Volunteering in India keeps you busy. Whether you are teaching in Jaipur or working with children in Delhi, your weekdays fly by. Then the weekend arrives, and with it the chance to see more of the country.
Here are seven weekend trips our volunteers love: five that we organize for you, and two you can plan yourself with a little help from your coordinator.
1. Jaipur weekend
The capital of Rajasthan still feels royal. For volunteers in Delhi, a weekend in Jaipur is an easy trip, and we take care of the transport, hotel and sightseeing.
Known as the Pink City, Jaipur blends old-world grandeur with a busy modern city. Explore Amber Fort and Nahargarh Fort, the City Palace and the honeycomb windows of Hawa Mahal, then lose yourself in the bazaars, where Rajasthani block prints, silver and spices are hard to resist. Finish with a Rajasthani thali: you won’t need dinner.
2. Taj Mahal day trip
No trip to India is complete without the Taj Mahal, and our Taj Mahal day trip from Delhi makes it easy.
Agra was once the capital of the Mughal Empire, and it shows. The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site visited by millions every year, and it really is as beautiful as the photos. If you have time, add Agra Fort and the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, with its towering gateway, the Buland Darwaza.
3. Golden Triangle
Want Jaipur and Agra in one go? Our three-day Golden Triangle tour links Delhi, Jaipur and Agra by car, walking you through Rajput history in Jaipur and Mughal history in Agra, with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. It suits a long weekend or the end of your stay.
4. Amritsar and the Golden Temple
The holiest place in Sikhism, the Golden Temple in Amritsar welcomes visitors of every faith and none, and its community kitchen serves free meals to tens of thousands of people a day. Believer or not, the atmosphere stays with you.
Nearby is Jallianwala Bagh, the garden where British troops opened fire on a crowd in 1919; the walls still carry bullet marks. If you have extra time, the flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah border with Pakistan, about 30 kilometers away, is a loud and joyful piece of theater.
5. Varanasi
Colorful and deeply spiritual, Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Our Varanasi weekend takes you to the evening aarti on the ghats, a ceremony of fire, bells and chanting you will never forget.
A boat ride on the river is included, and the lanes of the old city are full of silk and souvenirs. With more time, visit Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first teaching.
6. Rishikesh (plan it yourself)
A night bus or an early train from Delhi takes you to Rishikesh, in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is the yoga capital of India, with ashrams, cafes, the suspension bridges over the Ganges and an evening aarti at Triveni Ghat. Adventurous volunteers go white-water rafting. Your coordinator can help you book the journey.
7. McLeod Ganj and the Triund trek (plan it yourself)
Fancy the mountains? Take a long weekend and an overnight bus to McLeod Ganj, home of the Dalai Lama and a large Tibetan community. Visit the monasteries, eat momos, and if you are fit, walk up to Triund for views of the snowy Dhauladhar range. It works best in spring and autumn, and needs more than two days.
Making the most of your weekends
- Project days run Monday to Friday, so a two-night trip fits easily. Longer trips work well between placements or at the end of your stay.
- Tell your coordinator where you are going. They know the trains, the safe hotels and the scams to avoid.
- Weekend trips and entry fees are not included in your program price.
Make the most of your weekends: see our weekend trips, or email info@volunteeringindia.com and we will help you plan.