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)

Navigate the city’s metro system to discover Old Delhi on a walking tour. You may ride the metro in a women’s only carriage today, 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. Visit 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 of big cities. 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. Later tonight, you’ll leave Delhi on an overnight sleeper train to Bikaner. Local vendors will board the train at various stops to sell snacks, but it’s advised that you bring some of your own food for the journey too

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 between 1589 and 1594, 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 in the tuk-tuks to visit a local home in the Old Town. Here, some local women will show you how they make papadums and bhajia. Try some of the savoury snacks, chat with the women and enjoy a cup 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. Through the practice of cooking, the women of Bikaner created a self-supporting platform to develop their skills and provide snacks to a local marketplace, self-sustaining their livelihoods.

This morning, take tuk-tuks to the train station for an early morning journey to Jaisalmer. Make friends with entertaining chaiwalas (tea vendors), food vendors and enjoy conversations with the locals to pass the time. 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. 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 4WDs and head towards the Thar Desert – covering 200,000 square 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, giving you a chance to get to know the women. They’ll 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 4WDs. 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)

Head straight to 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 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. 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. When you arrive, get your bearings with 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. This evening – learn about the art of rangoli, where colourful patterns are made with various materials, join your hosts for traditional henna painting. (D)

Limber up and start your day with a yoga session at your accommodation, then 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 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 one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the pristine grounds, watching the setting sun illuminate the stunning marble mausoleum built by Shah Jahan in his favourite wife’s honour.

This morning there is the opportunity for an optional sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Otherwise, you can explore Agra Fort before heading to Sheroes Hangout – a vegetarian cafe for lunch. This beautiful cafe is a one of kind social enterprise providing employment opportunities for women who were the victims of acid attacks. In the early evening leave Agra behind and hop on a high speed train bound for Delhi. Check in to your hotel and perhaps head out for a final farewell dinner with your group. (L)

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.