Childcare & Elephant Volunteer Program India

Overview

Be a volunteer for the Childcare & Elephant Experience Program in India for 2 weeks. This program perfectly blends the idea of responsible traveling and cultural explorations in India, meant for those who have limited time in hand, yet looking for an enriching experience.

During your journey, you'll get to soak yourself in the richness of the country, meet some amazing people, learn about the Indian culture & history, savor the authentic delicacies and make a difference through your volunteering service.

Traveling across Delhi, Agra & Jaipur will surely be the highlight of this trip, as you'll get to spot the Mughal & Rajput architecture, and witness the grandeur as well. This trip will surely leave you craving for more.

Itinerary

Day 1 (Sunday) – Arrival at Delhi and transfer to accommodation

Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, our coordinator will welcome you and then take you to your accommodation. Take some time off to relax and overcome jet lag. Later you can have a walk around the accommodation or select from one of the optional activities for the day.

Meals – Dinner, subject to arrival time

Day 2 (Monday) – Orientation

Enjoy your breakfast at the accommodation, which will be followed by a detailed orientation session. In this session, our program coordinator will give you all the information about your program and schedule. Rest of time is free for leisure activities or for optional tours.

Meals – Breakfast and dinner

Day 3 (Tuesday) – Delhi city tour

Today, after breakfast, we will take you for a city tour of Delhi. You will be visiting some of the most famous places in the capital; such as Qutab Minar, Lotus Temple, Humayun’s Tomb and India Gate. You can have lunch at a local restaurant (at own cost).

(Meals – Breakfast and dinner)

Day 4 (Wednesday) to Day 6 (Friday) – Volunteering in Delhi

You will be volunteering in Delhi for 3 days. Volunteers will be working in the Street Children or the Child Care Project in Delhi. Under this project, volunteers take informal education classes with the children, play games with them and introduce them to different new activities.

Volunteers work at the various contact points or shelter homes, being run by various organizations, which serve as day care centers for these street children. They can assist in providing love, care, basic literacy, recreation and most importantly spend time with them and shower affection on them.

Meals – Breakfast and dinner

Day 7 (Saturday) – Free day

This day is free to roam around in Delhi and visiting places of interest. If your placement is open on Saturday you can also go to the placement.

Meals – Breakfast and dinner

Day 8 (Sunday) – Delhi to Agra, visit Taj Mahal

Early morning we will transfer you to the train station in Delhi and you will travel to Agra by air-conditioned train. Upon arrival at Agra, our representative will transfer you to the accommodation booked for you. After getting refreshed you will visit Taj Mahal. After the visit to Taj Mahal, you can see how the marble inlay work is done and you can buy gifts. You can have lunch and dinner at the hotel or at a local restaurant nearby.

Meals – Breakfast

Day 9 (Monday) – Transfer to Elephant program accommodation, orientation at the project site and volunteering work begins

After early breakfast, at 8 am we will transfer to your program accommodation. Get familiar with the accommodation and then at around 9.30 we will transfer you to the program placement site. There will be an orientation where all program related information will be given to you.

Main tasks at the placement are:-

Elephant Kitchen work (Cutting fruits / Distributing porridge / Making enrichment treats)
Enrichment Structure repair / Making new enrichment
Gardening / Plantation / Nursery maintenance
Fodder distribution
Walk with the Elephants

Other tasks may include:-

Cleaning the gift shop/visitor center
Cleaning the area around the education walkway center
Help to fill in the guest register
Assisting guests during their visits

Working hours:-

9/9.30 am to 5 pm

Meals – Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 10 (Tuesday) and day 11 (Wednesday) – Elephant volunteering continues

Work at your placement continues.
Meals – Breakfast, lunch, and dinner

Day 12 (Thursday) – Transfer to Agra, Agra to Jaipur

Today, post breakfast we will transfer you to Agra city. You will have lunch in Agra (at your own cost) and then we will transfer you to the train station in Agra. You will travel to Jaipur by an air-conditioned train. Upon arrival at Jaipur, our representative will pick you up from the station and take you to the booked accommodation. You can have dinner at the accommodation or in a local restaurant nearby (at own cost).

Meals – Breakfast

Day 13 (Friday) – Jaipur city tour

After breakfast, you will go for the city tour of Jaipur. In this tour, you will visit City Palace and monkey temple. You will also have a photo stop at Jal Mahal (Palace in the lake). You can also do shopping in Jaipur.

Meals - Breakfast

Day 14 (Saturday) – Visit Amber Fort, Jaipur to Delhi

After early breakfast, at around 8.30 am, you will first take a photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds) and then you will see the historic Amber Fort. After the fort visit, you will have a photo stop at Jal Mahal (Palace in the lake). You will be back to accommodation by 12 noon. After check out, you can have lunch at the hotel (at extra cost). Later you can wait at the hotel lobby (if the hotel allows late check in then you can stay back in the room). At 5 pm we will transfer you to the train station in Jaipur and you will travel to Delhi by air-conditioned train. Upon arrival in Delhi, we will transfer you to accommodation.

Meals - Breakfast

Day 15 (Sunday) – Departure

This is the last day of your Program. You can contact the program coordinator if you would like to arrange airport transfer at a nominal cost.

