SOLD OUT: this adventure is sold out.
If you would like to be placed on the waitlist, please email us at india2011@vegvoyages.com. Thanks!

Day 1    ARRIVAL IN DELHI

Namaste! VegNews and VegVoyages welcome you to Delhi! On arrival, we'll meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel. There are no planned activities for today. After your long flight, you may want to freshen up and relax. Make sure you are well rested as we will start our adventure early in the evening when we settle down on the rooftop of our hotel for our group orientation meeting. With views of the city, we'll enjoy traditional North Indian snacks, refreshing drinks and a delicious dinner where you'll have the opportunity to get to know your Adventure Leaders and fellow travelers while discussing the adventure that lies ahead. (Snacks, Dinner)

Day 2    DELHI

Beginning the day with our first yoga session together, we'll then have a hearty vegan breakfast before setting off to the heart of India's capital. A teaming metropolis, Delhi still manages to retain much of its historical charm with its colorful bazaars, captivating temples, epic mosques and narrow-winding side-streets lined with local shops and roadside vendors. A fusion of the old and new, Delhi's streets are filled with cows, goats, bicycles and rickshaws that share every possible space with taxis, trucks, cars and the largest eco-friendly CNG bus network in the world. As we take in Delhi, remember the city's history doesn't just date back decades nor centuries, but millenniums - the area originally being settled in the 6th century BC. In the morning, we'll explore the historical streets and alleys of India's vibrant, bustling and at times chaotic capital city! For your first taste of India, we'll visit the capital's famous Connaught Place, or "CP" as the locals call it and its local bazaar. After sampling some of the tastiest South Indian food found in the city where we'll enjoy a feast of dosas, pooris, idlys and idiyappams for lunch, we'll hop on board the pride of Delhi - its sleek Metro, disembarking in the heart of the old city which we'll explore by foot. Nowhere is the city's diversity more evident than in the heart of old Delhi where forts, temples, mosques and bazaars sit side by side. Arriving back at our hotel in the early evening, you'll have time to freshen up before we head out to a popular local vegetarian hotspot for dinner. (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 3    THE TAJ MAHAL, AGRA & BHARATPUR

Saying goodbye to the capital, we hit the road for Agra - home of the Taj Mahal!  India's most famous landmark and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World - the stunning Taj Mahal is a remarkable mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his favorite wife - Mumtaj Mahal.  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".  Arriving in Agra in the early afternoon, we'll have a tasty vegan lunch before setting off to the magnificent Agra Fort.  A UNESCO World Heritage site, Agra Fort was home to some of the most important Mughal Emperors in history and is a testament of the empire's legacy of conquer and conquest.  After the fort, we move on to the Taj where we'll learn about its history while exploring its peaceful gardens and the rich marble grounds of this world famous mausoleum.  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 early evening, you'll have time to take a swim and freshen up before we settle down for our evening's Hindi lesson and a delicious vegan dinner.  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 4    JAIPUR

Bharatpur's UNESCO World Heritage Keoladeo Ghana National Park is a haven of wetlands and forests and is home to a wide variety of wildlife and over 400 species of birds, including a selection of herons believed to be among the best in the world.  In the morning, we'll explore the wetlands and wildlife of the national park by bicycle or peddle rickshaw (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 historical Jaipur!  The capital of Rajasthan, the City of Victory, the Pink City - whatever name Jaipur has been called or title it has held, one thing is certain - it has intrigued and seduced travelers, wanderers, caravans and traders throughout history.  Enamored and enticed by the legends, wealth and history it holds within its walls - the kingdom has drawn people for centuries from the furthest points on the globe.  The city you see today was founded in the 1700's, though the history of settlements in the area dates back to the 12th century.  Rich in history, arts and architecture, the city's unique design was built using Vastu Shastra - the Indian version of Feng Shui.  The desert terrain around the city consists of the rugged hills of the Aravallis, the oldest mountain range in India - where early rulers constructed gated passes, walls, palaces and forts in epic proportions that highlight the Rajput's defensive architecture.  A good example of this architecture, which we'll be visiting today, was the ancient seat of the present ruling Rajput clan of Jaipur before they moved their capital to its current location.  Located 11 kilometers from the city center, the massive and impressive Amber Fort is a fusion of Hindu and Muslim architectural influences built from sandstone and marble.  Today, we'll also explore Jaipur's vibrant bazaars, temples and back alleys giving you a real local's taste of the city.  Speaking of taste, in the evening we'll join a local family at their home for traditional warm Rajasthani hospitality with drinks, snacks and a delicious home-cooked Jaipuri-style vegan dinner.  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 5    KISHANGARH

