India Volunteer Program 2016

1.Program changes in 2016

This section is for the update of our partners who have been running volunteering programs with us and this section helps them spot the changes in the program. We however, recommend that the entire document be quickly scanned to ensure that you have the latest updated information about the program and are promoting it based on accurate information. The changes in the program for the coming year include:

  1. IMPORTANT – the time window for airport pickup has been changed to 10 AM on the starting date of the program until 6 AM on day 2 of the program. This change has been done, keeping in mind the time availability for the customer to check in into the accommodation and also to allow customers to join the program which begins already on Day 2 of the program.
  2. We are no longer doing sports coaching volunteering projects from 2016. This is due to low demand of this type of placement, which makes it difficult for us to do a good job in placing volunteers in such placements.
  3. Under the project information, you will now find certain projects that have been placed under – “projects with additional requirements”. Please note that these projects have qualification requirements and/or will have a price different from that of other project varieties.
  4. Please note that we now offer medical placements in certain locations and these come under “projects with additional requirements”
  5. Please also note the schedule for the Jaipur and Goa programs which now allow for an additional day for volunteering achieved by squeezing more activities in the first few days to allow for one additional day of volunteering. This is especially useful for those who are coming on short term (2 or 3 week) programs.
  6. We have found that a dinner with a local host family is a very popular and enjoyable cultural activity for the volunteers and for this purpose, it has been added to the experience of the program.
  7. IMPORTANT: please pay attention to the sample daily schedule of the volunteers in the program and notice that volunteers now take packed lunches during the project days and spend a full day during the work time – this has been done to reduce the amount of travel during a day as well as create greater work hours and more impact from the volunteers’ work.
  8. Please pay attention to the enhanced services list – these are the services that we have been offering in the program but have not been writing them in the documents. We believe that a full service list allows you to establish a better value of the programs.
  9. We are reintroducing trekking in the excursion in the McLeodganj Excursion – which is part of the Himalaya volunteer and travel program.
  10. We have sightseeing of Pushkar in the Pushkar camel safari excursion.
  11. The first pick up on arrival will be available at 10 AM. Any participants arriving earlier than 10 AM can wait at the airport to avoid extra airport pickup charges.

2.How project allocation is done.

From 2016, we are bringing more minute details and rigor into how we manage our volunteering program as well as how people are placed there. This is being done to ensure that we have the right way to allocate projects such that each volunteer can be supported and as many as possible number of projects can have a steady flow of volunteer support. While there will be exceptions, a majority of volunteering placements will be done in the following sequence of steps:

  1. You (our partner) will receive a booking from a participant.
  2. You will fill up the online booking form of Idex and there you will add all the preferred placement types (based on what is available at a location) into the Priority 1, Priority 2 and Priority 3 fields. (All priorities are mandatory).
  3. Once we receive the online booking, we would allocate a specific project where the participant would be placed.
  4. We will then send all the documentation related to the program schedules, itinerary, placement etc. to the participants (either directly or through you) – leaving them with a complete set of information they need to know everything about their upcoming experience.
  5. It will be our effort to bring as much precision to the exact placement as possible and the exact placement is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances or factors beyond our control.

3.Locations in India

Himachal Pradeshmeans in the lap of Himalayas. It is famous for its abundant natural beauty.Palampur (Idex location) is in District Kangra at an elevation of 4500 Ft above sea level. The area is very well known and for its beautiful tea gardens and forests of pine and deodar. ThePalampur is famous for its picturesque sites, tea gardens and affable people. The air is pure and the climate is soothing and the views are breathtaking, which makes a traveler fall in love with this place.

Goaattracts more travelers than any other location of India.Beautiful sandy beaches and influence of Portuguese culture makesGoa a magnet for its tourists. Young travelers specially findGoa interesting because of the vast array of activities it can offer.The Idex accommodation in Goa is located in South Goa near theMajorda Beach. This part of Goa is untouched by heavy touristtraffic and is serene and peaceful.

