Welcome to India!

Note. If you would like Charitable Travel to quote for your international flights from the UK please ask. If you book elsewhere please ensure you arrive in good time to start these arrangements and share with us your flight details. Arrival transfers are included.

Following your arrival and check in at the hotel you can enjoy some time at your leisure. Standard check-in time at the hotel is 2pm local time.

Situated in a strategic position on the west bank of the Yamuna River, between the Himalayas and the Aravalli Hills, Delhi is the gateway to the rich alluvial soils of the Ganges plain and has, according to Indian folklore, been occupied since 2500 BC. The original city, Indraprastha was the first of nine. Shahjahanabad or Old Delhi, the 7^th city, was built when the Mughal Emperor moved his capital back to Delhi from Agra in 1638. Planned out in blocks with wide roads, residential areas and bazaars, Chandni Chowk, now thought to be Asia’s busiest street, was the main artery. Literally translated as ‘Silver Street’ this bustling market area of Old Delhi is good for hunting down new and antique gold and silver jewellery from craftsmen whose forefathers served the emperor. At the 1911 Delhi Durbar, King George V announced that the capital of India was to move from Calcutta to Delhi. Inaugurated in 1931, the ambitious work of British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, New Delhi is an audacious statement of Imperial British control over India.

In the evening there will be a group ‘welcome’ dinner hosted by Debbie Haynes of Wildlife SOS.

Accommodation: Hotel Singh Sahib 3*
Meals included: Welcome buffet dinner and presentation with the Founders of Wildlife SOS.

This morning, set out for a walking tour of Old Delhi. Then enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through chaotic streets, such as the famous Chandni Chowk. Make a visit to the Jama Masjid, Delhi’s oldest mosque and one of its most impressive buildings, then visit the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) to learn about the Sikh religion. Next you will take a tour to the famous spice market. Khari Baoli which is Asia’s largest wholesale spice market. This place is crazy and chaotic from the moment the sun rises. As you walk through the market, your senses are sure to be overwhelmed by the intense smell of all the spices. Visit the famous courtyard where these spices are stored and enjoy the best.

Included Activities: Old Delhi walking tour | Cycle rickshaw ride |Jama Masjid | Sheeshganj Gurudwara | Khari Baoli – Asia’s largest spice market.
Accommodation: Hotel Singh Sahib 3*
Meals included: Breakfast.

This morning after breakfast leave from Delhi to Jaipur (approximately 6 hours’ drive). Popularly known as the Pink City, Jaipur (City of Victory) is the state capital and largest city of Rajasthan. It was founded by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727 and was planned according to Indian ‘Vastu Shastra’ principles. The city was divided into 9 blocks representing the ancient Hindu map of the universe; 2 blocks housed the state buildings and palaces, the other 7 allotted to various public buildings. A fortification wall was built around the city with 7 gates for entry. Originally, the buildings were painted in a variety of colours but in 1853 when Prince Albert visited, the old city was painted pink, a traditional colour of welcome. It has remained pink ever since. Upon arrival, proceed with your leader for a walking and market tour of Jaipur.

Included Activities: Jaipur Leader-led walking and market tour.
Accommodation: Arya Niwas 3* Or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

This morning after breakfast you will visit Amber Fort. Amber Fort, originally the ancient capital of the Kachawahas clan from 1037 the ancient town of Amber, 12km from Jaipur, is dotted with ancient temples, Havelis, and step wells. High above the town and surrounded by defensive fortification walls sits the impressive Amber Palace. Built by Raja Man Singh in the early 17th century it houses mighty gates, temples, huge ornate halls, palaces, pavilions, and gardens. Amber Palace is a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture and once at the top, the Palace affords excellent views of the surrounding countryside and town below. The 10-minute walk through a series of five defensive gates will bring you to the Suraj Pol (Sun Gate), the main entrance to the Palace. Later proceed to visit the City Palace. The palace was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Like most structures in Jaipur, this palace also reflects the fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The City Palace complex is spread over a large area occupying one-seventh of the old city of Jaipur. It has a sequence of gardens, buildings and courtyards, temples, and museums to give it a grand view that reflects its historical importance and magnificent royal grace.

Included Activities: Amber Fort | City Palace.
Accommodation: Arya Niwas 3* or similar
Meals included: Breakfast.

Today morning after breakfast check out from the hotel and start your drive towards your next destination of Hinduan City (approximately 4 hour’s drive). A remote ancient town, a devotional city, a blend of warm royal hospitality, and a serene rural environment, that is Hinduan City, your new destination in Rajasthan. On arrival check-in at the hotel and relax. In the evening your leader will take you for a village walk where you will explore the real Rajasthan.

Later enjoy a cooking demonstration followed by dinner at your hotel, you can surely eat authentic Rajasthani food at many places, but here, you get to see how it is prepared. This makes your gastronomical experience even more special and lets you feel closer to the culture. Food helps you get familiar with this mystical land of forts and colours.

