Eco-Tourism Volunteering in India

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 96 countries who want to make a meaningful difference while exploring the world. With 300+ projects in 40+ destinations, IVHQ offers the widest selection of volunteer programs globally from Teaching and Childcare to Wildlife Conservation, Medical Outreach, and Environmental Sustainability. Since 2007, IVHQ has supported over 155,000 volunteers on life-changing journeys. We specialize in fully-hosted volunteer trips that are safe, affordable, and accessible—starting from just $20 per day. Your experience includes airport pick-up, accommodation, meals, and round-the-clock support from our local teams. With flexible booking options and no change fees, planning your volunteer adventure has never been easier. Our programs run year-round and are available for 1 to 24 weeks across Africa, Asia, Europe, the Pacific, South and Central America, North America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Volunteering with IVHQ is about more than giving back; it’s about growing, learning, and building genuine global connections.

Discover the joy of family volunteering with GoEco, the leading platform for award-winning volunteer projects abroad. Our carefully selected programs provide an opportunity for families to bond over shared experiences while making a meaningful difference in communities worldwide. From sea turtle conservation in the Maldives to social upliftment initiatives in Cape Town, there's a project to match every family's interests. With GoEco, family volunteering is more than just travel - it's an opportunity to educate, inspire, and create lasting memories.

Join VWI as a volunteer and help care for elephants in Heritage City—Jaipur, India. Support the local community in taking care of these elephants and their mahouts. Volunteers will help mahouts to feeding the elephants, bathing them, cleaning the area, bringing water, oil massaging the elephants head, trimming their nails, taking elephants for walk, make bundles of hay and chapati(Indian Roti) for elephants in a mud stove to eat. You will work around 3-4 hours per day everyday in morning and in the afternoon twice a week to make chapati's for Elephants to eat. Elephant mahouts are living with their families at the project site and are responsible to give right care, fed properly & keep them healthy and fit. The program is located in the village near Amber Fort which is also known as Elephant Village. where elephants get care by their mahouts everyday. It is also one of Elephant Sanctuary in India. Elephant Village Jaipur is India’s first and the world’s third elephant village also known as “Haathi Gaon“. The area is spread in 30 hectares of land; it has stable blocks for each elephants with attached housing; it also a big man-made lake for elephants to swim and washed down.

Find out why more and more people are choosing to become a Love Volunteer! Love Volunteers is the most affordable way to volunteer and help local communities in developing countries! Why are we cheaper than other organisations? Firstly, we are just a handful of passionate people working hard to help volunteers and local communities around the world. We don't have huge overheads - no company cars, no downtown office - we're just volunteers who knew we could do a better job. Secondly, we work with local organisations wherever we can to keep administration costs to a minimum and also to feed as much money and skills into the local communities where we operate. All of Love Volunteers partner organisations have been fully vetted to ensure that, not only does a genuine need for assistance exist, but that the environments that we place our volunteers are safe and of high quality. Choose from one or more of our 200+ amazing community-based programs in 37 developing countries around the world. Every program has been personally visited by one of our dedicated staff members and is regularly audited to ensure it meets our high standards in terms of safety, sustainability, and local impact.

GVI offers a variety of opportunities for young adults between the ages of 15 and 17 to gain first-hand experience in cultural immersion, marine and wildlife conservation and community development. This is a great way to become a global citizen with a better understanding of prevalent social and environmental issues. It’s also a gateway to improving your future education and employment opportunities, as you acquire soft and hard skills in your chosen GVI focus. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to dive in the oceans of Greece, visit the jungles of Costa Rica, or the rolling Incan valleys of Peru, all while contributing to sustainability, this is for you. This is an opportunity to connect with a network of people who share similar passions for sustainability, while also expanding your knowledge of different linguistic practices and cultural customs. Each project is aimed at reaching sustainable objectives that align with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

This program goes beyond ordinary high school travel programs and build cross-cultural community service summer trips perfectly geared to your interests and curiosities. Whether you’re looking to contribute to authentic service projects, experience exhilarating adventure, or develop your language skills, GoBeyond will immerse you in a new culture where you can make a meaningful difference while on the journey of a lifetime. Our high school community service summer programs proudly serve in many under-resourced communities and environments throughout the world. Explore our journeys in the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Galapagos & Ecuador, Peru, Iceland, Spain, China, Thailand, India, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Beyond experiencing the adventure of a lifetime and creating lasting memories, we believe our community service summer trips enable lasting positive change in the world. For over forty years, we’ve been transforming communities, environments, and students’ lives through meaningful, collaborative adventures and service that develop skills and a more sophisticated worldly outlook—ultimately shaping the person you become.

Inspire, Educate & Empower Communities Across the World Are you passionate about education and cross-cultural exchange? Do you dream of making a positive impact while traveling the world? With Volunteering Journeys’ English Teaching Programs Abroad, you can inspire young minds, build confidence, and open opportunities for children and adults across Peru, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and the Maldives. Whether you’re a student on a gap year, a certified teacher, or simply a fluent English speaker looking to make a difference, teaching abroad is one of the most rewarding ways to contribute to global education while immersing yourself in fascinating cultures. In many developing regions, English proficiency opens the door to education, employment, and better economic opportunities. However, limited resources and teacher shortages often leave students without access to quality English education. By joining Volunteering Journeys’ teaching programs, you’ll help bridge this gap. You’ll work in local schools, community centers, or after-school programs — improving English literacy, conversational confidence, and cultural awareness.

