Highlights of India Adventure Tour

North India or South? Do both! This 2-week tour combines the riot of Rajasthan's colours with the calming greens of Kerala. You'll have time to immerse yourself in regional traditions in the North and spend a night at a heritage village hotel, and time to unwind in the south'just imagine cruising the backwaters on a houseboat. Throw in the Taj Mahal, the 'Pink City' of Jaipur and Kochi's fishing markets and you're left with one spicy curry of an adventure'many flavours with big impact.

Highlights

Walk the backstreets of Delhi with a local guide, explore grand forts and palaces in Rajasthan, learn the true meaning of relaxation aboard a houseboat on Kerala's backwaters, discover a newfound obsession with South Indian cuisine with a cooking demonstration, cross cultures at a family homestay in the south and a heritage village home in the north

What's Included

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Local Village Immersion, Sāwarda Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Family Home Meal Experience, Alleppey Your G for Good Moment: City Walk, Delhi. Arrival transfer included through Women on Wheels, a G Adventures
supported project. Tour of Old Delhi including Jama Masjid Mosque, Chandni Chowk market and Gurduwara Sikh Temple. Walking tour and project visit in Delhi. Tour Taj Mahal, baby Taj and Agra Fort. Visit Fathpur Sikri and Abhaneri Step wells (tank gardens). Explore Jaipur including Amber Fort, Jaipur City Palace and Hawa Mahal. Visit the Village of Sawarda and overnight in a Heritage Home. Explore Kochi including Fort Cochin, the Dutch Palace, the fishing market and Chinese fishing nets. Kathakali cultural show. Visit Tripunithura Hill Palace. Kumarakom canoe ride. Walking tour of the paddy fields and Chempu village. Houseboat day trip along the Kerala backwaters. Homestay with cooking demonstration and meal with a local family. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities.

Accommodation

Comfort hotels (11 nts), heritage hotel (1 nt), homestay (1 nt).

Meals Included

13 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Transport

Private van/bus, auto
rickshaw, cycle
rickshaw, walking, flight, boat, canoe.

About our Transportation

Road Road travel in India is certainly not what people are used to in Western countries. Rules are not always followed, drivers appear to speed, do not stay in their lanes, overtake in seemingly dangerous situations, and rarely use their mirrors or driving lights at night. The horn however is used frequently and can range from the latest Bollywood tune to Britney Spears! Although the government is investing large sums of money to improve the road infrastructure, there is a lot more to be done. As a result some of the roads are poorly maintained, pot holed and uneven. This gets even more pronounced particularly during and after the monsoon. Travel time is very long in comparison to Western countries and short distances can take much longer than at home. You have the comfort of an air
conditioned Private vehicle, but be prepared to take an odd ride in a local transport for the experience.

Group Leader Description

All G Adventures group trips are accompanied by one of our Chief Experience Officers (CEO). The aim of the CEO is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting
we think it's the best of both worlds. Please note that on this trip you may have different CEO's in the north and the south.

Emergency Fund

Please also make sure you have access to at least an additional USD $200 (or equivalent) as an 'emergency' fund, to be used when circumstances outside our control (ex. a natural disaster) require a change to our planned route. This is a rare occurrence!

Solo Travellers

We believe single travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi
share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and single travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.

Spending Money

Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.

What to Take

What you need to bring depends on the trip you have chosen and the countries or regions you are planning to visit. We suggest that you pack as lightly as possible as your are expected to carry your own luggage. As a rule we try not to have to walk more than 15
20 mintues with your bags which is why we recommend keeping the weight of your bags between 10
15kg/22
30lb. Hard suitcases are not recommended for G Adventures trips! Most travellers carry a backpack or rolling bag of small to medium size (no XXL ones please!) as they need to fit under the beds when travelling on sleeper trains. You will also need a day pack/bag to carry water, cameras and other electronics like ipods and mobile phones.