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Mysteries of India
15 days, Delhi to Delhi
Itinerary
Day 1Delhi
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer included through Women on Wheels, a G Adventures-supported project.
There are no planned activities, so check into the hotel (check-in time is noon) and enjoy the city.
Women on Wheels Transfer
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 a local woman from a resource poor community.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Delhi/Mandāwa
Take a walk through the backstreets with a young adult taking part in the G Adventures-supported New Delhi Streetkids Project. Continue on to Colonial New Delhi for an orientation tour then drive to Mandawa village.
Your G for Good Moment: City Walk
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.
Colonial New Delhi Orientation Tour
Get a glimpse of the wide boulevards and splendid architecture of the British Raj in this guided tour of colonial New Delhi.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Mandāwa/Bīkāner
Start the day with a walking tour of Mandawa then drive to Bikaner and stay in a heritage hotel, once the residence of nobility. Visit the town's colourful markets and havelis. Option to visit a camel breeding centre.
Mandawa Walking Tour
Take a tour of the markets, havelis, and other top spots in this charming town.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Havelis of Shekhawati Guided Tour
Walk through these glorious, elaborate, old world mansions and admire their intricately carved exteriors on this walking tour.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 4Bīkāner
Explore traditional markets in the old city of Bikaner with a local expert. Learn about the age-old traditions of bartering and trading tea and spices and how modern business practices are still influenced by the old caravan routes. Later, visit Junagarh Fort and the infamous Karni Mata (rat temple).
Today visit the well-maintained 16th-century Junagarh Fort. Drive down to the small town of Deshnoke (about half an hour away) to visit Karni Mata, where rats are revered by the locals. Don't have a liking for rats? (Really, it's ok if you don't.) Opt to stay out and enjoy the beautifully carved doorway and the small market nearby.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Explore the Caravan Route
Explore traditional markets in the old city of Bikaner with a local expert. Learn about the age-old traditions of bartering and trading in tea and spices through the traditional seats of Kolkata, Kochi, and Bikaner. Even today all the business centres of India, Nepal, and Assam are influenced by these old caravan routes combining ancient practices with modern business.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Junagarh Fort Visit
This elaborately-carved fort was built between 1589 an 1593 and is one of the oldest forts in India, and is owned by the Bikaner royal family. Check out the intricate screens and balconies inside.
Deshnoke Rat Temple Visit
Rats may be considered a menace by most people in India (and around the world), but locals believe that rats are sacred and care for them. Keep an eye out for a white rat as it's said to be auspicious. There are approximately 20,000 rats at this temple, so if you're squeamish, admire it from outside.
Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow
Camel Breeding Centre Visit
50INR per personLearn about these magnificent creatures known as the "desert horse." The babies are pretty cute, and sometimes ice-cream made out of camel's milk is available for purchase.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Bīkāner/Jodhpur
Arrive at the "Blue City" and visit Mehrangarh Fort in the afternoon, built in the 15th century and well-known for its iconic Clock Tower.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Mehrangarh Fort Visit
Visit this breathtakingly beautiful fort located at the top of a cliff, which offers a stunning view of the Blue City of Jodhpur below. Learn about the many battles fought there and get a sense of what it was like to be Rajasthani royalty by visiting its well-stocked museum.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Jodhpur/Chandelao
Take a Jeep excursion into the countryside to visit tribal hamlets of Bishnois and Prajapats. Continue on to Chandelao Garh and explore the village and local markets.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Jeep Safari in Jodhpur
Jump in a Jeep and get ready for a couple hours of exploring the countryside. Visit with the Bishnoi tribe, Meghawas ceramists (pick up a few pieces of their pottery if you like), and the Prajapat dhurrie carpet weavers.
Chandelao Garh Village Stay
Get a taste of life in this village by staying with some locals. Enjoy this unique opportunity to learn about Rajasthani culture.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 7Chandelao
Enjoy Chandelao Garh and explore the village and local markets. Meet with the village elders and teachers to discuss various aspects of daily life, economy, and culture in rural areas. Also visit the Sunder Rang Project at Chandelao which is striving to help village women become more economically independent by training them in traditional crafts.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Discover Village Life
Meet with elders and teachers of Chandelao village and discuss various aspects of daily life, economy, and culture in rural areas. Also visit the Sunder Rang Project at Chandelao which is striving to help village women become more economically independent by training them in traditional crafts.
