Do you want to discover India and all its treasures, but not alone? Then this tour through the
country is perfect for you! On this trip you will visit New Delhi, the magnificent Taj Mahal,
Jaipur, the countryside and at the same time volunteer. The journey will also take you to
Pushkar for a Camel safari where you will spend one night under the starry sky. The trip ends
in Goa for some well-deserved relaxing beach time and walking tours of the old Portuguese
colony before it is time to leave this amazing country. Simply the best of India in one single
trip!
Your Role as a Volunteer
The volunteering on this trip is based upon current needs. You can usually choose to work on
projects that focuses on renovation or child care. The volunteering takes place in the mornings
of the days you will be working at and you will work about 5 hours a day.
The Project’s Mission
The purpose of this trip is to get to experience the best of India as well as gaining a deeper
understanding of the Indian culture, this through interacting with locals. You will also gain
invaluable experience whilst giving a helping hand as a volunteer.
Local partners
The projects are run in collaboration with our Indian partner who has received volunteers
since 2002. Thanks to this collaboration, we can offer you a well-organized and safe
experience as a volunteer. It is guaranteed a meaningful stay, both for you as a volunteer and
for the local people.
Tour Schedule
Day 1 (Friday): Arrival in Delhi
Our partner will pick you up at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. They will
drive you to the accommodation of the night where you will get an introduction. (No meals
included this day).
Day 2 (Saturday): Sightseeing in Delhi and transfer to Agra
After breakfast it is time for some sightseeing in New Delhi, during this tour you will get the
opportunity to visit some of the most important cultural symbols in India. After lunch at a
local restaurant you will continue towards Agra, where dinner and a nice hotel bed awaits
you.
Day 3 (Sunday): Visit the Taj Mahal of Agra – Transfer to Jaipur
This morning you wake up early to visit the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the
world. After breakfast, it is time to check out from the accommodation and pay a visit to the
Agra fort. Afterwards it is time to start your journey to the pink city of Jaipur. This trip takes
about five hours and includes a stop at a restaurant for lunch. We will arrive in Jaipur late in
the afternoon, then it is time to check-in at the new accommodation and take part in an
introduction regarding the upcoming volunteer work.
Day 4 (Monday): Yoga, volunteering and a lesson in Bollywood dance in Jaipur.
This morning you will start of your day with Yoga. Then it is time to enjoy a hearty breakfast
to prepare for your first day as a volunteer. When you are done with your volunteer work
there is some time to rest before your Bollywood dance lesson with a local instructor. (Meals
included: breakfast & lunch)
Day 5 (Tuesday): Yoga, volunteering, sightseeing, shopping and dress-up in Jaipur.
Another early morning with yoga! And after breakfast it is time to start your second day of
volunteer work. In the afternoon we will visit a well-known monument and a local market. In
the evening you will have the opportunity to dress up in a traditional Indian attire for
photography. (Meals included: breakfast & lunch)
Day 6 (Wednesday): Yoga, volunteer work, henna painting and dinner at a local family in
Jaipur.This day will start as the previous two; yoga, breakfast and volunteer work. Later in the
afternoon we will learn about the well-known henna paintings, and visit a local family where
dinner is served – a real cultural experience! (Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner with
host family)
Day 7 (Thursday): Visit to the Amber fort and volunteer work in Jaipur.
You don´t want to miss this visit to one the historic forts of the Rajasthan region (where Jaipur
is located)! After the visit to the Amber fort we will head out to the volunteer project for the
day. After the work is done the rest of the day will be dedicated to relaxing and “own time”.
(Meals included: breakfast & lunch).
Day 8 (Friday): Volunteer work and visits to a family in the countryside.
After volunteering in the morning, it is time for a special experience where we will visit a
family and see how their everyday life in the countryside of India looks like. They will guide
us through their home and farm and the day ends with a simple meal in the classic way that
the family prepares. (Meals included: breakfast, lunch & dinner).
Day 9 (Saturday): Transfer to Pushkar, Camel safari rides and one night under the starry sky.
Today we will leave Jaipur. After arriving in Pushkar where we in the afternoon give us out in
the wilderness for a Camel safari. The ride ends at sunset at a tent camp where we spend the
night under the stars. (Meals included: breakfast & barbecue for dinner).
Day 10 (Sunday): Temples, market places in Pushkar and Transfer to Delhi.