Jaipuris a jewel in the Indian heritage. Being part of the Golden Triangle of tourism in India, itis one of the most visited and photographed city of the world.

Famous sites like—The Wind Palace, Amber Fort, City Palace and JantarMantar keep the tourists glued to the city.

Idex Jaipur Accommodation is ideal for the participants attending Idex’s programs and also useful for travelers who wish to enjoy the riches of Rajasthan.

4.Volunteer Projects

We now have volunteering possibility in 7 broad categories – out of which three are special requirement projects (requirements mentioned below).

Themes / Himalaya / Goa / Jaipur
Women Empowerment / Yes / Yes / Yes
Child Care / Yes / Yes / Yes
Teaching / Yes / Yes / Yes
Mentally challenged school or Developmental disability school / Yes / Yes / No
Orphan care home / No / No / Yes

Special projects:

Themes / Himalaya / Goa / Jaipur
Medical & nursing / Yes / Yes / Yes
Beautification &Renovation / Yes / Yes / Yes
Elephant Village / No / No / Yes
Animal Care & Rescue / No / No / Yes

5.A typical day of the volunteer (Mon-Fri)* +:

The schedule of the day depends on the type of project but below mentioned is just the brief outline of their normal day:

Timings / Activities
7:30-8:30hrs / Breakfast at Idex accommodation
9:00-12:30hrs / Project work
12:30-13:30hrs / Packed lunch at the project location
13:30-14:00hrs / Free time/relax
14:00-16:00hrs / Project work
16:00-17:00hrs / Preparation meeting/lesson planning for next day
17:00-17:30hrs / Tea/coffee at Idex accommodation
19:00-20:00hrs / Dinner at Idex accommodation

* Please note that there is a full day schedule of going out to the project with morning work sessions, short rest, afternoon work session and preparing for the next day all being done in the same trip.

+The scheduled time table mentioned above may change due to the need of the project or any other circumstances. Program Prices &cancellation policy

Supplement price for special requirement projects

Supplement price for special requirement projects
Beautification and renovation volunteering / Euro 70 per week
Elephant village volunteering / Euro 40 per week.
Medical volunteering / Euro 70 per week

Supplementary charges

Single occupancy charges:€150 additional per week per person

*Twin occupancy charges:€75 additional per week per person

*Subject to availability of companion to share a twin room

Single and Double occupancy rooms will be subject to availability and prior confirmation is required.

Cancellation policy/Modification policy

Period before starting date: / Amount retained on cancellation:
For cancellations less than 14 days before program start date / 100%

Note : For any modifications/Cancellationdone less than 14 days, full fee will be charged, forfull refund, advance Information is required that is more than 14days of starting date of program.

Additional services for Volunteer and Travel program participants(details of excursions, below):

For people choosing Jaipur Program

  1. 1 night, 2 days excursion to TajMahal
  2. Camel safari in the desert with overnight camping and dinner in Pushkar

For people choosing Himalaya Program

  1. 1 night, 2 days excursion to TajMahal
  2. 1 night/2 days culturaland trekking trip to McLeodganj – home to the Exiled Tibetan government and Tibetan Buddhist culture.

For people choosing Goa Program

  1. 1 night, 2 days beach trip to Palolem beach.
  2. 1 night, 2 daysexcursion to north Goa.

Details of Excursions

Agra: The city of Taj

(Available in Himalaya & Jaipur programs)

A one night two days weekend excursion to Agra. If in India, never miss the Taj. The breathtaking experience of seeing this marvel is mesmerizing.

Visit the majestic TajMahal, Red Fort and local markets.

Pushkar: Camel Safari

(Available in Jaipur programs)

A one night two days weekend excursion to Pushkar. Stay overnight in a tent accommodation and enjoy your camel safari in the dunes. Take a tour of the holy town of Pushkar.

Palolem Beach: Nature at its best

(Available in Goa program)

A one night two days visit to the Palolem beach,Picturesque Palolem Beach, enclosed by a thick forest of coconut palms in far south Goa, is arguably the state's most beautiful beach. This mile long, shady, semi-circle shaped beach attracts tourists.

