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India

India: Service in the Clouds — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 33 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Get ready to immerse yourself in Tibetan culture and daily life in rural communities during unique homestay experiences in the foothills of the Himalayas. Develop a better understanding of the Tibetan conflict through language service with a refugee and interactions with artists, faith leaders, and former political prisoners. Take Bollywood dance lessons and learn how to cook local dishes from your host families in this culturally-immersive program.

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

Schedule a call

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 (DEL) in Delhi 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. Join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.
2

Delhi Day

Enjoy the sights, sample new foods, and start practicing some basic Hindi phrases in India’s vibrant capital. Walk in the footsteps of Mahatma Gandhi, marvel at the famed Lotus Temple, and help make chapati bread.
3 – 4

Travel to McLeod Ganj and Intro to Tibetan Culture

There are 3 options for transportation up to McLeod Ganj: Flight (3 hours travel time, $150), drive (13 hours travel time, included in price), overnight train (12 hours travel time, included in price). We recommend flight or train. The following description is based on the flight. Fly to the Kangra Valley and take a short drive to McLeod Ganj. Home to the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in exile. McLeod Ganj will be the site of your first homestay and cultural learning experience with Tibetan families. You'll begin your service project working with Tibetan refugees through Lha Charitable Trust, a local nonprofit that provides English language and life skill development training. Pair up with a Tibetan mutual learning partner for a scavenger hunt.
5

Tibet Museum and Cultural Exchange

Visit the Tibet Museum, which highlights aspects of Tibet’s history and the more current occupation by China. Spend the afternoon with your language partner at Lha before returning to your homestay for evening cooking lessons.
6 – 7

Temples and Tibetan Buddhist Life

Start these two days with yoga or meditation before continuing your language service. In the afternoons, hike to the temples of nearby Bhagsunath or head to the Norbulingka Institute of Art to see work by local artisans.
8

McLeod Ganj to the Himalayan Foothills

Enjoy a final breakfast with your host family and goodbye conversation with your language partner before the hour-long trip to Balla for your next homestay. Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, Balla is home to Gaddi and Gurkha communities—two different Himalayan cultures with their own dialects and histories.
9 – 12

Balla Service, Temples, and Bollywood Dancing

Contribute to service that could include construction, education, or environmental service. Following your service projects, head to the nearby river for a quick dip in the stream, or take off your shoes and shake a leg—Bollywood style. Take a short drive to the Gyuto Monastery, home to the 17th Gyalwang Karmapa, one of the high lamas of Tibetan Buddhism. This introspective look into Buddhism will help wrap up your time in northern India on a spiritual note! Take a break from your service to visit a nearby school for students with special needs. Share a final dinner with your homestay family, then come together for a night of music, dancing, and food.
13

Return to Delhi

There are 3 options for transportation down to Delhi: Flight (3 hours travel time, $150), drive (13 hours travel time, included in price), overnight train (12 hours travel time, included in price). The following description is based on the flight. After a final breakfast and heartfelt goodbye to your host family, travel to the airport for a short flight to New Delhi, where you’ll spend your final evening in 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.
14

Namaste, India!

Venture into the old city and use your bargaining skills to find the perfect souvenir. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you 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 Service Intensive
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