Gap Year India
Land of the Taj Mahal, the Khajuraho Temples and the Royal Bengal tigers, India is a
country of contrasts and diversity. With over one billion people, India is also a country
with one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The resulting development challenges, the vast
social differences with millions of people still living below the poverty line, all
combine to make India the ultimate
gap year destination.
A
gap year in India offers enormous opportunities to volunteer in the charity sector or
work in the business sector while travelling to explore this fantastic
gap year destination.
It is often said that no other destination offers such a wide range of
gap year travel opportunities
whether it be trekking in the Himalayas or backpacking through ancient cites to explore the culture or
spending your
gap year abroad relaxing on a beach.....there is so much to see and do it is certainly a
gap year of a lifetime.
Volunteer in India: 
As a
gap year volunteer in India, there is so much to do to help and make a difference.
With over an estimated 300 million people still living below the poverty line there are
opportunities to volunteer in education, healthcare, community programmes, conservation
and much more
There are opportunities to
teach English on your
gap year abroad,
or
volunteer at an orphanage or help
children from the slums get a brighter future. Nothing can be more rewarding than to spend your
gap year among children who are so keen and eager to learn but just lack the opportunities you
have had in a privileged environment.
If you are interested in medicine or healthcare, you can use your
gap year
in India to gain some medical
experience by working in a hospital or as a volunteer at a community health centre. With a number of
development challenges India offers many more specialised
gap year volunteer opportunities to use your skills
and make a difference either by working on community issues or by helping local NGOs grow and develop.
GapGuru in India: 
GapGuru has one of the widest ranges of
gap year volunteer projects in India. We offer a range of opportunities,
from
teaching English in community schools to
Crocodile Conservation Volunteer Project,
and from
journalism placements
or
Medical Placement in Punehips to providing
childcare in orphanages.
If you are interested in working with children, you can get involved in a
teaching English programme.
We offer
gap year volunteer opportunities that enable you to bring joy to deprived children through
teaching with passion and enthusiasm. With the help of volunteer teachers numerous kids have been
brought into education, assuring them a brighter future. You can use your
gap years in India to help
in
childcare, volunteering with children in orphanages for abandoned babies.
If you are interested in volunteering in
conservation, you can work in
a
Crocodile Centre, where you can
take care of the reptiles, help to improve environmental awareness with children and act as a visitor
guide. This
gap year volunteer project is perfect if you plan to study conservation or zoology.
Working in India on your
gap year offers the possibility to intern in
Medicine,
Journalism and
Business. Imagine on your
gap year in India you can be a reporter for a major newspaper, a
medical intern in a hospital or a
voice, accent and culture coach a leading offshore company.
All of which will look very impressive on your CV.
There are plenty of things to do when spending your
gap year in India and GapGuru offers you the chance
to discover an enthralling and colourful culture, while doing something meaningful.
Useful information for a Gap Year in India
"
India is a land of contrasts... India is not a poor country. She is abundantly
supplied with everything that makes a country rich, yet here people are very poor."
- Jawaharlal Nehru, 1947.
The Republic of India has for centuries enticed those with the wanderlust, those in search of that special something.
That extra punch that only India promises and delivers makes it one of the most
popular gap year destinations
India provides a feast for your senses and just thinking of your gap year
in India evokes colourful and powerful
images of the Mumbai and
Delhi streets teeming with a heavy population, of beautiful snow capped
Himalayan Mountains; the tropical rainforests of Kerala, the deep turquoise waters around
the Andamans and the steaming Thar Desert. India is a huge country, as large as Europe but more
varied with a rich and distinct cultural identity to discover during your gap year volunteering
in India. Nehru's statement is as significant now as it was when he wrote it in 1947.
GapGuru provides you with the unique experience of living and working alongside
some of the warmest people in one the world's most diverse countries. If you want
an experience that will challenge and change you, then
India is the country to travel
to.
Hot Summer, Monsoon and Winter with a beautiful, but brief Spring and Autumn
sum up the season cycle in India.
