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Day 1   Arrival in Delhi 

Namaste!  Welcome to India!  The first part of our adventure will focus on introducing you to the culture, language and customs of India.  On arrival in India, our Adventure Leader will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.  You'll have the day free to relax and catch up on any rest from the long trip.  In the early evening, we'll have our group orientation meeting on the rooftop of our hotel where you'll have a chance to meet your fellow travelers and enjoy North Indian snacks and drinks while discussing the adventure that lies ahead as the sun sets over Delhi.  We'll also have our first language and cultural lesson tonight where you'll be introduced to the rich language of Hindi - a language spoken by over a half billion people.  After our orientation meeting we'll head out into the heart of Delhi for some of the best South Indian food found in the capital where we'll enjoy a delicious feast of dosas, pooris, idlys and idiyappams! (Snacks & Dinner)

Day 2   Taj Mahal & Bharatpur

After breakfast, we hit the road for Agra to take in the Taj!  India's most famous landmark - the stunning Taj Mahal is a remarkable mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his favorite wife - Mumtaj Mahal.  One of the new Seven Wonders of the World, when one sees the Taj Mahal in person the feeling is best summed up in the words of Rabindranath Tagore who described the tomb as "one tear drop...upon the cheek of time".  After taking in the Taj, we'll cross the border into Rajasthan where we'll be staying the night just a stones throw away from the Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur.  Arriving in the late afternoon, you'll have time to take a swim and freshen up.  In the early evening, we'll have our language and cultural lesson before settling down for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3   Kishangarh

Bharatpur is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Keoladeo Ghana National Park.  The national park is a haven of wetlands and forests and is home to over 400 species of birds, including a selection of herons believed to be among the best in the world, as well as a wide variety of other wildlife.  In the morning, we'll explore the wetlands of the national park by bicycle or tri-shaw (your choice) traversing the back trails of the sanctuary with our naturalist guide.  After returning to the hotel to freshen up, we'll set out for the desert Kingdom of Kishangarh, en route visiting Abhaneri village and its epic Chand Baoli step-well.  Said to be the deepest and largest step-well in India, its history dates back well over half a millennium.   Arriving in the Kingdom of Kishangarh in the afternoon, we'll settle into our rooms at the Maharajah's beautiful monsoon palace that was built in 1871 outside the medieval Kishangarh Fort on the banks of the monsoon fed Gundalao Lake.  After settling in, we'll explore the centuries-old streets of this old princely state founded in 1611 AD.  In the evening, we'll meet up on the palace grounds for our day's language and cultural lesson before sitting down for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

  
Day 4   Kishangarh

Founded by a Jodhpur Prince four centuries ago, the Kingdom of Kishangarh flourished with its military prowess and fortunes earned as a member of the Mughal court. The Maharajahs here were not only known for their successes on the battlefield, but also as patrons of the arts and the area's paintings, many of which adorn the walls of their palaces - including the one we'll be residing at, are well known throughout India. After yoga overlooking the lake and a tasty vegan breakfast, we'll jump right into today's language and cultural lesson before setting out to explore this ancient town's vibrant local bazaar, 17th century fort, old cenotaph gardens, temples and surrounding countryside. Rajasthan is famous for its marble - you'll see it in temples, homes and palaces and this afternoon we'll get a chance to find out how it comes to be - from the quarry, to the cutting factory to the final product. In the early evening, we'll settle down back at the palace for a colorful evening of local folk music and dance, refreshing drinks and a tasty vegan Rajasthani dinner! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)  

Day 5   Bhadrajun

Today we get a chance to experience India well off-the-beaten-track as we cut deep into the hinterlands of Rajasthan's desert traveling to the rustic yet charming village of Bhadrajun. The history of this picturesque, delightfully peaceful and ancient village dates back thousands of years and is even mentioned in the famous Indian epic, the Mahabharata. For the next two days, this will be our home where we'll be staying as personal guests of the Raja (equivalent of a Lord) of Bhadrajun at his 16th century palace residence where we'll focus on local village life, customs and culture. Nestled among red-tinted rocky desert mountains that are home to jackals, foxes, deer, panthers and wild peacocks, we'll arrive in Bhadrajun in the afternoon and settle into our rooms at the palace before meeting for today's language and cultural lesson. As the sun sets over the rocky red cliffs that protect the fort, we'll join the Raja's family in one of the courtyards of the palace for drinks, snacks and a traditional local vegan meal. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)  

Day 6   Bhadrajun 

After yoga on the palace walls, we depart for a local village school where we'll be the guests of the students and teachers. From the school, we'll set out to visit a nearby Bishnoi village to learn about their way of life and join one of the Bishnoi families at their home for lunch. The Bishnois are strict vegetarians and have been strong environmentalists for centuries. Known for their protection of the trees and wildlife that surround their villages, the Bishnois are self-sustaining and many of their villages, like the one we visit today - look similar to the way they've looked for hundreds of years. In the afternoon, we'll return to Bhadrajun for today's language and cultural lesson before exploring the narrow-winding streets of this centuries-old village by foot. During our walk, we'll visit a local girl's school where we'll join the students in the popular village game of sitolia before going by jeeps on safari into the desert to watch sunset from atop a sand dune. As the sun dips off into the arid horizon, we'll continue our journey out to a remote and auspicious Hindu temple that dates back well over 3,000 years for their aarti (Hindu ritual) ceremony. After the aarti ceremony - we'll return to the royal residence where we'll meet on the ramparts of the palace with breathtaking views overlooking the desert for drinks, snacks, dinner and a colorful evening of traditional Marwari music and dance. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7  Udaipur

