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 choose to go to the nearby market to exchange money and get a local SIM card.
(Meals - NA)
Day 2 (Monday) – Program 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. The rest of the time is free for leisure activities or for optional tours.
(Meals - BD)
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 - BD)
The Delhi Tour would cover the following places of interest -
Lotus Temple: South East of Delhi, this temple is 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, Furiburz 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., nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure, the most notable feature is the garden squares (Chahar bagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located, well proportional mausoleum topped by a double dome. It has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Qutab Minar: It is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storey's are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storey's are of marble and sandstone. 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.
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 World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.
Day 4 (Wednesday) to Day 6 (Friday) – Volunteering with Children 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 daycare 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 - BD)
Day 7 - Day Trip to Taj Mahal, Agra
When you're in India, how can you not visit Agra? Spend your weekend exploring the gorgeous city and soak in the old world vibes. Set out to visit the Taj Mahal - known as the monument of love, that was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife. After the visit to Taj Mahal, you can see how the marble inlay work is done and you can buy souveniers.Later in the evening return back to Delhi. Transfer to Agra and back will be either in the car or by train, depending on the circumstances as well as the number of travelers.
(Meals - BLD)
Day 8 - Free Day to Explore
It’s your free day to explore Delhi. You can plan something with your fellow mates and visit the markets of Janpath or Dilli Haat, or take a metro to Akshardham! Try out the local restaurants and binge on some delicious Indian cuisine.
(Meals - NA)
Day 9 to Day 13 (Monday - Friday) Continue Volunteering with Children
You'll head back to the project site and spend time with the little ones, helping them with their classes. You can also tell them stories, encourage them for extracurricular activities like music, art & crafts, etc. Teach them lessons about health & hygiene and play with them. Above all, shower them with the utmost love and care.
(Meals - BD)
Day 14 (Saturday) - Time to return!
Like all good things, your trip to India has also come to an end! You’ll have say ‘Good Bye’ to your fellow mates, wrap up and head back to the airport to catch your flight.
(Meals - B)
Teaching
Childcare
Community Development