Located in the heart of India, there are plenty of activities to do during your free time while volunteering in Delhi. We’ve listed below some of the popular sites and tours that past IVHQ volunteers have experienced while on the IVHQ India - Delhi program.
In and Around Delhi
Delhi and New Delhi
During the weekend, you’ll definitely want to tour Old Delhi and New Delhi. This will give you a great insight into the city and how it has grown and developed, from ancient tradition to modern progression. When visiting Old Delhi, be sure to see India Gate, Red Fort, Jama Mosque and Raj Ghat (Gandhi Samadhi’s Cremation). When visiting New Delhi, head to the Lotus Baha’i Temple, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar. There are set tours available and our local team can help arrange these, or you can choose to explore the city by taxi or metro train, using a guidebook for reference. Alternatively, join our India Orientation Week, an optional add-on at the beginning of your volunteer program, which includes a tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi.
Garden Of Five Senses
For those new to the hustle and bustle of Delhi, a great place to relax and unwind within the city boundaries is The Garden of Five Senses. This peaceful garden setting has been designed to awaken all five senses, offering over 20 acres to wander through. Take in the vibrant display of thoughtfully landscaped plants, flowers, waterfalls, rocks, quirky sculptures, murals, ceramic bells, and spiral walkways. The garden is open from 6.00AM to 9.00PM and there’s often live music at the amphitheater, making it a popular place to relax and unwind.
Agra and The Taj Mahal
This white marble mausoleum is the most widely recognized must-do among travelers in India. Located in Agra, volunteers on the Delhi program can arrange a 1-day tour to and from the Taj Mahal during the weekend. Although it can make for a long day of traveling, you won’t be disappointed! It’s a wonderful sight, and a breathtaking display of love and culture from ages passed. You can also visit the Taj Mahal as part of the IVHQ India Orientation Week, an optional add-on to the India - Delhi program.
Further Afield
While volunteering in Delhi, many volunteers choose to travel further away on weekends. We’ve highlighted a couple of popular weekend activities for volunteers that our local staff are more than happy to help arrange with you.
Golden Triangle of India
A popular option for those with a few days to spare, is to tour the Golden Triangle of India. This encompasses three cities; starting in Delhi, traveling on to Agra (and the Taj Mahal), followed by Jaipur, then returning to Delhi over the course of a weekend or 3-day trip. You may wish to take a longer trip depending on how much time you wish to spend in each location. There are many things to see in each city, including museums, historical buildings, markets and restaurants.
Varanasi and the Ganges
This is a popular trip for many travelers in India; an opportunity to experience the practices of ancient religions. The city of Shiva, and the banks of the Ganges River are hugely symbolic as a place of spiritual importance for the Hindu religion. It’s an important place for those nearing the end of their lives, to die on the banks of the river and receive “Moksha” (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The cities also symbolic of the crossing place between physical and spiritual worlds, and the Ganges is the river of salvation and an everlasting symbol of hope for past, present and future generations. Visitors can walk along the banks, or opt to take a boat ride on the river, to absorb the magical and intimate rituals that take place. Due to the distance from Delhi, many volunteers prefer to visit Varanasi either before or after their volunteer duration.
Rishikesh
Rishikesh is world-famous for Yoga retreats and Yoga centers, and many of our volunteers will find themselves in Rishikesh during their travels to absorb the yogic inspiration of the area and its people. Due to its location, volunteers typically arrange to travel here either before or after their volunteer program, preferring to spend some time soaking up the vibes, and broadening their own yogic experience and practice.
To apply for the India - Delhi program or explore the volunteering opportunities available in India, visit our Volunteer in India Delhi page.
