Overland small group tour of India
| country: | India |
| location: | Rajasthan |
| departures: | 2010: 29 Mar, 12 Apr, 26 Apr, 12 Jul, 26 Jul, 9 Aug, 23 Aug, 6 Sep, 20 Sep, 4 Oct, 11 Oct, 18 Oct, 25 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 15 Nov, 22 Nov, 29 Nov, 6 Dec, 13 Dec, 20 Dec, 27 Dec 2011: 3 Jan, 10 Jan, 17 Jan, 24 Jan, 31 Jan, 7 Feb, 14 Feb |
| price: | From £599 - £749 (20 days) excluding flights |
| more info: | Price includes: tours, activities and meals as per itinerary. Allow US $280 for meals not included. |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
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introduction to Overland small group tour of India
India is home to great food, fascinating culture, alluring sights and friendly and inviting people. Discover the charms and mystery that makes up this incredible country. For anyone looking for a true cultural adventure, India is the country for you!
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive Delhi. Arrive in Delhi at any time. There are no planned activities, so check into to the hotel (check-in time is 12.00 midday) and enjoy the city. In the evening you will meet your fellow group members to go over the details of your trip. Check the notice board to see what time and where the group meeting will be held. |
| Day 2: | Delhi. Dive into the heart of India’s capital city and explore both Old and New Delhi. Walk through Chandni Chowk, one of India’s oldest and busiest markets, or explore the history of the Sikh religion at the important Gurduwara, (Sikh place of worship), Gurdwara SisGanj. Stop for photos at the colourful spice market or visit the Victorian Connaught Place, one of the most prominent architectural remnants of British rule. The day is free to wander on your own, take a cycle rickshaw trip or visit the Gandhi museum, built on the site of his assassination, to learn more about one of India’s most famous sons. Other options include the ruins of Qutb Minar and Purana Qila, a crafts museum and the Indira Gandhi Museum or perhaps you would like to get a bird's eye view of Delhi’s from the Minaret of the famous Jama Masjid. The Masjid-i-Jahan Numa, commonly known as the Jama Masjid (Great Mosque) of Delhi is the principal mosque of Old Delhi in India. Masjid-i-Jahan Numa means "mosque commanding a view of the world, " whereas the name Jama Masjid is a reference to the weekly congregation observed on Friday (the yaum al-jum`a) at the mosque. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and completed in the year 1656 AD, the Jarna Masjid is the best-known and largest mosque in India; its courtyard can hold up to twenty-five thousand worshippers. The mosque houses several relics in a niche in the north gate, including a priceless copy of the Qur'an written on deer skin. The Sikh holy site of Gurdwara SisGanj stands at the site where the ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur, was beheaded in 1675 on the orders of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb for refusing to accept Islam. During a time when the emperor was waging a war against Hindus, Guru Tegh Bahadur argued for freedom of worship and was executed as a result. Before his body could be quartered and exposed to public view, it was stolen under cover of darkness by one of his disciples, Lakhi Shah Vanjara, who then burnt his house to cremate the Guru's body. The severed head (Sis) of Guru Tegh Bahadur was recovered by Bhai Jaita, another disciple of the Guru, and cremated by the Guru's son, Gobind Rai, later to become Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth and last Sikh Guru. The giant circle of New Delhi’s Connaught Place, sitting at the centre of any map of Delhi, radiates with roads like spokes from a wheel. The circle’s obviously Victorian architecture was modeled after the Royal Crescent in Bath, England. In the afternoon of Day 2 transfer to the train staation for Jaislamer on an overnight sleeper train (approx 20 hrs). |
| Day 3-5: | Jaisalmer (B,D). Arrive into Jaisalmer around midday (although remember, this is Indian Time!), with the last leg of the journey travelling through the stark landscape of the Thar Desert. Transfer to our hotel and then the balance of the day is free to rest after the long journey or explore the city at your leisure. Jaisalmer, known as The Golden City, stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone, in the heart of the Thar Desert. Crowned by a fort containing the palace and several ornate Jain temples, Jaisalmer was positioned strategically and was a halting point along a traditional trade route traversed by the camel caravans of Indian and Asian merchants. The route linked India to Central Asia, Egypt, Arabia, Persia, Africa and the West. Your stay in Jaisalmer is also the perfect opportunity to ride a camel! On day 4 we will ride one of these ‘ships of the desert’ on our included camel safari into the desert. Staying overnight at a comfortable camp or sleeping under the stars after spending the night around a campfire surrounded by the cool blackness of the Thar. |
