Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand, India
Join Shri Timli Trust in supporting the education and development of children from Nursery to Class 5 in a rural Himalayan community in Uttarakhand. The programme welcomes volunteers who can contribute as teachers, helping children with classroom learning, English, communication, creative activities, and age-appropriate academic support.
Teachers will work closely with students and may assist with lesson planning, classroom activities, extracurricular learning, and developing engaging ways to make learning more interactive and enjoyable. Volunteers with experience or skills in teaching, education, arts, sports, or other learning activities are encouraged to contribute.
Since we are a charitable organization, A contribution of ₹450 per day is required from volunteers to cover food and related daily meal expenses during their stay.
To be paid directly to the host if application is confirmed.
Wake up early and have breakfast at the Shri Timli Community Kitchen. Get ready for the day and walk around 200 metres to the pickup point to board the school van.
Travel with the school team, picking up students from different villages along the way. Reach the school, located about 3 km from Shri Timli, and spend around four hours teaching, mentoring and engaging with students.
After school, accompany the students back to their respective villages and return to Shri Timli. Enjoy lunch at the community kitchen and take some time to relax after the school day.
The rest of the day is free for volunteers. Explore the village and surrounding hills, go for a hike, visit the river or ancient temples, interact with local families, or explore Shri Timli's Gaushala, Wellness Centre, Handloom Centre and Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya. You may also participate in community activities or simply enjoy the peaceful Himalayan surroundings.
Conduct engaging, age-appropriate classes in subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Computers, Arts, Sports or other areas of your expertise.
Introduce students to new ideas, skills and experiences—such as technology, creativity, communication, digital literacy, environmental awareness or cultural exchange.
Respect the local culture and community, maintain a safe and inclusive learning environment, and inspire students through your enthusiasm, discipline, kindness and participation in village life.
Give students additional attention where needed, help build confidence, encourage questions and support their individual learning journeys.
Life at Shri Timli is not limited to the work you come here to do. The village and surrounding Himalayan landscape offer plenty of opportunities to slow down, explore, connect with nature and experience everyday life in the hills.
During your free time, you can take treks and hikes through forests, fields and village trails, enjoying mountain views, birds, local flora and the changing landscape. You can also walk to ancient temples and traditional places of worship in and around the village, discovering the cultural and spiritual heritage of the region. A visit to the nearby river offers a peaceful place to walk, sit, reflect or simply enjoy the sound of flowing water.
There is also much to explore within Shri Timli itself. Visit the Gaushala to learn about Himalayan cows, traditional dairy practices and rural livelihoods. Spend time at the Wellness Centre and discover local approaches to wellbeing, yoga and traditional knowledge. At the Shri Timli Handloom Centre, meet local women artisans, see traditional weaving in practice and learn about the journey from yarn to finished products.
You can also visit the Shri Timli Sanskrit Mahavidyalaya, interact with students and teachers, and discover the village's long educational heritage.
Volunteers are welcome to participate in community service activities, support educational activities with children, help with village initiatives, or contribute their own skills to ongoing projects.
At Shri Timli, free time is an opportunity to explore, learn, reflect and connect with nature, traditional knowledge, local people and yourself.
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Joining a program is simple. Every application follows a clear, step-by-step process designed to help match you with the right program.
If you're eligible after completing the program screening, you'll pay a ₹499 annual membership fee. Once the host accepts your application, simply pay the ₹300 confirmation fee within 48 hours to confirm your participation.
Railway Station: Rishikesh & Kotdwar
Airport: Dehradun (Jollygrant) Airport
Bus Stand: Rishikesh & Kotdwar
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Here's what your stay covers - from where you sleep to what's on your plate. The host provides these at no cost to you.
Here's what to expect in terms of staying connected useful to know if you need to check in with family or work remotely.
This program host allows upto 1 guest with the following provision. Final acceptance will be host's discretion.
The host welcomes solo women travelers.
These are the basics to check before applying - age, commitment, fitness, and language. Make sure you fit, so the experience fits you.
These skills are required for this program. You may be asked to provide proof of relevant knowledge or experience before you apply.
What to know before you arrive - medical access, insurance, and anything specific to this location. Read this carefully.
Complete the host's pre-screening questions to check your eligibility. If you qualify, you'll become a GDT Care member (one-time annual membership), and your application will be sent to the host after you've reviewed the programme details and applicable costs.
Pre-screening is a short set of questions chosen by the host to check whether you meet the program's basic requirements. It helps match the right volunteers with the right opportunities, saving time for both you and the host.
