Welcome to Delhi, the capital of India! A monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new, teeming bazaars, stately British boulevards, powerful Mughal palaces and forts, ethereal towers, temples, and tombs. You will be met on arrival at the international airport and escorted by private vehicle to your hostel where you will meet your tour group. After Meet Your Crew Session, an orientation talk by your tour leader, in the evening we will head for Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh shrine, which feeds thousands of people each day. This will be followed by a Crew Bonding Night Out including a stopover at the India Gate, a majestic sight whose beauty is amplified at night and everything crazier that you wish to do with your fellow mates.

NOTE – The trip starts with a full-day program early morning on Day 2. Make sure you arrive anytime on Day 1 latest. If you are arriving a day before please let us know in advance so that we can arrange your accommodation.

After a good night’s sleep, we start the day with a guided tour of Old Delhi. This will be fuelled by some delicious food from the ancient alleyways to bless your bellies for lunch. You will also be indulging in Your Responsible Activity at Salaam Balaak Trust, an organisation which is championing the art of transforming the lives of former street kids. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace with your gang.

You’ll wake early for your train to Agra, all set to tick some things off your bucket list. This is the moment you have all been waiting for. Catch the greatest tribute to love, the Taj Mahal with a guided tour. You will get free time to grab lunch as we continue exploring the secrets of the Old City of Agra, including Agra Fort. In the evening, you will visit the Sheroes Cafe, a joint run by acid attack survivors. The evening is free for you to take it at your own pace.

Wave goodbye to Agra early this morning for your train to Ranthambore National Park, one of the largest national parks in India and our home for the night. On arrival, you will be transferred to your accommodation where you will enjoy a delicious lunch prepared by the locals. Following lunch, make your way to Dhonk Craft Centre, a cooperative that was set up to support the local community. This will be followed by visiting the Ranthambore fort. Feel the tranquillity of nature and end the day with a tasty group dinner set against a back drop none of us will be forgetting any time soon. Get an early good night’s sleep for your safari early the next morning.

Wake up early for a sunrise and a safari adventure as we try to spot the magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger, as they should be seen – in the wild. Safari trucks will pick you up from your accommodation before we head out into the forest for some diverse wildlife watching. After your safari, head back to your accommodation for breakfast before boarding your train to Jaipur. On arrival, check into your hotel and enjoy your leisure time grabbing some lunch. The rest of the day is free for you to explore the local bazaars.

Today, you will head for Jaipur sightseeing which will include the enclosures of the royal family at the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, and one of the finest forts in India, Amer Fort. Hear stories about this city which for centuries has been home to the Rajputana. You will have most of the day to explore the city at your own pace and explore Jaipur’s mouth-watering delicacies.

Today you will make your way to Pushkar, a true oasis in the desert. What makes this oasis unique is that it is the only place on the planet that has a temple dedicated to Brahma, the creator god of Hinduism. On arrival, check into your accommodation and then head for an orientation walk of the city. The rest of your day is for you to Explore With Your Crew in the historical town with its vibrant markets and bazaars at your own pace.

This morning you will hike up the Savitri Temple for a stunning view of the sunrise. In the afternoon, you will have Your Rural Experience when we visit our local guide Himangshu and his family. At the age of 12, when his father passed away, Himangshu gave up his education to drive a tuk-tuk full-time and help his four sisters throughout their schooling. At 16, he supports his family, keeping a positive attitude and friendliness. You will be greeted with a delicious lunch prepared by his family and engage in a rich cultural exchange. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy independent activities.

Today, after breakfast, you will board your train to Udaipur, the Venice of the East. On arrival, check into a guest house and in your free time grab some lunch. We will then head for an orientation walk followed by a boat ride at Lake Pichola and a Rajasthani cultural show in the evening. Later, when you are done with dinner, we will visit the Jagdish Temple for evening aarti.

Enjoy the morning exploring Udaipur with stops at City Palace, Monsoon Palace, and Saheliyon Ki Bari. In the afternoon, you can opt to visit an animal sanctuary. You will have the option to either volunteer there for a few hours or just visit them. Although, most of you will have minimal to no experience in animal care, the sanctuary welcomes people to help them with their daily operations. In the evening, you will participate in an authentic cooking class provided by your host in Udaipur. During your free time, simply Explore With Your Crew to have a great time!

