If you want the ultimate adventure, whilst giving back at the same time, this would be a great option. This experience allows you to meet new people, interact with the community and to travel India, for an all round adventure!

• Accommodation
• 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• Daily transportation to project
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

Airport pick-up is included in the volunteering cost unless specified.This may involve either a local pick-up by your volunteer host or a public transport ticket where necessary. These details will be finalised with you upon making a booking as this will depend on your arrival information.

Sunday – Arrive at Delhi International Airport. Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up and transferred to the volunteer center to settle in.

1st Leg: 8 days Delhi – Himachal Pradesh – Agra

You will begin your road trip in the capital city of New Delhi, where you will have a brief introduction and the chance to settle into the pace and culture of India.

From Delhi, the tour will take you up to Shimla which is famous for it’s monkeys and incredible scenery.   This area will definitely be one of the many highlights of the trip!   You’ll be involved in a 2 day trek which culminates at a height of 3100 meters and taken to Hot Springs.

From Shimla, you’ll travel to Dharamsala, the home of the Dalai Lama.   Here you’ll also see incredible beauty as well as a taste of Tibetan culture with various trips to temples and forts.

On returning to Delhi, you will spend an entire day taking in the sights and sounds of this magnificent city. Delhi forms a microcosm within India, being the capital city, it draws to it people from all over the country who bring with them the unique and distinct flavours of their own cultures.

From there, you’ll tour into the touristy but magnificent ‘Jewel in the crown’ of India – Agra where you will witness one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal.

2nd Leg:  8 days Rajasthan – Udaipur and Mumbai

Rajasthan – Udaipur and Mumbai (8 days)

The next leg of your trip takes you to the state of Rajasthan. You will spend most of your time here in Udaipur ‘the city of lakes’ and also visit the monsoon palace which is known for its sublime sunsets. You will see India’s second largest palace, enjoy a boat ride on the Pichola lake and will be given a Rajasthani cooking lesson and watch a Bollywood movie.   During this time, you’ll experience an unforgettable journey into the desert by camel spending a night with your fellow volunteers.

• 3 days as a volunteer in a renovation or community based project

Third Leg:  Goa (10 days)

The final part of your trip takes you down to the sandy beaches of Goa. A warm climate, pristine beaches, exquisite cuisine and friendly people help to consistently rank Goa as one of the top tourist destinations of India. This former capital of Portuguese India is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its large number of Churches and Cathedrals.

Apart from experiencing all of the above, you will also visit a spice plantation, a fort and a few local markets. Goa has several projects ranging from schools and orphanages to women’s shelters, elders care and environmental projects. You will spend some time here volunteering at one or more projects.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

What to bring;

• Shoes suitable for hiking
• Some warm clothes for when you are in the northern, cooler parts of Himalayas.
• Beach wear
• Backpack

Indicative Day to Day Itinerary

The following day to day itinerary is provided as a guide only.  Please note it is subject to change and may not represent exact dates/timing or activities;

Day 1 Orientation, Day in Delhi and overnight travel to Shimla
Days 2 and 3 Trek: 2 Days/20 Kilometers
Day 4 Visit Thattapanni Natural Hot Springs and Shimla City
Days 5 and 6 Dharamsala – Experience Tibetan culture, traditional Tibetan market, Kangra Fort and Kangra temple
Day 7 Experience Delhi
Day 8 Taj Mahal (Agra)
Days 9 and 10 Experience Rajasthan – Udaipur “the city of lakes”
Day 11 Sunset at Mount Abu
Day 12 Free morning and spend the afternoon at a volunteer project
Day 13 The Experience of a lifetime – Sleeping in the Desert
Day 14 Return to Udaipur
Day 15 Free morning and spend the afternoon at a volunteer project
Day 16 Morning at a volunteer project and take the evening bus to Mumbai
Day 17 Walk around Mumbai in the morning and take the evening bus to Goa
Day 18 Meet staff and other volunteers and a free evening
Days 19 and 20 Experience Goa, Fort Aguada, Anjuna village, beaches, markets and a spice plantation
Day 21 Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site – Old Goa
Day 22 Free Day
Days 23 to 27 Spend time at a volunteer project
Day 28 Departure

Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our ground operators will help you organise additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency. As a volunteer you will gain access to local knowledge, opportunities and value you simply would not find if staying as a standard tourist.

No extra requirements for this program. 

India is an eclectic and intoxicating cultural experience like no other! Home of the famous Taj Mahal, the Himalayas, the sacred Ganges river, and over 1 billion people of varying languages, cultures and beleifs, India is sure to push you to the boundaries of your comfort zone.

IVI is focused on establishing sustainable employment and education through volunteering efforts in India. Children in some of the regions we service have not had basic nutritional background. Over 950,000 newborns per year in India die from infections. Education about health for families provides a strong foundation for self-care in the communities we service in India.

India’s climte ranges from tropical down south to alpine up in the northern mountain regions. 

From April until the start of October is summer, and in most places in India, is very hot. In June the monsoon rains start in Kerala down south, and move inland. Further north and in the rural areas of Rajasthan, it can get pretty cold from December to January- sometimes as low at minus 5 degrees!

Be prepared for some hot temperatures but if in the Sikkim region, bring along some warmer clothing as it can get cold in the mountains. 

India is a country FULL of culture! From the beautiful colours, different religions, ancient traditions and the smells of spices- India is a country like no other.  It’s the the second most populous nation after China, with over 1.2 billion people. 

The most prominant religions are Hinduism and Buddhism and around 13% of the popualrtion are Muslim. Because there are so many religions, India celebrates a large number of festivals throughout the year. Some of these include Diwali, Holi, Eid and Good Friday. 

In India, the cow is considered to be a Holy animal and you will see cars either driving around, or simply waiting if a cow is in the road holding up traffic! In some parts of India it is forbidden to eat meat or drink alcohol. 

You will see many temples in India, as well as colourful clothing, particually the sari’s that the local women wear, and many cultural dance shows and activities. 

30 Years Non Profit Experience

IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.

Affordable Volunteer Travel