India Experience

This incredible four-week trip squeezes the very best of India into one incredible experience. The trip will take you everywhere from the historical wonders of Jaipur to the beaches of Goa and the deserts of Himachal Pradesh.

A typical India experience includes:

• Visiting the famous Taj Mahal*
• Exploring the old bazaars and the City Palace in Jaipur*
• Taking a stunning camel safari through the Thar Desert
• Learning the ancient practice of Yoga
• Trekking in the foothills of the Himalayas

If you choose the Volunteer option you will spend time helping out at one of our rewarding community projects in Himachal and Goa where you will also get to learn the art of tradition Indian cooking.

For the more adventurous travellers out there, the Adventure option will take you on a trip to Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama, hiking to the best views of the Himalayas, and a visit to a wildlife sanctuary in Goa among many other exciting experiences in India.

You will have plenty of free time at various points throughout your time in India to explore some of the temples, historic monuments and bustling streets independently. Your local guide will also be able to give lots of suggestions of places to visit to get the best out of your India experience. Alternatively you may like to spend your time simply relaxing and soaking up the colourful culture.

* Entrance fees not included.
 

Day 1: Arrival into Delhi
After arriving into New Delhi international airport you will be met by one of our in-country team who will then transfer you to your accommodation at the hotel so that you can check in and get to meet the rest of your group who you will share this great experience with. (NM)
 

Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast you will all go on a sightseeing tour of New Delhi which will include a visit of some of the most important cultural symbols of India. See the impressive India Gate, Parliament house and President’s Palace. You will then visit the Raj Ghat, the memorial built in honour of Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation for India. Here you will learn a bit more about Gandhi’s life and philosophy that helped India free itself from the British Empire.

You will later visit one of India’s cultural highlights, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh temple where you can learn about the youngest major world religion and absorb some of the special atmosphere around this beautiful and serene holy shrine. (B)

Day 3: Delhi – Agra (Approx. 6 Hrs)
Following breakfast, you will head out of Dehli on an early morning transfer to Agra. Once you have arrived into Agra and have check-in into the hotel you will visit one of India’s most recognised landmarks, the Taj Mahal, the most famous Indian heritage site and an essential symbol of love and romance people all over the world. (B)
 

Day 4: Agra - Jaipur (Approx. 6 Hrs)
In the morning you will transfer to Jaipur where you will check into the hotel and then have the evening free to relax with the rest of the group or explore Jaipur. (B)
 

Day 5 to 6: Jaipur
After taking an early breakfast, the day begins by visiting the famous Amber fort. Later in the day you will go on a rickshaw ride through the busy markets of Jaipur and experience the ‘Pink city’ from close quarters. Following this is free time, why not go shopping in the old “Bazaars” of Pink City to find some great buys.

The following day is a free day to explore more of Jaipur. While you may wish to visit another of the city’s old bazaars, the City Palace or one of Jaipur’s many other stunning sites, there are a number of activities that are free to take part in and will give you an amazing chance to get a real feel for the Indian culture with this unique opportunity. The activities include;

• Learn to dance “Bollywood” style with a professional dance instructor.
• Learn the typical and traditional dress styles of India with instructors.
• Learn the basics of the famous Indian art of “Henna making” with local experts.

(B)
 

Day 7: Jaipur to Pushkar plus Camel Safari and Camping (Approx. 4 Hrs)
Following breakfast at the hotel you will head travel to Pushkar. Pushkar is one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus in India and is home to the only temple of the ‘Creator’ God, Brahma. Upon arrival in Pushkar we take on another form of travel which is far more suited to the desert, Camels, known as the “ships of the desert”! You will then take a camel safari through sandy ravines, local villages where we can absorb the harsh yet colourful landscape of the Thar Desert. The safari concludes in a tent camp, where after sunset you can enjoy a clear view of the amazing star-lit night sky. (B & D)
 

Day 8: Pushkar to Jaipur (Approx. 3 Hrs)
Today you will return to Pushkar before taking a leisurely guided tour of the Pushkar town later in the day. The tour will include Pushkar’s small lanes, colourful markets, but most importantly, the steps to the Holy Lake and about 500 temples. The tour will also include a visit to Lord Bramha’s temple, the creator for the Hindu’s. Following the tour you will have some time to explore Pushkar independently before travelling back to Jaipur later in the afternoon. (B)
 

Day 9: Jaipur to Delhi by road (Approx. 6 Hrs) and overnight train to Himachal Pradesh
Following breakfast you will travel to Delhi by road. Once you arrive you will be transferred through the bustling streets of the city to the railway station where you will board an overnight train to Himachal Pradesh. (B)
 

Day 10: Arrival at Himachal Pradesh & transfer to Palampur (Approx. 4 Hrs)
Today you will arrive into the nearest railway station at Himachal (Una) before travelling to Palampur. When you arrive into Palampur you will be introduced to the local staff and area before settling into your accommodation. (NM)

Day 11
In the morning you will have yoga lessons that will be lead by a professional Indian teacher, a great way to start any day. In the afternoon you will have an introduction to the project areas and the placement options that you will be able to volunteer at over the next four days. In the evening you will have cooking lessons by professional cooks, giving you the great opportunity to learn some real local Indian recipes that you will be able take home with you and impress your friends and family. (B)
 

Day 12 to Day 16
Each day you will start with a continuation of your yoga lessons that will be great for your fitness and will help enhance the spiritual balance between body and mind, which will help you focus on the volunteer work that you will be taking part in for the rest of the day.

