India has it all! Stunning and diverse natural beauty, a rich and vibrant culture and countless opportunities make India one of the most popular gap year destinations.
Imagine relaxing on the pristine sandy beaches of tropical Goa, or exploring the sand dunes and majestic forts and palaces of the deserts of Rajasthan. You could spot wild Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans delta mangrove forests, or explore the valleys and snow-capped peaks of the world’s highest mountain range, the Himalayas.
There are endless amazing things to do on a gap year or backpacking trip in India.
Top Rated Opportunities
Best Gap Year Programs in India
Volunteer
Whether you are just looking to spend a week or months working for a good cause or get invaluable experience or just looking for some cool adventure look no further than India. There are plenty of opportunities to work for a good cause by volunteering for a credible not-for-profit organization, of which there is no dearth in India.
Intern, Teach or Work
International companies presence in India has allowed them to establish wide-reaching local networks and open up gap year jobs, teaching and intern programs. If you are a student there are a number of ways to make the most of what the country has to offer.
Tours
Home to some of the most bountiful natural resources and one of the oldest cultures in the world make India one of the most diverse places on the planet is every sense. So if leisure and exploration is on your mind, India is matchless. You could trek in the foothills of The Himalayas to not only experience the peerless Himalayan bio-diversity but also come face to face with ancient cultures of the hill people living in small hamlets along the trek or if one want more thrill one could do a bit of rock climbing or mountain biking.
India’s coastline is peppered with pristine white sand beaches, Goa being the most famous host to some. So if warm beaches with laid back lifestyle is what one is after, not only Goa but there are several other places along India’s coastline which can be a perfect destination. Or if you are a wildlife enthusiast or has a love for history, there are a plethora of enchanting places like the tiger reserves of Kanha, Bandavgarh or Kaziranga and colourful cities with massive forts of Rajasthan. No matter what your inclination, India has something to offer and more.
Cookery Courses
Indian cooking classes, which will allow you to return home and impress your friends and family with authentic culinary skills.
India Facts
• Currency: Indian Rupee
• Religion: 82% Hindu, 12% Muslim, 2.3% Christian, 1.9% Sikh, 0.8% Buddhist, 0.5% Jains, 0.5% other .
• Language: India has no official Indian language, so English it quite dominant. However there are 15 other languages used by the people of India and hundreds of dialects.
• Health Conditions: Cholera, Dengue fever, Malaria, Hepatitis, Meningococcal Meningitis (mainly a problem in trekking areas) and Typhoid.
Don’t Leave India Without…
Seeing the Taj Mahal! From a distance, the Taj Mahal is everything you’ve ever imagined… a symphony of symmetry, flowing lines and gleaming white marble. Move a little closer and you see that this monument to love, built by the Emperor Shah Jahan for his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal, is even more remarkable: thousands of semi-precious stones and pieces of coloured marble, all inlaid perfectly into the facade, transform this masterpiece of Islamic Mughal architecture into a stunning work of art. Several of our Indian itineraries take in the Taj Mahal.