INDIA
WOMENS EXPEDITION

Yes. At Adventuress in the Wild we work with tour operators who are providing trips for anybody who identifies as a woman. We have found that women are more likely to step out of their comfort zone and try new activities when they are surrounded by other supportive women. All of the tour operators we work with believe that adventure is for every woman no matter your background, ability, body type, or orientation.

Although there are some long journeys, the life that you see and inhabit on these missions make for unforgettable experiences. A lock for your hand luggage is recommended on the train.

Thar Desert camp is beautiful but basic. There are no creature comforts. More details can be found on Day 3 of the itinerary.

The weather in India can take you by surprise whatever the season. In summer, the heat can be extreme and in the winter the evenings can be surprisingly chilly. Layered clothing, a hat, and sunscreen will be useful whatever the season.

Dress and pack modestly for temple visits. Clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees are recommended as well as a light scarf to cover your shoulders and arms when it’s hot.

If heavy fog delays or cancels some travel alternative arrangements will be made. Please see the transport section of the Essential Trip Information for details.

See India through the eyes of the women who live there and meet inspiring locals along the way. Check out local projects such as Chandelao Garh working to provide female artisans with employment and education.

Explore the desert via jeep and enjoy an exclusive Kalbeliya dance performed by local women at a desert camp. Visit and talk with local women along the route enjoying their hospitality while you share stories and food.

See the highlights of Jaipur, Delhi, Jodhpur and more.

This trip directly supports our operator’s Foundation partner, Positive Change for Marine Life. Donations help them to nurture ocean health with community-led conservation initiatives that inspire coastal restoration, sustainable fishing practices and waste management.

If you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip a single supplement is available excluding Day 2 (Overnight Train) and Day 3 (Camping). Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

Sky Waltz, Jaipur, operates the hot air balloon flights mornings September-April and morning and evening September-March. Morning flights depart around sunrise and evening flights depart late afternoon. The flights last 60 mins and the cost includes return transfers, tea, coffee, and light refreshments as well as a certificate of flight.

If you would like to take a hot air balloon flight you can register your interest and pay your tour leader at your joining meeting. Tickets are to be paid for in cash at booking in INR/AUD/USD/GBP only and are USD$260pp (subject to change). Flights are subject to ticket availability and weather conditions. In case of poor weather conditions, your ticket will be fully refunded.

 Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport. Fees may apply for adding or amending details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.

Showers

Some hotels may only have hot water available at peak times (usually morning and evening) for showering. Speak to reception to obtain hot water outside of these times if this is the case.

Room Issues

Please speak to the hotel and your tour leader immediately if you have an issue with your room so that the problem can be addressed without delay.

Sleeper Trains in India

Sleeper trains are clean and either air-conditioned or fan-cooled. We find that they are a great way to travel long distances whilst still getting maximum time in each place. 

Either 2AC or 3AC class tickets will be booked as not all classes are available on all routes. The ticket purchasing system is extremely complicated and tickets are in permanent high demand thus it’s not possible to offer upgrades.

2AC carriages have 4 berths in the compartment section and 2 berths in the aisle bay and individual reading lights. 3AC have 6 berths in the compartment and 2 in the aisle bay. Both 2AC and 3AC are curtained for privacy. Neither 2AC or 3AC have charging points or sinks. Bunks are folded away in the daytime to be used as seats. 

Each carriage has toilet facilities with a squat toilet at one end and a Western-style toilet at the other. Bring your own toilet paper and be aware that the cleanliness may be variable.

Bedding is provided but you may wish to bring a sleeping sheet. Packing light will make your journey more comfortable as your bag will be your travel companion.

A food or snack cart is normally rolled through the carriages and vendors selling drinks and snacks during the journey are plentiful. The hygiene may not be of a standard that you are used to.

Please note you may be sharing with members of your group or locals and this is on a mixed gender basis. Although your group will all be booked as a block this cannot guarantee that you will all be together. Your leader will try to arrange swaps if this arises but it may not be possible.  

Desert Camping

Waking up under the stars is a fantastic experience, one that we feel merits the night spent in a simple camp with limited facilities. Whilst bedding is provided, it can get very cold at night and we recommend bringing a sleeping bag.

Our local team will prepare simple vegetarian food for dinner and breakfast which are included and water and soft drinks are available for purchase. Washing facilities are rudimental, with very basic long drop style toilets and no shower. Previous travellers have recommended bringing hand sanitiser and a small hand towel or wet wipes. Just don’t forget to take them and any other waste away with you.

