Turing Scheme
Culture & Conservation Trip
India.
Immerse yourself in an abundance of Indian culture and get hands-on experience in conservation and service work. This adventure takes you through the heart of India on a unique trip 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 India, taking in the spice market of Delhi, Agra and of course the Taj Mahal. You’ll also get involved with social projects and wildlife conservation projects. Plus, you’ll further your knowledge on 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 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 travel through Delhi, Ranthambore and Agra, and head to some 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.
*Costs: £2100pp (exc flights) - cost to the student £1365
Travel grant available for India £745
ITINERARY OVERVIEW:
Day 1: Arrive in and explore Delhi
Days 2 to 4: Transfer to Jaipur NGO and leopard sanctuary
Days 5-8: Ranthambore National Park and NGO
Days 9 to 13: Wildlife SOS, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
Day 14: Agra to Delhi and spice market
Day 15: Depart Delhi
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 and experience the natural expanses of the Ranthambore National Park.
You’ll be helping out at a local NGO that retrains former tiger poachers as paid rangers, provides vocational training for women to generate their own income, and offers educational programs for children to ensure a brighter future. 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, caracals, hyenas, jackals, jungle cats, marsh crocodiles, wild boar, bears, various species of deer, 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’ and elephants, and visit India’s first elephant hospital. You will witness how tirelessly the staff work to give these animals the lives they deserve.
These 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, as well as learning how humans and wildlife can co-exist in a sustainable, positive way.
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. You will then tour the 13th-century Qutab Minar - India’s tallest masonry tower at 72m high - and take a drive around Delhi’s famed colonial architecture.
Meals: L, D
Accommodation: Hotel
Days 2 - 4
Transfer to Jaipur NGO and leopard sanctuary
Here you’ll be introduced to this community-based NGO and see first-hand the work they do, actively participating in the NGO’s community projects, education and supporting low-income villages, abused, orphaned and destitute children, and supporting women to develop sustainable livelihoods. For most of these women and children, the alternative is begging, slave labour or prostitution.
Your time here will be split with a few days touring the area and finding out about the incredible work that they do to support the local community. You’ll spend 2 to 3 days working within the school and vocational training centre, which allows them to learn how to make jewellery, handicrafts, tailoring and stitchwork, whilst providing a safe place to learn.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel
Days 5-8
Ranthambore National Park and NGO
Next, you’ll make your way to 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 will learn to track, spot and listen for the local wildlife species and 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 (aka Panthera tigris).
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel
Days 9-13
Wildlife SOS, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
Here, you’ll see how abused and captive animals are rescued and given the lives they deserve. Learn about the impact of the animal entertainment industry, their daily needs and the importance of their environment. Here you will get involved with an array of activities like gardening, farming, cleaning of enclosures, fodder weighing and distribution, fruit chopping for 16 elephants, arrangements of enrichments, cleaning elephant pools and more!
Whilst in Agra, you will also take a visit to the spectacular Taj Mahal and the historical Agra Fort.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 14
Agra to Delhi
After leaving Agra you’ll make your way to Delhi but en route visit the Red Fort, the stronghold of the Mughal Empire. This impressive red sandstone fort was built by Akbar between 1565 and 1573 A.D. Replete with gateways, pillared halls, mosques, marble trellises and geometric gardens; the Fort represents Mughal architecture at its peak. Upon returning to Delhi, you'll embark on a tour of the renowned bustling spice markets, immersing yourself in the vibrant sights and sounds of this lively city. Spend your last evening reflecting on the incredible experience you have had.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 15
Depart from Delhi
On the way back to the airport for your flight, 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 secured your spot with a deposit, you will be sent 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)
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 Travel Vault 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
You’ll need to get a visa before travelling to India. India issues various types of visas, including transit visas and e-visas.
UK applicants will need a visa to enter India. An e-visa will cover you for a 60-day trip. Please always check that you have at least 6 months validity on your passport before travelling. Non-UK passport holders may have different visa requirements to enter India. It is your responsibility to check this and obtain one if necessary. Please check up-to-date regulations that exist between the country you are heading to and the country your passport was issued in.
See what life is like on tour