After starting the day off with yoga in the garden and a hearty vegan breakfast, we'll jump back into the ancient streets of Jaipur.  Our first stop is at a very special animal hospital and shelter that has been helping locally abused and neglected animals as well as standing up for our four legged friends without a voice for almost three decades.  Next, we'll visit the Royal City Palace, Hawa Mahal, a.k.a. the Palace of Winds, and Jantar Mantar (the old royal astronomical gardens) before setting off on the desert roads for the Royal Kingdom of Kishangarh.  Founded by a Jodhpur prince four centuries ago, Kishangarh flourished due to its military prowess and fortunes earned as a member of the Mughal court.  The Maharajas here were also patrons of the arts and the area's paintings, many of which adorn the walls of their palaces - including the palace we'll be staying at, are well known throughout India.  Here, we'll be staying at the Maharajah's beautiful monsoon palace, built in 1870 just outside the walls of the massive Kishangarh Fort.  Arriving in the early afternoon, we'll have lunch in the palace dining hall along with our day's Hindi lesson before setting out to explore the colorful centuries-old streets, vibrant bazaars, cenotaph gardens and temples of this old princely state founded in 1611 AD.  During our stay, be on the lookout for kites, peacocks, herons, wild ducks and yes - the occasional flamingos, that call the nearby fields and monsoon fed Gundalao Lake home.  As the sun sets over this centuries-old town, we'll settle down back at the royal palace for sundowners in the palace rooftop courtyard with the lake at our front and the 7th century fort at our backs.  Over refreshing cold drinks, snacks and a delicious local vegan feast with fresh chapattis made in front of us, we'll enjoy live traditional folk music and dance.  Make sure to bring your appetite, thirst, and don't forget your dancing shoes (flip-flops are okay too)!  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 6    JODHPUR & BHADRAJUN

Today we get an opportunity to travel well, well off the beaten track as we head into the hinterlands of Rajasthan to the rustic yet charming village of Bhadrajun.  Here, we'll be staying as the personal guests of our long time friends, the Raja (equivalent of a Lord in India) of Bhadrajun and his family at their 16th century palace residence.  This picturesque village will be our home for the next three days as we focus on local village life, culture and customs.  Before arriving in Bhadrajun, we'll stop in the old royal capital of Jodhpur where we'll have lunch and visit its intimidating four-centuries-old Mehrangarh Fort - said by many to be one of the most impressive forts in India.  Referred to as the "citadel of the sun", the foundation of this fort was laid in 1459.  The fort is the centerpiece of the town as it towers over the city on a rocky ridge overlooking the blue painted Brahmin houses sprawled out below.  Surrounded by huge thick walls, a series of winding lanes and solid, elephant proofed spiked gates; the fort can be seen jetting out on the horizon from miles away.  After exploring the fort - we're off to Bhadrajun.   Nestled among red-tinted rocky desert mountains that are home to jackals, foxes, deer, panthers and wild peacocks, we'll arrive at Bhadrajun Palace and settle into our rooms 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 Royal Family of Bhadrajun in one of the courtyards of the palace for drinks, snacks and a traditional local vegan meal.  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 7    BHADRAJUN