When is the final payment date?

This adventure can be booked with a £200 deposit. The remainder of the balance will be paid 70 days prior to departure. If booking within 70 days prior to departure then full payment will be required.

Where does the trip start?

Hotel Pooja Palace
15A/11 W.E.A. Puja Park Karol Bagh Delhi 110005 INDIA
Phone: +91 9810014574

The town of Karol Bagh is home to the Hotel Pooja Palace, New Delhi. The rooms are equipped with A/C, T.V., and modern amenities, including 24-hour room service and free wi-fi. Karol Bagh Metro Station is nearby, just a few minutes walk. There is also a cafe on the ground floor and a terrace garden.

Getting there

Indira Gandhi’s International Airport, Delhi, is approximately 25 km from Karol Bagh. 

As one of the largest airports in the world, it can be chaotic and time-consuming to pass through baggage control and to get your visa.

We can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport – Please enquire with the Adventuress in the Wild support team and advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days before your trip departure. 

If you have purchased an arrival transfer you will be met in the arrivals hall. Once you’ve cleared customs your representative will be standing near the Costa Coffee next to gate no 5 with a placard. Please ask them to confirm your name.

Do not exit the gates, Costa Coffee is just before the exit gate no.5.

If your flight is delayed or you have problems locating the representative please call the following 24-hour number to contact Intrepid: +91-9911 97 2636

If you do not have a mobile phone, there are public phones next to Costa Coffee. Calls cost 1 rupee per minute

If all else fails, inform your group leader and take a taxi to the hotel (instructions are provided below). Immediately as you exit you’ll see metered taxi counters like Meru Cabs/Mega Cabs or Easy Cabs. Show them your drop-off location and pay them as per the metre once you arrive.

Taxis from the airport to our first hotel take approx 1 hour and cost INR 500–600 (prepaid traffic police booths).

Important: Taxi touts will try and tell you that they have a metered taxi parked outside the airport. This is to be avoided and previous travellers have told us about ending up with hefty charges. Stick to the metered ranks outside.

The Delhi metro is another option. Trains depart between approx. 5am and 11:30pm, the trip takes approx. 45 mins and costs around INR100. Most of the hotels our operator use are in Karol Bagh, check the metro map for all directions: http://delhimetrorail.info/delhi-metro-map

Hotel check-in is midday.

Where does the trip end?

Hotel Pooja Palace
15A/11 W.E.A. Puja Park Karol Bagh Delhi 110005 INDIA
Phone: +91 9810014574

We can assist with pre-booking a departure transfer to the airport. Please enquire with the Adventuress in the Wild support team. Flight arrival details must be given 15 days minimum before your trip starts. If you are planning on staying in India longer, this departure transfer is only valid with post-tour accommodation also booked through our operator.

Please have a copy of your e-ticket on your phone/tablet or a printed copy to enter the airport.
Your check-in luggage must be x-rayed and sealed before check-in and your hand luggage must be tagged to clear security.

Hotel check-out is midday. Luggage storage can be arranged at the hotel if you are leaving later.

What will the accommodation be like?

Hotel (3 nights), Overnight sleeper train (1 night), Camping with basic facilities (1 night), Heritage Property (6 nights)

As you’ll be staying in local guesthouses and homestays along the way, some accommodation will be basic and may only have shared bathroom facilities and cold water. 

Air-conditioning is not guaranteed, and even where it is available the power may be turned off sporadically. This is usually in the early afternoon and lasts for a few hours. 

There are usually restaurants or cafes in the hotels serving local food although many do not serve alcohol for either religious reasons or local laws. 

ITINERARY DISCLAIMER 

Itinerary Changes

Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. You must review this information before travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway.

Optional Activities

A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn’t an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and may be on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it’s recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist.

Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials were sighted and assessed. Although you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your discretion and risk.

Add on activities:

• Delhi – Humayun’s Tomb – INR600
• Delhi – Qutub Minar – INR600
• Delhi – Red Fort – INR600
• Jaipur – City Palace – INR800
• Jaipur – Jantar Mantar Observatory – INR200
• Jaipur – Balloon Safari – USD280

VISA & PASSPORT INFO

Passport

As a general rule most countries expect that your passport has a minimum of 6 months validity remaining. Please ensure the name on your passport matches the name on your booking and airline tickets. Your passport details are required to complete your booking. Your consultant will contact you when this is required. Take a copy of the main passport pages and other important documents with you, and leave another copy at home with family or friends.

