Be part of a pioneer humanitarian project in the Ladakh Valley. Once a departure point for yak trains traveling into Central Asia, Leh is located in a small area just north of the Indus Valley. Situated deep in the Indian Himalayas, Ladakh offers spectacular mountain views and trekking.
Project Cost: $2,275 (based on double occupancy)

Clinic-Only: $1,880 (based on double occupancy)

Call our office for single-occupancy rates.

The dental clinic — located at 11,000 feet above sea level — is set up in the Ladakh valley where volunteers work to provide first-time dental care to children in the Ladakh area. Outside the clinic, volunteers have a chance to get to know the local people and take in mountain life on the Tibetan plateau. Volunteers work in the clinic for six days, after which the journey continues through India with sightseeing in Ladakh.

The project duration is 15 days, which includes: travel time to Leh, orientation, sightseeing in Ladakh, and six days working in the dental clinic.

Volunteers may opt out of the sightseeing portion of the project and head home after the clinic.

 

Project Dates
  • August 19 – September 2, 2024
  • August 31 – September 14, 2024
  • August 18 – September 1, 2025
  • August 30 – September 13, 2025
What’s Included?
  • Two-star guesthouse with beautiful gardens in Leh for 11 nights/12 days
  • Four-star hotel in Delhi on departure (day room)
  • Two meals a day while working in the clinic and on sightseeing days
  • Breakfast only in Delhi
  • Signature GDR T-shirt and water bottle
  • All internal overland ground transportation within India
  • Airport transfers
  • Sightseeing as listed in the project itinerary
  • Celebratory farewell dinner

Plus, you will get all this too:

  • A small group of 14 to 18 international volunteers
  • The chance to make connections and create lifelong memories with new friends from all over the world in a sought-after, adventurer travel destination
  • GDR Return Volunteer Discount on all future projects
  • Two GDR designated trip leaders
  • A GDR coordinator in the office to answer questions and ensure you are prepared for your trip
  • All tips for guides and drivers (except arrival and departure airport transfers)
Sightseeing Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S.

Day 2: Delhi. Arrive in Delhi in the late evening and transit to domestic terminal for your flight to Leh (departing the morning of day three). If you arrive early in the day, you may have to overnight in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi — Leh. Fly from Delhi to Leh. On arrival in Leh, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 4: Leh. Morning at leisure (to adjust to the elevation). Afternoon visit to the clinic site and project briefing of where you will be working for the next six days. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 5: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 6: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 7: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 8: Leh. Full day excursion to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 9: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 10: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 11: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 12: Leh. Full day sightseeing of Ladakh Valley. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 13: Leh. Day at leisure in Leh to explore on your own. Maybe go mountain biking or white-water rafting or take a day hike in the surrounding area. Overnight in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 14: Leh — Delhi. Fly to Delhi. Day room to rest before transferring to the airport for your evening flight home. (B/-/-)

Day 15: Arrive home.

Clinic-Only Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S.

Day 2: Delhi. Arrive in Delhi in the late evening and transit to domestic terminal for your flight to Leh (departing the morning of day three). If you arrive early in the day, you may have to overnight in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi — Leh. Fly from Delhi to Leh. On arrival in Leh, transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 4: Leh. Morning at leisure (to adjust to the elevation). Afternoon visit to the clinic site and project briefing of where you will be working for the next six days. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 5: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 6: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 7: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 8: Leh. Full day excursion to Shey, Thiksey and Hemis Monasteries. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 9: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 10: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 11: Leh. Full day working in the dental clinic in Leh. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 12: Leh. Full day sightseeing of Ladakh Valley. Overnight at hotel in Leh. (B/L/-)

Day 13: Leh — Delhi. Fly to Delhi. Day room to rest before transferring to the airport for your evening flight home. (B/-/-)

Day 14: Arrive home..

Physical Demands

Volunteer dental clinics are fast paced and include a moderate amount of physical activity each day at high elevation. At our volunteer programs in India, you will need to:

  1. Be reasonably fit and have no known limitations to altitude as the clinic is situated at approximately 11,000 feet elevation.
  2. Walk approximately 30 minutes daily (15 minutes each way) to and from the clinic site.
  3. Be able to stand and/or walk (including climbing stairs) for approximately two hours at a time during sightseeing tours.
  4. Sleep with street noise (dogs, car horns, chickens, etc.) and have weak or no hot water at times.
  5. After orientation, be able to navigate the walk to clinic location and local restaurants.
  6. Be okay having limited or unstable access to Wi-Fi/internet.
  7. Be willing to eat primarily local Indian food.
Wolfgang Pfannenstiel

What Volunteers Say

After my first dental volunteer trip I was sure to do this continuously no matter what! This is helping kids in need effectively. This is having enjoyable conversations with new friends. This is creating unforgettable memories. So in my specific case the letters GDR stand for the German Dentist Returns :)”

- Wolfgang Pfannenstiel, Dentist, Germany

Darshani Khosla

What Partners Say

Global Dental Relief makes sure children are receiving continuous care and that clinics are run efficiently and with the highest ethical standards. They take care of every detail on your service trip — I plan to volunteer with them for years to come!

- Darshani Khosla, Dentist, Texas

Carol Lim

What Volunteers Say

Thank you Global Dental Relief! Nothing compares to the efforts and impact of your volunteer overseas programs, working hard to bring healthy smiles to children.

- Carol Lim, Vice President of Business Development, Cranberry U.S.A

TJ Gabriels

What Volunteers Say

I plan my whole year around these opportunities to volunteer abroad. I love travel with a purpose, being more than a tourist and making a small, positive mark in the world. This organization has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and has really helped broaden my world view.

- TJ Gabriels, Lawyer and General Volunteer, New York

Michael Pasoff

What Volunteers Say

As a dentist, I have treated and cared for many patients, however, nothing can compare to the sense of fulfilment when volunteering your time and skill to ease the pain and suffering of others. It never ceases to amaze me what can be accomplished when surrounded by dedicated, caring and talented volunteers, such as those I met in past international dental clinics with GDR.

- Michael Pasoff, Dentist, Montreal, Canada

Nour Shehadeh

What Volunteers Say

I am honored and grateful to help these amazing children, meet incredible people, explore their culture and change children's lives for the better. I look forward to many service trips with GDR in the future.

- Nour Shehadeh, Dental Hygienist, Illinois

Peggy Lamm

What Volunteers Say

If you want to literally change lives, this is a great way to do that. Our work with Global Dental Relief produced more real good than all the other cumulative good works I've helped with through the rest of my life.

- Peggy Lamm, CEO Colorado Mesa University Foundation and General Volunteer, Colorado