Though the palace we are staying in dates back to the 16th century, the history of Bhadrajun actually dates back thousands of years and is even mentioned in the famous Indian epic - the Mahabharata.  The village's name is based on an ancient Indian tale.  It is believed that the greatest warrior of that age "Arjun" fell in love with "Subhadra", the sister of Lord Krishna.  They were undergoing a sentence where they had to stay in the jungle for 11 years.  The love affair started during the last year of the sentence; hence Arjun and Subhadra had to marry without being identified by any body.  Lord Krishna had no objection to this marriage and helped the lovers move as fast as they could in a twin-horse driven chariot for three nights and two days nonstop to reach the valley near where the village of Bhadrajun is situated today; here the eloped couple got married.  Soon after Subhadra and Arjun were married in the valley, people started settling in this area and the new village was named "Subhadrajun", which was later abbreviated to "Bhadrajun".  After yoga on the palace bastion and a hearty vegan breakfast, we'll head outside the palace walls to visit a nearby farmhouse.  After, we'll continue on to a local village school to donate, on behalf of the group, much needed school supplies and books and where we'll be welcomed as honored guests of the students and teachers who have a special surprise waiting for us.  We'll then head out to an old temple with great desert views for a sumptuous picnic lunch before returning to the palace.  Later, we'll explore the centuries-old narrow-winding streets of Bhadrajun before heading outside the village gates on jeeps deep into the desert where we'll catch a splendid sunset from atop a sand dune.  From the dunes, as the symphonic howls of jackals begin to fill the desert air, we'll join in an auspicious Hindu ceremony at a millenniums-old temple before settling down in the desert under the stars for a sumptuous vegan dinner, drinks and local village folk music!  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 8    BHADRAJUN

Starting with yoga on the palace walls complete with breathtaking views of the village below and desert beyond, we'll continue to explore the surrounding countryside today learning about the various ethnic groups that call Rajasthan home.  After breakfast, we'll set out for a nearby Bishnoi village stopping along the way at the lively bazaar at Bhadrajun junction.  The Bishnois are strict vegetarians and have been strong environmentalists for centuries.  Known for their protection of trees and wildlife, the Bishnois are self-sustaining and many of their villages, like the one we'll be visiting today - look quite similar to the way they have looked for hundreds of years.  In addition to visiting the Bishnois and being their guests for lunch, we'll also visit a local village girl's school where we'll join the students in the popular village game of sitolia.  In the late afternoon, we'll take a desert trek into the ochre-tinted mountains that surround Bhadrajun and are home to peacocks, hawks, eagles, vultures, jackals, wild boar, panthers and blue bulls.  In the evening, we’Äôll settle down back at the palace where you’Äôll have to freshen up before meeting for a very special night as the Raja’Äôs family hosts a farewell party for our last evening in the village together.¬Ý So be prepared for a colorful evening of traditional live Marwari folk music and dance, drinks, snacks and delicious local vegan dishes.¬Ý Make sure to bring your appetite, thirst, party shirt and of course ’Äì don’Äôt forget your dancing shoes (flip-flops are okay too)! (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 9    UDAIPUR

After yoga and a hearty vegan breakfast, we hit the road for Udaipur - the City of Lakes!   On the way, 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 today's Hindi lesson before continuing on to the enchanting oasis city.  Often referred to as the Venice of the East, Udaipur, with its almost 500-year-old history, is one of the most romantic cities in India.  Arriving in Udaipur, we'll settle into our home for the next three days - a charming old noble's haveli (mansion) set alongside Lake Pichola with picturesque views of the lake, historical city and Royal Palace.  In the early evening, we'll meet our boat where we'll enjoy a leisurely trip around the lake.  Seeing the "city of lakes" from a boat offers a totally different perspective of this medieval city with its old palaces and ancient temples cradling the water's edge.   Returning to our "haveli on the lake" as the sun sets over this almost half millennium old city, we'll meet on the haveli's rooftop where we'll watch the colors of the old city and palaces along the lake change with the setting sun while enjoying a variety of tasty North Indian snacks, refreshing drinks and dinner.  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 10    UDAIPUR

Today we'll spend our time at one of the highlights of our stay here, a very special and unique animal rescue organization known as Animal Aid.  Located in a nearby village, 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.  We'll spend the day at Animal Aid helping wherever we can.  After our day at the refuge, we'll come back to our "haveli on the lake" in the early evening where you'll have time to freshen up before we begin our cooking class.  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 some of the tastiest vegetarian food anywhere in the world.  With its unique combination of spices and herbs, sauces and curries - Indian vegetarian food is an exciting culinary treat!  This said, we'll gather in the lobby where we'll meet 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 Indian vegan meal!  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 where we'll learn about the 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 freshly farmed seasonal 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 11    UDAIPUR

