Girl Scouts: Alluring India 2023
Discover the magic of India, November 1 - 12, 2023Designed for all travelers 18+.
From the Taj Mahal and the Pink City of Jaipur to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts Sangam World Centre, this adventure hits the highlights of India while introducing you to incredible flavors and cultural experiences in addition to empowering women-led initiatives.
12 days, from
$2,599
per person. Designed for all travelers 18+.
GROUP SIZE
ACTIVITY LEVEL
This trip is currently sold out but you can join our waitlist in case a spot opens up.
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Details
TOUR DETAILS:
- Departure Date: November 1, 2023
- Countries Visited: India
- Accommodation: Hotel (11 nights)
- Single Supplement: $400
- Transportation: Private Bus, On-tour Flights, Train
- Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 7 Dinners
- Passengers: Maximum 16, Minimum 12
This tour is not exclusively female.
HOTELS:
- Hotel Sea Palace, Mumbai
- Sangam Lodge, Pune
- Khandela Haveli, Jaipur
- Hotel Royale’ Regent, Agra
- Hotel Regent Grand, Delhi
Hotels are subject to change
Itinerary
Namaste! Hello and welcome to Mumbai. Upon arrival, you will be taken to the hotel (group transfer included). After getting settled, perhaps you may want to begin your exploration of the largest city in India. Mumbai is India's commercial center and is also known as the foodie capital of India. This evening, we’ll meet our Local Leader at a welcome meeting to discuss the adventure ahead. After, we’ll head out together for dinner at a local restaurant. (d)
*Please note, Club Adventures and Girl Scouts cannot guarantee that any departure will be exclusively female.
Time for some sightseeing to soak up the atmosphere of this incredible metropolis. We’ll marvel at the remarkable Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat, a 140-year-old open-air laundry with over 1,000 troughs. In addition to being Mumbai’s oldest, it is also the world’s largest human-powered laundry. Next, take in some of the area’s key landmarks including the impressive World Heritage Site and historic railway station of Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. For lunch, we’ll visit a restaurant known for serving Parsi cuisine that was derived from emigrants of Persia, or modern day Iran, before spending some time at Mumbai’s bustling Crawford Market. The rest of the afternoon and evening are unscripted for you to write your own adventure. (b, l)
After breakfast, we’ll depart Mumbai and begin our journey to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts Sangam World Centre! Established in 1966, "Sangam" means "coming together" in Sanskrit. Upon arrival, we’ll settle in before a tour of the Centre. We’ll learn about the history and people that have made the place what it is. Tonight, we’ll gather and be formally welcomed into the Sangam family with a traditional welcome ceremony that intertwines Indian and Girl Scout traditions. (b, d)
This morning, we’ll partake in the daily flag ceremony, sharing our plans and intentions for the day, before enjoying breakfast. Afterward, we’ll head out to explore Phule Nagar—the local neighborhood around the Centre. A guided walk will allow us to visit local stores, a school, and places of worship. After time to relax, we’ll be welcomed into a local family’s home for dinner—a wonderful opportunity to learn about life in India! (b, l, d)
We’ll wake up early this morning for a yoga session in the Centre’s Wellness Shala—a refreshing start to the day! Afterward, we will head out to explore two ancient Buddhist cave shrines, the Karla and Bhaja Cave Temples. We’ll see ancient carvings and enjoy the serene quietness. If you wish, you may choose to relax at the Centre or enjoy the amenities of the grounds. Tonight, we’ll come together to celebrate our time at the Centre with a campfire circle. (b, l, d)
Today, we transfer to the Pune airport to take our flight to Jaipur, also known as the Pink City. Jaipur is the state capital and largest city of Rajasthan. Originally, the buildings were painted in a variety of colors, but in 1853 when Prince Albert visited, the old city was painted pink—a traditional color of welcome. It has remained pink ever since. We’ll visit City Palace, which reflects the fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. The City Palace complex is spread over a large area occupying one seventh of the old city of Jaipur. Afterward, we’ll continue to the Jantar Mantar, a fascinating 18th- century observatory that features the world's largest stone sundial and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The evening is unscripted for you to write your own adventure. (b)
This morning, we visit Amber Fort—the ancient capital of the Kachhwaha's clan. High above the town and surrounded with defensive fortification walls sits the impressive Amber Palace with its mighty gates, temples, huge ornate halls, palaces, pavilions, and gardens. Amber Palace is a perfect blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, and once we reach the top the Palace affords excellent views of the surrounding countryside and town below. We’ll experience the Food Trail Tour with The Pink City Rickshaw Company, a unique initiative aimed to provide employment opportunities to women from low-income households in Jaipur. We’ll be taken by rickshaw to try the flavors of kachoris, drinking sweet lassis, and experiencing the best kulfi in all of Jaipur. This evening, you may choose to head to the renowned Raj Mandir Cinema to watch a Bollywood film of action, romance, drama, or music—sometimes all rolled into one! (b, l)
We’ll take an early train to the city of Agra which was once the capital of the Mughal Empire. During the mid-16th and 17th centuries, Agra witnessed remarkable expansion and architectural development as each successive emperor tried to outdo the last. Later, we’ll visit Agra Fort, whose forbidding red sandstone battlements hide several majestic Mughal palaces. Explore the delightful Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), where the emperor once sat on his throne to address his subjects, and the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), where he hosted kings and foreign dignitaries. The white marble Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque) stands in contrast to the rest of the Red Fort. For dinner, we will visit Sheroes Café, a restaurant run by amazing local women who have survived acid attacks. (b, d)
At sunrise, we’ll visit the Taj Mahal which was described by the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore as "tear drops on the face of eternity." Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, construction took 22 years and is a monument of love. After exploring the beauty and architecture, the afternoon is free for you to spend at your leisure. For dinner, we’ll enjoy a Mughlai cooking class. Mughlai cuisine is rich and reflects a combination of cooking styles and recipes from Central Asia and North India. (b, d)
Today, we head to Delhi, the gateway to the rich soils of the Ganges plain, situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River, between the Himalayas and the Aravalli Hills. According to Indian folklore, Delhi has been occupied since 2500 BC. After time to settle in, we’ll visit the Qutub Minar, the world's tallest brick minaret. We’ll enjoy dinner together tonight at a local restaurant. (b, d)
This morning, we’ll venture out to Old Delhi to wander through the alleyways. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through chaotic streets, such as the famous Chandni Chowk. We’ll make a visit to the Jama Masjid, Delhi's oldest mosque and one of its most impressive buildings. Later, visit the Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) to learn about the Sikh religion and enjoy a vegetarian lunch. After lunch, we’ll visit Khari Baoli—Asia’s largest wholesale spice market. As you walk through the market, your senses are sure to be overwhelmed by the delicious smell of spices. (b, l)
Our adventure through India ends today with an included group transfer to the airport. (b)
Private Group Options
Want a once-in-a-lifetime reunion with your now-scattered friends or Girl Scout sisters? Set up an exclusive adventure with just your crew! All it takes is six travelers to lock in flexible departure dates and plan an incredible adventure.
