India: Women's Expedition - 13 Days

Namaste! Welcome to Delhi – India’s bustling capital city. Your women’s expedition begins 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. If you arrive early, maybe kick-start your adventure with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Humayun's Tomb. After the meeting tonight, get to know your group and have your first taste of India’s famous cuisine over an included dinner at a local restaurant.

Navigate the city’s metro system to discover Old Delhi on a walking tour. You may ride the metro in a female-only carriage today, giving you an 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, then duck into a Sikh temple for a quiet escape from the city and observe the spiritual side of this bustling metropolis. Visit the Dilli Haat market, where artisans from across the country showcase their wares and there’s a tempting array of food stalls – you might like to take your tastebuds on a trip with some momos from Sikkim, spicy chicken from Nagaland or kebabs from Jammu. Later tonight, you’ll leave Delhi on an overnight sleeper train to Bikaner.

Your overnight train will arrive in Bikaner just after 7 am this morning. Your group will be picked up by tuk-tuks and transferred to the hotel, where you can freshen up and grab some breakfast. Later, you’ll visit Junagarh Fort – built in the late 16th century, this red sandstone and marble fort is one of the most impressive forts in Rajasthan. You’ll explore the various palaces, courtyards and museums within the fort complex, then hop back in a tuk-tuk to visit a local home in the Old Town. Here, some local women will show you how they make poppadoms and bhajia. Try some of these savoury snacks and chat with the women while you sip on cups of chai together. This initiative, started by the RGAVP’s government program, nurtures the economic capability of women living below the poverty line in rural and urban areas. The women of Bikaner have created a platform through which they can support their livelihoods through their cooking.

This morning, take a tuk-tuk to the train station for an early morning journey to Jaisalmer. There’s no food cart on the train, but your local leader will recommend the best snacks for you to buy before you board, so you won’t be left hungry. When you arrive, rest and recharge at your hotel during a free afternoon and evening or head out and explore at your own pace – your local leader will know all the best spots to grab some delicious local cuisine.

After breakfast, jump into a 4WD and head towards the Thar Desert – covering 200,000 sq km, you’ll spend all 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 while you watch the women perform Kalbeliya. This traditional dance is performed in long skirts to replicate the movements of a serpent as a representation of the snake charmer’s role in traditional Rajasthani society. Hear about what daily life is like for the local women and maybe even learn a few dance steps before tucking into an authentic local dinner.

After breakfast at the desert camp, travel back to Jaisalmer in a 4WD. When you arrive, check into 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 AD1156, 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.

Visit the striking Mehrangarh Fort that towers over the city. You’ll take a guided tour here to explore some of the ornately decorated palaces and visit one of Rajasthan’s most interesting museums to learn about historic battles. From here, you’ll continue to the Sadar Bazaar in the Old City for a guided market tour, where you’ll taste local delicacies like lassi and dal baati – both classics of Indian cuisine. You might like to spend the rest of the evening exploring the Old City – your local leader will be able to recommend some great places for dinner.

Start your day with a yoga session before saying goodbye to Jodhpur and driving to the village of Chandelao Garh. When you arrive, get your bearings with a walk through the village, then visit Sunder Rang – a local project that employs local artisans, mostly women, while keeping traditional craft practices alive. Sunder Rang means ‘beautiful colours’ – the vibrant pieces crafted by the women here stand in contrast to the surrounding desert landscapes. More than 30 women artisans are currently employed here, with an hour of their workdays dedicated to their education. Meet the artisans, browse their beautiful handicrafts and learn about the project’s impact on their lives, their families and the wider village. This evening, you’ll have free time to explore Chandelao Garh further or relax at your heritage property accommodation. This evening, learn about the art of rangoli, where colourful patterns are made with various materials, and join your hosts for traditional henna painting.

Hop in a 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 at the Raj Mandir Cinema – this Art Deco-style building is one of Jaipur’s most popular spots and has played host to many movie premieres.

This morning, head into town for a memorable rickshaw ride with The Pink City Rickshaw Company – a not-for-profit organisation that provides employment opportunities to 200 women from low-income households in Jaipur. See the highlights of the city and get to know your 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’s plenty of history to learn about as well as picturesque sights to take in. 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 tasty dinner.

Today you’ll make the trip to Agra by train. 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 of one of the Seven Wonders of the World, watching the setting sun illuminate the stunning marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan in honour of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

This morning, you’ll have the option to go on a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Otherwise, you can explore Agra Fort before heading to Sheroes Hangout – a vegetarian cafe – for lunch. This colourful cafe is a social enterprise providing employment opportunities for women who are the survivors of acid attacks. In the early evening, leave Agra behind and hop on a high-speed train bound for Delhi. Check into your hotel and maybe head out for a final farewell dinner with your group.

With no further activities planned, your expedition comes to an end today. If you’re departing later in the day, you can arrange luggage storage at the hotel until your flight. If you’d like to extend your stay in Delhi, and it’s highly recommended you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.