Adventures in India

Village India: A Passage to India

Following in the footsteps of E.M Forster's classic tale, A Passage to India, this wonderful and innovative itinerary takes you from the very edge of the great subcontinent at Mumbai's Gateway to India, via the famous Buddhist caves of Ellora and Ajanta, a few other WF favourite locations, and on to the beautiful Vale of Kashmir.

On this trip you will witness many of India's most inspiring monuments & including the Taj Mahal & visit some of her most colourful cities and enjoy many of her serene and mellow villages. It is a trip that has something for everyone, including the chance to cook, spot game and stay in some awe inspiring palaces and private forts.

At Wild Frontiers we pride ourselves at being able to produce something that is not only different but excellent as well… in our Passage to India itinerary, we believe we have done just that.

“Our Passage to India was a magical journey. Wild Frontiers enabled us to take in the whole experience of India: the good, the bad, the sublime and the ugly, which is what India is all about.” Dick and Buggsie Heath-Brown

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Itinerary / Highlights

Highlights:
• Mumbai and the Gateway to India
• Buddhist caves at Ellora and Ajanta
• Agra and the Taj Mahal
• Amritsar and the Golden Temple
• The tranquil lakes of Kashmir

Day 1: Mumbai: The tour will start around midday at the joining hotel situated close to the Gateway to India. After meeting up we will take a late lunch followed by a wander around this fascinating city, with time at the famous arch that is ‘the Gateway to India', the Prince of Wales and Ghandi museums and the Hanging Gardens. We will end our tour with a visit to the Taj, which overlooks the harbour and is a great place for a drink, before having dinner at a local restaurant.
Hotel (L, D)

Day 2: Mumbai & Aurangabad: Taking a 01 hour flight (departing 07.15) on Jet Airways to Aurangabad, we will transfer to our hotel. Aurangabad is a quiet and remarkably uncrowded city and could easily stand alone were it not overshadowed by the famous caves nearby. After a short rest we will head out and explore this interesting town which has quite a few attractions & the Bibi-ka-Maqbara mausoleum and Panchakki watermill to name a couple - before lunch. In the afternoon we will visit the Ellora Caves, a truly amazing series of underground temples, some with extraordinary sculptures, built between the 7th and 11th centuries AD. Our evening meal will be at a local restaurant.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 3: Aurangabad: After a good night's sleep we will take a day trip to visit the Ajanta, some 2½ hours away. Predating the caves at Ellora, the Ajanta Caves are entirely Buddhist and are famous for their exquisite paintings. After the decline in Buddhism the caves were eventually forgotten, only to be discovered again in 1819 by some Brits on a hunting trip. Their beauty was soon unveiled and they now represent one of Maharastra's best-known sites. In the afternoon, we return to Aurangabad.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 4: Aurangabad & Mahashwer: After breakfast we will transfer to the Manmad railway station and catch the 11.15 train to Mhau. On arrival at 14.45 we take a three hour drive to the stunning Ahilya Fort. A stay at Ahilya Fort is an experience straight out of the 18th century. Situated high above the banks of the sacred Narmada River, it was the capital of one of India's celebrated women rulers, Ahilya Bai Holkar. Her fortress has been converted into a wonderful heritage hotel of discrete charm, where guests can appreciate surroundings which have not changed since Ahilya Bai. Her Wada palace is simple and elegant; built in 1766 it is a typical example of the Maratha architecture of the period. We will spend the evening at the ghats of Maheshwar observing the arti & or puja & and enjoy the chanting and prayers as the local people place the candles to drift along the river. Overnight at Fort Ahilya, where everything, including alcoholic beverages, massage and laundry is included.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 5: Mahashwer: Today we will have the whole day to relax at this gorgeous location. There are day trips possible for those wishing to visit the local handloom manufacturers of the maheshwari saris and the village & the houses here are mostly built using teak wood. We will also be able to visit different villages set on the riverbanks travelling by boats. But really this day in rural India will just be for all of us to unwind after the rigours of our journey. Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 6: Mahashwer & Barnagar: Departing early from Mahashwer we will head to Mandu. Started in the 7th century by the local rulers, added to by the Sultans of the 12th century and the Moghuls of the 17th century, this truly awesome collection of forts, palaces and temples is said to be the largest in all Asia. After visiting the fort we will drive on to Barnagar where we will check in to the lovely Fort Amla.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 7: Barnagar & Jhalawar: Continuing north, our journey takes us through the rural Indian countryside and a region known as Malwa. Around lunch time we will visit Ujjain, where we drop in on the only temple in India dedicated to the alcohol drinking god of death, Kal Bhairav. From here we will drive on to Prithvi Vilas, home of the Maharaja of Jhalawar, arriving mid-afternoon. This evening promises to be a real treat as we get to stay with the Maharaja and his charming wife in their extraordinary home-cum-museum.
Vilas (B, L, D)

