Description

Summer 2012 Palampur/Dharamshala in India
Dates: 14th May 2012, 11th June 2012 and 9th July 2012

Volunteering Solutions offers an exciting opportunity for the volunteers with a combination of volunteer programs and weekend excursions in beautiful Kangra Valley in Himalayan Mountain Range in North India. Escape the summer heat and join this amazing summer program.

Palampur enjoys a very tourist friendly climate throughout the year. The summers are mild with occasional showers unlike the hot summers in the plains.

Program Location
The program is based in Palampur which is located 550 Km North of New Delhi in the State of Himachal Pradesh. Palampur is located in District Kangra at an elevation of 4500 Ft above sea level. The area is very well known for its beautiful Tea gardens. Different tourist attractions such as Dharamshala are located in close proximity to Palampur. Dharamshala is the hometown of The Dalai Lama and provides immense tourist and learning opportunities. Palampur is also close to the start up points of very Interesting trekking routes through the Dhauladhar Mountain Ranges which are snow Capped Mountains with ample scenic sites. Palampur is blessed with natural water streams flowing from the mountains besides thick forest cover, culture, and tradition promoted by tribal herdsmen ,the Gaddis and also by the urban population which does not exceed 30,000 in this small hill city.

Volunteer Program Schedule
Duration : 3 weeks
Start date : 14th May 2012, 11th June 2012 and 9th July 2012
Working hrs : 4-5hrs, 5days (Monday to Friday)
Weekends: Travel / Sightseeing included in Cost

Program details
Volunteers will be given 4-5 hrs working for 5 days a week at various day care centers and schools where volunteers can teach as well as take care of small children in the age group of 2years to 5 years.

One Day before Program Start Date Arrive in Palampur by taking a flight from Delhi to Dharamshala or by bus. Volunteers can take a bus from Delhi to Palampur.Upon arrival they will be picked up from the bus station.For those volunteers arriving by flight , they will be picked up from Dharamshala airport.

Day 1 - Orientation Session- Welcome to India, introduction to the program in Palampur, safety issues, basic culture and history about India. Also learn about your program schedule and tour program to follow.

Day 2 - Volunteer starts the work in field. Daily schedule will be as follows:-

Morning Tea: - 8:00am
Breakfast: - 9:00am
Departure to work area: - 9.30am (preferably a day care center or teaching project)
Lunch - 1pm to 2pm
Evening tea - 3:30pm
Field work preparation - 4pm onwards.
Dinner: - 7:30pm
Internet : Available at local Volunteering Solutions office from 10am-5 pm

Weekend Excursions (Included in the Program Cost)

A) Trip to Manali:-The beautiful hill station of Manali lies in the Beas river valley and is one of the most popular tourist places in north India. Manali is located at a height of 6398ft and offers some spectacular views of the Himalayan mountain range. Volunteers will go on this trip on the first weekend of the program.

A two day trip to Manali will be included in this package .Details of program are as follows.
Duration - 2days / 1 night.
Starting date - Saturday morning.
Distance - Palampur to Manali (204 km)

Day 1 - Palampur to Manali (night stay)

Day 2
Manali sight seeing
Hadimba Devi Temple
Vashist Temple (Hot Water Spring)
Solang Nala (Winter Sport Location)
Local market trip (Manali)
Return journey to Palampur.

B) Trekking trip from Upper Dharamshala to Triund
Two day trekking trip to Triund is included. Volunteers will go on this trip on the second weekend of the program.

Details of program are as follows.
Duration - 2days / 1 night.
Distance - Palampur to McLeodganj (50 km)

Day 1
Palampur to Mcleodganj (by car)
Mcleodganj to Triund (2900metres) 9 km trek
Night stay at Triund at rest house.

Day 2
Triund to laka Got (snowline 3350 meters)
Back to Triund and Mcleodganj
Mcleodganj to Palampur (by car)

c) Sightseeing Trip in Palampur
Volunteers are also taken on a one day tour of Palampur where they take a tour of places such as Baijnath Temple, Andretta Art Gallery , Tea Garden and Factory, Neugal Cafe and Neugal River.

Accommodation & Food
Volunteers will be staying in the volunteer house accommodations during the program. Volunteering Solutions provides accommodation to volunteers in three homebase accommodations depending on the number of volunteers at a particular period.During the weekend trips accommodation will be provided in hotels with all meals included. All bed linens are provided and the accommodations are fully equipped with all the comforts of home. The rooms are spacious with attached bathroom and basic amenities such as hot water, in house kitchen and phone to make your stay as comfortable as possible. A local cook prepares delicious Indian food daily.

Program Fee for a single person USD 805 per person / GBP 555 per person
Program Fee for a person traveling with 2 4 people USD 775 per person / GBP 540 per person
Program Fee for a group of 5 or more people USD 735 per person / GBP 515 per person

Please note: An application fee of USD200/GBP140 is charged over and above the program fee.

Highlights

Program Location

The program is based in Palampur which based 550 km. north of New Delhi in the State of Himachal Pradesh. The city we are based in is known as Palampur in District Kangra at an elevation of 4500 feet above sea level. The district of Kangra is very well known for its beautiful Tea gardens. Tourist Attractions specially Dharamshala which is just 30 Km east of Palampur. Dharamshala is the hometown of The Dalai Lama and provides immense tourist and learning opportunities. Palampur is also close to the start up points of very Interesting trekking routes through the Dhauladhar Mountain Ranges which are snow Cap Mountains with ample scenic sites. Palampur is blessed with natural water streams flowing from the mountains besides thick forest cover, culture, and tradition promoted by the tribal herdsmen the Gaddis and also by the urban population which does not exceed 30,000 in this small hill city. Our base camp is in Thakurdwara which is a small village 2 km from Palampur.

Minimum Education

High School

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

795 for a single person; 765 per person for 2-4 persons; 725 per person for a group of 5 or more

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

What are you Paying For?
* 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
* Hotel accommodation during tours
* Transfers during tours
* Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
* Airport or Bus Station Transfers
* Orientation
* Food
* Accommodation
* Travel & Medical Insurance

What's not Included?
* All momument entry fee during tour
* Drinks during tour
* Airfare
* Visa and Visa extension fee
* Any personal expenses (You would need around USD40 per week for your personal expenses)

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Street Kids
• Volunteering

Age Range

16-60

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-8 weeks

Volunteering Solutions's Mission Statement

Our Mission is to provide Meaningful and fully researched volunteer programs abroad. Benefit local communities by providing volunteer support. To strengthen the travel experience by providing cross cultural experiences to our volunteers. Use the funds and develop the communities and people we work with.

Year Founded

2006