Information

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Included: 

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• 14 nights accomodation in hotels.

• 1 night camping

• Airport pickup and drop off in New Delhi.

• All transport throughout the trip via trains, buses, and private cars.

• Flight from Dharamsala to Delhi

• Local female guide.

• Yoga classes and workshops.

• 14 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 7 Dinners.

• Entry tickets to all destinations on itinerary including Taj Mahal, Amer Fort, and more.

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Not Included:

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• Flights to India

• Visa fees

• Travel Insurance

• Tips

• Some lunches and Dinners (budget $5-$15 per meal)

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Weather:

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November is one of the best months to travel North India as its the dry season, so there wont be any pesky monsoon's dampening our spirits, and the days wont be too hot! The temperatures in the day time will be a fresh 18 - 22 degrees, while night times can get colder to 10 degrees. So you will need to bring winter layers. 

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Transport

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India is a huge country, and even though we are only visiting the North we will be covering a lot of KM's in our journey! To make this travel time as enjoyable as possible, we will primarily be using the amazing network of trains which cover the countryside. This way you get to enjoy the view out the window, with the freedom to wander around the carriages, make use of the dinning carts, meet local people and experience how daily life operates in India. The trains in India have several "classes" and types of carriages, we will be travelling in the upper classes which have air conditioning and allocated seating, however no promises there might not be an animal or two on the train!

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It also wouldn't be a complete trip to India without a night on a sleeper train. We will have one night where we will experience this for the longest leg of our journey from Udaipur back to Delhi. Sleeper trains are so much more comfortable than you might think, and a lot of fun! They are proper bunk beds with sheets, pillows and curtains; and at night the lights get dimmed and temperature controlled. They are safe and commonly used by travellers and locals alike.

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We will also use some private cars and buses to take us between destinations and hotels, as well as the traditional Indian Rickshaw, which is possibly the most fun mode of travel! You wont be able to wipe the smile of your dial as you ride around in the backseat squished with your friends feeling the wind in your hair!

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How to dress in India:

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"All personal opinions and fashion preferences aside, the reality is that the clothing you wear in India will affect the way you're perceived by locals. India is still a male-dominated and mostly conservative society, with an equally conservative dress code in most parts of the country. Below are some handy tips:

• Cover your shoulders, cleavage and thighs

• Avoid wearing thin spaghetti strap tops, mini-skirts or shorts, and tight clothing – tight jeans are fine, as long as you wear a long, loose top or shirt over them

• Only wear swimwear at the beach – and perhaps consider wearing a loose t-shirt over your swimwear when you're in a smaller, more remote destination

• Opt for loose-fitting shirts, t-shirts, long dresses, knee-level or below-knee shorts, pants and skirts

• Clothing made from linen or a linen blend is great to wear in hot weather 

• Suss your surroundings and dress in a similar way – generally, touristy or modern cities like Mumbai are more liberal and relaxed when it comes to clothing than smaller towns and villages or holy places like Varanasi

• If in doubt, always err on the side of modest when choosing your outfits – many travelers dress like a local and buy a few pairs of harem pants or tunics to wear not just while they're here, but also at home."

- Intrepid Travel

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What to pack: 

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• Winter clothes (temps will be around 22° in day time and 10° minimum at night)

• Enclosed comfy walking shoes

• Sandals/ slip ons

• Swimmers 

• Hat

• Toiletries

• Camera/gopro

• International adapter

• Battery pack for long bus rides/trains

• Water bottle - there will be safe refillable drinking water

• Ear plugs - good for sleeping on trains/buses and in busy cities

• Mosquito repellant

• Sunscreen

• Book

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Notes for Packing:

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You will need to be able to carry your luggage for short distances between hotels and sometimes up and down stairs, so the less you bring, the easier this will be. Generally, I would say try and keep your bag to about 15kg or less. You'll have a much or enjoyable experience if you dont feel so over-encumbered, and if you realise you havent brought enough, you can always buy more clothes there! Its far more common to regret bringing "too much" rather than "not enough".

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Meeting point:

 

We will be meeting in New Delhi, India, on the 4th of November. You can book your flight arriving in on the 4th or earlier. We will be having our official "meet and greet" around 5pm on the 4th, so it would be good to arrive earlier than that to give you time to settle in. 

