Clinging to the far western flank of the Tibetan plateau, jagged peaks and windswept valleys have largely preserved the indigenous mountain cultures of Ladakh. Our exploration begins close to the regional capital of Leh where we acclimatize to the elevation and begin exploring how the unique Ladakhi heritage and fragile high desert ecosystem interact with the shifting cultural, ecological, and economic pressures within the region. 

Program Highlights & Outcomes

• Gain extensive trekking skills while spending 8 – 10 days in some of the most stunning landscapes on Earth
• Complete a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) course and develop skills to engage knowledgeably in the outdoor context
• Learn about environmental and cultural preservation in a fragile and unique alpine desert climate
• Develop critical leadership skills through backcountry trekking, group management, and navigating diverse environments.
• Experience Ladakhi hospitality and ease into the rhythm of cooking, planting, and drinking tea
• Introduction to Tibetan Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and how to apply these principles to your life

Our journey begins in Phyang, where we begin learning the basics of Ladakhi language, exploring the pastoral communities and acclimating to the 11,500 ft elevation. In Leh, we meet with local leaders at NGOs and learn firsthand the challenges that families and local representatives face as they attempt to preserve traditional Ladakhi heritage. We become students of Tibetan Buddhist monks, representatives of the Snow Leopard Conservancy, Ladakh Ecological Development Group and other leaders and activists in order to better understand the local perspectives and realities.

Before traveling deeper into the mountains, we undertake a Wilderness First Aid course to gain practical medical skills that can prove useful in any context. Departing from Leh, we trek deep into glaciated valleys and through tiny hamlets as we follow remote herders’ trails. As we pass through some of the world’s most breathtaking mountains, we explore remote pastoral communities, staying in family homes in tiny villages, sharing meals, and learning about village life, or we pitch tents and sleep outside under a brilliant blanket of stars.

The North India course is designed to encourage students to push themselves in their exploration of this distant landscape, learn about the ecology of the Himalayas as it pertains to climate change, and explore the Tibetan-influenced cultural and spiritual traditions of Ladakh. In addition to a rural village stay, students take part in collaborative social development projects focused on environmental and cultural preservation. The North India program is a window into Himalayan cultures and landscapes, as the region adapts to challenging environmental and political climates.