Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project. There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting. Afterward, head out for an optional dinner with the group.
Visit Delhi's impressive India Gate and Connaught Place before traveling to Jaipur, commonly called the "Pink City" for its unique architecture. Get to know this colourful city on an orientation walk, then opt to watch a classic Bollywood film.
Explore Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, clinging to the surrounding hills on Maota Lake. Stop to marvel at the mysterious Hawa Mahal, "Palace of the Winds," an elaborately carved facade built to enable the purdah women in the Zenana to watch the goings-on in the street below without being seen. With free time, opt to get active by pre-booking a cycle tour or visit the nearby village of Sanganer to see colourfull pottery, handmade paper, and hand block printing. Catch a classic Bollywood film in the spectacular Art Deco film house ?? the Raj Mandir.
Or choose to visit Kitchen With A Cause and have a delicious meal that allows you to give back to the community.
Take in the arid terrain and small towns on the ride to Agra for a sunset visit to the famous Taj Mahal. Marvel at the iconic Mughal architecture and immerse yourself in the mausoleum's unique history.
Travel by train and rickshaw to reach peaceful Orchha along the Betwa River. Enjoy some time away from India's bustling cities and gain insight into rural life. Visit the palace complex to learn more about the ancient history here. Opt to witness an evening puja, a Hindu prayer ceremony.
Visit Tarragram, a unique paper-making plant set up to assist tribal women from the area. All the paper is made from recycled clothing and wood pulp. After, enjoy free time to explore Orchha. Opt to rent a bike, stroll along the river, or take a cooking class and enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. In the evening, catch an overnight train to Varanasi.
Arrive in Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city where millions of Hindus travel for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn, or to die. Take an orientation walk along the ghats and visit the old city. Embark on a Ganges boat trip at sunset to witness a candlelit flower ceremony.
Enjoy a sunrise boat tour along the sacred Ganges before free time to explore this holy city. Walk the narrow alleys, visit some of the hundreds of temples and shrines, or wander the Old City. Opt to visit the site of the Buddha's first sermon or sit on the banks of the Ganges watching life unfold around you.
Cross the border into Nepal and step back in time as you experience Buddha's birthplace - Lumbini, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and pilgrimage centre. Visit the Maya Devi Temple, where the Queen gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama. Today is a long travel day, so get comfortable, sit back and relax, and enjoy the changing landscape. Get ready to learn about the history and culture of Nepal.
Journey through a belt of marshy grasslands, savannas, and forests at the base of the Himalayas. The region is home to rhinos, elephants, Bengal tigers, bears, and leopards. Enjoy an overnight homestay with the indigenous Tharu community and discover their culture through dance and song. Opt to go on a cycling excursion through the area.
Explore the diverse ecosystems of the UNESCO Chitwan National Park on a 4x4 safari before a walk through the village and rice paddies. Settle in for another night of dance, songs, and Nepalese food with your Tharu community hosts.
Travel toward the beautiful scenery of the Annapurna Range to Pokhara. On arrival, take in the pristine lakes and stunning panoramic views of Himalayan peaks. Opt to relax in a cafe, hire a boat and float around the lake, or shop for Nepali and Tibetan souvenirs in the endless stalls and shops.
Visit nearby Sarangkot for a sunrise walk with breathtaking views of the Annapurnas. Visit the Sisterhood of Survivors Project, a grassroots organization that trains survivors of human-trafficking and other at-risk women to become certified paralegals. Meet some beneficiaries of the program and learn how to make Nepalese momos (dumplings) with some of the women before enjoying an authentic local lunch. Explore Pokhara during free time in the afternoon. The walk back from Sarangkot through farms and forest is wonderful and takes between 2-2.5 hours.
Drive to Kathmandu, visiting the iconic Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) en route. Arrive to the capital in the afternoon and get your bearings on an orientation walk. Highlights in Kathmandu include world-famous Durbar Square, the King's Palace, the burning ghats at Pashupatinath, and the Boudhanath Stupa. Swayambhunath is the most ancient and enigmatic of all the holy shrines in Kathmandu valley. Its lofty white dome and glittering golden spire are visible for many miles. To reach Swayambhunath climb 365 steps that lead up the hill. The area surrounding the stupa is filled with temples, painted images of deities, and numerous other religious objects.
Depart at any time. There are no activities planned for today and you are free to depart at any time.
