Day 01 : Arrival Delhi

Arrive Delhi. Meet and greet by our representative. Transfer to hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02 : In Delhi

After breakfast, a visit to “SOS Children's Village”

www.soscvindia.org
SOS Children's Villages take action for children as an independent non-governmental social organization. The organization work in the spirit of the United Nations on the Rights of the Child and promote these rights around the world. With the SOS Children's Village concept, the organization pioneered a family approach to the long-term care of orphaned and abandoned children. The concept is based on four principles.
The Mother: Each child has a caring parent
The SOS mother builds a close relationship with every child entrusted to her, and provides the security, love and stability that each child needs. As a child care professional, she lives together with the children, guides their development, and runs her household independently. The recognizes and respects each child's family background, cultural roots and religion.
Brothers and Sisters: Family ties grow naturally Girls and boys of different ages live together as brothers and sisters, with natural brothers and sisters always staying within the same SOS family. These children and their SOS mother builds emotional ties that last a lifetime.
The House: Each family creates its own home The house is the family's home, with its own unique feeling, rhythm and routine. Under its roof, children enjoy a real sense of security and belonging. Children grow and learn together, sharing responsibilities and all the joys and sorrows of daily life.
The Village: The SOS family is a part of the community SOS families live together, forming a supportive village environment where children enjoy a happy childhood. The families share experiences and offer one another a helping hand. They also live as integrated and contributing members of the local community. Through his or her family, village and community, each child learns to participate actively in society.

Day 03 : DELHI - AGRA (204 KMS/05 HRS)

After breakfast, drive to Agra. On arrival, check-in at hotel.
Taj Mahal ~ One of the Seven Wonders of the World, built by Emperor Shah Jehan in the memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took 22 years to complete with a work force of 20,000 craftsmen and master builders, who came from all over Asia to join in this great work from Baghdad, Shiraz, Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India s finest; was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious stones were imported from distant lands : Jasper from Punjab, Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrosolite from Egypt, Amethyst from Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean.
After lunch, excursion to Fatehpur Sikri - visit Fatehpur Sikri, a 16th century deserted capital of the Mughals.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 : AGRA

Early morning, visit Taj Mahal at sunrise, when it’s sublime beauty enchants you at the first sight. The visit allows the best photography of the building as during the early hours it’s not very crowded. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, rest of the morning free for independent activities.
After lunch, tour continues and your personal guide takes you to the other spectacular monuments of the Mughal era , including the larger than life Agra Fort and the sublime Itmad-ud-Daulah ( baby Taj).
Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05 : AGRA – BHARATPUR - RANTHAMBORE

After breakfast, drive to Bharatpur (54 Kms/01 Hrs 30Min).
On arrival at Bharatpur, visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary/Keoladeo Ghana National Park, which is home to an astonishing range of flora and fauna. Birds travel to this national ark in waves. From August through November, it is indigenous water birds. In early October the first migrants arrive from the high plateaux of Central Asia, Mongolia and Siberia, the most eagerly awaited of the lot being the gravely threatened Siberian crane. The month of March sees most of these migrants leave the national park. But animals that have made it their home - the nilgai (blue bull), sambar, jungle cat and mongoose-spend the entire summer here.
Lunch at a Heritage hotel.
After lunch, drive to Ranthambore (225 Kms/05 Hrs).
Ranthambore (Sawai-Madhopur) Wild Life Park is located in the foothills of Aravali Ranges near the small town of Sawai-Madhopur. Extended over an area of more then 392 sq. km the Ranthambhore Wildlife National Park is one of the India's foremost illustrations of Project Tiger.
The Park, which takes its name from the 10th century fortress, which lies within its boundaries, hosts many other species of wildlife including sambar, chital, gaur and leopard apart from a host of bird life.
Overnight at Ranthambore.

Day 06 : RANTHAMBORE

Early morning game drive by jeep at the Ranthambore National park. After breakfast, day free for independent activities.
Evening, game drive by jeep at the Ranthambore national park.
Lunch & Dinner at hotel.
Overnight at the Jungle lodge.

Day 07 : RANTHAMBORE – JAIPUR (145 kms/04 Hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur.
After lunch, the remainder of the day at leisure. We recommend taking a heritage walk into the colorful markets of Jaipur. Jaipur offers great shopping opportunities. Much renowned for its Victorian style jewellery, oriental rugs, hand blocked printed textiles and handicrafts.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 : JAIPUR

After breakfast, half day excursion to Amber the old capital of Jaipur rulers. Ride on back of an elephant from the foot of the hill up to the gates of the fortress. Continue half-day sight seeing tour of Jaipur visiting the Maharaja’s Museum and Jai Singh Astronomical Observatory and Hawa Mahal.
Optional Excursion to Chokhi Dhani: An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground & includes the entertainment by folk dancers & musicians. Guests can move around freely & enjoy the evening.