Today, after a quick flight, you will be arriving in Mumbai, the city that never sleeps. India’s biggest city, home to Bollywood and the powerhouse of India’s rapid economic growth. You will be struck by its overwhelming energy. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hostel. After a lot of guided activity, it’s time to Explore With Your Crew and see if you can get your way around this bustling city on your own. Not to mention, it’s the glam capital of India and there are plenty of clubs to hit with your gang. Finally some party time!

You are in the home of Bollywood. So why not explore the city like it’s a movie! Today, we will take you on a cinematic tour of the city. Explore Fort and Colaba area; Mumbai’s Manhattan. Visit Dhobi Ghat, a popular open-air human laundry, an age-old Mumbai speciality. You will also be treated with Mumbai’s awesome Marathi cuisine for lunch. Visit the famous slums but make sure you learn about the community and not make a spectacle out of poverty. In the evening, you will board an overnight train to Goa.

Welcome to Goa! Beaches. Trance parties. Hippies. But, Goa is so much more than that. On arrival, you will be transferred to your guest house in Arambol. Run to the beach and let the waves from the Arabian Sea do their magic. This day is free for you to Explore With Your Crew so take it as it comes. There are plenty of shacks on the beach for you to choose from which serves top rage seafood! It is the party capital of India, so there are plenty of bars and clubs too.

In the morning, the group will head to a co-working space in Arambol for Your Impact Event that symbolises the trip’s halfway mark and also the closure session for a few who won’t be continuing with us for exploring South. You will have the opportunity to reflect upon and discuss your journey, which started two weeks ago. You saw a lot. You experienced a lot. Do you feel that you made a difference? Did you leave a mark? Share your experience with us. We would love to hear any ideas and suggestions you think may be able to help us. Tell us how we can make a bigger impact. In the evening, we will head for crab fishing with local fishermen, which will be followed by dinner prepared by them. Tonight is the last night for few so End With A Bang Night with your fellow mates who will not continue the journey down south. Tomorrow, the rest of you will make your way to South India.

Bidding adieu to the ones not continuing with us towards South! The last 15 days have been a roller coaster! You have experienced Indian culture, relished the food, conversed with locals, made a lasting impact on local businesses and have a lifetime of memories to take back! However, just like all good things, this too has to come to an end. And for everyone else moving towards South India, it is your last day in Goa. You have the entire day free for independent activities. In the evening, board your train to Kochi.

NOTE: For those bidding goodbye to us today, you can book your return flights via Goa’s airport itself. Also, you can also choose to spend a few extra days in this beautiful country! And if that is the case, please let us know in advance so that we can make arrangements accordingly.

Welcome to Kochi! Excited? Sure you are! After freshening up, you will take part in Meet Your Crew Session for the 2nd half of the trip during which you will also meet the other new joiners. The team will also share some important information. Later on, hit the town with your gang, old and new and have a Crew Bonding Night Out to explore the variety of options this city has to offer such as fisherman’s cove and Jew town!

After a good night’s sleep, we are fully charged to start the trip with you. We head to Cheruthuruthy where you will meet different craftsmen and artists who live on the banks of the river Nila, especially the famous potter Gopalan. Visit a women’s cooperative and interact with them to learn about the cooperative movement in Kerala. The evening is free for independent activities with your crew!

Leave early morning after breakfast and drive to Cranganore. Today, you will be indulging in Your Responsible Activity inspired by Pokkali, a unique community-based initiative by local farmers to preserve and conserve one of its kind, the saline-tolerant strain of rice, threatened by extinction. Later on, you will visit Muziris to check out the Jewish Synagogue and Cheraman mosque. Post that, make your way to the beautiful coastal town of Marari, your home for the next two days!

After your breakfast, leave Cranganore for Marari, a beautiful town on the Malabar coast. On arrival, check in your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to Explore With Your Crew in independent activities. Marari unlike other beaches in Kerala is untamed. So, hit the Arabian sea and wash off all your worries with your crew!

Today, we take a short trip up the road to the world-famous Kerala backwaters. You will go on an authentic village tour in Alleppey. Learn about this amazing community, drift through the picturesque paddy fields, and form memories. Also, have Your Rural Experience while canyoning in the mesmerizing Alleppey backwaters. This will be topped off with lunch prepared by a local family. This is a great opportunity to interact with locals and engage in a cultural exchange. Return to Marari and spend the night there.