Visas & Entry Requirements

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so you must check for the latest information. Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas. Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time.

INDIA

An E-Tourist Visa (eVT) visa is available for selected nationalities. Please follow the instructions at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html and complete the application for your eVT.

You will need to have completed this process no less than 4 days before arrival. Be aware that this is the only official online site for visas although many other sites look very similar. These may not be reliable and may be fraudulent so only use the link above.

Visa requirements for Canada, US and UK customers have changed. Check your government’s travel advisories and consular website for India for current information relevant to your nationality and circumstances.

Travellers entering India overland have a different system and the E-Tourist Visa does not apply. If you are crossing a border between India and Nepal for entry check your trip notes. Indian visas are difficult and time-consuming to obtain in Nepal.

Single and Multiple Entry tourist visas are available. Check the dates and the length of time you will need to cover, especially if you are changing countries during your trip.

The following local contact information can be used for your visa application, where relevant:
Intrepid India
25/3 East Patel Nagar
Delhi 110008
Phone: +91 11 4500 6400

This trip is all about the local transport. You will experience:

Auto rickshaw, Bus, Car, Cycle rickshaw, Jeep, Metro, Overnight sleeper train, Private vehicle, Shuttle bus

Transport in India

You can see every manner of transport available on India’s main roads from the biggest trucks down to the smallest cycle and everything in between. Roads are very busy, very chaotic, and very noisy with the horn liberally used as a form of communication.

Our private vehicle drivers are experienced and well-trained but if you are uncomfortable with your driver, please always let your tour leader know immediately. They have complete authority to remove groups from local transport if the driver is not driving safely. Please ensure you wear your seat belt at all times.

Travel Times

Distances don’t behave in the same way as they do at home and 100km may take much longer than you would expect, regardless of whether you are on a highway or not.

Trains

Millions of people travel by rail every day up and down the length and breadth of the country. While they are a fantastic way to see the countryside and avoid the traffic on the roads, delays and cancellations are common. Your tour leader will keep an eye on journey status and keep you informed of any changes where possible.

Fog related delays are more common December-February, especially in the north of the country, With some delays lasting up to 12 hours. Your trip may be rerouted to allow for these delays and any changes to the itinerary resulting from this will be passed on to you.

Seat allocation is managed on a centralised reservation system which our operator cannot access. Despite booking months in advance of travel, seating arrangements may still be spread out within one carriage or multiple carriages of the same class. You may be sharing a compartment with local travellers of either gender.

Auto Rickshaws

Auto-rickshaws are small, motorised three-wheeled vehicles and are a very common form of transport in India and do not have seatbelts. We will be making use of these on this trip.

Flights

Airlines in India are of excellent quality and the airports are becoming more modern (especially in the major and tourist cities). You will need your flight ticket and passport to enter the airport. Be aware that schedule changes and delays can and do happen, especially in poor visibility.

CURRENCY

The official currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR). Its symbol is ₹. ATMs are the cheapest and most convenient means of obtaining currency and are readily available in most towns although cash shortages can occur at more rural ATMs. In our experience, the Bank of India or ICICI ATMs tend to be the more reliable so keep an eye out for those.

Foreign currency notes that are old, torn, or faded can be very difficult to exchange so make sure you have a supply of clean bills. Small denominations are most useful. Credit cards are not always accepted and may be restricted to major hotels, shops, and higher-end establishments.

The Indian Rupee cannot be exchanged outside of India as it is a blocked currency. Indian Rupee can only be obtained in India and any leftover must be exchanged whilst still in India.

Spending Money

When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveller is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while travelling.

Contingency Funds

Our operators try to plan for every eventuality, but there are still some things beyond their control so they reserve the right to change an itinerary after departure due to local circumstances or a Force Majeure Event. In such emergency circumstances, the additional cost of any necessary itinerary alterations will be covered by you. Please note we are not responsible for any incidental expenses that may be incurred as a result of the change of itineraries including but not limited to visas, vaccinations or non-refundable flights. Make sure you have access to an extra US$500 for emergencies (e.g. severe weather, natural disasters, civil unrest) or other events that result in unavoidable changes to the itinerary (e.g. transport strikes or cancellations, airport closures). Sometimes these things necessitate last-minute changes to enable our trips to continue to run, and as a result, there may be some extra costs involved. The recommended amount is listed in US$ but local currency may be needed once in the country to cover these costs.

