Indian Subcontinent School Trips & Projects

Young monk in Ladakh | Richard I'Anson

Teenager in the tea plantations above Munnar | Kate Baker

Intricate designs of the Taj Mahal from within the gardens | Rachel Imber

Elephants in Udawalawe | Sarath Matararachi

Young monk in Ladakh | Richard I'Anson

The Indian Subcontinent is an ancient and fascinating destination offering a vast number of learning opportunities for young travellers. Blessed with cultural riches, exotic wildlife and vast and varied landscapes, it is a stark contrast from what students are used to at home in the West and no student who travels here will come home unchanged.

Explore ancient citadels, temples and palaces or watch the faithful pray on the banks of the River Ganges as you learn about India’s Hindu traditions. See the sun rise over the Taj Mahal, study the flamboyant architecture of the coloured cities of Rajasthan or trek through the Buddhist region of Ladakh, known as ‘Little Tibet’.

Head to the teardrop-shaped island of Sri Lanka, an affordable destination offering white-sand beaches, lush highlands and a deeply spiritual culture. Visit the sacred city of Kandy, explore ancient palaces, monasteries and Buddhist cave-temples or cycle through scenic tea plantations.

Talk to us about tailoring a Service Learning project or school adventure in the Indian Subcontinent today.

From the service work in the school, to trekking and camping near the lake, through to the extraordinary opportunity to meet His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, and finally our visit to Agra and the Taj Mahal, each experience was thoughtfully curated and seamlessly delivered.

RussellPrincipal, 2026

Our recent European tour with World Expeditions was, quite simply, an exceptional experience. From the outset, it was clear how much care had gone into planning this school tour: transitions between cities were smooth, the days were well paced, and adjustments were made seamlessly when needed, without any disruption to the overall experience.

HelenTeacher, 2026

What stood out most was their willingness to listen. They genuinely took feedback on board and continued to optimise our itinerary right up until the last minute to ensure we had the best possible experience. Nothing ever felt too much trouble, and their commitment to delivering a meaningful and well-run trip was evident throughout.

LucyYear 7 Coordinator, 2026

Joe Lodge, Wex Schools International risk manager, was also part of the World Expeditions Team, who accompanied our group, and he worked well with our staff to improve the safety and processes that make a school trip like this run smoothly. The risk management documentation was excellent too.

JenniTeacher, 2026

The trek provided great opportunities to build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and new friendships. It encouraged people to step outside their comfort zones and achieve things they may not have thought possible.

MarkYouth Mentor Coordinator, 2026

The World Expeditions Schools team provided outstanding support, managing planning, paperwork and Department of Education requirements with ease, while tailoring the program perfectly to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award.

JudyDOE Coordinator, 2026

Whether they were cooking incredible meals, leading us to waterfalls, helping us summit Mount Ossa, or showing us rivers to swim in along the way, they brought so much knowledge and enthusiasm to every moment.

GregOutdoor Education Teacher, 2026

School trip and project ideas in the Indian Subcontinent

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Indian Subcontinent destinations

Responsible travel

Local man feeding a rescued sloth bear - <i>Photo: Gita Diss</i>

India and Sri Lanka present some of the world's poorest living conditions. According to the United Nations' 2010 Human Development Report "environmental degradation intensifies inequality through adverse impacts on already disadvantaged people and inequalities in human development amplify environmental degradation".

We choose to make a difference by putting in place initiatives that reduce the impact of our school trips and give back to the places and people your students will encounter.

To minimise our impact on the natural environment we practice the '7 Principals of Leave No Trace', in addition to supporting local economies by employing local guides and crew. Our Animal Welfare Code of Conduct and Child Welfare Code of Conduct ensure the well-being of animals and children encountered on our school group adventures.

Testimonials

Ready to tailor a school trip to the Indian Subcontinent?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project in the Indian Subcontinent to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.

Accommodation

Hotels

In cities and larger towns across the Indian subcontinent, you stay in carefully selected 3 to 4 star properties chosen for their comfort, character and consistent reliability.

Hotels are typically centrally located or well positioned for easy access to major sights and cultural highlights, allowing you to explore with ease. Each property is selected based on a strong track record of traveller satisfaction and dependable service standards over many years.

Lodges

In national parks across the Indian subcontinent, accommodation is often in wildlife lodges located within or close to the park boundaries.

While not luxury properties, these lodges provide comfortable rooms and welcoming common areas that are clean and well maintained. Their location allows you to maximise time in the park, with early starts and close access to wildlife viewing areas.

Each lodge is chosen for its practicality, atmosphere and suitability for exploring the surrounding natural environment.

House Boats

In parts of the Indian subcontinent, you may stay aboard traditional carved timber houseboats moored along tranquil lakes or waterways, often framed by mountain or rural scenery. Cabins are twin share with private bathrooms, and a communal lounge and dining area offers a relaxed space to unwind on the water.

In Kerala, a local houseboat provides a memorable way to cruise the backwaters near Cochin. While more modest in style, cabins are twin share with attached bathrooms, allowing you to experience life along the waterways at an unhurried pace.

Dhoni

In the Maldives, you travel aboard a traditional dhoni, a motorised sailing vessel adapted for small group cruising.

We operate several types of dhoni depending on group size and season, typically hosting around 10 travellers per departure. Cabins are twin share, with shared bathroom facilities, along with a galley and open sun deck for relaxing between island visits.

Travelling by dhoni allows you to move easily between atolls, anchoring close to reefs and remote islands while enjoying a relaxed, on board atmosphere.

Camping

While trekking in the Indian subcontinent, you enjoy fully supported camping in scenic wilderness settings.

Quality two person tents with good ventilation are erected for you each day, along with a dedicated dining tent where your crew prepares freshly cooked meals. All camp logistics are managed on your behalf, allowing you to relax and recover at the end of each day on the trail.

Camps also include a private toilet tent with a sit toilet. Operations are designed to minimise environmental impact, with all waste removed and careful practices followed throughout. Your experienced local crew is always on hand to ensure a comfortable and well organised camping experience.

These treks feature in our Classic Adventures range.

Leaders in the field

Wangchuk Samshu

Since 1985 Wangchuk has managed our operations in India and has a real knack for developing programs centred on discovery of the regions using active travel as the vehicle. This philosophy is reflected in our trekking, cycling and camel riding holidays in northern India. Wangchuk, who himself lives and breathes adventure, ensures that our itineraries are at the cutting edge of tourism development.

Greg Lee

There’s nothing Greg enjoys more than setting out in search of adventure. This passion shines through in the breadth of unique adventures reflected in the fantastic line-up of trips on offer. Greg is drawn to the beauty of the region's scenery, fascinating history, varied cultures and most of all, its people.

Dr Ross Anderson

Dr Anderson lives with his wife in a small town near the Lakes District in the north of England. He is a family doctor and spends much of his spare time travelling as an expedition doctor. He has more than 10 years of altitude and travel medicine experience. Previous treks and expeditions have focused on the Himalayas, with others in the Scandinavian Arctic and mountainous areas of Africa. He also enjoys trail running, cycling and open-water swimming.

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.