INDIA
$4500 per person
Namaste! Honk! Beep! Holy Cow! “City and village” is the name of this tour. And a DREAM COME TRUE to offer you. Long before WorldTowning was even a twinkle in our travel eyes we spent several months in India. We fell in love. When we started hosting group trips we always knew we wanted to host a trip in India one day. Well, that day has come. We will take 15 curious guests to magical India for 13 days!
This tour has us starting in the hustle and bustle of Delhi to get complete immersion and crack that shell of what India has to offer. Next we will slow it down a notch in the spiritual city of Varanasi after a 13 hour sleeper train. How is that for adventure to start it all off? We will learn how to shop like a local, discover the history of India by way of walking its ancient streets, ride a boat down the Ganges and float a candle in a cup, we will learn about silk making, go deep on the Taj and that is only the first five days. You will not go away from this tour feeling like you did not fill that cup.
More details will be available late June.
Join us and your fellow WorldTowning Voyagers for thirteen days of learning, eating, walking, crafting, culture and more in India! Does this sound amazing? The experience is all that, and more.
For details scroll up to the tabs at the top of the page for a daily breakdown of the itinerary.
The FAQ page answers many of the questions you may have about vaccines, cancellations, insurance, etc.
Price is based on double occupancy and a shared room.
If the trip is full, please join the wait list at jessica@worldtowningvoyages.com and be sure to follow us on all social media for the latest updates to new trips.
*We have a 15 person minimum that must be met in order to offer this trip. DO NOT purchase your flights until we have confirmed trip minimum has been met.
*All guests must be fully Covid vaccinated and willing to comply with local Covid policies, as well as purchase trip insurance.
-
Destinations
-
Departure Date
December 30, 2024 -
Return Date
January 11, 2024 -
Level of Difficulty
Minimum age 13 and recommended maximum 64. This trip is very active, requires extensive mobility, energy and is NOT for everyone, as much as we wish it was. If you struggle with physical activity, have accessibility needs or need special care, then India with WTV is not for you. We will not have access to alternative modes of transportation (cabs, buses, etc.) while on walking tours, which means you will need to walk, even if you are struggling and all while in the heat. India has a level of temperature far beyond any other trip we have offered. Varanasi, Delhi, Agra Low 49 - High 72. Jaipur Low 48 - High 76. We will not always be in air conditioned spaces while out during the day. This is also an emotionally hard trip. You will witness poverty and smells like you have probably never seen before. Some people thrive on this, some do not. Please consider your reaction to the extremes before registering, it is ok if it is too much for you to take in. As a general rule, you should exercise regularly, be able to walk up to 5 miles per day on cobblestone, climb 4 flights of steep stairs (without railings and elevators), walk moderate inclines and be able to drag or carry your belongings on wobbly streets for several blocks (all in extreme heat). WTV cannot stress enough how important it is to realistically address your ability for yourself and for the courtesy of other travelers. -
Included
AccommodationsActivities/ToursGift BasketLive Q & AMeals during tripNational Park FeesPersonal GuidesPrivate FB GroupTransportationWelcome PartyWorldTowning Swag -
Not Included
AlcoholArrival Day MealsArrival TransportationCovid testing (if applicable)Departure Day MealsDeparture TransportationEquipment RentalFlights to CountryFlights Within CountryLaundry, Phone Calls, Room ServiceMeals (breakfast and dinner)non-alcoholic drinks (not offered for free at meals)PortersSouvenirsTipping at the RestroomsTips for GuidesTrip InsuranceVegetarian Options
From Our Gallery
Be our guest and see it for yourself.
For all the images click on gallery above.
1
DELHI (December 30)
ARRIVAL
Make yourself comfortable in the accommodations. We'll gather in the evening to commence our trip. Please note: You are welcome to arrive earlier and explore on your own prior to the start date. Our trip officially begins December 30th in the evening. We can't wait to meet all of you.
As a warm welcome, we would like to invite you to a meet n' greet cocktail on the evening you arrive. If you will be arriving late, don't worry as we will do a more formal welcome at breakfast in the morning. In addition, we will have a culture expert join us for 1 hour to educate us on nuances we should be aware of, basic language, the caste system, how to dress and much more.
Get a good night's sleep because tomorrow we rock and roll!
2
DELHI (December 31)
OPENING BREAKFASTThis is the first official day of our voyage together. We will all meet at the opening breakfast to discuss the day, address any questions, and meet those of you who got in late the night before and missed the meet n' greet.
OLD DELHI HISTORICAL TOUR
Explore bustling Chandni Chowk bazaar while learning about the history of Old Delhi. Sample some favorite street food and the famous spice market. We will also visit Jama Masjid Mosque and Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple).
RICKSHAW RIDE
We will take our first of many rickshaw rides today. Get your adventure caps on.
LUNCH
TBD
DINNER FOOD TOUR
During this walking tour we will learn a bit of history while devouring shallow potato patties, deep fried stuffed flat bread, the Indian version of the pretzel, Kebabs, Korma, rice pudding and Indian ice cream.
*Toast the New Year in style with our group!
3
DELHI (January 1)
BREAKFASTWe will have breakfast at our accommodations.
SHOPPING TOUR
Traverse the lanes of the local markets and learn the Indian way of shopping. Bargain, negotiate until you are satisfied, save lots of money while you buy good quality stuff at affordable price. Buy clothes, jewelry, gadgets etc. at Chandini Chowk, Connaught place, Janpath, Sarojini Market, Lajpat Nagar, Shankar Market, etc.
