The way away from future ‘ecological doom’ comes from sensitizing the people of tomorrow to as many beautiful ecosystems of the present-day world. The philosophy behind Beyond The Wall’s Discover Himalayas Program is built on this. Having explored the Himalayas for most of our adult lives, we have come to realize that the more we connect with the great outdoors, the better we connect with ourselves. In lands yet untouched by technology, we see the real machinery of local communities working in great rhythm to help us with our travels and keep their lands clean and functional, and calming. Every land we’ve crossed has piqued our curiosity for the charms of the next, and every time we have been spellbound. That is the sense of wonder we aim to inspire.
Be it through rock climbing and challenging our individual strengths, or pitching tents and cooking together in the wilderness, we devised ways to function as a strong team and felt safe sharing ideas. We developed an awareness of simple things like LNT, respecting people, being kind and curious, and exploring the unknown without harming it. We learned to pack our bags right so they don’t weigh us down. Building mud houses, we reveled in our love for all things natural and are progressing towards becoming the guardians of a better world.
The Discover Himalayas Program philosophizes this very journey to becoming masters of the wild, to continually protect the very pillars of Self, Community, Earth, and Wonder.
Below is a month-long program designed specifically for kids from the US, to introduce them to the Himalayas and its wilderness. The chosen locations are two geographically different terrains of the Himalayas, from evergreen forests to a high altitude desert thus curating an experience of a lifetime.
Who is the program for?
Are you or your child between 16-20 years old and curious about the mighty Himalayas? Its magnificent trails, meandering rivers, unique cultures, and delicious local cuisines? Have you also been a part of summer camps in the USA? This one is for you!
The idea behind the Discover Himalayas program is to provide an opportunity to test the skills you've learned and to apply your learnings and outdoor experiences in a broader and different geographical environment. It is designed for those kids who want to experience the might of the Himalayas, immerse themselves in Indian culture, face the adventures it will throw at them, and come out with the knowledge that can be gained by truly being in the Himalayas.
From a high-altitude trekking expedition to whitewater rafting, and community service to a natural building course, this month-long camp is designed to provide a wholesome experience in some of the most challenging environments in India. Along with this, we also have 5 slots open on a scholarship basis for kids from the South Asian Region to complete this cultural exchange, fostering an environment where they can learn from the kids from the States and vice versa.
Program Calendar
July - August 2024
Program Itinerary
12 July - Campers board an International flight from Denver Airport along with Instructors from the USA.
13 July -The program starts: Reach Delhi International Airport and meet the team of Beyond The Wall. Check-in and rest.
14 July -Acclimatize to the time zone and orientation.
15 July - One-day road trip from Delhi to Agra to visit one of the wonders of the world: The Taj Mahal.
16 July - Fly to Dehradun ( a 45-minute flight) the gateway to the Himalayas from Delhi, From there, a two-hour drive will get us to Mussoorie. End the day with a briefing about the Mussoorie chapter.
17- 19 July - Attend a Wilderness First Aid Course with Hanifl Centre.
20 July - Fly from Dehradun to Leh - A 6-hour journey with a 3-hour layover in Delhi. This will get us to the Greater Himalayas, the location for the rest of the program.
21 July - Since Leh is at an altitude of 11,480 ft we will have an acclimatization day with an excursion walk around the palace.
22 - 23 July - Natural building in a local village along with farming with the local community and interaction with SECMOL.
24 -25 July - River rafting trip and overnight camping in a local remote village.
26 July - Rest and visit Leh Palace.
27 -30 July - Rock Climbing: Get comfortable with top rope climbing and top rope belaying, learn lead climbing and lead belaying, and anchor building.
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Mountain Biking: Get comfortable with the 5 core skills of mountain biking(body position, braking, climbing, descending, cornering) and go on a long-distance mountain biking trip.
1 Aug - Planning and Preparation for the long trek to Markha Valley
2 - 8 Aug - Wilderness Backpacking to the high altitude trek in Markha Valley: Planning and Preparation, Navigation, Map and Compass, Food Preparation and Cooking, camp craft. We’ll cover a distance of 40 miles and reach a maximum altitude of 17,060 ft.
