India: Majestic Civilization ™ 
India is at once an ancient civilization with deep historical and cultural roots and also an economic and political juggernaut dominating the world stage. High tech parks sit next to ancient Hindu temples; majestic architecture lines streets that have cows meandering down them.
Journey from majestic Himalayan peaks, rural villages and mountain towns all the way to Delhi, the nation’s capital. We’ll end our voyage with a visit to the Taj Mahal, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Along the way, we will engage in meaningful community service and meet pioneers engaged in service to society.
Community Service
During the first week of the program, you will volunteer with farmers, working in the fields and experiencing life in the mountains. The second week, we will volunteer with an environmental non-profit organization in the Tibetan town of Dharamsala, raising awareness of environmental issues in the Himalayas. During the third week we will join innovative non-profits in New Delhi working with impoverished children; we will teach English, arts & crafts and share our culture with them.
Hands-On Learning
During the program, we’ll learn about the diversity of Indian culture, pressing social issues and about India’s role on the global stage. You will have the opportunity to converse with grassroots leaders, environmental activists, and local political figures.
Because we’ll spend time in a Tibetan refugee town, you’ll also learn about Tibetan Buddhism, arts, and music. You’ll also taste the flavors of Indian and Tibetan cuisine and even learn to cook some meals.
Adventure
The journey begins and ends in Delhi. We’ll travel by sleeper bus into the Indian Himalayas, one of the most visually stunning regions on earth. We’ll then hike out to a remote village where we will work with farmers for four days. We then descend to Dharamsala where we will learn about the struggle of the Tibetan refugee community, meet their leaders and engage in cultural exchange with the children. Then we head to Delhi for a few days of volunteering and to learn about contemporary India. We will end our journey by seeing “the jewel of India,” the Taj Mahal. By exploring the rural and urban areas, you’ll get a deeper understanding of India.
Lodging
In the Himalayan village, we will camp for four nights as a group, along with our chef, medic, and guides. In Dharamsala, the GLA Home Base is a large house where our staff and students will live together in shared rooms and enjoy home-cooked meals made from local organic produce. The nights in Delhi and in Agra (where the Taj Mahal is located) will be spent in hotels.
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