Visit to North Goa (Available in Goa program)

A one night two days trip to North Goa to see beautiful churches,Portuguese architecture and visiting some world famous beaches.

Mcleodganj/Dharamshala: Tibet in India

(Available in Himalaya program)

A one night two days visit to the seat of Tibetan Government in exile at Dharamshala is a must visit. Experience Tibetan culture merged into Indian context with great scenery and weather.

McLeod Ganj is a suburb of Dharamshala in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India. It is known as "Little Lhasa" or "Dhasa" because of its large population of Tibetans. The Tibetan government-in-exile is headquartered in McLeod Ganj which is very near to Dharamshala.

6.Program Itinerary for 2 weeks duration(tentative)

Goa Program 2 weeks

Day / Volunteer Program / Volunteer + Travel Program / Meal Plan
Week 1: Arrival and Orientation / Monday / Arrival at Goa airport and transfer to accommodation for an overnight stay. (Please note that no activities will be organized during this day – or any of the previous days –unless a specific program has been asked for and promised) / B,L, D
Tuesday /
  • Morning after breakfast, the day starts with welcome meeting.
  • Orientation on these following topics:
  • India & its culture
  • Accommodation facilities
  • How to do volunteer work
  • Project activities
  • Cultural responsibility
  • Personal safety & Code of Conduct
  • Hindi tutorial
  • Afterlunch you start preparing for your first day at your designated project – learn how to do your work, go through records of your project, and preparation meeting with your project executive.
/ B,L, D
Wednesday /
  • Morning Yoga session #1
  • First day of your volunteer project – getting introduced to the project and starting work.
  • Local food preparation demonstration and food tasting.
/ B, L, D
Thursday /
  • Morning Yoga session #2
  • Volunteer work during the day as per the indicative schedule.
  • Local traditional dressing and Henna workshop
  • Local host family dinner to get an experience of the local day to day to life.
/ B, L , D
Friday /
  • Volunteer work during the day as per the indicative schedule.
/ B, L , D
Saturday /
  • Free weekend
/ Visit to Palolem Beach South Goa / B,L,D
Sunday /
  • Free weekend
/ Late evening return from Palolem beach to volunteer house / B,D
Week 2 : volunteering +travel / Monday to Friday / Volunteer work of around 05 hours per day as per the daily schedule. / B,L,D
Saturday / Free weekend / Visit to North Goa and overnight. / B,L,D
Sunday / Transfer to Goa airport for journey back home – departure transfer is given from 20:00 hours until 10:00 hours next day. / Return from North Goa in the afternoon and later transfer to Goa airport for journey back home – departure transfer is given from 20:00 hours until 10:00 hours next day. / B,D

Himalaya Program 2 weeks

Day / Volunteer Program / Volunteer + Travel Program / Meal Plan
Week 1 / Monday / Arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to Idex Delhi accommodation / B,L,D
Tuesday /
  • Morning briefing on Schedule
  • Free time/Optional trip Agra*
/
  • Briefing on Schedule
  • After Lunch transfer to Agra to visit TajMahal
/ B,D
Wednesday /
  • Day is free* and later transfer to Himalaya by an overnight train.
/ Morning visit to TajMahal and later transfer to Himalaya by an overnight train. / B,D
Thursday /
  • Morning arrival at Himachal and transfer to volunteer house.
  • Post arrival rest and orientations , which covers:
  • India & its culture
  • Accommodation facilities
  • How to do volunteer work
  • Project activities
  • Cultural responsibility
  • Personal safety & Code of Conduct
  • Introduction to the volunteering project
/ B,L,D
Friday / Introduction visit to the volunteering project to start the working and also to plan the volunteering activities for the coming days.
Evening visit and dinner with a local host family. / B,L,D
Saturday / Free time / Early morning transfer to McLeodganj to explore this beautiful town followed by trekking trip with overnight camping in the mountains. / B,D
Sunday / Free time / In the morning, after breakfast, return to McLeodganj from the mountains, free time in the town to explore the town and thenlate afternoon transfer back to volunteer house for the night. / B,D
Week 2 / Monday to Friday / Volunteer work as per the indicated daily schedule and afternoon routine of work. Participants will also participate in the following cultural workshops (one time activity):-
  • Henna painting session with sari dressing workshop
  • Elementary Hindi lessons
  • 2 Yoga sessions and
  • Local Cooking demonstration.
/ B,L,D
Saturday / After lunch transfer to railway station to board the overnight train to New Delhi / B,L,D
Sunday / Arrival at Delhi and transfer to Airport/Overnight at Delhi / Breakfast only
  • Participants (especially those arriving on short programs) need to be aware that if they do not choose the TajMahal excursion, then there is unscheduled free time available on the program during these days.

