Read time – 2 minutes
In 2017, it was our plan to take at least 2,017 children from around the world on adventures – exciting and educational day trips that they’d never forget.
As we achieved our goal, we not only had the chance to introduce young people from the amazing places we visit to the incredible wonders of their home countries, but in turn, Adventure 2017 had a positive impact on our tour leaders too.
Exodus Leader Krishna
Exodus Leaders
Take Krishna, for example. He’s taken countless Exodus travellers to the breathtaking Taj Mahal and the historic Red Fort in the 13 years he’s been working with us.
But showing the sights to 25 children from the Diene Raj School in the small village of Uncha Nagla, just 35 miles away, was an entirely different experience.
He recalls: “The children, aged 10 to 15, had never stepped out of their village before that day. Many never thought they’d ever see the Taj Mahal. Their parents just can’t afford to take them there.
School children at the Taj Mahal
Visiting the Taj Mahal
As we entered the white marble mausoleum, the scene opened up in front of them like a book. I was watching their faces as they caught their first sight of it and it was just amazing.
They were so excited. We had to take photos of them at that moment – the smiles on their faces was my favourite part of the entire day.
Outside the Taj MahalIt was a new adventure for them and they were so happy. I thought about these heritage sites in a different way when I was with them, compared to my usual tours.
I visited the Taj Mahal for the first time with my parents when I was 17, and I can remember how that first time felt. Seeing them experience it too was just incredible.”
Find out more: Trips to the Taj Mahal
Krishna even took the children to one of his favourite eateries, to give them the full Exodus guided trip experience.
“Before this day, the children had never been to a restaurant before. After we visited the Red Fort I took them to the best restaurant in Agra, where I take my group members.
The children were scared to pick up the plates and get the food from the buffet – I had to convince them that it was allowed. Never in their lives had they been told ‘guys, this is for you!’ and so they were really unsure at the start.
Visiting the Red Fort
With my colleague Ajay, we gave them confidence. By the end of the day, they were singing and dancing with happiness.”
Seeing the children grow in confidence over the course of the day is a memory that Krishna says he’ll never forget. But the real high point for him was doing what he does best: sharing his love of inspirational India.
Schoolgirls at the Taj Mahal
“It was a pleasure for me to tell them about our rich history. It’s so important – children really are our future and they should be involved in projects that allow them to learn more about our past.
It’s an education and they deserve that. I’m so thankful to Exodus for the opportunity, and I know that they were too.”
See more of our trips to Northern India and the Taj Mahal below.