| Day 6-7: | Jodhpur. Travel eastwards to the centrally located metropolis of Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan, and formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name. A large and varied city, Jodhpur is sometimes called “Sun City” for its consistently bright, sunny climate. At Jodhpur, stark desert landscapes meet a riot of palaces, forts and temples, all enclosed within imposing city walls. Six enormous gates provide entry to the city centre: Nagauri, Merati, Sojati, Jalori and Siwanchi gates, plus Chand pol. Overlooking it all stands the imposing shadow of Meherangarh Fort Make the short climb to the top of a 125m high hill on the outskirts of the city and you arrive at the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur ka kila), one of the largest forts in India. Originally started around 1459 by Rao Jodha, founder of Jodhpur, most of the extant fort dates from the period of Jaswant Singh (1638-78). The walls of the fort are enormous—up to 36m high and 21m wide. Admire the breathtaking view of the city from the ramparts, saving some time to check out the fort museum, which houses an exquisite collection of palanquins, howdahs, royal cradles, miniatures, musical instruments, costumes and furniture. Experience firsthand the famed gentle nature of the Jodhpur people (well, so they say!) in the ancient Sadar Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in India. Handicrafts and tourism are Jodhpur’s two biggest industries, in that order, so it will come as no surprise that the shopping is superb. Glass bangles, cutlery, carpets and marble products are some of the most popular items; Jodhpur is also famous for its antiques. By some estimates, the furniture export segment is a USD200 million industry, directly or indirectly employing as many as 200 000 people. Join a local guide for a trip to the outlying Bishnoi tribal villages to experience village life firsthand, and make sure to try a Makhaniya Lassi before you leave Jodhpur—a delicious local treat. And yes, jodhpurs actually do come from Jodhpur. |
| Day 8-9: | Udaipur. Continue your journey southeast to Udaipur, famous worldwide for its plethora of breathtaking lakes and Raj-era palaces. Most famous of these, and certainly the most photographed, is the Lake Palace, an island-palace where the white marble buildings (now a hotel) entirely cover a small island in Pichola Lake. Originally known as the Jag Niwas, the palace took three years to build and was inaugurated in 1746. The city’s lakes—Pichola Lake, Fateh Sagar, Udai Sagar and Swaroop Sagar—are considered among the most beautiful in Rajasthan. An island in Fateh Sagar is even home to the Udaipur Solar Observatory, one of six stations participating in the international Global Oscillations Network Group (GONG), which studies the physical properties of the solar interior. Relive life as royalty at Sajjangarh Fort, also known as Monsoon Palace, summer resort of the Maharajas. Sitting atop a hill with a panoramic view of the city’s lakes, the palace was equipped with an ingenious rainwater collection system, essential in the dry desert conditions of the region. Indeed, recent drought has sadly put an end to the once popular boat rides on Lake Pichola. Other options include a visit to the Jagdish Temple, the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandir folk museum, Saheliyon-ki-Bari (the Garden of Maidens) and the City Palace and Museum. |
| Day 10-11: | Pushkar. This morning travel to Ajmer and change to a local bus for the 14 km drive over Snake Mountain to Pushkar. Site of the world’s only temple to the Hindu god of creation Brahma, Pushkar is often called "Tirth Raj," the Raj (king) of pilgrim centres. No pilgrimage of Hindu places is considered complete until the pilgrim bathes in sacred waters of Pushkar Lake; indeed, the city is so sacred that no meat, alcohol or eggs are allowed within the city. However, most travellers know Pushkar for a different reason: the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. The Pushkar Fair, or Pushkar ka Mela, is the world's largest camel fair, complete with both livestock and craft markets, camel races, concerts and exhibitions. It is celebrated on the day Kartik Purnima (night of the full moon), the day, according to legend, which the Hindu god Brahma sprung up the lake. Follow local traditions and try out a camel ride in the desert, or wander the markets of this holy Hindu centre on foot or by bicycle. Climb to hilltop Savitri temple at dawn. Immerse yourself in the holy side of this sacred city and visit the 14th century Brahama temple and holy Lake Pushkar. Or, pick a more secular pleasure and take a cooking class or visit the market. Rajasthan is rightfully famous for its textiles, jewellery and handicrafts, and few places in the country are better for shopping than the bazaars of Pushkar. |
