“From Kolkata to the Himalayas: Volunteering, Eco-Tourism, Community Service & Buddhist Master-Guided Meditation in Sikkim’s Mountain Monasteries”

Begin your journey in Kolkata by volunteering with underprivileged children, including those with special needs, and supporting local communities in need. Then travel onwards to the pristine mountains of Sikkim, where your service continues through eco-tourism and community projects. Amidst forest-clad hills and serene monasteries, you’ll also have the rare opportunity to learn meditation directly from Buddhist Masters—making this experience a path of both compassion and self-discovery.

Description

Sikkim, a jewel in the northeastern Himalayas, is a land of breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant culture, and spiritual depth. Surrounded by Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and West Bengal, and crowned by the mighty Kanchenjunga—the world’s third-highest peak—Sikkim offers a unique setting where nature, history, and spirituality meet.

This program invites international volunteers to begin their journey in Kolkata, serving underprivileged communities, including special-needs children and disadvantaged families. From there, the route continues into Sikkim’s cool, forest-filled mountains, where volunteers engage with children and poor communities, support local women and youth, and immerse themselves in eco-tourism. The highlight of this journey is the rare chance to receive meditation lessons directly from Buddhist Masters in mountain monasteries—an experience of compassion, service, and self-discovery.

Responsibilities

• • Volunteer with children, including those with special needs, and with poor and marginalized communities in both Kolkata and Sikkim.
  • Support training programs for village women and youth (handicrafts, spoken English, digital skills, and communication).
  • Join guided meditation lessons by Buddhist Masters in serene Himalayan monasteries.
  • Participate in eco-tourism activities: monastery visits, heritage tours, treks through rivers, lakes, and green valleys.
  • Engage in cultural exchanges exploring tribal philosophy, spirituality, art, and livelihoods.

Duration: 7–10 days (Kolkata outreach + Sikkim program).

Cost: $1,200–$1,500 (includes food, lodging, transport, tourism, and volunteer program fees).

Route: Kolkata → Sikkim → Kolkata (comfortable travel by flight, train, bus, or car depending on the season).

What We Provide

• • Comfortable food and lodging.
  • Transportation to and from project sites.
  • In-country support and orientation.
  • Cultural activities and eco-tourism experiences.
  • Meditation lessons and spiritual guidance from Buddhist Masters.

About Us

This program is presented by Noah’s Ark, a registered social organization dedicated to special education through the Love & Care Special School, along with Sinai Enterprise, a sister concern promoting handicrafts for economic development. Together, we create an integrated journey of social work, spirituality, and eco-tourism—building harmony through service, learning, and shared humanity.

Program Duration & Cost

We offer flexible program lengths to suit different schedules and interests. All options include food, safe lodging, in-country support, and volunteering opportunities with children, women, and poor communities.

7-Day Program (Introductory Experience) – $700 – $900

• • Volunteering in Kolkata & Sikkim (special-needs children and local communities).
  • Basic eco-tourism: local monastery visits, cultural immersion.
  • Shared lodging & simple transport.

14-Day Program (Balanced Journey) – $1,000 – $1,200

• • Extended volunteering with women, youth, and children.
  • Expanded eco-tourism including monasteries, heritage sites, rivers, and valley treks.
  • Meditation lessons by Buddhist Masters.
  • Comfortable lodging & mixed travel (train/bus/car/flight depending on season).

21-Day Program (Full Immersion) – $1,300 – $1,500

• • Comprehensive volunteering across Kolkata & Sikkim (special education, community training, cultural projects).
  • Deeper eco-tourism with trekking, lakes, historical sites, and forest monasteries.
  • Guided meditation lessons with Buddhist Masters in mountain monasteries.
  • Comfortable travel, upgraded lodging, and additional cultural activities.

✨ Limited partial scholarships or fee reductions may be available for students or low-income applicants.