Most of the country has a vigorous monsoon that lasts from mid June to September.
However, because of India's incredible size,(3,287,263 km) the temperatures vary
immensely.
- Coolest from December to February: Fresh mornings and dry, sunny days. Nights can
become quite cold in the north and in the far north. Coastal regions like Mumbai and Pune
have a more temperate climate which is perfect for a gap year travel.
- Very Hot from March to May:During the summer the temperature in Delhi can reach 45
degrees Celsius. This is the time to retreat to the Himalayan hill stations where the temperature
remains pleasant when working or volunteering in India.
- Monsoon Rains from June to September: Most of the country feels the effects
of the vigorous monsoons in this period.
Best Time to Go:
In general it is best to visit India during winter: November - February. For trekking in the Himalayas and
visiting the south-east the best time to go during you gap year is between April and September.
India has a large network of roads and although hiring a car may not be the best idea, there are
many bus and rail options. Flying has become a common alternative as the country is so vast and rail
travel can be slow. The best way of getting around the large cities and towns during your
gap year travel is
by using the variety of local transport available in each city:.
Auto Rickshaws
Like the Thai tuk-tuk or the Indonesian becak the auto rickshaw is the modern motorised version of the traditional
cart that was pulled by a person. They are varied in design but usually have a canopy on top and have no doors or
seatbelts. Riding in the back of one is an experience in itself, and a must-do during your
gap year working or
volunteering
in India!
It is common to share the rickshaw with a stranger and pay a fare per passenger
each based on destination. These are called phat-a-phats in
Delhi and Polaamboo
vans in
Chennai.
Taxis
Taxis in all major cities are metered. While travelling during your
gap year in India, you should always insist that the driver uses the
meter and ask to see the tariff card or rate card for the latest fares. If the driver refuses you can get the police to intervene. However, in that
situation it is usual to compromise and agree a fare for the trip before you get in.
If you want to travel around India during your
gap year abroad, visit our
Gap Year Travel page.
Things to see and do during your Gap Year in India
If you are looking for things to do in India, you might want to first ask yourself
– you might want to first ask yourself how much time do I have? Landscapes ranging from
the towering Himalayas, the scorching Thar Desert, the blue Indian Ocean, the lush green
backwaters India has it all.
If during your
gap year in India you are looking for arts,
history and culture, you wouldn't be disappointed either. There is so much on offer that you
will find it difficult to pick a few things to do during your exciting
gap year abroad. The
melange of people, languages, culture and customs makes each city different from the other.
.
From years of experience, we know where previous Gap Year Travellers have travelled
and enjoyed. The list below is just an indication of what you can do.
Choose your interest, back your bags and discover India
The Taj Mahal:Arguably the most iconic representation of India. Some historians say that the architectural beauty of
this historic monument has never been surpassed. Built by an emperor in memory of his dear wife, it is an 'elegy in marble'
or some say an expression of a 'dream'. The easiest to get to The Taj during your
gap year travel in India is to go from
Delhi.and it certainly is something no
gap year in India is complete without.
.
Beach Breaks:Ask anyone around in India for a beach break during your gap year, they will tell you
to head to Goa. Like everywhere else in India, Goa will surprise you. The beaches are known for
their beauty and are teeming with people on sun deck chairs and a bottle of beer. In some parts,
the golden days of Goa fuelled by the hippy years are still very much alive. You can wander into old
Goa and stroll through its many basilicas during your
gap year trip.
If you want to get away from the noise during your
gap year in India, you might want to consider
the backwaters of Kerala. Stay on a houseboat in the backwaters, eat freshly caught fish and spend
the evening looking at the glorious sunset listening to the chirping of birds to enjoy peacefully your
gap year trip.
Colorful Rajasthan: : If you see a collage of Indian photos, you are sure to catch a scene from
Rajasthan. The land of Kings, Rajasthan is peppered with palaces and forts. The state is awash with colours
and you will inevitably join the tribe during your
gap year travel. It's not something to be done in a hurry but
then again, you wouldn't want to miss it if you travel during your
gap year in India. From the famous Pushkar
festival which attracts a million people, to the lakes in Udaipur, rich cuisine, golden sandcastle in Jaisalmer,
the Wagah border with Pakistan and a ride on the camel - Rajasthan is the royal Romantic India and is a must do
during you
gap year travel.
