Middle East and India
India is a longstanding backpacker favourite for a year out, with a vast range of landscapes to explore, including some of the worlds greatest, most chaotic cities, and some stunning natural sights, with plenty of activities for even the most intrepid gap year explorer. As far as temporary work or paid jobs go, don't hold your breath. People don't go to India to work, they go to discover a completely different way of life and culture. But there is more to a gap year in India than backpacker trails and beachbum lifestyles. Many organisations offer fantastic volunteer placements in India, doing valuable conservation, humanitarian or community work. The companies on this page can help you with your year out in India, so that you can be confident that you will be getting the most of your gap year in this beautiful place.
The recent uprisings in many Middle Eastern countries mean that you must keep up to date with Foreign Office recommendations about destinations such as Egypt, Syria and Jordan. But those organisations below that do offer trips to these countries will also be able to advise you about your choice of Middle Eastern destination.
Middle East and India
Oasis Overland
Adventure overland trips ranging from 2 to 40 weeks in Africa, South America and the Middle East.
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Raleigh International
Unique and challenging adventure, community and environmental projects overseas.
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Intrax
Volunteering in Belize, Brazil, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, Thailand and more. Projects with children, education, health and the environment. Internships and Jobs in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
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Kaya Responsible Travel
Over 250 projects across 26 countries in Asia, Africa & Latin America. Choose to work with wildlife & environmental conservation or community projects. Skilled & unskilled positions from 2 weeks to 6 months.
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GapGuru
Gap year specialist offering exciting volunteer, travel and internship opportunities across Africa, Asia, South America and Europe. Discover new countries and cultures and immerse yourself in local communities, while helping those in genuine need.
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When to go to the Middle East and India
Middle East: When planning to visit the Middle East it is important to take account of religious holidays. The main holiday is Ramadan which is a month during which Muslims abstain from food or drink from dawn to dusk. Ramadan takes place around July and August. Religious Holidays may affect opening times of shops and restaurants and other services, such as government offices. As a rule, always check in advance. Typical weather conditions are hot and dry. It's probably best to avoid the region in July and August when temperatures top 40°C (105°F).
India: A visit to India should avoid the monsoon seasons. In late May or early June Western India plays host to torrential rains virtually every afternoon (and we mean torrential - try pouring a bucket of water over your head and you'll understand!). In October and November it's the turn of the East and South of the country and finally in July and August the mountainous areas of Northeast India get their turn. India has hot tropical weather with variations occurring from region to region. The coolest months are from November to mid-March and the hottest are from April to June.
Don't forget to check out our pages on visas and insurance for the Middle East and India. Many of the gap year organisations on this site offer great volunteering opportunities in India.
