Good to know | India -

Project Background

Our India adventure comes to life through our inspiring local partner, Ridhi Patel, founder of Volunteering Journeys. Ridhi has dedicated her career to creating meaningful opportunities for travellers to make a tangible difference, combining community impact with authentic cultural immersion. Her passion lies in connecting people across borders, building empathy, and turning travel into a genuine force for good.

One of Ridhi’s core focuses in India is education and empowerment. Together, we’ve crafted an itinerary that allows you to form real connections and help shape young lives, whether through classroom support, creative workshops, or simply sharing conversation and confidence.

A highlight of this collaboration is our time at the remarkable Raksha School in Kerala - a pioneering centre offering education, vocational training, and rehabilitation for children and young adults with neuro-developmental challenges.

Founded in 1985 by the extraordinary Raksha Menon, the school helps its students develop their potential so they can face life with courage and stand tall with dignity.Whether you’re assisting with English lessons, helping with disabled care, or supporting school renovations, your time here will have a visible, lasting impact - both on the students and on your own understanding of what it means to give back through travel.

gap year india volunteering abroad in school young student wearing the leap tshirt teaching Indian children

Accommodation + Meals

KOCHI
Rainbow House. Kerala Volunteer Accommodation.
Breakfast, lunch + dinner included with a range of dietary options

‍MUNNAR TREK
‍This multi-day trek will take you along mountainous trails, lakes and even through dense cloud forest. You’ll spend your evenings camping in luxurious Indian style tents.
All the camping gear you need will be provided for you on site, all you need is a day bag with your essentials. All meals are provided, except though you may want to bring snacks for energy. You’ll enjoy ethnic dishes, offering a variety of veggie and non-veggie options.

KERALA BACKWATERS
Spend your night cruising down the breathtaking backwaters, sleeping on a traditional Houseboat.
Meals are provided on board, while you can choose your own lunch once you’ve reached Marari beach.

‍GOLDEN TRIANGLE
This is your chance to see the India you’ve read about, touring around some of the country’s most iconic locales. As a result, you’ll get to stay in lavish hotels such as the Rose Mallow in Delhi, The Retreat in Agra and the Park Ocean in Jaipur.
Breakfast is included at all hotels. For lunch and dinner, this is your opportunity to be creative, with the freedom to pick your fancy across these cities. Our guides will have suggestions and advice on hand to help curate your decisions.

gao year india volunteering abroad accommodation on a floating boathouse in western ghats

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India Essentials

Communication

Hindi is the most spoken language in India, though you can encounter a range of dialects as you explore the differences between the North and the South. Fancy a challenge? Try impressing locals in Kochi with some key phrases in Malayalam, the official language of Kerala.

Your guides are English speaking to help you translate.

Phones + Wi-Fi

Many phone plans have international options. Indian SIM cards are readily available.

Wifi is available apart from the Houseboat and the Trek.

Weather & Travel Times

The prime time of year to visit is between October and March with comfortable weather. The peak summer months see higher temperatures, humidity and heavy rainfall as it is Monsoon season.

Temperatures can range from around 23°C to 33°C depending on the season.

Visas & Entry Requirements

A tourist visa is necessary for entry. We will provide you with all references and information needed to process your application in advance of the trip.

Passport Validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your date of entry and have at least two blank pages for visa stamps and immigration stamps.

Proof of Exit: You strictly must exit India before your Visa expires. We recommend the standard 30 day tourist visa, though you can explore longer options if you’d like to explore India through onward travel.

Flights

You’ll fly into Cochin Airport (COK) and depart from Delhi Airport (DEL) with exact dates dependent on flight availability.

Please do not book any flights independently - wait for our admin email, which will include our recommended flight itinerary. We coordinate flights through Trailfinders, the UK’s most trusted travel brand, offering ATOL-protected "flight only" bookings (ATOL number T1458).

Insurance

For UK Residents: We recommend Campbell Irvine Ltd who have designed a policy specifically with our projects in mind. We suggest you purchase your travel insurance at the earliest opportunity, so you are covered for any insurable reasons in the unlikely event you must cancel having committed to your itinerary or paid for flights.

‍USA Residents: We recommend Inext who can combine with your exiting medical cover. Most Leapers buy the Platinum Policy.

Vaccinations

The following list is a guide only. Your doctor will advise.
‍
Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid.

Money

Local currency is called India Rupee. We recommend bringing a combination of a debit card and a Revolut (or similar) card for convenience and security.

ATMs are widely available, in the cities making it easy to withdraw money as needed. We recommend you take both cash and a debit/credit card, particularly for the Trek and Houseboat where ATMs may be rarer. Best currencies - US Dollars or Indian Rupee, both are accepted widely.

While India can be inexpensive, you must be careful and budget. Drinks and any extra adventures you may want to include can add up. Most Leapers report on our trips that they spend about £200 extra per week.

What to Pack?

Clothes

Less is more and a laundry service is available throughout - budget about $10 per load.

A selection of light weight trousers, shorts, t-shirts to wear during the day for project work
A selection of nice clothes for going out in the evenings
Lightweight long sleeved t-shirt and trousers (both boys & girls) for working within the schools
A hoodie/fleece and comfortable trekking clothes for cooler evenings in the cloud forest
A lightweight waterproof jacket
1 pair of sturdy trainers
1 pair flip-flops
1 pair casual shoes
Beach wear: sun hat, swimmers etc.

Equipment

Rucksack - NO hard-shell SUITCASES
Day rucksack
Small dry bag
Waterproof phone cover
Packing cubes - useful to manage our rucksack
Towel/sarong x 2. The microfibre towels are great as they dry quickly
1 pair of working gloves – a pair of sturdy gardening gloves will do the job
Head torch
Plug adapter required - they have American style plugs
Sunglasses
Water bottle
Spare, cheap phone - just in case you lose/break your mobile
Portable phone charger

Toiletries & Medical

Basic everyday toiletries
Sun cream/after sun
Travel wash
Hand sanitiser
Insect repellent
Antibacterial spray/cream for open wounds
Rehydration powders
Savlon
Antihistamines
E45/Sudocrem
Immodium
Mediplasters
Personal medication - bring extra supplies, know the generic names of your medication, and ensure you can manage allergies (e.g. carry an epipen if necessary)

Where to Next? Keep the Adventure Going

Why go home when there’s so much more to explore? After the programme, most of our teams aren’t ready to call it quits. Instead, they dive into a new phase of independent travel with their new best mates, making the most of their gap year together.

Costa Rica’s got you perfectly placed for whatever vibe you’re after. Head north to dive into the vibrant cultures of Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico—think colourful towns, ancient ruins, and epic beach days.

Or, if you’re craving adventure down south, make your way through Panama, Colombia, and Peru where rainforests, buzzing cities, and Incan wonders are waiting. Wherever you go, you’ll find fresh challenges, unforgettable experiences, and plenty more stories to bring home.

Ready to keep the adventure rolling? Check out our blogs below for tips and inspiration or head to our guide to backpacking in Central America.