Day 09 : JAIPUR

After breakfast, excursion to Tilonia village.
Tilonia is on the Jaipur / Ajmer highway (97 Kms / 1h30 - one way). Visit the Barefoot College and the Tilona Craft shop. Visit the Solar energy harvesting in the village. Return to Jaipur.
Note : More information on Barefoot and Tilona craft shop can be gathered from below websites.
http://www.barefootcollege.org/
http://store.tilonia.com/artisans.html
The Barefoot College began in 1972 with the conviction that solutions to rural problems lie within the community. The College encourages practical knowledge and skills. It addresses problems like girl education, health & sanitation, income generation, electricity and power. It also promotes awareness on the conservation of ecological systems in rural communities.
The students are mostly women. Some are grandmothers. Hundreds have come through here from villages across India and a dozen other countries to learn how to install and maintain solar energy in rural areas. Even though it's sophisticated coursework, the only pre-requisite for admission to the Barefoot College is that there are no pre-requisites, not even to speak the language.
The College was entirely built by Barefoot Architects. The campus spreads over 80,000 square feet area and consists of residences, a guest house, a library, dining room, meeting halls, an open air theatre, an administrative block, a ten-bed referral base hospital, pathological laboratory, teacher's training unit, water testing laboratory, a Post Office, STD/ISD call booth, a Craft Shop and Development Centre, an Internet dhaba (cafe), a puppet workshop, an audio visual unit, a screen printing press, a dormitory for residential trainees and a 700,000 litre rainwater harvesting tank.
The College is also completely solar-electrified.
Also, the group can visit en-route from Jaipur to Ajmer/Pushkar.
Continue to Kishangarh (20 kms / 30 min). Lunch at Kishengarg Fort. Visit the Fort after lunch.
Continue towards Ajmer (27 kms / 45 mins)

Day 10 :JAIPUR – GOA

Breakfast at the hotel. In time transfer for flight to Goa.
Arrive into Goa. Meet and greet by our representative. Transfer to a beach resort.
Variously known as "Pearl of the Orient" and a "Tourist Paradise", the state of Goa is located on the western coast of India in the coastal belt known as Konkan. The magnificent scenic beauty and the architectural splendours of its temples, churches and old houses have made Goa a firm favourite with travellers around the world.
Overnight at a Beach Rresort.

Day 11 : IN GOA

After breakfast, a visit to a School for Mentally Challenged or a Home for the Aged :
SCHOOL FOR MENTALLY CHALLENGED CHILDREN
The school adapts various activities to empower the special children with skills to make them independent. The children are taught the techniques of screen printing, greeting cards, handicrafts, etc.
OLD AGE HOME
The home for the aged looks after the abandoned and destitute people where a few are afflicted with multiple illnesses and general disability. Besides an increased level of illness, the aging process itself leads to certain disabilities such as low vision and blindness resulting from cataracts, deafness resulting from nerve impairment, loss of mobility from arthritis and a general inability to care for oneself. The home takes care of all such illness, at the safe time creating a very secure and loving atmosphere.

Day 12 : IN GOA

After breakfast, proceed for a proceed for a choice of full/half day excursion ‘ Temples, Churches, Spice Plantation and Capital City tour’.
Full day excursion : “Temples,Churches,Organic Spice Plantation with shopping in Panjim “
Drive into the hinterland of Goa and visit  ‘Shantadurga’ Temple – the sacred Hindu goddess.
Lunch at the Organic Spice Plantation
Stop over at an award winning spice plantation,,  a refreshing welcome drink awaits you.  Take a guided tour of the Spice orchard. Savor the traditional Goan lunch served the Indian way on banana leaves. Thereafter proceed to Old Goa and take a guided tour of ‘Basilica of Bom Jesus’ – the famous 16th century church.
Proceed to the Capital city of Goa-Panjim for shopping of souvenirs such jewellery,Silk scarves, Indian handicrafts, designer clothes,and more.
OR
Half day excursion ‘Sizzle on the Sand’.
An ideal one-day trip for the sun worshipers to top up the tan whilst cruising through the Arabian Sea.
Spot the most fascinating mammals- The Dolphins & swim in the cool, azure waters.
Snorkeling equipment’s is available for those who would like to say hello to the creatures of the sea. For others fishing rods are on hand to try your patience.
This perfect day doing nothing but relax and help you to unwind.
HIGHLIGHTS
•Go snorkeling & fishing, swim in the coolest waters on the secluded beach.
•Spot dolphins
•Enjoy lunch and unlimited drinks(beers, soft drinks, mineral water).