This will be your opportunity to have a custom sari made to take home.
LUNCH
During our shopping tour.
DINNER
TBD
NIGHT TRAIN
13 hour sleeper train to Varanasi.
4
VARANASI (January 2)
BREAKFASTTBD
WALKING TOUR
The land of Varanasi has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. It is the holiest city in Hinduism. The old city tour will be filled with fantastic views, amazing folklore, history & insight into local customs and traditions.
LUNCH
TBD
REST OR YOGA
We will spend the afternoon resting. Or taking a yoga class at a local studio.
DINNER & SARNATH
At dusk the Ganga Aarti ceremony is performed whereby small offerings are given to the Goddess Ganga. An aarti is a devotional ritual using fire and it’s common to place a small candle inside a cup made from leaves and flowers and float it down the river. The ritual happens every single day and we will be participating.
5
VARANASI (January 3)
BREAKFASTTBD
BOAT RIDE ON GANGES
As the sun rises you will see those who flock to the riverside for morning worship. On our boat ride we will hear the interesting history of the ghats and their patronage by the Maharajas who built them.
The adventure ends with a short walking tour around a hidden sun temple or a fantastic sunrise view from the riverside. .
LUNCH
TBD
SILK MARKET TOUR
We will visit the Banarasi silk weaver’s village which will give us a glimpse into a weaver’s life and their art of weaving.
Next we will venture to the silk factories & weaving centers and see some of the most exquisite and rare collections of silk sarees, brocade and banarasi sarees.
DINNER
TBD
SLEEP TRAIN
13 hours
6
AGRA (January 4)
BREAKFASTWe will have breakfast at our accommodations.
TAJ MAHAL & AGRA FORT
Experience the beauty of the Mughal Empire of India. You will see famous ancient architecture such as the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, a 16th-century Mughal monument and learn the extensive history of the how, why, what, when and where to how it was built.
LUNCH
TBD
DINNER
Sheroes Cafe
7
AGRA (January 5)
BREAKFASTWe will have breakfast at our accommodations.
MUGHAL ART TOUR OR BLOCK PRINTING
Mughal art is a source of endless fascination, whether one approaches them for purely visual, aesthetic pleasure or pauses to savor the underlying history, culture and symbolism. Experience the everyday artistry and color that can be found in every corner of the Agra on this offbeat and creative world of contemporary Mughal Art.
OR
On this tour we will learn about block printing, the process of printing patterns by means of engraved wooden blocks.
It is the earliest, simplest and slowest of all methods of textile printing. Block printing by hand is a slow process. It is, however, capable of yielding highly artistic results, some of which are unobtainable by any other method.
LUNCH
TBD
REST AFTERNOON
Enjoy your time to recharge
DINNER
TBD
8
TORDI GARH (January 6)
BREAKFASTWe will have breakfast at our accommodations.
DRIVE
8 hours
REMOTE VILLAGE TOUR
This remote and rarely visited village offers a fantastic glimpse of the real Rajasthan region. We will chat with the locals, visit the village temple and wander through the markets.
DINNER
In the village
9
JAIPUR (January 7)
BREAKFASTWe will have breakfast at our accommodations.
DRIVE
3 hours
LUNCH
TBD
BOLLYWOOD DANCE CLASS
Bollywood dancing is a colourful, dynamic and highly theatrical dance style seen in Indian films. It combines classical forms of dance including traditional Indian, folk, salsa, belly-dance while also incorporating more contemporary western forms such as hip hop, jazz and funk.
DINNER
TBD
BOLLYWOOD MOVIE
At Raj Mandir Cinema.
10
JAIPUR/RANTHAMBHORE NATIONAL PARK (January 8)
BREAKFAST
We will have breakfast at our accommodations.
DRIVE
5 hours
RANTHAMBHORE NATIONAL PARK
Once a famous hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur and one of the original Project Tiger reserves this magical land does nothing but delight. Explore the ruins of the park’s 10th-century fort, and in the evening take a 4WD safari in search of tigers and other wildlife, such as hyenas, jackals, deer, langurs, marsh crocodiles, wild boars and birds.
OR
REST DAY
Hotel chill day if you need to recharge.
DINNER
At the hotel or on the drive back to the hotel.
11
JAIPUR (January 9)
BREAKFAST
We will have breakfast at our accommodations.
HENNA ART
We will have henna applied during our breakfast.
MARKET TOUR
Visit the popular markets of the pink city. Stroll and navigate through the busy hustling streets while scoring some great deals on clothes, jewelry, leather products and many more.
COOKING CLASS
As a group we will cook an entire meal from start to finish with a professional chef.
HOT AIR BALLOON RIDE
Jaipur is India’s most vibrant city filled with remnants of the old and progressive transfiguration of the new. One of the most unique ways to witness the city’s beauty is on a thrilling hot air balloon ride! Be transported to another dimension as you get lifted a hundred meters up into the air
DINNER
TBD
12
DELHI (January 10)
BREAKFASTWe will have breakfast at our accommodations.
TRAIN
5 hours
LUNCH
On the train
REST OR PACK
DINNER
TBD
13
DELHI (January 11)
This the last day of the trip and the toughest. Saying goodbye to new friends is never easy, but we like to think of it as "until we meet again!" After our final breakfast, the trip will officially conclude. We will miss all of you terribly!
Leave a Reply
Click here to review the latest requirements for travel during COVID-19.
WTV will require their guests to follow the local regulations pertaining to COVID-19 safety, which may include having a negative COVID test prior to arrival, wearing a mask and/or providing proof of vaccination.