Take an extremely educational tour of India, a country with a very old culture and tradition! India is located in South Asia and spreads over a large part of the Indian subcontinent! With a population of over a billion people, India is the second largest country in the world, but also a meeting place for many cultures, peoples and religions and therefore particularly recommendable for a study trip in a class of its own! So explore India’s big cities on a round trip, such as the capital New Delhi, Mumbai (until 1995 Bombay) – with 13 million inhabitants the largest city in the country, Bengaluru, Kolkata (until 2001 Calcutta, in German Calcutta), Chennai (until 1996 Madras ) or Agra with the nearby, world famous Taj Mahal. Visit the many sights that these metropolises have to offer. Discover the many sights of India on a group tour, but also the diverse nature and the diverse fauna of this particularly worth visiting country!
Ganges
The Ganges is the second largest river in India. On its 2,600 kilometers, it not only passes numerous sights, but is also a cultural attraction as the sacred river of the Hindus. It is divided into three areas: its upper reaches in the Himalaya Mountains, the Ganges plain and the Ganges delta.
Traveling along the Ganges promise a unique view of the religious life in India, which takes place in close proximity to the holy river.
From the Himalayas to the Rishikesh yoga center
The Indian region of Garhwal is home to the lowest of five sacred estuaries, the so-called Panch Prayag. It is formed from the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers. At the source of the Bhagirathi, called Gaumukh, there is also the pilgrimage town of Gangotri with the temple of the river goddess Ganga. The Ganges is considered to be her personification. Another place worth seeing in the upper reaches of the Ganges is the culturally significant city of Rishikesh. It is particularly suitable for study trips by tourists who want to deal with the spiritual side of India. Not far from here, the Ganges also passes the impressive scenic foothills of the Siwaliks.
The Kumbh Mela and holy cities
In Haridwar, one of the seven holy cities, the Ganges reaches the Ganges plain. Along with Allahabad, Nashik and Ujjain, Haridwar is one of the four cities where the Kumbh Mela takes place on the banks of the Ganges. This religious festival, which takes place every three years when the city is changing, is considered the largest in the world. Its highlights are the ablutions in the river and the gathering of the holy sadhus and the Shahi Snans, the royal processions. Other important cities that the Ganges passes in the plain are the industrial city of Kanpur, Varanasi, the most important city for Hinduism, and Patna, which is also one of the holy cities.
Beyond the borders of India
According to topschoolsintheusa, the Ganges delta consists of around 240 rivers, covers an area of 140,000 square kilometers and thus forms the largest river delta in the world. It stretches across areas of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, the People’s Republic of China and Bhutan. On the banks of the Ganges, referred to here as Hugli, lies the city of Kolkata or Calcutta, capital of the former crown colony of British India and to this day one of the most important cities in India in terms of economy, culture and education.
Pushkar Camel Market
A must-see highlight: the Pushkar camel market
There is hardly an animal that we associate with long-distance travel and the Orient like the camels, which are not called “desert ships” for nothing…
It is believed that camels were domesticated in pre-Christian times.
Ancient pets and farm animals:
As a supplier of wool, milk and meat, but also as a riding and pack animal that was used both civilly and militarily.
Today, however, camels are used more peacefully. For camel safaris and camel races, which are extremely popular with package travelers and study trips. This also applies to the large animal and camel markets – the camel market in Pushkar, India must not be missed on any study trip.
Thousands upon thousands of magnificently decorated animals!
In fact, an estimated 70 percent of all camels in India (which are actually dromedaries) live here, in the state of Rajasthan, because the climate here is particularly ideal for the “desert ships”. Because they are particularly well adapted to heat and drought and can cope well with adverse climatic conditions.
For the locals, the camels are pure farm animals to this day, whereas for vacationers and study travelers, folklore and exotic appeal are also important. A colorful and foreign hustle and bustle that fascinates countless holidaymakers, especially at the famous Pushkar camel market.
Because from the end of October to the beginning of November a huge camel market takes place here, which is also a gigantic folk festival. A feast for the eyes and an occasion to take pictures. Because musicians, traders and showmen enchant tourists from all over the world.
More than just a folk festival
With that, the otherwise quiet and contemplative village life seems to be over for the next few days. Food stalls are being set up everywhere and we Europeans hear foreign rhythms.
The main actors themselves are honored with an animal beauty contest and camel races. You can spend the night in the hotels in the surrounding area, but also on the market itself – provided that you have booked in good time.
The hustle and bustle is accompanied by ritual ablutions and the worship of Indian deities. For thousands of locals who flock to the camel market, the event is not only a unique tribal meeting, but also a kind of pilgrimage and ritual act:
Especially as study and educational travelers, we should therefore treat the traditions of the host country with the necessary respect!
Trekking in Sikkim
So close to the icy giants:
Study trips can also go off the beaten track. Because educational travelers don’t always have to be in cities or ancient palace complexes …
In fact, trekking tours in Sikkim are the highlight of any trip to India.
The roof of the world at a glance:
Because here, in the Himalayas, between Nepal, China and Butane, holidaymakers can expect a terrific experience. The whole state is more or less mountainous, the northern part even as rugged high mountains. So it’s no wonder that only a few people live here in India’s second smallest state.
The capital is Gangtok, which is believed to mean “sublime hill”. A fitting term for the headquarters of the former kingdom, which today welcomes holidaymakers with sights such as Mahtama Gandhi Road, the main shopping street.
The Himalayan Zoological Park with its collar bears, snow leopards and small pandas (also called red panda) should definitely be visited; The monasteries are also worth a visit.
Religion & Culture:
The most common religion in Sikkim is Hinduism; but Buddhists and Christians (around 10 percent of the population) are also represented here. Muslims, on the other hand, are a minority in Sikkim. Sikkim has been
shaped and changed in recent years by its immigrants from Nepal. The seat of parliament is the already mentioned Gangtok.
Here, in the old kingdom, holidaymakers and study travelers can expect, above all, a grandiose experience of nature. A world under the spell of the ice giants. A world that is also shaped by forests, rhododendron groves and tea plantations.
A good physical condition is a must, especially for trekking tours. March to July are a good time to travel here, as snow falls by October / November at the latest.
In total, the region has over 200 monasteries to offer. Agriculture is still an important economic factor in Sikkim. And, thanks to study trips, tourism is also gaining ground.
Incidentally, more and more locals and wealthy Indians are discovering Sikkim as a travel destination – and they must know where it is particularly beautiful in their country!