9 Aug - Head back to Leh for the closing ceremony and campfire.
10 Aug - Fly from Leh to Delhi and get on to the international flight to USA. ( 1hr 30min).
Locations
New Delhi and Agra- The capital city of India is a unique amalgamation of history and modern society. One moment you could be walking amongst tall skyscrapers and suddenly come across an old Mughal fort or a dome. To be honest, it could be a lot to take in as soon as you land, it is the India that is depicted on TV- the crowd, people, noise. But we chose Delhi due to its proximity to the Himalayas and the international airport. It is also close to Agra where we have the mesmerizing Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. After a day's trip to the Taj, we will begin our Himalayan adventure
Mussoorie, Uttarakhand (6,600 ft) - Located eight hours from Delhi, this small Himalayan town is home to the famous writer Ruskin Bond. Surrounded by tall pine trees and dense jungles, this hill station will be a wonderful contrast to the hustle and bustle of Delhi. Discovery of the Himalayas truly begins here. July is the monsoon season, so be prepared to be engulfed in clouds almost all the time. As it is perched on top of the mountain, after sunset, it is the place to be. You get to see a twinkling city of stars - the capital city of Uttrakhand, Dehradun which lies on its foothills, making it a magical place.
After doing Wilderness First Aid certification from HANIFL Centre, you will move towards your first camping experience in the Himalayas.
Leh, Ladakh (11,500 ft) -This high-altitude Himalayan desert region is the complete opposite of the rainy wet evergreen forests of Mussoorie, enabling you to see the ever-changing landscapes of the Himalaya. Double-humped camels, Buddhist monasteries, a dry arid climate, crystal clear lakes, serene rivers, and deep blue skies form the landscape of this region. Traditional houses made with clay/soil are present in abundance, merging towns and villages with their surrounding, making this region very unique. Compared to the rest of India, you won't find the blustering crowded streets or noisy roads here, you just might find peace!
You will undertake most of the outdoor adventures here from rock climbing, mountain biking, and river rafting to the weeklong wilderness backpacking reaching a maximum altitude of 17,000 feet!
Program Breakdown
Adventure in Altitude
Trek Expedition- Embark on the exhilarating Markha Valley trek in Ladakh, an adventure that blends breathtaking beauty with a touch of challenge. This remarkable journey takes you through diverse landscapes, from verdant meadows to barren terrains, immersing you in nature's masterpiece. The trek, while demanding, rewards you with awe-inspiring sights and cultural encounters in remote Ladakhi villages. You will have to push your limits as you ascend to the highest point of the trek, the Kongmaru La pass, all while navigating on your own and cooking your own meals in the wilderness. Also, carrying your own backpack is taken for granted, isn't it?
Mountain Biking - A 25-mile cycling trip from the city of Leh to the town of Tsogsti will be planned across a stretch of 4 days. You will be cycling through a steep gorge, with the Indus River flowing below, across many small villages of Ladakh, and of course on the highway. There could be chances of seeing slight snow and dips in temperatures as we leave the city of Leh into the deeper reaches of the Himalayas and the challenges it throws at this altitude will be very real.
Rock Climbing - In this activity, the kids will be taught various skills required to become independent rock climbers. Climbing on Himalayan rocks in the 'Shey' climbing area comes with its own challenges. You will learn how to set up your own anchor, learn to navigate new routes and rocks, and get introduced to soft lead climbing which will help you get independent in your climbing journey. We will also teach you how to set up a rappelling line and how to rappel independently.
White Water Rafting -This multi-day river rafting trip in Ladakh will evoke a thrill like no other. Settled in the lap of the Himalayas, the difficult terrain has two swift rivers- the Indus River and the Zanskar River with exciting rapids, perfect for river rafting. You can choose the rapid based on the level of difficulty you are willing to undertake since the rivers have rapids ranging from level I to level IV, all under the supervision of trained instructors. We will be camping by the riverbed at night and rafting during the day, making this a wholesome experience.
