India: Himalayan Photo Expedition

Arrive into Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi Airport (DEL) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel and settle in, relaxing after your long flight, and join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.

Set out for a tour of Delhi! Learn about Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in Old Delhi and Mahatma Gandhi, India’s “father,” in New Delhi. Explore the walls of the Red Fort, visit the cleansing waters of the Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, and experience the juxtaposition of ancient and modern at the ruins in Hauz Khas. After a full day of exploration and photography, head back to the hotel for dinner and rest.

Catch a flight to Leh, Ladakh – the Land of High Mountain Passes. This is an amazing flight path, so keep your eyes peeled as you fly directly over the Himalayas!

Settle into your guesthouse and rest, as you have just arrived at high altitude so it is important to eat, hydrate, and relax as you acclimate. During this time, your program leaders will go over the trip itinerary and several photography lessons. Then head out into the city for a photo lesson and enjoy a stunning sunset from the Royal Palace. For dinner tonight, enjoy Ladakhi specialties like thukpa (noodle soup) and momos (dumplings) fresh from the kitchen.

After a great breakfast and a warm cup of chai, head out into the city for your first real introduction to Ladakh. Visit several ancient monasteries that Ladakh is known for and complete photo assignments given by your program leaders. Return to the guesthouse for dinner and join your group for a mid-trip discussion where you will begin to reflect on what you’ve experienced and learned so far.

Pass through the Indus River Valley onto Themisgam, where you will gain an understanding of the local culture through photo assignments and a group homestay experience. Along the way, stop at the famous monastery of Alchi and – if they are in season – sample some fresh apricots right off the trees.

Enjoy breakfast with your host family, then work on specific photography skills during a scavenger hunt. Visit a local school and maybe challenge the students to a game of volleyball. Make momos with your family in the evening, and talk with them to understand more about the incredible sustainability of the region.

Say goodbye to your homestay family and hit the trails for a morning hike to Hemis, a very rural community with another famous monastery. Explore the village and learn about the local way of life from families who have made their home in the Hemis area for generations. Your photo assignment today may be portraits or capturing a day in the life of a Hemis resident. Spend tonight at another group homestay, where the family will cook Ladakhi dishes for dinner.

After several days living without many Western amenities, head back to Leh, recharge your batteries, have a photo review, and share some laughs over a meal of momos and curries! Your leaders will give you a photo lesson and assignment, then spend the rest of the day preparing to head east to spend time with the semi-nomadic Changpa people.

Head out from Leh to the wide alpine deserts of Chang Tang. The Changpa nomads are considered the first people to have lived in Ladakh and their lifestyle is similar to centuries ago as they live off the land. Gain a unique insight into their life as you spend the next two days living in yurts and experiencing their daily life.

Head out on an excursion to Lake Tso Moriri, an environmental and landscape photographer’s dream! Nestled in the Rupshu Valley, the crisp blue waters of the lake glisten juxtaposed against the Himalayan landscape. Spot herds of pashmina goats, along with foxes, marmots, and wild kiang. Tonight, head back to the Changpa community for another night in the yurt homestay.

Say goodbye to your Changpa host family this morning, then enjoy one last drive through the mountains, back to Leh. On this last day in the Himalayas, you’ll have the chance to shop for any last gifts, then top the day off by watching the sunset over the mountains. Enjoy a delicious Ladakhi meal and head to bed for a good rest before your early morning flight.

After a flight and bus ride to Agra, visit India’s most famous landmark: the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal was Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s 17th-century architectural marvel. Use your sharpened photography skills to capture the Taj in all its beauty. Spend the night in Agra doing a photo review of the day.

Return to Delhi for your last full day in India. Shop at one of Delhi’s markets to find last souvenirs to bring home, then catch a Bollywood movie before heading back to your hotel for a final photo review, closing ceremony, and a delicious meal to celebrate your great adventure through India!

At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home.

On your last day in India, use your bargaining skills to shop for any last souvenirs before heading to a resort in South Delhi to relax in a pool and enjoy a final dinner. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.