North India: Himalayan Trekking & Traditions

This program was easily the most incredible experience I’ve had abroad. Dragons allows its students to intensely immerse themselves in their host country through home stays, independent studies, language learning, outdoor adventures, and so much more. Dragons also employs incredibly inspiring instructors who strike the perfect balance between acting as a support system, and pushing students out of their comfort zones. I made deep connections on this program, both with my fellow travellers and with people we met along the way. After Dragons, I feel I can create deep, immersive travel experiences for myself anywhere in the world.

Pure magic! An ineffable experience that changed how I see myself, others, and the world we live in. I contribute much of my experience to my instructors- Alena, Uttura, and Hemant. Their place based insight and understanding of the region was immensely helpful as we navigated new environments. The program wonderfully balanced group instruction, independent exploration, and local homestays. I strongly recommended this program to those who are pursuing about an active travel experience with a large trekking component.

I loved my trip to India. I went in highschool and still think about it almost every day. I grew in ways I never imagined and my eyes were opened to new cultures and experiences. Some of my my favorite memories were climbing up to 17,000 ft, visiting villages only accessible by foot, and interacting with Ladakhis. My instructors were incredibly knowledgeable and they helped us through this incredible experience. During our homestay, we were able to truly experience living in a very different culture. The whole thing was amazing!

This program was even more amazing than I could ever imagine. My instructors were all incredible, and they were very well equipped to handle any situation. They helped foster a great environment which made the trip 10x better. Every aspect of the trip was well planned, fun and very interesting. The way the program was structured helped me become immersed with the culture and feel a connection to the things and people around me. We were introduced to so many amazing people that gave us insight on the land and it’s rich history. One of my favorite moments from the trip was our Markha Valley, an experience I will never forget.

This was my second Dragons trip, and I had high expectations after a fantastic summer in Nepal the year before, but Ladakh did not disappoint.

The trip was fast-paced which had us moving around a lot. All the moving meant lots of bus rides, but spending time in the bus allowed for a unique view of the beautiful ladakhi landscape and countless views of the powerful Himalays.

We spent time in Leh, the capital of Ladakh, exploring the markets and the Leh Palace. We completed two different treks, one that reached 17,000 feet at the top of our pass! We also did a rural homestay, often a highlight of Dragons trips. Getting to build connections with the local people, often with a heavy language barrier, is one of the most fulfilling and challenging parts of a course.

Another core piece was visiting different monasteries and learning about Tibetan Buddhism. Our instructors helped us understand Buddhist philosophy and practice as we got these new experiences, and it was really interesting to get a ley perspective on Buddhism.

Dragons fosters a very open, caring community, which has allowed me to grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually over these last two summers. I am forever grateful for the wonderful relationship with instructors and other students I have built. I have developed a true love for Himalayan culture, and there is no doubt that this course has changed the trajectory of my life.

This was my second Where There Be Dragons summer course in the Himalaya--and I was far from disappointed. Having previously spent a summer in Nepal, I thought the two trips may be too similar, and feared being bored on the trip. This was not the case, as both courses were uniquely led and approached from vastly different angles.

Similar to every Dragons instructor I've met, my three instructors were a dynamic force to be reckoned with, and offered unconditional support, prompted intellectual/physical challenges, and had an astute ability to gauge safety of the group throughout our month in North India.

If you are a student looking to immerse yourself in a new culture, spend time exploring the most breathtaking landscape, familiarize yourself with Tibetan Buddhism, gain outdoor skills (camping/mountaineering/trekking), experience living with a family in a country thousands of miles from home, or simply embark on an amazing adventure, I couldn't recommend this course more.

Full disclosure: This course is trekking-intensive, which should not be overlooked by prospective students. Though this was a major draw to me, some found it challenging--but all got through with smiles! :)