Volunteer in Himachal Pradesh, India

Himachal Pradesh is a state in the Punjab region in northwest India. Located in the midst of the Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh was once known as Deva Bhoomi (the land of the gods). Our volunteer programs are based near the town of Palampur, approximately 18 miles from Dharamsala, the capital of the exiled Tibetan government and center of Tibetan Buddhist culture.

Program Details

Our international cooperator in Himachal Prasdesh provides opportunities for volunteers from March – December in a variety of vital areas. There are currently two program options for the 4 and 8 week Himachal program. The full program option begins with one week of cultural orientation in Jaipur where you will stay with a local host family before you move to the volunteer base in the Himalayas. In addition to your volunteer work, you’ll be able to participate in a variety of exciting excursions, including a Himalaya trekking trip and a visit to the holy city of Amritsar. The basic program option will start with your arrival in Delhi and will bring you directly to the project area by overnight train, without the one-week orientation.

While participants of the full program will be able to experience a more rigorous orientation, participants of the basic program will be able to actively volunteer for a longer time and save money due to the program’s lower fee.

Volunteer placements include:

• Teaching English and mathematics to children
• Providing care and assistance to local children
• Working with special education children
• Working in an orphanage
• Teaching conversational English and computer skills to adult women
• Assisting in women’s empowerment projects

As a Volunteer Himachal Pradesh, India, you’ll receive:

Full and basic programs:

• Airport pickup and one night in a Delhi hotel
• Program-related transportation
• One-week workshop featuring yoga and Indian cooking (8-week program only)
• English-speaking translator for first 4 weeks
• Accomodations while volunteering
• Meals during working days and orientation
• All required materials
• ISE card - International Student & Youth Exchange Identification Card

Full program only:

• Housing with English-speaking host family in Jaipur during orientation
• Sightseeing of Amber Fort in Jaipur
• 2-day, 2-night trek through the Himalayas
• 2-day, 1-night excursion to Amritsar, the holy city of the Sikh religion

Program Length

4 or 8 weeks. Options available for 2-week and 3-week programs in Himachal. Call for details.

Program Start Dates for 2012

Program Fee

Full program

• $1,595 for 4 weeks
• $2,195 for 8 weeks 
  

Basic program

• $1,295 for 4 weeks
• $1,795 for 8 weeks 

Accommodation Type

Host family (during orientation); Dormitory style (during volunteer placement)

Participant Requirements

To Volunteer in Himachal Pradesh, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age with at least a high school diploma
• Be in good health
• Have an independent, flexible, open-minded attitude
• Be able to live and work in rural communities where conditions are basic
• Meet the India Visa requirements

Interested? Request Information 

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