In the Hills: Very often during your gap year you will want to escape from the temperate climate and
the hills are the best options. In the North of India, there are many hill stations that you can visit for the
weekend during your
gap year travel. Darjeeling in
the north east of India is one such place where you can stand
in a tea plantation with a hot cuppa in your hand and the panoramic Himalayas in front of you!!
For the more adventurous and wanting to see rugged terrains, get to Ladakh during your
gap year
abroad. At a breathless altitude of 3505m above sea level - it is bound and made up of mountains.
From November to May, Ladakh is almost completely cut off from the outside world.
Even in summer,
getting here involves crossing the highest mountain passes in the world (Khardung La - The highest motorable
road in the world at5359m), or a hair-raising flight that weaves between the peaks.
Wild Life: : Abundant with national parks, if you want to spot tigers and lions during your gap year travel, head to any of the top
national parks and you will be in a for a visual forest treat. Some popular national parks to visit during your
gap year abroad:
- Kanha National Park - Based in central India, Kanha tops the list to glimpse a tiger in India. The Park boasts of more than 200 tigers and leopards,
350 swamp deer, more than 300 species of birds and thousands of spotted deer.
- Bandhavgarh National Park - Though smaller than Kanah, it claims to have the world's highest density of tiger population - offering you a 99.99% chance of
spotting a big cat when visiting the park during your
gap year abroad. Apart from tigers,
the park's residents include leopards, wild boars, jackals, sambars and porcupines.
- Sunderbans Tiger Reserve - This reserve is a network of channels and semi submerged mangroves that is part of the world's largest river delta.
Arts and Heritage: The best way to plan your
gap year travel to places to cover the vast heritage of India is to look around the places
where you are based and you wouldn't be disappointed. Anywhere you are in India during your
gap year abroad, a world heritage site will not be far off.
We give you a brief list that you can start off with:
During your gap year in India, visit the village of 'Hampi' (near Bangalore) to view ruins of a majestic dynasty. It is one of the most historical sites in India.
Ajanta and Ellora Caves 'Near Mumbai' The caves display some of the masterwork of the Buddhist religion. They are closed on certain days of the week, so check with the locals before you head out during your
gap year trip.
The Great Living Chola Temples - Built in the 11th and 12th century A.D, the temples depict a standing testimony of the achievements of the Chola dynasty in architecture, sculpture, painting and bronze casting
If you are spending your
gap years in
Delhi, do visit the Qutb Minar and the Red Fort
The Sun temple of Konark, based on the shores of Bengal, was built in the 13th century and is one of India's most famous temples.
These are just some of the many sites to visit during your
gap year travel in India. Ask locals and you will always find a city, a discovery that is still untouched by tourists.
If you would like to discover India during your
gap year abroad, GapGuru offers fantastic
gap year travel all around the country: relax during a beach break in Mumbai,
discover the impressive Himalayas on the road to Ladakh, approach majestic tigers during our 'Jungle Book'
journey, admire the magnificent 'Golden Temple'
and much more during your
gap year travel in India with GapGuru!
To know more about our
gap year travels in India, click
here.
Culture and Customs
With more than one billion people, more than 20 spoken languages, multiple religions, food habits, festivals - India is
a combination of all that there is. Each state has its unique entity and India is a culmination of each of
these, without diluting any of them. This amazing singularity in one of the reasons why India is one of the
favourite
gap year destinations.
India is the birth place of religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. A majority of the population
(almost 75%) follows the Hindu religion. It is believed that there are 330 million Gods. Little wonder when you
travel across states during your
gap year abroad, you will see different deities being worshipped. Other religions followed
are Islam, Christianity, Sikhism and Jainism.
