India Women's Expedition with Intrepid Travel
(19 Reviews)
100% Recommended
Allison Slavik
Fargo, ND
Travel Advisor & Adventure Specialist
With over 17 years of experience in hospitality, I’ve successfully transitioned my skills into the travel industry. My background in event planning has honed my ability to anticipate clients' needs, while my passion for authentic, meaningful exper...
With over 17 years of experience in hospitality, I’ve successfully transitioned my skills into the travel industry. My background in event planning has honed my ability to anticipate clients' needs, while my passion for authentic, meaningful experiences drives me to craft unforgettable vacations.
As a lifelong foodie and a Level I Sommelier, I'm always eager to share personalized dining recommendations. I also thrive on adventure—whether it’s hiking, biking, kayaking, camping, or ziplining, I love making every journey an exhilarating experience.
The most rewarding part of my job is hearing clients rave about their incredible vacations, knowing I played a part in creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Can Be Reached At
1-701-492-5000 ext:127
Travel Advisors at the Taj Mahal - Agra, India
I was honored to be one of only 12 travel agents selected to participate in a transformative women's expedition through India's Golden Triangle, hosted by Intrepid Travel.
Our unforgettable week-long tour took us through the vibrant cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, plus an authentic rural heritage stay in the charming village of Tordi. Intrepid Travel curated a thoughtfully designed itinerary that showcased a diverse range of activities, giving us a true taste of India’s rich culture and history.
We experienced a variety of accommodations, from basic to premium, providing valuable insight into the different styles Intrepid offers on their tours. Guided by our exceptional tour director, Parul, and Intrepid’s India manager, Rama, we immersed ourselves in local customs, marveled at iconic landmarks, and savored the delicious flavors of authentic Indian cuisine.
The start of our journey:
I arrived in Delhi a day early and joined two other agents for a private shopping tour. We checked out gorgeous hand-knotted rugs, pashminas, sarees, and jewelry, snagging some great souvenirs and sampling a few local snacks along the way. That evening, we met up with the rest of the group for a fun welcome dinner at a local microbrewery.
Day 2:
Day two started with a ride on the metro in a women’s only carriage. It was a neat experience to see how locals get around town. The women’s only carriages were designed for the comfort and safety of women, (not segregation) which I can appreciate traveling as a woman in a city of 33 million people. We walked through the Old Delhi neighborhood of Chandni Chowk, visited Jama Masjid Mosque, and enjoyed a community meal at the Sikh temple.
Day 3:
Today we took the train to Agra and then headed over to Sheroes Hangout for lunch. Sheroes is a cafe ran by acid attack survivors. ?Yes, there are many women (and men) in India who were victims of acid attacks. Each woman there had a different story to tell.
After Sheroes, we were invited to a local’s home where we all got dressed in traditional sarees.? On arrival, we had a short briefing about the history of the Taj and then we had the rest of the time to explore the grounds and take photos. The sunset did not disappoint! We were blessed with the right amount of clouds which made for some gorgeous colors. After a long, hot, and emotional day, we went back to our hotel sanctuary for a rooftop pool decompression session with cold drinks and snacks.
Day 4:
The morning started with sunrise yoga on the hotel rooftop. After breakfast, we boarded our very comfortable Mercedes-Benz minibus and hit the road to the rural village of Tordi. This small village of only 3,000 is a place where very few tourists visit. We strolled through the town and learned about their customs. Our accommodation, called Todi Garh, was a heritage hotel built in the sixteenth century. It was once a palace for the town’s nobility and now their ancestors have converted it into a hotel to house tourists and the locals’ visiting family members.We had a lovely dinner while being entertained by local musicians and dancers. We even joined in some of the dancing ourselves.
Day 5:
Today we drove to Jaipur, also know as the Pink City because in 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh had most of the buildings painted pink - the color of hospitality in preparation for a visit from Britain’s Queen Victoria.Upon arrival, we took a walking tour around the old city area where we saw a plethora of spices and colorful produce.
Next, we got to view a block printing demonstration. Jaipur is known for their block printed textiles. They carve intricate patterns into wood blocks with just a hammer and nail.
Later that evening we had a Bollywood dance class on our hotel’s rooftop. We learned a fun routine and laughed until we cried. We wrapped up the day with a delicious home-cooked meal at a local’s home.
Day 6:
I got up at 4am for a sunrise hot air balloon ride just outside of Jaipur. We floated over Savannah-like terrain, admiring the hills near us and the mountains off in the distance. After breakfast at the hotel, we went to Amber Fort, a 16th century fortress, about 7 miles outside of Jaipur. I wasn’t prepared for how beautiful it was inside.
After Amber Fort, we headed back to Jaipur and met up with Pink City Rickshaw Company - a not for profit organization that provides employment opportunities for women from low income households. Our drivers were smart, enthusiastic, and so fun to hang out with.
Back at the hotel, we enjoyed some time at the roof top pool with cold beers - what a relief after a hot day out.
Day 7:
On our last day, we took our minibus back to Delhi and went out for a farewell dinner where we reminisced about the amazing time we had and the memories we'll take home with us.
Day 8:
My time in Delhi wasn't quite over yet. A few agents and I enjoyed a spa day at The Imperial - a stunning 5-star hotel in Delhi. What a way to end the trip of a lifetime!