Welcome to Ahmedabad, the major city of Gujarat. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you arrive early, perhaps take the option of an Urban Adventure – you’ll see spectacular temples, taste soothing masala chai, ride tuk-tuks through ancient narrow lanes and wander fabulous bazaars. Notes: If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for the welcome meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel. Depending on availability, we'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your ...

After breakfast you will visit the famous Sabarmati Ashram, set up by Gandhi in 1915 during the Indian independence movement. Enjoy the view from the Bhadra Fort and Teen Darwaja (Triple Gateway) and learn about the Jain way of life at the Hathi Singh Temple. Admire the 15th-century Jama Masjid and the medieval minarets of the graceful Rani Sipri’s Mosque. If you have time, you may also like to visit the Calico Museum of Textiles at Ahmedabad, the Shreyas Folk Museum or the Kite Museum.

Depart early for your journey to to Sasan Gir (approximately 6–7 hours). It's a long but often pleasant journey, with scenery of green fields and quaint villages along the way.

Head into the Sasan Gir Wildlife Sanctuary for a guided jeep safari this morning. This diverse wildlife area is home to Asia's largest population of wild lions, as well as other big cats, sambar deer, nilgai antelope and crocodiles. A lion sighting, with some luck, is sure to be a thrill. Keep an eye out for one of many different eagle species. Be sure to use adequate sun protection and drink plenty of water today, as you'll be exposed to the sun for most of the day while on safari.

Continue to Dwarka (approximately 5–6 hours). This town is located at the far western tip of the Kathiawar peninsula. Visit the Dwarkadhish Temple, one of the holiest Hindu pilgrimage sights in the country. Then you'll explore the inside of a working lighthouse and meeting its keeper. You’ll also have time while you’re here to either relax or take part in optional water activities on the idyllic beaches of Okhamadhi or Shivrapur. If you do decide to go for a swim, remember to use adequate sun protection as the sun is strong.

Take a last look around Dwarka in the early morning, then make the drive to Jamnagar (approximately 3–4 hours). Jamnagar is famous for its colourful tie-dyed cloth, produced using a process dating back over 500 years. The city’s bazaars are a great place to pick up something special. If you have the chance, visit Gujarat Ayurved University, the world’s first institution to teach traditional medicine, yoga and naturopathy according to ayurvedic principles. Walk the streets of the old city and discover Jain temples, colonial buildings and markets.

En route to Bhuj (approximately 5.5 hours in total), stop by the old walled citadel of Darbargadh which is still being restored after an earthquake in 2001. Peek into the former royal residences of the 17th and 19th centuries, the highlight being the Aina Mahal (Old Palace). Meet some of the local communities on a day tour out of Bhuj to the Banni grasslands. Depending on the season, you may get the chance to visit Jat, Ahir, Harijan or Rabari villages, which all have strong artisan and handicraft traditions. These are great places to stock up on souvenirs.

In the morning, visit the Kutch Museum to inspect ancient tribal artefacts and the world’s largest collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions. You’ll have the rest of the day to do as you please. Perhaps revisit the past at the Kutch Fossil Park or brave huge crowds for a peek at the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in the heart of Bhuj.

Enjoy a day of free time in Bhuj. Perhaps visit Prag Mahal which, though damaged by the 2001 earthquake, is an interesting place to explore. Here you can check out the eerie Durbar Hall and its broken chandeliers and old statues. Alternatively, visit the Folk Art Museum to see its high-quality displays, including mud huts. For some beautiful street food, head to Shankar Vadapav, which is quite the local institution.

Journey into the desert landscape of Little Rann (approximately 6 hours). This is where the world's last remaining population of wild donkeys is. Travel by jeep safari into the Wild Ass Sanctuary to observe them in their natural habitat, and keep an eye out for gazelle, wolves and jackals. In the evening, set up camp near the village of Bajana. It can get quite cold here at night, so make sure you bring base layers and warm sleeping gear.

Settle in for the long drive to to Udaipur (approximately 7 hours). On arrival, take an orientation walk. Your time is then free to explore this stunning city as you please. Located by Lake Pichola, the town is lauded as one of the most romantic spots in India, with palaces, colourful bazaars, narrow alleys and beautiful gardens to discover.

With a free day, you might like to take up one of the many optional activities on offer. Take a boat ride out across Lake Pichola (depending on the season and the water level), a great way to see the marvellous island palaces off Jag Nivas and Jag Mandir. In the evening, perhaps enjoy a traditional concert that combines seven traditional Rajasthani folk dances. For more options, chat to your leader. 

Spend another free day in gorgeous Udaipur. Stroll around town, or perhaps venture further afield and check ot Jagmandir Island. Here you'll see some impressive stone elephants and an grandiose 17th-century tower. Alternatively, Sajjan Garh Wildlife Sanctuary makes a nice day trip for nature-lovers. Around 7pm you will catch an overnight train to Delhi (approximately 12 hours). It's long, but worth it! Train travel in India is an essential experience – a great insight into another side of local life.

Arrive in Delhi nice and early this morning and check straight into your hotel. the rest of the day is free to relax before the second half of your trip. As this is a combination of two of our favourite trips, the make up of your group and your leader may change today. There will be a joining meeting tonight to go through the itinerary for the second half of the trip. This is a great way to meet those arriving into India today.

This morning, join the group for a guided walking tour around Old Delhi, which has been an important city in India for over 2,000 years. Climb aboard a traditional cycle rickshaw and be driven through the colour and chaos of Delhi’s traffic. In the afternoon learn about the Sikh religion at the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) and visit the Jama Masjid, Delhi's oldest and India’s largest mosque.

Depart Delhi by train for the 4-5 hour journey across the state of Punjab to Kalka. From Kalka, board the World Heritage-listed 'toy train' and enjoy the six-hour climb through villages, tunnels and mountain passes. It's a long day of travelling, but Shimla's faded colonial charm will make up for it. On arrival in the evening, explore the town on an orientation walk.

Head out and explore Mall Road, Shimla's most popular shopping stretch. A nearby viewpoint also offers fantastic views of the Himalayas. Join the group for a visit to the Viceregal Lodge to witness where the partition agreement that separated India from Pakistan and Bangladesh was drawn up. If you like, join the hoards of monkeys milling about Jakhu Temple or stock up on souvenirs and specialty wooden crafts at Lakkar Bazaar. Set among rolling hills, Shimla also offers an array of nature walks that range from gentle to challenging. In the evening, enjoy an optional trip to the cinema and bop along to a Bollywood blockbuster.

Travel by jeep to the small town of Mandi. Situated on the Beas River, Mandi has a rich cultural heritage of both historical and theological significance. Once part of the salt route to Tibet, today it's the gateway to the Kullu Valley. Head into town for an orientation walk and explore a huge sunken shopping centre - the only one like it in India and the focal point of entertainment in Mandi. You can also spend time at the bathing ghats along the river or hike to hilltop temples just outside of town. In the evening, join the group for dinner and then stay in the former palace of the Raja of Mandi, which today has basic amenities.

The journey up to the mountains of India is an adventure in itself. Join locals on a public bus for the six-hour drive along bumpy roads to Dharamsala. Strung with prayer flags and busy with robed monks strolling between monasteries, this hilltop retreat is home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile. Spend the afternoon wandering the peaceful streets, which are set to the backdrop of the Himalayas. There’s a lot to gain here from talking to locals and learning about the many facets of Tibetan Buddhism.

Today visit the fascinating Norbulingka Institute, developed to train Tibetan refugees in skills needed to preserve the traditional arts and crafts of Tibet. Its grounds feature a beautiful temple and several workshops where you can witness woodcarving, painting and needlework in action. Then make your way to the Tsuglag Khang complex to see the Dalai Lama’s temple. You may also like to visit the Losel Doll Museum, which is a great way to learn about the daily lives and customs of people all over Tibet. Finally, treat yourself to a massage or try your hand at making traditional Tibetan momos (dumplings) in a cooking class. Please check with your leader for availability.

Take a local train down to Amritsar, situated in the heart of the fertile plain known as India's ‘breadbasket’ and the centre of Sikhism in India. Tour the sights and weave your way through the rambling streets and bazaars of the Old City in a cycle rickshaw. Explore the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib), which sits in the middle of a sacred lake. Listen to the soothing sounds of the devout chanting verses from the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib.

Visit Jallianwala Bagh, the site of the infamous 1919 massacre that played a vital role in India's independence. Then head out to the India-Pakistan border to witness the pomp and circumstance of the daily flag ceremony, a military practice that the security forces of India and Pakistan have followed since 1959. Tonight take an overnight sleeper train from Amritsar to Haridwar. Sleeper trains are clean and air-conditioned, and beds are padded berths with sheets, pillow and blanket provided (although some people prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet). Please note that you may be sharing with locals of the same or opposite gender.

After pulling into Haridwar in the morning, there’s an hour drive to Rishikesh. Check in to your hotel before going on an orientation walk. Aptly named the 'Yoga Capital of the World', Rishikesh is a great place to relax and seek a little enlightenment. In the evening, take a stroll along the holy Ganges River as temple bells ring and the nightly fire ritual of Ganga Aarti begins. Being sacred, Rishikesh is a dry town and alcohol is prohibited.

The morning is yours to roam around Rishikesh. Perhaps tuck into a masala dosa for breakfast before walking it off on one of the trails along the Ganges. In the afternoon, reunite with your group for a walk through the jungle to nearby waterfalls and caves. Tonight, experience sleeping under the stars near the banks of the Ganges just outside of Rishikesh, you’ll be staying in a fixed campsite with twin-shared tents and western-style toilets.

Bid farewell to Rishikesh and take the train back to Delhi (approx 7-9 hours). The train arrives back into Delhi around 11pm You’ll be transferred to your hotel on arrival .

There are no activities planned for today, so you’re free to depart the accommodation at any time. Don't forget to check out the great range of Urban Adventures if you have extra time in Delhi.