Culture and Nature DHARAMSHALA &McLEOD GANJ An insight into the great Tibetan culture, the program focuses on the cultural identity of Tibetans who fled Tibet and were provided refuge by the Indian government. One of their settlements is in Dharamshala in the beautiful environs in and around McLeod Ganj Into thedhauladharsto surround oneself with the vivid Tibetan culture, art & architecture PROGRAM BENEFITS Gain an insight into Tibetan culture Understand the importance of Water Conservation Become environmentally responsible by learning about waste management and recycling PROGRAM SNAPSHOT Duration: 4 days full of learning & fun Travel Period: 26 th Feb 3 rd March 17 Transport: Road & Train Best Recommended forgrades 4 th onwards Program Fee: Rs. 24,960/- (All inclusive cost) Accomodation: Hotel M & Retaurants PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Walk through village and get acquainted with life in different colours and pay your regards by community service Trek to Bahl village in Himalayas and be awestruck by nature s hidden treasure; follow the trail along with river while passing through meadows, Forest, waterfalls, gurgling stream Enhance the spirit of working in a team while taking various activities as teamlike learn to shape and stuff dumplings during a Tibetan culinary class Understand the Tibetan culture by visiting Tsulagkhang complex Trek set in middle of a forest with beautiful views of the Dhauladhars range Visit Project Clean Upper Dharamshala working on an efficient and environmentally friendly waste management system of collecting rubbish and recycling Visit St. John s Wilderness, an Anglican church dedicated to John the Baptist built in 1852 Learn about Tibetan art & culture while visiting the Norbulinka Institute Explorars programvalue proposition:
Transportation in McLeod Ganj by luxury coaches 3 nights of accommodation2 Treks 16 meals: 4 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 snacks, 4 dinners3 entrances 4 free accompanying teachers2 special visits 1 cookery session2 Program director Insurance covers, Donations, Tips and mandatory Gratuities2 expert-led lectures 1 Explorars Travel Kit Inputs from expert educators Learning led by expert instructors who are authorities in the field of study A detailed Risk Assessment is performed for every program before is is undertaken 200 point Safety Checklist basis guidelines from International student travel organisations Members of WYSTEC (World Youth Student & Educational Travel Confederation), Netherlands Hotels and restaurants included offer high standards of hygiene and cleanliness Customary tips and mandatory gratuities that would normally be excluded Teacher to Students ratio of 1:10 Accompanying Program Directors trained in managing students and emergency first aid Live report feature on social medial channels Clinic on call @ every destination Comprehensive Travel Insurance for all travellers Public Liability Insurance Coverage for US$ 3 million We are an organization focused on creating value based educational programs that provide experiential learning through the medium of travel. We are deeply inspired in bringing a transformation in the way children learn and inspiring them to explore the world outside their classrooms. Please refer to our website for more details Explorars designs all its programs using Unique Learning Potential (ULeaP) framework with the following elements: Direct Curriculum Connect Life Skills Learning Social &ENvironmentalSEnsitivity:SENSE Fun! Daily ULeaP Structure below is delivered by a trained Program Director accompanying the group 1. Start with ULeaP Thought of the Day 2. ULeaP Activities during the day 3. Day ends with ULeaP Reflection Time PROGRAM SUMMARY McLeod Ganj - Day 2: Tsuglagkhang Complexoffers peace and serenity, followed by an exciting Momomaking experience. : TCV visit helpsinteraction with society initiated by the Dalai Lama followed by a trekto exploretibetan arts and culture. McLeod Ganj-Day 3: Gyuto Monasterymonks engaging in "chordal chanting and Kangra fort offer a source of amazement. : Enjoy the scenic beauty of Tea Estates in Palm pur
Dharamshala-Day 4: Clean Upper Dharamshala Projectbrings one closer to problems & solutions at hand to tackle water conservation.
