Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, Colorado (Sept. 16-19):    

For three days team members will live together in residence at the YMCA of the Rockies Conference Centre in Estes Park, Colorado. In the midst of this spectacular Rocky Mountain setting they will take part in a series of orientation workshops covering topics such as team building, health and safety, cultural sensitivity, and more, in preparation for their time abroad.

*A detailed orientation schedule will be handed out upon arrival in Colorado.

Flight to Asia (Sept. 19-20):

The Team will depart Colorado’s Rocky mountains on the morning of Sept.19. They will fly together from Denver, across the Pacific Ocean, to Bangkok, Thailand.

*Participants will receive a detailed flight itinerary before the start of the program.

Bangkok (Sept.20-22):

On the evening of Sept.22, the team will board an overnight train heading north to Chiang Mai.

Chiang Mai (Sept.23-24):

Time to explore the many temples and bustling markets of Thailand’s large northern capital city.

On the 24th, travel by bus to village homestay.

Village Homestay (Sept.24-Oct.1):

For one week the team will live in homes with Thai families in a small village about two hours outside of Chiang Mai. They will learn about local life by living it themselves.  Days will be split up into three sections. Early mornings will be spent helping families with household work and chores, and possibly work in the fields or forest. Late mornings will be spent attending workshops on local culture and sustainable living techniques, including organic food production, and natural building. Late afternoons the team will be running a "camp" for local children to teach them English and about North American culture through a variety of activities.

On the morning of Oct.1, the team will depart the village and travel  north by truck and bus to Chiang Rai.

Trek in Northern Mountains (Oct.1-6):

The team will trek for four days through the northern hills outside of Chiang Rai. Along the way they will stay overnight with host families in tribal villages. On the last day they will return to Chiang Rai and have the opportunity to explore the city's night markets.

On Oct.6 the team will travel by bus from Chiang Rai back to Chiang Mai and then will take an overnight train from Chiang Mai to Ayuthaya.

Ayuthaya (Oct.7-8):

On bicycle, the group will explore the spectacular remains of this ancient Thai capital city. Overnight train on the 8th from Ayuthaya south to Ranong / Ko Lao.

Ko Lao (Island) (Oct.9-14): 

Five days will be spent living with the Moken ("Sea Gypsy") community in this small southern fishing village that was completely wiped out by the tsunami of December 2004. The team will work on a project to help with the continuing efforts of the people in this village to rebuild, and improve, their lives.

Ko Chang (Island) (Oct.14-16): 

A few days to explore pristine island beaches, swim, snorkel, relax and reflect on the Thailand experience.  Return to mainland and travel by overnight train to Bangkok on the 16th.

Bangkok (Oct.17-18): 

Site seeing. Free time. Thailand wrap-up.

Flight to India (Oct.18): 

The Team will fly together from Bangkok to Delhi, India.

*Participants will receive a detailed flight itinerary before the start of the program.

Jaipur (Oct.18-23):

From Delhi, the team will travel south by bus directly to Jaipur. For five days the team will live with host families in this colorful, culturally rich, bustling capital city of Rajasthan. Here, they will begin getting acquainted with Indian life. Each day will start with a yoga class, followed by survival Hindi language lessons. Days will be rounded out with various excursions within the city, visits to local sites, and introductory talks and workshops on various aspects of India’s culture and history.

Travel by overnight train on the 23rd from Jaipur south to Udaipur.

Udaipur (Oct.24-25):

The team will have a day and a half to explore one of India’s most colorful and romantic cities. They will tour the twisting streets of the old city, Monsoon Palace, and Fateh Sagar Lake, and will attend a workshop on Batik art.

There will also be a visit to a local NGO, and an introductory talk on development issues in local "Adivasi" communities, in preparation for the group’s time in Jhadol.

Travel about two and a half hours by bus from Udaipur to the village of Jhadol on the afternoon of Oct.25.

Jhadol (Oct.25-Nov.1): 

During this week the team will live with host families in the small rural village of Jhadol, near Udaipur.

While learning about village life, by living it themselves, team members will also volunteer their help on community projects. The team will be helping with the ongoing construction of a local school. They will also be teaching and running activities with children at local schools. Some time will also be spent helping families with household chores and with work in the fields.

On Nov.1st, the team will return by bus to Udaipur.

Udaipur (Nov.1-2):

Free time to continue exploring Udaipur. Reflection on this section of the Indian experience.

Depart Udaipur on the night of Nov.2nd on an overnight train to Agra.

Agra (Nov.3-4):

Visits to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Free time.

On Nov.4th, the team will depart Agra and travel overnight by train north to Amritsar.

Amritsar (Nov.5-6):

For one day and night, the team will live with other "pilgrims" in residence at the Golden Temple. While staying here, they will tour and learn about this holiest of sites for the Sikh faith.

Travel by bus north from Amritsar to Dharamsala on Nov.6th. 

Dharamsala (Nov.6-20):

This small town, tucked in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains of northwestern India, is home to the Tibetan government in exile and a very large population of Tibetan refugees, including their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama.

During this two week time period the team will split up and live in separate homes with Tibetan families. Days will be spent working on a variety of community service projects within the Tibetan community and also taking part in set activities to enhance their understanding of Tibetan culture, history and contemporary issues.

The team will also attend a three-day introductory meditation retreat practised in the Tibetan tradition. Additionally, the group will trek for two days in the Himalayan foothills above Dharamsala.

Overnight train returning to Delhi on Nov.20th.

Delhi (Nov.21-23):

Time to explore India's bustling capital city, including sites such as Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), a local Sikh temple, Raj Ghat, the Gandhi museum, and city markets.

Flight to Vietnam (Nov.23):

The Team will fly together from Delhi to Hanoi, Vietnam.

*Participants will receive a detailed flight itinerary before the start of the program

Hanoi (Nov.23-24):

The team will have time to explore the sites and rich ambience of Vietnam’s colorful northern capital. They will also begin learning about the rich history of this country and the culture of its people.

Nam Dinh (Nov.24-28):

The team will live with Vietnamese host families during this time period. Days will be spent volunteering at Giao Thuy school for disabled children.  The team will also help with some renovation work on the school. 

Travel by overnight train north from Hanoi to SaPa on Nov.28th. 

SaPa and Surrounding Mountains (Nov.29 to Dec.4):

The northern village of SaPa is tucked in a beautiful mountain valley next to the border of China. It is home to a variety of minority tribal cultures. The group will have one day to enjoy the town and its friendly people while preparing for a trek into the surrounding hills.

For four days, the team will then hike through the mountains living with families in tribal villages along the way.

Return from SaPa to Hanoi by overnight train on Dec.4th.

Halong Bay (Dec.5-7):

The team will spend the final three days of their epic journey living on a house boat and cruising around gorgeous Halong Bay, in the Gulf of Tonkin, just a few hours east of Hanoi. Time will be spent swimming, kayaking, exploring remote islands and beaches, relaxing, reflecting on the entire trip, and preparing for the return home.

Return by bus to Hanoi on the evening of Dec. 7th in time for final team dinner in Hanoi before their late night flight to Korea.

Flight back to the USA (Dec.8):

The team will fly together from Hanoi to Denver, Colorado.  The group's journey will be finished upon arrival back in Denver.

*Participants will receive a detailed flight itinerary before the start of the program.

Click here to learn about the history and culture of:  Thailand

Click here to learn about the history and culture of:   India

Click here to learn about the history and culture of:  Vietnam