Experience India
(19 days)

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Day 1: Join tour Delhi. PM city tour of New Delhi

The Indian capital is essentially a city divided in two, a magnificent living monument to both the grandiose designs of the Mughals and the colonial rule of the British. New Delhi, the setting for our afternoon's tour, was the creation of the British Raj of the 1930s and its streets are filled with a rich collection of the architectural creations of the famed architect Edward Lutyens. Following the broad expanse of the Rajpath (Kingsway), we will visit the towering memorial arch of the India Gate, as well as the imposing buildings of the Indian Parliament, before taking in the Mughal maj-esty of Humayun's Tomb, a 16th century mausoleum commissioned by the emperor's Persian born wife, which is considered by many to be one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in the country. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

Day 2: AM tour of Old Delhi. PM free

This morning we take a tour of Old Delhi by metro and cycle rickshaw. The former capital of the 17th century Mughal emperor Shan Jahan, the old city is a magnificent fusion of grandiose archi-tecture and vibrant chaos that is centred around the Chandi Chowk Bazaar. Our sightseeing takes in the spectacular Jami Masjid Mosque, the largest in India and Shah Jahan's magnificent swansong. Taking 14 years to complete, the mosque is a majestic structure, featuring four tow-ers, three gateways and two towering minarets that stand some 40 metres high. Built from sand-stone and marble, its vast courtyard can hold upwards of 25,000 worshippers and from the top of the southern minaret you can get a clear view of the colonial designs of Edward Lutyens across the city. After our tour we have left the rest of the day free, so anyone who wishes to continue exploring may do so at their own pace, taking in the vibrant atmosphere of this most Indian of cities before making their way back to the hotel. One possible option is to pay a visit to the stunning Hindu temple complex at Akshardham, near the banks of the Yamuna River. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 3: AM train to Agra: visit Agra Fort

This morning we transfer to the train station to catch the early train on to Agra. On arrival we will pay a visit to the city's magnificent fort. Built by Emperor Akbar and then embellished by his grandson, Shah Jahan, the fort was once a great city, with palaces, mosques and halls all lying behind the protective embrace of 20 metre high walls. Once the home of the fabulous bejewelled Peacock Throne, the fort's grandeur and importance has seen it inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The old capital of the mighty Mughal Empire, Agra is littered with some of the coun-try's most opulent and iconic buildings and after our visit to the fort there will be some free time to wander the city at will. You might like to take in the rich elegance of the exquisite Itimad-ud-Daulah, a 17th century tomb built for the Emperor Jehangir's chief minister, which mirrors the marble majesty of the more famous Taj Mahal (hence its rather apt title of 'Baby Taj). There is also a possibility of visiting its more revered neighbour later this afternoon, to watch the setting rays of the sun casting their glow across the marble splendour of the Taj Mahal itself (optional). Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri

This morning we have an early start, as we head for one of the most universally recognised buildings on earth. Built by the emperor Shah Jahan, to honour the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal took some 22 years to complete and was once described by Rudyard Kipling as '…the embodiment of all things pure'. Built of marble and decorated with the most ex-quisite inlay work, it required the labours of 20,000 men and is estimated to have cost around 3 million rupees to complete (at today's prices that equates to around $70 million). After driving back to the hotel for breakfast, we then leave the city later this morning, heading towards the wonderful 'Pink City' of Jaipur. Our journey takes us via the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, for a brief time the capital of the Mughals under Akbar the Great. Founded in 1569 it was deserted just 16 years later, following the emperor's death and today it remains a ghostly testament to the majesty and power of 16th century Mughal India. Visiting the site with a local guide we take in the splendour of its perfectly preserved imperial court and the grandeur of the 5-storey Panch Mahal. We will also see the courtyard and pachisi board, where the emperor played an Indian equivalent of chess, using slave girls as pieces. Perhaps the finest of all the city's monuments though is the lotus shaped carved central pillar of the Diwan-i- Khas (Hall of Private Audience), a magnificent column of matchless proportions that supports the vaulted roof of Akbar's old debating room. Following our visit we will continue on to Jaipur, arriving in the city later this afternoon. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: In Jaipur

