Quick Overview
Our summer volunteering travel adventure in India takes place in the beautiful coastal city of Cochin in Kerala, South India combined with the Golden Triangle Tour of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur in North India. So if you’re looking for the ultimate volunteering experience abroad with a real taste of India, this program is the perfect combined trip. This 3 week holiday volunteering experience is ideal for anyone who wants to find a volunteering project to fit in around studies and school / college semesters or for someone who wants to find a short term project to be involved in over the summer.
There are set start dates in 2017 and 2018 to suit your schedule and the volunteering work will give you a chance to form deeper connections with others whilst giving back to poor, disadvantaged communities. Through education volunteering, sports coaching or women’s empowerment, you contribution to our summer project can help to rebuild and reshape communities whilst improving the lives of those you meet.
A minimum group size of 4 will be required to run this program. If you are a group of friends or a family this is a great way to experience India.
What’s Involved
Taking place over 3 weeks, this summer volunteering program will have 2 weeks volunteering in Kerala where you can choose either in English teaching, working with disabled children or women’s empowerment in the urban slum areas of Fort Kochi. The work you do will help to improve life skills and instil confidence into the young people of the local community and you will touch the lives of everyone you meet along the way. Whether you choose to work in local schools or in local community centres, you will contribute towards a better society and inspire an improved education system or help to tackle the issues of gender inequality. If you would like a medical placement please sign up to our Medical Electives Discover India Program.
Followed by a full 1 week Golden Triangle tour in the North of India visiting the major tourist cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, your trip will be finished with an exciting finale and you can reward yourself for all your hard work. Some of the highlights of the Golden Triangle Tour will be visiting the Taj Mahal, Palaces and forts of Jaipur and Old and New Delhi. Your tour will have an English Speaking guide.
You can also join this program for 2 weeks with 1 week volunteering and 1 week travel. Last minute bookings will not be possible on this program. The last date to apply is 30th April for any year. There is a minimum age requirement of 17 years for this program.
All The Details
Kerala, India
Delhi, India
If you are a group of 4 or more we are happy to provide you with a date of your choice. However if you are an individual applying then please select from the below dates.
3 Weeks (2 Weeks Volunteer & 1 Week Travel) | 2 Weeks (1 Weeks Volunteer & 1 Week Travel) | ||||
2017 | 2018 | 2017 | 2018 | ||
17th June | 16th June | 24th June | 23rd June | ||
15th July | 14th July | 22nd July | 21st July | ||
12th August | 11th August | 19th August | 18th August | ||
This will not include the backwaters overnight tour |
All our rates are in GBP £
3 Weeks Summer Volunteer in India with a North India Tour (Delhi, Jaipur and Agra) |
£1249 |
2 Weeks Summer Volunteer in India with a North India Tour (Delhi, Jaipur and Agra) |
£1049
The 2 week program excludes the backwaters tour. |
If you want to extend your summer volunteering program to more than 3 weeks get in touch with us hello@volunteeringjourneys.com
What’s Included?
Volunteering Includes:
- Pre-departure guide – to prepare you for your trip
- Pick-up and drop from the nearest airport
- Accommodation and Meals (Breakfast and Lunch)
- Experienced bilingual local staff team
- Location orientation and project training with the local Program Manager
- Project resources – e.g. school curriculums and books, past volunteer notes
- 24 hour support in your location for emergencies
- Transport to the project site when needed
North India Tour Includes:
- Flight to Delhi from Cochin
- 3* Hotel Accommodation and daily breakfast at coffee shop or restuarant
- All transfers and sightseeing
- Air Conditioned vehicle tranport
- Vehicle Costs, Fuel charges and other permits
- English speaking guide in Agra and Delhi
- Assistance by our rep on arrival and departure
- All government taxes
Whats Not Included in your program fee :
- Flights to the program destinations
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Vaccinations
- Personal shopping and gratuities
- Local excursions
- Project materials that you personally need *
*We provide basic resources, school books, online resources, and use of our computers for further online research for project ideas. Please bring your own resources from home if needed. Photocopying and printing or buying materials you need for projects is at your own expense.
North India Tour Excludes:
- Flights to Delhi
- Any Monument entrance fees
- Personal shopping, laundry and telephone bills
- Gratuities to guide and driver
- Lunch and Dinner
Local Team On Ground
Geetha Raj: Kerala Program Manager
Geetha is the backbone of our programs in Kerala. Her friendliness, generosity and warmth towards every volunteer will leave you feeling extra special. Having worked as local journalist for almost 10 years, Geetha grew a passion for community development work, and is very forward thinking. She is instrumental in Kerala Program development. A born leader, Geetha will give you the direction you will need to succeed as a volunteer. Her team will look after all your needs from the time you enter Kerala to the time you leave.
Midhu Anthony: Kerala Program Coordinator
A young mother of two, Midhu wanted to give back and be involved in her community. As a local she is culturally aware and will give you all the little do’s and dont’s of Kerala! Midhu is instrumental in preparing everything for our volunteers arrival, health and safety, accommodation, food, housekeeping and departure. Midhu will be taking you on a walking area tour of Fort Kochi when you arrive. She also helps Geetha on the projects from time to time.
Getting There
- Your arrival airport is Cochin International Airport (COK)
- Your departure airport is Delhi International Airport (DEL)
- If you wish to book flights to this destination please fill in this form.
- We recommend you apply for Visas before you arrive. You can get e Visas for India for less than 4 weeks travel.
- Travel Insurance is compulsory on this program.
- Vaccinations are important. We recommend you visit your local travel clinic to find out what vaccines you should take.
- We work with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for travel to India. Goto www.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo to find out how best to avoid trouble when abroad. Packed with essential travel advice and tips, the website also offers up-to-date country information.
- For support on any of the above email us hello@volunteeringjourneys.com
What Happens When I Arrive?

Living Arrangements for this Program:
You will be living in shared accommodation with other volunteers, so you will always be able to make friends with likeminded people. All rooms are shared with one other volunteer from the project and will include a fan and an en-suite bathroom for your personal comfort. If you would like to upgrade to a private room or a room with air conditioning, please contact our team in advance and we can arrange this on your behalf. All shared houses will offer free WiFi connection but please be aware, this will not be the same high speed internet that you get back home.
Meals will also be provided and will be delicious local cuisine. If you prefer a western menu, feel free to visit the many local cafes and restaurants in the nearby area.
On the North India tour accommodation will be in comfortable and clean 3 Star hotels. Rooms will have air-conditioning but please do not expect WiFi. You will be sharing with one other person. You have the option of upgrading your hotels and getting private rooms. Let us know in advance what your preference is. Only breakfast will be provided whilst on tour. Lunch and Dinner places will be shown to you by our guide on the tour.

Health and Safety :
When you join our programs you can be assured we have carried out Risk Assessments to identify potential safety and health risks on projects and in the community. We share this information with you in our pre departure documents and on arrival. Our local staff are well trained and we provide 24/7 emergency numbers to all participants. Please read our Health and Safety pages for more details.
We protect the safety of children and vulnerable adults on our programs by police verification and a reference checks on all participants. Please read our Child Protection Policy for more details.
Volunteering Journeys Foundation:
Through our commitment to responsible tourism we have developed the Volunteering Journey’s Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the world through supporting local charities, local organisations and community projects in the places that we work in. 100% of each donation goes directly to support our projects. Go to our Donation page if you want to support or fundraise for our Kerala Program.