*India Travel with Heart
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Every Village Experience Responsible Tourism Program Includes the Following:
- One on one consultation with our travel experts
- Private registration and trip page
- Pretrip Packet
- Handpicked accommodations
- Experienced Private Guide
- Artisan shopping opportunities
- Our favorite tour activities
- Donation to one of TVE’s community partners
India is a magical place that will awaken your senses. From the bright, beautiful colors of the women’s saris to the intoxicating smell of curry to the constant rush of traffic, India will exhilarate you. India’s landscape is vast and varied…from the grand Himalayan Mountains and the Thar Desert to the tiger filled jungle of Rathambore and the backwaters of Kerala. One could visit India 100 times and not see everything this incredible country has to offer. While the Taj Mahal may be the most famous monument for its beauty in design and intent, add The Amber Fort, Hawa Mahal, The Elephanta Caves, Qutub Minar, and many more Unesco World Heritage Sites to your must-see list.
A visit to India would not be complete without exploring the incredible handicraft. Wander through the markets, visit an artisan weaving cooperative, and support local communities through purchasing goods of all kinds, especially in the quaint towns of Rajasthan and Shantiniketan.
Did we mention the food? Indian cuisine is rooted in the rich preservation of culture through use of spices and techniques handed down through the generations. You will leave dreaming about masalas, dosas and curries.
Book your next trip to India today!
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrive to Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Meet your representative and transfer to hotel for the evening.
Day 2 – Spend today on a tour of New Delhi including visits to Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar, and the Red Fort. After lunch, spend some time walking around the Lodi Gardens. Return to hotel in the afternoon.
Day 3 – Morning drive to Agra. Visit Sheroes Hangout for lunch. We love this social enterprise restaurant that employs survivors of acid attacks and gives them a bright future to look forward to. Watch their documentary, order lunch, and shop their small boutique. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the tomb of Akbar the Great. Check into hotel.
Day 4 – Sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal. This mausoleum was commissioned in 1632 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is a love story for all times! Then, drive to Jaipur in Rajasthan. Visit the Patrika Gate upon arrival and check into heritage hotel.
Day 5 – Morning walking tour of Jaipur – the pink city! Visit Hawa Mahal, known as the House of Wind. Then proceed to City Palace – home of the Royal Family since the 1700s. Stop for a traditional Rajasthani lunch. Then enjoy walking through the markets and old town. Return to hotel in the afternoon.
Day 6 – Morning visit to the city of Amer for a tour of the stepwells and old temples. Proceed on to visit the Amber Fort dating back to the 1500s. After lunch, visit the Royals tombs at Gaitor Ki Chhatriyan. Return to hotel in the afternoon.
Day 7 – Transfer to airport for flight to Kolkata. Upon arrival, check into hotel and relax for the evening.
Day 8 – Enjoy a tour of Kolkata today including stops at the morning flower market, Victoria Memorial Palace, Mother Teresa’s Home, a beautiful temple, and lunch on Park Street. Return to hotel in the afternoon.
Day 9 – Meet our partners from Women’s Interlink Foundation and travel to one of the child care homes we support to meet the kids and administrators, see the income-generating projects (spice grinding, block printing, screen printing, and more), and enjoy lunch prepared by the hospitality program. Be ready to purchase incredible handmade items that directly support young women and the organization.
Day 10 – Morning drive to Shantiniketan for a real “village experience.” Check into your accommodations in the village of Bolpur built and funded by The Village Experience. This adorable guesthouse contains handmade beds built by the local woodworking workshop and block printed sheets and decorations made by textile artisans. Enjoy a walk through the village and a visit to a small market for handicrafts. Then watch local song and dance performed by the village musicians. Settle in for the evening.
Day 11 – Enjoy a traditional breakfast in the morning. Head out on tuktuks for a tour of the area stopping at a leather making workshop, a temple, and the university. Return to guesthouse for a cooking class and handicraft demonstration.
Day 12 – Morning drive back to Kolkata. Catch afternoon flight to New Delhi. Check into airport accommodations for the evening.
Day 13 – Transfers to airport for onward flight home.