Highlights of India with wildlife of Satpura
New Delhi - Agra - Satpura National Park - Mumbai
Prepare yourself for the journey of a lifetime. This GIA trip is an opportunity to delve into the wonders of India whilst making a meaningful impact on nature and the environment.
Through this project, you’ll actively contribute to ensuring the Indian tiger’s future while nurturing the local environment by planting trees. Furthermore, your involvement will help cultivate a harmonious relationship between local communities and nature.
It’s not all hard work; you’ll visit iconic landmarks, including the Taj Mahal, play sports with the locals (especially India’s national sport - cricket), learn some Bollywood dancing and sample India’s world-famous cuisine!
Day 1: Delhi
Welcome to India! You’ll be taken to your hotel from the airport for your first night in Delhi. Once you’ve had a chance to settle in and freshen up, you’ll embark on a captivating sightseeing tour, showcasing the city’s rich history and providing an audiovisual adventure like nothing you’ve ever experienced.
Overnight: New Delhi
Day 2: In Delhi
Founded in 1988, the Salaam Baalak Trust is an NGO located in Delhi with a commitment to assisting street children across the city. The organization's name translates to ‘salute a child’, embodying its mission to secure the future of children living in precarious and sometimes dangerous conditions.
The Trust's programs encompass a range of initiatives, including outreach projects, health and nutrition efforts, education and skill-building initiatives, and rehabilitation programs. One notable aspect involves guided walks led by former street children who have triumphed over adversity, pursued education, and established independent lives within the mainstream community. Your guided tour will be led by a former street child, exploring the atmospheric lanes, bustling markets and vibrant bazaars of Old Delhi, both on foot and by rickshaw.
After the tour, you will visit the DRMC Children’s Home to see this charity's amazing work, with the opportunity to speak with the children and hear their stories. Later, you’ll have the choice to play cricket or teach English!
Overnight: New Delhi
Day 3: Delhi – Mathura - Agra
Get ready for the next exciting part of your adventure – it will be quite different from what you've done so far. Today you're heading to the Elephant Conservation and Care Center, where you'll discover amazing facts about these majestic animals. Later on, you’ll dive in and help the staff in their duties caring for the elephants, giving you a real insight into animal conservation.
Overnight: Agra
Day 4: In Agra
Today, you have the privilege of witnessing one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the most iconic site in India: the Taj Mahal. You’ll also see the historic Agra Fort and spend the evening taking a yoga lesson at sunset with the backdrop of the Taj Mahal; a perfect Indian day.
Overnight: Agra
Day 5: Agra – Bhopal – Satpura
India is home to 75% of the world’s tigers and although they remain an endangered species, in India, their numbers have been gradually rising. This evening you’ll be staying at the Reni Pani Jungle Lodge and be given an introduction to Project Tiger by Reni Pani’s naturalists. You’ll learn all about the dangers that threaten these magnificent animals and the essential work conservationists are undertaking to protect them.
Overnight: Satpura
Day 6: monitoring the animals, Satpura
The conservation work starts in earnest today, beginning with a safari tour of the park, followed by a lesson from experts on how to track animals. You’ll also learn about GPS mapping and how technology is used to monitor animal populations. The next part of the day involves meeting victims of sloth bear attacks and discussing the wider effect of people-animal conflict and how incidences can be reduced. This is all in preparation for an awareness campaign that you’ll be carrying out tomorrow.
Overnight: Satpura
Day 7: BeeKeeping in satpura
Conservation requires engaging with people to provide information and materials to protect the environment. After learning all about bee culture, your new-found skills will be used to demonstrate to local villagers how to use specially designed boxes to transfer the queen bees. These boxes will be donated to the villagers to bring in a new revenue source and reduce their dependence on the forest. Then it’s time for birdwatching India-style! After observing the endangered Black Bucks, it’s off on a night safari, learning about owls and how to spot them at night.
Overnight: Satpura
Day 8: In Satpura
Deforestation stands as the leading driver of biodiversity loss. By planting a diverse range of trees, including endangered species, you will actively contribute to safeguarding natural habitats. Additionally, your efforts will help to spread awareness to local villages on how to minimize the use of plastics.
Overnight: Satpura
Day 9: Satpura – Bhopal - Mumbai
Prepare to be swept off your feet in the magical city of Mumbai, with its unique energy combining a rich history, vibrant culture and modern dynamism. Sitting on the Konkan coast, this megacity is home to iconic landmarks, including the Gateway of India and the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus.
The world’s largest film industry has emerged from the fusion of Bombay, the city’s former name, and Hollywood. Today, prepare to join Bollywood as you engage in a dance lesson, learning the best moves from India’s most popular dances.
Overnight: Mumbai
Day 11: Depart Mumbai
Sadly, it’s time to head home, but this extraordinary journey is sure to stay with you forever. No doubt, you will be aching to return at the next opportunity!
Day 10: In Mumbai
Your last full day in India starts with a sightseeing tour of this astonishing city, taking in Mumbai’s greatest landmarks. This afternoon there will be an opportunity to explore the city with your tour manager, taking in yet more of the sights and sounds and, most importantly, enjoying some of the beautiful cuisines for which India is so well-known.
Overnight: Mumbai
Total cost: From $3990
What is included
Activities:
Visit DRMC Children’s Home
Playing a choice of sports
Visit to the Elephant Conservation and Care Center
Yoga lesson
Safari Tour at Satpura National Park
Learning to track animals
Birdwatching
Sightseeing tour of Mumbai
Bollywood dance class
Accommodation and services:
A 24/7 tour manager accompanying you throughout the trip
All meals included
Private transportation throughout the trip
Accommodation post project in 3 and 4* hotels
Accommodation during project in project center
Medical insurance up to $50,000 and baggage insurance are included
Tickets & Tours:
Tour of Delhi
Tour of Mumbai
Tour of Agra
Visit to Agra Fort
Visit to Taj Mahal
Project:
Assisting staff at the Elephant Conservation and Care Center
Project Tiger Conservation
GPS mapping of animal populations
Public awareness campaign on animal-human conflict
Educating local villagers about bee-culture
Planting Trees
Spreading awareness to minimize plastic use
Help clean a village
Not included in this Trip:
International flights (we can arrange these for you)
Visas, where applicable
Any vaccination required
Cancellation insurance (Medical insurance up to $50,000 and baggage insurance are included)