Explore world-famous wonders of India, experience Indian culture first-hand, and allow local guides to take you off the typical tourist track for a unique look at life in the Indian villages!
10 ACTION PACKED DAYS IN INDIA
UDAIPUR : Welcome home!
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Often referred to as “The City of Lakes” or “The Venice of the East”, Udaipur boasts some of the most beautiful natural surroundings in all of India. The Cultural Exchange will begin at Chandra Niwas Homestay, where you will be welcomed into our family home and given a taste of local culture. Highlights of Udaipur include:
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PUSHKAR: Colorful IndiaWalk the colorful streets of Pushkar, take an unforgettable Camel Safari through the Indian desert, and stock up on all of your souvenirs at the local markets with the most affordable prices in Rajasthan.
JAIPUR: The Pink CityJaipur offers a taste of Indian city life without compromising beauty. Prepare to experience the magic of Rajasthan through breathtaking royal palaces, an elephant ride, and much more!
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AGRA: Drumroll please...
We will end our time together with one of the seven wonders of the world, The Taj Mahal. You will have the opportunity to experience the Taj like never before beginning with sunrise and ending with a peaceful view from our favorite hidden location removed from the crowds of tourists.
Socially Responsible Tourism
With Socially Responsible Tourism at the heart of the program, Chandra NIwas Travels is able to offer more than just top-ranked travel experiences for our guests. Our mission is to create a positive impact on the community by making meaningful cross-cultural connections, providing jobs for local villagers, and giving our guests from all over the world a true understanding of India.
Check out our partner organization, The D.A.A.N. Foundation, started by Chandra Niwas Travels’ founder, Dr. Samvit Audichya. Cultural Exchange participants have the opportunity to get involved at local youth centers. Those who have demonstrated a strong understanding of the culture and our mission will have the opportunity to apply for a helper position at the completion of the program.
Check out our partner organization, The D.A.A.N. Foundation, started by Chandra Niwas Travels’ founder, Dr. Samvit Audichya. Cultural Exchange participants have the opportunity to get involved at local youth centers. Those who have demonstrated a strong understanding of the culture and our mission will have the opportunity to apply for a helper position at the completion of the program.
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What is Included in the Program ?
LOCAL YOUTH INTERACTION
Visit our partner foundation's rural youth centers and spend some time with the enthusiastic, energetic village children. Gain a better understanding of the problems that a developing country faces and see how community-led projects are helping to promote social development at the grass-roots level. MA AND PA´S COOKING CLASSES
Learn to cook some delicious vegetarian Indian dishes, such as paratha, roti, daal, mixed vegetables, rice, and of course, the traditional Indian Chai along with a whole variety of other dishes.
Mrs. Chandra Kala Audichya has been interested in cooking since she was a child. She is a loving mother and has always loved making nutritious meals for the whole family. OLD TEMPLE EXCURSIONS
We will take you to some of the oldest and most interesting temples in and around the city, explaining their cultural and religious importance. Our participants will be able to see and appreciate old Indian temple architecture at its best.
YOGA CLASS
Hailing from an ancient Indian tradition, yoga has long since provided people with refuge from the confusion and chaos of daily life. While the practice of yoga is closely associated with ancient texts, beliefs, and values, it yields physical, mental and spiritual benefits for people's practical daily lives as well. People practice yoga to feel fitter and be more energetic, happier and peaceful.
PERMACULTURE GARDEN
To supplement our healthy meals program, we decided to develop our own organic gardens. Fruits and vegetables in these gardens provide excellent opportunities for the youth to get hands-on gardening experience as well as the pleasure of growing their own food. |
What is not included in the program?
MUSIC LESSON
You will be one of the very few people to explore the Rajasthani Tribal music from within the homes of the local artists. For the last 2 years we have been working with the children of these artists and gypsies. It is a wonderful opportunity to spend time with their families.You would be experimenting with tribal musical instruments such as tribal drums, flutes, violin and many more stringed instruments. You may get a chance to spend time in the huts, learning a bit more about their music and the stories behind their music. This is an excellent chance to see how the knowledge of an art form has been passed down from one generation to another.
CAMEL RIDES
Enjoy an Indian adventure you've always dreamed of: riding a camel. Taking a camel ride is an experience that you will never forget, an adventure that will take you around a typical artist's village.
SIGHTSEEING
"The White City of Rajasthan". "The City of Lakes". Udaipur is known by many names, but none entirely reflect its beauty and glory. Udaipur stands on the banks of the Lake Pichola with its array of white marble palaces reflected in the lake's calm waters. There are gardens, ruins, historical forts and more bodies of water in and around the city to explore. Udaipur is voted one of the most romantic cities of India and has won "World's Best City to Travel" by Leisure & Travel magazine.
HINDI LESSONS
Prof. Sudhir Audichya's Hindi lessons are the best way to delve into Indian life and culture. Understanding the Hindi alphabet and learning the basic skills to communicate successfully will enrich any amount of time in India and also would be beneficial at the youth centers.
RESPONSIBLE RURAL TOUR
Enjoy guided tours to village locations where you can spend some time engaging in the day-to-day activities of the local rural community. This is an opportunity to get to know the reality of rural Udaipur.
JEEP SAFARI The participants will enjoy going deep into the countryside, exploring the mountains and lakes and if they are lucky they may see wildlife in and around the Aravali Hills including hyenas, leopards, bears, snakes and mongoose. |
Poster for Cultural Exchange Program
The resource below can be used to spread the word and advertise for our cultural exchange program.
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Those who wish to apply can ask for the application and submit the completed application to Samvit Audichya at samaudichya@gmail.com Once you have received your confirmation email notifying you of your acceptance into the Cultural Exchange Program, you will need to make your payment on the Chandra Niwas Travels page.
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After a long week in the rural areas, cultural exchange participants should take time out to explore the rest of the country. We care deeply about the safety of our participants and hence have designed these excursions and trips with extreme care and have only partnered with the best providers. Together with our partners we provide the participants with a combination of safety and adventure.
Chandra Niwas offers a number of options so that you can choose whichever excursion suits your needs. For more information about these Trips, Excursions and Activities please visit the Excursions page of the Chandra Niwas website. Weekend Trips and Excursions are at extra cost |
WEEKEND TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS |
