The Land of Diversity

Volunteer in India

India is a country of contrasts and diversity.

India is a country of contrasts and diversity.
Known for ancient monuments, Royal Bengal tigers, and as the birthplace of many religions, a gap year in India offers a cultural experience you’ll never forget. The morning calls of the chai wallahs, the vision of smoke curling over the Ganges during a golden Varanasi sunrise, and the rich aromas of simmering curry will all stay with you for years to come.
But with a population of over one billion people and one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, India is also a nation facing wide-ranging developmental challenges.
You can help inspire a generation of change-makers to tackle these challenges.
Indian children holding hands and smiling for the camera - GapGuru

Volunteer in India

On a GapGuru program in India, you can be a part of influencing change for some of the most pressing issues facing underprivileged Indian communities. You’ll join the efforts of our charity, the FutureSense Foundation, to create a long-term impact on the lives of the people you’ll meet.
Our India programs offer you the chance to do more than simply volunteer abroad.
Join us and leave your handprint in a fascinating and incredibly beautiful country.
Dancing girls in traditional Indian dress - GapGuru

Why Gap Year in India?

Dancing girls in traditional Indian dress - GapGuru
A young woman facing away from the camera holding two footballs and wearing a yellow FutereSense Foundation t-shirt - GapGuru

Why GapGuru?

Extensive Gap Year Experience

Over the past 18 years, we’ve guided more than 6,000 students through unforgettable gap year experiences.

Ethical Gap Year Programs

All our programs work towards the UN’s Global Sustainable Development Goals and are backed up by our charity, the FutureSense Foundation.

A community of support

You’ll be guided by our GapGuru Advisors and Mentors before, during and after your gap year experience.

Don’t just take it from us…

Why visit India?

This was an amazing experience

This was an amazing experience, loved every second even through the challenges. Working on improving the environment and volunteering at the park where so rewarding but also the workshops carried out as a team where great to experience.

5

Sarah

Travelled in 2022

I loved experiencing new cultures

This was such an amazing experience that changed how I look at the world and taught me more about what it means to be a global citizen. It also made me realise how much I want to travel in the future.

5

Mia

Travelled in 2022

A wholesome, fulfilling experience

I’d highly recommend this experience to any students. Not only does it look great on a CV but it was tremendous fun to do as well. Overall, a really fantastic experience.

5

Harrison

Travelled in 2022

learnt so much and had an amazing time.

Absolutely amazing. Any issues I had in organising the trip, eg flights or vaccines, they told me exactly where to go for the best info. I was completely prepared for my trip, what I would be doing, and the expectations. I learnt so much and had an amazing time.

5

M. Gray

Travelled in 2022

Your Gap Year in India

All you need to know

Things to do in India

India Highlights

Palampur

On any of our volunteer programs in India, you’ll be based in Palampur, a quiet town in the Himalayan foothills. Dubbed the ‘Green Valley’ of Himachal Pradesh, Palampur is famous for its aromatic tea gardens and impeccable paddy fields.
Palampur means “lots of water” as it is a combination of three words: Pani, Alam and Pur.

With its pleasant climate all year round, the region’s many streams and brooks provide a beautifully lush natural landscape with the Himalayas framing the backdrop.

The colonial-era architecture and beautiful temples line the streets of this beautiful mountain town. 

Language

India has 22 separate official languages but is also home to a total of 121 languages and 270 mother tongues. The prevailing  language is Hindi, with English being the second language. This is a result of the extended British rule of the country and it now is primarily used in business, education, and official documents.

Hindi originated from the interaction of early speakers of Kharli Boli with Muslim invaders from multiple places in Asia. The language dates as far back as the 7th Century!

Here are a few phrases of Hindi to get you started, but we encourage you to try and learn a few more from our team and the community while in Palampur.

English
Hindi Pronunciation
Hindi
Good morning
Subh prabhat
शुभभात
How are you?
Aap kaise hain?
आप कैसे हैं?
Thank you
Dhanayavaad
आप कैसे हैं?
My name is…
Mera naam…… hai
मेरा नाम है…

Your India Bucket List

Taj Mahal

When someone says ‘India’, you think of the Taj Mahal.

Some historians say that the architectural beauty of this historic monument has never been surpassed. Built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, in memory of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it is an ‘elegy in marble’. Some even describe it as an expression of a ‘dream’.

Unfortunately, the Taj Mahal, which is also one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, is falling victim to chronic pollution and is gradually turning yellow due to air pollution caused by petrol flames and illegal building works.

The Taj Mahal is a long way from Palampur, so the easiest way to visit it as part of your time in Delhi.

Taj Mahal India - GapGuru
The doorway of the Taj Mahal, India - GapGuru

Taj Mahal

The FutureSense Foundation

Be a part of something bigger

When gapping with us, you’ll be supporting our partner charity, the FutureSense Foundation.
Through our programmes and initiatives, the FutureSense Foundation works towards achieving a ‘Fairer World’, a world in which each person has the opportunity to meet their aspirations for a better future.
On your gap year, you’ll see first-hand the work that the FutureSense Foundation does and be a part of our long-term, sustainable programs.
A group of Cambodian children racing in the street laughing with lots of others cheering on - GapGuru

India volunteer programs

How do you want to make your impact?

On our programs, you’ll be immersed in our community development projects to help increase our impact in the area. That could be through health promotion workshops, teaching conversational English and life skills to school children, planting trees with the community, or building new classrooms.
However you want to leave your handprint, we’ve created the best programs to help you make the most of your time in Palampur.
Help bring awareness of vital health issues to improve the lives of the children and adults of the Palampur community.
Work with local schools to deliver workshops on a range of topics, from conversational English to Environmental Awareness.
Work with children and adults to raise awareness of climate change and turn that awareness into action.
Become an activity leader to inspire the local children to express themselves through creative arts and sport.

How it works

The GapGuru Way

At GapGuru we have the experience to keep things simple for you. With close to two decades shaping over 6,000 trips, we know exactly what makes an impactful, meaningful and memorable gap year. Simply choose your start date then follow these three simple steps:

STEP 01

Choose where you'll make your impact

Pick from five incredible destinations, electing the number of weeks you want to spend in each. You’ll be playing your part to help create a brighter future for some of the most disadvantaged communities around the world.

STEP 02

Decide how you'll make a difference

Select from four activity types that have been designed to be as impactful as possible. All of our programs are built off the back of the FutureSense Foundation, ensuring you’ll be a part of creating lasting change for our communities.

STEP 03

Choose your add-ons

Select additional programs to add to your gap year experience. These can be in the same country as your core activity or in any of our other unique destinations across the globe.

What to learn more about India?

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Contact us today

Chat to our Gap Gurus

If you have any questions at all about what to do, where to go, or how to plan your gap year, get in touch with our GapGurus today. With nearly two decades in the business, we’ve probably had the question before!
A smiling woman with curly dark brown hair wearing a white t-shirt, standing in front of a tropical tree - GapGuru

Need Gap Year Advice?

Whether you’ve already booked a gap experience with us or are still looking, get in the know about everything ‘gap year’. Our comprehensive Gap Year Guide covers everything you need to know, from why you should take a gap year, to information for parents, travel tips, and more.

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