National Geographic Student Expeditions - India - Travel Programs for High School Students

The Expedition

Numbering more than one billion people, India's diverse population is made up of Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Christians, and Buddhists—rural and urban—who live side by side in remarkable harmony. Such rich cultural and spiritual diversity is evident in the animated streets of New Delhi and the quiet temples of the Himalaya. Northern India is scattered with majestic vestiges of the past, from the Taj Mahal to the palaces of Jaipur. Immerse yourself in the intriguing cultures of India as you pursue an On Assignment project of your choice—Photography, People & Cultures, or Emerging Global Powers.

NEW DELHI

3 days. We begin in New Delhi where the sheer density of people in the chaotic slums contrasts sharply with the elegant districts patronized by India's emerging middle class. Spend two days exploring the incredible sites of the city—many of them declared UNESCO World Heritage sites. Meander through the maze of tiny streets in Old Delhi and the pavilions of the Red Fort. Visit the immense Jama Masjid mosque, Humayun's Tomb, and the soaring Qutb Minar tower. Following a comprehensive orientation, set out in teams and dive into your On Assignment projects.

LADAKH AND THE HIMALAYA

7 days. Rising out of India's northernmost region, the Himalaya are a vast stretch of craggy passes and snow-covered mountains culminating at Mount Everest. While it remains the least populated region of India, Ladakh has become the cultural center of Tibetan exiles, as thousands of ethnic Tibetans have resettled here. The influence of Tibetan Buddhism is visible in prayer flags, the red of monks' robes, and the intricate architecture of shrines and temples.

In the lively trade town of Leh, where whitewashed houses are nestled in a lush valley ringed by jagged peaks, we'll get acclimatized to the altitude (11,500 feet). Settle into a guesthouse alongside a community school, and help young Ladakhis prepare for college entrance exams. Join in the daily routine, cooking meals, tending gardens, and helping the school maintain its solar energy system. Get to know the students, and tutor them in English. Then set out with professional guides on a three-day trek from Likir to Tingmosgang. Stay overnight in family-run guesthouses, and walk from village to village with donkeys carrying our gear by day. Discuss Buddhist traditions with monks, learn about micro-hydroelectric generation projects with local conservationists, and visit women's cooperatives with organizations that promote sustainable development. As we walk, take in hillsides dotted with temples and monasteries, and exquisite vistas of the Himalaya.

RAJASTHAN AND THE THAR DESERT

9 days. The Mughal influence is strong in Rajasthan, where walled fortresses dominate strategic hilltops and palaces anchor the larger towns with ornate Islamic architecture. The people here are warm and colorful—the women are draped in yards of vibrant orange and red fabric, and the men don bright turbans. Elephants amble through town laden with freight, and monkeys scamper over the polished marble of Hindu and Jain temples.

Encounter the Taj Mahal in Agra and the fortified Mughal ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. Spot wildlife in Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Explore Jaipur, from its massive pink-hued palace to its medieval observatory. Venture into the labyrinthine City Palace, and trace its line of maharajas to the current occupant. Try your hand at cotton block printing with local artisans who have revitalized this disappearing art. Then visit the golden hill town of Jaisalmer, perched at the edge of the Thar Desert. Climb atop Jaisalmer Fort and wander through intricately carved havelis, the historic mansions of the city's successful merchants. Ride a camel on a short safari through the sand dunes, and join nomadic tribal musicians as they play drums and dance at a traditional dinner by a roaring fire. Travel by overnight train back to New Delhi.

The journey concludes in Delhi, where we'll put the finishing touches on our On Assignment projects and share them with the group.

National Geographic Expert

Photographer KRIS LEBOUTILLIER has worked for magazines and newspapers throughout Asia and the United States. A contributor to National Geographic Traveler magazine, Kris has been on assignment in Rajasthan, India; Singapore; Vietnam; and Tasmania. His most recent book, Iron Rails of the Orient, was published in 2007 and covers the people and places encountered on his train journey through Asia.

Choose one of these On Assignment projects. Throughout your expedition, break into teams to delve further into your selected area of focus.

icon for Photography On Assignment Project PHOTOGRAPHY: Build a portfolio that tells a tale of India's complex history or spiritual diversity. Shrines, palaces, markets, terraced rice paddies, elephants, kite-flying children, dazzling saris, and clamorous street life provide unparalleled opportunities for the photographer.

icon for Exploration On Assignment Project EXPLORATION: Identify a topic that interests you and explore it in depth. Investigate the customs, rules, and rituals of Indian society. Meet with a modern Indian woman to discuss her early life in purdah, participate in preparations for a local festival, or parade through the streets with a band of traditional drummers. Interview a Tibetan Buddhist monk in exile and write his story.

The internal flight from Delhi to Leh and return is included in the tuition. International airfare is not included. We have arranged round-trip international group flights between New York and Delhi. Click here for information on transportation to and from expeditions. We will travel to elevations of up to 11,500 feet.

Accommodations: Throughout this trip, we will stay in small hotels and guesthouses.

Your participation in a National Geographic Student Expedition provides support to National Geographic's mission of increasing global understanding through exploration, geography education, and research.