| Day 12-13: | Jaipur. Travel to the capital of Rajasthan and, like Jodhpur, also the former capital of a princely state of the same name. Clothed in pink stucco (in imitation of sandstone), wide-avenued Jaipur is one of the most important heritage cities in India, and home to India’s second most visited site, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. Here follow in the footsteps of the royal harem, or ride an elephant to the sandstone and marble Jaigarh fort, one of the most spectacular forts in India. Founded in 1728, Jaipur, or “The Pink City” as it is often called, is unlike any other pre-modern Indian city, in that the entire town was planned according to the principles of Hindu architectural theory. The city is in fact built in the form of a nine-part mandala known as the Pithapada, which combined with wide streets makes for an unusually airy, orderly atmosphere. That the results of this urban planning have so endured to this day (present day population approximately 3 million) is nothing short of miraculous. Enter the heart of the mandala (on foot or by cycle rickshaw) and you are in the central palace quarter, with its sprawling Hawa Mahal palace complex, formal gardens and a small lake. Built in 1799, the "Palace of Winds" was part of the City Palace, an extension of the Zenana or chambers of the harem. Its original intention was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen. Constructed of red and pink sandstone highlighted with white lime, the five-storied facade is peppered with 953 small windows. The breeze (hawa) that comes through the windows keeps it cool even in hot months, and gives the palace its name. Just 15 km from central Jaipur is the ruined city of Amber, former capital of Jaipur state. Founded by the Meenas, Amber was a flourishing settlement as far back as 967 AD. Overlooking the artificial lake south of Amber town stands the Amber Fort/Palace complex, famous for its mixture of Hindu and Muslim architecture. At the bottom of a hill sits Amber Fort, initially a Palace Complex within the Fort of Amber on top of the hill (today known as Jaigarh fort). The two forts are connected through well-guarded passages, and there is even the option of an elephant ride from the town up to the palace courtyard. |
| Day 14-15: | Agra. Continue this morning to the Muslim city of Agra. Agra is best known as the site of India’s most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. Visit this icon of Mughal architecture either in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light, and be sure to bring lots of film! Ride one of the ubiquitous cycle rickshaws to visit the Agra Fort, the Taj’s less famous—but no less impressive—sister monument. Constructed between 1631 and 1654 by a workforce of 22 000, the Taj Mahal was built by the Muslim Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favourite wife, Arjumand Bano Begum, better known as Mumt?z Mahal. Mumt?z had already borne the emperor fourteen children when she died in childbirth, and it is the romantic origin of the Taj as much as its architectural splendour that has led to its fame worldwide. Actually an integrated complex of many structures, the Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, itself a combination of Islamic, Hindu, Persian and Turkish elements. The walled palatial city of Agra Fort, was first taken over by the Moghuls, at that time led by Akbar the Great, in the late 16th century. Akbar liked to build from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble and intricate decorations, and it was during his reign that the fort began changing into more of a royal estate. However, it was only during the reign of Akbar's grandson, Shah Jahan (who would eventually build the Taj Mahal) that the site finally took on its current state. Unlike his grandfather, Shah Jahan preferred buildings made from white marble, often inlaid with gold or semi-precious gems, and he destroyed some earlier buildings inside the fort in order to build others in his own style. At the end of his life Shah Jahan was imprisoned in the fort by his son, Aurangzeb. It is said that Shah Jahan died in Muasamman Burj, a tower with a marble balcony with an excellent view of the Taj Mahal. The fort was also a site of one of the most important battles of the Indian rebellion of 1857, which caused the end of the British East India Company's rule in India, leading to a century of direct rule of India by Britain. Late in the evening we transfer to Tundla station (approx 25kms from Agra) for our overnight sleeper train to Varanasi (approx 8 hrs). |