Today, you are heading deep inside God’s own country. Make your way into the lush country of Thekkady. On your way, you will visit a spice plantation to learn about exotic spices grown in this region. On arrival, check into your accommodation. The afternoon is free for you to gather your energy for the evening as you will be a spectator to two powerful Keralite performances – Kathakali, an age-old traditional Keralite dance form, and Kalaripayattu, an ancient martial arts form originating in this state.

Safari time! Today you will go deep into the Periyar Tiger Reserve for an adventurous trek through the forest. Although it would be gold to spot a tiger, coming across beautiful creatures like elephants, deers, monkeys and a wide variety of birds is very common. This will be followed by an exciting bamboo rafting activity in the Periyar lake. Being one of India’s richest bio-diversities, you are bound to be mesmerised by the rich flora and fauna in this tranquil environment.

Today, we leave Kerala for Tamil Nadu. After having a delicious breakfast, we travel down to Madurai by a private vehicle. Unpack after reaching the hotel. Relax for a while. In the evening, we go on a food tour, starting from the very famous South Indian restaurant- Amma’s Mess. Later, if you wish to, you can witness a night procession in Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple which is sure to light up your soul!

A long day! After breakfast, you will go for a heritage walk through the Temple Town. Explore the innermost areas of this historic city on foot, including the iconic Thirumalai Nayakar Palace and stone sculptures in addition to the bustling tailor’s, banana, flower, and vegetable markets. Later in the afternoon, you will make your way to Kumbakonam and spend the night there.

This morning, you will visit the legendary vedic school, Raja Veda Kavya Patasala, which has produced renowned scholars and pundits since its establishment in 1542. Get to learn about ancient Vedic studies. You will also visit Ramamohan’s house for Kalamkari workshop, an ancient art form that has been passed on from generation to generation. Later on, you will be transferred to the colonial coastal town of Pondicherry. On the map, it looks like this town is in Tamil Nadu but it is one of the few Union Territories of India. The evening is free for leisure activities.

Time to check out The France of India! Today, we go on a Morning Heritage Walk through the French Quarter, seeing the historic areas of the city. Admire the architecture, serenity, and the clear contrast in surroundings; as you feel that you have stepped in a small French city. In the afternoon, we will go on the Tamil Town Trail, both on foot and with Rickshaw ride. The Tamil side of town is busy and colourful, with Hindus, Muslims, and Christians living here. We will walk through the local bazaar to see the daily life and take a rickshaw ride to cover the residential areas.

The morning is for you to Explore With Your Crew and take at your own pace. Pondicherry has a lot to offer including the world-famous Auroville – a universal city in the making dedicated to human unity. Later on, we leave Pondicherry to reach Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu. On the way, you have an option to visit Mahabalipuram, mostly known for its unique temples. In the evening, you will catch an overnight train to Hampi and packed dinner will be provided to you.

You have arrived at your last stop but we saved the best for the last. Voted #2 on Lonely Panel’s best global destination of 2019, Hampi’s mesmerizing landscape, its unique community, and the ever-present hippie vibe is sure to leave a lasting impression in your heart. You will be picked up from the station and then transferred to your accommodation in Anegundi village. On arrival, enjoy a delicious breakfast prepared by your host Meenaxi – best chef in Hampi. Later on, you will be taken for an orientation tour around the village by Murli, Hampi’s famous guide, to give you an insight into the community, which has been there since the time of the Vijayanagara Empire. You will also have the opportunity to do some coracle rafting in the Tungabhadra river. The rest of the day is free for leisure!

This is your last day so in the morning, after breakfast, you will take part in Your Impact Event which is an interactive closure session at the village library to discuss the trip. At Novoto, we constantly strive to make sure our expeditions have a positive impact on both the host communities and our travelers. Exchange ideas, provide insight, and let us know how we can make an even greater impact. The rest of the day is for you to Explore With Your Crew. Go and have the best time with your gang! You will have the option to explore Hampi’s group of monuments or just relax in one of the many laid-back shacks. Make the most of this day and End With A Bang Night by chilling the way you want to. The nostalgia will grow stronger and stronger!