Chandelao Garh Village Stay
Get a taste of life in this village by staying with some locals. Enjoy this unique opportunity to learn about Rajasthani culture.
Free Time
Enjoy some free time exploring this charming Rajasthani village that gives you a taste of the "real" India.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 8Chandelao/Udaipur
Drive to Udaipur, visiting the stunning Ranakpur Jain temples en route. This afternoon, take an orientation walk with your CEO in Udaipur.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ranakpur Jain Temples Visit
Enjoy a visit to this magnificent white marble temple devoted to Adinath, a god in the Jain religion. Jains believe in "ahimsa," non-violence to all living beings. Built in the 15th century, the temple has 1444 individually carved pillars.
Udaipur Orientation Walk
Go on a guided orientation walk and get to know local markets and key places.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Udaipur
Explore the City Palace museum, enjoy a Pichola Lake boat ride, and a visit to the Jagdish Temple.
City Palace Visit
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.
Pichola Lake Boat Tour
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.
Jagdish Temple Visit
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.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 10Udaipur/Jojawar
Stay at a heritage home in Jojawar village and take a train safari through the picturesque Aravali mountains.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Train Safari
Enjoy a small train safari with the local villagers through the picturesque mountains of the Aravali Range.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 11Jojawar/Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan. Visit Barefoot College on the way, an NGO providing basic services and solutions to issues in rural India for more than 40 years. Here we learn more about the NGO and enjoy a local lunch.
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan. Jaipur is known as the "Pink City" after the rusty colour that many of the houses are painted. With beautiful palaces, forts, gardens, temples, and unending market streets, it's a city with a lot to offer.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Barefoot College Visit
Visit Barefoot College, an NGO providing basic services and solutions to issues in rural India for more than 40 years. Meet with some of the administrators who will explain the objective of helping local people become more self-sufficient and sustainable. These "Barefoot solutions" can be broadly categorized into various social enterprises including solar power, clean water initiatives, education and empowering women as agents of sustainable change.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 12Jaipur
Visit the 15th century Amber Fort which was the former capital of the region. Take a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and visit the City Palace Museum and Jantar Mantar Observatory.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Amber Fort Guided Tour
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.
City Palace Visit
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.
Jantar Mantar Visit
Visit the Jantar Mantar observatory for a guided tour and explore the collection of astronomical instruments housed there, some dating back to 1727.
Optional Activities - Day 12 HideShow
Jaipur Balloon Ride
Begin your day at dawn, just as the sun starts to rise. As you drift into the sky, enjoy the silence and serenity of the morning, watching as the day starts for the colourfully dressed inhabitants below. From high in the sky, you may float over rolling hills, villages teeming with life, and a small monastery. You may even spot elephants—if luck is on your side.
Available September 1 - April 30.
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
202INR per personEnjoy a visit to the intricately-carved Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds," which is named for the cool breeze that comes through the structure and keeps it comfortable, even in the hot Jaipur summers. Admire this architectural wonder and snap some photos.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Jaipur/Āgra
Drive to Agra, stopping to visit the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. In Agra, visit the famed Agra Fort.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Fatehpur Sikri Visit
Explore the magnificent red sandstone fort city that was once the capital of India's Mughal Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Keep an eye out for elements of different religions, as King Akbar built three palaces for each of his favourite wives—a Hindu, a Muslim, and a Christian—in the city.
Agra Fort Visit
Enjoy a visit to this impressive Mughal fort made of red sandstone and white marble.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Āgra/Delhi
Rise early to visit the world-famous Taj Mahal and enjoy the stunning sunrise views. Continue to Delhi.
Taj Mahal Visit
Cross one off your bucket list as you visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the gorgeous white marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a testament of his love for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Take this opportunity to explore the rich colonial architecture, Mughal ruins, or wonderful shops of this capital city.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Delhi
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.