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Humanitarian Adventure India

3.3(4 reviews)
Experience
Volunteer
Destination
India
Duration
2 to 11 weeks
Ages
18 to 75

Limited spots. Earliest available arrival is currently Jul 2024, and closing very soon.

Book now, pay later. Cancel anytime.

Trip overview

India has been a magnet for pilgrims, holy people, and adventurous travellers for centuries. The sub-continent is a kaleidoscope of different cultures and the beliefs, cuisines, and celebrations that come with them. The energy bubbling to the surface in India will sweep you off your feet and force you to fall in love with the country like many travellers before you.  

Break out of your day-to-day routine and embark on an adventure that will make the world a better place and help you grow as a person. 

On this all-inclusive volunteer trip, not only do you get to live and volunteer with a trusted organisation in India. When you go with Global, you get:

  • Volunteer project placement – Guarantee your spot at our screened and vetted project partner in India. Start your volunteer journey without spending months searching for a reputable organisation on the other side of the world. 
  • Choice of comfortable accommodation – Quad-share accommodation in the volunteer house is provided, including WiFi and laundry and kitchen facilities. Or choose to upgrade to private accommodation at an additional cost. 
  • Three meals a day. Enjoy 3 Indian vegetarian meals a day prepared fresh by the staff.
  • + way much more.

Can you picture it? You’re living in the foothills of the Himalayan mountain range, surrounded by beautiful cedar forests. The peace and tranquillity of your new location make it obvious why the Dalai Lama chooses to live in this area. 

You’re spending your days making real positive changes. By helping educate the community about the challenges we’re all facing – this trip is giving you fulfilment – not only stories to impress your friends back home (although you’re collecting plenty of those, too). 

For most people, staying in the foothills of the Himalayas is a bucket-list experience.

Although most people don’t get the chance to experience something like this. Being fully immersed in the local community while you make a difference is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

And when you book with Global, you book with the best. You get the full experience for a fraction of the hassle. Your volunteer placement and accommodation is sorted before you leave, so you know exactly what you’re getting into.

Inclusions

Tap to expand

Volunteer project placement
Dedicated Trip Coordinator
Pre-Departure Guide
Trip visa guidance
Personal Travel Concierge
Private airport transfer
Choice of accommodation
Meals
Global Emergency Line
Ongoing local team support
gWorld access
Global AcademyNEW
SocialNEW
Marketplace dealsNEW
$250 off your next trip

Qualification

To qualify for this trip you must meet the following requirements:

  • Be between 18-75 years of age
  • Be a citizen of an eligible country
  • Have no criminal convictions in the past 5 years

Ask a question

Chat with us online now, or we can call you back for free, 24 hours Mon-Fri.

Meet your very first travel buddy, gWorld

Trip details

Our Humanitarian Adventure trip in India is designed to get you volunteering overseas in a safe and fun environment, and with a genuine and rewarding purpose. Our expert team and local partners take care of everything you need to start making a positive impact, from volunteer placement to accommodation and ongoing support throughout your entire journey.

Whether you’re doing gap year volunteering or taking a volunteering holiday from work, you’ll arrive in India with the confidence that absolutely everything has been pre-arranged for you. You’ll be able to jump straight into your volunteer duties, relax into the rich and exciting Indian lifestyle, and start making new friends with all the logistical details sorted, from airport transfers to accommodation.

Channel all your energy into immersing yourself in your volunteer placement, as well as taking time to get to know the local area. You’re in one of the most beautiful and special places in India, so abundant with natural beauty and a tranquil lifestyle that His Holiness the Dalai Lama chooses to live out his days here. Set apart from the rest of India with its strong Tibetan culture, it is not uncommon for you to see prayer flags, monasteries and monks attired in their bright robes while you explore more of this area. While you will have the opportunity to visit some of the more touristy spots in India, Dharamsala is the ideal location for unwinding and enjoying the beauty found here in abundance.

