Join Worldwide Navigators in partnership with International Medical Relief on this health education tour in eastern India. Visit the beautiful cities of Kolkata, Howrah, Delhi and Agra. From the Ganges River to the Taj Mahal, you’re bound to get swept away in the vibrancy of India!

DAY 1: Arrive in Kolkata

You and your group will fly into Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport where together with the IMR team, you’ll be transported to your accommodations in Kolkata's subarea of Howrah. All team members will receive a local greeting of a floral wreath necklace, and a traditional red & orange pigment, or Bindi, will be placed on the women’s foreheads as a symbol of long life.

DAY 2: Howrah | Clinic & Rest

After your first day of clinic, the day is yours to explore the city or take a much deserved rest at the

hotel.

DAY 3: Howrah | Clinic & Book Stores & Masala Tea

After clinic, you will get to stroll College Street to immerse yourself in one of the world’s largest

collections of books. Wrap yourself in stories for centuries as literary collections erupt from every page of these hidden treasures while sipping on your favorite Masala Chai Tea.

DAY 4: Howrah | Clinic & Sightseeing

You will continue in your service to others through clinic today followed by some beautiful sites of

Howrah & Kolkata. In the late afternoon you will enjoy a visit to Dalhousie Square’s streets, then to St Paul’s Cathedral and the breathtaking Victoria Memorial. This magnificent palace was built for Her Majesty Queen Victoria and is now a beautiful historical memorial in her honor.

DAY 5: Howrah | Clinic & Rest

After another arduous day of clinic, the day is yours to explore the city or take a much deserved rest at the hotel.

DAY 6: Howrah | Clinic & Cooking Classes 

Wake up early for another day of clinic. In the late afternoon, you will have the opportunity to take

lessons on how to prepare authentic Indian curry. You will collaborate with locals to make many

different curry dishes. Learn how to marinate chicken, cook in a tandoor, and use a clay oven. Finally, it’s time to enjoy your homemade meal with good company. Engage in conversation about India’s cuisine and culture and how it compares to your home country’s.

DAY 7: Howrah | Clinic & Sarees & Henna

Today will be another great day of clinic. After returning to your hotel, you will be trying on the

traditional yards of fabric that make up the Saree. These colorful and exquisite garments are draped around the body and over the shoulder as an iconic costume that is still worn today. Then continue your evening of fashion with a local Mehndi designer. This traditional art form for Indian women is like a nail salon where designers create beautiful, elegant artwork in their parlors for a temporary makeover of your fingers and hands.

DAY 8: Howrah | Clinic & Rest

After another arduous day of clinic, the day is yours to explore the city or take a much deserved rest at the hotel.

DAY 9: Howrah | Clinic & Precious Gems

After your day in clinic, tour some of the famous gem shops in all of India were semi-precious and

precious stones and gems are plentiful. Meet with certified gemologists and peek at these precious stones through a professional monocular, handheld loop to inspect the clarity, color and grade of the jewels as explained to you by the local professionals.

DAY 10: Howrah | Clinic & Mother House of Missionaries of Charity

After your final day of clinic, you will be transported into the heart of Kolkata to have a once in a

lifetime experience. Your team will visit the renowned Missionaries of Charity to learn more about the incredible impact of one of the most famous humanitarians of our time, Mother Teresa. In conjunction with the Mother Teresea of Calcutta Center, your team will learn about this incredible organization’s humanitarian goals and how they are going about achieving them.

DAY 11: Goa | Let’s get Goa-ing!

Today is the day you have been waiting for! You will say goodbye to the amazing IMR providers as your group breaks off for its own cultural adventure! The silver beaches of Goa have been a tourist’s delight for decades. Your group will stay at a beachside hotel in Palolem and discover the calm outside bustling Kolkata & Howrah. Kayak and explore the nearby small islands and quaint fishing villages, enjoy South Indian cuisine and learn about Goa’s Portuguese past.

DAY 12: Goa | Natural Beauty

Take a rickshaw and proceed to the nearby beautiful Agonda beach to enjoy a delicious breakfast at the beachside restaurant. After breakfast, travel to some of the area's coastal villages and natural attractions.

DAY 13: Goa | Yoga & Ayurveda

This morning you’ll wake up bright and early for a yoga class on the beach! After lunch, your team will head to a wellness center where you’ll learn all about the herbal medicine tradition of Ayurveda. This 5,000 year old practice is translated as “the Science of Life” in Sanskrit and focuses on maintaining balance in the body in order to prevent disease.

DAY 14: Departure Home

Enjoy a lovely breakfast at the hotel before heading to Dabolim Airport in Goa to jet back home.

According to the World Health Organization, India is recording very high infant mortality and a high death rate due to malaria from improper diagnosis, treatment and care. It is imperative for IMR to continue to help the people in India and overcome these health conditions. 

You can expect to see many respiratory conditions - including lower respiratory infections. Diarrheal diseases and accompanying dehydration are common and the 4th most common cause of death. Chronic diseases including hypertension, diabetes, COPD, and asthma will be common. Many patients are undiagnosed and your diagnosis will be of great importance to their future health; education is the first line of treatment for many of these patients. 

From a public health perspective, unsafe drinking water in urban and rural areas is the primary concern. Tobacco, alcohol, accidental and self-inflicted injury, and nutritional problems are also significant public health issues.   

In partnership with local organizations, you have the humbling opportunity to enter communities at risk and provide acute clinical care to those who need it most. Clinics will be based in the slums of Howrah, where populations are predominately Muslim (80%) and where we we will work to further empower women and children who lack opportunities to participate in education and vocational training.