India

Our base in India is Jodhpur, in the state of Rajasthan. It's a city of magnificent palaces and ancient forts, alive with energy, sounds, smells and colours. Three-wheeled autorickshaws buzz around dodging sacred cows and the odd temple elephant wandering the streets... and the best view of it all is from the adrenaline-pumping zip wire that crisscrosses the city.

The best way to see the wild beauty of the Rajasthan desert is undoubtedly from eight feet up on the back of a camel, which can easily be organised a couple of hours from the Gap Medics house. For the full experience, you can do a weekend trek that includes camping out under the crystal-clear desert stars that will definitely be a lasting memory!

Program Manager Daya Sharma built his reputation running a software company in Jodhpur before joining Gap Medics in July 2011. Daya's close relationship with our partner hospitals is crucial to the smooth running of placements - and he and his team are available 24 hours a day if any problems arise.

Jodhpur is well known as being very safe and welcoming of visitors, and all the facilities you're likely to need such as Internet cafes, cash machines, fresh juice bars and of course the lively Bollywood cinemas are easily accessible. The city is an amazing place to explore and in the maze of bazaar-like streets in the old town you can buy, well, absolutely anything!

Our optional yoga classes, led by an experienced Yoga Master on the roof terrace of the Gap Medics house at sunset are a wonderful way to relax and tone up after a long day at the hospital. Classes are mixed ability, so you can join in whether or not you've ever done yoga before.