Full day excursion ‘ Discover Goa’.
Drive through the ever-winding roads, sleepy villages, heritage houses, huts, churches, and temples.  Cross over River Sal and en route visit a Oyster Shell Powder Making Unit and the age old Coir Industry … The strong hand and spindle woven mats get ready in no time.   Later from a 15th Century Light House, see the river surrender into the mighty sea as fishing boats tug ashore with a fresh catch.
HIGHLIGHTS
•Local cottage and coir industry
•Toddy tapper and Pottery
•Feni distillery
•Rubber plantation>
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 : GOA - MUMBAI

After breakfast, in time transfer to the airport for flight to Mumbai.
On arrival in Mumbai, proceed for a short tour to see the city highlights such as Flora Fountain, Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, shopping street and Dhobi Ghat.
Gateway of India, a prominent landmark of Mumbai city is located at the end of the Shivaji Marg. This majestic stone arch on the shore of Mumbai Harbour commemorates the visit of King George V in 1911. It was designed by George Wittet to symbolise the enduring nature of the British Rule. It is made in Indo- Islamic style with honey-coloured basalt. The archway is 26 meters high and joined with four turrets and intricate latticework carved on stones. Behind the gateway there is a beautiful statue of the Maratha leader Shivaji, astride his horse, erected in 1960. A statue of the social reformer Swami Vivekananda also stands nearby.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus is at Dr. D.Naoroji Road, Nagar Chowk. Declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it is the city's most beautiful Indo-Gothic architectural splendour. This station was designed by Frederick Stevens as the headquarters of the Great Indian Peninsular Railway Company and was completed in 1887. A life-size statue of Queen Victoria is placed in front of the central facade. Carvings of peacocks, gargoyles, monkeys, elephants and British lions are mixed up among the buttresses, domes, turrets, spires and stained glass windows. Topping it all is a 4m-high torch bearing figure of Progress.
Shopping streets such as fashion street are the best place to bargain for clothes. Shops are generally open from around 10am to 7pm, Monday to Saturday. One can see the latest fashion trends here, and casual wear is probably the cheapest anywhere in the world. It is a very popular area with college students and teenagers. The clothes are usually surplus exports and therefore are of very good quality and make. There are also several shoe and jewellery shops and anything else you can think of.
Flora Fountain is a stone fountain situated in Fort business district in the heart of South Mumbai, Mumbai, India. Flora Fountain was built in 1864. The fountain depicts the Roman goddess Flora. It is now a heritage structure
Dhobi Ghat :
Known as the world's largest outdoor laundry, Dhobi Ghat is where Mumbai's traditional washerfolk -- or dhobis -- provide a wonderful service, collecting dirty laundry, washing it, and returning it neatly pressed, all for a very small fee. Stubborn stains are removed by soaking garments in a boiling vat of caustic soda; drying takes place on long, brightly colored lines; and heavy wood-burning irons are used for pressing. At the very least, it's a great photo opportunity
In time transfer to the international airport for flight back home.

The group can also incorporate day time excursions to the villages of Udaipur by opting for extension on the program to Udaipur.
EX-UDAIPUR
JHADOL
Day Excursion To Jhadol (From Udaipur – 60 KMS / 1h30)
In the morning the guests will depart in jeeps to the nearby tribal settlement known as Jhadol set amidst a valley with beautiful lakes, waterfalls and lush green countryside. The drive is approximately an hour and a half.
Note :  More information can be sourced from - http://www.jhadol.com
VADI VILLAGE IN JHADOL SETTLEMENT AREA - Small village of 500/600 inhabitants about 10 minutes walk from the cottages on the banks of the lake, home to migratory birds. Individual mud huts with brick covered roofs. Villagers store grains indoors & also cook inside. They sleep outdoor on veranda and also keep their livestock within their home boundary walls. Brick tiles hand made by the villagers and season changes ensures that mud huts are constantly being redone. The village also has a school for the children and houses a small office for the village head – The Panch. A walk along the path will also lead to the tiny diary where villagers bring milk to be churned and sent to larger diary in Udaipur. A small flour mill serves the villagers. Today principle activity is of course agriculture & dairy farming.
Note : Clients can spend a day and participate in ongoing villagers activities:
•Ploughing fields
•Making brick roof tiles
•Mud pasting the huts
•Cow milking
•Planting Trees
The lunch comprising of typical local dishes is organised near the lake.
Bhils, the aboriginals who held the privilege of anointing the crown prince as the ruler with the blood drawn from their thumb during the coronation ceremony. A privilege that started in the 16th century as a reward given to them for having extended their unmatched loyalty to the house of Mewar. They have earned a special place in the historical coat of arms of Mewar beside the Rajput king.  Bhils, known for their skills with bows, arrows and spears have lived in this region as loyal soldiers in the armies of the Jhalas of Jhadol since the 12th century. No one can forget the importance and contribution of the Bhil community in the battles fought for the honor of Mewar. The Jhalas of Jhadol devised Guerrilla warfare tactics with the Bhils in order to face the invading Mughal armies (that were always 5 times the size of the defenders) that posed a constant threat to the state of Mewar. These ingenious guerrilla warfare tactics of former Mewar armies are now used the world over.
For GROUPS:
Upon arrival, they will be greeted by the tribal chief and will be given a traditional welcome.
They will then enjoy the tribal folk dance and music program followed by a Kabbaddi match. Kabbaddi, played between two teams on either side in a small arena is the age old tribal sport that tests the strength, skill, speed and team spirit.<
The guests will then witness an archery competition, and may participate. The bows and arrows used by the tribe are traditional styled arms which have been in use for centuries in war and also to earn a livelihood from hunting deer, rabbit and pheasants.
They will then proceed to lunch by the lake. In the mid-afternoon, they will take a village walk in the nearby tribal settlements.  The day will come to an end with tea and sunset on top of the hill with panoramic views of the Aravali ranges. In the late evening we will driven back to Udaipur.
MOLELA VILLAGE
Distances:
•From Udaipur - 70 kms / 1h30
•From Devigarh – 35 kms / 45 mins
•From Nathdwara – 15 kms / 30 mins

