India (Frommer's, 4th Edition) (34 page)

Reality Tours and Travel
(1/26, Akber House, Nowroji Fardonji Rd., opp. Laxmi Vilas Hotel, Colaba, Mumbai;
98-2082-2253
or 022/2283-3872;
www.realitytoursandtravel.com
) is an innovative local tour company that runs walking tours through Mumbai’s Dharavi slum. They have also started their own kindergarten and community center in Dharavi, and are in the process of launching an NGO called Reality Cares. They can help you find a suitable volunteer position within Mumbai, working either with ATMA (above) or other NGO and volunteer organizations. If you are unsure about how you’d like to contribute your time and energy, Krishna, one of the young, dynamic founders of Reality Tours, will help you understand the city dynamic and its needs.

Ekno Experience
(
www.eknoexperience.com
) has a number of placements for volunteers willing to work, predominantly as teaching or child care givers, but there are also positions for health care givers and special needs care givers. The organization can put together packages that combine volunteering programs with unique travel experiences.

Rogpa Charitable Trust
(Kapoor House, near Tibetan Ashoka Guest House, Jogiwara Rd., McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala;
98-1665-9549;
www.rogpa.com
) focuses on Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala, and runs a
Baby Care Centre,
which has places for up to 10 international volunteers who are invited to work with the children for a minimum of 15 days. Volunteers work alongside a full-time staff of seven caregivers of Tibetan origin and are expected to provide love and care for around 35 children all under 3 years of age; duties include storytelling, sleep supervision, hosting play time, feeding, cleaning, and diaper changing. Past volunteers have reported that the job is exhausting but extremely fulfilling. You’ll find images of the experience on Facebook.

One more organization to consider if you’re interested in working with Tibetan refugees, is
LHA Charitable Trust
(
01892/22-0992;
www.lhasocialwork.org
), which provides opportunities for foreigners in various fields, from health care and education to building maintenance and computer technology. The trust also offers services to foreigners, including Tibetan language and cooking classes, yoga and meditation workshops, and various therapeutic treatments such as massage and reiki.

ESCORTED GENERAL-INTEREST TOURS

Escorted tours are structured group tours with a group leader. The price usually includes everything from airfare to hotels, meals, tours, admission costs, and local transportation.

Despite the fact that escorted tours require big deposits and predetermine hotels, restaurants, and itineraries, many people derive security and peace of mind from the structure they offer. Escorted tours—whether they’re navigated by bus, motorcoach, train, or boat—let travelers sit back and enjoy the trip without having to drive or worry about details. They take you to the maximum number of sights in the minimum amount of time with the least amount of hassle. They’re particularly convenient for people with limited mobility and they can be a great way to make new friends.

On the downside, you’ll have little opportunity for serendipitous interactions with locals. The tours can be jam-packed with activities, leaving little room for individual sightseeing, whim, or adventure—plus they often focus on the heavily touristed sites, so you miss out on many a lesser-known gem.

For midrange and budget tours, U.K.-based
Imaginative Traveller
is popular for its midrange-priced escorted tours (
www.imaginative-traveller.com
), and includes a tour of the remote northeastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, which aren’t covered in this book.

San Francisco–based
Geographic Expeditions
(1008 General Kennedy Ave., San Francisco, CA 94129-0902;
800/777-8183
or 415/922-0448;
www.geoex.com
) is rated among the world’s best tour organizers, with innovative, well-structured trips that combine off-the-well-trodden-path experiences with must-see sights. Their portfolio currently includes village tours of Ladakh and Rajasthan, journeys through the south, and trips that focus on festivals in certain regions. Most of their tours last between 12 and 18 days; while they have a schedule of planned departure dates, they are also able to tailor any departure to suit you and your party, irrespective of size. Geographic Expeditions also offers the possibility of completely personalized 100% customized trips, offering all the services you’d expect on a group tour.