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India

The Majesty of Rajasthan

A Custom School Program

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13 Days

Once the nexus of the greatest wealth on earth, Rajasthan's history, cultural traditions, arts and architecture inspire and amaze. A trip through Rajasthan lends insights into the intersection of ancient kingdoms, tribal community practices, and the contrast between urban and rural lives. From the medieval to the modern, we will explore the history of these ancient peoples and meet their descendants who breathe life into this unique desert kingdom.

Cultural Traditions in Majestic India

From the medieval to the modern, the magic of Rajasthani history represents a blanket of colorfully woven periods portraying the great nation of India. Rajasthan is known for its great mahals (palaces) and ancient havelis (mansions), as well as its unique textile industry, semi-precious stone jewelry and magic carpets. Famed for its warrior class that lived by the motto “death before dishonor,” the forts and castles of Rajasthan harken back to a day when Rajput Kings ruled, and when unimaginable wealth was concentrated among the ruling elite.  

Students dive into the complex development issues facing India, with a focus on the dynamic between millennia-old traditions and millennial modernization and a balanced perspective of urban and rural life in India. Along the way, students gain an experiential understanding of how economic, political, religious and social institutions create unique relations between the spiritual and the material. This holistic program offers students the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships to the people and landscapes of India by experiencing its incredible diversity first-hand, while simultaneously cultivating a deeper sense of global engagement, self-awareness, and leadership.

India

Highlights & Outcomes

Understand Modernization

Explore different angles of rural community empowerment, and compare and contrast urban and rural life to gain an understanding of modernization.

Engage in Local Discussions

Engage in discussions about economic development, religious pluralism, women’s rights, and minority identity with community members and local leaders.

Visit Iconic Sites

Experience India’s living history while visiting some of India’s most iconic historical destinations.

Gain Global Competencies

Experience new cultures, explore different perspective, and build confidence by navigating unfamiliar environments.

line drawing of India

Our Journey

We arrive in New Delhi, India’s bustling capital city, and we begin learning the basics of navigating India and orienting to place. We then travel to Jaipur, where we spend a few days learning about Jaipur’s rich culture and history, including possible visits to the Hawa Mahal “Pink Palace” and the jewelry and textile marketplaces of the old city. We marvel at Rajasthani splendor on a tour of the Amber Fort. We will also spend a half day in Bagru, a small town near Jaipur that is a hub for renowned Rajasthani textiles, and participate in a block printing workshop as well as learn how traditional arts are continued in a modern marketplace.

Travel in India would not be complete without a train journey. Indian Rail is among the largest in the world and carries more than 20 million people each day! Departing from Jaipur by train, we’ll stop in the nearby village of Tilonia to visit Barefoot College and learn first-hand about rural development and women’s empowerment. Continuing on to Jodhpur, India’s fabled “Blue City”, we will visit the stunning Meherangarh Fort, explore the city’s markets, and enjoy high tea at the Umaid Bhawan Palace. In Jodhpur, we also spend a day with a local NGO whose focus is the development and empowerment of women and girls in Rajasthan. We will also have the opportunity to get out of the city and into the desert to get a taste of the slower pace of the rural communities. We’ll settle into an overnight stay in a small encampment under the stars and then return to Jodhpur the following day.

Udaipur is known as the “City of Lakes” and is also considered by many to be “the most romantic city in India” due to its spectacular ambiance and beautiful views. In Udaipur, we lean into our deep connections with community organizations to add tribal perspectives to our understanding of Rajasthan’s history and development. 

At the peaceful Vidya Bhawan Center for Contemplation of Nature, we slow down the pace of our days to allow ourselves to process, debrief, and reflect on all we’ve experienced during our time in India. We then close out our journey with a final celebratory dinner before making our way to Delhi and back home.

View Itinerary

India

Sample Itinerary
The following itinerary is subject to change based on your goals and availability.

  • Day 1: Delhi

    Arrival in Delhi. Begin orientation activities to introduce program themes, set personal and group goals, and review important health, safety, and cultural considerations.

  • Days 2-4: Jaipur

    Transfer by train or private bus (~5 hours) to Jaipur. Continue orientation activities and begin survival language lessons. Visits to Jaipur’s Pink City, Amer Fort, and other historical sites. Half-day trip to Bagru Village for a block printing workshop and lesson on incorporating fair trade principles into traditional practices.

  • Days 5-6: Tilonia

    Travel by train to the village of Tilonia. Visit Barefoot College. Learn about rural education and women’s empowerment, and develop a deeper understanding of development issues facing rural communities.

  • Days 7-9: Jodhpur

    Travel to Jodhpur. Visit the well-preserved Mehrangar Fort and other historical sites, connecting with the kingdom’s royal family. Explore the local markets. Spend a day with a local NGO to continue learning about grassroots community development. Optional overnight visit to the desert.

  • Days 10-12: Udaipur

    Travel to Udaipur. Continue NGO visits and guest lectures, adding depth to our understanding of urban and rural development issues. Gain tribal perspectives by visiting communities in the Aravali hills. Reflect on lessons learned during our time in India, and consider how to bring our learning home. On our final night, we will share a celebratory dinner to mark the end of our time together.

  • Day 13: Delhi & Departure

    Take a short flight from Udaipur to Delhi. Opportunities for final souvenir shopping before heading home.

    *It is possible to add a visit to the Taj Mahal in Agra to the final days of this itinerary.

Custom School Programming

How We Do It

Each Custom School Program is tailored to meet your needs. Through a close, hands-on collaboration, we take the time to understand what matters most—and draw on decades of experience to create something unique, thoughtful, and authentic.

Together, we’ll design a program that’s cohesive, purposeful, and fully supported from start to finish—never a collection of tourist stops or disconnected activities. We’re ready when you are.

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Mehrangarh Fort India Sari

Program Components

Our Program Components are the building blocks of your itinerary. During the customization process, these components can be dialed up or down to meet the goals and vision for the program. Each program component is thoughtfully planned to ensure that your students engage meaningfully and authentically connect with the places they visit.

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Social & Environmental Justice

Learn about incorporating fair trade principles into traditional practices in Bagru Village, firsthand about rural education and women’s empowerment in the village of Tilonia, and engage in discussions with local NGOs about grassroots community development.

Rugged Travel

This program offers students the opportunity to travel by Indian Rail - among the largest of the world's railways carrying more than 20 million people each day!

Religious & Spiritual Traditions

Learn about religious pluralism through engaging discussions with local people.

Language Study

While this is not a language program, you will engage in some survival Hindi lessons and can practice throughout your experience.

Featured Instructors

Our instructors are more than guides—they’re mentors, educators, and trusted companions. Each member of our team is thoroughly vetted, background-checked, and trained in our unique pedagogy and risk management practices. With an average of over four years living abroad and fluency in local languages, our instructors serve as meaningful cross-cultural liaisons.

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