A land of sensory overload, cultural extremes, and extraordinary beauty and mystery, India has become one of the most desirable destinations to travel and volunteer. Its sheer size, and dynamic, complex population combine with fascinating wildlife and a mystical and pervasive heritage filled with tales of ancient gods, kings and queens, to make it a place that will transform your perspectives and realign your priorities.
With such a wide variety of excursions, activities and trips available in India it can be a little daunting deciding on the best and most suitable choice for you. Why not choose the Frontier India Experience? Learn about the country and its people, the language and food, and then explore the rich culture with visits to special sites of interest. Trek through the jungle, enjoying the excitement of natural India and its jungle inhabitants, before relaxing on the beach for a week and watching the days roll lazily past. This placement will ensure you get the most out of your time in India with a wide range of experiences, and you will return with a multitude of memories that will remain with you forever.
PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS
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Explore some of India's most beautiful regions
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Delve into the culture of India
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Return with a multitude of lifelong memories
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Location |
India |
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Activities |
Cooking traditional meals
Cultural, historical & language lessons
Yoga & meditation classes
Visiting historical sites
Environmental trekking
Beach break |
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Transport |
Airport pick-up
Bus to project site |
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Accommodation |
Varies |
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Before you go |
Pre-departure support
Travel & medical advice & documentation
Equipment advice
Discounted medical kit
Free Frontier t-shirt |
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In-country |
Food
Accommodation
Airport pick-up
Ground transfers & in-transit accommodation
Local orientation and training
In-country emergency support
24-hour international HQ back-up |
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
Introduction week
The first week is designed to introduce you to India: inviting you to understand and appreciate her mysteries and complexities and helping you to settle quickly, enabling you to get the most out of the rest of your India Experience. During this week you will learn about the history and culture of India, as well as an introduction to the different languages that are spoken and guidelines on social etiquette. You will try your hand at cooking a traditional Indian meal and have the opportunity to visit local sites of cultural interest.
Cultural week
The second week will be an opportunity to delve a little deeper into traditional life in India, with yoga and meditation classes taught by a true Indian master and visits to a number of important sites that have defined and driven the evolution of this part of the world. One such site is the historical town of Srirangapatna, made famous by the Tiger of Mysore, Tipu Sultan, who made his last stand against the British Empire from his fort in the town.
Adventure & Trekking Week
Wild India comes alive as you explore the Mudumalai National Park, escorted on your environmental trek by experienced local guides. Waterfalls and lakes, and mountains and elephants will stimulate your senses and you will feel a million miles away from home, dwarfed and humbled by your magnificent surroundings and the overall India Experience.
Beach break
What better way to reflect on what you have seen and done over the previous weeks than spend your days relaxing on the beaches of Goa? The popular traveller's destination is renowned for its luscious landscapes, dense palm groves, whitewashed churches and perfect sandy beaches. If you have the energy you can rent a bike and explore your surroundings, if not simply read a book and laze your days away, bathing in the unique atmosphere of India.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE?
Upon arrival at Bangalore Airport you will be greeted by a representative from Frontier-India and escorted by bus to Mysore, a journey of around 150 km, which will give you a great opportunity to take in your first views of the country you are visiting. You be taken to your accommodation in Mysore, where you will be based for the first two weeks. Please aim to arrive on the Sunday before your programme begins on the Monday.
WHERE WILL I BE STAYING?
For the first two weeks you will be based in the project centre, while during the third week you will be based in one of a number of clean and welcoming local guesthouses. The final week will be spent in comfortable local-style huts situated right on the beach!
You will find all of the accommodation to be simple, clean and comfortable. The rooms will be single sex and shared, and volunteers are expected to be environmentally responsible and use resources with restraint, and to help by keeping the living areas clean and tidy. The doors and windows are not mosquito-proofed, so don't forget your mosquito net!
WHAT WILL I BE EATING?
All three meals during the day will usually be taken together and will be the delicious typical cuisine of the region. Breakfast will vary from rice to Indian breads, and lunch and dinner will include a range of Indian dishes, characterised by rice, vegetables and sauces. You should be prepared for some of the food to be spicy, it being India after all, but you will find that there are tastes to suit all palates.
Never forgotten
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14 Jul 2010
Having never left England before, I decided that I wanted to take a gap year and that I wanted to...
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ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
In your free time, or after your placement has finished, you may have the opportunity to engage in a number of cultural and adventure activities. Attend Bollywood festivals and theatre performances, explore remote villages and visit magnificent ancient temples, test your nerve as you rock climb high above coffee and tea plantations and spot tigers and monkeys from the back of an elephant as you trek through the jungle.