Roam Dharamsala’s breathtaking landscapes, taste the local cuisine and explore the local monasteries instead of sweating the logistical stuff - that’s exactly why we’re here. Feel confident and proud you are contributing much-needed help to a meaningful cause and save yourself the time, money and even the risk of being stranded in a foreign country by having us on your side. Make your time count on this life-changing opportunity to volunteer in India and arrive home knowing you've made a lasting and positive impact on a local community in need. 

Requirements 

18-85 years old and physically fit. You are also responsible for ensuring you receive the required vaccinations before your departure, including Covid-19, Measles-Mumps-Rubella, Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis, and Polio. 

What extra costs will I have? 

Flights, travel insurance, souvenirs, daily subsistence & spending money.

Purpose & impact

India is on track to overtake China as the country with the biggest population in 2023. 

Having such a large population has some unique challenges as the government scrambles to provide a decent standard of living for everyone. 

With over a billion people in India, there’s bound to be some who slip through the cracks. And these are the people you’ll be helping on this trip. 

Education could be seen as the most meaningful way to help people. Because you’re empowering them to make changes in their own lives for a lifelong impact. 

So the focus of your trip is contributing to education in the community. You can choose where and how you help. You can choose from the following: 

  • Schools: Work with a government funded school to provide high quality English, arts or sports education for those most vulnerable.
  • Monk Education: Work with local Tibetan NGOs to provide non-formal education to adult refugees and assist in essential skill development.
  • Girl Empowerment: Help support and motivate Indian women to pursue their education, empowerment and self-development.

Environment/ Waste Management: Support local waste management NGO team to enable community education on environmental waste management and protection.

Accommodation & meals

Once you touch down at Dharamshala Airport, your pre-arranged transfer will be waiting. You’ll be taken straight to your volunteer accommodation. 

Your accommodation will be in a quad-share room in the volunteer house. Including Wifi and kitchen and laundry facilities. You may upgrade to private accommodation at an extra cost. 

With your accommodation in India sorted and your volunteer placement organised, what will you do about food? 

You’ll be given 3 Indian vegetarian meals a day, prepared fresh by the project staff.

Trip itinerary

Before you leave

Your volunteer placement – including accommodation and 3 meals a day – is confirmed and organised before you leave home. 

Arrival

When you arrive at Dharamsala Airport, your pre-arranged transfer will be waiting for you. You’ll be taken straight to your volunteer accommodation. Take some time to settle in and get to know the other volunteers joining you on this amazing experience. 

Ongoing

How your days look will change depending on the needs of the organisation. Although your volunteer duties are all centred around education.  During your time off you’ll have plenty of time to explore the area. With incredible natural landscapes surrounding your new home, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring and finding adventure.  Once your placement is over, you can choose to stay on in India to explore what else it and the surrounding areas have to offer. Hop onto gWorld – our social app for Global Travellers – and link up with other travellers to explore the region together. You could even join a bucket-list Global Getaway with other Global Travellers. Whatever you choose to do, we can help make it easy.  We’ll be in touch with you throughout your stay. If you ever need advice or support our team is available to answer your questions. And our 24/5 emergency support line will help with urgent matters.  Don’t go alone. Go with Global.

Why choose us

When you travel with the best we take care of pretty much everything so you don’t have to. You’ll arrive in Peru totally prepared with a plan of action and trusted people helping you along the way. 

Our volunteer trips are designed to help you make a real change in critical causes around the world. All while experiencing off-the-beaten-path locations with passionate locals. Our goal is to save you time, money, and stress while eliminating the risk of returning home early. Here’s how we do it: 

We’re on your side from the moment you get started. 

You’ll be assigned a dedicated Trip Coordinator. They’ll guide you through the next steps and answer all your questions. They’ll also help you with the pesky visa. No guesswork – only the right paperwork, approved the first time, in your hands before you leave. 

Your Personal Travel Concierge will help with flights, insurance, and any add-ons you’d like for your trip. These are real humans too – no robots here. 

We maintain relationships with a huge network of screened and vetted partner organisations all over the world. We know they’re trustworthy and that you’re in good hands because of all the successful trips Global Travellers keep having with our partners. 

Our team is well travelled so you can rely on our experience. We’re with you every step of the way. 

