India: Your real opportunity to make a positive difference

Delhi Arrival

On arrival into Delhi International Airport, you will be welcomed by your local representative and transferred to your accommodation. After time to settle in and rest following your flight, take part in an informative orientation covering the programme, local customs, cultural awareness and important safeguarding guidance. You will also learn more about Delhi and the communities you will be supporting during the days ahead. The remainder of the day is free to relax before enjoying dinner together and transferring to your accommodation.

Agra and the magnificent Taj Mahal

Following an early breakfast at your hotel, set out by private coach for Agra and one of the most eagerly anticipated moments of the entire journey—the magnificent Taj Mahal. As you travel beyond Delhi, observe the changing landscapes and everyday scenes that reveal another side of life in northern India.

On arrival, meet your expert local guide and enter the beautifully landscaped gardens leading towards one of the world’s most recognisable monuments. Built during the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is an extraordinary symbol of devotion and a masterpiece of Mughal architecture.

Discover how thousands of skilled artisans created its graceful domes, towering minarets, detailed marble screens and intricate floral patterns using precious and semi-precious stones. There will be time to appreciate the monument from different viewpoints, learn about the people involved in its construction and capture unforgettable photographs beside its famous reflecting pool.

After the visit, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and experience some of Agra’s distinctive flavours. If time permits, there may also be an opportunity to see local craftspeople demonstrating the traditional marble-inlay techniques associated with the Taj Mahal. You will then begin your return journey to Delhi, arriving at the hotel in the evening for dinner and a well-earned rest.

Your community project begins

After breakfast at your hotel, travel to your community placement in the Okhla area, where you will meet the local staff and receive a detailed introduction to the organisation and its work. You will learn about some of the challenges facing disadvantaged children and families, including poverty, interrupted education and limited access to safe and supportive learning environments.

Working in smaller teams under the guidance of local staff, you will begin a range of carefully planned activities. These may include organising educational games, helping with creative workshops, preparing learning materials, providing administrative support or improving and redecorating parts of the centre. The activities will encourage teamwork, communication and creative thinking while contributing to projects identified as priorities by the community itself.

After a locally provided lunch, return to the project for a more hands-on afternoon. Depending on the centre’s requirements, you may paint classrooms, create colourful educational displays, organise books and resources, or help transform an existing area into a brighter and more welcoming place for learning. Other groups may prepare interactive activities focusing on language, numeracy, art or general life skills.

Throughout the afternoon, you will have opportunities to speak with project staff and learn how the organisation works to keep children engaged in education and connected to essential support. The day concludes with a short group reflection, allowing you to discuss what you observed, consider the wider causes of inequality and prepare for the next stage of your project. Afterwards, return to the hotel for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Community action & Dilli Haat

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, return to the community centre in the Okhla area for the second day of your service programme. Building on the work started yesterday, you will continue supporting projects chosen by the local organisation according to the centre’s most important needs.

Working in small teams, you may complete classroom improvements, paint educational murals, organise books and learning materials, or create colourful displays covering subjects such as language, numeracy, health and the environment. You may also help deliver supervised educational games and creative workshops designed to encourage confidence, communication and participation.

Throughout the morning, local staff will explain how poverty, insecure housing and interrupted schooling can affect children’s education and future opportunities. You will also learn why sustainable, community-led initiatives are more effective than short-term assistance. This experience encourages you to listen, work responsibly and understand that meaningful service begins with supporting the priorities identified by the community itself.

Following a locally provided lunch, continue with your practical activities and begin bringing the different parts of the project together. There will be opportunities to review your progress, make final improvements and discuss how the centre will continue using the materials and spaces you have helped create. Before leaving, take part in a short reflection session to share what you have learned and consider how greater awareness can inspire positive action.

Later in the afternoon, experience the colour and creativity of Delhi with a visit to Dilli Haat, a lively open-air market bringing together artisans and regional traditions from across India. Browse stalls displaying hand-painted crafts, pottery, jewellery, embroidered textiles, silk shawls and decorative artwork while learning about the skills and traditions behind the products.

You will also have an opportunity to sample regional snacks and experience the music, aromas and energetic atmosphere of this popular cultural marketplace. After time to explore and purchase souvenirs, return to your hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.

Making a difference & Akshardham

After breakfast at your hotel, return to the community centre for the final day of your service programme. Building on the progress made over the previous two days, work with your team to complete the activities and practical improvements identified by the local organisation. This may include finishing classroom displays or murals, organising donated books and learning materials, preparing educational resources, or adding the final touches to a brighter and more welcoming learning environment.

You may also assist with supervised educational games and creative workshops that encourage communication, confidence and participation. Working alongside the centre’s staff will help you understand the importance of creating projects that can be maintained and used long after your visit has ended. Rather than focusing only on short-term assistance, the experience highlights the value of listening to communities and supporting locally led solutions.

Following a locally provided lunch, bring the different elements of your work together and present the completed resources to the project team. Take part in a final reflection session to discuss what you have learned about poverty, educational inequality and the challenges facing vulnerable children and families. You will also consider how access to education, safe spaces and consistent support can help young people develop greater confidence and future opportunities.

After saying farewell to the project staff, continue to the spectacular Swaminarayan Akshardham complex, an impressive celebration of Indian art, spirituality and architecture. Explore its beautifully landscaped grounds and admire the intricately carved stonework, which depicts musicians, dancers, animals, plants and scenes inspired by India’s cultural traditions.

As evening falls, take your seats for the captivating water show, subject to the operating schedule. Fountains, colourful lights, music, fire, lasers and dramatic projections combine to present a story inspired by ancient Indian philosophy. It provides a visually spectacular and uplifting conclusion to a day of service, cultural discovery and personal reflection. Afterwards, return to your hotel for dinner and a relaxing final evening in Delhi.

A final farewell to new found friends

Enjoy your final breakfast before checking out of the hotel. Depending on your flight time, there may be an opportunity for some last-minute shopping, sightseeing or time to relax. You will then be transferred by private coach to Delhi International Airport for your return journey, taking home memories of India’s remarkable landmarks alongside a greater awareness of its social challenges, inspiring communities and ongoing efforts to create positive change.