Our first cultural immersion program takes place in Mussoorie, a beautiful hill town in the Himalayas at an altitude of about 6000 ft. During the first three weeks of the program, students can take Hindi language lessons, yoga lessons, Indian classical dance and music lessons, and volunteer with one of several ongoing community service projects in the region. In the fourth week, students embark upon a week-long trek to the Valley of Flowers in the Garhwal Himalayas.
The Valley of Flowers is a breathtaking meadow, lush with green grass and a myriad variety of flowers, at an altitude of 11,000 ft. It was discovered by Frank Smythe, a British mountaineer and botanist, on one of his expeditions to Mt. Kamet. During the monsoon season, the valley is vibrant with over 300 varieties of flowers including ferns, iris, larkspur, rhododendrons, primula, blue poppies, asters, and wild lavender. The valley was declared one of the eight world heritage sites by UNESCO In 2005.
At the end of the trek, students will have the opportunity of traveling to Agra to see the TajMahal, a great architectural masterpiece of the Mughal period that is often cited as ‘the eighth wonder of the world.’
SUMMER PROGRAM II (July 22 - Aug 20)
LADAKH CULTURAL IMMERSION PROGRAM
Day 01 – Day 06 : Road safari from Delhi to Leh
We drive to Leh, the capital of Ladakh, via Chandigarh, Manali, Kelong and Serchu. We spend a night in each of these cities. The road-trip offers stunning views of the varied landscape of the region. It also serves as a great way to gradually acclimatize to prevent any cases of altitude sickness.
Day 07 : Visit the famous monasteries of the Indus Valley
While in Leh, we explore the city and the famous monasteries of the Indus Valley.The monastery of Shey Gompa is situated on a hillock, 15 km south of the town of Leh. The monastery was erected on the instructions of King Deldon Namgyal, in the memory of his late father, Singay Namgyal. The main image inside the Shey Monastery is that of Buddha Shalyamuni. It is a huge image of the seated Buddha and is considered to be the biggest metal statue and the second largest Buddha statue in the Ladakh region. Copper sheets, gilded with gold, make up this amazing Buddha statue.
We then visit the Thiksey Monastery, which is an outstanding specimen of Ladakhi architecture. The Thiksey monastery, too, is located on a hilltop, and is part of the Yellow Hat sect of Buddhism. It encloses numerous stupas, thangkas, statues, swords, wall paintings and a large carved pillar depicting Buddha’s ideas and preaching. A marvelous Buddha statue in the seated position adorns the main prayer hall.
We also visit the Hemis Monastery, which is about 40 km southeast of Leh. It was established in 1672 AD by King Senge Nampar Gyalva. Across the stillness of the wide expanse, the Hemisgompa stands upright, jutting out of the mountaintop. The practices at the Hemis monastery have been heaving influenced by the teachings of the Mahayoga Tantra school.
Hemis is best known for its colorful festival held in July. During the festival, monks perform their traditional dances to celebrate the birth anniversary of the monastery's founder. The resident Lamas perform sacred masked dances and sacrifices that are believed to ward off evil forces.
Day 08 & Day 09: Rafting on the Indus
We start our rafting expedition from Phey, a small village 8 miles from Leh. We raft for about four hours from Phey to Nimoo with a few class 2 and 3 rapids. The Phey – Nimoo route passes through gorgeous mountains, small villages and monasteries.
Day 10 & Day 11: Exploring Ladakhi culture
We visit Ladakhi houses where we enjoy a traditional Ladakhi meal and immerse in the culture of a tribal village. We also participate in an archery festival at Nimoo.
Day 12 – Day 21: The Apricot Valley (Sham) Trek
Day 12: Taru to Nimo (3700 m/12,136 ft) – 5 hours
We start by trekking from Taru to Nimo over the Taru La pass (4200m / 13,776 ft). Nimo stands a little ahead above the confluence of the Indus and Zanskar rivers. The trail climbs steeply towards the first pass of the trek, and descends to the Nimo village.
