Our Experience India Tour encompasses charm, culture and care over 4 wonderful weeks where you will be able to see the sights, learn about the real India and get a taste of volunteering. The tour involves many different exciting experiences including: a visit to a number of famous Indian landmarks, including the Taj Mahal; a chance to learn Bollywood dancing, yoga, Indian Cooking and Henna painting; a camel safari in the desert; trekking in the Himalayas; and visiting the cultural sights of Goa!

Project Facts

• Duration: 19 days or 28 days
• Cost: £1495 for 19 days, £1715 for 28 days
• Requirements: age 18+
• Location: Delhi, Agra (Taj Mahal) Jaipur, Pushkar, Himachal Pradesh, Palampur, Goa.
• Tour activities: Visiting local landmarks, Bollywood dancing, Indian cooking, camel safari, elephant and rickshaw ride, sightseeing trip of Goa, yoga class, volunteer project
• Project Availability: One tour each month. Start date is always a Friday. Contact us for details.

What is included

• Accommodation: Hotels, guesthouses, volunteer camps (same gender, up to 4 per room).
• Food: Meals as indicated on the itinerary
• Airport pick up from Delhi Airport and drop off at either Delhi Airport (19 Day Tour) or Goa Airport (28 Day Tour)
• Training: Pre-departure information pack and onsite orientation provided
• Support: 24 hour support
• All transport and activities outlined in the itinerary above
• English speaking guide
• Bollywood dancing class or Indian dressing workshop or Henna painting workshop

What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
• Entrance to historical monuments such as the Taj Mahal
• Elephant ride charges in Jaipur

Day 1 – (Friday) Arrive into Delhi airport. Transfer to hotel and overnight in Delhi (no meals).
Day 2 – Delhi. Sightseeing tour of Delhi (breakfast).
Day 3 – Delhi to Agra. Your journey will take you 250kms over 6 hours where you’ll visit the Taj Mahal (breakfast).
Day 4 – Agra to Jaipur. Your jorney will take you 250kms over 6 hours where you can check out the sights of Jaipur (breakfast).
Day 5 – Jaipur. Visit Amber Fort, ride an elephant and take a rickshaw ride through the busy markets and experience the real ‘Pink City’ (breakfast).
Day 6 – Jaipur. Spend some time shopping in the local Bazaars and choose a set of activities from learning Bollywood dancing, leaning about typical and traditional styles of Indian dress, learn the Indian art of Henna making (breakfast).
Day 7 – Jaipur to Pushkar. You will be travelling 150kms over 4 hours where you will then go on a camel safari through the Thar Desert before camping for the night in Pushkar (breakfast & dinner).
Day 8 – Pushkar to Jaipur. You will travel 150kms over 3 hours where you will visit Holy Lake and Lord Brahma’s temple (breakfast).
Day 9 to Day 10 – Jaipur to Himachal Pradesh. You will transfer via train to our camp in the beautiful mountain town of Himachal Pradesh (breakfast).
Day 10 – Arrive early to Himachal Pradesh and transfer to Palampur. You will be travelling 100kms over 4 hours (no meals).
Day 11 – Morning yoga lessons. Afternoon introduction to project areas. Evening cooking class.
Day 12 to Day 16 – Every morning you will have a yoga lesson, followed by your afternoon’s which are spent volunteering and your evening’s where you will have professional cooking classes (breakfast).
Day 17 – Train from Himachal Pradesh to Delhi (breakfast).
Day 18 – Arrive in Delhi and visit a local hotel to relax and freshen up. In the late afternoon you will catch an overnight train from Delhi to Goa. For those booked onto our 19 Day Tour, you will be transferred to your Delhi accommodation where you will spend the night and transfer to the airport either this evening or in the morning of Day 19 (no meals).