Come face-to-face with complex social structures, diverse religions and geographic regions, and the intersections where tradition and change collide. You will get the chance to engage with organizations working on regenerative solutions to climate change, connect to life in local communities through homestays, experience the spirituality of an Ashram, trek in the Himalayas, kayak through the backwaters, and sample the amazing regional cuisines as you share meals with our amazing partners and soon-to-be new friends. Throughout your journey, the people you meet and the places you stay will teach you about the region's complexities, widen your perspective, and help you gain insights to understand the world's interconnectedness. As you understand how one action impacts another and how the mighty Himalayas affect coastal communities downstream, you can start to explore your purpose and the role you want to play in a globally interconnected world. 2025: CLOSED Spring 2026: February 25 - May 6 Fall 2026: September 24 - December 5

Length: 4-6 months | Intakes: January 2026 Join the Global Leadership Programme, designed to provide you with hands-on experience supporting the work of an international development charity. We are looking for passionate graduates, who are keen to learn about global challenges, work with youth and define their own purpose. After an initial period of training, you will be placed in one of our overseas hubs as a Group Mentor and Project Implementor, you will be supporting our in-country team through coordinating group projects and supporting our project participants on their journey to becoming global citizens. Your days will be filled with exciting challenges and fulfilling experiences, including: 1. Coordinating and delivering impactful project activities with our local partners. 2. Embark on a leadership role as you guide your group of project participants through immersive and exciting cultural activities. 3. Engage your group in reflective discussions and interactive sessions to foster personal growth. 4. Reporting on the progress and success of all international project participants and community development project delivery activities.

India, with its rich cultural heritage, vibrant traditions, and diverse landscapes, is a country that captivates and inspires. From the bustling streets of Delhi to the serene banks of the Ganges in Rishikesh and the royal palaces of Jaipur, every corner of India tells a story. However, beyond its beauty lies a reality where millions of people and animals need support, and that’s where volunteers like you can make a real difference. At Volunteer Quest India (VQI), we believe that volunteering is not just about giving—it's about learning, growing, and creating meaningful connections. Our programs are designed to offer structured and impactful opportunities for international volunteers to contribute to youth education, animal welfare, wellness, and conservation. Whether you’re passionate about teaching, working with animals, environmental conservation, or community development, our projects provide a unique chance to immerse yourself in local communities while making a tangible impact. Join us and discover how volunteering in India can transform not only the lives of others—but your own as well.

Begin your journey in Kolkata, where you will serve underprivileged children, special-needs students, and impoverished communities. Then, travel to Sikkim, a Himalayan state renowned for its monasteries, rich culture, and breathtaking mountain scenery. Volunteers support women and youth in handicrafts, English, and digital skills, and engage with children and local communities in need. The program also includes eco-tourism activities, such as monastery visits, heritage tours, and trekking through valleys and forests. A highlight is the chance to learn meditation directly from Buddhist Masters in mountain monasteries, combining service with self-discovery. Programs run for 7, 14, or 21 days at $700–$1,500, including food, lodging, transport, eco-tours, and orientation. Volunteers contribute about 4–5 hours/day, with flexible time for reflection, rest, and exploration. Offered by Noah’s Ark of Calcutta and Sinai Enterprise, this program blends social service, spirituality, and eco-tourism into one transformative experience.

We encourage individuals to apply as volunteers and make a meaningful contribution to international youth exchange and community development through medium and long-term placements ranging from 4 to 24 weeks. These placements involve working in ongoing local humanitarian projects located in rural or semi-urban areas. They provide an excellent opportunity to gain a deep understanding of grassroots situations and collaborate with marginalized communities. The pace of work in these placements is slower, which presents a constant challenge in managing volunteer expectations. It's important to recognize that significant global change cannot be achieved in such a short period. Nevertheless, the placement offers a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment by making a tangible impact on a cause with visible results. We offer flexibility for volunteers to join our programs, but in order to ensure effective coordination of project activities, we request volunteers to join on the first Monday of each month. Upon arrival, an initial orientation will be provided at the RUCHI office, where the desired project outcomes, as well as the volunteer's role and responsibilities, will be shared.

Experience India Beyond the Surface This unique volunteer opportunity with HEEALS invites you to dive deep into the vibrant cultural fabric of India while making a tangible difference in underserved communities. You'll explore how India's rich heritage and evolving social dynamics influence development, education, health, and gender roles, primarily through the lens of our WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) projects. Designed for individuals who seek more than travel, this program blends hands-on community engagement with meaningful cross-cultural experiences. Whether you're walking through village lanes, attending local festivals, or collaborating with schoolchildren, you’ll gain insights that no classroom can offer. Location: Gurgaon, India (with rural and urban outreach) Program Focus: Culture, Community Development, WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene), Education, Gender Equality Duration: Flexible (2 weeks to 6 months) Ideal for: Students, recent graduates, professionals, and global citizens seeking immersive cultural learning and social impact.