DETAILED DAYWISE PROGRAM DAY 1 20h00 DEHRADUN, McLEOD GANJ Students to report at school for overnight coach transfer to McLeod Ganj. 430kms in 12 hours OVERNIGHT MEALS COACH NONE DAY 2 ARRIVAL IN McLEOD GANJ, TSUGLAGKHANG COMPLEX, MOMO MAKING 9:30am Arrive at McLeodganj and check in to hotel followed by a brief rest. After lunch assemble and visit Tsuglagkhang Complex, the seat of the Tibetan government-in-exile in McLeod Ganj. The complex hasdalai Lama's residence, Tibet Museum, Tsuglagkhang Temple, Kalachakra Temple and NamgyalGompa. The views from here are lovely and one can behold the Buddhist monks chanting and offering prayers. Exquisite Sketches of the Potala Palace in Tibet hang beside paintings that depict scriptural stories and Tibetan deities, an ideal representation of the legacy of art from Tibet Return to Hotel for Lunch and after lunch assemble to visit Norbulingka Institute During evening snacks time try your hands at Momo making in traditional manner. Return to the hotel, Dinner and overnight McLEOD GANJ DAY 2 McLEOD GANJ TCV (TIBETAN CHILDREN VILLAGE), BAHL VILLAGE Breakfast is at the hotel
Board the coach and head towards Tibetan Children s Village famous as TCV for interaction with the children and to understand the work done by the society initiated by the Dalai Lama to care for refugee children from Tibet. Depart for Bahl village a trek to discover the natural beauty of the region and enjoy a picnic lunch (distance: 6 km; duration: 4 hours) Expected time of arrival at Norbulingka institute, a unique institute dedicated to the preservation of Tibetan arts and culture. The institute s endeavour is to ensure that the integrity of Tibetan artistic traditions is maintained for future generations. The compound also comprises of a Doll house and temple. A volunteer will acquaint you with the traditions of the institute and see the Tibetan art of thangka and wood painting. Return to the hotel to freshen up, followed by evening snack Brief rest, Dinner and Overnight McLEOD GANJ DAY 3 McLEOD GANJ GYUTO MONASTERY, TEA ESTATE, KANGRA FORT Breakfast is at the hotel. Depart to Gyuto Monastery; at the time of the Chinese invasion in 1950, about 1000 monks were part of the monastery. 60 Gyuto monks fled to India in 1959. The main monastery is based in Sidhbara, near Dharamsala. Today, there are nearly 500 monks in the entire order. The Gyuto monks are known for their tradition of overtone singing, also described as "chordal chanting" which is said to have been transmitted by their founder Proceed to Tea Estates in Palampur to enjoy the scenic beauty of the place. Students take a short trek through the Tea Plantation garden learning about the various stages of growing tea and the stages from the plantation to the tea cup. Take a guided visit of the plantation and get to know the history of area Depart to Kangra fort, bulitby royal Rajput family of Kangra State (the Katoch dynasty), which traces its origins to the ancient Trigarta Kingdom that finds mention in the Mahabharata. It is the largest fort in the Himalayas and probably the oldest dated fort in India. Enjoy the architectural beauty and also sights from the top of the fort and visit the temples of Lakshmi Narayan and the Sitlamata. If time permits a brief stop at the Kangra temple and also enjoy the sight of the Kangra Railway Arrive back at the hotel to freshen up. Evening snack is followed by a brief rest time. Dinner and Overnight McLEOD GANJ DAY 4 CUD PROJECT, HPCA STADIUM DEPARTURE
Breakfast is at hotel. Visit the Clean Upper Dharamshala Project which is has done remarkable work over the last two decades. Located on Bhagsu road, the CUD project was established in June 1994 when the local Tibetan Settlement Office initiated an innovative environmental programme to provide Upper Dharamsala with an efficient and environmentally friendly waste management system of rubbish collection and recycling. Enroute (time permitting ) a brief stop at the famous cricket stadium in Dharamshala. Board the coach and head towards school to Dehradun Dinner will be served enroute. OB BOARD TRAIN DAY 5 ARRIVAL DELHI Arrive in Delhi early morning and disperse from railway station NONE NONE