Tipping

Tipping can be an appropriate way to recognise great service when travelling. While it may not be customary in your home country, it is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many of our destinations and is greatly appreciated by the people who take care of you during your travels. It is always best to avoid tipping with coins, very small denomination notes, or dirty and ripped notes, as this can be regarded as an insult rather than the goodwill gesture it is intended to be.

Your Tour Leader

You may consider tipping your group leader or local representative for outstanding service throughout your trip. The amount is entirely a personal preference however as a guideline US$3-5 per person (in local currency), per day, can be used. Of course, you are free to tip more or less as you see fit, depending on your perception of service quality and the length and involvement of your group leader or local representative on your trip.

Commissions

Your operator understands that the receipt of commissions in exchange for recommending particular shops or services is ingrained in the culture of the tourism industry. For this reason, a centralised fund is established for contributions from recommended suppliers so these can be collected and distributed back into the business. Actively managing the receipt of commissions helps us maintain the level of quality you expect on one of our trips. Travel is always an adventure so our operator cannot explicitly guarantee the quality of a product but we aim to provide the best value trips in the market. Please let us know via the feedback form completed after your trip if we are successfully meeting – or exceeding – this objective.

Optional Tipping Kitty

On Day 1 of your trip, your group leader or local representative may discuss with you the idea of operating a group tipping kitty, whereby everybody contributes an equal amount and your group leader or local representative distributes tips for drivers, local guides, hotel staff and other services included on your trip. This excludes restaurant tips for meals not included in your itinerary. The group leader or local representative will keep a running record of all monies spent which can be checked at any time, and any funds remaining at the end of the tour will be returned to group members. This is the easiest way to avoid the hassles of needing small change and knowing when and what is an appropriate amount to tip. Participation in this kitty is at your discretion, and you are welcome to manage your tipping separately if you prefer. Please note the tipping kitty excludes tips for your group leader or local representative.

Optional tipping kitty for this trip: 2000 INR per person

MEDICAL 

General Health

You will need good general health for this trip. If you are unwell, please stay at home and contact us to make alternative arrangements.

Read through the itinerary carefully and assess if this style of trip is for you. Please note that if a traveller is deemed unable to complete the itinerary without undue risk to themselves and/or the rest of the group, our operator reserves the right to exclude them from all or part of a trip without a refund.

We recommend you consult with your Dr regarding medical travel information and necessary vaccinations before departure. A first aid kit and personal medical requirements are also recommended as they may not be easily found locally. Check your government’s foreign travel advice for any local restrictions or requirements if you are carrying medical supplies.

COVID-19

The safety and well-being of our travellers, crew and suppliers is our highest priority.  Some parts of the world still require COVID-19 vaccination or testing as part of their entry requirements. Please check for any additional requirements here: Foreign travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
Malaria is a risk as is dengue fever, especially after the monsoon period. 

Other mosquito-borne diseases are less frequent (including Japanese encephalitis, chikungunya fever, and filariasis) but also occur. Preventative measures like wearing long clothing, using repellent, and being indoors around dusk and dawn are advisable. Consult a medical professional regarding medication you can take against malaria. For more information, see the World Health Organisation’s fact sheets: http://www.who.int/neglected_diseases/vector_ecology/mosquito-borne-diseases/en/

Air Pollution

October-February can see air pollution levels spike to hazardous levels which can increase the risk of respiratory problems. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, particularly heart and lung conditions, you may be especially affected. Your group leader or local representative can assist you in obtaining a face mask if required. Please pack (reusable) face masks as a precaution.

Other Infectious Diseases

Tap water is not safe to drink. There are many water-borne, food-borne, parasitic, and other infectious diseases (including meningitis, cholera, typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and rabies) that are common in India. Seek medical attention if you have a fever or suffer from diarrhoea or you suspect food poisoning. Avoid homemade or unlabelled alcohols, these can be poisonous.

Zika Virus

India is classified as a transmission zone for Zika and cases have been confirmed in Tamil Nadu and Jaipur. Precautions should be taken if you are travelling to Zika transmission areas, especially in the case of pregnant women.

