India is filled with opportunities to lend a helping hand, and your Gap Year experience here will give you a truly local perspective. You will be welcomed into two different Tibetan homestay families in northern India, and then move to the outskirts of Jaipur to assist rural Rajasthan farming communities.  You will never forget this remarkable opportunity, which will immerse you in a side of India few visitors have the chance to truly experience.

A HOME IN THE HIMALAYAS
After a quick orientation and opportunity to explore the rich history of India’s capital city of Delhi, you’ll travel overland to McLeod Ganj, which is also the current home of the Dalai Lama and a major settlement for Tibetans who have left their homes in Tibet.  In addition to participating in a range of service projects for people who are trying to find a new life in India, you’ll also have the chance to immerse yourself in the Tibetan culture during a traditional home stay.  During your time here, you’ll tutor newly arrived Tibetans in English, help out in the local schools, aid in environmental clean-up projects, and provide assistance at a home for the elderly.  While your days will be filled with service, your evenings will be spent hearing from Tibetan politicians, former political prisoners, or other pillars in the Tibetan community here.  You will then travel to the nearby village of TashiJong, which is nestled in Himalayan foothills blanketed with colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind.  You’ll be invited into another one of our long-standing home stay families, and then help teach in the local Tibetan and Indian schools. You’ll also have a chance to learn meditation, wood-block printing, and other local Tibetan crafts during your time here. 

RURAL RAJASTHAN SERVICE  
After several weeks living in the shadow of the beautiful Himalayas, you’ll make your way to the outskirts of Jaipur.  This arid desert regionis dotted with welcoming hamlets and will allow you to work on long-term, ongoing projects with the assistance of local NGOs and other organizations.  You’ll toil alongside locals as you help with irrigation for rainwater conservation, plant trees in a reforestation project, teach English, art, or basic health courses in the local school, and provide assistance with any other projects that need an extra set of hands.  You’ll stay in a luxury tent at the former summer hunting palace of one of Rajasthan’s former ruling families – a great way to finish up your time in India!  In the evenings, you’ll be able to take a dip in the pool, learn to cook, or spend time visiting families you have made connections with in the local villages.  You will also have the opportunity to head to Jaipurto explore the City Palace, Amber Fort, JantarMantar, and any of the other local sights the nearby city has to offer! 

This diverse service program is a great way to kick off your Gap Year.  You will provide a helping hand, explore two diverse and beautiful regions of India, and learn a few new skills as you immerse yourself in Tibetan and Indian cultures.  

For more information on this service project or any of our other extensive offerings, please contact us at gap@rusticpathways.com.
 

 
HELP Tibetan refugees learn English and computer skills that will help them gain employment.
STRIKE a yoga pose against the backdrop of Himalayan peaks and learn to cook everything from tasty Tibetan momos to rich Indian masala curries.
LIVE with Tibetan families during home stays in the two Himalayan villages of McLeod Ganj and Tashi Jong.
DEVELOP irrigation systems in rural Rajasthan communities. Help with rainwater conservation projects.
ENJOY living like royalty at a 150-year-old summer palace and retreat for Rajasthan’s royal family.
EXPERIENCE the bustle of a weekend livestock trading market and auction in the Jaipur countryside.
   
 

$2,450* + Internal Air*
Departs
Returns
1 September
30 September