Day 13: Nimo to Nie (3800 m/12,464 ft) - 6 hours
The trail from Nimo to Nie traverses Basgo, a small village with fascinating ruins and temples. The village has two shrines, castle ruins and a large fortress that was built in the 15th century.
Day 14: Nie to Likir (3600 m/11,808 ft) – 4 hours
The 4 hour-long trek takes us through an arid and bare landscape. We visit the Likir monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Ladakh. The original monastery, built in the 11th century, was damaged in a fire and a new structure came up subsequent to that in the 18th century. The most remarkable aspect of the monastery is the twenty-five feet tall gold-covered Buddha statue.
Likir is also famous for its annual festival, which is celebrated from the 27th to 29th of the 12th month of the Tibetan calendar.
Day 15: Likir to Yangthang (3600m/11,808 ft) – 5 hours
On the way from Likir to Yangthang, we go through two low passes, Phobe La pass (3700m/12,136 ft) and Charatse La pass (3800m/12,464 ft). The passes open into beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.
Day 16: Yangthang to Rizong and back to Yangthang - 6 hours
The trek from Yangthang to Rizdong has a beautiful trail that goes through the gorge of a river and lush plantations of apricot and apple. The Ridzong monastery, which is the most isolated monastery in Ladakh, lies hidden in a small isolated valley bounded by mountains. After the visit to the monastery, we trek back to Yangthang.
Day 17: Yangthang to Hemis Shukpachan (3600m/11,808 ft) – 5 hours
The walk from Yangthang to Hemis via the Tsermangchen La pass (3750m/12,300 ft) is gorgeous
Day 18: Hemis Shukpachan - Temisgang (3700m/12,136 ft) – 5 hours
The trail from Hemis to Temisgang is carved out of ochre rocks and is a spectacle in itself. We make a short stop in Ang before continuing on to Temisgang, the ancient capital of the Sham Kingdom.
Day 19: Timisgang - Skindigang (3600m/11,808 ft) – 5 hours
Day 20: Skindigang to Khaltse and drive to Lamayuru (3800 m/12,464 ft) – 5 hours
We trek to Khaltse and then take a three-hour long car-ride to Lamayuru where we spend the night.
Day 21: Lamayuru to Leh – 5 hours
We drive back to Leh via the Alchi Monastery. The Alchi Monastery was founded approximately one thousand years back and is one of the most dormant religious centers of Ladakh. The monks of the Likir Monastery are responsible for the functioning of Alchi. The monastery has several miniature pictures and three large clay images of Buddha.
Day 22: Rest day at Leh
Day 23: Leh to Nubra valley - 4 hours drive
We drive to the Nubra Valley and visit the hot springs and the Samstanling monastery. We spend the night in Tyager village.
Day 24: Disket, Hunder and camel ride in Hunder sand dunes
After breakfast, we drive to Hunder. Here we have the option of riding a double-hump camel in the hight altitude sand dunes of Hunder. We go back to Tyager to spend the night.
Day 25: Tyager to Leh - 4 hours drive
Day 26: Leh To Pangong Tso (Tso: Ladakhi for lake) - 6 Hours drive
After an early breakfast we leave for Pangong Lake. The 6 hour drive over the third highest motorable road in the world takes us across the Changla pass (5486m/17,990 ft). Pangong is a salt lake at an altitude of 14,300 feet and extends from India to China. Bar-headed geese and Brahmini ducks are commonly seen enjoying the waters of Pangong. The region around the lake supports a wide range of wildlife. We spend the night in a camp near the lake.
Day 27: Pangong Tso to Leh – 6 hours drive
Day 28: Fly back to Delhi
Day 29: Delhi - Agra - Delhi
At the end of the trip, students have the opportunity of traveling to Agra to see the TajMahal, a great architectural masterpiece of the Mughal period. The TajMahal is often called ‘the eighth wonder of the world.'