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A driver will be waiting for you at New Delhi airport with your name on a card ready to bring you to the hotel. 

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Finish point:

 

We will arrive back to New Delhi on the 18th of November and stay that night in a hotel, so you should book your exit flight on the 19th or later.

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Visa:

 

All tourists entering India require a Visa. You will need to obtain an e-Tourist Visa online before entering India (there is no visa on arrive). This application must be submitted at least 4 days before traveling as it takes time to process. I recommend doing it a few weeks in advance so you dont forget. 

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There is only ONE official page for Indian visa, it is this:

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https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html

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There are other mirror websites and scam websites which offer visa services, dont use them.

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The application process is simple and you can select either 30 day tourist visa or 1 year tourist visa. Just click 'apply here for e-visa' and follow the prompts. There is a small fee.

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Covid Vaccines:

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There is currently no requirement to be vaccinated or provide negative PCR test results to enter India.

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Travel Insurance:

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Travel Insurance is compulsary for this trip, you will need to send confirmation of your insurance to info@wildwomenjourneys.com before the trip begins. There are lots of different companys offering travel insurance with different prices, so do some comparing and find the insurance which fits best for you. Make sure it includes surfing and medical assistance.

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Itinerary:

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Day 1: Arrive to Delhi
Welcome to India! Let’s begin our adventure to India with its capital city Delhi! After arrival at the Delhi airport, you will be received by our representative who will arrange transfer for you to your hotel. Delhi is one of the biggest metropolitan cities in India with extremely rich heritage. Its strategic location along the north-south, east-west route has given it a focal position in Indian history and many great empires have ruled from here for centuries making it historically prime location of India. Your adventurous experience begins with a welcome meeting with your tour leader in the evening at the hotel. After the meeting, head out for a nice welcome dinner with the group to enjoy the best Indian meal.
 

Accomodation:

Hotel Taj princess or similar

 

Meals:

Dinner

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Day 2: Old Delhi Sightseeing and Dinner with the local family
Start your day with a walking tour to Old Delhi. It’s going to be a day full of adventures and local experiences. Get ready to take the metro and visit one of the historical Sikh Temples constructed in 18th century and walk down the narrow alleys of the Old Delhi market, Chandni Chowk to have a cup of Chai from a local street shop while soaking in the sights and senses of this incredible place. This morning we will learn about the religions, culture and history of India along with a rickshaw ride. We’ll also visit Asia’s biggest Spice Market, Khari Baoli and explore a variety of flavours and aromas. Late afternoon, we’ll enjoy a unique experience visiting a local Indian family for dinner and learning more about local life. We will be visiting a suburb of Delhi for a cooking demonstration on how to cook Indian food and learn about Indian spices.

 

Accommodation:

Hotel taj princess or similar
 

Meals:

Breakfast & Dinner

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Day 3: Delhi to Agra

Today we will be driving to Agra and visiting the Taj Mahal! Sure to be a highlight of your time in india.

 

Accomodation:

Atulya Taj or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

 

Day 4: Agra to Delhi

Explore the beautiful Agra Fort and drive back to Delhi.

Accomodation:

Taj Princess or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

 

Day 5: Rishikesh
Get ready to travel to the Yoga Capital, Rishikesh. We will be travelling by one of the best trains to this beautiful city where the holy river ganges flows. It would be a journey of 4 hours till we reach the city and take transportation from Hardiwar to Rishikesh which is around an hour. The stunning city of ashrams, Rishikesh is a beautiful destination in Uttarakhand offering mind-blowing Ganga views. Set amid wild mountains, Risikesh is the spiritual and Yoga capital of India visited by solitude seekers from across the globe. We will be staying at a beautiful Ashram in Rishikesh where you would enjoy the lifestyle of Yogi. With all meals and yoga classes, the ashram will introduce you to the Yogi Culture and roots of Hinduism. Unleash your inner self on these days of visit in Rishikesh.