Molela is known as a potters village, with about 30 families from the Kumbar caste. It produces a range of pottery goods from devotional plaque to large panels depicting rural village scenes, and smaller items such as temple hand bells and domestic ware. The main customers for the religious goods are the tribal people of Rajasthan and Gujarat. January is the chosen month for them to make the long journey, which takes 10 days by bus or by walking, covering the several 100 kms from their homes to Molela , to collect new plaques for their village temples and shrines. On the journey they will be accompanied by their Brahmin priest to guide them in their selection and to consecrate the purchase before the return journey back to their villages.
Two local clays are used in the production. One is Nada, a corse black clay with a high sand grog and the other is Alu, a finer grey clay used for throwing. The two clays are mixed together at a 50- 50 % ratio with the addition of 20% dried and sifted donkey dung which will help disperse the heat through the plaque and lessen the thermal shock during the firing. The two types of clay are first mixed together; dried dung is added into the mixture along with the water. This is kneaded before it becomes ready for use.
The figures are carved, the plaque dried and then baked in a circular open kiln made from brick called Awara.
NATHDWARA
Distances:
•From Udaipur - 48 kms / 1h
•From Devigarh – 20 kms / 30 mins
The small town is renowned for the Srinathji Temple, built for Lord Krishna. The 12th century image of Krishna, one of the reincarnations of Lord Vishnu, was moved from Mathura in north India to protect it from the Mughal Emperor Aurangeb’s campaign against Hindu worship in his empire. The rituals of this temple are very colorful as the image is dressed every day of the year in different cloth and the style changes every season. The velvet and silk cloth is intricately woven with gold threads and real jewels. The view of the idol after the curtain is removed is a spectacular sight; attracting crowds of pilgrims every day. The colourful bazaar thongs with devotees and the aura of spiritual India comes alive in this little town. The tiny lanes of Nathdwara house talented painters that specialize in miniatures paintings depicting the life of Lord Krishana. The style is called Pichwai.
SUGGESTED PROGS:
Full Day excursion from Udaipur
08:30 – Dep. Udaipur
10:00 – Arr Molela. 01 HR VISIT MOLELA VILLAGE
11:00 – Dep. Molela
11:30 – Arr. Nathdwara. 01 HR VISIT NATHDWARA
12:30 – Dep Nathdwara
13:15 – Arr. Nagda. LUNCH AT NAGDA
14:30 – Visit Nagda. 01 HR VISIT NAGDA
15:30 – Dep. Nagda
15:45 – Arr. Eklingji. (Temple opens at 16:00).
16:00 - Visit Eklingji temple – 30 MINS VISIT EKLINJI
16:30 – Dep. Eklingji
17:30 – Arr. Udaipur
Full Day excursion from Udaipur
08:30 – Dep. Udaipur
10:00 – Arr Molela. 01 HR VISIT MOLELA VILLAGE
11:00 – Dep. Molela
11:30 – Arr. Nathdwara. 01 HR VISIT NATHDWARA
12:30 – Dep Nathdwara
13:00 – Arr. Devigarh. LUNCH AT DEVIGARH
14:30 – Visit Devigarh Village. 02 HR VISIT DEVIGARH VILLAGE
16:30 – Tea at Devigarh.
17:30 – Dep. Devigarh
18:30 – Arr. Udaipur