Jaipur Program 2 weeks

Day / Volunteer Program / Volunteer + Travel Program / Meal Plan
Week 1 / Monday / Arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to Idex Delhi accommodation / B,L,D
Tuesday /
  • Briefing on Schedule
  • Free time/Optional trip Agra*
/
  • Briefing on Schedule
  • After Lunch transfer to Agra to visit TajMahal
/ B,D
Wednesday / Transfer to Jaipur for 5 to 6 hours journey.Same day arrival and after settle to accommodation after that orientation about
  • India & its culture
  • Accommodation facilities
  • How to do volunteer work
  • Project activities
  • Cultural responsibility
  • Personal safety & Code of Conduct
  • Introduction to the volunteering project
/ Morning visit to TajMahal and later transfer to Jaipur by 5 to 6 hours journey.Same day arrival and settle at the accommodation.
  • India & its culture
  • Accommodation facilities
  • How to do volunteer work
  • Project activities
  • Cultural responsibility
  • Personal safety & Code of Conduct
  • Introduction to the volunteering project
/ B,D
Thursday / Introduction visit to the volunteering project to start the working and also to plan the volunteering activities for the coming days.
  • Evening visit and dinner with a local host family.
/ B,L,D
Friday /
  • Volunteer work
/ B,L,D
Saturday / Free time / Early morning transfer to Pushkar for 3 hours journey followed by sightseeing of Pushkarfollowed by camel safari through the desert that ends in overnight stay at tented accommodation. (PS: Inthe unlikely event of rain, we will not provide tented accommodation. Instead the Volunteers will stay at a Guest House at Pushkar) / B,D
Sunday / Free time / Morning time to explore the town on your own and afternoon transfer back to volunteer house. / B,D
Week 2 / Monday to Friday / Volunteer work as per the indicated daily schedule and afternoon routine of work. and Participants will also participate in the following cultural workshops (one time activity):-
  • Henna painting session with sari dressing workshop
  • Elementary Hindi lessons
  • 2 Yoga session and
  • Local Cooking demonstration.
/ B,L,D
Saturday / Free Time / B,L,D
Sunday / Morning transfer to Delhi. Same day arrival and transfer to Airport/Overnight at Delhi / B

* Participants (especially those arriving on short programs) need to be aware that if they do not choose the TajMahal excursion, then there is unscheduled free time available on the program during these days.

7.Program Dates

Please note

  1. The mentioned start date is Day 1 of the program and pick up is available from 10 AM on this date.
  2. Airport departure transfer is available from 2000 hrs on the previous date until 1000 hrs on the program ending date as mentioned.