Included Activities: Leader-led Village Walk | Cooking Demonstration with dinner.
Accommodation: Suroth Mahal or similar
Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning transfer by road to Agra (approximately 3 hour’s drive). En-route stopover at the deserted Mughal kingdom of Fatehpur Sikri. Built during the reign of Emperor Akbar, it was abandoned shortly after his death due to a lack of available water. The stunning mosque, Jama Masjid, strikes a lovely pose within the settlement, combining Persian and Hindu aesthetics.

Later, reach Agra and visit the Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to their fourteenth child in 1631, the Taj Mahal is described by the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore as ‘a tear drop on the face of eternity’. Heartbroken by her death, legend has it that Shah Jahan’s hair turned grey overnight and that he turned his back on running the empire, concentrating instead on the construction of this monument to love. Construction took 22 years, and the Taj was completed in 1653 at a speculated cost of 3 million rupees, equivalent to around 70 million US Dollars today. (Closed on Friday).

Included Activities: Fatehpur Sikri visit. | Taj Mahal visit.
Accommodation: Hotel Pushp Villa 3* or similar
Meals included: Breakfast

This morning, proceed to visit Agra Fort. Agra Fort, whose forbidding red sandstone battlements hide several majestic Mughal palaces. Explore the delightful Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) where the emperor once sat on his throne to address his subjects, and the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) where he hosted kings and foreign dignitaries. The white marble Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque) stands in contrast to the rest of the Red Fort. Later head over to Sheroes Hangout for lunch. Sheroes Hangout Café, a café run by female acid attack survivors. This entrepreneurial café gives survivors a chance to earn a livelihood by themselves and provide them with opportunities to socialise with other women and guests. Join the survivors for lunch and snacks as they share the story of Sheroes Hangout and discuss many of the issues around acid attacks in India.

After that you will be transferred to the location of Wildlife SOS. Note: Tour Leader services come to an end on this day.

Included Activities: Agra Fort| Lunch at Sheroes Café.
Accommodation: The Wildlife SOS Volunteer House.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Arriving at the Wildlife SOS volunteer house late afternoon you will have time to freshen up before joining the Founders of Wildlife SOS, Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani, for an informal dinner and presentation about their ongoing work and projects, especially the elephants and bears! This is an amazing opportunity to ask questions of the Founders regarding the awful lives that these elephants and bears endured for the whole of their lives prior to being rescued by Wildlife SOS, and to hear about the charity’s ongoing plans.

Take part in a truly rewarding experience over the next 5 days and volunteer with Wildlife SOS at their Elephant Conservation and Care Centre and Sloth Bear Rescue Facility. This programme provides you with invaluable insight into Wildlife SOS’s work with the bears and elephants in their rescue facilities. 

The animals in these facilities have been rescued from lives of abuse as dancing bears, use in temples and festivals, begging, and exploitation for tourism. 

At the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, you’ll spend your days preparing and distributing food into each elephant’s food bucket, cleaning out pools and enclosures, filling hanging baskets with fodder (for the elephant’s exercise) and accompanying the caregivers and elephants on an evening walk.*

At the Sloth Bear Rescue Facility, you can expect to spend your days preparing and delivering food to the bears, cleaning the pools and enclosures, and building enrichment structures. 

You’ll spend your evenings in Wildlife SOS’s volunteer housing, in a gated community approximately 15mins from the facilities. 

The houses are modern, with comfortable ensuite rooms having effective ceiling fans. There is good Wi-Fi, and communal spaces including a kitchen, living and dining areas. Drinking water is available and is safe to drink.

Three vegetarian meals per day are included, (vegan or other can be accommodated by request), along with transport to and from the centres. Breakfast and dinner are taken at the volunteer house and lunch is at the sanctuary. Chai flows copiously during the working day!

*Wildlife SOS are strongly committed to the ethical treatment of animals, therefore direct contact with the animals is not part of your volunteering, and only trained staff are allowed to interact with them.

Note. Customers booking this combined experience on tour and volunteering will be connected with Wildlife SOS who will handle formalities and payment of £490pp for this section of the overall itinerary. It is important to Charitable Travel that the maximum amount of financial support is arranged direct with the Charity. Also note that this section of the experience, booked direct with the Charity, is not covered by the ATOL arrangements in place for the rest of the itinerary.

Today, with incredible memories of your time supporting the wellbeing of the elephants and bears you will be transferred from Wildlife SOS in Agra to Delhi. (Approximately 5 hours’ drive).

Upon arrival check in at the hotel the rest of the day is at your leisure. You can witness Diwali festival preparations if you wish.

Accommodation: Hotel Singh Sahib 3*
Meals included: Breakfast

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast. Standard check-out time at the hotel is midday. Transfers to the airport are included for those who have booked flights through Charitable Travel, and for those who depart the same day and have provided their flight details.

Meals included: Breakfast.