India Elephant Sanctuary Work alongside traditional mahouts helping retired working elephants and make a difference to the future of these engaging mammals. A land of sensory overload, cultural extremes, and extraordinary beauty and mystery, India has become one of the most desirable destinations to travel and volunteer. Its sheer size, and dynamic, complex population combine with fascinating wildlife and a mystical and pervasive heritage filled with tales of ancient gods, kings and queens, to make it a place that will transform your perspectives and realign your priorities. Work alongside traditional mahouts helping retired working elephants and make a difference to the future of these engaging mammals, some of the most recognisable inhabitants of the subcontinent, whilst enjoying this popular travellers' destination renowned for its luscious landscapes, dense palm groves, whitewashed churches and sandy beaches. In your time off spend your days relaxing or, if you have the energy, you can rent a bike and explore your surroundings in the company of your new friends, or simply read a book and laze your days away, bathing in the unique atmosphere of India. PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS Work alongside Indian Elephants Delve into the culture of India Come away with unmatchable memories PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Minimum age of 18 years PLEASE CHECK AVAILABILITY WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS POPULAR PROGRAMME FAST FACTS Duration Costs Location Activities Transport Accommodation From 2 weeks 650 for 2 weeks, 299 per extra week India Habitat plantation Reforestation Infrastructure building &repair Teaching Airport pick-up Journey to project site via public transport Shared volunteer house WHAT WILL I BE DOING? Introduction week Your first week is designed to give you an opportunity to explore the history and culture of India, and of course Mysore, with visits to local sites of special interest, cooking lessons, and possibly your first taste of yoga and meditation, practices that are central to Indian philosophy and way of life. Following this wonderful opportunity to fully immerse yourself in your new surroundings, your briefings for the volunteer work will begin. Volunteer work You will work closely with the mahouts at an elephant camp famous for being the training location of the Mysore Dussehra elephants. Learn from the mahouts as you develop your own bonds with the individual animals through the work programme of feeding, habitat plantation and reforestation, and general ecological maintenance. Your work will also extend to the local community and you can assist with the ongoing community development projects, such as infrastructure building and repair and teaching activities.
With weekends spent near Mysore you will have the perfect opportunity to delve into the culture of India, exploring your surroundings even further and understanding what drives this wonderfully unique country forward. With a range of extra activities available to you, at additional cost, you will find your biggest problem is finding enough time to fit everything in! Please note that this programme focuses more on spending time with elephants rather than actual wildlife conservation work. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I ARRIVE? Upon arrival at Bangalore Airport you will be greeted by a representative from Frontier-India and escorted on the journey to the accommodation near to the camp where you will be based for the duration of your stay. The journey of approximately 260km will provide you with the perfect opportunity to view your country through the eyes of a local. WHERE WILL I BE STAYING? You will find all of your accommodation to be basic, but of course clean and comfortable. The rooms will be single sex and shared, and participants are asked to be environmentally responsible and use resources with restraint, and to help by keeping the living areas clean and tidy. The doors and windows are not mosquito-proofed, so you may want to bring a mosquito net! WHAT WILL I BE EATING? All three meals during the day will generally be taken together and will be typical of the region. Breakfast will vary from rice to Indian breads, and lunch and dinner will include a range of Indian dishes, characterised by rice, vegetables and sauces. You should be prepared for some of the food to be spicy, it being India after all, but you will find that there are tastes to suit all palates.
COSTS 2 weeks US$ 1,195 Extra week US$ 595 DEPARTURE DATES Twice monthly, starts Monday. PLEASE CHECK AVAILABILITY WHEN APPLYING FOR THIS POPULAR PROGRAMME DURATION From 2 weeks WHAT'S INCLUDED Before you go Comprehensive pre-departure support Travel &medical advice &documentation Equipment advice Free Frontier t-shirt In-country Food Accommodation Airport pick-up Ground transfers &in-transit accommodation Local orientation Project training In-country emergency support 24-hour international HQ back-up CONTACT INFORMATION Call us on 020 7613 2422 (UK) / 1 949 336 8178 (US) Mail us on info@frontier.ac.uk Check out our social media here:
Project details were correct at the time this document was generated. Price, dates and other details are subject to change. Please see our website for current details for this project.