Set in the environs of the Koshi River in Bihar, this program provides insights into the challenges of a migratory lifestyle. Every year, settlements on the banks of the Koshi River are inundated during monsoons, forcing inhabitants into an annual migration. Participants travel to these settlements to understand the patterns of this migration.

Through primary research, they seek to identify critical aspects of the community and understand their needs. Participants discover how inhabitants address the education of their children, as well as health and sanitation needs during the floods and over the rest of the year. Under the guidance of experts, they develop cost-effective solutions.

Participants seek creative solutions that will allow the community to access facilities even during their yearly migration to safer grounds. Additionally, they engage with master craftspersons to understand, document and study the practice of the world-famous Madhubani style of painting and pottery to gain an appreciation of another facet of the community.

Set in the northeastern states of Assam and Meghalaya, the program is a fascinating exploration of the Khasi, one of the few remaining aboriginal tribes in India. Starting in Guwahati, Assam, participants drive to Kaziranga National Park, home to the world’s largest population of the one-horned rhinoceroses. The group then travels to Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.

After a two-day exploration of Shillong, participants journey deep into the land of the Khasi tribe. They spend time in the Mawphlang village with its sacred forest, believed to be the resting place of departed souls; hike up the famous David Scott Trail; investigate the living root bridges, an engineering marvel of the Khasi; visit Cherrapunji, one of the wettest places in the world; and explore the villages of Tyrna, Pynursla and Mawlynnong, the cleanest village in Asia.

Through these varied experiences and a process of close community engagement, participants explore and understand the different facets of the Khasi tribe. They gain meaningful insights into the socio-cultural milieu of the tribe, including its matrilineal system, environmental wisdom and powerful human-environment relationship.

Located in the Sahyadri mountain range of Maharashtra, which is part of the 16,000-km-long Western Ghats and a biodiversity hot-spot, the program takes participants on a rock-climbing expedition to the three most challenging summits in the range: Alang-Madan-Kulang (AMK).

Starting in a camp near Pune, participants undergo intensive training on different aspects of rock-climbing and risk management on vertical surfaces. The expedition then moves on to the village of Ambevadi at the base of the climb.

At the break of dawn on day four, participants embark on an intense three-day trek. They negotiate steep vertical rock faces, traverse exposed ledges and survive bivouacs under a starry sky to finally attain the summits of AMK.

Continuing their journey, participants explore the Konya wildlife sanctuary with its rich biodiversity. Through a series of guided walks and safaris, participants learn about the region’s fragile ecology and gain an understanding of a range of environmental issues.

Set in Leh and its surroundings, this program joins hands with the Ladakh Nuns’ Association (LNA) to examine and understand the social order of Buddhist nuns, one of the most remarkable communities in this region.

Using a critical inquiry and primary research-based approach, participants visit numerous nunneries to engage with the residents and gain insights into the lifestyles, challenges and social structures of the nuns. Through guided visits to institutions of significance, they assess the historical context and current status of the nuns.

Based on their findings and upon the principle of affirmative action, participants develop a document-narrative and implement a fundraising campaign for the nuns.

Participants thereafter travel to the beautiful Pangong Lake for an overnight camping trip to reflect upon and assimilate their learnings and make a commitment to social service.

In partnership with Bodh Shiksha Samiti (BSS), a non-profit based out of Alwar, participants engage with the ‘nat’ community. Traditionally street performers, most adult members spend long stretches of time on the road, leaving their young ones in the care of community elders.

BSS is dedicated to ensuring quality education and sanitation through grassroots interventions. In collaboration with its members, participants undertake exploratory visits to two local schools. Through interactions with children and other stakeholders, they seek to understand the socio-cultural aspects of the ‘nat’ community and gain insights into their needs and challenges, both financial and otherwise.

To engage the wider community, participants plan and implement an awareness and fundraising drive by collaborating with an influential local school.

Participants also explore the rich cultural heritage of the region through visits to monuments of historical significance such as the Alwar Fort and Museum – well known for its exquisite collection of medieval miniature paintings and manuscripts.

Based in Ladakh, this program is a homage to our relentless quest for adventure. The experience unfolds in a series of graded treks around Leh and culminates with summiting Stok Kangri, at 6,153 meters.

The program kicks off with a five-day acclimatization and preparation period. Participants explore the rich cultural heritage of Leh, visiting its many monasteries and palaces. They also spend time planning the upcoming expedition and travel to the stunningly beautiful Pangong Lake, situated at 4,250 meters, as further preparation.

