Road Trip - 28 Day India | Shimla - Dharmasala - Agra - Goa

Visit 4 distinct states in India in a month. From adventurous mountain treks, hot springs and Tibetan culture, to incredible palaces, history, architecture, beaches and so much more. This is a social and environmentally aware program providing an opportunity to experience the best of India in a fun and unique way by helping to giving back to the local communities through volunteering in various community based projects.

28 Day India Road Trip | Shimla – Dharmasala – Agra – Goa

Project Type

Road Trip | Group Holiday, touring with volunteering

Duration

4 weeks

Start Dates

1st & 3rd Monday of every Month (Every Monday in July)

Location

Arrival Delhi
Finish Goa

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Program Fees

Whats Included

  • Arrival  airport transfer
  • 3 Meals p/day weekdays, 2 meals p/day weekends
  • Accommodation (Volunteer Centers – shared dorm style rooms)
  • Daily ground transportation (to/from project)
  • Training & supervision as required
  • Use of necessary equipment incl program materials
  • 24/7 emergency assistance, volunteer support, local guiding and advice
  • Touring & excursions as per itinerary
  • Certificate of Completion 

Whats Not Included

  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Airfares & visa fees
  • Additional tours, souvenirs, spending money
  • Some daily local transport (depending on program eg. $2 p/day)

 

 

Overview

Taking you from the foothills of the Himalayas to the pristine beaches of Goa, see the world renown Taj Mahal, visit the famous hot springs of Shimla, spend a night in a desert in Rajasthan, travel to the home of the Dalai Lama, trek through forests, ride camels, explore palaces, forts and temples and visit world heritage sites.  On top of this, you’ll have the opportunity to volunteer in various community based social programs to help give back to the local people and make a difference during your holiday.

Through participation in this program, our aim is for you to expeirence the authentic India by being immersed in the culture, customs, lifestyle and beauty.

Itinerary 

Sunday – Arrive at Delhi International Airport. Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to the volunteer center to settle in.

1st Leg: 8 days Delhi – Himachal Pradesh – Agra

You will begin your road trip in the capital city of New Delhi, where you will have a brief introduction and the chance to settle into the pace and culture of India.

From Delhi, the tour will take you up to Shimla which is famous for it’s monkeys and incredible scenery.   This area will definitely be one of the many highlights of the trip!   You’ll be involved in a 2 day trek which culminates at a height of 3100 meters and taken to Hot Springs.

From Shimla, you’ll travel to Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama.   Here you’ll also see incredible beauty as well as a taste of Tibetan culture with various trips to temples and forts.

On returning to Delhi, you will spend an entire day taking in the sights and sounds of this magnificent city. Delhi forms a microcosm within India, being the capital city, it draws to it people from all over the country who bring with them the unique and distinct flavours of their own cultures.

From there, you’ll tour into the touristy but magnificent ‘Jewel in the crown’ of India – Agra where you will witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal.

2nd Leg:  8 days Rajasthan – Udaipur and Mumbai

Rajasthan – Udaipur and Mumbai (8 days)

The next leg of your trip takes you to the state of Rajasthan. You will spend most of your time here in Udaipur ‘the city of lakes’ and also visit the monsoon palace which is known for its sublime sunsets. You will see India’s second largest palace, enjoy a boat ride on the Pichola lake and will be given a Rajasthani cooking lesson and watch a Bollywood movie.   During this time, you’ll experience an unforgettable journey into the desert by camel spending a night with your fellow volunteers.

  • 3 days as a volunteer in a renovation or community based project

Third Leg:  Goa (10 days)

The final part of your trip takes you down to the sandy beaches of Goa. A warm climate, pristine beaches, exquisite cuisine and friendly people help to consistently rank Goa as one of the top tourist destinations of India. This former capital of Portuguese India is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its large number of Churches and Cathedrals.

Apart from experiencing all of the above, you will also visit a spice plantation, a fort and a few local markets. Goa has several projects ranging from schools and orphanages to women’s shelters, elders care and environmental projects. You will spend some time here volunteering at one or more projects.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***
What to bring;

  • Shoes suitable for hiking
  • Some warm clothes for when you are in the northern, cooler parts of Himalayas.
  • Beach wear
  • Backpack

Indicative Day to Day Itinerary

The following day to day itinerary is provided as a guide only.  Please note it is subject to change and may not represent exact dates/timing or activities;

Day 1 Orientation, Day in Delhi and overnight travel to Shimla
Days 2 and 3 Trek: 2 Days/20 Kilometers
Day 4 Visit Thattapanni Natural Hot Springs and Shimla City
Days 5 and 6 Dharamsala – Experience Tibetan culture, traditional Tibetan market, Kangra Fort and Kangra temple
Day 7 Experience Delhi
Day 8 Taj Mahal (Agra)
Days 9 and 10 Experience Rajasthan – Udaipur “the city of lakes”
Day 11 Sunset at Mount Abu
Day 12 Free morning and spend the afternoon at a volunteer project
Day 13 The Experience of a lifetime – Sleeping in the Desert
Day 14 Return to Udaipur
Day 15 Free morning and spend the afternoon at a volunteer project
Day 16 Morning at a volunteer project and take the evening bus to Mumbai
Day 17 Walk around Mumbai in the morning and take the evening bus to Goa
Day 18 Meet staff and other volunteers and a free evening
Days 19 and 20 Experience Goa, Fort Aguada, Anjuna village, beaches, markets and a spice plantation
Day 21 Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site – Old Goa
Day 22 Free Day
Days 23 to 27 Spend time at a volunteer project
Day 28 Departure

Accommodation & Meals

All accommodation is included during your stay.  All accommodation is simple, yet clean and comfortable with running water/showers and adequate western style bathroom and toilet facilities.  You’ll be sharing a room with other volunteers of the same gender, normally a maximum of 4 per room.

Within both Udaipur and Goa, the volunteer centers consist of spacious houses with 2 levels ground and first floor, a big living area, dining area, kitchen and 4 bedrooms with attached toilets and shower with running hot water.  Other amenities includ TV, DVD player, Wifi, computer, toaster and fridge

Within Agra, you’ll be staying in a hotel with spacious rooms and attached toilets.

3 good Meals are also provided every day of the program. Mainly Indian and western food served within the volunteer center at set times. Visits to various restaurants for breakfast lunch and dinner are also included.  The food served is mostly vegetarian and is authentic Indian with spicy and non spicy options available.  (Note, if you ask for it spicy…. watch out!)  The food will mainly consist of indian dishses with rice, pulses, vegetables and rotis with some chicken dishes 2 times in a week.

Visa Requirements

It is the responsibility of all participants to obtain any necessary visas.

Starting Dates

During 2018

08JAN | 22JAN | 05FEB | 19FEB | 05MAR | 19MAR | 02APR | 16APR | 07MAY | 21MAY | 04JUN | 18JUN | 02JUL | 16JUL | 06AUG | 20AUG | 03SEP | 17SEP | 01OCT | 15OCT | 05NOV | 19NOV | 03DEC | 17DEC

 

 

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