Day 1-5: Orientation - Leh
Ready to jump right into this adventure? You'll be flying straight into Leh, Ladakh, at 3500 m. With this rapid ascent, we'll need to spend a total of five days acclimatizing to life at this altitude. We'll be prioritizing our health over exertion - trust us, this is essential to our journey! But we'll also start our in-country orientation to prepare ourselves for the whole program!
As soon as our bodies area ready, we'll be traipsing through the busy streets, interacting with local vendors, practicing our bartering skills, and sampling the many sights, smells, and tastes of Leh. This is a start unlike any other - you'll be on the roof of the world, on the edge of the map! There's not doubt that this unique city will be seared into our hearts and minds!
Our bodies need to adjust to this new environment as acclimatizing poorly could mean a much less enjoyable trip. Before we hit the road, expect to plough through a good book enjoying the gentle, calm pace of life that is easily found in a Ladakhi summer. But it won't be lazy days! Our program leaders will get your brains working while your bodies rest, challenging the group to find the best ways to support each other through the challenges ahead.
Day 6-12: The Indus Valley
Having taken the time for our bodies to adapt to the lower levels of oxygen at this altitude, it's time to start exploring the communities and cultures that lie along the Indus river - one of the great Himalayan rivers, and the one which gave India its name. It's believed that the first humans to come to this part of the world arrived along this river.
We'll spend our time in nearby villages and towns to improve our understanding of the local Varjana Buddhist culture and how it informs the interactions of local communities. Through Local Futures and the Women's Alliance, we'll intimately experience life in a village, and learn a little about traditional and modern agricultural practices in a region where subsistence farming and religious study were the two main occupations just up to 20 years ago.
Our partners will also open our eyes to how rapidly and recently the area has changed due to the explosion in tourism. We'll delve into critical discussions on what this means for the people of the region and their future. Expect homestays, a visit to a monastery and other important cultural sites, and deep discussions with our partners and friends.
Day 12-17: Trekking into the Himalaya
After 12 days getting under the skin of life in the cold and high altitude desert, it's time to get on top of it!
The impossibly massive, majestic, and mystical mountains of the Kharkatorum will be our mightiest challenge. We'll push our limits and past our comfort zones by hiking along the Markha Valley to its dizzying climax at 5,200 m. Get ready to pass ancient villages and hill forts while watching the daily transformation of trickling streams into raging torrents as the fierce Ladakhi sun releases glacial water into the valley! It's really the only way to end a trip in Ladakh - with sore feet, sunsets, and stories of starlight.
The exact route will be chosen to fit the needs of the group, but you should be comfortable with the idea of multi-day treks in remote, challenging mountains.
Day 18-28: Democratic Education with Secmol
Armed with a new understanding of the region and its communities, it's time to test what we've learned and challenge our preconceptions around education and volunteering at Secmol's Phey campus. A school for students aged 5-18, Secmol runs on a student-led democratic model, providing a much-needed alternative for students who are not supported by the government's education system.
This is where OG's fundamental principle of community-requested projects really comes into play! The students and their needs at the time will determine how we contribute our time on campus, creating a unique space for immersive cross-cultural exchanges, maintenance projects around the school, and other educational support.
Day 29-38:
A staple of all OG programs is Independent Travel Time (ITT). You can travel independently if you desire, but we encourage everyone to travel in pairs or small groups. ITT is the ideal time for you to learn more about your specific interests.
Day 38-40: Disorientation - Rishikesh
Our group will reconvene for a program debrief known as 'disorientation' prior to flying home. We will meet in Rishikesh, arguably the world capital of yoga, and another of India's many holy centres, nestled along the surging Ganga river. Yoga and meditation centres are balanced by great opportunities for more rafting and hiking making it the perfect place to debrief and end our experience together. We'll relive memories of the program, discuss how to stay connected and collaborate on projects in the future.
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