Join 75,000+ travellers – giving us 10,000+ 4 & 5 star reviews – by choosing Global to make your travel dreams come true.

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Frequently asked questions

Why are you the best company to choose?

As the world’s leading gap-year and "work & travel" company, we pride ourselves on providing a premium service for Global Travellers. Choose from a variety of awesome experiences worldwide, and let us assist you with visas, pre-departure preparations, flights, insurance, and tours. Throughout your journey, our cool tech features will support you every step of the way. As a Global Traveller, gain access to gWorld, our personalised app designed to enhance your travel experience. Keep important documents and trip details handy, and take advantage of exclusive Marketplace deals, a vibrant social network, language learning resources, side trips, meet-ups, and more. It's like having all your favorite travel apps merged into one, but even better! But our support doesn't end there. With four international offices, over 100 dedicated staff members, a 24/5 emergency team, and the backing of over 90,000 Global Travellers who have turned their travel dreams into reality with us, rest assured you're in good hands. We also proudly boast the most and best reviews in the biz, and maintain a massive following on our social channels including Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. Embark on your next adventure with confidence and ease. Join us and discover the world in a meaningful way!

Are flights & insurance included?

While we would love to include flights and insurance in our trip packages, it is not feasible to have a fixed price due to the diverse destinations, trip durations, and individual coverage needs of our travellers from around the globe. However, once you register for the trip, we will assign you a dedicated Travel Concierge. They will work closely with you to arrange the ideal flights and insurance tailored to your specific adventure. Rest assured, our team is here to ensure you have a smooth and hassle-free travel experience from start to finish!

Why do I have to pay to volunteer?

The trip fee covers all the essential trip inclusions that ensure you have a meaningful and safe volunteering experience. It includes comprehensive pre-departure support to assist you throughout your journey. Once you arrive at your destination, the fee covers transportation, accommodation, and in most cases meals and some amazing excursions you'll do alongside other international volunteers. This comprehensive support is essential to provide you with a positive and secure volunteering experience, which is of utmost importance to us. Your trip fee allows us to ensure your well-being while making a meaningful impact, and it contributes to the sustainability and effectiveness of the volunteer projects we support.

Will I receive guidance and support before starting the volunteering trip?

Absolutely! Before starting your volunteer placement, you will receive comprehensive pre-departure support, which includes project-specific information, cultural orientation, and advice on preparing for your journey. Additionally, most trips include on-site training and an orientation to ensure you are well-prepared and confident in your volunteer role.

How do I choose the right volunteer trip for me?

With so many incredible options, we understand that selecting the perfect volunteer trip can be tricky. That's why we recommend booking your favourite one, and your dedicated Trip Coordinator will guide you through the project details. They will consider your interests, skills, desired location, and the impact you want to make. If we find another trip that better suits your preferences, we can easily swap you over to ensure you have the ideal volunteer experience. Rest assured, we're here to help you find the right fit!

How long should I volunteer for?

We offer flexibility in our volunteer trips, allowing you to choose the duration that best suits your schedule and desired experience. While most volunteers join us for 3 or 4 weeks, our trips accommodate durations as short as two weeks or as long as 12 weeks, and even extended stays. The choice is yours!

What ages are most volunteers?

The ages of our volunteers can vary depending on the project, but we have a wide age range. Our volunteers typically range from 18 years old to 85 years old! Our Trip Coordinators ensure that all volunteers are vetted before embarking on their journey. While age may differ, what unites our volunteers is their shared passion for travel and their dedication to making a positive impact in the community or wildlife conservation efforts they are involved in. Regardless of age, anyone with a passion to contribute and explore is welcome to join our volunteer trips.

Is it safe to volunteer overseas?

Safety is our utmost priority, and it drives our thorough trip planning process and comprehensive inclusions. With a successful track record of safely sending tens of thousands of travellers overseas since 2008, we prioritise your well-being throughout the journey. Before you depart, we provide full support, ensuring a smooth and secure experience. Upon arrival, we take care of every detail, including secure airport transfers, comfortable accommodations, usually meals, and dedicated project supervision. Additionally, our 24/5 emergency line ensures immediate assistance whenever needed, providing peace of mind throughout your entire volunteer experience.