Things to know before traveling to India
The official currency of India is the Indian Rupee (INR). Its symbol is ₹
The most convenient and cheapest way to obtain local currency is via an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), which are readily available in most towns.
Look for Bank of India or ICICI ATM's. Our experience has shown they are the most reliable ATM's to use for withdrawals. Your Local Leader should be able to direct you to these banks.
Foreign currency notes that are old, torn or faded can be very difficult to exchange, so please bring clean bills, and small denominations are most useful.
The use of credit cards can be restricted, mainly to major hotels, shops and establishments.
As a general rule have a look online to check the weather in India just before you are about to travel. This gives you a clearer understanding of what to pack.
December to March
Pleasant weather – warm days, cool nights.
December and January bring chilly nights in the north.
Fog can delay trains travelling across the north of the country
Temperatures climb steadily from February.
April to June
April is hot; May and June are really hot and dry.
From June, the monsoon sweeps from south to north, bringing high temperatures and humidity
Cooler in the hills and mountains across the country
July to November
Monsoon season begins in July until November.
The southeast coast and southern Kerala see heavy rain from October to early December.
Food is a way of life in India. You can snack for a bargain or dine in the finest Indian restaurants.
Generally you can eat very cheaply in India. There is a huge choice of restaurants and street stalls serving traditional and local Indian food. In bigger restaurants in areas frequented by more tourists there is a choice between Indian, Chinese and Western style food.
India caters very well towards vegetarians and vegans with almost all restaurants having a vegetarian section of the menu. If in doubt please check with your tour leader.
Your Local Leader will be able to direct you towards restaurants that are known to have better hygiene, especially in tourist areas where they are travelling with our groups regularly
Some tips that will help you stay well when eating in India include:
Stick to restaurants and street stalls busy with locals - local families eating there are a good bet.
Wash your hands before eating (most restaurants will have a hand basin or bathroom) or use a sanitizing hand gel
Give yourself a few days to get used to local food, especially spicy food.
If in doubt, stick to the vegetarian meal
Avoid salads and peel fruit to avoid eating skin that may be washed in local water
Steer clear of ice unless in higher end restaurants
Fresh lime and soda is an excellent (and cheap) drink for hot days
Drink more chai
Please note that service in restaurants (especially with a group) can be quite slow so patience is a must.
Generally WiFi is available in most parts of India and at most of the accommodation we use. Sometimes its free in the room, other times only available in reception or public areas. A general rule of thumb is the more expensive the hotel, the higher charge for WIFi access. your Local Leader can assist locally.
We visit a number of temples on this trip, which requires a certain level of modesty. Please bring clothes that cover the arms and pants/skirts that go past the knees. A light scarf is also a good idea for covering shoulders and arms when it’s hot.
The regions visited on this trip can be extreme in temperature. It’s important to prepare for hot temperatures during the day and cooler climates in the evening. Rajasthan in particular can be very hot, especially in the summer. Layers are the best way to tackle any disparities in weather.
Vaccinations may be required for this trip. Please consult your doctor or a travel health specialist. The choice of vaccinations can depend on a range of issues including the specific destination, the duration of the trip, your personal health and of course what vaccines you have had before.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it’s important that you 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 familiarize yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our trips. We require that, at a minimum, you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation. We strongly recommend that the policy also covers personal liability, cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. Please ask your travel agent or Club Adventures team member for insurance options at time of booking.
Girl Scouts: Alluring India 2023
12 days
Unscripted experiences, insider access and authentic local flavors
Club Adventures is your key to seeing the world through a local lens. Whether you’re looking for a self-drive road trip through your own backyard, or guided journeys halfway around the world, Club Adventures by AAA takes you there – we are your backstage pass to new adventures. With Club Adventures, you’ll get the best of small group travel in a big way, plus the security and peace of mind of traveling with a brand backed by AAA. With over 100 years experience of trip planning for Americans, we've got your back. So, whether it’s a milestone birthday celebration, adventures with friends, or a family getaway, Club Adventures is perfect for all small group travel occasions.
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12 days, from $2,599
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