India - Inbound Travel Group

India is home to all of the major religions of the world and is the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. Many people also come to India to find spirituality, practising yoga or attending a meditation retreat in an ashram. India’s natural heritage is extraordinary. The country has over 70 national parks and forested areas to protect endangered species like the Bengal Tiger, Lion, Asiatic Elephant, Siberian Crane, Wild Dogs and a wide variety of other animals and birds. These reserves and forest areas from The Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan to the Hazaribagh Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar, from the foothills of Himalayas, with the Jim Corbett National park to the collection of four National parks in central India, offer a wildlife circuit that is an incredible treat, unmatched by any other experience. This vivid forested land has been an inspiration to many writers including Rudyard Kipling who wrote about it in his Jungle Book.

Over the last 12 years, we have developed an substantial travel programs that educate and empower students. Community service is a major focus of our operations and our students support education projects, drinking water projects, wildlife rehabilitation, charities, earthquake and tsunami relief rebuilding, aged care facilities, and environmental conservation projects. Programs range in length from 5-30 days and typically combine service-learning with adventure activities such as ziplining in an historic fort, riding camels in Thar Desert, trekking in Himalayas and swimming in backwaters of South India while living on a houseboat.

Our local team has a wealth of experience managing student travel programs across India, achieving consistently high net promoter scores for our clients. Please contact us at hello@inboundtravel.com to discuss partnership opportunities in India.

Your Students Will...

Learn about the world’s largest democracy and country which is home of all the religions in the world from our local staff as well as refuge home for Tibetans and His Holiness Dalai Lama.
Connect with a culture that is 5,000 years old through service projects and cross-cultural immersion in remote Indian villages.
Support ongoing community service projects that educate students while making positive contributions to local communities.
Build new infrastructure for schools and homes that have been affected by tsunami, working alongside community members.
Meet with NGOs, community leaders, teachers, doctores and entrepreneurs to gain deeper understandings of India and its people.
Explore “The Taj Mahal”, Fort and Palaces to Desert, Himalayas, backwaters, beaches and national parks of India.
Cruise along the Kerala backwaters in houseboat cruises, a network of tranquil canals and lagoons and immerse in Indian daily life.
Rehabilitate natiive animals through our wildlife conservation program and learn about environmental threats to Indian Elephant’s currently facing an extinction crisis.
Travel through the hustle and bustle of cities to camel back in the “Thar Desert”, camp under billions of stars, swim in backwaters and hike into breathtaking Himalayas.

India

Sudarshan

Director

Sudarshan completed his Post Grad in Hospitality and Tourism management. He worked in a production house as location manager and manager for an inbound luxury travel operator in India. With an education degree from JNV university from Jodhpur, Sudarshan passion for outdoor education and providing hands on experience inspires him to provide innovative programs for students in India and Nepal. Sudarshan loves to play cricket and listen to country music.

Local Team

Abhimanyu Singh Bhati

Program leader South Asia

Born and brought up in Jodhpur, one of the Best cultural cities of Rajasthan in India, Abhimanyu always had a great interest in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry. After completing his degree in Hospitality Management from Institute of Hotel Management, Aurangabad (Taj Group), he worked with Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace and ITC. He also runs a Hotel Management Academy in Jodhpur and trains students professionally in this field all across Rajasthan. Abhimanyu believes in learning through travelling and has a keen interest in the outdoor educational Industry. He is a certified wilderness first responder by NOLS India. He loves talking about art, culture and history, and has interest in cricket and football.

Komal Patel

Program leader South Asia

Komal works as Outdoor Educator using the concept of experiential learning. She has worked in many parts of India with various schools and corporate groups from different sectors. Komal was associated with the TA Pai Management Institute as their outdoor faculty for six years. She has done courses in mountaineering, skiing, wilderness first responder and experiential learning pedagogy.

Kishan Singh

Groups Manager

Kishan was born and brought up in Jodhpur, a small but very beautiful town in Rajasthan, from a very early age Kishan was passionate about exploring different parts of the world and experiencing different cultures. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree in business, Kishan went Australia for hospitality management and then the UK for his MBA. After his masters, he realized that the most suitable job for him would be in the travel industry. Kishan has led and managed programs in India, Nepal, Tanzania and the Balkans. Kishan is very passionate about sharing the culture and history of India, and loves to discuss critical issues in India, the world and their potential sustainable solutions. Kishan enjoys playing squash, cricket and reading books.