Influenza

Cases of influenza A(H1N1) are widespread in India during winter and there have been several cases in Rajasthan. Discuss influenza vaccination requirements with your doctor or a travel health professional before departing and maintain good hygiene practices by covering your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing, and washing your hands regularly. For more information, see the World Health Organisation’s fact sheets: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/influenza-(seasonal)

What is the food like during the trip?

On this trip you will experience a wonderful array of food and your group leader will happily suggest restaurants to try. 

Meals are generally not included in the trip price to allow for more flexibility in deciding where and what to eat. This also gives you more budgeting flexibility. Groups often eat together to enable you to sample more dishes as well as sharing each other’s company. If you have dietary requirements and/or food allergies, please let your Adventuress Travel Mentor know before departure.

Food in India
Food is a way of life in India. Street food is available at bargain prices or you can live it up in a fine dining establishment. Generally, you can eat very cheaply in India especially if you’re aiming for traditional and local Indian food.

In bigger more touristy areas you can find Chinese and Western-style food. Service in restaurants (especially with a group) can be quite slow, so expect to be patient.

Vegetarians and vegans are very well catered for and almost all restaurants have a veg and pure veg section of the menu. Your group leader or local representative will be able to direct you towards restaurants that are known to have better hygiene, especially in tourist areas. 

PHONE & INTERNET ACCESS

WiFi

WiFi is usually free in public areas of hotels but there may be a charge for in-room use. Please ask upon check-in. Generally, WiFi is available in most parts of India and at most of the accommodations we use. Many restaurants and cafes (especially in tourist areas) offer customers free WiFi. Internet cafes are widespread with reasonably fast connection except in more remote areas.

Mobile

SIM cards can be bought at the airport (or at kiosks everywhere) for use while travelling in India and are relatively cheap. Airtel or Vodaphone are reliable. You will usually need to provide 2 passport-sized photos to buy a SIM and a copy of your passport will be made.

Mail

Posting airmail letters to anywhere overseas costs ₹25/15. International airmail postcards cost around ₹12. Stick your stamps on first before writing your postcards as the stamps can take up a lot of space! 

Weather in India

India’s climate varies enormously across the various regions. You will need to consider both the time of year and where you are going to be able to pack effectively.

September-March enjoys the best temperatures, with warm days and cool nights.

December to January can be cold in Delhi and the north, especially at night and hotels may not be suitably heated. It might be worth considering bringing thermals and extra layers to keep warm. 

Fog is a feature of winter weather here and can delay trains.

May-October are hot and sticky. The trains are again sometimes delayed and activities that take place near rivers and lakes (ie Varanasi) may need amendment. Your leader or representative will of course keep you informed.

Who is the trip host?

The group leader aims to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavour to provide the services of an experienced leader. However, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or is training other group leaders.

You will be provided with information on the places you are travelling through, and your leader or guide may offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. You can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. 

Our operator aims to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions visited. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

SAFETY

Personal Belongings

A neck wallet or money belt are recommended while travelling, for the safe-keeping of your passport, air tickets, cash and other valuable items. We recommend you make use of the hotel safety deposit boxes, for storing your valuables and don’t bring valuable jewellery. A lock is also recommended for securing your luggage.

Free Time
During your trip you’ll have some free time to do with as you wish. Please use your own good judgement when selecting an activity in your free time. Your group leader or local representative has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary over safety concerns if deemed necessary.

Festivals & Holidays
India has many festivals and public holidays. Here are some of the key dates and events:

Holi (Festival of Colours)
2024:  24-25 March 

Diwali (Festival of Light)
2024: 01 November

Ramadan (Muslim Holy Month)
2024: 10 March – 8 April

Holi Festival can sometimes be risky as the revellers are often heavily intoxicated and it is often associated with violence and danger. You will be advised where to avoid on this day and it may be necessary to implement itinerary changes as the situation requires.

Travelling during the Hindu festival Diwali can be dangerous due to lots of amateur fireworks being let off in the streets. It can be very noisy and polluted as a result. There are often injuries caused by these fireworks as their sale is not restricted or controlled in any manner. Itinerary changes to avoid risk may be necessary.

Personal Safety

There is always the risk of pick-pocketing and petty theft while travelling, especially in touristy areas. We encourage you to walk together on main, well-lit thoroughfares and to exercise caution. Vigilance on public transport is always advisable. Simple measures like carrying your day pack on your front and not hanging your bag over the back of your chair will reduce opportunity.

