Summer Volunteer Program India 2020

Day 1 (Sat) – Arrival at Delhi
Welcome to India. Today, you will be received at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and will be transferred to your accommodation. Pickup timings are between 6 AM to 10.30 PM. Take rest on your day of arrival, get acquainted with the area, venture out to the local markets and prepare yourselves for the three-week journey ahead. 
(Meals – Dinner – subject to arrival time)

Day 2 (Sun) – Orientation & Sightseeing of Delhi
After breakfast, your coordinators will discuss your program itinerary with you for the days to come and give you all the necessary information for the trip. Post orientation, you will begin the city tour of Delhi. In this tour, you’ll visit some of the famous monuments in the city including the Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun’s Tomb and the Lotus Temple. Lunch will be at a local restaurant in Delhi. In the evening, you will be formally welcomed with a delicious and traditional Indian meal. 
(Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
   
Day 3 (Mon) to Day 7 (Fri) – Volunteering in Delhi 
Volunteers will be working in the Street Children or the Child Care Project in Delhi. Under this project, volunteers take informal education classes with the children, play games with them and introduce them to different new activities.
 
Volunteers work at the various contact points or shelter homes, being run by various organizations, which serve as day care centers for these street children. They can assist in providing love, care, basic literacy, recreation and most importantly spend time with them and shower affection on them.
(Meals – Breakfast & Dinner)

Exciting Evening Programs During Volunteering Week:-
 
On Day 6, (Thu), we will take you to the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple followed by a spectacular Water Show. This will be a memorable evening as you will witness one of the most beautiful temples with superb architecture followed by an amazing laser water show.

Day 8 (Sat) – Explore Delhi / Delhi-Palampur by overnight air-conditioned bus
This day is for leisure activities or for optional sightseeing tours. You can also go for shopping in famous markets like Janpath, Khan Market, Dilli Haat, Lajpat Nagar or Sarojini Nagar. In the evening, we will drop you at the Bus Terminus in Delhi from where you will board an air-conditioned bus to Palampur.
(Meals – Breakfast & Dinner)
 
Day 9 (Sun) – Arrival at Palampur / Palampur Program Orientation / Visit to the local market in Palampur 
Upon your arrival in Palampur, our Program Coordinators will transfer you to your accommodation. While looking at the beautiful scenery around, get familiar with the volunteer house and the surrounding area. Today,  our program coordinators will brief you about volunteering schedule which will begin from the next day. Later,  we will take you for a market tour of the Palampur town. In this market visit, you will be familiarized with the area and the facilities like ATM, Bus/Taxi stand, Restaurants, Pharmacy, and other General Shops.

(Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 10 (Mon) to Day 14 (Fri) – Volunteer work in Childcare Project in Palampur
Volunteering in Palampur will begin from today. You will be joining Childcare Project Placement for one week. While working at the Child Care Center, you will be expected to create a fun-filled learning atmosphere for the kids. You can also help in the administrative tasks of the center or help in decorating the center using colorful charts and posters.

 
It is a great opportunity to work outdoors in the lap of Himalayas with your group and enjoy the experience.
 
During free time, you can see the nearby monasteries, tea gardens, restaurants, and markets.A special Yoga class during the week will be conducted for volunteers.
On one of the weekdays, volunteers will be taken to Dharamsala/McLeodganj where they can visit Tibetan Monastery and also explore the Tibetan market.
(Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 15 (Sat) – Trekking in the Himalayas (2 days and 1 night) 
Today, you will head to Bir along with other volunteers. From here, you will trek to Billing which is a 6-7 km long trekking route. Before starting the trek, you will be given a packed snack box and two bottles of water.  Make sure that you take them before starting the trip.  The trekking trip will be one of the great highlights of your Summer Trip. After reaching Billing, get the magnificent views of the beautiful snow clad Himalayan mountain range. Accommodation will be provided in a tent/camp.
(Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

 

Day 16 (Sun) – Trekking ends – Return to Palampur

In the afternoon, you will come back to Palampur. After taking rest for some time, you can pack your bags for your journey to Amritsar the next day. 
(Meals – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day 17 (Mon) – Palampur – Amritsar -Sightseeing in Amritsar 
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Amritsar, the city of the famous Golden Temple. 

Upon arrival at Amritsar, check in at the accommodation arranged for you. After getting refreshed, we will take you to visit Jalianwala Bagh (Martyr’s Memorial). Later, we will visit the Golden Temple. After taking a break, we will take you there again to see the illuminated views of the shrine in the evening. Free time can be used to explore the local markets and enjoy local food (which is very famous in India).

