Culture & Conservation in India
Spend a jam-packed 12 days in India, immersing yourself in an abundance of Indian culture and getting hands-on experience in conservation and community support. Following the famous Golden Triangle, this educational trip takes you through the heart of India on a unique adventure that promotes sustainable solutions for wildlife conservation and supports women and children in creating sustainable livelihoods.
From temples to tigers, you’ll explore the famous Golden Triangle, taking in the spice market of Delhi, the Pink City of Jaipur and of course the Taj Mahal in Agra. You’ll also get involved with social projects helping street children and conservation projects with elephants and bears. Plus, you’ll further your knowledge of the Sustainable Development Goals that align with this project, as well as gain a deeper understanding of your own social and environmental impact.
“My experience was a once in a lifetime opportunity, which allowed me to explore India from many different perspectives. The trip satisfied my artistic curiosity through the temples and palaces that we visited and also provided me with a new, exciting subject for my personal photography. I also developed my soft skills when volunteering at the school in Jaipur; three of the most special days I will remember. I was made more aware of the natural world through the safaris and visit to Wildlife SOS and informed on how I can help to protect abused and endangered species. It was a priceless experience which I think has changed the way I view my own and foreign cultures. ”
This is a trip you will never forget. You’ll follow the famous Golden Triangle, soaking up as much of the Indian culture as possible.
You’ll travel through Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, before heading to three incredible projects working on sustainable solutions for people and wildlife to co-exist in the same habitats. You’ll also head to Ranthambore National Park in search of the majestic Bengal Tiger, Panthera tigris.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW:
Day 1: Arrive in India
Day 2: Delhi tour
Day 3: Delhi to Jaipur
Day 4: The Pink City and NGO
Day 5 to 7: Community project
Day 8: Ranthambore National Park
Day 9: Safari and pool day
Day 10: Fatehpur Sikri
Day 11: Taj Mahal , elephant and bear project
Day 12: Depart
About your adventure
As with all our adventures, your trip begins with an immersion into India’s unique culture. You’ll get to see the sights and sounds of India: take in the aromas and colours of the Delhi spice market, experience the natural expanses of the Ranthambore National Park, and wander around the streets of the Pink City of Jaipur.
In Jaipur, you’ll be introduced to one of the NGOs we support, seeing first-hand the amazing work they do for a range of local communities.
For the next couple of days, you’ll be helping out on community projects, ranging from supporting locals in low-income villages to assisting disabled and abandoned children. This project is eye-opening, and you’ll certainly never forget it!
At your next project, the focus shifts to wildlife conservation. Arriving in Ranthambore National Park, you’ll start with a specialist lecture, preparing you for the conservation adventure you’re about to have!
You’ll learn about the local species: how to track, spot and listen for leopards (Panthera pardus), caracals (Caracal caracal), hyaenas (Hyaena hyaena), Indian jackals (Canis aureus indicus), jungle cats (Felis chaus), marsh crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris), wild boar (Sus scrofa cristatus), and the infamous Bengal tiger, (Panthera tigris).
Finally, in Agra you’ll spend the day with another amazing NGO, this time experiencing the care and compassion that goes into rescuing and rehabilitating exploited and captured animals. You’ll see rescued ‘dancing sloth bears’, elephants, camels, monkeys and domestic animals and how tirelessly the staff work to give these animals the lives they deserve as opposed to tourist activities that include elephant riding, which we do not condone or support.
These three incredible projects are working towards huge goals and your support in their progress is invaluable. You’ll experience first-hand the struggles caused by poverty in India, and learn how humans and wildlife can co-exist in a sustainable, positive way.
In the community projects, you’ll help women and children gain confidence, hope and self-esteem. The wildlife conservation projects will see you gain and develop a new-found respect for the natural environment and an insight into sustainable ways of co-existing with other species.
First-hand experiences like this are hugely valuable for anyone, whether or not you’re considering a career in conservation. Immersing yourself in alternative cultures and considering the wider impact of your actions is an invaluable life lesson.
Our trips are designed to help you develop a wide range of life skills and a deeper understanding of how you can help us work towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. Learn more ⟶
“One of the best trips to date. Amazing people and experiences along the way (and even better food) ahaha. Would 100% recommend.”
Culture & Conservation itinerary
Day 1
Arrive in India
When you touch down in Delhi, you’ll be greeted by your private guide and driver and transferred to your hotel to check in and relax. If you have an early arrival you can begin to acclimatise by immersing yourself in the busy, colourful streets of India: a sensory overload that you’ll grow to love.
