Buddhism & North India Religions

The gorgeous Golden Temple in Amritsar | Fiona Windon

Cute local girl playing a traditional Indian instrument | Fiona Windon

Marigolds | Richard I'Anson

Indian metro rail | Fiona Windon

Holyman, India | Ian Williams

The gorgeous Golden Temple in Amritsar | Fiona Windon

Cute local girl playing a traditional Indian instrument | Fiona Windon

Marigolds | Richard I'Anson

Indian metro rail | Fiona Windon

Holyman, India | Ian Williams

Code: WSBR

Overview

Highlights

Amazing Dharamsala, home of the Dalai Lama
Visiting various important projects that improve the lives of local people
Tushita meditation centre
An extraordinary sunset at the Golden Temple in Armitsar
Chaotic and wonderful Delhi

North India is a fascinating part of this diverse country. This itinerary towards the north will take you to three amazing places - Delhi, Dharmsala and Amritsar. Through out your stay you will visit many important community projects that have been established and learn the valuable impact they have on peoples lives. In Dharmsala you will be able to immerse yourself in the Buddhist studies of the Tibetan Exile communities as you take part in meditation and visit many sacred and important sites. In Amritsar your trip will end with a fabulous visit to a Sikh Ceremony as the sun sets.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Delhi

Activities:

Grading:Introductory

Addressing:

Itinerary

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Day 1
Arrive Delhi

You will be met at Delhi international Airport and transferred to the YMCA in Delhi, a centrally located hotel with excellent facilities. Depending on the time you arrive you will have the afternoon to familiarize yourself with the area before meeting your guide and enjoying an evening meal in the hotel.

Meals: D

Day 2
Visit Poverty Project, Optional Red Fort Visit

After breakfast you will visit tha program where the focus is on the effects of poverty. In the afternoon there is an optional visit to the Red Fort. In the evening after dinner you will debrief and discuss the days events.

Meals: B,D

Day 3
Visit Leprosy Project, Afternoon Raj Ghat, Gandhi's Memorial Museum. Overnight Train to Dharamsala

After breakfast you will visit the a facility that assists people with leprosy, where the focus will be on the medical effects of poverty and social exclusion. In the afternoon you will visit the Raj Ghat -Gandhi's memorial museum before transferring to the train station for your train to Dharamsala departing at approximately 20.10. Meals are not included on the train, but there are many food sellers although it is advisable to purchase food before you get on board. Travelling on the railways is one of the great experiences of India, but is not luxurious. No bedding is supplied, so a thin sleep sheet is advsiable as it may be too hot for a sleeping bag.

Meals: B

Day 4
Arrive Dharamsala.

Upon arrival you will be met and transferred by coach to Dharamsala. After check in the rest of the afternoon is free time to familiarise yourself with this area.

Meals: B,D

Day 5
Visit the Tushita Meditation Centre, Walk Around Residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

This morning you will visit the Tushita meditation centre from 9:15 -10:15. From there you will proceed to the Main temple, Government Offices and Library for further exploration and research into Buddhism studies. In the afternoon you will proceed on a Kora walk - a walk around the temple and residence of his Holiness the Dalai Lama. During your walk you should see Buddhist Monks and Nuns doing their prayer and chanting Hymns.In the evening you will have a group discussion about today's events

Meals: B,D

Day 6
Tushita meditation centre, Dharamsala

In the morning you will visit the Tushita Meditation centre again from 9:15 -10:15. From here you will visit the wonderful Tenzin Palmo at DGL Convent.

Meals: B,D

Day 7
Norbulinka and Thosamling Convent

In the morning you will visit the Tushita Meditation centre again from 9:15 -10:15. From there you will visit the Norbulinka and Thosamling Convent. In the evening you will have a discussion and de brief about today's visits.

Meals: B,D

Day 8
Tibetan Children's Village School, Dharamsala

In the morning you will visit the Tushita Meditation centre again from 9:15 -10:15. From here you will visit the Tibetan Children's Village School and further enhance your experience in Dharamsala. In the afternoon there is time to rest or go shopping. In the evening their will be a discussion and debrief about today's events.

Meals: B,D

Day 9
Travel to Amritsar, Home of the Golden Temple

After breakfast you have a full day driving to Armritsar by coach. Depending on the time you arrive the evening is free time. Driving time: approximately 7 - 8 hours

Meals: B,D

Day 10
Visit Golden Temple and Jallian Walla Bagh

Early morning you will have an Easter Service at the Church of North India. Afterwards you will proceed to the Golden Temple and Jallian Walla Bagh. In the afternoon there will be time to relax. In the evening you will return to the Golden Temple to witness the Sikh ceremony.

Meals: B,D

Day 11
Travel to Delhi, Return Home

Return to Delhi for your flight home.

Meals: B

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health And Well-being: Ensuring healthy lives and promoting the well-being for all at all ages is essential to sustainable development.

Zero Hunger: The food and agriculture sector offers key solutions for development, and is central for hunger and poverty eradication.

No Poverty: Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality.

Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• Learn personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.

Inclusions

What's included

10 breakfasts, 3 dinners
Airport transfers
Expert bilingual guide
Group medical kit
Hotel accommodation in Delhi at the YMCA on twin share basis with breakfast and dinner
Hotel accommodation in Dharmsala at the Hotel Surya resort on twin share bed and breakfast basis
Hotel accommodation in Amritsar at the Hotel Ritz on twin share basis with breakfast
AC deluxe bus for visits to the Hope Foundation projects Delhi
Overnight train from Delhi to Pathankot In JAmmu Mail 2nd AC sleeper class
Transfer from Dharamsala to Amritsar by coach
Sightseeing as outlined in the itinerary -excludes optional visits in Delhi to Red Fort and Qutub Minar
Two places for teachers free of charge on twin share basis

What's not included

Meals not stated
All beverages
Items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry etc
Tips
Visa
Travel insurance
Transport in Dharamsala for days 7 -10 (sites are within close walking distance)
Transport in the afternoon in Delhi on days 2-4 unless optional visits to Red Fort and Qutub Minar are requested, price to be confirmed.
International Airfare and Taxes

Grading

Introductory

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