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"Bamboozling. There’s simply no other word that convincingly captures the enigma that is India. With its in-your-face diversity, from snow-dusted mountains to sun-washed beaches, tranquil temples to feisty festivals, lantern-lit villages to software-supremo cities, it’s hardly surprising that this country has been dubbed the world’s most multidimensional. Love it or loathe it, and most visitors see-saw between the two, India promises to jostle your entire being, and no matter where you go or what you do, it’s a place you’ll never forget."

 

Map of Our Journey

Travel Details

Who: Group of friends.

When: Winter 2013 after graduation, as these are the cooler months. It is also the time when well-known festivals in India are celebrated.


Why: I chose India as my number one travel destination for a variety of reasons. I am an avid traveller who enjoys experiencing culture shock. I have travelled to a number of countries in Asia before, but I don't think any of them will compare to India. I am also fiercely interested in the various religions in India, and the rich history behind them. I enjoy active vacations where I am always on the move, and I know that India will satisfy my craving for adventure. The geography of India appeals to me as well, as it has jungles, beaches, mountains and deserts. I expect that India will live up to my hopes of it, because it is an intoxicating cultural cocktail for the traveller.

Duration: 15 days

Budget: $4000 each

Flight Cost & Information: Direct flights from Toronto to Delhi do not exist- Must either catch connecting flight in the US or in Europe. I would prefer to connect in Europe as it divides up my flying time and will lessen my chances of experiencing any jetlag or exhaustion upon arrival. I also want to find the quickest and most inexpensive flight possible. Therefore, my best bet will be to connect in London Heathrow Airport. Roundtrip flights from Toronto-London-Delhi average around $1700 (according to expedia.ca)

Accommodation: Comfort hotels as Indian standards are much lower than what Canadians are used to

• Expect air conditioned rooms, complete with en suite bathrooms, television, phone services, cafe/bar and internet, 24 hr electricity and hot water are also a necessity
• Sleeper train (1 night)

Photo of the Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai

Transportation:  Mini bus, overnight train, auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, small river boat, local flight, walking

Currency: 

Currency used is Indian Rupees (INR)

1 CAD= 44.2665 INR

Expectations

On this trip, I am expecting to experience culture shock like I have never experienced it before. I have heard that India is a vibrant and colourful country, full of noise, dirt, and smells. I expect I will be taken aback by the sheer chaos and glaring poverty of this foreign place.  I also expect to see breathtaking architecture, each with its own history behind it. I think my trip to India will broaden my horizons, as it will enable me to partake in a completely different way of life, and learn about the Sikh religion.

Itinerary

Day One: Arrive Delhi

Day Two and Three: Varanasi


In the morning, we will have an orientation walk of Old Delhi, visiting Delhi’s famous Jama Masjid and the Great Mosque. We will also walk through Chandni Chowk, one of India’s oldest and busiest local markets, and learn the history of the Sikh religion at the important Gurduwara, which is a Sikh place of worship. In the afternoon we will fly to legendary Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city, where millions of Hindus travel for pilgrimage. The city has been a cultural and religious center in northern India for thousands of years. We will walk the narrow twisting alleys, poke around some of the thousands of temples and shrines, and experience the energy of the dawn rituals of bathing and burial as we float past the famous ghats of the Ganges.


In the morning, we will have an old city orientation walk along the ghats, and in the afternoon we will visit the ruins and monasteries of Sarnath, the site of Buddha's first sermon.  Later in the day, we will take boats out onto the sacred Ganges River at sunset. During our stay in Varanasi we will have time to shop, wander and absorb the atmosphere of this unique city.

Day Four: Khajuraho

In the morning, we will take a sunrise boat trip along the Ganges River and then continue to Khajuraho to visit the Western Temples, and in the evening, enjoy a local Kandariya Dance Show. Khajuraho is home to India’s largest group of medieval Hindu temples. These are famous for their erotic sculptures depicting scenes from the Kama Sutra. Khajuraho was once the religious capital of the Chandela Rajputs, a Hindu dynasty that ruled this part of India from the 10th to the 12th centuries. 

Day Five and Six: Bandhavgarth National Park

Today we will travel to Bandhavgarth National Park to begin our two-day safari and view some of India’s finest wildlife. In the afternoon, we will take our first safari with a local safari guide. This park has the highest density of tigers in all of India, and is full of many other exotic animals.

Day Seven: Sleeper Train to Agra

Today we will visit a local village to learn a little more about the rural way of life in India. We will meet with local artisans and observe weaving and pottery making, as well as a cooking and tasting demonstration. In the evening, we will board our overnight train to Agra.

Day Eight: Agra

Today we will take a cycle-rickshaw ride and visit the Red Fort. We will also have some free time to wander around and take in views of the Taj Mahal. The Muslim city of Agra is best known as the site of India’s most famous landmark, and testament to love, the Taj Mahal. 

Day Nine: Agra/Jaipur

This morning we will visit the Taj Mahal as well as Fatephur Sikri. In the afternoon we will proceed onwards to Jaipur. Constructed between 1631 and 1654 by a workforce of 22,000, the Taj Mahal was built by the Muslim Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife.

Day Ten: Jaipur

Today we will explore the city of Jaipur (also known as the Pink City), the capital of Rajasthan, with visits to the City Palace, Palace of the Winds and the Amber Fort. We will also visit the ruined city of Amber, former capital of Jaipur state.

Day Eleven: Pushkar

We will travel to the Holy town of Pushkar, where we will have an orientation walk, including the lake, ghats and also the 14th century Brahama temple. No pilgrimage of Hindu places is considered complete until the pilgrim bathes in sacred waters of Pushkar Lake. The city is so sacred that no meat, alcohol or eggs are allowed within the city. Rajasthan is rightfully famous for its textiles, jewelry and handicrafts, and few places in the country are better for shopping than the bazaars of Pushkar.

Day Twelve and Thirteen: Udaipur

We will continue on to Udaipur, famous for its lakes and Raj-era palaces. Most famous of these, and certainly the most photographed, is the Lake Palace. The Lake Palace is an island-palace where the white marble buildings, now a hotel, entirely cover a small island in Lake Pichola. We will have an orientation walk which will include a visit to Lake Pichola and Lake Palace. We will also journey out to the hilltop Monsoon Palace, the summer resort of the Maharajas. We will also tour the amazing City Palace, one of the largest royal palaces in India, and visit Jagdish Temple, built in 1651.

Day Fourteen: Delhi/Gurgaon

We will take an afternoon flight back to Delhi, and stay in the modern area of Gurgaon where our only obligation will be to relax over a final delicious meal.

Day Fifteen: Depart Delhi

Travel Tips and Precautions

• Dress modestly, so as not to stand out
• Get appropriate vaccinations prior to trip
• Never eat food from roadside vendors
• Eat only peeled fruit
• Drink only bottled water 
• Drink lots of water
• Wear a hat and sunscreen to avoid heat stroke
• Try to hire guides authorized by the Indian Government, and fix the amount paid in advance 

Incredible India

The following clip is a commercial to promote tourism in India. I think it offers a good idea of some of the sights we should expect to see while were there.