After breakfast at the tent camp we will return to Pushkar to explore its small streets, markets
and the stairs to the Holy Lake (who is home to more than 500 temples!). Later in the
afternoon it is time to return to Delhi by train. After arrival in Delhi you will be brought to
your overnight accommodation. (Meals included: breakfast & dinner included).
Day 11 (Monday): Free time in Delhi, flight to Goa and beach visit.
After breakfast will we review the trip so far. Later, we will transfer to New Delhi Airport for
our flight to Goa, the last part of the trip. In Goa you will be met by one of our representatives
who will drive you to your accommodation, this evening you can enjoy a dinner on the beach.
(Meals included: breakfast).
Day 12 (Tuesday): Visit the well-known Palolem and Agonda.
In these two beautiful cities you can visit the local markets or relax. In the evening will we
bring you back to the accommodation and then we will head to the beach for some nice beach time. Dolphin Travel is available as an option this day, if the weather permits it. (Meals
included: breakfast).
Day 13 (Wednesday): Old churches in Goa and Spices plantation
After breakfast we will visit the older parts of Goa, famous for its monuments. We will also
visit a plantation for spices and see how the various spices of the Indian kitchen are
developed. Later in the afternoon we will return to the accommodation and take a trip to the
nearest beach to take it easy and relax. (Meals included: breakfast).
Day 14 (Thursday): Baga beach, Donna Paula and a fishing family
On today’s schedule is a visit to the popular Baga beach north of Goa as well as a visit to an
Indian fishing family. After your visit it is time to return home to the accommodation for
dinner. (Meals included: breakfast).
Day 15 (Friday): Free time and transfer to the airport.
Last day of your journey. This day you will have free time until it is time to leave for the
airport. Sleep in or venture in the local area to buy the last gifts for your friends and family,
the choice is yours.
How do I book a trip?
You can book your trip with Volunteer Travels by calling us on (+46) 08-23 93 00 or by
booking through our website www.volunteertravels.com by clicking on “Book a trip”. You
can also email us on [email protected]. Once you have signed up we will send you
and invoice with the registration fee of £200, the registration fee will be deducted from your
final invoice. When you have paid the registration fee you are formally registered. You will
then receive preparatory information from us in good time before departure.
About India
India is, after China, the most populated country in the world with 1.2 billion inhabitants!
This means that roughly one in six people on Earth are Indians. India gained its independence
from the UK 1947 and is since the world's largest democracy with a motley history, many
cultures and all religions are represented and accepted. Most of the Indians, however, are
Hindus and the official Indian language is Hindi. As in Sweden, English is regarded as a
second language and the children learn early English in school.
India's wildlife is large and varied. In the northwest parts, the desert stretches out and there
are annual camel markets, in the northeastern parts you will find the cultural capital Kolkata
and Delta Sundarbans where the Bengal tigers roam. As a roof across northern India lies the
massif of the Himalayas with magnificent hiking trails and Tibetan settlements. Around the
coastlines and to the south you will find long beaches, coconut palms and the ever-present
Kingfisher.
Application form and extract from the criminal register
When you have made a booking, we will send you an application form that we want you to
fill out and return to us together with the registration fee of £200. We will then send the
application form to India in preparation for your placement. In addition, you must attach an
extract from the police criminal records, a requirement from India if you want to work with
children and adolescents.
Insurance
You are responsible that your insurance covers sickness, injury and theft while you work as a
volunteer. However, a liability insurance is included in the price of the trip. A
liability insurance applies to times when you, as a private individual, is responsible for
inadvertently damaging someone or someone elses property.
Visa
It is the volunteers responsibility to acquire the right visa for the trip. Different visa rules may apply depending on your nationality. Visit the embassy web page of your destination to find out what the visa terms are between your country and that destination.
Flight information
The flight ticket is not included in the price of the trip.
You should book your flight ticket so that you land in Delhi on a Friday and fly home from
Goa on Friday, day 15. You also need to book a domestic flight between Delhi and Goa on
Tuesday, day 11. Make sure that the arrival and return dates on the ticket are correct.
Vaccinations
For all questions about vaccinations, contact a vaccination center. They will know
which vaccinations are necessary for travelling to India. Circumstances can change rapidly,
but it is always up to you to decide what vaccines to take. Hepatitis A and B vaccines are
always recommended when travelling abroad.