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Holi Festival in India

India is a huge country with so many things to experience and one that we are super excited about is Holi Festival in Rajasthan. Also known as the “festival of colours” or “festival of love” it is one of the most celebrated festivals in India that brings people together and celebrates joy, unity and love. And how they do this? By throwing colours at each other, singing, dancing and eating lots of good food!

 

Although, Holi festival is a huge highlight of the trip, we will also be exploring some other pretty amazing places like the Taj Majal, Jaipur: The Pink City, Pushkar, Udaipur and more! We’ll ride in Tuk Tuks and overnight trains, go wandering through the markets smelling all the spices and looking for treasures, search for the best chai, travel through time learning about the long history of the places we visit, go on safari and so much more.

 

So, if you are ready to experience India in all of its colours, we’d love to have you join us!

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Highlights:

  • Walk the streets of Old Delhi, visiting markets and lap up the smells of Asia’s biggest Spice Market, Khari Baoli.

  • Experience the wonder of the Taj Mahal.

  • Celebrate Holi, the festival of colours.

  • Explore the lake and wander the streets of Pushkar. 

  • Go on safari to hopefuly see leopards in Jawai Bandh!

  • Travel with a bunch of awesome like-minded women.

The Details:

Duration: 16 days

Dates: March 4 - 19, 2025.


Start & Finish: New Delhi, India.

Group size: 12 - 16

Price: $3350 AUD

 

Gallery

Information

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Included: 

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  • 13 nights accomodation in hotels.

  • 1 night in a glamping tent.

  • 1 night on overnight train.

  • Airport pickup and drop off in New Delhi.

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

  • Local female guide.

  • 14 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 3 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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March is a great month to visit North India with max temperatures in the high 20's and low 30's and hardly any rain so there won't be any pesky monsoon's dampening our spirits!

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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 be using the amazing network of trains as well as private transport on buses and cars. We will even get to experience 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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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! There 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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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 and Delhi 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 modesty when choosing your outfits – many travellers 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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  • Warm weather clothes (temps will be high 20's to low 30's during the day and cooler 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 and onto trains, 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 don't feel so over-encumbered, and if you realise you haven't brought enough, you can always buy more clothes there! It's 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 March. 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 March 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. 

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Itinerary:

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Day 1: (March 4th) 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

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Day 2: (March 5th) Old Delhi Sightseeing and Dinner with the local family

Start your day with a walking tour to Old Delhi. It is going to be a day full of adventure 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 site. 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 of Indian spices. Late afternoon, we will be enjoying a special unique experience by visiting a local Indian family for a dinner and learning more about local life. We will be visiting a suburb of Delhi and enjoying a cooking demonstration on how to cook Indian food and learn about Indian spices. End the day enjoying real Indian food.

 

Accommodation:

Hotel taj princess or similar
 

Meals:

Breakfast & Dinner

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Day 3: (March 6th) Delhi to Agra

Drive to Agra in a private air conditioned vehicle (3 hours) and check in to the hotel.
Relax and visit the beautiful Taj Mahal early evening.

 

Accomodation:

Atulya Taj or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

 

Day 4: (March 7th) Drive to Jaipur

After breakfast, we will leave for Jaipur (4 hours) and then we will have a very special unique experience in the evening. We will be enjoying a rickshaw ride with female drivers in their pink rickshaws. Experiencing the busy market lanes, the lit up albert hall museum and enjoying Chai would be one of the highlights of the day. It is a unique innovative initiative which aims to provide a new aspirational employment opportunity to 200 women from low-income households in Jaipur. 

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Workshop on block printing.

 

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Accomodation:

Arya Niwas or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

 

Day 5: (March 8th) Jaipur

Post breakfast, we will be visiting the beautiful Amer Fort this morning. This fort is also

popularly known as the Amber Palace. Amer Fort was built in red sandstone and marble and the Maotha Lake adds a certain charm to the entire Fort. Though the fort is quite old and may even look so from the outside, it is beautiful on the inside and boasts of various buildings of prominence like the 'Diwan-i-Aam', the 'Sheesh Mahal' and even the 'Sukh Mahal'. The Amber Fort has influences of both Hindu and Muslim architecture. Get ready to visit this wonder. Jaipur is not only famous for huge forts and history but also for the traditional Jewellery and gemstones. Jaipur is one of India’s most famous cities, renowned for its stunning architecture and vibrant culture. But it is also known for being a hub for some of the finest gemstones in the world. Market walk in the evening or henna.