This morning we pay a visit to the once mighty Rajput capital of Amber and its magnificent for-tress. Lying at the mouth of a rocky mountain gorge, overlooking Maotha Lake, the fort is a stun-ning creation of white marble and red sandstone that contains a dazzling mix of Hindu and Mus-lim ornamentation, including the breathtaking mirrored halls of the Sheesh Mahal. Today it pre-sents visitors with a staggering insight into the lives of the Rajput rulers and there may be an op-tion to take an elephant ride up to the fort to enter the complex in the style of the princes of old. This afternoon we plan to take in the unique majesty of the Hawa Mahal, the famous ' Palace of the Winds', whose extraordinary façade of red and pink sandstone towers some 5 storeys above the city streets. We'll also visit the remarkable 18th century observatory of Jantar Mantar, the fas-cinating creation of Maharaja Jai Singh II, before moving on to the opulent splendour of the City Palace, a rich fusion of Moghul and Rajasthani design that houses an armoury and a museum that is home to a dazzling array of costumes, manuscripts and inlaid grandeur. The rest of the afternoon will then be free to explore or shop at your leisure. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 6: AM train to Ajmer. Drive to Pushkar

A morning train takes us on to the city of Ajmer, a famous Muslim pilgrimage centre that is home to the tomb of a 13th century Sufi saint. Lying some 130 km from Jaipur it lies sandwiched be-tween the waters of the Ana Sagar Lake and the Aravali Hills and our train should get us into the city around lunchtime. From here we then transfer by jeep to the nearby town of Pushkar, an im-portant Hindu pilgrimage site and the setting for one of the most famous camel fairs in all Rajast-han. Set besides the shores of Lake Pushkar, to the northwest of Ajmer, the town is one of the oldest in India and is revered as one of the 5 sacred dhams of the Hindus, boasting one of the few temples to Brahma (the Hindu god of creation) anywhere on the planet. Later this afternoon there is an opportunity to take a camel ride out into the surrounding sands of the Thar Desert, to watch the sun set across the haunting landscapes of the Great Indian Desert (optional). Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 7: AM in Pushkar. PM train to Udaipur

For those that wish, this morning offers a chance to take a hike up into the nearby hills to visit the Savitri temple for sunrise (optional). Dedicated to Brahma's first wife, the temple lies at the end of a long series of steps that run behind the Brahma Temple and from its lofty vantage point the views out across the lake and the surrounding dunes offer a breathtaking setting from which to watch the arriving dawn. The rest of the day is then free to explore a little more of Pushkar, taking in its lake and perhaps visiting some of its colourful bazaars, before we transfer to the railway station for the afternoon train on to Udaipur. Arriving later this evening we then transfer to our hotel for a two night stay in this most enchanting of cities. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Free in Udaipur

Set before a serene backdrop of forested hills, this is without doubt one of Rajasthan's most ele-gant and sublime settings: a city of temples, palaces and gardens that is considered by many to be amongst the most beautiful in the state. Founded in 1559, by Maharaja Udai Singh II, today it encompasses some of the finest architectural examples of Rajput design and excess anywhere in India. With a free day to explore, you might like to take in the lakeside ghats and the dhobi wal-lahs, who come down to the shore to wash clothes before the setting of Udaipur's regal grandeur. Other possibilities include a visit to the sumptuous City Palace, one of Udaipur's most iconic buildings and a magnificent edifice of towers and cupolas, halls and balconies that overlooks the waters of Pichola Lake. Built over the centuries by a string of Maharajahs, the palace is true opu-lence on a grand scale and provides a fascinating insight into the rule of what is believed to be the oldest dynasty on the planet. Other possibilities for today include a boat trip on the lake to visit the Lake Palace Hotel, or perhaps a chance to venture into the surrounding countryside on bicy-cles, the ideal way to contrast life in the villages with the regal monuments of the city. Other alter-natives include visits to the Eklingi Temple and Bagore Ki Haveli, whilst a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola, presents this idyllic setting in all its majestic glory. Please be aware that during the dry season the water levels on the lake can drop considerably, and in the event of a poor monsoon season dry up completely. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Drive to Deogarh

