Travel India on your gap year. Ideas for gap year travel to India.
India gap year - Gap year programmes in India
India is a vibrant country and a perfect gap year destination. One practical advantage India has over many other gap year destinations is the cost of living there. Travelling around India your gap year savings will last a great deal longer than if you were travelling around a more westernised country such as Australia or the USA. India is also generally cheaper than many other countries in Asia and Latin America. What really makes India such a fantastic gap year destination, however, is its diversity and unique culture. From the deserts of Rajasthan to the beaches of Goa to the mountains of the Himalaya, India boasts countless fascinating sights.
India's most famous landmark, is undoubtedly the Taj Mahal - in the city of Agra. Most travellers who visit Agra to see this incredible building make their way there from Delhi, which is an approximate five-hour bus or train ride away. The Taj Mahal is India's iconic building and is said to be the most extravagant monument ever built for love. The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan, who was heartbroken when his wife died in childbirth in 1631. The Taj was built in memory of her. Twenty thousand people worked on the white-marble building and it wasn't finished until 1653. A visit to the Taj at either sunrise or sunset is one of the ‘must-do' experiences on a visit to India.
If you are looking to get involved with a volunteer programme while you are in northern India then consider Real Gap's ‘ India Volunteer Rajasthan'. This back-to-basic project involves living and working in India's Rajasthan Desert helping out on a community development programme. Volunteers work in either education or childcare within deprived communities and also get the chance to spend three days with an English-speaking Indian family on a home-stay. Aside from the rewarding volunteer aspects of the programme, there are also plenty of opportunities to fit in some amazing India experiences - including a visit to the desert city of Jaiselmer, a camel safari, a tiger safari and a visit to the Taj Mahal.
India has some fantastic beaches. The most popular beach destination in India is Goa, on the west coast. There is a great travellers' ‘scene' in Goa, and the area is blessed with some superb palm-fringed beaches. Goa has a relaxed atmosphere and character quite unlike the rest of India. If you fancy a really rewarding Goan experience during your time in India then Real Gap's ‘India Volunteer Goa Programme' is an excellent option. There are many different projects within this scheme geared towards helping adults and children in deprived communities of India. The volunteer work takes place beside one of Goa's stunning beaches and - aside from the rewarding volunteer aspect- the programme also includes sightseeing in Bombay, an Ashram experience, a jungle trek and a stay in a tribal village.
The far north of India is the area to head to if you want to experience views of the Himalaya mountains and perhaps do some trekking. Many travellers don't make it this far north when they visit India, which is a shame as it contains many places of interest and some beautiful sights. If you want to do some volunteer work in India and fancy seeing somewhere less visited by other travellers then Real Gap's ‘India Volunteer Himachal Pradesh' is ideal. With the Himalayas as a backdrop, volunteers on this programme can help out on rewarding projects ranging from teaching to assisting in an orphanage.
Whether you decide to stay in India for just a few weeks or for your entire gap year, you definitely won't run out of things to do there.
India gap year - Gap year programmes in India
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