra couple of days in Delhi, just speak to your booking agent.