Description
Starts: Delhi, India
Ends: Delhi, India
Covering cities like the capital city of Delhi, Pink City Jaipur, Agra, Hill station Dharamsala and the Golden temple city of Amritsar – the trip encompasses all important experiences offered by Northern India. Participants also get to volunteer in Delhi for the street children and help in day care activities along with construction and outdoor works in the picturesque Himalayan town of Palampur.
Travel Highlights
- Experience the diverse cultural and traditional nuances of India.
- Visit the number of heritage sites and ancient monuments in Delhi; such as the Qutub Minar, Red Fort, India Gate, etc.
- Explore the bustling markets of the city.
- Enjoy the taste of authentic Indian cuisine.
- Chance to be a part of some of the chosen volunteer work projects in India.
- Try your hands on learning some common Hindi phrases.
- Interact with the locals and get to understand their daily life challenges and struggle.
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD
Participants doing the program stay at the volunteer house accommodation in Delhi and Palampur. Two meals a day are provided at the accommodation to the participants in Delhi and three meals a day in Palampur. During sightseeing tours which are part of the program, two meals a day (breakfast and dinner) are provided at the hotel or in a local restaurant. Accommodation is on shared basis with other participants and participants of same gender share rooms together. During the inclusive sightseeing tours in Jaipur, Agra and Amritsar, accommodation is on twin or triple sharing basis in hotels.
Wireless internet is available at the volunteer house. Participants are requested to switch off the lights, fans and other electric equipment when they are not in their rooms. Participants are also requested not to waste the water.
Participants are provided with a mix of Indian food. Breakfast usually comprises of bread, butter, jam, eggs as well as traditional Indian breakfast dishes. Lunch/ Dinner include Dal, Rice, Vegetables and Roti (Indian bread).
INCLUDES
- All accommodation
- All in-country transport
- 24/7 support from our guides
- All tour activities
- Heaps of meals!
- Project donation and supplies
ITINERARY
This comprehensive program is specially designed to give you a meaningful travel and volunteering experience and connects you with cultural, historical, and traditional highlights of various destinations in India.
You would get the opportunity to volunteer and travel in some of the best locations in North India namely Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Palampur, Dharamsala and Amritsar.You also have the option of doing an add on beach week in the party capital of India, ‘Goa’.
Day 1 (Sat) – Arrival at Delhi
Welcome to India! Today, you will be received at Delhi 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 necessary information for the trip. Post orientation, you will begin the city tour of Delhi. In this tour, visit some of the famous monuments in the city that include 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
Volunteer work begins. Volunteers will be working in the Street Children or the Orphanage Project in Delhi. Under this project, volunteers take informal education classes with the children, play games with the children and introduce them to different new activities.
Volunteers work at the various contact points or shelter homes, being run by various organisations, which serve as day care centres 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 Program 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 in the evening.
Day 8 (Sat) – Free Day in Delhi / Delhi-Palampur by overnight air-conditioned bus
This day is free 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 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 familiarised 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 child care centre, you will be expected to create a fun and learning atmosphere for the kids. You can also help in the administrative tasks of the centre or help in decorating the centre using colourful charts and posters.
Volunteers will also help in the renovation work of the center and the tasks like painting murals, assisting in construction work and so on. 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 (Sat) – Trekking in Himalayas (2 days and 1 night)
Today, you will head to Dharamsala along with other volunteers. From here, you will trek to Triund which is around a 10 km long trekking route. Before starting the trek, you will be given a packed lunch 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 Triund, get the magnificent views of the beautiful snow clad Himalayan mountain range. Accommodation will be provided in a tent or in a shared guest house.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 (Sun) – Trekking ends at Dharamsala – Stay at Dharamsala/Mcleodganj
In the afternoon, you will come back to Dharamsala / Mcleodganj and check-in at the accommodation. After taking rest for some time, you can go to see the famous Dalai Lama Temple. In the evening, you can relax and have dinner in one of the rooftop restaurants of the town.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 17 (Mon) – Dharamsala/Mcleaodganj-Amritsar -Sightseeing in Amritsar
After breakfast, we will transfer you to Amritsar, 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 (Marty’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 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.
Day 19 (Wed) – Visit to Taj Mahal and Transfer to Jaipur
Early in the morning, we will take you to the TAJ MAHAL. 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 Mumtazmahal.
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, Dinner
Day 20 (Thu) Sightseeing in Jaipur – Elephant Volunteering at Elephant Village in Jaipur– Cultural Evening in Jaipur
Day starts with an exciting visit to the City Palace. A beautiful traditional Rajasthani Palace with a royal fervour like no other. Before reaching City Palace, we will take a photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). After visiting City Palace, we will take you to an Elephant Village in Jaipur. Here you will be working in an Elephant Camp where you can feed the elephants, help the mahouts (caretakers of elephants) in cleaning the premises, bathe the animals and enjoy the experience with the magnificent animal. You will also get a good opportunity to interact with families and children of the mahouts.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 21 (Fri) – Visit to the Historic Amber Fort – Transfer to Delhi
In the morning, you get to see one of the most 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. Evening time is free to 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 airport, back home or Join Goa Beach Week
You would need to checkout from the accommodation before noon. We recommend booking your flights for Friday night or Saturday morning.
