July 2: Departure Day, Newark to New Delhi
Group Meeting:
At 6:30 PM, meet your group leader and fellow students at the United Airlines check-in counter (outside of security) at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). This is the official start of your Putney summer!
Group Flight:
The group will fly on United Airlines flight #82 departing Newark (EWR) at 9:45 PM on July 2, arriving in New Delhi, India (DEL), at 9:30 PM local time on July 3 (14 ½ hours en route).
July 3 & 4: New Delhi
Spend a day exploring New Delhi, including the city’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, the maze of tiny streets in Old Delhi, and the Red Fort. Visit the Jama Masjid mosque, Humayun’s Tomb, or the soaring Qutab Minar tower. Have your program orientation, get to know your group, and prepare for your journey to Leh.
July 5 – 11: Phyang Village, Ladakh
On July 5, the group will fly on GoAir flight #G8-203 from New Delhi to Leh.
Arrive in Leh, a lively trading town at the base of the Himalaya, in the northern Ladakh region. Travel by Jeep to our home base in Phyang, a small village outside of Leh. Stay in family-run guesthouses and spend a week working on several meaningful community service projects focusing on education, agriculture, the environment, and light construction. Teach local children English or make improvements to the village school.
July 12 & 13: Trekking in the Himalaya
Set off on a three-day trek with professional guides. Walk from village to village under canopies of colorful prayer flags and expansive skies, and stay in family-run guesthouses. Along the way, visit temples and monasteries, discuss Buddhist traditions with monks, learn about local conservation projects, and visit women’s cooperatives.
July 14 & 15: Mountain School
We conclude our trek on the campus of an innovative, fully solar-powered school in a village near Leh. Join in the daily routine– cooking meals, tending gardens, and helping the school maintain its solar array. Become friends with local students, and lead English conversation classes to help them prepare for college entrance exams.
July 16 – 18: Phyang Village Wrap-Up
Return to our host community to put the finishing touches on service projects. Enjoy a farewell celebration with our new friends.
July 19: Agra
On July 19, the group will fly on GoAir flight #G8-204 from Leh to New Delhi.
Arrive in New Delhi and travel by private bus to Agra to visit the Taj Mahal and the nearby Mehtab Bagh Gardens.
July 20: Bharatpur
From Agra, travel by private bus to the fortified ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri and onward to Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Explore the park and then head to Bharatpur. Walk through nearby villages and spend the night in a palace.
July 21: New Delhi
The journey concludes in New Delhi. Visit more of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage sites and monuments and explore its artisan markets. Enjoy a final celebratory dinner together.
July 23: Return Day, New Delhi to Newark
Group Flight:
The group will fly on United Airlines flight #83 departing New Delhi, India (DEL) at 11:35 PM local time on July 22, returning to the International Arrivals Area of Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) at 5:10 AM on July 23 (15 hours en route).