19 Day Tour – Programme Ends

Day 19 – Day 20 spent travelling to Goa on the train (no meals).
Day 20 – Arrive in Goa and transfer to Colva/Majorda (dinner only).
Day 21 to Day 25 – Spend your mornings volunteering in the local communities with your afternoons free to relax on the beach (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Day 26 to Day 27 – Free time to relax and explore Goa! (Breakfast, lunch and dinner).
Day 28 – Thursday departure for your flight from Goa Airport (breakfast)

Volunteer Testimonial

"The highlights were definitely the camel safari, seeing the Taj Mahal and staying in the Himalayas. I have had a good experince of Indian culture, learned more about it and met some lovely people" - Katherine Graham, UK

Delhi

A city of contrasting emotions, sounds and scenes, Delhi can be challenging and confronting to the first time visitor. But don’t let this put you off, as in amongst the hustle and bustle of the city, there are captivating monuments, museums and great places to eat. During your tour, you will visit some of the most important cultural symbols of India. You will drive past the impressive India Gate, Parliament House and President’s Palace. You will also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial built in honour of Mahatma Gandhi, father of the nation for India. While in Delhi, you will learn a little more about Mahatma Gandi’s life and philosophy as well as visiting Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and a Sikh Temple to learn about the youngest religion of the world while absorbing some of the unique atmosphere around the beautiful and holy shrine.

Agra - Taj Mahal

During your trip you will have the opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal in Agra. Described as the most famous of Indian heritage of all time and known as an essential symbol of love and romance, the Taj Mahal is known the world over. Many have tried to sum up the Mughal mausoleum with Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore calling it ‘a teardrop on the face of eternity’ and Rudyard Kipling attesting it to ‘the embodiment of all things pure’.

Jaipur

Jaipur is located within the area of Rajasthan. Know internationally as the Pink City, Jaipur was the stronghold of a clan of rulers whose hill forts and palaces still hold importance today. The Pink City, so called because of the beautiful colour of the stone used exclusively to build the walled city, Jaipur is now known as one of India’s most exciting destinations due to its unique blend of modern and authentic Indian culture.

Pushkar - Camel Safari

This sacred town is a famous pilgrimage site for Hindus, built around a holy lake and many ancient religious temples. In the surrounding area, the streets are full of charming bazaars selling Rajasthan’s finest textiles and handicrafts. Pushkar is one of the holiest pilgrimages for Hindus, all over India and is home to the only temple of the ‘Creator’ God, Brahma and you will visit Lord Brahma’ temple. The town itself boasts small lanes, colourful markets, but most importantly, the steps to the Holy Lake and about 500 temples. While in Pushkar you will also take a camel safari atop the “ship of the desert” going through sandy ravines and local villages where you can absorb the harsh yet colourful landscape of the Thar Desert.

Himachal Pradesh – Palampur

You will be spending time in the pretty town of Palampur, in the heart of the Kangra Valley within the Himachal Pradesh province. Himachal Pradesh is India’s northern most state covered by the spectacular Himalayan Mountains. The literal translation of the state’s name is The Land of Snowy Mountains. The main feature of Himachal is its stunning geography, with wide variations in altitudes ranging from low hills to high mountains, lakes and flowing rivers. Like many other Indian states, Himachal Pradesh is a multiregional, multicultural, and multilingual state, guaranteeing a balanced immersion into India’s way of life.

Volunteer options

Volunteering opportunities include renovation and beautification of various schools and day care centres; getting involved in fun fairs with children; creative art workshops with children including drawing, painting music and dance workshops and toy making. As a volunteer, your activities will vary depending on the needs in Goa at your particular time of volunteering and at present this is swaying toward the renovation and beautification of care centres and schools. Each of these projects are ongoing and in constant need of developmental and manual support from volunteers and your duties will be fully assigned to you when you arrive in Goa.

Goa

Goa, a former Portuguese colony, is well known for its beautiful beaches and luscious palm trees and has a distinct cultural vibe with its own unique music, food and climate. You will primarily be based in the Southern region of Goa, near Majorda beach but will have the opportunity to explore the region with you adventure tour. The region is visually stunning, with its silvery sands and tall palm trees and is one of the best, yet least explored, regions of Goa.