EXPLORE INDIA + OFFbeat Goa is a 3-weeks trip in India covering Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Pushkar & South Goa! You get through the Indian culture, history and diversity of this beautiful country! Trip includes volunteer and give-back initiatives! A part of the trip cost supports local communities such as victims of Acid attacks & WILDLIFE SOS which is a trusted NGO that leads wildlife conservation in India, we also Volunteer at Wildlife SOS for 3 days on this trip for the welfare of rescued Elephants and Sloth Bears!  🐘🐻

In Goa, we've found the OFFbeaten part of South Goa! We’ve planned this tour knowing well why someone travel to this part of Goa, to see the Goan culture & relax by the shore! Your Goa add-on includes 2 days of excursion and 5 days you have by yourself making it plenty of days to explore the beaches, markets, food and so much more! 🏖️⛱

Namaste! Welcome to India!

Meet your amazing guide waiting for you at the airport! Hear the honks yet?! You’re then taken to the Hotel, it’s a free day so rest if you feel like or just see what’s around, maybe? Or if the group arrives by the evening, we can plan for an informal dinner too! 😊 Feel free to ask your guides if you have any questions or ideas as they’re always there to help you! 

Meals - B & D

We start our tour taking tuk-tuks from the hotel and we go to Old Delhi from where this city originates. You get a glimpse of the Red Fort which once served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors. From this point we hop into Rikshaws to get into the streets of Old Delhi and get to experience complete organized chaos.  We move ahead to explore, “Asia’s biggest spice market” called Khari Baoli in old Delhi. Indian food and cuisines are known for spices, and we all love spices, don’t we? 

After Lunch, we get back in our tuk-tuk’s and go to Humayun’s tomb in eastern Delhi 

Meal - B 

We leave from Agra at noon, we have the morning for those who wish to explore more of Delhi. We give a visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh temple in Delhi built in the sacred visit of the 8th Sikh Guru to Delhi, Guru Har Kishan Ji. At noon we leave on a 4-hour journey to Agra, city of the Taj Mahal. 

It's a free evening, you can visit ‘sheroes Hangout’ in Agra, a small café run by attack survivors who came up together and started this café under an NGO called ‘Chhanv Foundation’ so they could restart their journey in life and guess what, they’re doing amazing!

Meal - B

The day has come finally to see the architectural masterpiece, “Taj Mahal”, over 20 million tourists visit every year to see the beautiful wonder!

You’ll have plenty of time to explore the wonderful monument. We will also have a local tour guide for all the questions you have, and of course you have us for all those pictures to click. 

After the visit to the Taj Mahal, we move ahead towards Agra fort. A huge fort built during the reign of Emperor Akbar in mid-16th century.  

Meals - B, L, D

These 3 days we’ll be spending at Wildlife SOS, a place for those who couldn’t speak for themselves. WSOS had rescued elephants & sloth bears after a lot of trouble and even legal battles. Dancing bear, temple elephants or begging elephant practices were a few of those major reasons for these rescues to be made 

We will be their volunteers at the NGO to help the staff in their day-to-day routine. Like making wooden platforms or hammocks for the bears, cleaning their dens, food preparation for the elephants and much more. 

Meal - B 

After 3 days of learning, volunteering and giving-back, we soak it all in and carry all those moments with us to our next stop, Jaipur-The Pink City!

The capital city of Rajasthan state. If you’re a bit into the Indian history, Jaipur has that heritage vibe to it. Every place we go has its own story! Ask your guide about adding on an additional visit to the Abhaneri Stepwell when arriving at Jaipur. 

You have the evening by yourself so you can rest before we explore Jaipur tomorrow or maybe get a tuk-tuk to explore the local markets in the evening! Let the guides help you plan 😊 

Meal - B

Jaipur is full of color, good food to eat & amazing attractions that we will cover on our tour! After breakfast we explore the Hawa Mahal, city palace – the house of the Jaipur royal family, Jal Mahal which stands in the middle of a lake. After Lunch we will explore the major highlight of the tour, Amber fort. The fort is a great example of heritage & Rajasthan’s architecture!

Now that we’ve explored major highlights of the city, now you can do your shop hunt in the local market. Things like colorful bags, kurtas, footwear, decorative stuff and inexpensive/artificial jewels you would find in these markets. If there’s something specific you are looking for then the guides are there to find it for you! And hey, make sure you bargain!