With so many religions come multiple festivals. India has an extraordinary festive calendar encompassing colourful rituals
and parades, reflecting India's rich cultural background. The festivals listed below are just a few of the major ones
celebrated throughout the year that you can attend to during your
gap year in India. Many festivals don't have a fixed date
and are planned around the full moon because it is considered to be good luck.
Holi, Festival of Colors(March/April)
Holi is celebrated each year on the first day after the full moon in March, and traditionally marks the beginning of
spring and a good harvest.
Widely associated with throwing coloured powder (gulal) and water, Holi is a huge excuse for Indians to have massive amounts of fun.
Adults and children alike indulge in a day of silliness but also a day of peace. At midday the chaos stops and people go to bathe and spend time with their families.
The festival of colours
is a great traditional and popular event to experience during your
gap year travel!
Durga Puja (October)
Celebrated twice a year at important climatic and solar changes, the beginning of summer
and the beginning winter, Durga Puja is the festival of the Divine Mother. Huge event across
India, and possibly most important in Bengal, this festival is an event to attend to if you are
planning a gap year in India in this period. It is perhaps the greatest Hindu festival where
God is worshipped as a woman. She is often depicted with ten arms holding ten weapons and
sitting on a lion. The festival takes place over nine days and nights in which the various
manifestations if the Mother Goddess are worshipped. On the final day statues of Durga are paraded
through the streets and then submerged in water.
Dussehra (September/October)
Dussehra or Vijay Dashmi is celebrated with great joy and festivity for 10 continuous days during
the month of September or October. It is considered to be a symbol of the victory of Good over Evil.
During Navratri or the nine days preceding Dussehra people worship the Mother Goddess.
Ramadan
Ramadan is celebrated by Muslims all over the world during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
For an entire month they fast during daylight hours and spend time contemplating and worshipping.
In the evening, when it is dark they eat a small meal called iftar and spend time with family
and friends. Eid al Fitr, which literally translates as feast of fast breaking, characterizes the
end of Ramadan and is marked by huge celebrations. Muslims exchange gifts with family and friends
and give gifts to mosques and the poor.
Diwali/Deepavali (October/November)
Diwali, one of the most popular Indian festivals, celebrates the return of Lord Rama and Sita
from exile. Diwali is also called as the festival of lights. It usually falls between 15th
October and 15th November, and must be in your plans during your gap year travel in India.
During this time! The day is celebrated by lighting lamps, diyas, visiting relatives, feasting,
and huge fireworks displays.
Christmas (December)
Nearly 3% of India's population are Christian but irrespective of that, Christmas is celebrated
widely by people of all religions and by those without any. In India, just like in many places
in the West, Christmas has become a secular event. The traditional giving of gifts is followed
everywhere and it is a time of great celebration.
Walking the streets of any town during your
gap travel in India, your senses are assaulted
by a heady and mouth watering concoction of smells. There are street vendors and
restaurants everywhere, all competing to satisfy your gap year traveller need to feed.
The food, spices and flavours again differ from one region to the other. While rice is
the staple diet in the south of India, the north consumes large amount of 'rotis' or 'naan bread'.
Though India is often referred as the home of the 'Curry', the word 'curry' means very different
in the country than does here in the UK. A curry in India usually refers to a wet dish.
For veggies, India is a delight for a
gap year abroad. Many people in India are vegetarians and
the choice of food is enormous.
During your
gap year in India, you will rapidly understand that music, art and culture lie at
the heart of Indian society. Indian Music is largely recognised in the west by the onslaught
of 'Bollywood' or the Indian Film Industry. The music has evolved over the years and ranges
from classical to western. Indian music is also largely influenced by the west and fusion music
is very popular. The instrumental music has its own set of followers in India and the West.
Movies and Sports are the combining factor for this vast country. Often mentioned,
Cricket is the religion of this nation, as you will quickly notice during your
gap year abroad in India.
So intertwined are the two passions that movie releases are mostly timed when the cricket season is dull!
It's difficult to capture all of Indian Culture, but if you want to sample some of it, pack your bags and head to this
mystic land for a fantastic
gap year in India!