Community service
Teaching - Unfortunately, remote villages in the Himalayan region still lack good-quality schools and teachers. Many kids are still forced to walk for hours to reach a school, rain or shine only to be given poor-quality of education.
So, they welcome folks from the city and abroad with wide open arms. A few sessions with them might give them stories to last a lifetime. And it could also help you understand the value of the small things that are usually taken for granted.
Waste Management in Remote Regions -Being far away from cities without basic road access, most villages in the Himalayas don't have public dustbins or a waste management system in place. Their only option is to throw it or burn it. Since plastic catches fire easily, it is freely used to light a fire in most homes. Their excuse - With the amount of pollution the city folks, their cars and factories produce, what harm can these small wrappers cause,
So, this is where, we, the experienced city folks can step in, to create an awareness about the harms of breathing the toxic air and the microplastics in the soil. Since we understand the harm it is causing, this could be the perfect opportunity to talk to them and come up with a solution to be a part of a change that could help save the environment.
Farming - The true facet of Indian agrarian society is seen in these small villages. Almost every house owns farmlands and most people work 365 days to tend to their farm, and their cattle and live an extremely hard and healthy life. You can be part of this by trying your hand at farming. We will take you to a field, along with the local villagers and teach you the basics of farming, its natural fertilizers, seasons, water harvesting and the other nitty-gritty details which help grow organic crops in this high-altitude region.
Building with natural materials
Mud Oven - A way of reconnecting with nature can be by working with mud. Putting your hands and feet into the soil, mixing it and building something beautiful with it can be a personal achievement for many. Even better if a pizza could come out of it, isn't it? This is why, we have building a cob oven as an activity where kids will be involved in designing, constructing and sculpting the oven.
This can help showcase how strong an element mud can be and start a thought process of how the construction industry could look into a sustainable future with natural mud homes instead of just cement and glass.
WFA certification
Wilderness First Aid Certification-
The kids will go through a two-and-a-half-day certification course from the HANIFL centre in Mussoorie on Wilderness First Aid. This course is designed for people who have little or no experience in this field and will be beneficial for kids who want to take responsibility for friends and family while in the outdoors.
After this course, during the length of the program, the kids might get opportunities to use what they learnt in real-life scenarios, boosting their confidence in being in the wilderness.
Local culture
Just like every country in Europe has its own unique language and customs, every state in India has different customs and languages! This program takes the kids through three such different cities within a distance of 600 miles. While Delhi has its crowds, its tuk-tuks, its streets filled with aromatic street foods and Mughal architecture, Mussoorie is about a cold wet mountain life, with a few British buildings and churches scattered in between.
Leh is a completely different ballgame, with Buddhist and Muslim customs overlapping, hot kawa tea poured in abundance and momos, soupy noodles and flatbread being a part of their everyday diet.
This trip to India will open your eyes to how drastically customs, cuisine and cultures change, providing an opportunity to experience it while being able to share your thoughts, your cultures and food habits.
And yes being a vegetarian in India can be exceptionally easy, you will get to see why.
Sight-seeing
Taj Mahal - One of the seven wonders of the world, this monument is the tomb of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan and his wife, a symbol of love. Built by Shah Jahan in the 16th century as the resting place for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, this 400-year-old monument still stands strong on the banks of the river Yamuna. The white marble facade of the huge dome and its humungous scale make it a monument like no other.
Leh Palace - This Palace is a massive 9 storied structure, overlooking the city of Leh. Built with mud bricks, it now holds a rich collection of jewellery, ornaments, ceremonial dresses and crown. The upper floors of the palace were used as the residence of the royal family members with balconies overlooking the entire city of Leh, and the lower floors comprised of stables and storerooms.
Monastery - Being a Buddhist town, the city of Leh is home to plenty of Monasteries. One such famous one is the Hemis Monastery. Located on the outskirts of Leh, Hemis Monastery lies on the banks of the Indus River. It is believed to be the biggest and richest monastery of Ladakh and is hidden inside a gorge-like formation. During the 9th and 10th days of the fifth month of the Tibetan calendar, one can witness the famous masked dances.