 

Accomodation:

Akand Yoga Ashram or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 6: Rishikesh
After breakfast, we will do a city walk and visit the Beatles Ashram which would explain the western influence in the city and the influence of meditation this city has on the world. We’ll come back to the ashram for lunch and have some free time. In the evening we will attend an Aarti ceremony by the river.

 

Accomodation:

Akand Yoga Ashram or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 7: Rishikesh
A day to relax, enjoy the ashram life, learn about Ayurveda and explore Rishikesh.

 

Accomodation:

Akand Yoga Ashram

 

Meals:

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

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Day 8: Rishikesh – Amritsar

Our last day exploring Rishikesh before we hop on the train for our overnight journey to Amritsar. The train ride is 11 hours.

 

Accomodation:

Overnight train

 

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 9: Amritsar
We’ll reach Amritsar by 9am and head to the hotel to freshen up and have breakfast before we go explore.

 

We’ll spend the afternoon exploring the Golden Temple, hearing stories and learning about the history of Sikhism. This temple is an important place or worship for the Sikh religion and people come here on pilgrimages from all over. After exploring and learning, we will enjoy a delicious dinner in the market.

 

Accomodation:

The Fern Residency or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

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Day 10: Amritsar
Morning at leisure (you can visit markets or go to Jallianwala Bagh museum), in the afternoon we will visit the iconic Wagah Border and experience the unreal energy. The daily highlight is the evening “Beating the Retreat” ceremony. Soldiers from both countries march in perfect drill, going through the steps of bringing down their respective national flags. As the sun goes down, nationalistic fervour rises and lights are switched on marking the end of the day amidst thunderous applause.

 

Accomodation:

The Fern Residency or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

 

Day 11: Amritsar to Dharamsala
Today’s journey through the mountains today is an adventure in itself. Travel by private vehicle for the 5 hour drive along bumpy, winding roads to Dharamsala, also known as McLeod Ganj. Strung with prayer flags and busy with robed monks strolling between monasteries, this hilltop retreat is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile.

Spend the afternoon wandering the peaceful streets, which are set to the backdrop of the Himalayas. There’s a lot to gain here from learning about the many facets of Tibetan Buddhism.

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Accomodation:

Hotel the Nest or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

 

Day 12: Dharamsala (McLeod Ganj)
Today, visit the fascinating Norbulingka Institute, developed to train Tibetan refugees in skills needed to preserve the traditional arts and crafts of Tibet. Its grounds feature a beautiful temple and several workshops where you can see woodcarving, painting, and needlework in action. Then make your way to the Tsuglag Khang complex to see the Dalai Lama’s temple. You may also like to visit the Losel Doll Museum, which is a great way to learn about the daily lives and customs of people all over Tibet.

In the evening, you can opt for optional cooking class or sound healing workshop. Enjoy the mall road, the café culture of Mcleodganj.
 

Accomodation:

Hotel the Nest or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

 

Day 13: Triund Trek​

The trek commences from McLeodganj, which is also called by the name – Little Lhasa. It is one of the best travel destinations in India which is famed for its unique mix of Tibetan and British culture. It is a beautiful town and also home to the beloved Dalai Lama. Sublime hills and lush plantations and patches of green cover this little town of dreams. Moving on from this place, we reach the marvellous and intricate architectural structure – the temple of Gallu. Amazing sceneries and views encircle the temple which can make one gaze in amazement. Triund trek is 8 kms one side which takes around 5 to 6 hours. The trek will start at 11 am from the base camp, 6 hours to the triund top. Stay in tents, please note that these are basic camp tents with no washroom facilities like general treks.

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Accomodation:

Camping in tents

 

Meals:

Breakfast, Dinner

 

Day 14: Triund Trek

After breakfast we’ll trek back to Dharamsala Base Camp and back to the hotel for some rest time.

 

Accomodation:

Hotel the Next or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch

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Day 15: Flight back to Delhi​

Take a flight back to Delhi and enjoy a farewell dinner.

 

Accomodation:

Hotel Taj Princess or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

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Day 16: Goodbye India! :(

After breakfast at the hotel you can depart at any time. Your transfer to the airport is included with our private driver. Just let us know beforehand what time you would like to leave. 

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Accomodation:

Not included

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Meals:

Breakfast