Do you dream of seeing the Taj Mahal? Plan a gap year to India. This country is incredible with culture, history, food and so many amazing tourist sights and attractions. If you would like to go backpacking, work or volunteer in India find your trip today.
Best Volunteer Programs & Backpacking Trips in India
Community Volunteer in Jaipur
• 2-11 weeks
• Price from £695
India Volunteer Trip
• 2-11 weeks
• Price from £945
Best of Southern India Tour
• 14 days
• Price from £999
Himalayan Adventure
• 20 days, 3 countries
• Price from £3,949
India & Nepal Adventure
• 15 days
• Price from £1,449
Travelling and Backpacking in India
India is a country that has to be seen to be believed. It is simply indescribable, except in generic terms of wonderment (Lonely Planet, for example, calls it ‘Bamboozling’). But why is this?
Perhaps the answer lies in its incredible diversity. India is a melting pot of different cultures, landscapes, religions and economic circumstances, woven together as intricately as one of its famous textiles.
It is at once a place of snow-topped mountains and sun-kissed beaches; teeming metropolises and lamp-lit villages; imposing skyscrapers and ancient markets. The last juxtaposition, in particular, shows the way ancient and modern co-exist like two sides of a ten-rupee coin. That’s the beauty of India.
We genuinely believe that the unparalleled range of amazing – often contradictory – experiences on offer makes it the best country on Earth in which to travel. The truth is: it’s up to you. India is whatever you want it to be and there are so many amazing trips and programs available to book all year round.
Volunteer in India
When looking to spend a gap year volunteering abroad, India usually comes close to the top of places to go. NGO’s and charities have been helping in India for decades and there are established projects making a real difference on the ground.
Volunteering in India can be a really eye opening and life changing experience and there are placements throughout the country where you can help children, communities, animals, nature and conservation.
Some beneficiaries of programs include children and adults with learning disabilities living in residential institutions, children and their families living in rural poverty, and a community of 100,000 people living in slum conditions in India. Thousands of international volunteers from a variety of backgrounds participate every year and everyone receives comprehensive training.
Everyone is welcome to apply – non-skilled volunteers of all ages from a variety of backgrounds or if you have a specialist skill or experience with health, education and social care sectors this is really beneficial. Together with other volunteers you can contribute a wide variety of experience, knowledge and most importantly enthusiasm, to improve the quality of life for many people experiencing hardship around India.
Work in India
Unless you get a professional job with an international company then finding paid work in India can be difficult, or the jobs that are available have low salaries especially compared to other Asia gap year destinations.
If you would like to get a job one option is to take a TEFL certification course and teach English. This is popular way to get a work visa and there companies hiring language teachers in most areas of the country. You can also apply to join internship and work experience programs throughout the country.
Study in India
Hindi is one of the official languages of India, and surprisingly is more closely related to English than it is to the languages in south India. You could book beginners Hindi lessons which are designed to develop basic conversational language skills to help our interns interact with locals and perform basic everyday tasks like asking for directions or negotiating a rickshaw fare. Language classes provide an opportunity to interact with locals and to create a platform for cultural exchange. Other courses are sometimes included as part of work and travel packages e.g. cookery or studying abroad programs.
India Tours
If you are planning to go backpacking and travelling in India you really should consider booking an small group tour. Local and international companies offer small group trips, trekking and cycle tours. Trips can last a few days to a few months or longer.
These adventures are popular with independent travellers who are looking to get off beaten track but still keep control. This gives you the best of both worlds – the peace of mind provided by a reputable company and the flexibility to plan your trip as you wish. Gap year tours are available for all ages and abilities.
Popular places to visit include Goa, Delhi, Varanasi, Kerala, Rajasthan, Agra, Amritsar and Ladakh.
Popular Activities
Visit world-famous landmarks
No gap year to India would be complete without seeing some of the country’s world-famous buildings, the most iconic of which is, undoubtedly, the Taj Mahal. Travelling to Agra to see this stunning mausoleum should definitely be part of your schedule – and you cannot fail to be impressed by its beautiful design and symmetry. It dates back to the 16th century, when Mughul emperor Shah Jahan ordered its construction in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, his wife.
Have a spiritual experience
India is famous for being a spiritual country, so while you’re exploring it is worth trying to experience a little of this. Among your options is paying a visit to the holy River Ganges and, if you head to Rishikesh in Uttarakhand, you can listen to worshippers singing and chanting to the river in praise.
Getting a taste of India’s traditional medicine, the Ayurvedic philosophy, is another option worth considering. This teaches that your body is a temple and aims to heal people in both body and mind. Ayurvedic experiences range from simple massages – which you can have in a lot of hotels and establishments such as Ashtaang in Delhi – to extended stays in retreats dedicated to it. The choice is yours!