| Day 16-18: | Varanasi. Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city where millions of Hindu travel to for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn or to die. Walk the narrow twisting alleys, poke around some of the literally thousands of temples and shrines, and experience the energy of the dawn rituals of bathing and burial as you float past the famous ghats of the Ganges. Sitting on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanasi is the oldest continually inhabited city in the world, dating back thousands of years. The culture of Varanasi is deeply associated with the river Ganges and its religious importance; the city has been a cultural and religious centre in northern India for thousands of years. Our days here allow you the freedom to shop, wander and absorb the atmosphere of this unique city, while optional activities include the monasteries and ruins of nearby Sarnath, site of the Buddha's first sermon. Or spend an evening, floating along the ghats, soaking up the magical atmosphere of a candle flower ceremony as you watch the sun set to a delicate melody of traditional live sitar and tabla playing. We take boats out onto the sacred Ganges River, both for sunrise and sunset. For the evening boat journey we enjoy a candle flower ceremony accompanied by sitar and tabla playing. In the afternoon on Day 18 we travel to the railway station for our final journey - our return to Delhi by overnight train. Indian Railways, the world’s largest employer with 1.6 million employees, can certainly be counted as one of the marvels of modern India, and there is no better way to finish this trip than. Our last chance to experience this most Indian of transport, a microcosm of India itself. |
| Day 19: | Delhi. Arrive back in the capital of India. The day is yours to explore the temples, markets and museums in this fast-paced amazing city. |
| Day 20: | Depart Delhi. Depart at any time |
small group cultural tours
Typically you will be sharing your experiences with between 4-20 like minded travellers (depending on the trip, operator and how many others are booked on the trip) and you'll have a group leader with you. Whether you are travelling alone or with friends it's good value, and a great way to meet new people! While itineraries are pre-planned there is some flexibility and you'll have plenty of privacy. This trip will appeal to travellers of all ages who enjoy meeting new people as well as experiencing new cultures.how this holiday makes a difference
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Community
India is a country that is very different to anything you will have experienced before. Although this means it is not the easiest place to travel, this is also what makes it so special. Pollution, poverty and the crowds can result in initial culture shock but should be seen as an exciting new challenge. During our time here we have come to love this large and wonderfully different country but we know that we should always expect to encounter some difficulties along the way. Supporting local businesses: There are a multitude of opportunities to support local businesses on this trip. From the colourful markets to the bustling food stalls and cafes amid craft bazaars, the choices for eating and handicrafts are endless and the money is staying in the local economy - a vital way for tourism to make a positive impact. Activities that take you to markets, locally-owned restaurants, and villages are vital to the local peoples’ ability to truly benefit from tourism. Our style of trip, travelling and eating with the locals, puts you right at the heart of Indian culture. Vegetarian? You’ve found the right place, India is a haven for vegetarian food, and a delicious way to tread lightly on the planet. This trip also allows you to further immerse yourself in the culture and give back through optional activities such as joining a local guide for a trip to the outlying Bishnoi tribal villages to experience village life firsthand. Make sure to try a Makhaniya Lassi before you leave Jodhpur—a delicious local treat. Support World Heritage: On this trip there are numerous opportunities to visit important heritage sites such as the “Pink City,” Varanasi, the Taj Majal, among others. Celebrating world heritage is an important way to participate in sustainable tourism. World heritage sites are designated for protection so that all the world’s people can share in these fascinating and historical wonders for generations to come. Visit our Community Project: On many of our trips we offer the opportunity