Scams

Scams have been reported involving ATM and credit cards, train tickets, taxis, temple donations and tourist guides, throughout India. Report it immediately to the nearest police station if you are scammed and they will issue you with an official loss report for insurance purposes. Please note that there is no action they can take to recover your belongings or money.

Women’s Safety

Women should exercise caution when travelling in India. Reported cases of sexual assault against women are increasing; recent sexual attacks against female visitors in tourist areas and cities show that foreign women are also at risk. 

To ensure peace of mind, some simple steps you can follow are:

– Dress more conservatively than you do at home and respect local dress customs and codes.

– Avoid isolated areas when alone at any time of day. These include beaches, parks, lanes.

– Avoid travelling alone on public transport, or in taxis or auto-rickshaws, especially at night

– Get a taxi from hotel taxi ranks and use pre-paid taxis at airports. Avoid hailing taxis on the street. Some cities (including Delhi and Chennai) have special taxi services for women with women drivers

– Make sure your driver has identified themselves before you set off if you are taking a taxi from the airport..

-Ask a travel companion to accompany you where possible if you leave your compartment on an overnight train

Who is the guide?

The operator for this trip is Intrepid Travel

Travel insurance is compulsory on all our trips for those travelling internationally. Make sure that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. If you are travelling within your home country or region please confirm before travel that you are entitled to access the public medical system easily should an accident occur. 

We strongly recommend all travellers have a policy that also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage or personal effects. For international trips, you will not be permitted to join the group until evidence of travel insurance and the insurance company’s 24-hour emergency contact number has been sighted by your group leader or local representative.

If you have credit card insurance your group leader or local representative will require details of the participating insurer/underwriter, the level of coverage, policy number, and emergency contact number rather than the bank’s name and your credit card details. 

Please contact your bank for these details prior to arriving in-country.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or USA the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside of their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver 

Form at the Group Meeting, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Most travellers carry their luggage in a backpack, although an overnight bag with a shoulder strap would suffice if you travel lightly. Smaller bags or backpacks with wheels are convenient although we recommend your bag has carry straps. You’ll also need a day pack/bag to carry water and a camera etc for day trips.

See some suggestions In the packing list that are helpful tips on what you specifically need for this trip.

ESSENTIALS:

– Lightweight clothing. A mixture of lightweight clothing and warm layers are useful. These will act as a mosquito barrier as well as providing warmth. You might like to bring a change of clothes suitable for a smarter dinner when you’re in the bigger cities and clothes should be easy to wash and dry. For entry to the temples you will need tops with arms and pants or skirts that go past the knee to gain entry into local temples. For women, a light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when hot.

– Closed-in shoes to protect against cuts and scratches when walking through the cities and also bush/grasslands. These will also protect against bites or stings.

– Sun protection, hat, sunscreen and sunglasses.

Recommended:

India can be cold! Especially during winter (December-February) even in the cities and at lower altitudes. Bring suitable warm clothes with you to include thermals and an appropriate jacket. Central heating is not common in hotels in India, so warmer items to sleep in are also recommended.

– Personal medical kit with mild pain killers, electrolytes, Band-Aids, and insect repellent. Your leader will carry a larger kit for more eventualities.

– A 1.5litre capacity minimum reusable water bottle to minimise plastic waste.

– Camera/phone with spare batteries. Although there is regular access to power to recharge batteries we recommend taking a spare battery.

– A small chain and padlock for overnight trains are handy to keep your luggage safe and secure.

Optional

– Sleeping bag in the winter for extra warmth and a sleeping sheet in the summer for comfort if you prefer.

– Earplugs for sleeping.

– A good book, a journal and music player.

– Binoculars for bird spotting.

Luggage Limit

One small soft-sided bag plus a day pack (no more than 15-20 kgs in total per person) is essential. Hard/externally framed suitcases are not recommended as they are difficult to store, harder to move around, and can damage equipment or other travellers’ belongings. Excess luggage can usually be stored at your arrival/departure hotel if your arrival and departure point are the same place and can be collected after your trip.

Valuables:

In this trip it is recommended that you photocopy or photograph all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. While not valid, these will make obtaining replacements much easier. Do not keep them together.

Let us know if you would like to pay for your trip in instalments. The first instalment will always be the required deposit amount. Instalments are only available if making payments before the trip’s final payment date. The entire balance must be paid on the final payment date. 

Contact us at info@adventuressinthewild.com for more information

This booking will be subject to Intrepid Travel’s Booking Conditions, and Adventuress in the Wild Booking Conditions