(Meals – Breakfast)

Day 18 (Tue) – Amritsar-Delhi by train / Delhi-Agra 

In the morning, we will transfer you to the train station in Amritsar from where you will be boarding an air-conditioned train to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, we will transfer you to Agra through Taj Express Way, one of the finest highways in India.

Upon arrival in Agra, check in at the accommodation arranged for you.
 
For your snacks/refreshments during the train journey, we suggest buying packed snacks before you board the train or to buy food onboard. Your Program Coordinator will brief you about the same.

(Meals – NA)

Day 19 (Wed) – Visit the Taj Mahal And Transfer To Jaipur  

Early in the morning, we will take you to the TAJ MAHAL. The Taj Mahal is considered to be one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also listed among the NEW SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD. Famously known as the Monument of Love, it was built by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. 
 
After a memorable visit to Taj Mahal, we will transfer you to Jaipur. Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in at the accommodation and relax for the day. 
(Meals – Breakfast)

Day 20 (Thu) Sightseeing In Jaipur – Cultural Evening in Jaipur 
The day starts with an exciting visit to the City Palace. A beautiful traditional Rajasthani Palace with a royal fervor like no other. Before reaching City Palace, we will take a photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds).In the evening there would be a cultural evening, where you can enjoy folk dances and puppet show followed by dinner. 
(Meals – Breakfast & Dinner)

Day 21 (Fri) – Visit the Historic Amber Fort – Transfer to Delhi 
In the morning, you get to see one of the fascinating monuments of the Hindu Rajput architecture – The Amber Fort. Facing a beautiful lake called Maota, the fort is located high on a hill. Later in the afternoon, you will return to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, check in at the accommodation arranged for you. at evening relax or to go out for last minute shopping. For those who have booked flights back home can depart for the airport.
(Meals – Breakfast)

Day 22 (Sat) – Depart for the airport, back home or Join Goa Beach Week
You would need to check out from the accommodation before noon. We recommend booking your flights for Friday night or Saturday morning.

GOA BEACH WEEK EXTENSION (OPTIONAL)

Goa Beach Week extension is a great way to give an amazing ending to your volunteering experience in India. Goa is the ultimate party destination. White sandy beaches, several water sports, amazing beachside food and myriad things to do. The beaches are lined with bustling restaurants serving scrumptious seafood clubbed with the “feni”, other Goan specialty drinks and beers. As the sun goes down and the stars come up, get your party shoes on for a never-ending night.

NOTE: The beach extension week is unguided but all travel tickets, airport/train station transfers, sightseeing as mentioned in itinerary and accommodation are provided). 

Day 1 (Saturday) – Departure from Delhi, arrival at Goa by flight
On Saturday, we will transfer you to Delhi airport. You will travel to Goa by flight (economy class). Upon arrival in Goa, please look for driver/representative holding a board with your name on it, near Gate No.1. Later you will be transferred to the hotel. You can get familiar with the area nearby the hotel. 

Day 2 (Sunday) – In Goa
Spend this day as you like. You visit beautiful beaches around and roam around enjoying cuisines and beverages. 

Day 3 (Monday) – Sightseeing tour of South Goa and Panaji  
Enjoy the breakfast at the hotel. Later, you will go on a sightseeing tour of South Goa. In this panoramic tour, you will visit the Church of Old Goa, Dona Paula and lovely capital city Panaji. Rest of the time is free for leisure activities.

Day 4 to Day 6 (Tuesday to Thursday) – In Goa
Enjoy your stay at Goa. You can roam around and visit the beaches around. Have a lot of fun, sunbathing, water sports, and delicious seafood in the shacks on the beaches. 

Day 7 (Friday) – Transfer to Goa airport or train/bus station
We will drop you to Goa International/Domestic airport or train/bus station as per your onward connection. 

Notes:-
For volunteers going for Goa Beach Week, we recommend booking return flight from Goa or Mumbai to your home country or onward destination.

The itinerary can be partially or fully canceled and/or amended without any prior information due to operational reasons and due to any other reasons beyond control such as but not limited to heavy rains, cyclones, extreme weather conditions, natural calamities, earthquakes, road conditions, traffic, strikes, riots, etc.

Water sports activities and many of beachside shacks/restaurants will remain closed between 1 June to 30 September every year. 

The itinerary is subject to change as per local conditions, without any notice.

 

Cost for Beach Week Extension : USD 550 per person