After yoga on the palace walls with breathtaking views of the village and desert, we say goodbye to the village of Bhadrajun as we hit the road for Udaipur - the City of Lakes!   On the way - just before we ascend up into the beautiful Aravalli Mountains, we'll visit Ranakpur Temple - one of the five holiest sites in the Jain religion.  A faith devoted to vegetarianism and compassion for all living creatures, Jainism is based on the principals that all living beings should be treated with mutual respect.  This awe-inspiring white marble marvel of a temple, built in the 15th century, sprawls over 48,000 square feet, has 29 halls, 20 domes and 1,444 pillars each carved differently.  From the temple, we'll ascend into the Aravalli Mountains, the oldest mountain range in India, where we'll stop for lunch and have today's language and cultural lesson before continuing on to the enchanting oasis city.  Often referred to as the Venice of the East, Udaipur, with its rich almost 500-year-old history, is said by many to be one of the most romantic cities in India.  Arriving in Udaipur, we'll settle into our home for the next eight days - a charming old noble's haveli (mansion) set alongside Lake Pichola with picturesque views of the lake, historical city and Royal Palace that cradles the water's edge.  In the evening, we'll meet on the haveli's rooftop where we'll watch the colors of the old city along the lakeshore change to night. Joining us for refreshing cold drinks, tasty snacks and a sumptuous dinner will be the founders of Animal Aid.  Tonight, as the sun sets over this ancient city, we'll discuss the work we'll be doing at the sanctuary over the coming week. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8   Animal Aid, Udaipur

The highlight of our adventure begins today as we set out in the morning to the base of Animal Aid. A very special animal rescue organization, Animal Aid not only offers a hospital, but also a refuge and home for the abused, abandoned and neglected animals of Udaipur and the surrounding areas. Whether they have fur or feathers, hooves or tails, bills or muzzles - they all have a safe place to recover and if needed, a home, at Animal Aid. Over the next week we'll spend our time here helping wherever we can, which will all depend on the needs of the day - but rest assure we'll be busy as they treat up to 150 animals daily. The activities we'll be involved in include helping wounded animals recover by giving them personal individual attention, assist in feeding all the animals both large and small, brushing and grooming, and assist in the evaluating, monitoring and treating of all our four legged friends (as well as some two legged friends - i.e. monkeys and birds). Also, for those who like gardening - the refuge has lots of opportunities for people with a green thumb and for those who have an eye for decorating, there are many areas around the refuge that we'll help paint and give special attention too. You'll not be asked to clean inside animal cages but there are plenty of areas around the refuge that need some "sprucing up" which we'll help out in to make a better environment for the animals that call the sanctuary their home. In the evening, we'll return to our rooms on the lake where we'll freshen up before joining a local Rajput family at their home for drinks, snacks and a tasty home cooked meal for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)  

Day 9   Animal Aid, Udaipur

Starting the morning with yoga on the rooftop and breakfast in your room overlooking the lake and centuries-old ghats that lie across it, we'll then head off for our day's work at Animal Aid. Everyday we will have a special home-cooked vegan lunch prepared and delivered to the refuge - which is set in a beautiful countryside setting outside a small village - so we don't have to come back in to town until the evening. After our day with the animals at the center, we'll return to our haveli in old town Udaipur where you'll have time to freshen up before we meet on the back verandah and board our boat for a sunset cruise around Pichola Lake. Seeing the "city of lakes" from the boat offers a totally different perspective of this medieval city with its old palaces and ancient temples cradling the water's edge and is a relaxing way to end the day. Coming ashore at one of the city's scenic ghats (traditional wide steps that lead into a lake), we'll take a walk through the old part of town to a traditional house that has been converted into an eclectic restaurant of sorts for some of their tasty dishes for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10   Animal Aid, Udaipur

Every morning you'll have the option of having your breakfast delivered directly to your room or in the restaurant, the rooftop or on the back verandah of the haveli - all of which have great views of the lake and old city. We will have a special vegan selection of breakfasts available for you to choose from so you can pick which one you would like to have everyday. After breakfast, we'll board our vehicles and travel out to meet our friends at the animal refuge where we'll spend the day helping the many new patients, as well as permanent residents, at the center. In the early evening, we'll return to our haveli where you'll have a chance to freshen up before we set out to a longtime local vegetarian hotspot for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)  

