Travel to Ladakh and Orientation

Leaving home behind we fly together to our first section of the semester, the Ladakhi region of the northern Indian Himalayas. Stepping off the plane we find ourselves surrounded by the vast, mountainous landscapes so unique to northern India. Located at around 11,000ft, we spend a few days acclimatizing to this new high altitude community, settling into our Himalaya group and getting to know one another and our instructors. Together we map out our itinerary and set both individual and group goals for the duration of the program. We introduce our curriculum and brainstorm ideas for our individual Capstone Passion Projects, all the while coming together as a traveling community.

Leh Exploration and Pangong Lake

Settling into the picturesque Tibetan town of Leh, we take a few days to acclimatize to the altitude, exploring the charming town squares and visiting its surrounding monasteries. Finding ourselves in a place so entirely different from anything we have experienced before, we soak up the serenity of our new home. In Leh, we have the opportunity to visit local markets, try new foods, and learn more about Buddhism, the leading religion of the region. Reaching new heights, we take a day to visit the world’s highest altitude salt water lake, Pangong Lake, at a staggering 14,000 feet. Pangong Lake is known for its vibrant color which changes constantly from crystal blue to light green and even gold, red and pink. This little understood phenomenon is likely connected to the sun’s refraction at this high altitude, which color will you discover at Pangong Lake?

Overnight Trek and Snow Leopard Conservation

Venturing out into the mountains, we embark on an overnight trek that leads us to Tia Village, the home of our next project. We settle into our homestays and eagerly begin our partnership with an organization working diligently to conserve the endangered Snow Leopard of the Indian Himalayas. We talk with local farmers and community members, thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the human-wildlife conflict that has contributed to the decline of the snow leopard population. We learn more about the various threats to conservation and work with the locals on their community-based environmental education program for rural Ladakh initiative. After a few days of conservation work, we say a brief farewell to India as we head on to explore our next section of the program in Nepal.

Orientation and Kathmandu Exploration

We fly together to Kathmandu, Nepal where we are welcomed by our local partners and settle into our guesthouse in the beautiful historic district of Bhaktapur. Here we orient ourselves to Nepali culture and explore the narrow cobblestone streets of this UNESCO World Heritage Site, while getting a chance to practice some basic Nepali language skills. We venture to Durbar Square, where we walk the winding streets testing our skills at bartering in the various markets. We spend a day learning more about the traditional Ayurvedic health practices common in the region, receiving natural treatments and participating in a traditional Newari feast.

Pokhara and Trekking in the Himalayas

Leaving the city behind, we make our way northwest to Pokhara, a gateway to the Nepali Himalayas. Eagerly anticipating the next five days on the trails, we gather the little gear we need and pack our bags for our trek into the breathtaking Himalayan Mountains. Hiking through small villages, feasting on the local dahl bat, and sleeping in small teahouses, we step into a world of astounding beauty and simplicity. Taking advantage of the local knowledge around us, we complete a study on the environmental changes taking place in the Annapurna Range, and learn about sustainable efforts to curb environmental and cultural degradation.

Buddhist Monastery Stay

Tired after a few days of trekking in the mountains, we have the opportunity to relax and reflect during our stay at a monastic institute nestled just outside of Pokhara. Here we learn the great practice of meditation, shadowing the monks in their daily routines and learning more about one of the major religions of the world. We play soccer with the young monks beginning their early education into Buddhism, and help them practice their English language skills. We practice yoga and center ourselves for the remaining portion of the semester, reflecting upon the experiences we have had thus far and looking forward to the many adventures ahead.

Organic Demonstration Farm

Departing our new friends at the monastery, we venture out to spend some time on a demonstration farm established to support local farmers. In partnership with a local organization, this project gives us the opportunity to explore the Environment and Conservation theme through studying sustainable farming efforts, while also participating in a homestay with local families. This farm is a place for well known bio-intensive farming methods to be adapted to the local landscape, soil, and climate to maximize the yield for farmers. We have the opportunity to learn about these techniques alongside community members and see it is used to promote food security. We also spend time in the fruit and nut nursery supporting the growth of vital seedlings. In the evenings we enjoy time with our host families, play games with community children, and learn to cook delicious Nepalese cuisine.

Eco-Friendly Housing and Sanitation Project

Saying goodbye to our host families and the farm, we return to Kathmandu for our final project in Nepal. Created after the 2015 earthquake to support displaced families, this local non-profit organization used eco-friendly materials to build sustainable, affordable, and disaster-resistant homes. We participate on a local build site alongside building experts and support additional efforts to install latrines for a community without proper sanitation systems. Partnering with another organization in Kathmandu, we learning about the challenges faced by widows and single mothers due to systemic gender inequalities issues and how these eco-friendly new homes support them as they rebuild their lives. We close out our time in Nepal with community soccer games, delicious local food, and breathtaking views of the surrounding Himalayas.

Rajasthan Immersion and Women’s Empowerment

Returning to India, we find ourselves in Delhi visiting historical and cultural landmarks such as the Red Fort and the India Gate. We are welcomed into the Lotus Temple, a unique architectural masterpiece that stands for the oneness of humankind. Navigating the bustling streets of Delhi, we learn more about the unique history of the world’s second-largest city. We then take an overnight train to Rajasthan and arrive ready to immerse ourselves in unique cityscapes and desert landscapes. Here we embrace the beauty of Jodhpur and Jaipur, also know as “The Blue City” and “The Pink City” respectively for their vibrant colors.

Making our way farther into the desert, we partner with a local development organization working to conserve natural resources and empower women. We use translators and a variety of non-verbal communication methods to connect with the participants, learn their stories, and exchange experiences and knowledge. We leave Rajasthan with new perspectives and an understanding of resource management issues in developing nations.

Student Planned Module

Taking a train to Rishikesh, we dive into our Student Planned Module. This section is completely planned, organized, budgeted and implemented by the students. We can’t wait to see what the group will do!

Sunrise at The Taj Mahal, Sloth Bear and Elephant Conservation

Leaving Rishikesh behind, we head south to Agra to the magnificent Taj Mahal. A Wonder of the World, there’s nothing quite so special as a sunrise over the Taj. With cameras fully charged, we wander the site, learning its history and taking pictures of its grandeur. Satisfied with our visit, we make our way to the largest bear conservatory in the world where we spend a few days working alongside bear keepers learning about conservation efforts for the Indian Sloth Bear. This conservatory also houses numerous elephants who have been rescued from the rigors of logging and trekking in India. We walk with the elephants at a safe distance and gain a deeper understanding of the many threats to conservation of these two magnificent species. After comparing and contrasting conservation efforts here with those we witnessed during the snow leopard project in Ladakh, we leave our time in Agra with a newfound appreciation for the varied efforts taking place in India.

Goan Beaches and Departure

Saying farewell to beauties of Northern Indian, we fly south to the sandy beaches of a small town north of Goa where we enjoy some of India’s beautiful coastline and beaches. For the next couple days we take surfing lessons on some of the beginner breaks of the western coast. Reminiscing on our experiences, we round out our Capstone Passion Projects and reflections from these invigorating seventy days. The memories we have made will stay with us for the rest of our lives. As we savor the last moments of our Himalaya semester, we are excited to head home to share our newly gained knowledge and insights from our firsthand look at the global issues facing Nepal and India.

*Please note that the order of the countries and of the projects is subject to change depending on your group assignment.

Below you will find several Group Journal excerpts, written by ARCC students during their Gap Year with ARCC: