New Delhi<- ->Chennai (WLH)

Delhi 14 Oct 2013

Today is a free day until the group meeting at 18:00hrs. We stay overnight in a local hotel.

Hotel for the night: Florence Inn

Bikaner 15 Oct 2013

After breakfast we leave Delhi for the journey 400Kms to Bikaner. The drive will take us most of the day, stopping en route for lunch. In Bikaner we will either stay in a local hotel, or at an eco-lodge a short distance outside the city.

Jaisalmer 16 Oct 2013

Morning drive of 385Kms from Bikaner to the ancient Rajasthani city of Jaisalmer, arriving early afternoon stopping at the Karni Mata (Rat Temple) en-route. We base ourselves in Jaisalmer for the next 3 nights, staying in a comfortable local hotel.

Jaisalmer 17 Oct 2013

This morning is free for you to explore more of Jaisalmer, before we head out on a camel safari into the Thar Desert in the late afternoon. Exploring the desert with local Rajasthani camel drivers is the most authentic way to experience the area. Tonight we camp out in the desert, sleeping under the stars.

Jaisalmer 18 Oct 2013

Returning from our camel safari in the morning, we have the rest of today to relax or explore more of Jaisalmer and the surrounding area. Overnight in comfortable hotel.

Jodhpur, Sambhali Trust 19 Oct 2013

This morning we drive approx. 285Kms from Jaisalmer to another famous Rajasthani city, Jodphur.  En route to Jodphur we will make our visit to the Sambhali Trust project where we will learn abou the efforts of the project and make a group donation from the kitty.

After our visit we will make our way to our local guest house in Jodphur where will spend the night.

Jodhpur 20 Oct 2013

Today we will be in and around Jodphur. In the morning we visit the Meherangarh Fort & Palace, before splitting up into small groups of twos or threes for our community homestay. Overnight in local family homes.

Pushkar 21 Oct 2013

Short morning drive of 215Kms from Jodphur to the holy town of Pushkar. Afternoon free to explore. Overnight in local hotel.

Udaipur 22 Oct 2013

After breakfast we set off from Pushkar for a 300Kms drive to Udaipur, arriving mid-afternoon. We will have 2 nights here, giving us plenty of time to discover this amazing, romantic Rajasthani city. Overnight in comfortable hotel.

Udaipur 23 Oct 2013

Free day to explore the sites of Udaipur or relax on one of the many roof-top terraces. Second night in comfortable hotel.

Ratlam 24 Oct 2013

Leaving Udaipur we have a local cook join us on board who will accompany us over the next few days whilst we are wild camping.

Today will mostly be spent travelling approx 220Kms on the backroads of rural Rajasthan. We are well off the tourist trail here and tonight we will wildcamp, perhaps on the edge of a local village.

Mandu 25 Oct 2013

Morning driving of 200Kms, continuing our route through rural villages and towns. Our destination is Mandu - an extensive and mainly deserted hill-top fort. In the afternoon we will have time to explore the palace and tomb. Tonight we will either stay in a local guesthouse, or camp.

Ajanta, Ellora 26 Oct to 27 Oct 2013

From Mandu we take and early morning drive of approx. 250Kms to Ajanta.

Over the next couple of days we will have a guided tour of both the Ajanta and Ellora Caves.

Both nights will be spent camping.

Mumbai 28 Oct 2013

Setting off early we say good bye to our local cook and we have approx. 400Kms Drive from Ajanta and Ellora to Mumbai arriving mid to late afternoon.

Tonight we stay in a comfortable hotel.

Mumbai 29 Oct 2013

Group meeting at 18.00hrs in Mumbai, otherwise today is free to explore the sights and sounds of Mumbai. 

Overnight in a good quality hotel.

Hotel for the night: Hotel Supreme

Ganpatipule 30 Oct 2013

We leave the hustle and bustle of Mumbai very early this morning to aviod the rush hour traffic and head 375Km along the Konkan Coast to the little coastal town of Ganpatipule.  Depending on what time we arrive at Ganpatipule we will either visit the The Ganpati Temple (Ganesha Temple) this afternoon or the following morning.

Tonight we will stay in basic beach side resort with facilities.

