Program Location
Program Duration
Starting Program Cost
Short-Term Volunteer Program in India is exclusively designed for those who have limited time to travel and volunteer abroad. It is for a duration of 2 weeks when participants can travel to India and explore the capital city, New Delhi as well as take a trip to Agra - the city that houses the epitome of love - The Taj Mahal.
Volunteering India welcomes all willing participants to be a part of this incredible short-term volunteering journey where one can work with the little street kids dwelling at shelter homes in Delhi, and help them grow as better human beings. A complete city tour will be organized for the volunteers so that they can witness the grandeur of the historical past of India.
Volunteering with children would be an amazing experience and volunteers will have to teach, play, take care and ensure that the kids get what they deserve. Volunteers can bring smiles on the faces of these disadvantaged street children by helping to create an environment conducive to their holistic development in order to enable them to become a part of mainstream society.
The need for improvisation & creativity in teaching methods is paramount and can challenge the most experienced volunteers, but the rewards are amazing.
Our volunteers can bring along pens, pencils, books and other teaching material which will help them while teaching.
What the volunteers need to do:
Airport Transfer
Upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, volunteers will be greeted by a member of the local coordinating team in Delhi. Scheduled pickup services are available between 8am and 8pm on the program start date. Participants who are already in the country or arriving early can also be picked up from a predetermined meeting point. If you arrive outside scheduled pickup hours, we can arrange for pickup at extra charges.
Accommodations
Participants in Delhi are provided accommodation at a conveniently located hostel in South Delhi. Located at just a five-minute walk from a Metro station in South Delhi, the hostel offers easy access to iconic landmarks like the Lotus Temple and Khan market.
The hostel has spacious dormitories and private rooms that are perfect for a cosy stay. Whether you're lounging in our cosy common area or enjoying a hearty meal at our in-house cafe, every aspect of your stay is designed for comfort and convenience. Additionally, the hostel has an open outdoor area, which is ideal for connecting with fellow travellers.
All rooms in the hostel are airconditioned. While bedding is provided, you should bring your own towels and toiletries.
Upgrades to private single or double rooms are available at extra charges.
Orientation
A comprehensive half-day orientation session will be conducted by our staff on the day following your arrival. The orientation covers essential topics such as culture, greetings, locations, transportation, and other details outlined in your trip itinerary.
Meals
Renowned worldwide for its diverse flavors, Indian cuisine takes center stage during your volunteering experience. Indian vegetarian meals will be provided at the hostel itself.
Free Time Activities
During their free time, volunteers are encouraged to explore local markets, heritage monuments and dine at different restaurants in Delhi to savor the rich variety of Indian cuisines. Delhi has a lot to offer and there are plenty of things to do and see in the bustling capital city.
Participants joining the Mini Break Program in Delhi with Volunteering India are required to follow a basic routine on a daily basis.
A generic daily schedule for volunteers is as follows:
Sunday : Welcome to New Delhi. Once you arrive, you shall be received at the airport/ designated meeting point by our coordinator.
Monday : Orientation & a tour of the neighborhood. An orientation session will be conducted by the local coordinator, covering important areas such as safety, culture, language, places to visit, behavior, food, and other suggestions over things to do in Delhi. Those who chose the Language and Orientation Week will carry on with the same for the entire, rest of the volunteers will begin their volunteer work from Tuesday.
Tuesday to Friday : Volunteer work at the placement site.
Breakfast - 08:30 am onwards.
Working hours at the placement - 10:00 am (leave the accommodation by 09:30 am) to 04:00 pm.
Lunch - Between 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm (manage lunch at their own expense). Our coordinator will assist you regarding the best places for lunch, that's near the program location.
Dinner - 06:00 pm onwards.
The same volunteer work schedule will continue for the second week as well.
Weekend Trips Included :
This is one highlight of the Mini Break Program - volunteers will get two fun-filled weekends when they can explore Delhi and Agra - the two main historical hubs of the country!
Trip to Taj Mahal – Weekend One
On the first weekend, volunteers will be going to Agra to visit the world famous Taj Mahal which is also among the Seven Wonders of the World. The Taj Mahal is considered to be one of the finest examples of ancient Mughal architecture. It is one of the most popular tourist sites in India and is also visited by almost all the volunteers who join our programs in Delhi.
Apart from Taj Mahal, volunteers can also visit the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, which are no less gorgeous. As you’ll visit these places, you’ll get to know about the richness of the country’s past.
Sightseeing in Delhi - Weekend Two
Delhi has so much to offer that one can never fall short of the things to do in this city! Enthusiastic volunteers often sneak out on their own to explore the city on weekdays after work hours.
However, we have a perfectly planned tour for you to take you down the lanes of history and show you some of the most happening places in the city, that will make you fall in love with Delhi even more.
India Gate: At the center of New Delhi stands the 42 m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe" like archway in the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier during the Afghan war of 1919.
Lotus Temple: Located in the South East of Delhi, this temple was built in the shape of a lotus flower and is the last of seven Major Bahai temples built around the world. Completed in 1986, it is set among the lush landscaped gardens. The structure is made up of pure white marble. The architect, Fariburz Sabha, chose the lotus as the symbol common to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Islam. Adherents of any faith are free to visit the temple and pray or meditate.
Humayun's Tomb: This magnificent garden tomb is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India. It was built in 1565 A.D., 9 years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. It has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its architectural beauty.
Qutab Minar: It is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, immediately after the fall of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India.
A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it, your wish will be fulfilled! Another amusing thing about the iron pillar is that it never got rusted since the time it was made to stand there!
