Full Brochure - STA Travel Hub

INDIA ON A SHOESTRINGDelhi DelhiFR$1,79920 DAYSHighlights• Explore the busy streets of Delhi• Check out the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur• Absorb the romance of the Taj Mahal• Enjoy an amazing camel safari• Watch the bathing rituals in Varanasi• Drink in a kaleidoscope of cultures• Visit Jodhpur’s ‘Palace of the Winds’• Watch a super sunset on the GangesDepartures 2015START FINISHJan 04 Jan 23Jan 05 Jan 24Jan 11 Jan 30Jan 12 Jan 31Jan 19 Feb 07Jan 25 Feb 13Jan 26 Feb 14Feb 02 Feb 21Feb 09 Feb 28Feb 15 Mar 06Feb 16 Mar 07Feb 23 Mar 14Mar 02 Mar 21Mar 08 Mar 27Mar 09 Mar 28Mar 16 Apr 04Mar 22 Apr 10Mar 23 Apr 11Mar 30 Apr 18Apr 06 Apr 25Apr 13 May 02Apr 20 May 09Apr 27 May 16InclusionsSTART FINISHMay 04 May 23May 11 May 30May 18 Jun 06May 25 Jun 13Jun 01 Jun 20Jun 08 Jun 27Jun 15 Jul 04Jun 22 Jul 11Jun 28 Jul 17Jun 29 Jul 18Jul 06 Jul 25Jul 12 Jul 31Jul 13 Aug 01Jul 20 Aug 08Jul 27 Aug 15Aug 03 Aug 22Aug 10 Aug 29Aug 17 Sep 05Aug 24 Sep 12Aug 31 Sep 19Sep 07 Sep 26Sep 14 Oct 03Sep 21 Oct 10START FINISHSep 28 Oct 17Oct 05 Oct 24Oct 12 Oct 31Oct 18 Nov 06Oct 19 Nov 07Oct 25 Nov 13Oct 26 Nov 14Nov 02 Nov 21Nov 08 Nov 27Nov 09 Nov 28Nov 15 Dec 04Nov 16 Dec 05Nov 22 Dec 11Nov 23 Dec 12Nov 29 Dec 18Nov 30 Dec 19Dec 07 Dec 26Dec 14 Jan 02Dec 20 Jan 08Dec 21 Jan 09Dec 26 Jan 14Dec 27 Jan 15Dec 28 Jan 16Trip Style: YOLO Service Level: Basic PhysicalGrading: 2 Age Group: Exclusively for 18-39sAccommodation: Hotels (15 nts), sleepertrains (3 nts), camping (1 nt) Transport: Train,metro, local bus, private bus, tuk tuk, smallriverboat, camel, 4x4 Meals: 2 breakfasts, 2lunches, 2 dinners Budget: Allow USD $350-400 for meals not included Group Leader:Chief Experience Officer (CEO) Group Size:Max 18, Avg 14 Tour Code: GAAHRHMy Own Room Available: Fr $689Bikaner Pushkar DelhiJaisalmerJaipurJodhpurAgraTordi SagarUdaipurINDIAVaranasiThis is your all-encompassing Indian wonder trip! You’ll tick off a whole host of amazingexperience over 20 action-packed days and all for an absurdly low price. Experience thewonders of Rajasthan and North India - witness life-affirming sunsets, mystical temples,opulent palaces, utopian lakes and beautiful landscapes. Come face to face with aspirituality far removed from the shallow complexity of the western world as you interactwith people in some truly unique places. India is also home to great and varied cuisine, sothere’ll be plenty of opportunities to enjoy a few spicy curries along the way.DAY01-0203-0405-060708-0910-1112-1314-1516-1819-20ITINERARYDelhiArrive into Delhi and dive straight into the heart of India’s capital. Explore vibrant Old Delhi, visitJama Masjid and climb the minaret for a bird’s-eye view, or stroll the busy market at Chandni Chowk.Take part in a walk led by rehabilitated street kids from our partner Planeterra’s New Delhi StreetKids Project. On the evening of Day 2, board the overnight train to Bikaner.Bikaner / Camel SafariArrive into Bikaner and head out into the dunes on a unique mode of transport, the Indian camel.Ride past isolated villages and marvel at your guides’ abilities to find their way across this emptylandscape. Camp out under the stars with only the dunes and camels for company. (B, L, D)JaisalmerJaisalmer, known as the ‘Golden City’, stands on a ridge of yellowish sandstone in the heart of theThar Desert. Spend an enjoyable two days absorbing these legendary and exotic surroundings,wandering the maze of streets and checking out the mud fortress and walled townships.JodhpurAt Jodhpur, stark desert landscapes meet palaces, forts and temples, all enclosed within imposingcity walls. Six enormous gates provide entry to the city centre. Overlooking it all stands theMeherangarh Fort, one of the largest in India. Climb up and admire the breathtaking view of the city.UdaipurContinue to Udaipur, famous for its breathtaking lakes and Raj palaces. Most famous is the LakePalace, where white marble buildings entirely cover a small island in Pichola Lake.Pushkar / Tordi SagarTake an orientation walk upon arrival in Pushkar, site of the world’s only temple to the Hindu god ofcreation, Brahma. On Day 11, dive into rural life with a traditional village stay. Visit potters, cobblersand markets, take a jeep safari to the dunes for sunset or head into the hills for a spot of hiking. (D)JaipurTravel to the capital of Rajasthan. Clothed in pink, Jaipur is home to India’s second most-visited site,the magnificent Hawa Mahal, or ‘Palace of the Winds’. You’ll have plenty time to explore. (B, L)AgraContinue to the Muslim city of Agra, best known as the site of India’s most famous landmark - the TajMahal. This instantly recognisable building was constructed between 1631-1654 by a workforce of22,000 as a mausoleum for the favourite wife of the Emperor Shah Jahan. It is perhaps the romanticorigin of the Taj Mahal, as much as its architectural splendour, that has led to its worldwide fame.Visit this icon of Mughal architecture either in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light.VaranasiJourney to legendary Varanasi where millions of Hindus travel to worship, to mourn or to die. Walkthe narrow alleys, visit temples and shrines and experience the energy of the dawn rituals as youfloat past the famous ghats of the Ganges. In the evening, you will enjoy a candle flower ceremony.On Day 18, take an overnight train back to Delhi.DelhiExplore this hectic fast-paced city before your adventure ends on Day 20.INDIAN SUB-CONTINENT173