Post-acclimatization, participants embark on a three-day trek to reach the base camp of Stok Kangri. After a day’s rest, the final push to the summit begins. Participants climb to the advanced base camp and then further to the pristine summit of Stok Kangri, negotiating a variety of mountain features including moraine, glaciers and snow/ice ridges.

Set in the high altitude desert of Spiti in the Himalayas, the program challenges participants to redefine determination.

The journey starts in a camp in Manali, where participants get familiar with their mountain bikes. They learn to ride on different terrains including off-trail, uphill and downhill, negotiate obstacles and steep turns and acquire bike repairing skills.

Equipped and acclimatized, participants embark upon a remarkable journey. Riding on rugged and often non-existent trails with the crystal blue waters of the Spiti River as a constant companion, the convoy passes through Chota Dhara and Batal, and culminates at the breathtakingly beautiful Chandratal lake (4,250 m).

The program also offers a cultural immersion experience as participants enjoy a home stay in Kaza. From here they explore the famous fossil village of Langza and the medieval Ki Monastery, which at 4,166 meters, is the largest monastery in Spiti and offers critical insights into Tibetan Buddhism.

Set in Rishikesh, on the banks of the River Ganga, this program is an insightful journey into socio-cultural manifestations of Hinduism. Led by experts in Indian history and religion, participants examine folklore, scriptures, belief systems and rituals while exploring the narrow alleys of Rishikesh town with its numerous temples dedicated to varied deities. Participants engage in conversations with priests and community leaders to gain insights into spirituality and the notion of transcendence. Traditional yoga sessions provide another perspective on religion.

Participants also undertake a three-day, adventure-filled rafting expedition from Devprayag to Rishikesh to skill themselves in white water rafting and to understand river systems and the lives of the communities living alongside the river.

This high-engagement program brings together participants and community stakeholders to collaborate through active dialogue. Using an inquiry-led approach, participants gather information on the needs of the community to design a shared space for action.

Over the first two days, participants interact with community leaders to assess the functional needs of the space. While exploring concepts of creativity and innovation, they use available expertise, tools and resources to create a plan for the build.

The next five days engage participants in the construction of the space and outfitting it with the identified requirements. In the process, they are exposed to the skills of woodworking and architectural design, as well as various aspects of construction. They engage with program leaders to bring another level of challenge, using design technologies to convert the mechanical energy from play activities to power devices for the community – be it charging points or even powering a water pump.

Finally, participants create an event for the inauguration of the space with the active participation of the community.

Set amidst the rugged terrain of the Badami caves in Karnataka, this action-packed rock-climbing adventure encourages participants to challenge their thresholds. The program unfolds in a series of boulder climbs to develop the skills of participants. While the mornings are spent negotiating the rocky terrain, the afternoons are spent learning and practicing skills such as tying climbing knots and using climbing gear. Once participants graduate to managing themselves safely on the rocks and become proficient in basic rock climbing, they are introduced to the art of belaying and being responsible for the safety of fellow climbers.

In the second phase of the program, participants are introduced to advanced gears. They learn lead climbing, practicing on small rock formations, gradually moving on to more difficult climbs, up to 6a grade.

To further expand their horizons, participants are also introduced to the cultural heritage of the region. Through a series of guided visits, they explore the stunning architecture of the famous Badami cave temples and the fascinating temple complexes of Pattadakal and Aihole.

Based in the unique Majuli Island, the program examines the vibrant cultural traditions and environmental challenges of its people. Using critical inquiry and the tools of visual and written documentation, participants study the neo-Vaishnavite movement, its values, ideologies and cultural classifications, to evaluate the role it played in social change.

To explore and experience the many facets of the local culture, participants engage with local craftsmen. They learn the centuries-old traditions of mask-making—Mukha, Lotokai Mukha and Bor Mukha, which are used during religious performances and traditional dramas. They also study the vibrant Sattriya culture, which has kept the ancient craft of hand-made pottery alive.

Throughout this immersive journey, participants document the history of the island and the physical processes that are constantly reshaping its topography through severe bank erosion and flooding. The insights gained provide a deeper understanding of the impact this has on its residents.

The last two days are spent within the Kaziranga wildlife sanctuary, reflecting on cultural diversity and its value.

Based in Delhi, this program is a fascinating journey into the magical world of the Madari tribe, a community of magicians who for centuries have passed on their skills, knowledge and wisdom from generation to generation and can still be seen performing in towns and villages in India.