Why should I book now?

After the last unexpected disruption to travel caused by the..c word..people are now more eager than ever to venture out and explore the world, determined not to miss out on any experiences. Global Work & Travel works on a first-in-best-dressed basis. Booking earlier ensures that you don’t miss out on the best intake, season, placements and more! We recommend our travellers take 6-12+ months to plan their trip for a reason - to make sure you’ve got everything organised perfectly, stress-free. As a Global Traveller you’ll get exclusive access to gWorld, our personalised app where you can keep all of your important documents and trip details in one spot and gain insider access to everything Global. This is where you will find exclusive Marketplace Deals, a unique social network to connect you with other like-minded Global Travellers, access to our Academy with an ever-growing range of skills & languages, and so much more. Think all of your favourite apps merged into one, but like, better? Why not give yourself something to look forward to by booking that trip!

Can I travel with a friend or partner?

Yes you can! Simply tell your Trip Coordinator after booking that your friend is also going and they can link your profiles. For most of our trips we should be able to have you and your friends placed together or nearby. Meaning that you can live, work, play & travel together! But wait there's more! Not only can you travel the world with your besties at your side, you can also earn some extra cash towards your own trip just by referring your friends to Global Work & Travel. You can learn more about the great referral rewards program inside your gWorld account once you join. And for those who decide to go-it-solo, we’ve made it easier to meet other Global Travellers in the same region as you. Just like any other social platform, you’ll be able to interact, share, chat and meet with some really cool people who are doing trips just like you!

Can I bring my pet along?

At Global Work & Travel, we share a deep love for animals and fully understand the special bond you have with your pet. We recognise the challenges of embarking on a trip without them. Due to travel restrictions, requirements, and limited pet-friendly accommodations among our host organisations, we regretfully cannot facilitate their inclusion in the journey. However, many of our customers choose to entrust their pets to a family member or friend, embark on their adventure, and return home to wagging tails and furry cuddles.

What happens if I need to cancel my trip?

We know that life can get in the way of travel, so all our trips come with a great deal of flexibility. In most cases, if you cannot travel on your selected date, you can place your trip on hold to deal with whatever is holding you back, and continue in the future without incurring any penalty. You may also have the option of transferring to an entirely different trip and destination as well, or even transferring your trip to a friend or family member. In the event that you need to outright cancel your trip, if you give us 84* days notice you can do so with only a 50% cancellation fee. Your refund of the balance will come in the form of a Store Credit which you can put toward any other trip that we offer, including tours through third-party providers, as well as holidays through DealsAway.com, and is valid for 2 years from date of issue. As international travel can be complex, your options are based on the progress of your trip organisation and our support team can assist you in finding the best solution for your needs.

How it works

1. Choose a trip style

Find your dream experience & destination, then secure your spot with a flexible & low deposit. Activate your gWorld to unlock some cool perks. Well done! The hardest part’s over!

2. We become friends

Book a time to meet your dedicated Trip Coordinator who knows all the ins & outs of your trip. They’ll be by your side and working behind-the-scenes to pull everything together.

3. Time to go!

We’ll get your tickets, accommodation & transfers ready. Our in-country team or partner will have everything prepared & waiting for your arrival. Get on the plane with no worries!

4. 24/5 support

Never stress, knowing we’re there with you when you need us with ongoing & unlimited local team support. And just in case, we’ve got an emergency team on stand-by, 24 hours, Mon-Fri.

Still have questions?

Why go Global

Flexible trips

The unexpected can happen sometimes. Can't travel right now? Swap your trip, gift it or save it for later with our Lifetime Deposit Guarantee.

Worldwide support

Know that someone is always ready to assist throughout the journey & they’re only a call, tweet, comment, text or double tap away, 24/5.

We're the experts

With over 10 years in the industry and a team of over 90 passionate pros, you can bet we know our stuff better than anyone else.

Partner network

We have over 1,200 partners around the globe, so we have access to plenty of exclusive opportunities to make your trip the best it can be.

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