Project Requirement

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. A parental consent form shall be required for Under 18 participants joining the program. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference and have a keen interest in working with wildlife. You should be fit and healthy and willing to work outdoors in the project.

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Living

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 8 am and 8 pm 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.

Accommodation
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 cozy stay. Whether you're lounging in our cozy 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 travelers.

All rooms in the hostel are air conditioned. While bedding is provided, you should bring your own towels and toiletries.

On the day of arrival in Agra, 1-day accommodation will be provided in a hostel. When volunteering for Elephants, volunteers will stay in a volunteer house located in the outskirts of the city, close to the countryside. This accommodation will be provided on same-gender sharing basis. The accommodation is basic but comes with all necessary facilities such as a fully-functional kitchen, water filter, a common seating area, a common dining area, a collection of books to read, basic WiFi, clean linen, blankets etc. In Jaipur accommodation will be provided in a hostel as well.

Upgrades to private single or double rooms are available at extra charges.

Orientation
A half day orientation will be provided by our staff on the next day after your arrival. We cover areas like culture, greetings, locations, transportation etc. Start your volunteering experience by taking the 1 week Language & Culture Orientation Program in Delhi.

Meals
Indian food is famous around the world for its diverse flavors, colors, and aroma. Renowned worldwide for its diverse flavors, Indian cuisine takes center stage during your volunteering experience. All meals shall be provided as per the itinerary.

During Your Free Time
During the free time in Delhi, volunteers can visit the local markets and monuments. In Agra, volunteers can see the marble inlay work. In Jaipur, volunteers can do shopping and see the walled city. Volunteers can also plan for extended trips to various destinations in India like Varanasi, Udaipur, Goa, Kerala etc.

Dates

January

February

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Available

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Booked Out

Costs

Duration	Program Fee	Choose your currency
2 Weeks	$1165

Please Note: An application fee of is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. A 5% international banking fee is charged for credit card payments of program fee in USD/AUD.

What are you Paying for?

Comprehensive pre-departure guide
Round the clock assistance from support staff and In-country program coordinator
Airport pickup
Program orientation
Accommodation in Volunteer House/Guesthouse
Volunteering at an elephant rescue center near Agra
Breakfast and meals as specified in the itinerary
Delhi-Jaipur-Agra train tickets
Guides for local sightseeing in Jaipur and Agra
Visit to amazing Taj Mahal in Agra and famous monuments in Jaipur
Certificate of Participation(On Request)

What's NOT included?

International/Domestic Airfare
Visa fees
Travel insurance (available at nominal cost)
Entry fees at monuments
Local transportation to and fro program location
Departure transfer to airport (can be arranged at nominal cost)
Meals that are not mentioned

FAQ's

Application and Program Details

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Delhi?: Delhi is one of the most popular volunteering destinations, and it is advised to apply for the projects once the volunteering/ traveling dates are decided as there are limited spots available. The application fee is valid for one full year and can be sent earlier than the desired year of volunteering for timely confirmation of the seat. As soon as you decide the travel dates, we suggest you to apply for the program and hold your spot. Every program has limited spots available.
I haven’t traveled or volunteered abroad before. Can I still be a part of VolSol?: Yes, most definitely you can as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.
How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted ?: Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After we review your CV and documents, your booking is confirmed and the booking confirmation is updated in your My Account and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc.).
When do I need to arrive in Delhi for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Delhi?: All volunteers need to arrive in Delhi on the starting day of the program i.e Sunday. Participants are picked up from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi by the local coordinator or representative and are transferred to the volunteer accommodation.Orientation would be conducted the next day where you will also be shown the area around the accommodations, the nearest ATM, market, and will be given safety guidelines as well as information about your project.
Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Delhi volunteer programs?: Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the India volunteer projects:

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the time of joining the project. Medical Program volunteers must be at least 18 at the time of joining.

16-year-old volunteers can participate in Childcare projects with a Letter of Consent from their parents.

Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.

Participants must be in good health.

India is a country of different cultures and traditions, though it is modernized, the cultural sensitivities need to be kept in mind before volunteering in India. The volunteers should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
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 the 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.
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.

Volunteering Solutions India program has hosted large student groups as well as families coming to volunteer in the program. We have hosted groups from universities in UK, Europe, and USA as well as other countries, in Delhi.
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.

Flights and Visa

Does Volunteering Solutions help 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.

Accommodation and Living

How do I get to the program location?: Your project coordinator will take you to your project placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc.

You will be told about the directions to the project from your accommodation as well as the best and the most affordable mode of transport you can use. Volunteers use a variety of modes of transport to commute to different locations in Delhi. Major modes of transport are Delhi Metro and auto rickshaw (tuk-tuk?).
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.
Can I 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.
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.
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 as well as Amritsar, Punjab. 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.

Health and Safety

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 dos and dont's.
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 Solutions. 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.
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">https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/india">click here.

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions Delhi alumni as well as other former and current volunteers?: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering">https://www.facebook.com/VolunteeringSolutions/">Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook">https://www.facebook.com/groups/VolunteeringSolutions/">Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

Volunteers can also view the volunteer testimonials of Delhi program participants byhttps://www.volunteeringsolutions.com/meet-a-volunteer">; clicking here.