Goa 31 Oct to 01 Nov 2013

Our journey continues 235Kms along the coast to Goa. We will stay for two nights at the relaxed beaches of Vagator in the North. Most travellers are drawn to Vagator for the stunning sunsets, the laid back atmosphere and the proximinity of some other quieter beaches in the area such as Arambol and Anjuna.

We will stay in a comfortable hotel with good facilities close to the beach.

Goa, Old Goa 02 Nov to 03 Nov 2013

After a couple of nights on the northern beaches of Goa we head off in the truck to the southern beaches visiting the site of Old Goa en route.  

We will stay for 2 nights in beautiful beach huts on the stunning beach of Agonda which is a perfect place to just sit back and watch the fishing boats landing their catch and sampling the delicious local cuisine or visit the nearby beach of Palolem with its many bars and restaurants.

Hampi 04 Nov 2013

Leaving the beaches of Goa behind us we set off on a long drive day, approx. 400Km crossing into the state of Karnataka to the village of Hampi located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the former capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. 

Tonight we will stay in a local guesthouse.

Hampi 05 Nov 2013

Today we rise early and set off on our guided tour of Hampi.

Our second night is in the local guesthouse.

Hampi to Mysore Wild Camp 06 Nov 2013

We set off from Hampi to start our journey to Mysore.  We will try and cover approx. 200Km and aim to wild camp along the way.

Mysore 07 Nov to 08 Nov 2013

From our wild camp we head to Mysore where we will stay for 2 nights in a comfortable hotel.  You have a free day in Mysore, one of India's most attractive towns, to explore the city's beautiful gardens or visit one of the many palaces and the Shri Chamarajendra art gallery.

Tonight we will stay in a comfortable hotel

Wayanad 09 Nov 2013

Today we travel 150kms up into the hills, heading for the hillstation of Wayanad, a small settlement surrounded by tea and coffee plantations. Whilst in Wayanad we stay as guests of local families at a local homestay.

Wayanad 10 Nov 2013

A free day to relax and explore the tea and coffee plantations and surrounding hills. Second night at family homestay.

Cochin 11 Nov 2013

Leaving Wayanad after breakfast, today is a travel day, driving approximately 260kms to Cochin. 

Overnight in a comfortable local hotel.

Cochin 12 Nov 2013

Today we take a city tour by boat around the coast and islands taking in various sites including the Jewish Quarter, St Francis Church & the Chinese fishing nets.

In the evening we will watch the famous Kathakali dancers, India's most spectacular dance drama. 

Our second night is spent in a comfortable hotel.

Allepey 13 Nov 2013

Leaving the bustle of Cochin behind today we embark on our overnight houseboat cruise on the tranquil Keralan back waters to Allepey.

Varkala 14 Nov to 16 Nov 2013

Leaving the backwaters behind us we head to the beach resort of Varkala (Approx. 120Kms).  There is free time to simply relax or explore the surrounding area.  Varkala is well known for it's beaches and there are also lots of great local restaurants where you can sample the justifiably famous Keralan cuisine.

During our time in Varkala we stay at a beach resort.

Kanyakumari, Madurai 17 Nov 2013

We have a full day journey today to the ancient capital of Madurai (Approx. 400Kms) visiting Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin), the most southern point of India, en-route.

Tonight we stay in local hotel

Trichy 18 Nov 2013

This morning we visit the Shree Menaksi Temple in Madurai before a short drive to Trichy (Approx. 140Kms).  In the afternoon we make a visit to the famous Rock Fort and Sri Ranganathaswamy temple complex.

Tonight we stay in a comfortable local hotel.

Pondicherry 19 Nov 2013

Leaving in the morning we head to the French influenced Pondicherry (Approx. 230Kms).  The afternoon is free for time to explore.

We will stay tonight in guest-house accommodation.

Mahabalipuram 20 Nov 2013

A short drive brings us to Mahabalipuram (Approx. 100Kms).  Here we make a visit to the unusual shore temples and pagodas.

Tonight we stay in a comfortable local hotel

Chennai 21 Nov 2013

We make a short journey to Chennai, the fourth largest city in India (Approx. 55Kms) stopping at a snake & crocodile farm en-route. The afternoon is free.