Day 1 Arrive in India

Upon arrival into New Delhi, you are greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You have a welcome dinner and settle in to your surroundings.

Day 2 Cultural tour

We begin the day with a tour of Old Delhi’s railway area, led by a young person who formerly lived on these very streets. You will gain insights into what life is like for India’s homeless youth, and leave inspired by the changes that can happen.

Your Indian guides then take you on a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi’s fascinating markets, before moving on to a school in a Delhi slum, and hear the amazing story of the founder and her passion for making a decent education accessible to all, even the poorest children in Delhi.

This evening we have a cooking lesson in the home of a chef, where you get to try your hand at cooking a variety of dishes, such as biryani, curry, popadums, and chutney.

Day 3 Bear conservation

We have an early start in order to make it to the Bear Conservation Center on the outskirts of Agra.
On this wonderful day you will learn about the terrible history of mistreatment of bears in India, and then tour the premises before starting work on preparing new play pieces for the bears (as their name suggests, Sloth Bears are quite inactive, and constantly need new play pieces to stimulate them and encourage them to move around and exercise).

In the afternoon you will help the keepers with their daily feedings, and assist with maintaining the enclosures, ponds, and grassy areas.

We then head to Agra, where you have a Mughal themed dinner to relive the pre-colonial days.

Day 4  Taj Mahal and Agra tour

This morning we again get up early to see sunrise over the world’s most famous monument to love, the Taj Mahal. We return to the hotel for breakfast then your guide will take you on an informative tour inside the Taj Mahal.

In the afternoon you have a tour of Agra itself, walking through the crowded streets, sampling the street food, and getting immersed in street life.

Before dinner, we have a Bollywood dance lesson provided by skilled professional choreographers.

Day 5 Elephant conservation

Yet another early start to make it to the elephant rescue center in time to prepare the meals for the elephants, feed them, and walk them.

You can help maintain the enclosures, and even help bathe the elephants, as you learn an enormous amount about them as you go.

In late afternoon we head back to Delhi, stopping for souvenirs at Dilli Haat Market.

Day 6 Departure

After breakfast, depart for the airport for your flight out.

Essential elements:

Volunteering: Elephant and bear conservation (building a classroom is also possible, as is renovation work at a school)

Experiential Learning: Cooking class, Dance lessons

Cultural Immersion: Local guides, market visit, cultural tour, Mughal themed dinner, walking tour with a former street kid

Curriculum: Religious Education, History, Biology