RAJASTHAN
JAIPUR
Jaipur is one of India's most recognisable cities, with its magnificent architecture reflecting its glorious past. The city is surrounded by 3 royal forts. including Amber fort where you can ride an elephant all the way up to the entrance to the fort.
Within the city itself is the magnificent Pink City, which comes to life in the evenings with its vibrant bazaars located within the old city walls.
Study themes: Indian art and architecture, Indian history
BAREFOOT COLLEGE
The world renownded Barefoot College is situated in Tilonia just outside Jaipur. It is an NGO dedicated to Rural development based on the principles of Mahatma Gandhi.
One of the highlights is the Solar Lamp Project where rural women from Asia, Africa and South America are taught to build from scratch solar lamps, skills which they can then take back to their native villages after the 6 month programme is completed.
Study Themes: Rural development, Indian NGO's, Ghandian Philosophy, Rainwater harvesting
BIKANER
As well as being an amazing experience the camel safari is designed to give students an insight into life in a desert environment.
We start the camel ride in Bikaner, in late afternoon. The 2 hour ride through the desert and its dunes culminates at the camping ground. Here you will get refreshments and evening meal, whilst watching the sunset over the dunes, before being entertained by Rajasthani folk singers and dancers.
After an overnight camp and breakfast in the desert, a jeep ride will take you back to the guesthouse.
Study themes: Arid environments, Rainwater harvesting, Rural Development
AGRA AND FATEHPUR SIKRI
Can you go to Inida and not see the Taj Mahal. The magnificence of the building simply takes your breath away when you step through the arch of the entrance to capture your first glimpse of it.
But before Agra there is also Fatehpur Sikri, a settlement built during the moghul era, but the settlement was abandoned after a decline in water availability in the region. A great example of how resources can control human activity.
Study themes: Indian history, Population and resource relationships.
THARAN BHARAT SANGH
Tharan Bharat Sangh is an NGO operating in the Aravali hills. They have worked with local communities in the mountains to find ways to increase the supply of water in a sustainable way that would then benefit the local communities with increased farming yields.
But the essence of the project was to always follow Ghandian principles, and ensure the local people have full control of the projects.
In the photo is a one of a number of earth dams created to trap water in lakes and raise the water table.
Study themes: Rainwater harvesting, Rural Development, Ghandian philosophy, Indian NGO's.
RANTHAMBHORE
If you are interested in wildlife then a trip to Ranthambhore National Park is a must. The park houses a huge collection of wildlife including tigers.
On jeeps with a local guide you can traverese the 300km sqaure park in about 3 houes.
Study themes: Indian Wildlife, Semi arid environments.