Teach & Travel

The program

This fantastic program works with vulnerable children in dire need in India, educating and supporting them, and teaching them essential English language skills that will aid in securing work in the future. From teaching English and other subjects in a classroom program or assisting street kids living in the city’s slums and helping to improve their lives, whichever program volunteers choose to partake in will truly change lives. The huge benefit of this program is that weekends can then be spent on a culturally rich tour around India on a safe, well-coordinated and economical travel extravaganza! Highlights include visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Tiger Trail through Ranthambhore, the Holy City of Pushkar, Jaisalmer and a Camel Safari in the Thar Desert. This is a truly remarkable volunteering and travel experience.

Goals of this Project:

• Provide English skills and daily support to children in Jaipur
• Improve the future prospects of the children of Jaipur
• Expose non-English speakers to native English speakers in order to improve pronunciation and conversational skills
• Enable inter-cultural exchange which benefits both students and international volunteers alike.

How you can help

Volunteering to work with children in India will be a hugely rewarding experience for any international volunteer. Volunteers will gain a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to help vulnerable children, while the children will benefit from the attention and education given by the volunteers. Please refer to the Education Program for Children Living on the Street or Teaching English Program for more detailed information about the program options. This Volunteering and Travel Program allows participants to experience some of India’s famed sights such as the Tahj Mahal while also helping others. The program also includes; pickup from Jaipur Airport, program orientation, accommodation and meals, placement and assistance in work area, daily transport to project site, all program relevant materials, visit to Ranthambore including Tiger Safari, visit to Agra including Taj Mahal, visit to Pushkar, visit to Jodhpur, visit to Jaisalmer, one night in the desert including a Camel Safari, all hotel stays during the expedition, all transportation for trips, all monuments entry fees and wi-fi access in the volunteer house.

This amazing program is based in the Pink City of Jaipur and offers the unique opportunity to contribute through volunteering during the week whilst getting to explore this amazing region during the weekend. Here is a sample itinerary of what you might expect to see and do during your 4 week stay.

Day 1: Thursday. Arrive into Jaipur International Airport

Volunteers are picked up from the airport in Jaipur between 6:30am and 10pm and taken to the Volunteer House in Jaipur to settle in.

Day 2: Friday. Orientation

The local team will introduce you to this fascinating city; its culture, history, language and local customs and give you all the information you need for your stay.

Day 3 & 4: Saturday and Sunday. Travel to Agra and the Taj Mahal 

Transport is arranged to Agra on Saturday, visiting the Rajasthani village of Abhaneri on route and enjoying the markets and sights of Agra in the afternoon and evening before retiring to your hotel.  Early Sunday morning sees a visit to the stunning UNESCO world heritage listed Taj Mahal; an enormous marble mausoleum constructed in the 1600s in memory of the emperor's treasured wife, Mumtaz Mahal.  A visit to Agra Fort is planned for later in the morning before making your way back to Jaipur.

Day 5- 9: Monday - Friday. Volunteering

This week will be spent settling in to your volunteering role; either working with Street Children or Teaching English at a local primary school.

Day 10 & 11: Saturday & Sunday. Ranthambore and the Tiger Safari 

Transport to Ranthambore and hotel accommodation is arranged for this weekend to explore the Ranthambore National Park.  A visit to the Fort is first up on Saturday afternoon and early Sunday morning sees you board a Jeep to Safari through the National Park Wildlife Reserve, viewing the tigers and other wildllife in their natural habitat.  Return to Jaipur in the evening.

Day 12 - 16: Monday to Friday Volunteering

This week sees you return to your volunteering role with the children of Jaipur. You will be feeling much more at home this week and continue to build bonds with the children and staff.

Day 17: Saturday Travel to Pushkar

One of the most sacred pilgrimage places for Hindus and famous for a it's only Brahma Temple Pushkar is a delightful location in which to spend a day.  

Day 18 & 19: Sunday & Monday. Travel to Jaisalmer in the That Desert

Transport is arranged to the desert village of Jaisalmer on Sunday to view the impressive Jaisalmer Fort in the evening light. A sunrise trip to Gadisar Lake Monday morning sets you up for a day of exploring the sites of Jaisalmer before heading into the desert for a camel safari in the afternoon. Monday night sees you immersed in Rajasthani Desert Village life, staying in mud-huts and experiencing the local music, dance and culture.

Day 20: Tuesday Travel to Jodphur 

Travel is arranged to Jodphur where you can enjoy the local markets. 

Day 21: Wednesday Mahrangarh Fort and return to Jaipur

On route back to Jaipur a visit is planned tot he Mehrangarh Fort (one of the largest in India) before arriving  into Jaipur in the afternoon.

Day 22: Thursday Depart Jaipur