Elephants and Himalayas School Expedition to India

Dive into expedition life. Get to grips with the local currency (the Indian Rupee) and meet the ground team to discuss your plans. Strike north for Rishikesh, nicknamed the ‘Yoga Capital of the World’. Spend the night here, then stock up on snacks for the road trip up to Joshimath. Boots on, time to trek. Pile into the transfer vehicle for the short ride to Dhak Village. Your team just got bigger. Meet your local guides and cooks, they’re insanely experienced, so learn all you can from these mountain masters. Step forward as team leader and set the pace through oak forests and past traditional villages. As you trek, you’ll have views of the mighty Himalayas, including Nanda Devi, India’s second-highest mountain. Work together on uphill climbs and take care on narrow paths with steep drops. When you reach Kuari Top (4,264m), you’ll feel on top of the world. Traverse open meadows and stop for a breather at Tali Lake. Just look at those views! Crash out on the transfer back to Joshimath. You’ll sleep like a log tonight.

Leave the mountains behind and journey south from Joshimath to Dehradun, it’s a long ride through ever-changing landscapes, so grab snacks, load up your playlist, and enjoy the views. In Dehradun, it’s time for a whole new Indian experience, board an overnight train and travel to Mathura. Update your journal, find your cabin, and fall asleep to the gentle creaking of the carriage.

You’ll spend the next couple of days getting hands-on at one of India’s largest rescue and rehabilitation centres for abused elephants and bears. Start with an orientation, then tour the facility and on-site wildlife hospital, which is India’s first and only specialised elephant centre. Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves. Help build enrichment structures like platforms and swings for bears, assist with enclosure maintenance and support daily care and feeding. You’ll also get involved with elephant care, from food prep and enclosure cleaning to creating and repairing enrichments. The centre’s goal, whenever possible, is to rehabilitate animals so they can return to the wild. However, for many elephants and bears that were raised in captivity, this will never be possible. The centre is now home to over 30 rescued elephants and close to 200 bears.

You have a full day to explore this former capital of the Mughal Empire. Agra Fort is a good place to start, this palatial red sandstone and marble fortress is one of India’s finest Mughal forts. You could visit a sanctuary for rescued sloth bears and elephants. Learn about the challenges faced by these incredible mammals and local efforts to improve their lives, then meet them up close. Wake up early to visit the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most beautiful buildings. This marble mausoleum took 20,000 builders 22 years to complete and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. At sunset and sunrise, the domes and minarets glow pink and orange.

Soak up the city’s sights and decide as a team what to experience first. You could start at the ancient Red Fort, rumoured to have had decapitated bodies of prisoners built into the foundations for luck. Pause at India Gate, a monument to the Indian soldiers who died during the First World War. You could join a local chef on an optional culinary tour, smell street food sizzling and sample up to 15 tasty dishes. Ready to shop? Head to the flea markets for souvenirs or join locals at a spice market. As your trip wraps up, celebrate everything you’ve achieved with your team and set your friendships in stone.

After the best two weeks of your life, it’s time to travel home. Cram everything into your backpack and head to the airport. Check in, sit back and let it all sink in. You’ve just experienced something incredible. India has opened your eyes and challenged you more than you ever imagined. You’ve fast-tracked your life skills and connected with locals; you’ve led your team and made new friends for life. These experiences will shape who you are and put you on the path to becoming a true global citizen. Prepare to return home forever changed.