Start Date / 2 Weeks – End Date / 3 Weeks – End Date / 4 Weeks – End Date / 6 weeks – End Date / 8 weeks – End Date / 12 weeks – End Date
04-Jan-16 / 18-Jan-16 / 25-Jan-16 / 01-Feb-16 / 15-Feb-16 / 29-Feb-16 / 28-Mar-16
18-Jan-16 / 01-Feb-16 / 08-Feb-16 / 15-Feb-16 / 29-Feb-16 / 14-Mar-16 / 11-Apr-16
01-Feb-16 / 15-Feb-16 / 22-Feb-16 / 29-Feb-16 / 14-Mar-16 / 28-Mar-16 / 25-Apr-16
15-Feb-16 / 29-Feb-16 / 07-Mar-16 / 14-Mar-16 / 28-Mar-16 / 11-Apr-16 / 09-May-16
29-Feb-16 / 14-Mar-16 / 21-Mar-16 / 28-Mar-16 / 11-Apr-16 / 25-Apr-16 / 23-May-16
14-Mar-16 / 28-Mar-16 / 04-Apr-16 / 11-Apr-16 / 25-Apr-16 / 09-May-16 / 06-Jun-16
28-Mar-16 / 11-Apr-16 / 18-Apr-16 / 25-Apr-16 / 09-May-16 / 23-May-16 / 20-Jun-16
11-Apr-16 / 25-Apr-16 / 02-May-16 / 09-May-16 / 23-May-16 / 06-Jun-16 / 04-Jul-16
25-Apr-16 / 09-May-16 / 16-May-16 / 23-May-16 / 06-Jun-16 / 20-Jun-16 / 18-Jul-16
09-May-16 / 23-May-16 / 30-May-16 / 06-Jun-16 / 20-Jun-16 / 04-Jul-16 / 01-Aug-16
23-May-16 / 06-Jun-16 / 13-Jun-16 / 20-Jun-16 / 04-Jul-16 / 18-Jul-16 / 15-Aug-16
06-Jun-16 / 20-Jun-16 / 27-Jun-16 / 04-Jul-16 / 18-Jul-16 / 01-Aug-16 / 29-Aug-16
20-Jun-16 / 04-Jul-16 / 11-Jul-16 / 18-Jul-16 / 01-Aug-16 / 15-Aug-16 / 12-Sep-16
04-Jul-16 / 18-Jul-16 / 25-Jul-16 / 01-Aug-16 / 15-Aug-16 / 29-Aug-16 / 26-Sep-16
18-Jul-16 / 01-Aug-16 / 08-Aug-16 / 15-Aug-16 / 29-Aug-16 / 12-Sep-16 / 10-Oct-16
01-Aug-16 / 15-Aug-16 / 22-Aug-16 / 29-Aug-16 / 12-Sep-16 / 26-Sep-16 / 24-Oct-16
15-Aug-16 / 29-Aug-16 / 05-Sep-16 / 12-Sep-16 / 26-Sep-16 / 10-Oct-16 / 07-Nov-16
29-Aug-16 / 12-Sep-16 / 19-Sep-16 / 26-Sep-16 / 10-Oct-16 / 24-Oct-16 / 21-Nov-16
12-Sep-16 / 26-Sep-16 / 03-Oct-16 / 10-Oct-16 / 24-Oct-16 / 07-Nov-16 / 05-Dec-16
26-Sep-16 / 10-Oct-16 / 17-Oct-16 / 24-Oct-16 / 07-Nov-16 / 21-Nov-16 / 19-Dec-16
10-Oct-16 / 24-Oct-16 / 31-Oct-16 / 07-Nov-16 / 21-Nov-16 / 05-Dec-16 / 02-Jan-17
24-Oct-16 / 07-Nov-16 / 14-Nov-16 / 21-Nov-16 / 05-Dec-16 / 19-Dec-16 / 16-Jan-17
07-Nov-16 / 21-Nov-16 / 28-Nov-16 / 05-Dec-16 / 19-Dec-16 / 02-Jan-17 / 30-Jan-17
21-Nov-16 / 05-Dec-16 / 12-Dec-16 / 19-Dec-16 / 02-Jan-17 / 16-Jan-17 / 13-Feb-17
05-Dec-16 / 19-Dec-16 / 26-Dec-16 / 02-Jan-17 / 16-Jan-17 / 30-Jan-17 / 27-Feb-17
19-Dec-16 / 02-Jan-17 / 09-Jan-17 / 16-Jan-17 / 30-Jan-17 / 13-Feb-17 / 13-Mar-17

8.Arrival and Departure Policies