Meals: D
Day 2
Delhi tour
After a good night’s rest, you’ll head on your first adventure, exploring the three districts of Delhi: Delhi, Old Delhi and New Delhi. You’ll visit a number of stunning temples, each with its own unique architecture and historical significance, and you’ll travel by tuk-tuk to Delhi’s famous (and bustling!) spice market. Day 2 is an immersion in Indian culture like no other!
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3
Delhi to Jaipur
On Day 3, you’ll travel by train from Delhi to Jaipur. Brace yourself for a train busier than any you’ve ever seen! You’ll have reserved seats, an English-speaking guide with you throughout your journey and plenty of time to relax and enjoy the street markets when you arrive in Jaipur.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4
The Pink City
After a morning of seeing the sights of Jaipur (aka the Pink City) and soaking up yet more Indian culture, you’ll head to your first project. You’ll be introduced to this community-based NGO and see first-hand the work they do with a range of local communities.
Meals: B, L, D
Days 5 to 7
Community-based NGO
You’ll spend three days actively participating in the NGO’s community projects, supporting low-income villages, abused, orphaned and destitute children, and supporting women to develop sustainable livelihoods.
The school and vocational training centre allow them to acquire an education and learn how to make jewellery, handicrafts, tailoring and stitchwork. For most of these women and children, the alternative is begging, slave labour or prostitution. They’ll also gain confidence, social skills and self-esteem.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 8
Ranthambore National Park
After saying your goodbyes at the community project, you’ll make your way to your next project: wildlife conservation in Ranthambore National Park. You’ll visit a community-based tiger watch programme, saving the lives of local villagers, and then visit the museum to learn all there is to know about the local flora and fauna. You’ll end the day with a documentary on the local area, preparing you for tomorrow’s safari.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9
Safari and pool day
Today’s your chance to track, spot and listen for the local wildlife species. You’ll have the opportunity to see leopards, caracals, hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, marsh crocodiles, wild boar, bears, various species of deer – and even the infamous Bengal tiger. You’ll do an early morning safari, followed by breakfast and time to relax by the pool to recharge your batteries for an afternoon safari to end the day.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10
Fatehpur Sikri
Today, you’ll travel from Ranthambore National Park to Agra, passing by Fatehpur Sikri, the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1571 and 1585. Dinner will be at a local restaurant, in a beautiful walled garden offering a full buffet of Indian dishes and western food. You’ll be serenaded by local musicians playing traditional Indian instruments, including the sitar.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11
Taj Mahal, elephant and bear project
An early start on day 11 is worth it to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise, before spending the day at the third and final project. Here, you’ll see how abused and captive animals are rescued and given the lives they deserve, before returning to Delhi for your farewell dinner.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12
Depart
On the way back to the airport take in the last scenes of Delhi: the crazy traffic, the cars, the buses, the tuk-tuks, the rickshaws, the tractors, the motorbikes, the bikes, the cows, the camels, the donkeys. You name it and you’ll see it - every form of transport possible. It’s the organised chaos that makes India such a special place.
Meals: B
What’s included
NOTE:
Flights will be secured once final numbers have been confirmed, with options presented for direct and non-direct returns to Delhi. Personal insurance, visas, vaccinations, personal expenditure, tips for leaders, guides and drivers and any other services not listed are not included by default.
Important notes
Once you’ve booked your culture and conservation project you will be sent a kit list specifically for your trip and the time of year you are going. You will also receive further information about the adventure itself and the daily activities as well as further detail around what you can expect to learn. This includes your pre-departure conservation and sustainability workshops, as well as your impact surveys and reports. If you have any questions about the trip please get in touch. If you have any questions about Flooglebinder’s educational adventures please take a look at our FAQs page.
VACCINATIONS
For this particular trip, please see details below.
Please check with your local GP to find out which vaccinations you require for any adventure that you decide to book. These are a guide; a full consultation is necessary to establish individual risk and suitability of vaccines. There may be instances where more than one appointment is required to assess whether a vaccine can be offered.
Recommended vaccinations:
• Diphtheria
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis A
• Typhoid Fever
Vaccinations to be considered:
• Cholera
• Hepatitis B
• Rabies
• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Japanese Encephalitis (JE)
India is a malaria infected country.
INSURANCE
Please check if your school/college provides insurance and if not we will require your policy number and details 8 weeks before departure. Flooglebinder has public liability cover of £5million but participants must arrange their own travel insurance for all other levels of cover (e.g. cancellation, curtailment, loss of personal belongings etc.). Please feel free to contact us for any advice or recommendations.
Your safety is our number one priority on all of our educational adventures. All of your finances are protected through Financial Failure Insurance and each programme adheres to British Standards (BS8848). If you have any questions about our safety and security measures, please do get in touch.
VISAS
Please check with the FCDO before travelling to India.