The first phase of the program focuses on gathering, documenting and analyzing information. Through cultural mapping, critical exploration, dialogue and picture documentation, participants unravel the secrets of the community, their social structure, the rules governing performances and travel, their induction ceremony known as ‘mokhar’, the secret language they use, the council of elders and the ‘coin’ system, through which a person is challenged to a duel.

The second part of the program presents opportunities to learn magic tricks from a member of the tribe who revived and successfully performed the Great Indian Rope Trick. The program culminates in an exciting magical performance, planned by participants in collaboration with tribe members, and presented before a live audience at Delhi Haat.

Set in the Spiti valley of the Indian trans-Himalayas, the program begins with participants learning the basic skills of wilderness survival, backpacking, navigation, risk management and high-altitude living.

Participants plan and execute their expedition with safety supervision from the program leadership. Setting up and breaking camps daily, mapping their routes from provided navigation information and traversing the daunting yet inspiring landscape of the cold desert, participants travel through Kaza, Demul, Lalung and Dhankar.

Participants are encouraged to plan for all aspects of their expedition – travel, food and shelter. In the harsh terrains, they are constantly challenged individually and as a team.

In addition to the trek, participants are encouraged to explore the region, visit monasteries and understand the socio-cultural aspects of the Buddhist communities.

Based in Dharamshala, the program is a high-intensity expedition into one of the world’s highest mountain ranges. Participants spend the first four days acclimatizing, building wilderness survival skills and learning positive expeditionary behavior to work together, so they are well prepared to tackle the final stage of the program.

They explore McLeodganj, the spiritual seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the center of the Tibetan government in exile. Educative visits to the Dalai Lama Temple, Tibet Museum, the Tibetan Parliament and important monasteries are led by experts from the community. Participants engage in a town-hall with community members who escaped from Tibet, to gain an understanding of their struggles and achievements. Through these explorations of its socio-cultural landscape, participants develop deeper insights into a culture.

The final four days of the program are dedicated to the high altitude expedition. Participants plan, prepare and complete a trek to Indrahar Pass (4,342 m), which connects the Kangra and Chamba districts.

Traversing alpine meadows, moraines and snow, participants set up high-altitude camps, explore the local flora and fauna and experience the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas.

Based in Baiga Chak in eastern Madhya Pradesh, an area demarcated for the settlement of the Baiga tribe since the 1880s, the experience enables participants to explore the cultural inheritance of the tribe. Living with the community for six days, participants use an inquiry-first approach to understand the four aspects that establish the Baiga identity: tattoos, clothing, the local market and the celebration of the ‘dasra naach’.

Guided by experts and local leaders, participants examine the tribe’s historical status, the changes in their socio-cultural milieu and their causes, as well as the tribe’s current status. Participants also engage with crafts persons to learn traditional crafts. The insights gained are documented through both visual and written means.

Based on the knowledge garnered through their interactions and observations, participants assess the community’s needs and challenges and evolve a program for awareness-building and conservation of aspects of Baiga culture they believe need to be preserved.

To complete their experience in the region, participants travel to Jabalpur to explore the pink and white marble gorges of Bhedaghat.

The program takes participants through an in-depth exploration of the lifestyles and cultural milieu of the street performers of India. It begins with a visit to Kathputli colony – a settlement of itinerant street performers and entertainers. Despite being an acceptable occupation for centuries, street performers are no longer allowed to perform anywhere in India. The loss of their traditional means of livelihood has had catastrophic effects, especially on women and children.

Participants inquire into the different aspects of this community, including their social and legal status, their right to freedom of expression and equality and the challenges they face.

Based on their investigations and interactions, participants develop and execute an action plan for social intervention in collaboration with community members using theater and allied mediums. The project will revolve around two aspects – creating awareness amongst general society about the community, and brainstorming around acceptable livelihood opportunities based on skills within the community.

Based in Bikaner, the gateway to the Thar Desert, the program is an introduction to the rich cultural traditions of desert communities. Participants travel in camel caravans, traversing the barren expanses and rolling dunes of the desert, much as the locals have done for centuries. They explore villages and engage with local communities to learn about their customs and practices. They get a taste of nomadic life, spending two nights in the desert under the open sky, and are introduced to the art and science of navigating by the stars.

Through a series of immersive experiences, ranging from trying the local cuisine to learning folklore, puppetry and magic from craftsmen, participants are encouraged to develop an emotional and intellectual connection with the people and the culture of the region. Building on this understanding, they engage with village children in an exciting service project based out of a school. With an eye to the needs and resources of the region, participants create solutions for the benefit of the community, such as a water-carrying system, so crucial in a desert, or a solar lantern project to take advantage of the abundant solar energy in the region.