Cultural exchange
Along with the 15 kids from the US, there'll be 5 kids from India joining the program. With this mix of Indian and American kids and instructors, this program will provide a unique platform for a cultural exchange in the outdoors.
Experiencing life in the remote Himalayas can be a life-changing event for most people. This will be an ideal platform to immerse oneself in a different culture, be a part of it, share various perspectives and learn from it.
Safety
We understand safety is of paramount importance when working with kids, especially in remote regions like the Himalaya. To ensure maximum safety we have listed certain safety protocols we follow below. These protocols are designed with years of experience working in the Indian Himalayas and keeping local resources in mind.
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Having a Doctor on board from day 1 to day 29
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Having daily communication between ground staff and the office team.
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Backup vehicle to act as an ambulance which will always contain medical aids and supplies.
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Maintaining a High Instructor: Student Ratio.
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All the Instructors are certified, experienced and are WFR (Wilderness First Responders)
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Working with local authorities like Forest Department, NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), and Police Department to ensure the availability of local resources.
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Use of only Certified adventure equipment.
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Carrying Oxygen Cylinders with the team at all times during the high altitude part of the program.
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Carrying a Walkie Talkie to help communication between teams.
Visual Content Creation
We would like to document the entire trip and provide showcase videos and photographs at the end of their journey. We have a strong content team that is more than used to rappelling down hills to click those perfect shots in the outdoors by being able to reach those unreachable places and shoot in those unseen landscapes.
These are some videos created by our team to help you give more insight into our team and also the Himalayas.
Program Fees
Price - 9100 USD (includes Goods & Service Tax at 5%)
Dates - 13th July - 10th August, 2024 (29 Days)
Includes-
Travel
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Two international flights: Denver, USA ⇄ New Delhi, India
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Three domestic flights: New Delhi to Dehradun, Dehradun to Leh, leh to New Delhi.
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All intra-India road travel via minibuses, and cars.
Meals – All meals from the time of arrival in New Delhi on Day 1 till Departure from New Delhi on Day 29.
Meals include but are not limited to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks/refreshments.
Accommodation – Dormitory beds at Hanifl centre, double/triple sharing rooms in 3-star hotel rooms in Leh & New Delhi, double sharing tents on field days.
Staff – Dedicated staff which includes the Instructor team, Operations & Logistics team, and Medical team.
(International flight expense for USA based Instructors and team who will accompany the kids from Denver to Denver also included)
Equipment – All group camping gear, adventure gear, safety equipment, medical kits and aids, and backup vehicles.
Permits – All kinds of entry tickets, forest/national park fees, toll taxes.
Travel Insurance – We provide travel and medical insurance as part of this program. The specific details of this travel insurance will be shared with the parents/guardian before the start of the trip. The general details of the said insurance can be found in our getting ready guide.
Excludes -
Any medical, evacuation and emergency bills outside the scope of travel insurance, visa-related expenses, immunization or vaccinations, any meals during international travel, and anything apart from ‘includes’.
Register/Schedule Call
We have 15 seats on a first come first serve basis. You can fill out the form below to schedule a call with our Program Director - Himanshu Thapa to address any of the questions you might have. The form below is also the first step to securing your spot and starting the registration process.
You can also download the 'Getting Ready Guide' here, which contains detailed information regarding required forms, on-trip communication, financial information, packing list, policies and procedures.
FAQs
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Where is Beyond The Wall (BTW)?
The company is based out of Dehradun, located in the lower regions of the Himalayas in the state of Uttarakhand. However, our reach in the Himalayas is wide, and based on the requirements of the programs we use different locations in the Himalayas.
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What will the weather be like?
India is vast and diverse so every region experiences different weather. As for our program, during the month of July, the monsoon begins in the Himalayas and it will be rainy in Mussoorie. But a majority of our program will be in Leh which is a high-altitude desert of the higher Himalayas so scattered showers can be expected here with a dry arid climate for the rest of the time.
