School Trip - India 10 days

Mr Shankly

Hi there,
i am hoping for some advice
for the last few years i have taken a small group of senior school pupils (aged 16-18) on a trip to Morocco (Marrakesh and the Atlas Mountains). however, next June (2009) i thought i would be ultra ambitious and take them to India for a real cultural experience!!!

i have a few questions if thats ok:

1) am i crazy to think about this??
2) if im not, then where would be some good places to visit in 10 days (i was thinking of basing ourselves in Delhi)
3) what is the weather like in mid june?
4) what is worthwhile visiting during this period?
5) what would be a reasonable budget per person for food and accomodation ?(i dont want then living in luxury)
6) would it be possible to spend a few days somewhere more laid back in order to recover our senses.

thank you in advance...

Aishah

If you are thinking of bringing a group of young adults to North India in mid-June, i suggest you take them to some of the mountain areas, hill stations. Mid-June is a furnace in most of North India down on the plains with temps over 45'c. I think the worst travelling month you could choose for anywhere on the plains. You could have quite a nice trip going to Dharamsala -McLeod Ganj area -where the Dalai Lama is based and there is a large Tibetan colony there. Up behind McLeod Ganj are opportunities for trekking. After that, maybe Dalhousie or Manali, but bear in mind this is the peak season for Indians escaping the heat and prices will be raised and bookings are essential for wherever you are going. All perfectly doable because you are planning well ahead.
I see you will have 10 days - then taking in 2 points and staying there for some time at each will give your students a good taste of what life is like - this is better than rushing from one place to another.

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Victoria

Hello Mr Shanky,

Well if I was in my a levels and had the opportunity to go on a school trip to India i'd be well impressed!
You can't go to India, especially base yourself around Delhi and NOT see the Taj Mahal. Parents would almost expect that, the kids too I imagine. However, Aishah is right, it will be VERY hot in June.
Try to keep your travelling to a minimum and use the ten days to the fullest. Delhi itself is heaving with wonderful places to visit, but it would be good for you to see somewhere totally off the beaten track too... and get the kids to experience something rural. The mountains are a good idea but as Aiasha pointed out, you will be in peak season so prices rise and train tickets are rare.

Why not try and hook up with a local school? Maybe organise a two day visit with a homestay for two nights in a family per kid or something. That would be a wonderful way to show them what life is like. You could even build a project up over the academic year, or some kind of presentation to show infront of their class. I'm sure you've got many ideas in that domain. ALso, they'd really see what school discipline is and respect for teachers. They'll realise how easy they get it!

Aishah

'prices rise and train tickets are rare'.... I think if you book well ahead you will be fine. You can book 90 days ahead for trains. And you can probably get special 'deals' for a school party group. One idea is the YHAI in Delhi, which specialize in largish groups for schools, students etc. Their prices are consistent. They have a website and you can book through it.

dhans

Yep, heat is the main problem in the summer holidays. As we have to go in July and August because of the school holidays, I'm also hesitating.

But if you go (GREAT BTW), in Delhi YMCA and YWCA ar good value ad centrally located.

Hans

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Mr Shankly

Thanks for the advice

i had a feeling the heat might be the main issue. could anyone suggest an alternative to delhi?(somwhere where the heat is less oppressive) i am looking to let them experience the hustle and bustle of an indian city whilst giving them a chance to see a little culture too. also how much money should i budget for living costs including accomodation/travel for the 10 days?

Himalayan boy

hi Mr Shankly,
If u r intrested in Trekking in himalayas..so pls visit Rishikesh..lots of good and safe trek opened for students..and trekking is the best way to see the culture, tradition and places...

tc

puchoo

Delhi,
Agra + Bharatpur / Jaipur
Shimla/Kausali/Chail.....

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Brisso

everywhere but the mountains and hill stations will be fiercely hot - why not Darjeeling and surrounds (toy train, leopards etc at zoo, tea plantations) via Calcutta - maybe a trip to Gangtok or the major tibetan monasteries ...

brownboy66

oooo....that's a good idea - a world heritage train journey, and fun too. And while in Darjeeling - maybe visit the Himalayan Mountaineering institute as well.

snonymous

I would recommend Kerala, however the monsoons would have set in by the first week of June in Kerala, mind you that itself is a terrific experience for those who have never seen the monsoons before. There is enough info about Kerala on this and several other sites, so I wont be repetitive, other than to recommend the state run Kerala Tourist Dept http://www.ktdc.com for its reasonably priced hotels and packages.

Tamil Nadu is also a great destination with its rich ancient heritage, architecture, mountains and beaches. The rains would not have set in here in June as they do on the west coast, and even though temps will be around 35C and humid, its a lot better than the Delhi / Agra region at 45C and dry. Again TTDC gives the best value tamilnadutourism.org

Alternately you could start in Mumbai, a horribly crowded megapolis - you did say "big cities", and proceed to Aurangabad [flight or train - Tapovan express @ 6hrs is a good train ride passing through scenic sections near Igatpuri]to visit the UNESCO heritage sites of Ajanta and Ellora, also taking in a trip to the worlds second largest meteorite crater at Lonar [4hrs drive from Aurangabad]. Boys of that age will also love exploring the Daulatabad fort on the way to Ellora. maharashtratourism.gov.in will give you more info. In early June the weather will be bearable as the monsoons draw near, and you can expect a few cool[by our standards] pre monsoon showers. To round the trip off, let them shop till they drop in Mumbai for cheap branded clothing, music and just about everything else kids of that age enjoy. There is another UNESCO heritage site just off Mumbai[1hr ferry] - the Elephanta Island but Im not sure when the service stops for the monsoons. Take them to the Sanjay Gandhi National park at Borivli East [Mumbai], there are several nature trails to explore in dense mixed forest, as well as the ancient Kanheri caves complex [not comparable with Ajanta], and if it is raining, it is heaven! Alternately take them to Esselworld at Gorai, about an hours drive from Mumbai airport, its a water park on the coast. There is another popular water park Shangri La, about an hours drive on NH3, and yet another - Great Escape about an hours drive on NH8 and then onto the Vajreshwari Rd.

For Mumbai hotels try travelguru.com
For railway info and bookings try http://indianrailways.gov.in/
For cheap domestic flights try makemytrip.com; cleartrip.com; yatra.com; ezeego1.com

View all these areas on Google earth.

You can rent an AC Tempo Traveller van with driver for local travel - estimate around INR 2500 per day [negotiable].

Im sure the kids would have loved to see the Taj Mahal at Agra but it is really unbearable in June, imagine being in a furnace, thats what its like.

Hope this helps.

poipleshadow

Definately take them... I wish I had that chance when I was younger... See if you can get them involved with some volunteer work while they are there...

Have you been to India before - It might be worth taking someone who has been before or having a contact you can contact if you're stuck... (as you're responsible for them).

Mumbai is always interesting (although many people don't like it), weather isn't normally too bad

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