By joining a community project in the Himalayan state of Himachal Pradesh, our backpackers have a cultural experience which is both authentic and rewarding. With the aim of improving public facilities in a typical rural village and bringing an awareness to important social issues; they take part in the satisfying work of the restoration of an impoverished nursery. Spare time is taken up with workshops on aspects of Indian culture including cooking, yoga and massage. As they discover true Indian culture first hand & interact with local people & children, this project is a tough yet touching experience.

In addition to the work in Himachal, Derek and Deirdre take a trip to Amritsar, the holiest town of the Sikh religion & visit the awesome Golden Temple. The pair also see the impressive Taj Mahal and alongside witness local poverty in the contrast that is India. They also attend the truly bizarre and fever-pitched ceremony that takes place every evening in Attari, symbolically sealing the only road border between India and Pakistan for the night. With day & night long train journeys and acclimatisation to a different culture and cuisine our adventurers learn just as much about themselves as they do about this fascinating country.