Adventure Week in Goa, India

• Accommodation
• 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
• Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• Daily transportation to project
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Dabolim International Airport (GOI). You must arrive between Sunday 00:00 to 24:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup times we charge an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and another fee for a private transfer.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).

From the airport to accommodation, it takes 45 minutes by road. 

Monday

In the morning, we take a bus into the mountains and arrive at the jungle camp. After a welcome snack, you will get one hour introduction about Castle rock and the western ghats and a brief description of the 5 day program. Then, you set out for a trek to a nearby rural village (Pompalvaddi, 7kms from CR farm), and relax near a small perennial waterfall. Lunch will be cooked and served while you enjoy the waterfall. Then you will trek back to base camp by 16.00.

Campfire and dinner from 18.30 to 20.30.

Tuesday

You will have breakfast at 6.30 and then drive for around 12 kms towards Kuveshi village in 4×4 open jeeps, where you will trek for 7kms to the source of the gigantic Dudhsagar waterfalls. Here you can relax and have the packed lunch and be at leisure till 16.00. After that you will trek back to the village and enjoy the drive back to base camp. Enroute you may stop for photography and probable sites of wildlife (which you may as well call ‘a safari’).

Dinner at base camp from 19.00 to 21.00.

Wednesday

You will have breakfast at 07.00 and then walk to an 18th century British colonial structure and explore the surrounding areas in a radius of 3 km from our base camp.

Lunch will be ready at the base camp, after which you can relax till 16.00 and then leave for the fishing trip inside the forest. You will return by 18.00 to freshen up and be ready for a barbeque dinner by 19.00 around the campfire with a few sing along games. You shall retire by 21.30 at the camping site.

Thursday

Breakfast will be served at 07.30 and after that we will set out into the wood for caving exploration. You will have your packed lunch for the day, which you can enjoy in the woods and you will return to the camp by 17.00, to freshen up and get ready for a barbeque dinner at night. You can enjoy and have quality time with the other participants until 22.00 as this is your last night at the camp.

Friday

After having breakfast at 07.30 we walk to the nearby village to meet and interact with the villagers. You can buy some homemade handicrafts, spices or local honey here. Lunch will be at a local house cooked by the local women served on banana leaves. At about 15.00 we will depart from the camp and come back to our center.

***This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.***

Weekends are always free for relaxing or sightseeing of your choice. Our ground operators will help you organise additional trips with special (non tourist) rates which can be paid directly in local currency. As a volunteer you will gain access to local knowledge, opportunities and value you simply would not find if staying as a standard tourist.

Additional Requirements

The following are further necessary in order for both the participants, local staff and everyones involved to have a meaningful, enjoyable and safe adventure.

• Older participants or over 65 years are required to have a medical clearance as proof of their physical fitness as they may perform various activities.
• Participants below 18 years old need a signed parental consent as proof of involvement of their children for the program. If possible, accompaniment by an adult is highly advised.

• Due to the length and active nature of this program and as there are lots of outdoor activities under the heat of the sun, a decent level of fitness is required.

• Excellent time management and self – organizing and strong desire to take on new challenges and learn as much as possible.
• Recommended a COVID – 19 Vaccination, purchase travel insurance, medical and Covid – 19  insurance prior to your arrival.
• Have completed or recommended the following vaccines: Polio, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria/Tetanus, Typhoid, Malaria, Hepatitis B, Tuberculosis.

 Additional Equipment

Personal belongings such as:

• There is a lot of walking and exploring, so bring with you comfortable Hiking shoes  so you can move comfortably and easily.
• Bring Personal toiletries such as basic soap, shampoo, toothpaste and towels.
• Bring also hat, sunglasses to protect from the heat of the sun particularly during the hiking and trekking  day.
• Please also bring a Rucksack, Inflatable mattress, Flashlight, Sleeping Bag, Power head lights/Torch, Plate, Spoon, Mug and Any other items of personal need.
• You may also bring extra toiletries, towels, extra clothes, swimming attire, extra foods during waterfall day or hiking days.

• An environmentally friendly sunscreen or lotion is also advised to protect you from the heat of the sun and please carry with you preventive agents during outdoor activities, such as mosquito repellents for insect bites or other insects that may irritate your skin. A  leech sock is highly recommended.
• Moreover, bring Medicines with you especially if you have to take specific medicines on a regular basis as well as other medicines for headaches and stomach aches.
• Refillable water bottles and hydration packs to stay hydrated throughout the day particularly during exploration and outdoor activities.

Dress Code:

• India is a Conservative Country, please wear modest clothing covering knees and shoulders. Loose and long clothing is both respectful and tends to keep you cooler in hot climates. Cover up as much as possible in the spirit of the local culture to avoid embarrassment.
• Your clothes must not be too short, too tight, or too revealing. Kindly make sure your shoulders and legs are covered.
• It is completely fine to wear western clothes as long as they fit the local standards.
• Be thoughtful of the graphics, symbols or text printed on your clothing and avoid wearing clothing styles that might be inappropriate most especially when visiting temples, monasteries and schools during your spare time.

India is an eclectic and intoxicating cultural experience like no other! Home of the famous Taj Mahal, the Himalayas, the sacred Ganges river, and over 1 billion people of varying languages, cultures and beleifs, India is sure to push you to the boundaries of your comfort zone.

IVI is focused on establishing sustainable employment and education through volunteering efforts in India. Children in some of the regions we service have not had basic nutritional background. Over 950,000 newborns per year in India die from infections. Education about health for families provides a strong foundation for self-care in the communities we service in India.

India’s climte ranges from tropical down south to alpine up in the northern mountain regions. 

From April until the start of October is summer, and in most places in India, is very hot. In June the monsoon rains start in Kerala down south, and move inland. Further north and in the rural areas of Rajasthan, it can get pretty cold from December to January- sometimes as low at minus 5 degrees!

Be prepared for some hot temperatures but if in the Sikkim region, bring along some warmer clothing as it can get cold in the mountains. 

India is a country FULL of culture! From the beautiful colours, different religions, ancient traditions and the smells of spices- India is a country like no other.  It’s the the second most populous nation after China, with over 1.2 billion people. 

The most prominant religions are Hinduism and Buddhism and around 13% of the popualrtion are Muslim. Because there are so many religions, India celebrates a large number of festivals throughout the year. Some of these include Diwali, Holi, Eid and Good Friday. 

In India, the cow is considered to be a Holy animal and you will see cars either driving around, or simply waiting if a cow is in the road holding up traffic! In some parts of India it is forbidden to eat meat or drink alcohol. 

You will see many temples in India, as well as colourful clothing, particually the sari’s that the local women wear, and many cultural dance shows and activities. 

30 Years Non Profit Experience

IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.

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