India with Shaping Lives

Begin your exploration with a historic tour of Old Delhi on a cycle rickshaw and ride through the crowded streets of the 300-year old wholesale market that sells an extraordinary variety of items – silver, jewellery, aromatic spices, leather, fruit, and vegetables. Next visit the Jama Masjid and Rajghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial. After lunch, drive through Lutyen’s Delhi, once the Imperial capital of the former British Empire. Visit the majestic Rashtrapati Bhavan, the residence of the President of India, India Gate and Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Luxeperience: Visit a NGO which runs a project ‘No Child in Trash’, wherein, it endeavors to wean away the children of waste pickers from this hazardous and demeaning family vocation, with a view to educate and mainstream them into a respectable future livelihood and helps them develop alternate options through mainstreaming. The project offers non-formal education, house visits, admission into mainstream schools and educational assistance to over 177 children of the waste-pickers’ community. It works with adults to engage them in the successful implementation of the project. Overnight at Hotel.

Start after a relaxed breakfast and drive on the new expressway to Agra. The drive takes approximately four hours. In Agra, you are met on arrival and transferred directly to your hotel. Later, you meet your guide in the lobby and make your way to see the Taj Mahal in all of its sunset glory. The Taj Mahal truly is one of the most stunning pieces of architecture in the world, and as the rays of the sun fall on the marble tomb the monument perfectly reflects in the stillness of the pools adding to the beauty, majesty and splendor. A monument of love built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains, 20,000 men labored day and night for twenty two years to build this masterpiece which has held the world awestruck ever since. Also visit Agra Fort is a magnificent 16th century fortress and remains as one of the finest Mughal forts in India. There are several mosques, public halls used for audiences, the elaborate Mirror Palace, and a white marble tower where Shah Jahan’s son imprisoned him for eight years until his death. Overnight in Agra.

Enjoy a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Luxeperience: Visit a café run by women who have all survived acid attacks. Instead of succumbing to victimhood and staying in hiding, these women have decided to lead a normal respectable life and go to work. With the help of a NGO and supporters of the Stop Acid Attack network, they now run the café in Agra. Enjoy lunch here before you drive to Jaipur. Founded by Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727, Jaipur, Rajasthan’s vibrant, colourful capital, is the gateway to the rich history of the state. Behind its pink walls, lies the original Old City – dating back to the 18th century – with its enticing bazaars, iconic palaces, lavish havelis (old mansions), and beautifully planned layout. Outside is the new Jaipur, with buzzing traffic, splendid hotels, and glistening malls. This evening make sure to spend some time in the charming markets of the Old City. Overnight in Jaipur.

Start the day with an excursion to the Amer Fort. Perched on a hill in the suburbs of Jaipur, the fort was once the capital of Rajasthan. Former residence of Rajput Maharajas, the fort is notable for its grand architecture showcasing Hindu style of art. Later, explore the City Palace complex that is comprised of two palaces, Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal, a museum, a vast array of courtyards, gardens and buildings. The palace is a blend of the Shilpa Shastra of Indian architecture with Rajput, Mughal and European styles. Diwan-I-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), Bhaggi Khana (a museum), Pitam Niwaa gate and Peacock Gate are a must-see. Other places to visit includes Hawa Mahal (Palace of Wind), Jal Mahal (Water Palace), and Jantar Mantar (an observatory). Luxeperience : Afternoon visit a nongovernmental organization that helps street children. It has girls over 14 years of age engaged in various vocational product manufacture like jewellery, cards, clothes line, linen, embroidery etc. It also has the women’ self-help groups wherein women from the local low income families, come in and engage in exquisite GUDI embroidery work and become financially independent. Guests can buy all products on display off the shelf. A semi-open classroom, for assistance in school education runs alongside. A computer centre for the local low income community children also runs within the same premises. Guests can witness and engage in all activity. All children who work here receive payment regardless of their ability. The children living here have money paid into bank accounts that have been opened in their names; the children living on the street are paid cash, this helps their poor families and encourages their parents to allow their children to come to NGO, rather than work. Volunteers work programs are also available here for international volunteers. Overnight in Jaipur.

Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Kolkata. India’s second largest city, Kolkata is also its cultural hub. The former capital during the British Raj and a trading post of the powerful East India Company, the city still retains many architectural relics including the splendid marble Victoria Memorial. But it also offers tourists opportunities to explore lively markets, stroll through lush gardens, iconic temple visits and simple boat trips on the Hooghly River. On arrival you are met and transferred by your Luxe representative to hotel. Luxeperience: Bengali cuisines is one of the few cuisines in India in which the meal is served course-wise rather than all at once. This evening, you get a rare glimpse of the old way of life, now sadly endangered. Your host is an art collector and socialite and the venue for dinner is his charming apartment in historic Chowringhee. Enjoy an authentic and home-cooked Bengali cuisine while partaking in stimulating conversation on Hinduism, culture, food, and other traditions of Bengal. Return to your hotel after dinner. Overnight in Kolkata.

Luxeperience: The iconic tearoom which you will visit is more than just a landmark tearoom in Kolkata. It is perhaps the one of the few places that retains the atmosphere of 1930s British India, it serves the best of continental food and finest Darjeeling Tea. After tucking your way through a traditional English breakfast served here, enjoy a full day tour of this city that starts after breakfast. Begin at the Victoria Memorial containing a collection of Victorian memorabilia, including Queen Victoria's Piano. Nearby is the old Briti... sh fort, Fort William and the 48-metre high monument along with the Kalighat temple and the Raj Bhavan which was once the residence of the British Viceroy in India. The Indian Museum is perhaps one of the country’s best museums and offers a rich collection of art, as well as fossils and meteorites. Luxeperience: Visit Missionaries of Charity, an order of nuns founded by the now beatified Mother Theresa in 1950 as a home for the destitute. Missionaries care for those who include refugees, the mentally ill, sick children, abandoned child, the aged etc. They have schools run by volunteers to educate street children and run soup kitchens as well as other services according to the community needs. The services here are provided, without charge, to people regardless of their religion or social status. Overnight in Kolkata.

The morning is at leisure. Your escort and vehicle are at your disposal. Later, depending on the time of your international flight you are assisted with your transfer to the airport for your homebound journey.