 

Accomodation:

Hotel Arya Niwas or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

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Day 6: (March 9th) Pushkar

We will say goodbye to Jaipur and make the journey to Pushkar ( 2 hours drive).
Orientation walk of the city in the afternoon and enjoy the evening markets.

 

Accomodation:

Hotel New Park or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

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Day 7: (March 10th) Pushkar

Visit the brahma temple and the lake and rest of your day is free.

 

Accomodation:

Hotel New Park or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

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Day 8: (March 11th) Pushkar

Enjoy a leisure day with some fun Bollywood dancing with your tour leader.

 

Accomodation:

Hotel New Park or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

 

Day 9: (March 12th) Jodhpur

In the morning after breakfast, we will drive to Jodhpur (4 hours). Reach Jodhpur and enjoy market
time in the evening and visit to Toorji ka jhalra, a beautiful stepwell. The entire market is famous for
nice cafes, whole sale markets and so much more.

 

Accomodation:

Hotel Mandore Guest House or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

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Day 10: (March 13th) Jodhpur

Visit the beautiful mehrangarh fort and experience lunch at the Sambhali trust. Sambhali Trust has worked tirelessly to change the lives of Rajasthani women by providing them with access to formal education, training in traditional income-generating skills such as handicraft production, as well as arranging and monitoring women’s self-help groups, helping them to save money, have access to loans and create small enterprises of their own. They also empower women by teaching them about their human rights and provide refuge, counselling and support in cases of domestic violence, and financial help with legal or medical issues. Join these ladies, have lunch with them and know their struggles and growth. Evening at leisure.

 

Accomodation:

Hotel Mandore Guest House or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 11: (March 14th) Jiwai Bandh (home to leopards) - Holi

After breakfast, we leave for another adventure which is more than a wildlife experience. We will be travelling to the beautiful small village of Rajasthan which is famous the relationship between locals and leopards. The surrounding landscape is a scattering of boulders and craggy caves, swathes of scrubland and grassland, and is divided by the winding river and sand beds. Jawai Bandh is one of the largest water reservoirs in western Rajasthan and is renowned for attracting an impressive array of migratory and non-migratory birds, including the conspicuous and iconic species of open wetlands, the sarus crane. We will leave early morning for a 2.5 hours journey to Jawai and enjoy a small holi celebration in the village.

After some rest, enjoy safari.

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Accomodation:

Glamping tents (airconditioned with attached washrooms) or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

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Day 12: (March 15th) Udaipur
After breakfast, we will drive to Udaipur (3 hours) and explore the city of
lakes. We will also be doing a walk around the old city visiting the beautiful Jagdeesh temple.
In the evening we'll see a cultural dance performance.

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Accomodation:

Hotel Udaigarh or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

 

Day 13: (March 16th) Udaipur​

We will be visiting the mesmerizing City Palace, in the central-northeast part of the Jaipur city, which is laid in a unique pattern with wide avenues. It is a unique and special complex of several courtyards, buildings, pavilions, gardens, and temples. A beautiful fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The palace is still home to the last ruling royal family which lives in a private section of the palace. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II is credited with building most of the structures, but it was expanded upon by later rulers as well. Evening at leisure.

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Accomodation:

Hotel Udaigarh or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

 

Day 14: (March 17th) Udaipur to Delhi

Morning at leisure to explore, enjoy spas, palm reading or boat ride.

We will be taking a special overnight sleeper train in the early evening for Delhi and experience Indian railways.

 

Accomodation:

Sleeper Train

 

Meals:

Breakfast, Dinner

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Day 15: (March 18th) Delhi​

We will reach by 7.30 am and reach our hotel. Breakfast would be at hotel and then the rest of the
day is at leisure. You can enjoy a day tour in Delhi, your guide can arrange some special city tours if
you want.


Farewell dinner at night.

 

Accomodation:

Hotel Taj Princess or similar

 

Meals:

Breakfast

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Day 16: (March 19th) 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. â€‹

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Meals:

Breakfast

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