Enjoying another day in the City of Lakes - we'll explore the enchanting narrow-winding streets of this centuries-old capital of the ancient Mewar Kingdom.  After yoga and a hearty vegan breakfast, we'll set out on foot into the maze of storybook-like lanes and back alleys of Udaipur visiting vibrant local bazaars, temples, parks and palaces!  Beginning our walk along the shores of Pichola Lake, we'll head towards Udaipur's famous lakeside ghats before visiting the Bagore ki Haveli Museum.  From the museum, we'll follow the ancient city's wall cutting down narrow lanes where artisans ply their crafts as they have for generations, making our way to Udaipur's lively bazaars.  These ancient markets are home to overflowing fruit and veggie carts, colorful sari shops, spice merchants, silver and copper smiths who ply their trade as they have for centuries and tiny shop houses where eco-friendly plates, cups and bowls are made out of leaves on their doorsteps.  As we make our way to the heart of the old city, we'll visit one of Udaipur's most sacred city temples - Jagdish Temple.  Then we're off to explore the palace!  One of the most impressive of India's palaces, the Royal City Palace is actually a series of palaces built by different kings over the centuries, the first being built in 1559 AD.   From the City Palace, we'll move on to another part of the palace complex visiting Durbar Hall and the Crystal Gallery where we'll enjoy fresh lime juice with views overlooking the lake.  After a tasty vegan lunch at a popular local vegetarian eatery, we'll visit the Garden of Maidens where fountains run by gravity fill a peaceful royal garden before making our way by cable car up to one of the city's hilltop temples along its ancient wall for some truly epic views.  Then it's off for yoga in the park!  Just before sunset, we'll be part of  a special local yoga session in the park where they focus on the healing qualities of yoga.  As the sun sets over this ancient city, we'll join a local Rajput family at their home for an evening of drinks, food, folksongs and dance.  With spectacular views of the old city and palace at night, we'll enjoy a colorful evening of live Rajasthani folk music and dance (so be ready to join in and dance), henna, refreshing cold drinks, tasty local snacks and a delicious home-cooked vegan Mewari feast!  (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Day 12    UDAIPUR & OVERNIGHT TRAIN TO DELHI

After yoga and breakfast, you'll have the morning and afternoon free to explore the city on your own, do any last minute shopping (and as you'll see while walking the streets - there are plenty of places to shop at), or just kick back and relax - taking in the laid-back serenity of this old city.  We'll meet up in the early evening for dinner and to catch the overnight train back to Delhi.  (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 13    DELHI

On arrival in Delhi, our adventure ends after brunch. For those who have a late night departure, we'll meet in the evening for one more delicious vegan dinner before catching your flight back home. Bahut, bahut dhanyavaad (thank you very much)! (Brunch)

WHAT'S INCLUDED ACCOMMODATION: 12 night's accommodations... - 4 nights at hotels - 1 night at a Maharajah's palace - 3 nights as guests of a Raja at his palace - 3 nights at a lakeside royal mansion - 1 overnight air-conditioned sleeper train MEALS: 35 Vegan Meals... - 11 breakfasts - 1 brunch - 10 lunches - 13 dinners TRANSPORT: - Air-conditioned vehicles - Jeeps - Rickshaws - Boat - Train - Bicycles STAFF: VegNews Editors, VegVoyages Adventure Leaders & Local Guides OTHERS INCLUDED: - 9 yoga lessons - All site entry fees - All local guide fees - Vegan cooking class - Vegan welcome package - Live music and folk dances - Donation to Animal Aid (Udaipur) - All activities as per the itinerary - Airport arrival/departure transfers (India) NOT INCLUDED: International airfare, visa for India, personal travel insurance, gratuities, laundry and items of a personal nature. ADDITIONAL INFO TO NOTE... Single Traveler? No Problem - No Single Supplement Required... This adventure runs on a twin share basis so single travelers do not have to pay a single supplement. If you are a single traveler, we will pair you up with another group member of the same sex, who you would share a room with throughout the adventure. However, if you are a single traveler and would prefer to have a room to yourself, a single supplement would be charged. The single supplement charge for this adventure is as follows: US$ 350.00. Extra Night's Accommodation Due to flight schedules, you may require additional accommodation at the beginning and/or at the end of your adventure. Please let us know once you get your airline confirmed if you will need additional night's accommodation so we can make the arrangement for you. Additional night's accommodation is US$ 68 per room (double occupancy) per day.