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Why has this program been designed?
This program will give campers an opportunity to experience outdoors in a different geographical location, with different cultures, and adventures that come in the Himalayas.
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How will my child get to the camp?
Two of the instructors coming from the USA will be flying will all the kids from a common airport in the US to Delhi International Airport. Our staff will meet the campers and the instructors at the airport, and be with them till their return flight.
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Is it going to be a co-ed program?
Yes, it’s going to be a co-ed program. We have an equal ratio of male and female instructors. However, the accommodation spaces including those for outdoor camping will be separate, on the same property.
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What kind of medical care do you provide?
For the entire program, from New Delhi to New Delhi, we will have a qualified doctor with medical equipment travelling with us. We will also be in touch with hospitals that provide quality medical assistance and accept international medical insurance.
Added to that, all the instructors will be Wilderness First Responders.
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What sort of food will be provided?
We will provide all meals keeping in mind the nutrition intake, taste, health, food allergies and food preferences like vegetarian, and vegan of the kids. It will be a mix of Indian* and International cuisine.
*Food is definitely something that helps in experiencing different cultures. So, in different locations, campers will get to taste some local cuisine, all while keeping their food allergies in mind.
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Would you allow electronic devices in the program?
Consistent with our goals of promoting self-reliance, strong social connections, and appreciation of the natural world, we limit the use of electronics and phones during the program.
While the kids will be writing letters, since the distance is far, we will use a faster means of exchanging them using an official WhatsApp or email account. Photos of the letters will be sent to the parents, and printouts of the letters written in return will be shared with the kids.
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What is the Visa process for USA minors travelling to India?
The most suitable one for this program is an e-tourist visa which is for those visiting India for tourism purposes, such as sightseeing, visiting friends and family, or attending cultural events.
You can check the following links to get an idea about the process - Link 1, Link 2
We can guide you through the Visa process if you need help. Also please note that the Indian government doesn’t issue visas on arrival.
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What vaccinations will they need?
In the detailed guide which we will share in August, we will provide this detail.
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How to get in touch with BTW?
Through mail info@beyondthewall.co.in
Or you can connect on our personal numbers.
+919368902524- Himanshu Thapa
The number is active on WhatsApp too.
Or through the 'Get in Touch' form on this Page.
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What is Beyond The Walls' experience in handling kids?
The core members of the BTW have been working in the outdoors for the past 7 to 8 years both domestically and internationally. One of the co-founders has worked with Sanborn Western Camp for two summers and one fall session. As an organization, we started working with kids in 2021.
We successfully conducted our first summer camp in the month of June 2023.
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What about Medical and travel insurance?
US medical insurance is valid in most hospitals in India. In all the locations of the summer camp, we have located such hospitals for emergencies. Suitable Travel insurance will be included in the program.
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How will the kids travel within India?
Throughout the program, the modes of transport are either by flight or 12-setter vans.
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What about Water safety? Will they get packaged drinking water?
We will make sure that the water provided in hotels is all treated and safe. Packaged water can be provided on request though we avoid using too many plastic bottles for environmental reasons.
When outdoors we will be using different water purification tablets like iodine and water filtration equipment.
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What are the toilets like? Will they get tissues?
When in hotels and homestays you will get hygienic toilets with water jets and tissues with western toilet systems. When in outdoors you can use your personal tissues or group tissues in the woods.
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Laundry? Does my kid have to clean all his clothes by hand?
A laundry facility will be provided by us in all the cities.
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Is helicopter evacuation an option during emergencies in remote regions?
Yes, it will be included in the travel insurance.
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How much money to carry?
We will give these details in the 'Getting ready guide'
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Will the pollution levels of Delhi affect the kids?
Pollution levels are a concern, though the pollution levels during that time of the year are lowest.
Get In touch
Text or Call us on Whatsapp + 91 9368902524 [Himanshu Thapa]
or Email us at info@beyondthewall.co.in