Day 11   Animal Aid, Udaipur

Surrounded by lakes, rolling hills and rich in history, Udaipur, with its lakeside palaces, ancient temples, vibrant bazaars and narrow-winding streets, is the perfect place to take in the alluring princely charm of Rajasthan. Today, after spending the morning and early afternoon at Animal Aid, we'll head back into the city to explore this centuries-old medieval capital of the Kingdom of Mewar. Though the history of Udaipur dates back almost half a millennium, the Mewar Kingdom and its ruling dynasty trace their roots back over 1,200 years. This afternoon we'll spend our time exploring the kingdom's historical landmarks including one of the most impressive of India's palaces, Udaipur's Royal City Palace. A series of palaces built by different kings over the centuries, the first being built in 1559 AD, the palace houses intricate halls, courtyards and rooms and boasts some great views of the surrounding city and lake at its center. We'll also make our way up to one of the city's historical hilltop forts along its ancient wall for some epic views. In the evening, we'll settle down back in town for a tasty South Indian vegan dinner with plenty of piping hot sambar and fresh chutneys in accompaniment. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12   Animal Aid, Udaipur

As we always say (and probably say too often because we like to eat so much) - a great way to get an idea about a country's culture and heritage is through its food! There is no doubt that India offers vegetarians some of the tastiest vegetarian food to be found anywhere in the world. With its unique combination of spices and herbs, and sauces and curries - Indian food is an exciting culinary treat! Deeply rooted in Hindu culture, vegetarian food has been cultivated and refined throughout India for thousands of years. This said, after our day out at the refuge, we'll come back to our "haveli on the lake" in the late afternoon where you'll have time to freshen up before we begin our cooking class. Gathering in the lobby, we'll meet up with our friends who just happen to also be very good chefs! This evening we'll be their guests as they teach us how to prepare an absolutely delicious traditional Indian vegan meal - or should we say feast! Be prepared to roll up your sleeves as we begin our cooking class because under the watchful guidance of the chefs, we'll not only learn, but also cook tonight's meal. Our first stop: the wet market. Here we'll learn about the traditional and colorful local bazaar scene - a treasure trove of spices and flavors where essential ingredients such as chilly, ginger, mint, cilantro, curry powders and tamarind are found amongst a colorful selection of spices and freshly farmed veggies. After the market, we'll head to the kitchen where we'll roll up our sleeves and cook up a delectable Rajasthani vegan feast. Pre-requisite for tonight: a hearty appetite! So be prepared to eat - and eat well! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 13   Animal Aid, Udaipur

Our last full day out at the refuge. We'll spend the day from morning until night at Animal Aid helping out one more time before returning to Delhi tomorrow. In the evening, we'll return to our rooms on the lake to freshen up before we meet for our farewell party. Hopping aboard auto rickshaws, we'll travel to the steps of one of Udaipur's most auspicious temples where we'll visit the temple and then set out down the narrow back alleys of this ancient city to a local Rajput family's home in the heart of the old town. Here, we'll join the family and all our friends from Animal Aid for our last night in the City of Lakes. From the rooftop terrace of the home - with striking views of the old city and royal palace, we'll watch as the colors of this ancient capital, its palaces and surrounding hills change to night while we enjoy traditional live folk music and dance, refreshing drinks, scrumptious local snacks and some of the tastiest cuisine the oasis town has to offer! So make sure you have a good appetite, great thirst - and don't forget your party shirt and dancing shoes (flip flops are okay too)! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner) 

Day 14   Animal Aid, Udaipur

After early yoga on the rooftop and breakfast, we'll hop aboard our vehicles and set out to Animal Aid for our last morning of helping out. After spending the morning and the early afternoon at the refugee, we'll have lunch and return lakeside where you'll have a chance to freshen up. We meet up in the early evening to catch our overnight train to Delhi. On the way to the railway station, we'll stop for dinner before boarding the train. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)   

Day 15   Udaipur & Delhi

Our adventure ends on arrival in Delhi and after brunch. If you would like to extend your stay here (or in Udaipur) or for any onwards assistance, please contact your Adventure Leader who will be more than happy to help. Bahut, bahut dhanyavaad (thank you very much)! (Brunch)

WHAT'S INCLUDED ACCOMMODATION: 14 night's accommodations... - 2 nights at hotels - 2 nights at a Maharajah's palace - 2 nights at a Raja's desert palace - 7 nights at an old lakeside royal mansion - 1 overnight train from Udaipur to Delhi MEALS: 41 meals... - 13 breakfasts - 14 lunches - 14 dinners TRANSPORT: - Private air-conditioned cars - Overnight Train (from Udaipur to Delhi) - Jeep - Boat - Rickshaws - Bicycles STAFF: VegVoyages Adventure Leaders & Local Guides OTHERS INCLUDED: - Donation to Animal Aid - Yoga lessons - Vegan cooking class - All site entry fees - All local guide fees - Language and local cultural lessons - Live music and folk dances - All activities as per the itinerary - All entertainment as per the itinerary - Airport transfers in India NOT INCLUDED: International airfare, airport departure transfer, visa for India, personal travel insurance, gratuities and items of a personal nature.

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