Cultural Exchange:

India 2026-27

2 Weeks • 3 Weeks • 5 Weeks

Part 1: Udaipur, 12/26/2026 - 1/9/2027

Part 2: Auroville, 1/9/2027 - 1/30/2027

Open Enrollment: May 15 - August 15

Register Now

ONLY 10 SPOTS!

What to Expect

Travel across India through its dance, music, and living traditions. Begin in the “City of Lakes”, where days are filled with rhythm and movement. Train with local artists and master teachers. Then journey south to Auroville, a vibrant international community where creativity, collaboration, and daily life intertwine. Expect full days, deep immersion, and an experience that stays with you long after you return home.

❋ Global Legacy

For 54 years, The Vanaver Caravan has brought artists, students, and communities together through shared creative experience. This Cultural Exchange offers students the opportunity to learn directly from artists and engage with the arts as a living, global practice.

❋ Collaborative Artistry

Students learn alongside working artists, building real connections through shared practice and cultural exchange. Participants return with expanded skills, new perspectives, and lasting connections.

❋ Expert Facilitation

Led by Program Directors Chelsea Needham and Bharat Verma, alongside Co-Founder Livia Vanaver, this exchange connects participants directly with artists, educators, and communities across India.

❋ Cultural Immersion

Students engage with daily life, local communities, and cultural practices in a meaningful and respectful way. From shared meals to collaborative workshops, participants step inside the rhythm of each place they visit.

PART ONE: UDAIPUR

Artistic Immersion

Dec 26, 2026 – Jan 9, 2027

Udaipur, Rajasthan (“The City of Lakes”), North India

Begin in Udaipur, Rajasthan’s storied “City of Lakes,” where students are immersed in the vibrant folk arts of the region. Through daily training with master artists, participants build technique and cultural understanding while living inside the rhythms of Rajasthani tradition. Optional sunrise yoga and time by Udaipur’s majestic lakes offer a peaceful start to the day.

PART TWO: AUROVILLE

Teaching & Creative Practice

Jan 9, 2027-Jan 30, 2027

Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu, (“Auroville”), South India

Continue south to Auroville, an international community near the coastal town of Pondicherry. Alongside teaching at Aikiyam School, participants can take movement and meditation classes and explore the surrounding community. Experience the region through visits to nearby eco-villages, time by the sea, and access to Auroville’s mix of temples, cafés, South Indian cuisine, swimming, and wellness offerings such as spa and massage..

CHOOSE YOUR PATH

The Full Journey

Dec 26, 2026 - Jan 30, 2027

Experience the complete 5-week exchange across North and South India.

This program is designed for emerging dancers, musicians, students, teachers, artists, and curious travelers alike.

Testimonials

  • “We are grateful for the opportunity our children had to explore India with the Vanaver Caravan. Thanks to the thoughtful organization and excellent communication, we felt completely comfortable leaving our children in their capable hands. They immersed themselves in local cultures, engaged meaningfully with people […] and formed friendships that will certainly last a lifetime.”

    —Ping Wang (Parent)

  • “In the heat of Malarchi, the Vanaver Caravan […] became my beacon of light during my darkest days […] pulling me into a whirlwind of joy, laughter, and pure liberation […] a healing force […] that transforms heaviness into happiness and reminds us to embrace the flow.”

    —Nandha (Malarchi House, Auroville)

  • “The Vanaver Caravan has had a profound impact on our Swaraj Shakti girls. They’ve grown immensely in confidence, from being hesitant to speak up, they are now engaging with others and building connections. This experience has truly boosted their morale.”

    —Ashish (Shikshantar, Udaipur)

  • “Being part of the Vanaver Caravan was […] a moment of unexpected connection as the students opened up with joy and expression. Chelsea’s graceful musicianship became the thread that gently wove us all together.”

    —Deepak (Guitarist, Auroville)

  • “Through this program, students were able to understand and experience different cultures and learned the importance of gratitude through dance and performance. I consider this a very special program. It helped me build connections with different people, and working with such an amazing multi-instrumentalist was an honor. I look forward to working with them again!"

    —Arshad (Djembe, Auroville)

Facilitators

Registration Info

(Please read before you sign up!)

  • Registration begins May 15, 2026.

  • Deadline to register is August 15, 2026.

  • Tuition Fees & Deposit

    • Full 5 Week Program: $7800

    • Part 1 Tuition: $4800

    • Part 2 Tuition: $4800

      • Tuition includes airfare, housing, transportation, and meals, as well as tours, site-seeing, classes, and workshops.

    • A Registration Deposit of $1600 is due upon registration.

      Your deposit secures your spot on the trip. Additional participant forms, travel preparation materials, passport and visa guidance, health and safety information, packing resources, and program meeting details will be shared after registration.

    • Remaining Tuition Balance Due: October 1, 2026

  • ONLY 10 SPOTS ARE AVAILABLE.

Registering for the Full Journey?

  • Participants registering for both Part 1 and Part 2 should use discount code

    Discount Code » FULLJOURNEY2627

  • This code applies the full-exchange discount ($1800) for participants joining us for the complete journey from Udaipur to Auroville.

Registration and payment begins with Zeffy.

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