Mountain villages provide opportunities to try out your newly acquired Hindi language skills. Photo: David Anderson

NOLS India Facts Year Founded: 1991 Operating Season: April-June, September-November Location: Conway, WA and Ranikhet, India In-town Staff: 10-Conway, 2-Ranikhet Skills offered: Backpacking, Mountaineering, Whitewater rafting, WAFA

Dev Bhoomi, called “The Abode of the Gods,” is a land steeped in culture, history, and mythology. It is also the setting for some of NOLS’ most culturally-oriented courses. You will explore the Kumaon and Garhwal regions of India—places of staggering beauty, high ranges, and ancient civilizations. The holy river Ganga (Ganges) is born in these mountains, and some of the trails here are the oldest trade routes between India and Tibet.

Our base in India is in the mountain town of Ranikhet in the state of Uttarakhand, a peaceful rural haven with spectacular views of the Himalayas where you will acclimatize before heading for the high country. In the distance, you’ll see Nanda Devi, a 7,816-meter world famous peak that will be your companion during your stay.

On these courses, there is at least one Indian NOLS field instructor, and you’ll benefit from this person’s extensive knowledge of the region and its human and natural history. You will get a complete introduction to the languages, myths, cultures, and wild beauty of this country.

As you travel through rural India and hike from village to village, you’ll have experiences unlike anything offered by other outdoor programs. You’ll hike through subtropical forests and high alpine meadows and perhaps even observe Himalayan black bears or the elusive snow leopard. In your travels, you’ll attain heights you never thought possible—both in elevation and in what you are able to achieve as a NOLS student.

Ravi Kumar, director of NOLS India, summarizes some of the experiences NOLS India students can expect on their courses.