Day 8: Jhalawar: The first time we ran this itinerary we only had one night at Jhalawar & we soon realised it wasn't enough time! For a start, the palace & the present Maharaja's grandfather's former hunting lodge & is so amazing you could easily spend a day just relaxing in the quiet grounds, but the city itself is interesting with a fine palace and library. After lunch we will visit the nearby pilgrimage town of Jhalrapatan, one of the purest towns that remain to be seen in India today. Although being more than 800 years old the town is very well planned, most of it still lying within the city walls that were built to defend against local dacoits and looters. The town has some beautiful temples and a vibrant market. Right outside the city walls are the famous temples of Chandrabagha. If there is time we can visit a local school, sponsored by Wild Frontiers and then return to Jhalawar.
Vilas (B, L, D)

Day 9: Jhalawar & Agra: After breakfast we will transfer to the station for a morning train to Bharatpur from where we will visit the famous deserted town of Fatipur Sikri. This extraordinary city, almost perfectly preserved, was once a great Moghul stronghold, until a lack of water forced its speedy decline in the 17th century. From here we will drive on to Agra.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Day 10: Agra & Amritsar: After breakfast we will visit the Taj Mahal at its most magical, as the sun comes up over the Yamuna River burnishing the white marble to flamingo pink. After two hours here we will head to Agra Fort, another stunning Moghul monument, before taking lunch and transferring back to the train station at Bharatpur to catch the late afternoon train to Amritsar.
Overnight Train (B, L, D)

Day 11: Amritsar: Arriving into Amritsar we will check into our hotel take a rest and breakfast before visiting the spectacular Golden Temple. From here we will see the border ceremony between India & Pakistan at the famous Wagha/Attari Road Frontier. In the evening we will return to the temple, to see it at its most magical.
Hotel (B, L, D)

Days 12/13: Amritsar & Srinagar: Today we begin one of the most beautiful and evocative road journeys anywhere in the world as we head on towards the famous Vale of Kashmir. On the first day we will stay in the winter capital, Jammu, before heading on to enter the fabled Vale of Kashmir and Srinagar. On arrival we will transfer by shikara to our houseboat, the Royal Palace, on a quiet area of Dal Lake.
Day 12: Guesthouse (B, L, D)

Day 13: Houseboat (B, L, D)

Day 14: Srinagar: Sitting at the heart of the Vale of Kashmir lies this extraordinary town, famed for centuries for its clean, clear air, its idyllic setting and, of course, its lakes. Framed by high-forested hills that rise up in the distance to the snow-capped Himalayas, it is simply one of the most picturesque places you're ever likely to visit. To drift across Dal or Nagin Lake on the elegant shikaras is relaxation at its most exotic and peaceful, and at this time of year as autumn is falling, it is even more magical. The first day we will simply relax.
Houseboat (B, L, D)

Day 15: Srinagar: Of course, staying for nearly 3 whole days there will be plenty to do in the autumn sunshine. There is the floating vegetable market, the beautiful Moghul Gardens, created by Empire Akbar, and the old city with its narrow streets and ancient mosques to explore. There is shopping, though in truth that doesn't require much effort as the hawkers of flowers, jewellery, pashminas etc come to the houseboats. Or for the really energetic there is even a round of golf to consider on one of India's best courses. Each day we will eat on the houseboat, sampling the delicious cuisine.
Houseboat (B, L, D)

