Overview
Be a part of the Summer Volunteer Program in India with Volunteering Solutions and experience the best that India has to offer in just a span of 3 weeks! This project is designed to give you a meaningful travel & volunteering opportunity as well as connect you to the cultural, historical and popular highlights of the major north Indian cities.
Being a part of this project, you will mostly work with underprivileged children in Delhi & Palampur. In the evening, you can explore the nearby areas and tick them off your bucket list. This program will be apt for high school, college as well as university students, gap year travelers, backpackers, corporate groups as well as solo travelers who are keen on making an impact in the developing Indian society.
Still, you have a query? Enquire now.
Program Requirements
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program.
Itinerary
Day 1 (Sat) – Arrival at Delhi
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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)
(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. Day 18 (Tue) – Amritsar-Delhi by train / Delhi-Agra
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)
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 flightOn 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.
Living
Airport Transfer
Volunteers are picked up from the Indira Gandhi International Airport by a member of the local coordinating team in Delhi. Pickup will be provided between 6:30am - 10pm on the program start date. Participants already in country or arriving early can also be picked up from a designated meeting point decided beforehand as well. For those participants doing the Goa Beach Week, they will be dropped off to the airport to take the flight to Goa on Day 22 of the tour.
Accommodation is provided in the volunteer house in Delhi and Palampur. Volunteer houses are hygienic, neat and clean, providing volunteers a home away from home. Volunteer houses are equipped with Wi-Fi / internet, geyser facilities, air-conditioning (in Delhi), television, modern toilets, comfortable beds and other basic amenities. When you go for trekking, you will be having an experience of staying in shared tent or camp style accommodation. During weekend tours, accommodation will be provided in standard/deluxe hotels with good comforts and modern amenities.
Orientation
A half day orientation will be provided by our staff on the next day after your arrival. We cover areas like culture, greetings, locations, transportation as well as other details of your trip itinerary.
Meals
Indian cuisine is famous all over the world for its flavors and great variety. During volunteering, meals would be provided at volunteers house as specified in itinerary. In breakfast, parantha, bread, tea, jam, butter, porridge etc. will be provided. For lunch/dinner, dal (lentils), vegetable, roti (Indian bread), rice, yoghurt, curry etc. will be prepared for volunteers. During trekking in the Himalayas, local meals will be served. While on the weekend tours, breakfast will be at the hotel.
During Your Free Time
During the free time volunteers can visit the local markets, visit internet cafes and the different restaurants in Delhi and try out the different Indian cuisines. While in Palampur, you will have time to explore the beautiful town and take pleasant walks in the hills as well as practice some Yoga.
Program Cost
Please Note: -An application fee of £149 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.
Extra weeks cost applies to only volunteer work in Delhi.
What are you Paying for?
- Comprehensive pre-departure guide
- Round the clock assistance from support staff and In-country program coordinator
- Airport pickup
- Program orientation
- Accommodation in Volunteer House/Guest house
- Volunteering in Delhi and Palampur
- Breakfast and meals as specified in the itinerary
- City tour of Delhi
- Visit to Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple and water show in Delhi
- All intercity transfers
- Exciting trekking in the Himalayas
- Visit to world famous Golden Temple in Amritsar
- Visit to amazing Taj Mahal in Agra
- City tour of Jaipur with visit to historic Amber Fort
- Services of program coordinator during tours
- Accommodation in deluxe hotels during tours
- Experience of traveling by air-conditioned train in India
For Goa Beach Week
- Delhi – Goa One way economy class airfare
- Two way airport transfers in Goa
- 6 nights accommodation with breakfast
- One sightseeing tour of South Goa
- 100% Financial Protection
- UK Based Support
- Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)
What's NOT included?
- International/Domestic Airfare
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (available at nominal cost)
- Entry fees at monuments
- Local transportation to and fro program location
- Departure transfer to airport (can be arranged at nominal cost)
- Vaccinations
- Any personal expenses
Program Dates
| Months | 2021 | 2022 |
| June | 1226 | 1125 |
| July | 0317 | 0216 |
| August | 07 | 06 |
FAQ's
FAQ's Application and Program Details
Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. Medical Program volunteers must be at least 18 at the time of joining.
16-year-old volunteers can participate in Childcare projects with a Letter of Consent from their parents.
Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
Participants must be in good health.
India is a country of different cultures and traditions, though it is modernized, the cultural sensitivities need to be kept in mind before volunteering in India. The volunteers should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
Volunteering Solutions India program has hosted large student groups as well as families coming to volunteer in the program. We have hosted groups from universities in UK, Europe, and USA as well as other countries, in Delhi.
To add to the project experience, you can also join the Language and Orientation Week in Delhi before beginning the program. It's an optional week, besides that we recommend participants to brush up their Hindi skills (learn basic terms and phrases, greetings) before traveling.
Flights and Visa
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air India, Jet Airways, Etihad Airways, United Airlines, Swiss Air, KLM Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian, Air France, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Finn Air.
Health and Safety
If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
Accommodation and Living
You will be told about the directions to the project from your accommodation as well as the best and the most affordable mode of transport you can use. Volunteers use a variety of modes of transport to commute to different locations in Delhi. Major modes of transport are Delhi Metro and auto rickshaw (tuk-tuk?).
On Sunday, volunteers eat out and explore the different gastronomical delights that Delhi has to offer. Accommodation is shared amongst volunteers on the ‘same gender sharing’ basis rooms. Air conditioning facility is provided during the night in the volunteer home accommodations. Wifi internet is also available for volunteers’ convenience. Some volunteers are also provided accommodation in the project premises itself. For example - volunteers working in orphanage project can be provided accommodation in the project premises itself in a separate room that is allotted for volunteers. All meals will be provided to the volunteers in that case.
Connect with Past Volunteers
Volunteers can also view the volunteer testimonials of Delhi program participants by clicking here.