to visit one of the local projects we support through our non-profit foundation. Travellers can donate to any one of our projects through our “dollar-a-day” program, or at the end of a trip, but also have the chance to take part in the activities with our partners while in the area! On this trip we will be nearby one of our projects: New Delhi Streetkids Project: With more than 18 million kids on the street, it is believed that India has the highest concentration of street children in the world. It is estimated that 400,000 of these children live and work on the streets in Delhi either because their parents are too poor to provide for them, they are orphans, or they have run away from home often to escape abuse. The program we support through the Salaam Baalak Trust helps over 5,000 street children by providing them with clothes, food, health care, education, counseling, recreational activities, job skills training and job placements. Environment Low Impact Transportation: India has lots of options for getting around making less of an impact. We always try to use transport that creates fewer emissions. We will ride the train, metro, local bus, jeep, cycle-rickshaw, auto-rickshaw, and take planes and charter buses when needed. The train can certainly be counted as one of the marvels of modern India, and no visit is complete without at least one train trip. Travel by the new metro or auto rickshaws is the best way to get around Delhi. In Agra, to visit the Taj Majal and get around to other famous sites, riding one of the ubiquitous cycle-rickshaws is another experience in itself, not to mention taking local buses – always an adventure. Getting around as the locals do not only allows you to experience the culture on a deeper level, but the same way it is at home, using public transport is the most sustainable way to go – after walking and cycling of course! As a Tour Operator This company has operated on responsible tourism values since its inception. From an environmental perspective, our initiatives extend from our company offices to our tours. Our head office and stores are powered by a local green energy provider, we encourage cleaner transportation methods for staff, and purchase all supplies from a local green business supplier. Our office is as paperless as possible and our brochures use 100% PEFC certified sustainable paper. We offset emissions from all corporate flights and our marine vessel, and encourage our travelers to do so by providing an online platform through Sustainable Travel International. Supporting communties is and always has been at the heart of our tours. We provide business opportunities to local people by employing local guides and tour operators. The majority of accommodation used on our tours are small-scale, locally-owned hotels. Our tours mainly use public transportation wherever possible and are small in size to keep our impact on fragile sites and communities as minimal as possible. We monitor the sustainability of our tours through traveller evaluations in order to allow for continuous improvement. We support the local economy and business initiatives by visiting locally-owned shops, restaurants, and markets on our tours. Many tours incorporate community projects as a way of supplementing community income and supporting community development projects. In 2003 we founded a non-profit organization as a way for our travellers and our company to give back to the people and places we visit. We develop community projects around the world in the areas of health, education, small business development and environmental conservation. Funds are raised through traveller donations and fundraising. The company pays all administration fees which means that 100% of each individual donation goes directly to the community projects. Each year, we continue to support and develop new partnerships with more community projects and community-based tourism initiatives worldwide, in Latin America, Asia and Africa. On most tours, including this one, you have the option to visit a project as part of your trip. Tour leaders provide travellers with information about local environmental issues in their respective regions, and provide suggestions of how we can best protect the local environment and culture. To reduce the amount of waste created on tours, tour leaders also encourage travellers to use refillable water bottles instead of disposable plastic, cotton tote bags, reusable batteries, etc. We also include destination-specific information in our guidebooks, which are provided to each traveller including information particular to the local culture and environment and tips on how to be a responsible traveller. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
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