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India

India: Namaste — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 0 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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See the most awe-inspiring sights of India on this two-week adventure across the country. Immerse yourself in the cultures, take cooking and dance classes, bargain in markets, and visit the famous Taj Mahal. Understand the mix of religions as you visit temples from four major world religions, and what multidimensional diversity looks like. From the North to the South, let Rustic Pathways’ experienced local guides lead discussions and show your group the exciting and eye-opening vitality of Incredible India.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

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View program itinerary

What Does a 14-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Welcome to India!

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.
2

Discover India

Over breakfast, take your first informal language lesson. While you will just learn basic greetings and common phrases, learning the local language is an essential part of understanding the culture and a sign of respect toward people you interact with. Participate in a cultural scavenger hunt! Discover Hindu gods and goddesses and test your language skills before enjoying delicious Punjabi food at a local restaurant. Spend the afternoon touring the city. Learn about Gandhi at a museum housed in the same building where his life ended, explore the Sikh religion at Bangla Sahib Gurudwara, and take in the famous India Gate and parliament.
3

Learn the History of the Taj Mahal

After another informal language lesson over breakfast, take a bus to Agra and spend the afternoon learning about how the intricate marble work of the Taj Mahal was inlaid with precious gems. Visit Agra Fort to learn about the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, builder of the Taj Mahal. Enjoy a delicious dinner together sampling a wide array of traditional Mughal dishes known for their rich aroma and flavor.
4

Visit the Taj Mahal

Visit one of the modern marvels of the world, the Taj Mahal! Experience the magic of the Taj Mahal at sunrise and watch as the colors shift with the changing light. Learn about the intricate marble work and architecture from a local guide and take time to explore the compound. Drive to the Pink City of Jaipur to continue your North Indian tour. Enjoy a cooking demonstration this evening and learn to prepare traditional Rajasthani dishes.
5

Explore the Amber Fort and Make Lac Bangles

Explore the famous Amber Fort. Roam the well-protected walls of the palace and see the secret caves that were used by former royalty to escape when the palace came under attack hundreds of years ago. Participate in a lac workshop to see how artisans make lac bangles. Try your hand at customizing one of these bangles to give to friends or family back home. Spend the evening getting a customized mehandi (henna) design on your hand while showing off your dance moves with fabulous Ghoomar dancers in traditional Rajasthani style. Join your group for a debrief in the evening, discussing what you experienced and learned so far.
6

Wander Through the Ancient City

Take an early morning walk through the ancient city of Amber this morning, keeping your eyes peeled for peacocks and monkeys. Head back to Delhi for a solid night of rest before starting the next leg of your adventure in South India.
7

Journey to South India

Catch a flight to the tropical paradise of India: Cochin, Kerela. Settle into your hotel in historic Fort Cochin and enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise through the Arabian Sea. Savor some of the local seafood delicacies as you reflect on the differences between North and South India.
8

Experience Beach Life

Stroll down the beach in Fort Kochi to see the 15th-century Chinese fishing nets and fresh fish markets, and visit the centuries-old Jewish Synagogue. Take your time to soak in the vibes while sipping on fresh coconuts and learning basic Malayalam, the language of Kerala. This evening you’ll visit a Kerelan cultural center to enjoy an enthralling Kathakali dance performance by our local artists! The discussion this evening will continue the topic from yesterday, centering on the differences between North and South India.
9

Tour the Tea Plantation

Drive to the magnificent hill station of Munnar, situated in the Western Ghats at an elevation of 5000 feet above sea level. Munnar was the British Government's summer retreat in South India and is known as one of South India’s most beautiful tea plantations! Tour the plantation to learn the colorful and fascinating story behind growing and making tea, then sample over ten varieties of the teas that are locally grown.
10

Discover Mountain Cuisine

Spend your day exploring the natural beauty of Munnar. Step into the exotic world of nearby tribal colonies to learn about their lifestyle and culture. Try some the delicious local cuisine prepared by locals with fresh local spices from the mountains. Watch the skillful and adventurous martial art form Kalaripayattu and celebrate the company of your fellow students with a bonfire dinner tonight.
11

Float on Vembanad Lake

Drive to the spectacular backwaters of Vembanad Lake, one of the largest lakes of India, and live on a traditional Ketuvallam houseboat. Fish for your dinner, swim in the lake, and compete in a friendly canoe race among your group. Soak in the ambiance of Kerala.
12

Participate in the Onam Festival

No India experience is complete without the celebration of a festival! Celebrate a mock Onam Festival that welcomes the Gods to Kerala. Create beautiful patterns from freshly picked flowers on the deck of your boat, dress in local Keralan clothing, and have a huge feast on banana leaves. Get an optional massage in the birthplace of Ayurveda in the evening.
13

Shop in the Spice Markets

Stroll through the nearby tea gardens in the morning and pick tea along with the local tea workers. After breakfast, bid farewell to the mountains and make your way back to Cochin, stopping by a spice market along the way to purchase spices for all the new foods you will be cooking at home! Catch your flight to Delhi, then settle into your hotel for a final night in the nation’s capital city. 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.
14

Namaste, India!

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

Total: 14 calendar days / 13 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

India

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
India offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

India Asia Adventure
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