You will be able to help with the one of three community projects in Palampur, depending on the needs of the community at the time of your visit:

• Help take care of children who are in great need of care and attention at a childcare centre.
• Assist with a variety of educational and confidence building activities that are organised for the benefit of adolescent girls and women of the local community.
• Help with building and renovation work where needed in the community.

In the evening you will have more cooking lessons so that you can hone your culinary skills. (B)

Day 17: Himachal Pradesh to Delhi by Train
For the majority of today you are free to do as you please. In the late evening you will then be transferred to the nearest railway station (Una) to board the overnight train to Delhi. (B)
 

Day 18 and 20: Arrival in Delhi & then train to Goa
On the morning of day 18 you will arrive into Delhi and transfer to a hotel to freshen-up and relax. Between arrival and late afternoon you can either explore the area around the hotel or relax at the hotel. Late in the afternoon you will transfer to Delhi railway station to board the train to Goa that will arrive on morning of day 20. Once you arrive at the volunteer camp at Colva you will be introduced to the local staff and have the chance to settle into your accommodation. Overnight accommodation will be on the train for Day 18 and 19. Please note there are no meals included while on the train.
 

Day 21 to 25

For those who want to get stuck in and help volunteer at a local community in Goa you will be helping with greatly needed painting and renovation work in the local communities. You will then have the afternoon to make the most of Goa’s magnificent beaches! (B, L, D)

Day 26 and 27
For all those who have been volunteering over the previous five days you will now join the Adventure group and chill-out for your last two days on the beach where you can relax and reminisce about the amazing work you have done and the Experience of a lifetime. Overnight in the camp. (B, L, D)
 

Day 28: The end of the journey
Today is the final day of what we hope has been a fun-filled 4 weeks when you will say goodbye to many of the great friends that you have made during this Experience. You will then be transferred to Goa Airport where you can return home or continue your onward travels around the world. (B)

Day 11 to 12
On your first morning in Himachal you will head to Dharamsala, home to the “Dalai Lama”! Once you have arrived and checked-in to hotel you will then have the rest of the day free to explore the city, visit the Museum of Kangra Art or relax with your fellow travellers. After breakfast you will visit the Main Temple where the Dalai Lama and his disciples used to pray to Buddha and is very close to His Holiness Dalai Lama’s house in the neighbourhood nearby. Afterwards you will have free time to visit the local markets or relax at one of Dharamsala famous cafes. (B)
 

Day 13 to 16
Early in the morning you will start a 13 Kms trek into the stunning nearby mountains with local Tibetan guides who are full of knowledge about the amazing surroundings. It is a beautiful walk that will take you through mixed forests of deodar, oak and rhododendron. The walk will lead you to our camping spot that will give you a spectacular panoramic view of the snow capped mountain peaks of Himalaya. Awaking at the overnight camp you will take in the stunning views one more time before heading back to Dharmshala and then transferring to our volunteer camp where you will meet back up with the rest of the group and settle into your accommodation. For the following two days you will be able help with some much needed painting and renovating volunteer work at one of a number of projects in the local communities. (B)

Day 17: Himachal Pradesh to Delhi by Train
For the majority of today you are free to do as you please. In the late evening you will then be transferred to the nearest railway station (Una) to board the overnight train to Delhi. (B)
 

Day 18 and 20: Arrival in Delhi & then train to Goa
On the morning of day 18 you will arrive into Delhi and transfer to a hotel to freshen-up and relax. Between arrival and late afternoon you can either explore the area around the hotel or relax at the hotel. Late in the afternoon you will transfer to Delhi railway station to board the train to Goa that will arrive on morning of day 20. Once you arrive at the volunteer camp at Colva you will be introduced to the local staff and have the chance to settle into your accommodation. Overnight accommodation will be on the train for Day 18 and 19. Please note there are no meals included while on the train.
 

Day 21 to 25

On Day 21, after breakfast you will head to the north of Goa to visit some of its famous sights including a few of the famous churches such as the Sé de Santa Catrarina. Day 22 will start with a visit to the famous Palolem Beach with its palm trees and beautiful sandy beaches, a true haven for backpackers looking to get away from the hustle and bustle. In the afternoon you will visit to Cotigo Wildlife Sanctuary in south Goa where you will find some of India’s unique and diverse wildlife. The following morning you will visit a famous Indian spice gardens (entrance fee extra) before heading to Dudhsagar Falls, on the border of Karnataka and Goa drops a height of 600 meters making it India’s second highest waterfall. The following two days you will be free to relax and top up your tan. Overnights will be in the camp. (B, L, D for days 23-25, B only for days 21-22)
 

Day 26 and 27
Those who have been volunteering over the previous five days will now join you and chill-out for your last two days on the beach where you can relax and reminisce about the amazing work you have done and the Experience of a lifetime. Overnight in the camp. (B, L, D)
 

Day 28: The end of the journey
Today is the final day of what we hope has been a fun-filled 4 weeks when you will say goodbye to many of the great friends that you have made during this Experience. You will then be transferred to Goa Airport where you can return home or continue your onward travels around the world. (B)