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India: Women's Expedition

12 Days | Get a glimpse into the lives of Indian women on this adventure through colourful Rajasthan

5 out of 5 based on 55 reviews submitted.
Women's Expedition
From
ZAR  21,773
View dates and book

Journey between the cities, villages and desert of Rajasthan and gain a unique insight into the lives of Indian women. With an all-women group and local female leader, this 12-day women’s expedition will immerse you in the culture and history of the region, as seen through the eyes of the women who live here. Starting in energetic Delhi, travel in the female-only carriage on the metro, then head out to the Thar Desert in jeeps to meet local women and enjoy a traditional Kalbeliya dance performance. In the village of Chandelao Garh, visit a project empowering female artisans and join an inspiring rickshaw tour of Jaipur with a female guide from the Pink City Rickshaw Co. This is India like you’ve never seen before.

Trip overview

Map of India: Women's Expedition including India
Start
Delhi, India
Finish
Delhi, India
Theme
Women's Expedition
Destinations
India
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
HHSL
This trip generates 47 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Get to know northern India through the lives of the women who live there as you explore with a female leader, ride in women-only carriages on the metro and meet inspiring local women throughout your journey.
  • Head to the rural desert village of Chandelao Garh, where a local project provides female artisans with employment and education while preserving traditional craft practices. Check out their handicrafts and hear their stories.
  • Take jeeps into the Thar Desert and enjoy an exclusive Kalbeliya dance performed by local women at a desert camp. Enjoy some quality one-on-one time with the dancers while the gentlemen prepare dinner.
  • Visit a local woman's home and select a saree and accessories to wear on your visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world inspired by the extraordinary love of an exceptional woman.
  • See the highlights of Jaipur and get to know your female driver on a tour with the eco-friendly Pink City Rickshaw Company, a non-profit providing employment and economic independence to women from low-income households.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Positive Change for Marine Life. Donations help them to nurture ocean health with community-led conservation initiatives that inspire coastal restoration, sustainable fishing practices and waste-management. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Is this trip right for you?
  • This trip involves some long train journeys but entertaining chaiwalas, food vendors and conversations with local travellers make these unforgettable experiences. For your security, we recommend you take a lock for your hand luggage on the trains.
  • While beautiful and atmospheric, our Thar Desert camp is very simple, with cots set up under the stars and very basic bathroom facilities. More details can be found on Day 3 of the itinerary.
  • Don’t underestimate the weather at any time of year in India. In the summer months, the heat can be extreme. In winter, some travellers have been surprised by the cool evenings. A hat, sunscreen, and clothing that can be layered will serve you well year-round.
  • You’ll visit several temples on this trip, which require a level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.
  • In extreme cases, long drives or trains can be delayed and occasionally cancelled due to heavy fog, but alternative arrangements will be made. Please see the transport section of the Essential Trip Information for details.

Itinerary

Map of India: Women's Expedition including India

Inclusions

Meals

3 breakfasts, 5 dinners

Transport

Auto rickshaw, Bus, Car, Cycle rickshaw, Jeep, Metro, Train, Private vehicle, Shuttle bus

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights), Camping with basic facilities (1 night)

Activities
  • Delhi - Welcome dinner
  • Thar Desert - Kalbeliya Dance Performance
  • Thar Desert - Jeep Adventure
  • Jaisalmer - City Tour
  • Jodhpur - Meherangarh Fort
  • Jodhpur - Sadar Bazaar
  • Jodhpur - City Walk
  • Chandelao Garh - Village Walk
  • Chandelao Garh - Sundar Rang Crafts Centre Visit
  • Nimaj - Leader-led village walk
  • Nimaj - Henna painting
  • Nimaj - Dance performance
  • Nimaj - Rangoli making
  • Chandelao Garh - Morning Yoga
  • Jaipur - Leader-led orientation walk
  • Jaipur - Bollywood movie at Raj Mandir
  • Jaipur - Amber Fort
  • Jaipur - City tour with The Pink City Rickshaw Company
  • Jaipur - Home-cooking Class
  • Agra - Saree lesson
  • Agra - Taj Mahal
  • Agra - Agra Fort Visit
  • Delhi - Dilli Haat INA Visit
  • Delhi - Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple)
  • Delhi - Visit to the Jama Masjid Mosque
  • Delhi - Leader-led Old Delhi walking & rickshaw tour
Add on activities
  • Delhi - Humayun's Tomb - INR600
  • Delhi - Qutub Minar - INR600
  • Delhi - Red Fort - INR600
  • Jaipur - City Palace - INR800
  • Jaipur - Jantar Mantar Observatory - INR200
  • Jaipur - Balloon Safari - USD280

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 3 (Camping) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. Hot air balloon flights are operated by Sky Waltz in Jaipur. Flights operate mornings from September to April and morning and evening from September to March. Morning flights depart around sunrise and evening flights late afternoon and last 60 mins. Return transfers, tea and coffee plus light refreshments and a certificate of flight are included in the cost. You can register your interest and pay your tour leader at your joining meeting on day 1 of your trip. Payment must be made by cash in either INR/AUD/USD/GBP only and is USD$260pp (subject to change). Flights are subject to ticket availability and weather conditions. Tickets are fully refundable in case of poor weather.

3. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

5 out of 5 based on 55 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Kelly · Traveled February 2024
What a journey! Not only did I learn so much about Rajasthan, but I learned a lot about myself, too! I highly recommend this tour!
Review submitted 10 Mar 2024

SANDRA · Traveled February 2024
Our guide ANJALI. GIVE * THE * WOMAN * A * RAISE. She was also our bodyguard. The harassment from men was relentless and she handled it like a pro! She made my trip to India so special and memorable, and I always felt safe. I could not have made it through India without her. BEST.GUIDE.EVER.
Review submitted 26 Feb 2024

Tamar · Traveled February 2024
Amazing trip! We had a full group of 12 fabulous women ranging in age from 27 to 78 from all over the world. I loved meeting all of them and we really stayed together as a group most of the time and got along well. Note it is fine to have a rolling suitcase just make sure you can carry it up or down stairs. Also be prepared for a long train ride at the beginning. It's a bit difficult but everything is great after that.
Review submitted 25 Feb 2024

Sheila · Traveled February 2024
This holiday was amazing. Anjeli is an inspiration. Dont hesitate if you can cope with the inevitable challenges travel in India poses
Review submitted 23 Feb 2024

Cynthia · Traveled February 2024
The women's expedition to India was the most awesome I trip ever experienced! We saw and experienced so much in our 12 days! Awesome forts, museums, shopping and wearing saris to the Taj Mahal were some of the incredible experiences. We also spent time relaxing in rural villages in nice resorts. To top it we had the best guide ever, Anjali!
Review submitted 07 Mar 2024
India: Women's Expedition
From
ZAR  21,773