There are several other places like the Jama Masjid, Hauz Khas Fort, Old Fort (popularly known as Purana Qila) that one can visit. Apart from these, the nightlife at Hauz Khas Village shouldn’t be missed, just like shopping at Janpath!
Make the most of your “mini-break” and visit India for a life-changing volunteer trip.
| Program Duration | Program Fee | Registration Fee | Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Weeks | $500 | $225 | $725 |
| Extra Week | $120 | $225 | $120 |
Note: You will be required to pay USD 225 / GBP 185 / AUD 320 / EUR 220 as an Application Deposit which is part of the program fees mentioned above, at the time of application to confirm your spot.
A 4% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment
| Months | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| January | 0721 | 0519 |
| February | 0418 | 0216 |
| March | 0317 | 0216 |
| April | 0721 | 0620 |
| May | 0519 | 0418 |
| June | 0216 | 0115 |
| July | 0721 | 0620 |
| August | 0418 | 0317 |
| September | 0115 | 0721 |
| October | 0620 | 0519 |
| November | 0317 | 0216 |
| December | 0115 | 0721 |
People from which countries can join the volunteer programs offered by Volunteering India?
We welcome people from any part of the world to join our programs irrespective of which part of the world volunteers belong from outside India. Majority of our volunteers are from USA, UK, Europe and Australia.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Delhi volunteer programs?
Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the India volunteer projects :
Will I get an airport pickup facility?
Volunteering India representative would be there to receive you at the airport, holding placards, displaying your name. You’ll be picked up from the airport and taken by a car to your accommodation. Volunteers need to send us their arrival information at least 10 days in advance so that we can facilitate your airport pickup.
Can I volunteer as part of a group?
Yes, you are welcome to take part in any of the India Volunteer Programs as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in the Indian programs.
Does Volunteering India helps with Visa?
All enrolled participants are provided information about the appropriate Visa requirements for India in the pre-departure manual. You can also contact your pre-departure point of contact to know more about the Visa requirements.
What are the recommended airlines to fly to Delhi?
The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is connected with all major airports across the globe and flights are easily available. Some of the major flight carriers operating direct flights to Delhi are :
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air India, Jet Airways, Etihad Airways, United Airlines, Swiss Air, KLM Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Austrian, Air France, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways and Finn Air.
How safe is India and Delhi in particular?
India is a country of diverse cultures and practices. and Delhi being the capital city is home to varied ethnicities. Like in any new foreign country, participants are advised to follow the guidelines specified by the project coordinator to enjoy their Indian experience fully. The program coordinators are always ready to help and give helpful safety tips. During the first day of the orientation, you will be given safety guidelines and will be informed about the do's and dont's.
What immunizations/vaccinations will I need ?
All participants are recommended to consult their physician or travel doctor before traveling to India. To view the general list of vaccinations recommended for your travel to India, click here.
Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering India. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.
I want to know more about accommodation and food arrangements?
Volunteers are provided accommodation in a volunteer house or in a homestay (on request) accommodation managed by the local coordinating team. Two meals a day (Breakfast and Dinner) are provided to the volunteers from Monday - Saturday.
On Sunday, volunteers eat out and explore the different gastronomical delights that Delhi has to offer. Accommodation is shared amongst volunteers on the ‘same gender sharing’ basis rooms. Air conditioning facility is provided during the night in the volunteer home accommodations. Wifi internet is also available for volunteers’ convenience. Some volunteers are also provided accommodation in the project premises itself. For example - volunteers working in orphanage project can be provided accommodation in the project premises itself in a separate room that is allotted for volunteers. All meals will be provided to the volunteers in that case.
Can vegetarians be accommodated?
Yes, that is not a problem at all. In fact, volunteers are served vegetarian meals at the accommodations in India.
Would I have free time during my program ? Can I do sightseeing during my program ?
Volunteers work from Monday - Friday and have their weekends free for sightseeing. You can utilize this time to visit local markets of Old Delhi, Janpath or simply visit the Central Park (Garden) and Connaught Place. During the weekend, you have the option to take a short trip to Jaipur and Agra, and the Golden Triangle tour. Strategic placement of Delhi also allows you to take quick weekend trips to Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh in Punjab as well as Amritsar. There is a lot to do and explore, and the local Delhi office team would happily assist you in making travel plans and arrangements for short trips.
Are there more expenses once I arrive in Delhi?
Your program fee does not cover your personal expenses. You will need to provide for yourself your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, shopping, sightseeing etc. However, you should carry around $50-60 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you go on different weekend trips out of town.
For how many hours will I volunteer every day?
Depending on the project, elected volunteers will work during the week from Monday- Friday. You will have weekend off so you can travel on weekends. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.
What if I do not speak the local language? Would that interfere with my volunteering experience?
Do not worry, all the coordinators can speak and converse in English. Most of our participants are non-Hindi speakers and they’ve never had any problems while communicating. Like we say, love is expressed better through actions than the language.
To add to the project experience, you can also join the Language and Orientation Week in Delhi before beginning the program. It's an optional week, besides that we recommend participants to brush up their Hindi skills (learn basic terms and phrases, greetings) before traveling.
Where can I change my money in Delhi? Are there ATMs in Delhi?
On arrival at the IGI airport, you can change your foreign currency to Indian Rupees (INR) at the money exchange counters. India has a modern banking system and all the major credit and debit cards are accepted without any problems. ATMs are available in plenty and you will be shown the nearest ATM from the accommodation as well.
To know about the necessary items that you should pack before setting out for India, Click Here.
To know more about the things to do in Delhi while volunteering, Click Here.
