Giving Back Journeys – Highlights
This is a special 12 day tour for people who want to join us in India for our projects. A percentage of the net profits from this tour will be used to help the villages in this area of India.
You will experience authentic journeys off the beaten path, combined with giving-back opportunities to villages in need of an education, warm clothing and clean sanitary conditions.
Your giving-back activities will include visiting and interacting with the residents of the village we are helping and participating in the distribution of warm clothing and experiencing in person the communitiy services we are providing.
In addition, you will have the opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, other monuments and historical sites, 500 year old living root bridges, tea plantations, shopping excursions and more.
Check out the itinerary below for more detailed information.
Giving Back Journeys – Itinerary
Day 1: Hello India
Arrival in New Delhi, India. Upon arrival as you come out of immigration you will be greeted by our
representative and taken to your hotel for check-in.
We recommend spending the rest of the day relaxing and resting from your trip and getting acclimated to the new time zone.
Day 2 – 4: New Delhi and the Taj Mahal
The next few days will consist of guided sightseeing trips. Visit the Taj Mahal, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, the Red Fort as well as many other historical sites and monuments.
Day 5: Meghalaya Giving Back
The next four days will be spent in the remote State of Meghalaya in the Himalayan foothills of Northeastern India. This is the region where you will participate in the “Giving Back” aspect of your tour.
Meghalaya is a beautiful remote state where you will also have the opportunity to embark on guided sightseeing tours and outings.
Arrangements have been made for you to be at a home stay in Meghalaya, for an authentic local experience.
Day 6: Visiting our village and local sightseeing
After an early morning breakfast, we will visit the village we are helping, distribute clothes and blankets to the families, participate in the in the kickoff of our school project and meet the children.
We will enjoy a short cultural program and enjoy a delicious, authentic lunch from this region specially prepared for us.
After lunch, we will visit a local orphanage to distribute clothes to more needy children before we head on to Cherrapunjee and the area of the root bridges.
We will check into our hotel in the early evening.
Day 7 – 8: The 500 year old Living Root Bridges
We will spend the next two days sightseeing in this area, hiking among waterfalls, remote valleys and local villages as we travel to the region of the root bridges, spending the day sightseeing, walking and hiking in beautiful natural surroundings.
We will visit and take photographs with the indigenous hill people and see spectacular scenery.
Heading home in the late afternoon of day 8, we will rest and relax as we prepare for the next phase of our trip.
Day 9: Arrival in Darjeeling
After you check out, you will be driven to the airport in Gawahati for your flight to Darjeeling. Upon arrival at Bagdogra Airport in Darjeeling you will be picked up and driven to your hotel.
Darjeeling is a beautiful hill station famous for its breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks, including Kanchenjunga, the third highest peak in the Himalaya. Darjeeling is also famous for its fragrant teas and beautiful lush green tea plantations.
Take it easy in your hotel or spend your afternoon visiting the market and shopping stalls for local crafts, shawls and beautiful souvenir items. The markets are famous for their handicrafts, carpets, jewelry, wooden carvings and beautiful shawls, to name just a few of the treasures you may find.
Day 10: Tea Estate Tour
Start the day with an early morning walk or drive through the tea fields with the Estate Manager who will explain how the tea bush is grown and looked after, from plucking the “two leaves and a bud” to the manufacturing process, until it gets packed for shipment. End the morning with a Tea Tasting Sensation.
After lunch, you will head towards the Kingdom of Sikkim and the town of Pelling, famous for its alpine forests cloaked in swirling clouds, surrounded by stunning views of Mt. Kanchenjunga and the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
Day 11 – 12: Sikkim Monasteries & Photogenic Excursions
Visit the famous Pemayangtse Monastery, founded in 1705, originally a royal monastery and one of the oldest in Sikkim. This monastery houses a beautiful collection of wall paintings and sculptures.
Check out the Sangachoeling Gompa (a 30 minute hike), situated on top of a mountain with breathtaking views of the Himalayas. This Tibetan Buddhism monastery itself is filled with centuries-old holy scriptures, wall murals, and altars.
Weather permitting, the view during this aspect of your journey provides for magnificent photographic opportunities.
After a late lunch, you will return to Darjeeling where you will check into your hotel for your last night before you fly back to New Delhi the following morning.
Day 13: Goodbye Darjeeling
After a nice hearty breakfast, you will be driven to Bagdogra Airport for your flight to New Delhi where you will board your connecting flight back to the United States.
Depending on when your flight leaves, you may be departing India on the evening of Day 12 evening or the morning of Day 13 for your International flight back to the United States.
We hope you had a wonderful and memorable time – have a safe trip back.
Dates and Rates: Contact Us
Includes:
- Airport pickup and drop off
- All accommodations for 12 days
- All breakfasts, lunches and dinners for 12 days
- All ground transportation in India
- Welcome reception and orientation upon arrival
- Full time English speaking guide and chauffeur
- Entrance fees to all planned tourist attractions
- All taxes and surcharges
Terms and Conditions Apply. Click here for reservations instructions.
Lunch or snacks and refreshments will be provided on all outings longer than two hours.
Itinerary and any listed price for this trip does NOT include international or any domestic airfare, passport or visa fees, travel insurance, telephone charges, tips and gratuities, alcoholic beverages, additional refreshments or snacks purchased separately by guests, or room service.