Divya SP

Community Impact Manager - Nepal & India

Divya after completing her Masters in Tourism Marketing she worked extensively with Thomas Cook in Conference and Event Management Industry in India. She has led programs in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, Nepal and Fiji. With a passion to work with the community and youth, she has been an integral part in designing and executing service projects in India and Nepal. Her cooking skills and bubbly nature makes her extremely popular among students.

Sample Itinerary

Sample Itinerary 1

Sample Itinerary 1

Day 1: Welcome to India!

Welcome to Kerala! Land in Cochi (COK) to meet your trip leaders eagerly awaiting your arrival. Once everyone collects their baggage, grab lunch at a nearby restaurant and head straight to Alleppey where you will settle into a traditional Ketuvallam Houseboat with a formal welcome from our local staff and an overview of the week to come.

Life on the boat is comfortable, with spacious bedrooms, a great lounge area, bathrooms, and delicious, healthy meals prepared by local chefs. Take your time to soak in the down-south vibes while sipping on fresh coconuts and speaking your first words of Malayalam, the language of Kerala.

Later in the evening, we will break into smaller groups and begin lesson planning for education exchange the next day in nearby schools. Local staff will help students design their lesson plans and work alongside them to make the experience as fun and impactful as possible. Tonight, your group will have the first of a series of nightly reflections and discussion periods. Tonight’s discussion will revolve around how we conceptualize “service.”

Overnight: Houseboat, Alleppey

Day 2: Experience Houseboat Living

Catch a flight from Delhi to Cochin, then head directly to Alleppey where you will settle into a traditional Ketuvallam houseboat. Once you’re settled in, break into smaller groups and begin lesson planning for an afternoon in a nearby school. Design your lesson plans with help from local staff to make them as fun and impactful as possible. Head to the school for an afternoon of service work, then return to the houseboat for a friendly canoe race among your group and take a stroll through the paddy fields.

Tonight, your group will have the first of a series of nightly reflections and discussion periods. Tonight’s discussion will revolve around how we conceptualize service.

Overnight: Ketuvallam Houseboat

Day 3: Education Service

Continue your service at the nearby school, splitting your time between teaching and working on a small construction project designed with the school principal. In the afternoon, hop aboard a rickshaw and visit Santhwan Home for students with intellectual disabilities. Meet the students who call this place home, learn about their lives, and share your own stories over afternoon tea.

In the evening, take a dip in the peaceful Kerala backwaters right off the deck of your mobile boat home! Join your group for a post-service debrief in the evening, discussing what you experienced and learned through hands-on work in the community.

Overnight: Ketuvallam Houseboat

Day 4: Swimming and Service

Head back to the school for another morning of service and then visit the Santhwan Home to continue the interactions and activities from the previous day.

In the evening, take an (optional) trip to the beach for swimming or camel rides! Then settle back into your houseboat home for a sadyadinner and a chance to reflect in your journal about your experience on the program so far.

Overnight: Ketuvallam Houseboat

Day 5: Paddle on Vembanand Lake

After another morning of service at the school visit Santhi Bhawan, a home for the elderly. Spend time with the residents, help build a vegetable garden, and harvest tapioca. In the evening, paddle in traditional country boats through the secluded waterways of Vembanand Lake. Pass by small villages and see how village life is attuned to the waterways of this area.

Overnight: Ketuvallam Houseboat

Daay 6 & 7: Experience a Festival and Ayurveda

Focus on cultural immersion these two days. Participate in an Onam festival that welcomes the Gods to Kerala. Create beautiful patterns from freshly picked flowers on the deck of your boat, dress in traditional Indian clothing, and have a huge feast on banana leaves as you dive into the local culture.

You’ll also have the chance to get a massage in the birthplace of the Ayurveda massage. In the evening, enjoy your last sunset cruise through Kerala’s backwater canals, lakes, and rivers.

Overnight: Ketuvallam Houseboat

Day 8: Namaste, India!

Return to life on land today and say goodbye to the waterways and the houseboat that was home. It will be a strange transition to ‘land legs’ once again! Head back to Cochin, stopping for lunch along the way. Depending on your flight timing today you might have a chance to explore a few more local bazaars, or otherwise head to the airport to catch your flight back home.

Before departing, you’ll have one more celebratory meal with your program leaders and will wrap up the trip with a final discussion and reflection. We hope you’ve had a wonderful time in Kerala and trust that the lessons you’ve learned, people you’ve met and experiences you’ve shared will serve you in all our future endeavors. Safe travels and we hope to see you again soon!