Day 16: Srinagar & Delhi: Our final morning is free to relax and then after an early lunch we will fly to Delhi where will have a few hours free for a quick look around, before heading out for our final dinner in town. The tour ends after dinner.
Day rooms only - (B, L, D)

Other Details

Accommodation Details

In general on this trip you will experience some of the finest and most interesting accommodation the subcontinent can offer.
From wonderful converted palaces, castles to smart hotels and houseboats – you will not be disappointed. Indeed in Ahilya we believe you will stay at one of the very best properties the subcontinent can boast. However this is still India and in certain places facilities are sometimes not quite up to a Western standard and therefore patience is occasionally required.

All hotels mentioned in the itinerary are subject to availability and if not available substitutes will be of a similar quality.
Transport on this group tour we will use domestic flights, trains, mini-bus coasters and jeeps.

Fitness:
Anyone in a reasonable state of health who enjoys walking should enjoy this tour, however this particular trip does cover a fair distance and that in itself can be tiring.

Insurance:
Insurance is compulsory for all tours. Please note that it is very important that your insurance policy is relevant to the Wild Frontiers style of travel and be you should be aware that most standard insurance policies will not cover you adequately for Wild Frontiers trips.
Accordingly in order to ensure that you are covered for any eventuality that may arise on a Wild Frontiers trip, we strongly recommend that you purchase insurance specifically designed for us by Travel & General.

Visas:
Visas are necessary for many of the destinations we travel to and while we aim to provide you with the most up-to-date information, requirements frequently change and as such we advise that you check with the relevant embassies for the latest advice.

For this tour, UK passport holders currently require a visa for India.
Non-UK passport holders should contact the relevant embassies for individual requirements.
Further details will be sent out to you on booking, however ensuring that correct and valid visas are obtained remains the sole responsibility of the client.

Responsible Travel:
Responsible travel and sustainable tourism are fundamental ideas that Wild Frontiers has been committed to since our birth. It is our strong belief that these words should not be simply ‘tagged on´ to dossiers and websites but should be at the very core of each trip, and our adventures are therefore designed with the local people, culture and eco-system in mind. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers a unique and unsurpassable journey for our clients, but that it also benefits the peoples whose lands we are privileged to visit.
The Wild Frontiers Foundation: In order to facilitate an enduring support structure for the communities we visit, and to show a commitment to these values, Wild Frontiers has set up a charitable foundation through which we can channel funds to both existing NGOs and our own development projects. In addition to organising ethically sensitive tours, having our own charitable foundation allows us to raise money – through the cost of our tours, charity trips and fund raising events – which can then be used to fund various projects in education, sanitation, reforestations and a number of other important issues facing developing communities. Wherever possible we are happy for our clients to visit these projects to see for themselves where and how this money is being spent.

In India as well as having our own ongoing projects, which include a tree-planting scheme, financing a school and small rural hospital, we support both the Hope Foundation in Calcutta and the Ladakh Project in Ladakh. The Hope Foundation works to help the street children of Calcutta by providing education, nutrition and health care and ultimately removing them from the street into better lives. The Ladakh Project was established in 1975 to help the people of Ladakh explore sustainable patterns of development, based on the use of local resources and indigenous knowledge.

The Environment:
Trying to do our bit for the environment, in 2005 we were among the first UK-based travel companies to automatically offset every client´s international flight (if booked with us) with a payment to Carbon Clear to help promote sustainable energy.
Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO): The FCO Travel advice highlights potential hazards people might experience when travelling abroad. Given the nature of destinations offered by Wild Frontiers it is inevitable that from time to time some itineraries contravene this advice. Whilst WF takes the safety and security of its clients extremely seriously, we will not necessarily cancel a trip because of the FCO advice. It is recommended therefore that clients check this advice before booking and contact us if they have any queries or concerns.

Departure Dates, Options & Prices

Fri 01 Oct 2010 to Sat 16 Oct 2010

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