Meals - B & D

Pushkar is a small holy town in the state of Rajasthan. 4 hours journey and approx.140 kms (90 miles) south-west of Jaipur, you would see a lot of camels as we drive further towards the Thar Desert.

 First we go the resort we are staying at the following nights to keep our luggage safe. We’ll have some time before we leave for the camp, we can give a visit to a nearby animal hospital or you may stay back and relax at the resort. When back, our jeeps will be ready to take us to the camp! We will drive into the desert and visit the sunset point first and then on to our camp for the night.

Meal - B

Today we take you around Pushkar to show what Pushkar has for you.

We start from the market which is walking distance from our resort, don’t worry about haggling as they stay pretty calm and mostly give their best price! Things like silver jewels, traditional decorative items, bags are few of the stuff that you’ll find in the bazaar. We then go to the holy Pushkar lake which is said to be formed when God Brahma dropped 3 of his divine lotus petals while fighting a demon. 

We’ll spend some time at the lake and then have lunch.

Meals - B & D

Today is your free day in town. Yes, we won’t be there to bother you! Relax by the pool in the resort or you may go shopping! There’re few more temples to explore which you can if you wish, just ask your guide and they would be happy to help. 

We really don’t want to do this, but we meet in the evening at our resort where we’ll have our farewell dinner. Where all share their experience in India and that you’ll be back again soon! 😊

Meal - B

This morning we leave for a 5-hour train journey to Delhi. 

Upon arrival you will be transferred to the Delhi Hotel, leaving for Goa the next day!

Excited? ⛱️😊✈️

Meal - B

Explore India trip officially ends today and you fly to Goa! 

Meet your Eco India representative at the airport who would drop you to your beach

resort in South Goa. The resort also has a separate beach entrance so you can experience the beautiful sunset at beach on arrival day! 😁

Meals - B 

Colva Beach is a good one on your free day!. It extends as far as Bogmalo Beach to the north & Cabo de Rama beach to the south. Tourists enjoying water sports, getting a sun tan, enjoying Goan cuisine in of the numerous

shacks lining the shore & going for a swim while being constantly observed by the efficient lifeguards.

Activity, excitement & commotion, you will find plenty of these at Colva Beach. Well, if you feel a little adventurous this beach has water sports like banana boat ride, parasailing, jet ski ride, water scooter and so much more! 

You would also find local markets near Colva for clothes, footwear, souvenirs etc 

Meals - B & L

We hope you’ve been enjoying this side of Goa! Today, let us take you around and explore some OFFbeat places. After breakfast we start our day visiting an old ancestral home at Loutolim. Further we visit architecturally beautiful Rachol Church! Taking a ride on local ferry to cross the river, we pass through Curtorim region - the rice bowl of South Goa! 

After lunch we take you to Goa chitra museum, if you’re a history buff you would love it!

Meal - B

Cavelossim beach has a long stretch of white sand with the winding river Sal merging with the sea on one side. Ideally, a quiet beach and is a great place to watch the sunset. This beach also stands out due to the lava rocks jutting out of the white sand and the coconut trees along the beach. Due to this unusual landscape, the sunsets look spectacular and you can spend the evening watching the sunset with delicious food and drinks!

Meal - B

Cabo De Rama fort is located in Canaguinim, south Goa. Deriving its name from the Hindu Epic the Ramayana, this ancient fort far predates the Portuguese rule in Goa, making it one of the oldest forts in Goa. Though time and the elements have weathered this proud structure, it still stands today, guarding the mouth of the Sal River and commanding panoramic views of the ocean and the surrounding countryside.

Meals - B & L

This morning we have a visit to a remote school where you get to interact with the children & teachers. As per our past experience we let the children take over the classes so they could act, sing or even tell you a story! This not only helps children with their self confidence but also doesn’t leave a psychological effect in them when their new friends are gone. After the school visit, we move ahead for local Goan cooking classes, the cooking session will be at a farm in a wildlife sanctuary! Sounds fun? Followed by lunch, let’s hope we cooked well!

Meal - B

You have the day to yourself! Maybe shop those last moment souvenirs, have that spicy Goan cuisine or spend the day at the beach with last sunset!

Meal - B

After breakfast we check-out from the hotel & leave for the airport.