You simply won't be able to apply to that particular program; but there are many others on GDT Care, and you're free to explore and apply to any that interest you. Passing screening is about fit for that specific program, nothing more.
The GDT Care annual membership is a one-time fee you pay after passing a program's pre-screening. It remains valid for one year, allowing you to apply to unlimited GDT Care programs without paying the membership fee again until renewal.
The GDT Care annual membership helps build a trusted community of genuine, committed volunteers. It supports identity verification and gives hosts confidence that every applicant has completed GDT's membership and verification process.
Once your confirmation payment is successful, your spot is secured and you and the host can contact each other directly. If the host requested identity documents during pre-screening, you'll need to share the agreed documents directly with them before your arrival.
Yes - you can withdraw at any stage. Do note that the membership and any confirmation fee already paid are non-refundable, but your membership stays active, so you can apply to other programmes for the rest of your membership year.
If you can no longer participate, notify both the host and traveler_support@greatdtour.com as soon as possible. Your program confirmation fee is non-refundable, and failing to inform us before the start date will be treated as a no-show, which may affect your profile credibility and future applications.
If the host cancels a confirmed program, your program confirmation fee will be refunded. If the cancellation is due to circumstances beyond anyone's control (such as natural disasters or government restrictions), your confirmation fee will be credited towards a future program application.
If a host needs certain documents after confirmation and there's a genuine mismatch or something missing, the placement may be cancelled. In that case the confirmation fee isn't refunded - so it's worth making sure your details are accurate and ready.
Yes. International volunteers are welcome to apply for eligible programs using their passport for identity verification. You're responsible for having the required visa, travel documents, and permissions, as Great D'Tour does not provide immigration advice.
If you need immediate assistance during your programme - such as a medical emergency, safety concern, or an issue on-site - contact your host first, as they are best placed to help you quickly. If you're unable to reach your host, can't locate them, or need support with an issue the host cannot resolve, contact the GDT Support team at traveler_support@greatdtour.com at the earliest.
You can check whether guests are permitted in the Program Details section. If allowed, you may bring one guest by adding their details during the pre-screening. The host makes the final decision based on availability and may charge additional costs; if your guest is under 18, parental or guardian consent is required.
A fully funded program means the host does not charge a program fee and provides everything listed in the Inclusions section at no additional cost. If a donation or other expense is required, it will be mentioned in the Program Details and is paid directly to the host, not Great D'Tour.
Every programme has its own eligibility requirements. Some opportunities are beginner-friendly, while others require specific skills or experience. Please review the Requirements section to make sure the programme is the right fit before applying.
The physical demands vary depending on the programme and activities involved. The Requirements section explains the expected fitness level, daily routine, and any physical considerations so you know what to expect before applying.
Every programme has different participation, physical, and environmental requirements. We recommend reviewing the Requirements and Health & Safety sections to determine whether the experience matches your abilities, comfort level, and expectations.
Many hosts try to accommodate dietary preferences where possible, but this depends on the programme. If you have specific dietary requirements, mention it in the pre-screening assessment.
The Location section provides the programme address, nearby transport hubs, and other travel information to help you plan your journey. Additional arrival instructions, if required, will be shared by the host before your arrival.
Arrival assistance varies between programmes. If airport, railway station, or bus station pickup is available, it will be mentioned in the Location or Inclusions section of the listing.
Packing requirements depend on the destination, weather, and programme activities. We recommend reviewing the Location and Health & Safety sections for destination and season specific guidance before travelling.
Your responsibilities, expected contribution, and the type of activities you'll support are explained in the Program section. We recommend reviewing it carefully before applying so you know what the programme involves.
Once your participation is confirmed, the host may share program details before your arrival and provide an orientation when you join. Specialized skill programs expect you to have the required skills, while common skill programs may include basic training.
An Apprenticeship focuses on learning by working alongside experienced professionals. You'll gain practical, hands-on experience while contributing to the host's ongoing work and developing real-world skills.
A Work Exchange is an arrangement where you contribute your time and skills in exchange for benefits provided by the host, such as accommodation, meals, or other support. The exact inclusions vary by programme and are listed in the Inclusions section.
Operation Support involves helping with the host's ongoing activities and clearly defined operational tasks. You'll contribute where support is needed to keep the programme running effectively.
Community Service focuses on creating a positive impact by supporting local communities, social initiatives, or public causes. Your contribution helps address community needs while providing a meaningful volunteering experience.