Today we drive to the small community of Deogarh, where we begin our Community Engagement Programme. We will be working in conjunction with a group called 'people and places , an organi-sation that was founded to address the real need for positive and long term change through a unique model of ethical volunteering. The journey down to Deogarh will take us some 6 hours and on arrival we will meet up with our local project co-ordinators to learn a little something of the days ahead. Our accommodation has been in the Rawat family for generations and we will be staying at the Deogarh Khayyam for the next few nights, living in comfortable heritage tents that lie amongst groves of eucalyptus trees besides a tranquil lake. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 10: In Deogarh

Accompanied by our local representative, we will take a tour of the Chitardai School today, meet-ing with the school principal and his dedicated team. The plan over the coming days is for you to work either at Chitardai, or else at one of three other government schools in and around Deogarh that are supported by the Mahal family. Chitardai Primary School provides basic education for 160 children, ranging from 6-14 years of age and whilst resources are limited, the school has cre-ated a stimulating environment for the children to learn in. It is these types of environments that we will be going in to help, offering support in basic English literacy and experiential learning and in our turn enjoying a genuinely rich heritage experience. You will be allocated roles for the next few days and then you will have a chance to spend some time observing the classroom activities, and help gain an understanding how the school works. Many of the children here come from vil-lages where subsistence farming generates the main source of income for the majority of the families and these schools serve those children who come from extremely disadvantaged com-munities, where for the most part neither parent can read or write. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Orientation day

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 12 to 13: In Deogarh - communty engagement

Over the course of the next few days we will work with the local school community enjoying the unique interaction that comes with such close involvement. There will be ample opportunity to engage with the children and staff and take an active part in the school day, with opportunities to help the children learn through play activities, sports and nature walks. There may also be a chance to help to create local craft work to sell to support the community, thereby directly contrib-uting to the lives of both the children and their families – one of the many potential activities Each evening we return to our hotel to enjoy some delicious home-made Rajasthani cooking and a chance to speak with the family members, to learn a little something of the history and the tradi-tions of this area. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: In Deogarh

Today is all about celebrating what we have achieved here over the past few days, offering the community a chance to say farewell in their own way, whether it be with presentations, music and dance, or perhaps even a school sports day. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Depart community and drive to Nimaj

Saying good-bye to the community this morning, we then drive on to Nimaj in the Marwar region of Rajasthan. Our destination is one of the oldest heritage properties in the country, the sumptu-ous Nimaj Palace, home to 23 generations of the Rathore clan of the Rajputs. The 4 hour journey should get us there in time to relax a little, before an afternoon's journey by Kabila jeep to visit the villages and hamlets that surround the palace. During our tour we will have a chance to visit the settlements of local shepherds and kalbeilas (snake charmers), as well as the communities that belong to the Bishnoi people, a unique tribe who, over the centuries, have developed a remark-able bond with nature, one that they are willing to lay down their lives to protect. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 16: Drive to Jodhpur. PM visit to Meherangarh Fort

This morning we drive to Jodhpur, where its impregnable fortress commands a superb panorama of the surrounding countryside. The city itself is steeped in the traditions of its rich past and its captivating streets are liberally sprinkled many fine old buildings and temples. The city's majestic Meherangarh Fort straddles the top of a steep escarpment 125 metres above the plains, with a sheer drop to the south where it overlooks the city. Late this afternoon we will pay a visit to this imposing monument, affording us some wonderful views not only across Jodhpur, but also way into the distance across the surrounding desert plains. The Rajput palace buildings that lie within the fort are typically Mughal; very ornate and opulently flamboyant, but also very practical and built with defence in mind. Following the visit we will then walk down to the Clock-tower in the heart of the city's bustling bazaar, where there will be some free time to explore at your own pace. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Day 17: AM free. Overnight train to Delhi.

A free morning in Jodhpur allows more leisure time in the city, before we transfer to the railway station to catch the overnight train back to Delhi. Overnight Train (U)

Day 18: In Delhi

Arriving in Delhi early this morning we will drive to our hotel and check-in, after which you are free to relax and enjoy the city at your own leisure. Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast